Surface layer comprising micro-fabricated tiles for electromagnetic control of fluid turbulence in sea water

Abstract

A surface layer for use in connection with an object adapted for motion tugh a fluid includes an array of tiles each having a pair of electrodes and a pair of magnetic poles positioned to generate respective electric and magnetic fields generally transverse to each other. Either or both of the electrodes or magnetic poles are controllable to provide adjustable electrical and/or controllable magnetic fields. A plurality of turbulence sensors is provided each located proximate to and generally upstream of a tile. Each turbulence sensor generating a turbulence signal representative of fluid turbulence proximate thereto. A control circuit for controlling the electrical field generated by the electrodes and/or the magnetic field generated by the magnetic pole in relation to the turbulence signal from the turbulence sensors, thereby to generate a Lorentz force for controlling the fluid. The length and time scales of the electro-magnetic tiles can be matched to those of near-wall turbulence in high Reynolds number flows. The tiles can be fabricated using silicon micro-fabrication or printed circuit board techniques, which provides for cost-effective fabrication and ensures relatively lightweight and reduced energy requirements. Due to their smallness, plurality and amenability, digital microprocessor technology with appropriate algorithm maybe used to control near-wall turbulence.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.