METHOD OF REDUCING SURFACE FRICTION

Abstract: A method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface (10) of a body (11) having relative movement through a liquid and acoustically decoupling the body from the liquid. A surface portion on the body is formed of a composition of matter (13) reactive with the liquid to evolve a gaseous reaction product on the surface portion, which gaseous product is released into the liquid as relative movement between the body and the liquid occurs. Concurrently, a long chain reaction product is formed which also is released into the liquid providing for further maintenance of the laminar flow. In the illustrated embodiment, the composition of matter (13) is aluminous, the gaseous reaction product is hydrogen, the long chain reaction product is aluminum hydroxide, and the liquid is sea water. In a modified form, the aluminous reactive material (113) is provided within the body, the liquid is introduced thereinto, and the reaction products are discharged at the outer surface of the body.

Description: METHOD OF REDUCING SURFACE FRICTION Technical Field This invention relates to boundary layer control and in particular to methods of reducing surface friction between a liquid and a body moving there¬ through. Background Art A desideratum in the art of propelled marine devices is the development of increased speed and range for a given propelling capacity. Illustrative- ly, in the field of acoustic torpedoes, it is desira¬ ble to provide for increased payload without an increase in size or weight. One attempted solution to this problem is to provide means for sucking, a small •quantity of the ambient fluid through a porous outer member of the device so as to maintain- a laminar flow over the surface thereof and thereby maintain desired boundary layer control. The effect • of such suction is to stabilize the laminar boundary layer. However, such boundary layer control has the serious disadvantage of increasing the skin friction over that of pure laminar flow. Another attempted solution to the problem has been to provide means for heating the outer surface of the device so as to cause a boiling, or evapora¬ tion, of the ambient fluid at the outer surface, thereby tending to reduce the frictional drag. A serious defect of this method, as well as of the suction method described above, is the need for a source of energy carried by the device to effect the suction or boiling action. Such means reduces the effective payload, necessitating an increase in size and weight of the device. In U.S. Letters Patent 3,361,213, Joseph G. Savins discloses a method of decreasing friction loss in turbulent liquids incorporating in the liquid quantities of a soap system creating a viscoelastic liquid. Where the turbulent condition occurs adja¬ cent a submerged skin of a vehicle moving through the water, the incorporating of the soap system is effected by flowing at low rates of flow through small openings in the interior portion of the vehicle sufficient quantities of a concentrated viscoelastic solution of the soap system to create a thin layer of the viscoelastic liquid adjacent the skin, thereby allowing the vehicle to proceed through the water at an increased rate. Jan Hulsebos et al disclose, in U.S. Letters Patent 3,392,693, a method of reducing drag by apply¬ ing friction-reducing material to the exterior surfaces of an object moving through a fluid medium. The object is provided with at least one intake open- • ing for admitting the ambient fluid in at least one outlet opening adjacent the forward end thereof, with a chamber adapted to contain the friction-reducing material internally of the object. The friction-re¬ ducing material is pelletized and interconnecting conduits are provided between the chamber and the respective intake and outlet openings, permitting the ambient fluid to enter into the chamber, contact the friction-reducing, pelletized material, and be ejected from the outlet opening. A screen is pro- vided in at least one of the interconnecting conduits to prevent passage of the pellets therethrough. In U.S. Letters Patent 3,973,510, Charles R. McCulloch et al teach provision of a polymeric drag reducing coating on a submersible object wherein the coating comprises at least 50% by weight of hydropho- bic silica producing a nonuniform coating on the object. . McCulloch et al teach the use of a tacky binding agent which is cured after the hydrophobic silica is applied thereto. Another method of reducing drag between an object, such as a torpedo, and the ambient water is disclosed in U.S. Letters Patent 4,186,679 of Andrew G. Fabula et al. As disclosed therein, a polymeric drag-reducing material is carried in the torpedo in concentrated form. Ambient water is ingested and mixed with the concentrated polymer to produce a sea water-polymer solution of a predetermined concentra¬ tion which is ejected from the torpedo nose to flow rearwardly in intimate contact with the exterior sur¬ face of the torpedo as a result of the forward motion thereof. Disclosure of Invention The present invention comprehends an improved- method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body having relative movement through a liquid, which is extremely simple and eco¬ nomical. In one form, the invention comprehends providing a surface portion of the body formed of a composition of matter reactive with the ambient liquid to evolve a gaseous reaction product on the surface portion. The gaseous reaction product is released into the liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. The invention further comprehends the