Combustion-driven jet actuator
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsAri Glezer, Thomas M. Crittenden
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a flow control system, comprising a controller, an ignition device whose activation is controlled by the controller, a combustion-driven jet actuator, and a fuel source in fluid communication with the jet actuator that supplies fuel to the jet actuator. Typically, the jet actuator comprises a combustion chamber, an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, and at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion. In use, the combustion-based jet actuator can emit jets of fluid at predetermined frequencies.
Claims43
A system for modifying a high speed fluid flow, comprising:
- an aerodynamic surface adjacent or within the high speed fluid flow;
- and
- a deflagration combustion-driver jet actuator provided on the aerodynamic surface, the jet actuator including a combustion chamber, a spark generating device that supplies ignition sparks within the combustion chamber to ignite fuel, an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, and at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion, wherein the combustion frequency of the jet actuator is controllable with the spark generation device so that the jet actuator can emit jets of fluid at various different frequencies;
- wherein actuation of the jet actuator causes a jet to be emitted that modifies the high speed fluid flow.
A flow control system for modifying a high speed fluid flow, comprising:
- an ignition device;
- a deflagration combustion-driven jet actuator including a combustion chamber, an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, and at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion;
- a fuel source in fluid communication with the jet actuator that supplies fuel to the jet actuator;
- a controller that is configured to control the frequency of activation of the ignition device so as to control the frequency of combustion of fuel in the jet actuator;
- and
- an aerodynamic surface on which the jet actuator is positioned, the aerodynamic surface being positioned within or adjacent the high speed fluid flow;
- wherein actuation of the jet actuator causes a jet to be emitted that modifies the high speed fluid flow.
A flow control device for modifying a high speed fluid flow, comprising:
- a plurality of deflagration combustion-driven jet actuators provided in an array;
- wherein each of said jet actuators comprises
- a combustion chamber,
- an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, and
- at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion,
- wherein each jet actuator orifice is independently exposed to the high speed fluid flow so as to be capable of separately affecting the fluid flow.
A method for controlling flow, comprising:
- providing a deflagration combustion-based jet actuator in an aerodynamic surface within or adjacent a high speed fluid flow, the jet actuator having a combustion chamber, an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, and at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion, the jet actuator not including an exhaust pipe;
- and
- modifying the high speed fluid flow by periodically igniting the fuel at a desired frequency within the combustion chamber to cause fluid jets to be emitted from the jet actuator at a particular frequency to control the fluid flow.
A system for modifying a high speed fluid flow, comprising:
- a deflagration combustion-driver jet actuator including a combustion chamber, a spark generating device that supplies ignition sparks within the combustion chamber to ignite fuel, an orifice that serves as an outlet for combustion products emitted from the combustion chamber, at least one inlet through which fuel is supplied to the chamber for combustion, and sintered material positioned directly upstream from the at least one inlet, wherein the combustion frequency of the jet actuator is controllable with the spark generation device so that the jet actuator can emit jets of fluid at various different frequencies;
- and
- an aerodynamic surface on which the jet actuator is positioned, the aerodynamic surface being in or adjacent the high speed fluid flow;
- wherein actuation of the jet actuator causes a jet to be emitted that modifies the high speed fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.