The Boeing Company

Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Michael DeSalvo

Ari Glezer

Edward Andrew Whalen

An aerodynamic surface assembly is provided to facilitate control of the flow over the aerodynamic surface. The aerodynamic surface assembly includes an aerodynamic surface defining an outer mold line over which a fluid is to flow in a downstream direction. The outer mold line defines a smooth contour that is interrupted by step down region that is inset relative to the smooth contour defined by the outer mold line upstream thereof. The aerodynamic surface defines an orifice opening in to the step down region. The aerodynamic surface assembly may also include an overhang extending from the outer mold line of the aerodynamic surface upstream at the orifice. The overhang extends in the downstream direction and at least partially over the orifice. The aerodynamic surface assembly may also include a fluidic actuator defining a pair of curved passageways extending from an input region and are in fluid communication with the orifice.

Aerodynamic surface assembly defining a fluidic actuation orifice

Systems and methods for modifying fluid flowing over solid bodies are provided. A representative system incorporates a vorticity concentration-producing component and a synthetic jet actuator. The vorticity concentration-producing component is disposed on a pressure side of the solid body. The fluid flowing over the solid body remains attached to a surface of the solid body in a vicinity of the vorticity concentration-producing component. The synthetic jet actuator includes a jet housing that incorporates an internal chamber with a volume of fluid and an opening in the jet housing connecting the internal chamber to an external environment having the fluid. The synthetic jet actuator is operative to periodically change the volume within the internal chamber such that a synthetic jet stream comprising a series of fluid vortices is generated and projected in the external environment out from the opening of the jet housing resulting in a reduction in pressure drag of the solid body compared to the pressure drag exhibited by the solid body without operation of the synthetic jet actuator.

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Smyrna, GA, United States of America

Michael DeSalvo