Thermally Controlled Airflow for Low-Mass Active Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control systems for aircraft face challenges in increasing aerodynamic performance while minimizing weight, as higher fluidic input required for better performance leads to increased engine size and weight, necessitating a method to reduce mass flow without compromising momentum.
Innovation Solution
An active flow control system incorporating a flow control valve, manifold, and temperature control system, where air is heated to reduce mass flow through actuators while maintaining desired momentum, using a temperature control system that heats a portion of the air flow before directing it to the actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher fluidic input is used to increase aerodynamic performance, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but mass flow and engine size increase leading to increased weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the air flow to increase its temperature and decrease its density. This thermal parameter change allows the system to maintain the same momentum with reduced mass flow rate, thereby improving aerodynamic performance without increasing engine size or weight. The heated air achieves the desired flow control effect with lower mass flow compared to cold air.
2Weight of moving object
If mass flow through actuators is reduced to decrease weight, then weight is reduced, but momentum may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the temperature parameter of the air flow. Heating the air decreases its density, which allows reduction of mass flow rate while maintaining the same momentum. The momentum is preserved because the heated air, though less dense, moves with sufficient velocity to provide the required flow control force, achieving weight reduction without compromising performance.
3Quantity of substance
If heated air is used to reduce mass flow, then mass flow is reduced, but heat effects on surrounding structures may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing only the necessary portion of air flow for heating while allowing the majority of the air to remain cold. The heated air is mixed with cold air from the main flow, creating a thermally controlled mixture that achieves the desired mass flow reduction and momentum maintenance while minimizing thermal exposure to surrounding structures. This selective heating approach reduces harmful heat effects.
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 system achieves reduced mass flow through the actuators without decreasing momentum, thereby enhancing aerodynamic performance while minimizing weight and avoiding undesirable heat effects on surrounding structures.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air
Implementation Method 2
A mass flow through the number of actuators is decreased while maintaining the desired momentum from the number of actuators
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.