Patent ID: 8240616
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: B64C,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing distributed flow control to manage the behavior of a global flow field, the method comprising the steps of: connecting an array of a plurality of nano-effectors to a surface of an aerodynamic structure to be in fluid contact with a primary fluid flow structure when operationally flowing, the array of nano-effectors having a subset positioned adjacent a station line located at an expected point of incipient separation from the surface of the aerodynamic structure of at least portions of the primary flow structure, a subset positioned substantially upstream of the expected point of incipient separation, and a subset distributed therebetween to thereby configure the array of the plurality of nano-effectors as a single two-dimensional array; and altering a secondary flow structure in a viscous wall sublayer of a turbulent boundary layer of the primary fluid flow structure with the plurality of nano-effectors to induce controlled, globally distributed disturbances at the viscous wall sublayer of the turbulent boundary layer of the primary flow structure when operationally flowing flow and to manipulate fluid behavior of the primary flow structure to thereby substantially reduce pressure loss associated with the incipient separation of the primary flow structure from portions of the aerodynamic structure.