provision of a method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body having relative movement through the liquid comprising the step of providing on a surface portion of the body long chains of aluminum hydroxide which are released into the liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. In the illustrated embodiment, the aluminum hydroxide is formed as a second reaction product in producing the gaseous reaction product. The invention comprehends the method of acousti¬ cally decoupling from a liquid a body moving through the liquid by providing a surface portion of the body formed of a composition of matter reactive with the liquid to evolve the gaseous reaction product. Al- ternatively, the invention comprehends the method of acoustically decoupling a liquid from a body moving therethrough comprising the provision on the surface portion of the body long chains of aluminum hydroxide. In another form of the invention, the reactive aluminum is provided on board where it is caused to mix with the water to form the desired hydrogen bub¬ bles for release through the outer wall of the moving body to effect the desired maintenance of laminar flow and acoustic decoupling. The step of providing the reactive surface por¬ tion may comprise a step of coating the body with the composition. Alternatively, the step of providing the reactive surface portion may comprise a step of spraying the composition of matter onto the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the composition comprises an aluminum composition. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaseous reac¬ tion product comprises hydrogen gas. n the illustrated embodiment, the composition of matter is preselected to provide a preselected reaction rate in the ambient liquid. The invention comprehends the further step of providing a protective cover over the composition of matter to prevent reaction thereof until desired. permitting removal of the protective cover at the time of movement of the body through the liquid. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective cover comprises an impermeable membrane. The invention comprehends providing the composi¬ tion of matter on the body by flame spraying thereof. Alternatively, the composition of matter may be prefabricated into a wall element retained on the body. The invention comprehends that the composition of matter be preselected to provide an exothermic action. In the illustrated embodiment, the composition provides a reaction rate which increases with the pressure of the liquid acting thereon. The invention comprehends the provision of the surface composition as a commercially available alum¬ inum alloy. The composition of the alloy may be adjusted to control the reaction rate as desired. The provision of the reactive surface composi¬ tion may be readily activated and serviced in the field. The composition comprises a low cost, light¬ weight composition, thereby providing improved main- tained laminar flow without weight or cost penalties. Brief Description of the Drawing Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein: FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a torpedo moving through a body of sea water, with laminar flow being maintained on the surface thereof by a method embody¬ ing the invention; FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged section illustrating the arrangement of the surface portion of the object with the reactive coating and protective outer layer thereon; and FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged section illus- trating a modified form of the invention wherein the reactive aluminum is disposed within the outer wall of the torpedo, bubbles of hydrogen produced by reaction of the aluminum with the sea water being discharged through suitable openings to form the desired gaseous bubble film for maintaining the desired laminar flow. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, an im¬ proved method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid L along the outer surface 10 of a body 11 having rela¬ tive movement through the liquid is shown to comprise the provision of a reaction product 12 on the surface which is released into the liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. More " specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the invention comprehends providing on surface 10 a layer 13 of a composition of matter reactive with the liquid L to evolve the desired reaction product. In the illustrated embodiment, layer 13 is formed of a known aluminum alloy which is reactive in an aqueous liquid, such as sea water, to produce hydrogen gas and aluminum hydroxide as reaction prod¬ ucts. The invention comprehends maintaining laminar flow of the liquid relative to the body by the evolu¬ tion of the gaseous hydrogen in releasing it into the liquid L over substantially the entire surface of the body 11 which, in the illustrative embodiment, com¬ prises a torpedo adapted to move through the body of OMPI sea water L. Concurrently, the reaction of the aluminum alloy with the sea water produces long chains of aluminum hydroxide which stream out from the reactive layer so as to apparently define long macromolecules convect- ing through the turbulent boundary layer so as to re¬ move kinetic energy therefrom by elastic extension. The gaseous reaction product streams out concurrently from the reactive layer to further reduce friction and maintain the desired laminar flow. It has further been found that the evolution of the gaseous reaction product provides an acoustic de¬ coupling of the body and the ambient