Fluidic Ejector Airfoil Lift Using Coanda Air Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft designs, particularly VTOL and UAVs, suffer from inefficiencies in lift generation, especially at low airspeeds, and are limited by battery power density and propeller inefficiencies, leading to short flight times and inability to carry large payloads.
Innovation Solution
Employ a propulsor system utilizing fluidics to entrain and accelerate ambient air with a high-pressure gas stream, using Coanda surfaces to enhance lift by mixing it with a motive gas stream, allowing for efficient lift and attitude control without swiveling propellers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional propellers or jet engines are used for lift generation, then thrust can be produced, but energy consumption is high and flight time is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical propellers and jet engines with a fluidic lift generation system that uses Coanda surfaces and ambient air entrainment. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power mechanical propulsion systems, dramatically reducing energy consumption and extending flight time for battery-powered aircraft.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a fluidic ejector system that generates lift through the Coanda effect and ambient air entrainment. The system uses pressurized gas to create a jet stream that adheres to curved surfaces, generating aerodynamic lift without mechanical moving parts, thereby improving energy efficiency.
2Power
If battery power is used to drive propellers, then aircraft can be powered, but power density is limited and payload capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical propeller systems with a fluidic lift generation system using Coanda surfaces. This eliminates the need for high-power-density batteries and mechanical transmission systems, reducing overall aircraft weight and increasing payload capacity while maintaining sufficient power output for flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and utilizes ambient air from the surrounding environment as the working fluid for lift generation. By entraining ambient air through the ejector system, the aircraft does not need to carry all the mass required for lift generation, thereby increasing payload capacity.
3Productivity
If conventional lift generation methods are used, then aircraft can generate lift, but efficiency at low airspeeds is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed operation of the fluidic ejector system to generate lift. By controlling the timing and duration of jet stream generation, the system can efficiently produce lift at low airspeeds where conventional continuous propulsion systems are inefficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the lift generation system by using variable geometry in the ejector and Coanda surfaces. This allows optimization of the jet stream characteristics (velocity, direction, entrainment ratio) to maintain high lift generation efficiency across a range of low airspeeds.
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
Enhances lift generation and reduces energy consumption, enabling longer flight times and increased payload capacity by leveraging the Coanda effect for efficient mixing and temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
discharge the gas adjacent to a convex surface. The convex surface is a so-called Coanda surface benefitting from the Coanda effect
Implementation Method 2
utilizing fluidics for the entrainment and acceleration of ambient air and delivers a high speed jet efflux of a mixture of the high pressure gas and entrained ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes an ejector having an outlet structure out of which propulsive fluid flows at a predetermined adjustable velocity. A control surface having a leading edge is located directly downstream of the outlet structure such that propulsive fluid from the ejector flows over the control surface.