# US 8,783,337 B2 · System for changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,337 B2 - Document ID: US8783337B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/633,082 - Filed: 2006-12-01 - Published: 2008-10-09 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-01 - Assignees: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC - Applicants: Roderick A. Hyde; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Lowell L. Wood, Jr.; Alistair K. Chan; Clarence T. Tegreene - Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Nathan P. Myhrvold; Lowell L. Wood, Jr.; Alistair K. Chan; Clarence T. Tegreene - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783337B2 ## CPC - B64C 23/005: {by other means not covered by groups B64C23/02 - B64C23/08, e.g. by electric charges, magnetic panels, piezoelectric elements, static charges or ultrasounds} - B63B 1/34: by reducing surface friction - B64C 3/48: by relatively-movable parts of wing structures - B64C 23/00: Influencing air flow over aircraft surfaces, not otherwise provided for - F15D 1/12: by influencing the boundary layer - F28F 13/02: by influencing fluid boundary (boundary-layer control in general F15D) - F28F 13/06: by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media {(F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026)} - F28F 27/00: Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus (control arrangements in general G05) - B64C 2230/02: by using acoustic waves generated by transducers - Y02T 50/10: Drag reduction - Y02T 70/10: Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A system and method for producing surface deformations on a surface of a body. The system and method relate to changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface. The system includes a first surface being a surface of a body exposed to a fluid flow and at least one actuator affecting deformation of the first surface. The system also includes a control system providing control commands to the at least one actuator, the control commands configured to change deformations on the first surface in order to change the convective heat transfer coefficient of the first surface. Further, the system includes a sensor providing environmental characteristic information to the control system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface, comprising: a first surface including a portion of a body exposed to a fluid flow; at least one actuator affecting deformation of the first surface; at least one temperature measuring sensor detecting temperature representative of temperature of the first surface; and a means for controlling the convective heat transfer coefficient of the first surface based on the temperature received from the at least one temperature measuring sensor, the means for controlling generating control commands for the at least one actuator to change the deformation of the first surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the body is selected from the group consisting of an aircraft, a watercraft, a vehicle, an article of clothing, a ball, a toy, a projectile, a heat exchanger, a cooling system, a heating system, a building, a structure, and a pipe wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: an array of actuators. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: a plurality of distributed transducers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: at least one electroactive polymer device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: at least one acoustic wave generating device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: at least one piezoelectric transducer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: at least one electromechanical actuator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator comprises: at least one magnetic actuator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is deposited onto the surface or under the first surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of movable panels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a wing surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a pipe wall surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises an electronics package heat control surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a refrigeration heat exchanger surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a vehicle surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a turbine blade surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a cannula surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a heat conductive surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a projectile surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one other sensor providing environmental characteristic information to the control system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one other sensor comprises a pressure measuring sensor. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one other sensor comprises a flow velocity sensor.