Jet actuators for aerodynamic surfaces

A jet actuator for control of an aerodynamic structure, comprising:

• an aerodynamic structure having an aerodynamic surface and a hollow space adjacent to the surface;
• an orifice opening through the aerodynamic surface adjacent to the hollow space;
• a substantially rigid movable member sized to fit within the hollow space and arranged to move along an axis, the movable member having a piston,
• a flexible diaphragm within the hollow space and sealed around the orifice so as to define a compression chamber open to the exterior of the aerodynamic surface, the piston being attached to the flexible diaphragm such that movement of the piston along the axis alternately compresses and expands the chamber;
• a voice coil mechanism within the hollow space arranged to drive the movable member along the axis and cause the piston to alternately compress and expand the compression chamber, respectively expelling fluid from and pulling fluid into the compression chamber through the orifice;
• a power circuit for driving said movable member along said axis, wherein said flexible diaphragm does not form a part of said power circuit;
• and
• a one-way valve opening to the compression chamber to permit fluid to be pulled therethrough into the chamber upon expansion of the chamber, but prevent fluid from being expelled therethrough from the chamber upon compression of the chamber.

A jet actuator for control of an aerodynamic structure, comprising:

• an aerodynamic structure having an aerodynamic surface and a hollow space adjacent to the surface;
• an orifice opening through the aerodynamic surface adjacent to the hollow space;
• a substantially rigid movable member sized to fit within the hollow space and arranged to move along an axis, the movable member having a piston;
• a permanent magnet stacked in an array including said piston,
• a flexible diaphragm within the hollow space and sealed around the orifice so as to define a compression chamber open to the exterior of the aerodynamic surface, the piston being attached to the flexible diaphragm such that movement of the piston along the axis alternately compresses and expands the chamber;
• a voice coil mechanism within the hollow space arranged to drive the movable member along the axis and cause the piston to alternately compress and expand the compression chamber, respectively expelling fluid from and pulling fluid into the compression chamber through the orifice;
• a one-way valve opening to the compression chamber to permit fluid to be pulled therethrough into the chamber upon expansion of the chamber, but prevent fluid from being expelled therethrough from the chamber upon compression of the chamber;
• and
• pliable membranes for resiliently coupling said piston to a fixed structure, relative to said permanent magnet.