United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Mehti Koklu

John C Lin

Marlyn Y Andino

Latunia P Melton

A simple-hinged flap assembly for a winged aircraft includes a simple-hinged flap having a leading airfoil section pivotably connected to a trailing airfoil section via a hinge, and an active flow control (AFC) actuator assembly. The assembly is connected to or integrally formed with the flap and includes upstream and downstream AFC actuators arranged in respective first and second rows, and collectively configured to provide first and second outlet mass flowrates. The downstream AFC actuators emit the second outlet mass flowrate at a rate that substantially exceeds the first outlet mass flowrate, such that the first outlet mass flowrate preconditions a boundary layer around the simple-hinged flap assembly. A winged aircraft includes a pneumatic power supply, fuselage, a wing connected to the fuselage, and the simple-hinged flap assembly.

High efficiency low power (HELP) active flow control methodology for simple-hinged flap high-lift systems

Systems, methods, and devices are provided that provide hybrid flow control for a simple hinged flap high-lift system using sweeping jet (SWJ) actuators for active flow control (AFC) and adaptive vortex generators (AVGs) that may be actuated by flap deflection for passive flow control (PFC). The various embodiments may significantly reduce mass flow, differential pressure, and power requirements for equivalent flow control performance when compared to using AFC only. The various embodiments may reduce the power requirement of AFC, while still maintaining the aerodynamic performance enhancement necessary for high-lift applications using a simple hinged flap. The various embodiments may provide the necessary lift enhancement for a simple hinged flap high-lift system, while keeping the pneumatic power requirement (mass flow and pressure) for the AFC within an aircraft's capability for system integration.

Hybrid flow control method for simple hinged flap high-lift system

A fluidic oscillator having independent frequency and amplitude control includes a fluidic-oscillator main flow channel having a main flow inlet, a main flow outlet, and first and second control ports disposed at opposing sides thereof. A fluidic-oscillator controller has an inlet and outlet. A volume defined by the main flow channel is greater than the volume defined by the controller. A flow diverter coupled to the outlet of the controller defines a first fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the first control port and defines a second fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the second control port.

Fluidic oscillator having decoupled frequency and amplitude control

A fluidic oscillator array includes a plurality of fluidic-oscillator main flow channels. Each main flow channel has an inlet and an outlet. Each main flow channel has first and second control ports disposed at opposing sides thereof, and has a first and a second feedback ports disposed at opposing sides thereof. The feedback ports are located downstream of the control ports with respect to a direction of a fluid flow through the main flow channel. The system also includes a first fluid accumulator in fluid communication with each first control port and each first feedback port, and a second fluid accumulator in fluid communication with each second control port and each second feedback port.

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Hampton, VA, United States of America

Mehti Koklu