Traveling-Wave Surface Actuation for Supersonic Shock Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to manage shocks and discontinuities in supersonic fluid flows, such as those experienced by jet engines and supersonic aircraft, are inadequate as standing waves fail to effectively dampen these shocks, leading to material fatigue and reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
Generating traveling waves along surfaces exposed to supersonic fluid flows using actuators controlled by a wave controller to alter fluid properties, either minimizing or accentuating shocks based on flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If standing waves are used to dampen shocks in supersonic flow, then shock reduction is attempted, but the standing waves fail to effectively dampen shocks leading to material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static standing waves to dynamic traveling waves that move along the surface in the direction of fluid flow. This dynamic approach allows the waves to continuously interact with incoming shocks, effectively dampening them and reducing material fatigue while maintaining shock reduction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The traveling waves are generated through periodic actuation of the surface at frequencies matching the shock encounter frequency. This periodic action creates a rhythmic disturbance that constructively interferes with incoming shocks, enhancing the dampening effect and protecting materials from cumulative fatigue damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traveling waves are generated to minimize shocks, then shock reduction is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple actuators and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The surface is divided into multiple discrete actuator elements that can be independently controlled. Each actuator segment generates a portion of the traveling wave, and by coordinating their activation sequences, the system creates effective traveling waves without requiring a monolithic complex control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from shock detection sensors to adjust actuator activation timing and frequency. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to varying flow conditions and shock characteristics, optimizing shock reduction while managing control complexity through intelligent regulation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If actuators are activated at higher frequencies to match increased flow speed, then shock dampening effectiveness is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts actuator activation frequency based on measured flow velocity. When flow speed increases, the actuation frequency is increased to maintain synchronization with shock encounter frequency, preserving dampening effectiveness. When flow speed decreases, frequency is reduced to minimize energy consumption, creating an adaptive energy-efficient operation mode.
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 traveling waves reduce turbulence, minimize shocks, and enhance fluid flow efficiency by adjusting fluid properties, thereby improving the performance and longevity of supersonic systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more actuators configured to selectably induce strain in the surface
Implementation Method 2
the one or more travelling waves interact with the supersonic fluid flow to alter one or more properties of the supersonic fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A supersonic flow system in which a supersonic flow is encountered includes a surface configured to be exposed to a supersonic fluid flow, wherein the surface includes an upstream end and a downstream end opposite the upstream end, a wave generator coupled to the surface and including one or more actuators configured to selectably induce strain in the surface, and a wave controller in signal communication with the wave generator and configured to activate the one or more actuators to induce one or more travelling waves configured to travel along the surface between the upstream end and the downstream end of the surface.