Patent ID: 8074939
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: B64C,F15D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of altering fluid flow about a body moving relative to a fluid, comprising: providing a body having a first surface, the first surface actuated by a first set of one or more actuators; exposing the first surface of the body to the fluid, the first surface extending in at least a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being orthogonal to the second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, and the second direction being parallel to the surface; generating more than one deformation of the first surface of the body using the first set of one or more actuators, wherein the more than one deformation includes a series of variations propagating in a direction tangential to the surface and at a non-zero angle with the direction of fluid flow relative to the body; and generating more than one deformation of the first surface of the body using the first set of one or more actuators, wherein the more than one deformation includes a series of variations propagating in a direction tangential to the surface and along the direction of fluid flow relative to the body.