Laser Shockwave Flow Control for Air Vehicle Flight Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling air vehicle flight paths and descent, such as adjusting flaps and angle of attack, are limited in their ability to externally manage air vehicle flight, particularly in non-cooperative scenarios, and often require risky or damaging interventions.
Innovation Solution
The use of laser-induced shockwaves to modify and control fluid flow along control surfaces by seeding unstable frequencies, allowing for remote and non-lethal control of air vehicle flight paths through energy deposition via pulsed lasers, which can increase or decrease lift and drag, and initiate stall if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control methods (adjusting flaps and angle of attack) are used to control air vehicle flight paths, then the control is achieved through mechanical means, but the ability to externally manage air vehicle flight in non-cooperative scenarios is limited and requires risky or damaging interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control systems (flaps, angle of attack adjustments) with a laser-based energy deposition system. The laser induces plasma and shockwaves that modify airflow over control surfaces, enabling external control without mechanical contact. This substitution allows reliable control in non-cooperative scenarios where traditional mechanical methods fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser-induced plasma and shockwaves as intermediaries between the external control system and the air vehicle. The laser energy creates plasma that generates shockwaves, which in turn modify the airflow over control surfaces. This intermediary mechanism enables remote control without direct mechanical interaction, solving the problem of controlling non-cooperative air vehicles.
2Ease of operation
If laser-induced shockwaves are used to modify flow along control surfaces, then remote and non-lethal control is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with a laser-based system that uses optical energy to induce plasma and shockwaves. While the laser system itself is complex, it eliminates the need for mechanical linkages, actuators, and physical contact mechanisms, providing remote control capability that outweighs the added system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If laser energy is deposited to seed unstable frequencies and initiate flow disruption, then precise control of lift and drag is achieved, but the energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic laser pulses to seed unstable frequencies in the airflow over control surfaces. By delivering energy in periodic pulses rather than continuous energy deposition, the system achieves precise flow control while managing energy consumption. The periodic action allows the flow to respond and amplify the seeded frequencies, reducing the total energy required compared to continuous energy input.
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
Enables precise and safe remote control of air vehicles by disrupting flow patterns, allowing for redirection or landing without physical contact, with minimal damage and operational costs, effective over ranges exceeding 500 meters and applicable from various platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The laser-induced shockwaves we introduce, either on or near a surface, seed an extremely broad frequency range
Implementation Method 2
The excitations we will provide are mediated/delivered via laser and much of the pertinent background is described in great detail in the Kremeyer patents included by reference. The laser-induced shockwaves we introduce
Implementation Method 3
Seeding these frequencies, even very lightly, can lead to dramatic modification to the flow across the control surface, in particular, in loss of laminar flow, replaced by separated flow
Implementation Method 4
leading to a strong reduction in lift, in fact leading to stall under the right conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control air flow, lift, and drag, in relation to air vehicles, and methods for seeding flow instabilities at the leading edges of control surfaces, primarily through shockwave generation through deposition of laser energy at a distance.