Synthetic Vacuum Generator for Aerodynamic Boundary Layer Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum systems for boundary layer control in aerodynamic surfaces are heavy, cumbersome, and complex, making them inefficient for drag reduction and aerodynamic control.

Innovation Solution

A synthetic vacuum generator with a case enclosing a cavity and a piston and check valve, configured for symbiotic resonant response to create a synthetic vacuum by reciprocating the piston at a predetermined frequency, establishing an outflow and inflow through the primary aperture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centrally located vacuum pump with tubing is used to create vacuum at orifices, then vacuum can be established for boundary layer control, but the system becomes heavy and structurally complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum establishment capabilityVSAvoidvacuum pumping and routing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the vacuum generation function into distributed synthetic vacuum generators at each orifice location, eliminating the need for a centralized vacuum pump and complex routing system. Each generator operates independently to create local vacuum effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the vacuum generation function from a centralized pump system and relocates it to distributed synthetic vacuum generators at each orifice, removing the heavy pump and extensive tubing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a centrally located vacuum pump with tubing is used to create vacuum at orifices, then vacuum can be established for boundary layer control, but the structural weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum establishment capabilityVSAvoidvacuum system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the vacuum generation function into distributed synthetic vacuum generators at each orifice location, eliminating the need for a centralized vacuum pump and complex routing system. Each generator operates independently to create local vacuum effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the vacuum generation function from a centralized pump system and relocates it to distributed synthetic vacuum generators at each orifice, removing the heavy pump and extensive tubing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the piston is reciprocated at a predetermined frequency to establish symbiotic resonant response, then a synthetic vacuum is created with improved efficiency, but the system requires precise frequency control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum generation efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency control requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes mechanical vibration of the piston at a predetermined frequency to establish symbiotic resonant response with the check valve, creating synthetic vacuum through resonant oscillations that enhance vacuum generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs periodic reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency to create rhythmic pressure variations in the cavity, establishing symbiotic resonant response with the check valve and generating synthetic vacuum through repeated cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution reduces structural weight and complexity, providing an efficient vacuum source for boundary layer control, improving fuel efficiency and aerodynamic performance by creating a synthetic vacuum through symbiotic resonance between the piston and check valve.

Implementation Method 1

The piston and check valve are configured with symbiotic resonant response to establish an outflow there through and inducing an inflow through the primary aperture upon reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9765767B2Synthetic vacuum generator

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A synthetic vacuum generator has a case enclosing an interior cavity with an aperture through the case in communication with the cavity. A piston and a check valve are mounted in the case in fluid communication with the cavity and the aperture. The piston and check valve are configured with symbiotic resonant response to establish an outflow there through and inducing an inflow through the aperture upon reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency.