Variable Outlet Geometry for Adaptive Mass-Flux Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow control systems are limited by the capacity of their fluid sources, which restricts the ability to effectively modulate momentum output and achieve optimal aerodynamic performance across varying flight conditions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flow control system that includes a fluid source, mass-flux devices with variable geometry outlets, and a controller to dynamically adjust the exit area of the mass-flux devices based on flight conditions and fluid source capabilities, ensuring optimal momentum output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flow control system is oversized compared to the current operating point, then the system provides a higher mass flow rate, but the velocity is lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies variable geometry outlets that can dynamically adjust their exit area to optimize the trade-off between mass flow rate and velocity. By making the outlet geometry adjustable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to different operating conditions and achieve optimal momentum output regardless of fluid source capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the outlet (exit area) to control the relationship between mass flow rate and velocity. By varying the exit area, the system can maintain optimal velocity even when mass flow rate varies, thereby optimizing momentum output under different fluid source capacities.
2Speed
If the system operates at a higher pressure and lower mass flow rate, then the velocity is higher, but the system sizing is fixed and cannot adapt to different flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry outlet transforms the fixed geometry system into a dynamic one that can adapt to different flight conditions. By adjusting the exit area in real-time, the system can optimize velocity and momentum output for various operating conditions without requiring multiple fixed-geometry systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable outlet geometry enables a single system to perform multiple functions across different flight conditions. The same mass-flux device can operate effectively whether the fluid source provides high pressure/low mass flow or low pressure/high mass flow, making the system universally applicable across the flight envelope.
3Power
If the fluid source has limited capacity, then the momentum output is restricted, but increasing system size is not practical
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than increasing system size to overcome fluid source limitations, the patent employs dynamic outlet geometry adjustment to maximize the utilization of available fluid source capacity. This allows the system to achieve optimal momentum output with the given fluid source without requiring a larger overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes momentum output by changing the outlet geometric parameter (exit area) to match the fluid source capacity. This parameter adjustment allows the system to extract maximum performance from the available fluid source without requiring additional system components or increased size.
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 efficient and adaptive control of air flow, allowing for optimal momentum output and improved aerodynamic performance across a wide range of flight conditions, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of aircraft systems.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid flow is transferred from the inlet to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed examples including calculating a fluid property of a fluid flow to satisfy a flow performance metric based on an outlet of a mass-flux device; iteratively calculating different areas for the outlet of the mass-flux device and determining whether a fluid source is able to generate the fluid flow to match the fluid property based on the different areas; and after determining that the fluid source is able to generate the fluid flow to match the fluid property based on one of the areas, controlling a variable geometry of the outlet of the mass-flux device to establish the one of the areas.