Multi-stage flow control actuation
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDan John Clingman, Edward Andrew Whalen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Concepts and technologies described herein provide for the creation of an actuating fluid flow utilizing a multi-stage actuator. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a fluid actuation system includes at least two stages, each stage having a plenum and one or two diaphragms acting on the plenum to create an actuating fluid flow. The diaphragms of each stage may be substantially aligned along an axis. The actuating flow is aggregated between stages and expelled into a fluid flow to be controlled. According to various aspects, the diaphragms may include piezoelectric discs.
Claims11
A fluid actuation system, comprising:
- an interior actuation mechanism comprising at least a first diaphragm, a first plenum, and a first diaphragm plate having a first diaphragm aperture sized to receive the first diaphragm, the first diaphragm adapted to expel fluid from the first plenum through an exit aperture;
- a panel, the panel having a first side facing a fluid flow to be actuated and a second side facing the interior actuation mechanism, wherein the second side of the panel provides a side of the first plenum, and wherein the panel comprises the exit aperture such that the fluid is expelled from the first plenum adjacent to the second side of the panel through the exit aperture to the first side of the panel into the fluid flow to be actuated;
- and
- a peripheral actuation mechanism comprising:
- a second diaphragm and a third diaphragm encompassing a second plenum fluidically coupled to the first plenum, the second diaphragm and the third diaphragm adapted to expel fluid from the second plenum into the first plenum,
- a second diaphragm plate having a second diaphragm aperture sized to receive the second diaphragm, and
- a third diaphragm plate having a third diaphragm aperture sized to receive the third diaphragm,
- wherein the panel, the interior actuation mechanism, and the peripheral actuation mechanism are positioned in a stacked configuration such that the first diaphragm plate abuts the panel and defines the first plenum between the second side of the panel and the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm plate abuts the first diaphragm plate, and the third diaphragm plate abuts the second diaphragm plate and defines the second plenum between the second diaphragm and the third diaphragm, substantially aligning the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the third diaphragm along an axis.
A fluid actuation system, comprising:
- a plurality of stages, each stage comprising
- a plenum defined between a panel or diaphragm plate and an abutting diaphragm plate, and
- at least one piezoelectric disc adapted to alternately compress and expand the plenum,
- wherein the plurality of stages are positioned in a stacked configuration with each piezoelectric disc and plenum aligned along a central axis;
- a pathway fluidically connecting each plenum;
- and
- an exit aperture adapted to expel an actuating flow created by the compression and expansion of each plenum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.