INTERNAL FLOW CONTROL USING PLASMA ACTUATORS

• US 20190316613A1
• Filed: 04/17/2018
• Published: 10/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Khalighi, Bahram, Han, Taeyoung
• Application Number:
  US15/954,788
• Publication Number:
  US 20190316613A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/0075 comprising electromagnetic or electrostatic means for influencing the state of the fluid, e.g. for ionising the fluid or for generating a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/04 Arrangements of guide vanes in pipe elbows or duct bends; Construction of pipe conduit elements for elbows with respect to flow, e.g. for reducing losses of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/06 by influencing the boundary layer

Abstract

System are provided for internal flow control using plasma actuators. In various exemplary embodiments, a system for fluid flow includes a conduit that contains the fluid flow internally. The conduit has a geometry change through which the fluid flow is channeled. A plasma actuator is disposed in contact with the fluid flow to generate a jet flow in the fluid flow to influence the fluid flowing through the geometry change.

Claims

1. A system for fluid flow comprising:

a conduit configured to contain the fluid flow internally, wherein the conduit has a geometry change through which the fluid flow is channeled; and

a plasma actuator disposed in contact with the fluid flow and configured to generate a jet flow in the fluid flow to influence the fluid flow passing through the geometry change.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plasma actuator includes an exposed electrode in contact with the fluid flow, a hidden electrode spaced apart from the exposed electrode, and a patch of dielectric material separating the hidden electrode from the fluid flow and from the exposed electrode.

3. The system of claim 2 comprising a power supply coupled with the exposed electrode and the hidden electrode, wherein the power supply is configured to vary a voltage supplied to the plasma actuator to vary the jet flow that is generated.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the hidden electrode is disposed downstream from the exposed electrode relative to the fluid flow so that the jet flow is generated in a common direction with the fluid flow.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the hidden electrode is disposed upstream from the exposed electrode relative to the fluid flow so that the jet flow is generated in a direction opposite the fluid flow.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the plasma actuator extends completely around the conduit at the geometry change.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit branches into separate first and second paths and the plasma actuator is positioned adjacent the first path and is configured to increase a proportion of the fluid flow that enters the first path as compared to the second path.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the plasma actuator is configured to generate the jet flow in a direction that is opposite to the fluid flow.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the geometry change comprises a bend in the conduit and wherein the plasma actuator is disposed upstream in the fluid flow from the bend, and wherein the bend effects a change in a direction of the fluid flow and the plasma actuator is disposed on an inside of the bend.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the plasma actuator is disposed in a plug located on one side only, of the conduit.

11. A system for fluid flow comprising:

a conduit having a wall configured to contain the fluid flow internally within the wall, wherein the conduit has a geometry change through which the fluid flow is channeled, wherein the geometry change influences the fluid flow; and

a plasma actuator disposed in contact with the fluid flow and configured to generate a jet flow in the fluid flow to inhibit the creation of flow separation and recirculation by the geometry change.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the plasma actuator includes an exposed electrode in contact with the fluid flow, a hidden electrode spaced apart from the exposed electrode, and a patch of dielectric material separating the hidden electrode from the fluid flow and from the exposed electrode.

13. The system of claim 12 comprising a power supply coupled with the exposed electrode and the hidden electrode, wherein the power supply is configured to vary a voltage supplied to the plasma actuator to vary the jet flow that is generated.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the hidden electrode is disposed downstream from the exposed electrode relative to the fluid flow so that the jet flow is generated in a common direction with the fluid flow.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the hidden electrode is disposed upstream from the exposed electrode relative to the fluid flow so that the jet flow is generated in a direction opposite the fluid flow.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the plasma actuator extends completely around the conduit at the geometry change.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the conduit branches into separate first and second paths and the plasma actuator is positioned adjacent the first path and is configured to increase a proportion of the fluid flow that enters the first path as compared to the second path.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the plasma actuator is configured to generate the jet flow in a direction that is opposite to the fluid flow.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the geometry change comprises a bend in the conduit and wherein the plasma actuator is disposed upstream in the fluid flow from the bend, and wherein the bend effects a change in a direction of the fluid flow and the plasma actuator is disposed on an inside of the bend.

20. A system for fluid flow comprising:

a conduit configured to contain the fluid flow internally, wherein the conduit has a geometry change through which the fluid flow is channeled;

a plasma actuator disposed in contact with the fluid flow and configured to generate a jet flow in the fluid flow to influence the fluid flow passing through the geometry change, wherein the plasma actuator includes an exposed electrode in contact with the fluid flow, a hidden electrode spaced apart from the exposed electrode, and a patch of dielectric material separating the hidden electrode from the fluid flow and from the exposed electrode; and

a power supply coupled with the exposed electrode and the hidden electrode, wherein the power supply includes a power source and a boost converter to increase voltage, and wherein the power supply is configured to supply a voltage to the plasma actuator to generate the jet flow.