Patent · US Active

Method of controlling aircraft, missiles, munitions and ground vehicles with plasma actuators

US7624941B1 · kind B1 · utility

45Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 2006
Grant dateDec 1, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 30, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/10
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling an aircraft, missile, munition or ground vehicle with plasma actuators, and more particularly to controlling fluid flow across their surfaces or other surfaces, which would benefit from such a method. The method includes the design of an aerodynamic plasma actuator for the purpose of controlling airflow separation over a control surface of a aircraft, missile, or a ground vehicle, and more particularly to the method of determining a modulation frequency for the plasma actuator for the purpose of fluid flow control over these vehicles. The various embodiments provide the steps to increase the efficiency of aircraft, missiles, munitions and ground vehicles. The method of flow control provides a means for reducing aircraft, missile's, munition's and ground vehicle's power requirements. These methods also provide alternate means for aerodynamic control using low-power hingeless plasma actuator devices.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.