liquid. It would appear that the formation of the gaseous reac- tion product along surface 10 causes an effective mismatch in acoustic impedances so as to produce the desired decoupling. The invention comprehends that the hydrogen and long chain aluminum hydroxide be formed in situ by reaction with the ambient liquid. The layer 13 of the aluminum alloy composition may be coated onto the body surface 10 by any suitable means as. desired. Illustratively, the aluminum alloy layer may be pro¬ vided by spraying the material onto the surface 10. In one form, the aluminum alloy was flame-sprayed onto the surface. The invention further comprehends providing the coating 13 by preforming the coating and applying the preformed coating to the surface 10 by suitable means. By controlling the composition of the aluminum alloy, a preselected reaction rate in the liquid L is readily obtained. To prevent formation of the reaction product prior to the intended use, a protective cover may be provided over the layer 13, such_as cover 14, as shown in Figure 2. The cover preferably comprises an impermeable membrane, and in one form, comprised an elastic impermeable membrane formed of a synthetic elastomer. The aluminum alloy of layer 13 preferably has a melting point of about 1000 β F. Preferably, the reactive layer 13 is formed of a material having a density of no greater than approxi- 3 mately .15 lbs./in , and a tensile strength of at least about 20,000 psi. Further preferably, the reactive laye-f material is exothermic in the evolution of the reaction product. The aluminum alloy material is preselected to provide a reaction rate which increases with the pressure of the liquid L acting thereon. One example of a water soluble aluminum alloy advantageously adapted for use in effecting the desired maintenance of laminar flow, as discussed above, is that marketed by TAFA Metallisation Inc., of Concord, New Hampshire. The alloy, identified as TAFA Serial 300-301 aluminum alloy, has a density of 3 .15 lbs./in , a tensile strength of 24,000 psi, a softening point of approximately 1100 β F., a thermal 2 conductivity of .28 G-cal/sec/cm /°C/cm @ 50°C, a specific heat of approximately .35 Btu/lb.,.and a hardness R. 42. The rate of reaction with sea water increases at least approximately 1000 times at a depth providing a pressure of approximately 2000 psi. It would appear that the hydrogen bubbles pro¬ duced as a gaseous reaction product of the soluble metal with the ambient liquid tend to disrupt the laminar sublayer so as to effectively eliminate this region of high shear. As the bubbles move away from the surface into the surrounding liquid the bubbles tend to reduce the turbulent stresses by absorbing the momentum as a result of the elasticity of the bubbles. Drag reduction may be attributed to the variation in effective viscosity near the body sur¬ face 10. The positive viscosity gradient provides an increase in the curvature of velocity profile and, thus., contributes to the stability of the laminar boundary layer. It has been found that the optimum drag reduction is effected by bubble generation down¬ stream of the boundary layer transition, and in a suitable distribution such ' that the bubble genera¬ tion is effected subjacent substantially the entire turbulent boundary layer. The provision of the gaseous reaction product and long chain reaction product as a.result of the subjection of the reactive material to the ambient liquid further appears to provide a synergistic effect in reducing the drag and maintenance of the laminar flow and in acoustically decoupling the body 11 from the ambient liquid. The specific mechanism and phenomena involved in providing the improved drag reduction and acoustic decoupling may be other than those suggested above within the scope of the invention. Referring to the embodiment of Figure 3, a modified form of the invention is shown to comprise a body 111 defining an internal chamber 115 at the nose portion 116 thereof. Reactive material 113 is provided in chamber 115. As further illustrated in Figure 3, the body wall 111 may be provided with a plurality of through passages 117 opening outwardly from chamber 115 at the nose portion 116. Passages 117 permit the ingress of sea water to chamber 115 for reaction with the mater¬ ial 113, thereby to produce hydrogen bubbles 112 which OMPI may pass outwardly through the openings 117 to flow along the outer surface of the body in providing the desired maintained laminar flow and acoustic decoup¬ ling. Concurrently, aluminum hydroxide reaction prod¬ ucts may pass out through the passage 117 to provide further improved maintained laminar flow, as discussed above. Material 113 illustratively may comprise the above—identified alloy marketed by TAFA Metallisa¬ tion Inc. Alternatively, the reactive material may comprise aluminum material having a bright surface formed thereof until subjected to water and that upon such subjection, reaction of the aluminum with the water is initiated and continues so as to effect re¬ action with substantially the entire aluminum material. The TAFA material may be readily flame-sprayed and, . thus, is a preferable material for use in the above described first embodiment, wherein in the Figure 3 embodiment, any suitable configuration of the reac¬ tive aluminum material may be utilized efficaciously. The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts com¬ prehended by the invention. OMPI > W WIiPPOO

