US 7,055,541 B2 · Method and mechanism for producing suction and periodic excitation flow

Abstract

A method and mechanism of producing a suction and periodic excitation flow. The method includes providing fluid flow from jet port with diameter dl at a controlled input pressure (Pin), directing the flow to a conduit with diameter d2, >d1, allowing additional fluid to join the flow through suction slot(s) to create an amplified flow in the conduit, further directing the amplified flow in a first direction by applying a transverse pressure differential, further redirecting the amplified flow in another direction by modifying an angle by which the transverse pressure differential is applied and iteratively repeating the further directing and further redirecting so that the amplified flow oscillates between the directions. The suction and periodic excitation flows may be employed, for example, to effectively control boundary layer separation. A mechanism for automated performance of the method is also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of producing a suction and periodic excitation flow, the method comprising:

(a) providing a flow of a fluid from a jet port characterized by a first diameter (d1) at a controlled input pressure (Pin);
(b) directing said flow to a conduit characterized by a second diameter (d2) wherein d2 is greater than d1;
(c) allowing additional fluid to join said flow through at least one suction slot to create an amplified flow;
said at least one suction slot in fluid communication with said conduit;
(d) further directing said amplified flow in a first desired exit direction by applying a transverse pressure differential to a longitudinal axis of said flow;
(e) further redirecting said amplified flow in at least one additional desired exit direction by modifying a circumferential angle by which said transverse pressure differential is applied to said longitudinal axis;
and
(f) iteratively repeating said further directing and further redirecting so that said amplified flow oscillates between said first desired exit direction and each of said at least one additional desired exit direction.

5 more elements

A suction and periodic excitation flow mechanism, the mechanism comprising:

(a) a jet port characterized by a first diameter (d1), said jet port capable if directing a flow of a fluid at a controlled input pressure (Pin);
(b) a conduit characterized by a second diameter (d2) wherein d2 is greater than d1, said conduit in fluid communication with said jet port and capable of receiving said flow from said jet port;
(c) at least one suction slot in fluid communication with said conduit and an environment external to the mechanism, said at least one suction slot capable of allowing additional fluid to join said flow to create an amplified flow;
(d) a deflection device capable of applying a transverse pressure differential to a longitudinal axis of said flow to direct said amplified flow in a first desired exit direction and further capable of redirecting said amplified flow in at least one additional desired exit direction by modifying a circumferential angle by which said pressure differential is transverse to said longitudinal axis;
and
(e) a controller, said controller capable of commanding said deflection device to perform at least one finction selected from the group consisting of:
(i) apply a transverse pressure differential to a longitudinal axis of said flow to direct said amplified flow in a first desired exit direction;
(ii) iteratively repeat a predetermined set of modifications of said circumferential angle by which said pressure differential is transverse to said longitudinal axis so that said amplified flow oscillates between said first desired exit direction and each of said at least one additional desired exit direction;
and
(iii) cease operation.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and mechanism for producing suction and periodic excitation flow

Life of this patent

Method and mechanism for producing suction and periodic excitation flow

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20