Patent ID: 6059236
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B64C,F05D,F15D,Y02T

Abstract:
Apparatus for affecting the flow of a conductive fluid over a control surface comprising:a matrix of electrodes spread over a front surface of the control surface;means for biasing (or energizing) selected electrodes in columns so that the polarity of the electrodes in a given electrode column alternates between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and so that an electrical current flows from a positive electrode in the electrode column through the conductive fluid to adjacent negative electrodes on either side of the positive electrode in the electrode column, and wherein the biasing means includes means for minimizing undesired lateral current flow from one electrode column to another;means for generating a magnetic field having magnetic flux lines substantially orthogonal to the electrical current flowing through the conductive fluid and substantially perpendicular to the control surface near a boundary layer between the control surface and conductive fluid; andsaid means for biasing said selected electrodes in columns so that an electrical current flows from said positive electrode in the electrode column through the conductive fluid to said adjacent negative electrodes on either side of said positive electrode in the electrode column interacting with said means for generating a magnetic field having magnetic flux lines substantially orthogonal to said electrical current flows such that a tangential Lorentz force substantially orthogonal to both the electrical current and magnetic flux lines and substantially tangential to the control surface is created in equal and oppositely-directed pairs, which tangential Lorentz force affects the flow of the conductive fluid over the control surface.