US 11,946,497 B2 · Method, system and apparatus for reducing fluid drag

Abstract

A novel mechanism for reducing boundary layer friction and inhibiting the effects of uncontrolled fluid turbulence and turbulent layer separation, thus reducing the body drag, kinetic energy losses and lowering engine and pump fuel consumption is proposed. It steps on the type of turbulence observed in the so-called in fluid dynamics “drag crisis”. Plurality of device shapes and plurality of devices producing the wanted pure form of even plurality of counter-rotating vortices extending into the flow, i.e. tubes, are presented and discussed in detail, contrasting with the prior art. Configurations of multiple devices for the purposes of drag and fuel reduction, including their simulations and experimental results are put forward. Additional embodiments of the resulting tubes disclose use on aircraft or vessel control surfaces as stall inhibitors, use in wind turbines as dynamic range extenders, as well as use in turbines in efficient cooling mechanisms.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for reducing fluid drag, or generating improved stall characteristics and agility, or improved heat exchange, the method comprising:

providing a body surface or control surface;
applying at least one device to the body surface;
wherein the device is configured to produce turbulence with minimal fluid separation;
wherein the close to the surface turbulence assists the heat exchange in a convectional manner;
wherein the turbulence extends directly behind the device and with its low dynamic pressure promoting downward, toward the surface fluid motion stabilizing the flow;
wherein the turbulence produced is in the form of a plurality of counter rotating, just touching vortices appearing as tubes down the fluid flow;
wherein the turbulence produced is in the form of two counter rotating, just touching vortices appearing as tubes down the fluid flow, in the form of quadruple, two by two counter rotating vortices appearing as tubes down the fluid flow or plurality of counter rotating vortice pairs;
and
wherein the device includes a structure in a form of a barchan dune, and the structure includes two elongations at a leeward side of the dune.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method, system and apparatus for reducing fluid drag

Life of this patent

Method, system and apparatus for reducing fluid drag

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16