Patent · US Active

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

US7954768B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
3References
20Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateOct 23, 2009
Grant dateJun 7, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 23, 2029

Classification

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

Abstract

A method of controlling an aircraft, missile, munition or ground vehicle with plasma actuators, and more particularly of controlling fluid flow across their surfaces or other surfaces which would benefit from such a 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 a method of determining a modulation frequency for the plasma actuator for the purpose of fluid flow control over these vehicles. Various embodiments provide steps to increase the efficiency of aircraft, missiles, munitions and ground vehicles. The method of flow control reduces the power requirements of the aircraft, missile, munition or ground vehicle. These methods also provide alternative aerodynamic control using low-power hingeless plasma actuator devices.

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