Airfoil Vortex Dissipation via Pulsed Fluid Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mitigating wake vortices at the outer tips of wings are ineffective, posing risks to following aircraft due to turbulent conditions and prolonged vortex persistence, which can lead to hazardous situations during take-off and landing.
Innovation Solution
An airfoil system equipped with a vortex dissipation device that includes a flow nozzle and valve system, capable of directing pressurized fluid pulses outwardly from the tip, with a controller managing the operation to dissipate vortices by altering the direction and frequency of the fluid jet, thereby accelerating instability and reducing vortex intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional passive vortex mitigation methods are used, then device complexity is low, but vortex dissipation effectiveness is insufficient leading to hazardous wake conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators to generate pulsed air jets that are injected into the wake vortex region. These pneumatic devices utilize compressed air storage tanks and valve systems to create controlled bursts of fluid flow that interact with and destabilize the vortex structure, achieving effective vortex dissipation through fluid dynamic mechanisms rather than passive geometric modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes periodic pulsed air jets rather than continuous flow. The controller activates the pneumatic actuators in timed sequences, delivering bursts of fluid at specific intervals that resonate with and amplify the natural instability frequencies of the vortex. This periodic action enhances dissipation effectiveness while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous flow systems.
2Reliability
If pulsed fluid flow is used to destabilize vortices, then vortex dissipation effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller delivers pulsed rather than continuous fluid flow, activating the pneumatic actuators in periodic sequences. This approach concentrates energy delivery at critical moments when the vortex is most vulnerable to destabilization, achieving effective dissipation while minimizing total energy consumption. The pulsed timing is optimized to coincide with vortex evolution stages that maximize instability growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow parameters including pulse frequency, duration, and intensity based on real-time vortex conditions. By varying these parameters, the controller optimizes energy efficiency at different flight conditions and vortex strengths, delivering just enough energy to achieve dissipation without excessive consumption. The adjustable orifice configurations also modify flow parameters to match operational requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple orifices are activated simultaneously, then vortex dissipation coverage is improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex dissipation system is divided into multiple independent pneumatic actuators, each with its own orifice and control valve. This segmentation allows the controller to selectively activate individual actuators or groups of actuators based on vortex position and intensity, providing targeted dissipation coverage. Each segmented unit can be independently controlled, simplifying the overall control strategy compared to managing a single complex flow system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller activates different orifices in periodic sequences rather than all simultaneously. This temporal staggering of activation reduces peak complexity requirements for the control system while maintaining comprehensive vortex coverage through the cumulative effect of multiple pulsed jets acting at different times and locations in the wake region.
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 system significantly reduces the strength and duration of wing tip vortices, minimizing the risk of hazardous rolling moments and altitude loss for following aircraft, as demonstrated by computational fluid dynamics simulations.
Implementation Method 1
The flow nozzle can be coupleable to a source of pressurized fluid, and can include an orifice positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip
Implementation Method 2
The controller can direct the valve device to deliver pulses of flow through the orifice, for example, at frequencies of from about 1 Hz to about 10 Hz
Implementation Method 3
at least partially dissipating the vortex by directing multiple fluid pulses outwardly from a tip of the airfoil
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5A~5D
Figure 6~8
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for the controlled trailing wake flows are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment is directed to an aircraft system that includes an airfoil (14) having first and second oppositely facing flow surfaces and a tip. The system can further include a vortex dissipation device (2230) carried by the airfoil, with the vortex dissipation device including a fluid flow nozzle (1590), a valve device (2231), and a controller (2233). The fluid flow nozzle can be coupleable to a source of pressurized fluid (2232) 'and can include an orifice (1591) positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip. The valve device can be coupled in fluid communication with the fluid flow nozzle to selectively control the flow passing through the orifice. The controller can be coupled to the valve device to direct the operation of the valve device. Accordingly, the vortex dissipation device can be activated to accelerate the rate at which vortices (e.g., wing tip vortices) dissipate after they are generated.