Aircraft Flow Guide Body With Multi-Stage Pulsed Blowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active flow control systems using steady blowing actuators require a high amount of air, particularly when applied to large aerodynamic areas, leading to inefficient air usage and potential limitations in aircraft design where other measures like slats or vortex generators are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A flow guide body with a multi-stage system of air flow control devices, where control inlets of all stages are supplied by control outlets of the first stage, minimizing air supply while maintaining flow control efficiency through pulsed blowing, forming a wave pattern that reduces air requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steady blowing actuators are used for active flow control on large aerodynamic areas, then flow control efficiency is maintained, but the amount of air required becomes undesirably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed blowing actuators that eject jets of air in periodic pulses rather than continuous steady flow. The control system activates and deactivates the blowing actuators in a periodic manner to create pulsed jets that delay or suppress flow separation. This periodic operation significantly reduces the total amount of air required compared to steady blowing while maintaining effective flow control on aerodynamic surfaces such as wings and tail planes.
2Quantity of substance
If pulsed blowing actuators are used to reduce air consumption, then the amount of required air is reduced, but flow control efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a dynamic control system that adjusts the timing, duration, and intensity of pulsed blowing based on real-time flight conditions. The control system dynamically modulates the pulsed jets to optimize flow control effectiveness across varying aerodynamic loads and flight regimes, ensuring that flow separation is effectively delayed or suppressed while minimizing air consumption. This dynamic adaptation maintains flow control efficiency despite the reduced air supply compared to steady blowing.
3Quantity of substance
If multi-stage flow control devices are implemented, then air supply is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flow control system into multiple stages, where each stage includes blowing actuators and control elements that operate sequentially or in coordinated pulses. The multi-stage configuration allows the system to achieve effective flow control with reduced air supply by distributing the blowing action across multiple stages rather than requiring high-volume single-stage blowing. The segmentation enables more efficient use of available air while managing system complexity through modular stage design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves efficient flow control with a minimal air supply, effectively delaying or suppressing flow separation on aerodynamic surfaces without significant loss in efficiency, applicable to various aircraft components like wings, tail planes, and winglets.
Implementation Method 1
The interaction chamber is provided with a first control inlet connected to the interaction chamber at the first side of the chamber axis and configured to deflect the flow to exit the interaction chamber at the second outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A flow guide body for an aircraft includes a main body having an outer aerodynamic surface having a plurality of outlet openings, and flow control devices, each having an inlet, an interaction chamber, a first outlet and a second outlet. A first control inlet is connected to the interaction chamber at the first side of the chamber axis. The outlets are each connected to outlet openings in the aerodynamic surface. Each outlet has a control outlet. A second flow control device is arranged such that one outlet is connected with the inlet of the first flow control device. One of the control outlets of the first flow control device is connected to the first control inlet of the first flow control device, and the other of the control outlets of the first flow control device is connected to the first control inlet of the second flow control device.


