Systems and methods for controlling flows with electrical pulses

US7744039B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Boeing Company · US
• THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Richard Miles · Princeton, US
• Sergey Macheret · Lancaster, US
• Mikhail Shneider · Princeton, US
• Alexandre Likhanskii · Malden, US
• Joseph S. Silkey · Lake Saint Louis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 3, 2007
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/10
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling flow with electrical pulses are disclosed. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment includes an aerodynamic body having a flow surface exposed to an adjacent air stream, and a flow control assembly that includes a first electrode positioned at least proximate to the flow surface and a second electrode positioned proximate to and spaced apart from the first electrode. A dielectric material can be positioned between the first and second electrodes, and a controller can be coupled to at least one of the electrodes, with the controller programmed with instructions to direct air-ionizing pulses to the electrode, and provide a generally steady-state signal to the electrode during intervals between the pulses.