Modifications of fluid flow about bodies and surfaces with synthetic jet actuators

A system for modifying a fluid flow over a solid body comprising:

• (a) a synthetic jet actuator positioned in the solid body, said synthetic jet actuator having
• (i) a first tubular section embedded in a solid body with an exit co-planar with an outer surface of said solid body,
• (ii) a second tubular section inside of and concentric to said first tubular section, wherein an exit of said second tubular section is recessed below said exit of said first tubular section,
• (iii) a means for supplying a constant suction in said second tubular section for drawing an ambient fluid into and through said second tubular section, and
• (iv) a means for controlling a flow of fluid through said first tubular section;
• and
• (b) a series of fluid vortices emanating from said synthetic jet actuator, said vortices forming a synthetic jet stream projecting outwardly from the solid body, wherein said fluid flowing over the solid body contacts said synthetic jet stream, said direction of the fluid flow being modified by said synthetic jet stream.

A method for modifying a direction of a fluid stream flowing along a solid body, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing said fluid stream flowing along the solid body;
• (b) generating a synthetic jet stream from said solid body that comprises a series of fluid vortices;
• (c) creating a bounded air pocket on said solid body with said synthetic jet stream;
• (d) passing said fluid stream over said solid body;
• and
• (e) modifying said direction of said fluid stream by contacting said fluid stream with said air pocket.

A method for causing fluid flow in a bounded volume, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an aerodynamic surface;
• (b) generating a synthetic jet stream out of said aerodynamic surface, wherein said synthetic jet stream comprises a series of spaced fluid vortices;
• and
• (c) creating said bounded volume as an air pocket on said aerodynamic surface of a flying object.

A mixer apparatus for mixing fluid traveling in a downstream direction, comprising:

• (a) a cylindrical tubular structure having an inner surface with a circular cross-section;
• and
• (b) a plurality of synthetic jets arrayed about said circular cross-section of said cylindrical tubular structure, each of said synthetic jets comprising:
• (1) a jet housing having an orifice formed in a wall of said housing;
• and
• (2) means for withdrawing fluid into said orifice and means for forcing fluid out of said orifice;
• wherein said plurality of synthetic jets alter an aerodynamic surface of said structure so that said structure has a lobed cross-section of a certain pattern, lobes forming said lobed cross-section of said certain pattern promoting mixing of said fluid by generating vortices.

A system for modifying a fluid flow over an airfoil, comprising:

• (a) a synthetic jet actuator positioned in the airfoil, said synthetic jet actuator having:
• a jet housing defined by walls, said jet housing having an internal chamber with a volume of fluid and an opening in said jet housing connecting said chamber to an external environment having said fluid, and
• a volume changing means for periodically changing said volume within said internal chamber so that a series of fluid vortices are generated and projected in said external environment out from said opening of said jet housing;
• and
• (b) a synthetic jet stream formed by said fluid vortices, said synthetic jet stream emanating from said synthetic jet actuator and projected outwardly from the airfoil, wherein said fluid flowing over said airfoil contacts said synthetic jet stream, said direction of said fluid flow being modified by said synthetic jet stream.

A system for causing fluid flow in a bounded volume, comprising:

• (a) an air pocket on an aerodynamic surface forming said bounded volume;
• and
• (b) a synthetic jet actuator situated within said bounded volume to cause said fluid flow within said volume, said synthetic jet actuator having:
• a jet housing defined by walls, said jet housing having an internal chamber with a volume of fluid and an opening in said jet housing connecting said chamber to an external environment having said fluid, and
• a volume changing means for periodically changing said volume within said internal chamber so that a series of fluid vortices are generated and projected in said external environment out from said opening of said jet housing.