High performance synthetic valve/pulsator

A method of manipulating a primary fluid flow over a surface, the method comprising:

• flowing the primary fluid over the surface;
• drawing fluid into a sealed chamber through at least one inlet port, wherein outward deflection of a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm draws fluid into the sealed chamber;
• creating a pulsed jet by expelling fluid from the sealed chamber through at least one outlet port, wherein
• inward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm forces fluid from the sealed chamber through the at least one outlet port,
• wherein the fluid from the sealed chamber contacts the primary fluid flow;
• and
• wherein a mechanical actuator couples to the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm to deflect the first diaphragm and second diaphragm.

An aerodynamic surface operable to manipulate a primary flow over the aerodynamic surface, wherein the aerodynamic surface comprises:

• at least one array of synthetic pulsators located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer;
• a control system operably coupled to the at least one array of synthetic pulsators, wherein the control system is operable to direct the at least one array of synthetic pulsators to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface;
• and
• wherein the synthetic pulsators each comprise:
• a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm;
• a sealed chamber having at least one port, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm form outer walls of the sealed chamber;
• a first high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the first diaphragm operable to deflect the first diaphragm;
• and
• a second high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the second diaphragm operable to deflect the second diaphragm;
• and wherein:
• outward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to fill with fluid;
• and
• inward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to expel fluid.

An aerodynamic surface operable to manipulate a primary flow over the aerodynamic surface, wherein the aerodynamic surface comprises:

• at least one array of synthetic pulsators located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer, wherein the synthetic pulsator comprise:
• a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm;
• a sealed chamber having at least one port, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm form outer walls of the sealed chamber;
• a first high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the first diaphragm operable to deflect the first diaphragm;
• and
• a second high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the second diaphragm operable to deflect the second diaphragm;
• and wherein:
• outward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to fill with fluid;
• and
• inward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to expel fluid;
• and
• a control system operably coupled to the at least one array of synthetic pulsators, wherein the control system is operable to direct the at least one array of synthetic pulsators to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface.

A flow control system operable to manipulate a primary flow over an aerodynamic surface, wherein the flow control system comprises:

• at least one array of synthetic pulsators located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer, wherein the synthetic pulsator comprise:
• a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm;
• a sealed chamber having at least one port, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm form outer walls of the sealed chamber;
• a first high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the first diaphragm operable to deflect the first diaphragm;
• and
• a second high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the second diaphragm operable to deflect the second diaphragm;
• and wherein:
• outward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to fill with fluid;
• and
• inward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to expel fluid;
• and
• a controller operably coupled to the at least one array of synthetic pulsators, wherein the control system is operable to direct the at least one array of synthetic pulsators to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired fluid flow over the aerodynamic surface.

An aerodynamic control surface operable to manipulate a primary flow over the aerodynamic control surface, wherein the aerodynamic surface comprises:

• at least one array of synthetic pulsators located substantially upstream of fluid flow over the aerodynamic control surface operable to introduce secondary flows in the near wall boundary layer, wherein the synthetic pulsator comprise:
• a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm;
• a sealed chamber having at least one port, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm form outer walls of the sealed chamber;
• a first high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the first diaphragm operable to deflect the first diaphragm;
• and
• a second high performance mechanical actuator coupled to the second diaphragm operable to deflect the second diaphragm;
• and wherein:
• outward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to fill with fluid;
• and
• inward deflection of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm cause the chamber to expel fluid;
• and
• a control system operably coupled to the at least one array of synthetic pulsators, wherein the control system is operable to direct the at least one array of synthetic pulsators to introduce secondary flows in order to achieve a desired fluid flow over the aerodynamic control surface.