Ultrasonic drag modulation

• US 7,990,287 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US12/834,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20100276006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/384.1, 340/999
• US Class Current: 340/999
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/00 Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/34 by reducing surface friction
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2039/068 the foils having a variable cross section, e.g. a variable camber
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/06 Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2230/02 by using acoustic waves generated by transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 23/005 by other means not covered by groups B64C23/02 - B64C23/08, e.g. by electric charges, magnetic panels, piezoelectric elements, static charges or ultrasounds
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/125 Direct injection in the combustion chamber for spark ignition engines, i.e. not in pre-combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 27/08 by sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 69/041 having vibrating means for atomizing the fuel, e.g. with sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• 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 1/12 by influencing the boundary layer use of materials, e.g. to reduce surface friction C09K3/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/10 Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0391 Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/206 Flow affected by fluid contact, energy field or coanda effect [e.g., pure fluid device or system]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2191 By non-fluid energy field affecting input [e.g., transducer]

Abstract

Drag experienced by a vehicle travelling through an environmental media, such as air, is actively modulated by an energy beam which may either increase or decrease the drag. The energy beam may provide either a chemical, acoustic, or electromagnetic energy at a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow or at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind, in order to facilitate the respective increase or decrease in drag. An energy beam may be directed in a rearwards direction, relative to a direction of travel.

Claims

1. A method for controlling drag of a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, comprising:

directing a transducer, responsive to a signal, to emit an ultrasonic beam at an angle with respect to a boundary layer adjacent to a surface of the vehicle, into a transitional section between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow of the boundary layer, to modify the drag exerted on the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the environmental media substantially comprises air, water, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transducer is positioned upon a rearward portion of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein an operator of the vehicle directs the transducer to emit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of a surface of the vehicle has a profile that can be altered to further modify the drag exerted on the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal controls the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic beam emitted by the transducer is altered in response to a vehicle velocity.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal activates the transducer to emit the ultrasonic beam at an angle relative to the transitional section, to cause laminar flow to occur in the boundary layer adjacent to the surface of the vehicle, so that drag is decreased.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal activates the transducer to emit the ultrasonic beam at an angle to cause turbulent flow to occur in the boundary layer adjacent to the surface of the vehicle, so that drag is increased.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic beam is emitted rearwards at an angle to decrease turbulence due to a cross-angled direction of environmental media.

11. A method for controlling drag imposed upon a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling through an environmental media, comprising:

emitting an ultrasonic energy from a transducer directed rearward at an angle with respect to a boundary layer adjacent a surface of the vehicle, and between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow associated with the surface of the vehicle;

wherein a drag exerted on the vehicle is modified, and the ultrasonic energy is coordinated with an angle of incoming environmental media crossing the vehicle at an angle to an intended direction of vehicle travel.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the transducer is attached to a rearward section of said vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein ultrasonic energy is emitted responsive to a signal controlled by an operator of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the ultrasonic energy is altered based upon a vehicle velocity.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the emitted ultrasonic energy creates turbulent flow in the boundary layer of the vehicle, thereby increasing drag.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the emitted ultrasonic energy creates laminar flow in the boundary layer of the vehicle, thereby decreasing drag.

17. A method for controlling drag of a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, comprising:

emitting an ultrasonic beam from a transducer;

changing the ultrasonic beam responsive to a parameter selected from the group consisting of;

vehicle velocity, vehicle pitch, vehicle yaw, turbulence, air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and altitude;

directing the ultrasonic beam rearwards at an angle with respect to a boundary layer adjacent a surface of the vehicle, into a transitional section of the boundary layer formed by the environmental media upon a surface of the vehicle, thereby altering a transition of the boundary layer between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow;

whereby a drag exerted upon a portion of the vehicle is increased or reduced, and whereby the angle adjusts for environmental media contacting the vehicle at a cross-direction to the surface of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the ultrasonic beam is changed by an operator of the vehicle or a computer associated with the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the ultrasonic beam is changed based upon a movement of environmental media over a surface of the vehicle in a cross direction relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of changing the surface area of the vehicle to selectively increase or decrease drag.