Claims: Claims 1. The method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body having rela¬ tive movement through said liquid comprising the steps of: 0.5 providing a surface portion of the body formed of a composition of matter reactive with said liquid to evolve a gaseous reaction product on said surface portion of the body; and 0 releasing said gaseous reaction product into the liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. 2. The method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body having rela¬ tive movement through said liquid comprising providing on a surface portion of the body long 5 chains of aluminum hydroxide as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. 3. The method of acoustically decoupling from a liquid a body moving through said liquid comprising the steps of: providing a surface portion of the body formed 5 of a composition of matter reactive with said liquid to evolve a gaseous reaction product on said surface portion of the body; and releasing said gaseous reaction product into the Q liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. 4. The method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body moving through said liquid comprising the steps of: providing within the body aluminous material reactive with said liquid to evolve a gaseous reaction product; introducing the liquid to said material; and releasing the gaseous reaction product into the liquid along the outer surface of the body as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. 5. The method of maintaining laminar flow of liquid along the outer surface of a body having relative movement through said liquid comprising the steps of: providing a surface portion of the body formed of a composition of matter reactive with said liquid to form long chains of aluminum hydroxide on said surface portion of the body; and releasing said long chains of aluminum hydroxide into the liquid as relative movement between the body and liquid occurs. 6. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 5 wherein the step of providing said surface portion comprises a step of coating the body with said composition. 7. The method of Claims 1, 2 or 5 wherein said composition comprises an aluminum composition. 8. The method of Claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein said gaseous reaction product comprises hydrogen gas. 9. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 wherein said liquid comprises an aqueous liquid. 10. The method of Claims 1, 3 or 5 wherein the step of providing said surface portion comprises a step of spraying said composition of matter onto said body. 11. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactivematerialispreselected to provide a pre¬ selected reaction rate in said liquid. 12. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 includ¬ ing the further steps of providing a protective cover over the reactive material to prevent premature evolu¬ tion of the gaseous reaction product, and removing 05 the cover at the time of movement of the body through said liquid. 1-3. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 includ¬ ing the further steps of providing an impermeable membrane over the reactive material to prevent pre¬ mature evolution of the gaseous reaction product, and Q5 removing the membrane at the time of movement of the body through said liquid. 14. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said liquid comprises sea water. 15. The method of Claims 1, 3 or 5 wherein the step of providing said surface portion comprises a step of flame spraying the reactive material onto said body. • ^JREA OMPI • , ™° 16. The method of Claims 1, 3 or 5 wherein the reactive material is prefabricated into a wall element and said step of providing said surface portion com¬ prises a step of retaining said wall element juxtaposed to said body. 17. Themethodof Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 includ¬ ing the further steps of providing a protective elastic cover over the reactive material to prevent premature reaction, and removing the cover at the time of move- ment of the body through said liquid. 18. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactive material is preselected to have a melting point of about 1000 β F. 19. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactive material has a density of no greater than about .15 pounds per cubic inch. 20. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactive material has a tensile strength of at least about 20,000 psi. 21. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactive material is preselected to provide an exothermic evolution of said reaction product in said liquid. 22. The method of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the reactive material is preselected to provide a reaction rate which increases with the pressure of said liquid acting thereon. ™° 23. The method of Claim 2 wherein reactive material is disposed within said body and caused to produce said chains of aluminum hydroxide as said relative movement occurs. 24. The method of Claim 2 wherein said reactive material is disposed within said body and caused to produce said chains of aluminum hydroxide as said relative movement occurs. 25. The method of Claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the gaseous reaction product is provided at a leading portion of the moving body. 26. The method of Claim 4 wherein the aluminous reactive material comprises aluminum having an un- oxidized surface covered by mercury. 27. Any and all features of novelty described, referred to, exemplified or shown.

Inventors: THELLMANN EDWARD L, THELLMANN, EDWARD, L.
Applicants: GOULD INC, GOULD INC.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B63B1
IPC codes: B63B1, F42B19