Flettner rotor

English

Etymology

Named after German aviation engineer and inventor Anton Flettner.

Noun

Flettner rotor (plural Flettner rotors)

1. A smooth cylinder with disc end-plates which is spun along its long axis and, as air passes at right angles across it, the Magnus effect causes an aerodynamic force to be generated in the direction perpendicular to both the long axis and the direction of air flow.