Plasma Actuator Airflow Layout for Vehicle Turbulence Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traveling wind generates air resistance and turbulent flows around vehicles, leading to increased aerodynamic noise and vibration, which existing airflow adjusting technologies, such as plasma actuators, struggle to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
An airflow adjusting apparatus comprising multiple plasma actuators arranged in a grid or zigzag pattern along a vehicle body, with a controller to independently control the output of each group, ensuring a higher total output in one group compared to an adjacent group, directing airflows to optimize airflow deflection and reduce turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma actuators are arranged in a grid pattern to cover the vehicle body surface, then the airflow control effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body surface is divided into multiple zones, each equipped with plasma actuators that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows targeted airflow control in specific regions (such as around A-pillars and windshields) without requiring actuators across the entire surface, thus maintaining effectiveness while reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Plasma actuators are strategically positioned in specific locations where airflow control is most needed (e.g., near A-pillars and windshields rather than uniformly distributed). This local quality approach concentrates control resources in critical areas, improving airflow control effectiveness while minimizing the number of actuators required
2Measurement precision
If multiple plasma actuators are independently controlled to create differential output patterns, then the airflow deflection precision is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the output of individual plasma actuators based on real-time airflow conditions. By enabling independent control of each actuator, the system can create differential output patterns that precisely deflect airflow around specific vehicle features, achieving high precision airflow control while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma actuators can be controlled in periodic or pulsed patterns rather than continuous operation. This allows the control system to manage multiple actuators with simplified timing-based control strategies, reducing the complexity of coordinating differential output patterns while maintaining precise airflow deflection capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If plasma actuators are used to generate ion wind for airflow control, then the aerodynamic noise and vibration are reduced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful traveling wind effects (aerodynamic noise and vibration) are targeted and addressed by extracting and controlling airflow in specific regions using plasma actuators. By focusing energy only where needed to counteract harmful effects rather than controlling entire vehicle surfaces, the system reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining noise and vibration reduction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma actuators generate ion wind that creates controlled turbulent mixing to beneficially disrupt harmful vortex flows and turbulent structures. By converting electrical energy into localized plasma-generated airflow, the system transforms energy input into a beneficial effect that reduces aerodynamic noise and vibration from traveling wind
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 apparatus effectively deflects airflow around the vehicle, reducing interference with windshields and A-pillars, suppressing turbulent flows and vortex generation, while maintaining a simple and robust configuration without movable parts.
Implementation Method 1
The plasma actuator uses plasma generated upon application of a high voltage to the electrodes to induce an airflow
Implementation Method 2
Such an airflow may be sometimes referred to as ion wind or an induced airflow
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow adjusting apparatus includes two or more airflow generators and a controller. The airflow generators are arranged in first and second directions along a surface of an object. The airflow generators are configured to generate respective airflows in parallel directions parallel along the surface of the object. The second direction intersects with the first direction. The controller is configured to control outputs from the respective airflow generators independently of each other. The controller is configured to cause a total output from the airflow generators in a first group to be greater than a total output of the airflow generators in a second group. The airflow generators in the first and the second groups are arranged side by side in an airflow generation direction. The airflow generators in the second group are adjacent to those in the first group.