Method and apparatus for controlling friction between a fluid and a body

US7455021B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. · US

Inventors

• Avinoam Kornblit · Highland Park, US
• Timofei Nikita Kroupenkine · Hackettstown, US
• Mary Louise Mandich · Bound Brook, US
• Tobias Manuel Schneider · Marburg, DE
• Joseph Ashley Taylor · Springfield, US
• Donald Weiss · Cresskill, US
• Shu Yang · New Providence, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 11, 2006
• Grant date: Nov 25, 2008
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T70/10
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.