Variable-Exit Mass-Flux Control for Off-Design Momentum Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow control systems face challenges in efficiently modulating fluid source properties to achieve optimal momentum output, particularly when operating at off-design points, due to fixed system sizing and limitations in mass flow rate and pressure characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flow control system that includes a fluid source, a mass-flux device with a variable geometry exit area, and a controller. The controller calculates the required exit area to achieve a target momentum ratio, adjusts the fluid source properties to match the calculated fluid properties, and controls the variable geometry of the mass-flux device to optimize flow performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the system is oversized compared to the current operating point, then the mass flow rate is higher, but the velocity is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable geometry in the mass-flux device exit area, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its characteristics. This enables the system to optimize the trade-off between mass flow rate and velocity by changing the exit area geometry in real-time, rather than being fixed in an oversized configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters (exit area geometry) to achieve different operating points. By varying the exit area, the system can adjust the relationship between mass flow rate and velocity to match the fluid source availability at different flight conditions.
2Speed
If the system operates at higher pressure and lower mass flow rate, then the velocity is higher, but the mass flow rate is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry exit area allows dynamic adjustment of system parameters to optimize the pressure-velocity-mass flow rate relationship. The system can shift operating points along the performance curve by changing the exit area configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the exit area geometry parameter, the system adjusts the fluid dynamics to achieve the desired balance between velocity and mass flow rate based on flight condition requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the system sizing is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the adaptability to different flight conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces variable geometry capability to the mass-flux device, transforming a fixed system into an adaptable one. The exit area can be adjusted to optimize performance across different flight conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable geometry mass-flux device serves multiple functions: it can operate efficiently at various flight conditions (takeoff, cruise, maneuvering) by adjusting its exit area, making a single system design universal across different operating regimes.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable flow control system includes a fluid source, a mass-flux device and a controller. The fluid source is configured to generate a fluid flow. The mass-flux device has an inlet to receive the fluid flow. The fluid flow is transferred from the inlet to an outlet that has an exit area with a variable geometry. The controller is configured to calculate a particular exit area of the mass-flux device to achieve a flow performance metric, calculate a fluid property of the fluid flow to produce the flow performance metric based on the particular exit area, determine if the fluid source could generate the fluid flow to match the fluid property, and control the variable geometry of the exit area to establish the particular exit area in response to the fluid source being able to generate the fluid flow to match the fluid property.