Simplified Fluidic Oscillator for Aircraft Aerodynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional passive vortex generators and conventional active flow controllers for aircraft fluid control systems face issues such as flow obstruction, increased drag, high cost, and complexity, while passive vortex generators are not flexible enough to provide performance improvements across varying operating conditions.

Innovation Solution

An active flow control system featuring fluidic oscillators with a single fluid flow path and angled curved sidewalls, eliminating the need for feedback control loops, which reduces the size and weight of the fluidic oscillators by at least a factor of 2, allowing for efficient fluid management and aerodynamic control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional passive vortex generators are used to control flow separation, then flow control performance is improved, but flow obstruction and drag increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control performanceVSAvoidflow obstruction and drag

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the feedback control loop from the fluidic oscillator system, removing the harmful obstruction caused by traditional feedback channels while retaining the essential flow separation control function. This allows the system to generate oscillating jets without the complex internal passages that obstruct flow in conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical feedback control mechanism with a simplified single-flow-path design that relies on fluid dynamic instabilities to generate oscillations. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical feedback channels while maintaining the flow control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional active flow controllers are used to control flow separation, then flow control effectiveness is improved, but cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the feedback control loop from conventional fluidic oscillators, significantly simplifying the device structure. This extraction eliminates complex internal passages and reduces the number of components, making the system cheaper to manufacture and easier to install while maintaining flow control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The simplified fluidic oscillator design uses fewer materials and simpler construction methods, making the device more cost-effective. The single-flow-path architecture reduces manufacturing complexity and installation requirements, aligning with the principle of using simpler, more economical solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If traditional fluidic oscillators with feedback control loops are used, then flow control performance is maintained, but size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control performanceVSAvoidfluidic oscillator size and weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the feedback control loop from the fluidic oscillator, removing the heavy and bulky internal passages required for feedback flow. This extraction significantly reduces the device size and weight while preserving the oscillating jet generation capability that provides flow control performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the feedback control loop functionality into the main flow path, eliminating the need for separate feedback channels. This merging consolidates the fluidic structure, reducing overall device volume and weight while maintaining the essential flow control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances aerodynamic control by reducing size and weight, simplifying integration and reducing costs, while maintaining performance benefits, allowing for efficient fluid management and improved aircraft performance across a wide range of flight speeds.

Implementation Method 1

a single fluid flow path from the inflow portion to the narrow nozzle inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid oscillation:

Implementation Method 2

the angled curved sidewalls create a jet of fluid in a throat of the nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJet flow: Jet

Data Source

PatentUS10717519B2Simplified fluidic oscillator for controlling aerodynamics of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Method and apparatus for controlling the aerodynamics of an aircraft using an active flow control system is disclosed herein. In one example, the active flow control system includes an airframe and a plurality of fluidic oscillators. The airframe includes an inlet configured for flight speeds ranging from subsonic to hypersonic. The plurality of fluidic oscillators is mounted about a curvature of the airframe. Each fluidic oscillator includes a body and an integral nozzle coupled to the body. The body has an inflow portion and a narrow nozzle inlet formed opposite the inflow portion. The integral nozzle is coupled to the body by the narrow nozzle inlet. The narrow nozzle inlet forms a single fluid flow path from the inflow portion to the narrow nozzle inlet.