Tile Assembly Flow Control for Boundary Layer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discontinuities on aerodynamic and marine vehicle surfaces lead to boundary layer thickening, flow separation, and reduced efficiency, necessitating a means to prevent separation and manage fluid flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A tile assembly with a housing, plenum, and flow passages that utilize actuators and a control unit to manage fluid flow, maintaining pressure differences and controlling fluid flow to prevent separation and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discontinuities are present on the surface of aerodynamic bodies, then manufacturing is simpler, but flow separation occurs resulting in lift reduction and decreased fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing flow control features (such as suction ports, blowing slots, or boundary layer trip elements) at specific localized positions on the airfoil surface where discontinuities occur or are expected to cause flow separation. These localized features modify the boundary layer characteristics only in the regions where needed, rather than requiring complete surface smoothing across the entire airfoil, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while preventing flow separation and energy loss.
2Ease of manufacture
If discontinuities are present on the surface of marine vehicles, then manufacturing is simpler, but resistance to motion increases resulting in lower achievable speed for given fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing flow control features (such as suction ports, blowing slots, or boundary layer trip elements) at specific localized positions on the marine vehicle hull where discontinuities occur or are expected to cause flow separation. These localized features modify the boundary layer characteristics only in the regions where needed, rather than requiring complete surface smoothing across the entire hull, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while reducing resistance to motion and energy loss.
3Ease of operation
If moveable control surfaces create discontinuities, then control effectiveness is improved, but flow disruption downstream increases compromising control surface effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing flow control features (such as suction ports or blowing slots) upstream of the moveable control surfaces or at the leading edge of discontinuities. These features prepare the boundary layer in advance by either removing low-momentum fluid through suction or adding high-momentum fluid through blowing, thereby preventing flow separation before it occurs downstream of the control surfaces. This maintains control surface effectiveness while minimizing flow disruption and energy loss.
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 tile assembly actively controls fluid flow to prevent separation, improving efficiency and controllability of aerodynamic and marine vehicles by maintaining a stable boundary layer and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
At least some of the actuators may be piezo-electric actuators
Implementation Method 2
the housing may be configured to maintain a pressure difference of up to about 5 bar between the fluid in the plenum and the static pressure of the fluid flow over the outer surface of the housing wall
Data Source
AI summary
A tile assembly (22) which, in use, is fitted to a base structure to form at least part of a fluid washed surface. The tile assembly comprises a housing (42) with at least one plenum (45) being provided within the housing (42). A wall (44) of the housing (42) is provided with a plurality of flow passages (46) which extend from the plenum side of the wall (44) to an outer surface (48) of the wall. Flow passage closures (50) are provided which are operable to open and close at least some of the flow passages (46).