Drag modification system

• US 8,482,436 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• 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:
  US13/195,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20110284113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 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
• 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 traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. Environmental media may be adjusted by microwave, chemical, ultrasonic, acoustic (including subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic), or electromagnetic energy. One or more energy beams may be directed toward a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow, at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind.

Claims

1. A drag modification system for a vehicle in an environmental media, the system comprising:

a first transducer configured to respond to first signal portion and configured to emit a first energy beam at a first angle with respect to a boundary layer adjacent to a first surface portion of a vehicle, into a transitional section between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow of the boundary layer; and

a second transducer configured to respond to a second signal portion and configured to emit a second energy beam at a second angle with respect to a boundary layer adjacent to a second surface potion of the vehicle, into a transitional section between a laminar flow and a turbulent flow of the boundary layer,

wherein the first or second transducer is configured to change a drag on portion of the vehicle.

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

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first or second transducer is positionable on the front or rear of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first angle of the first transducer or the second angle of the second transducer is adjustable.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least the first or second surface portion has a profile that is adjustable.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first or second signal portion is selectively activatable.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first or second energy beam is alterable in response to a vehicle velocity.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the first or second signal portion defines the first or second angle.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the first or second angle is adjustable to increase or decrease drag.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second angles are substantially equal.

11. A drag modification system for a vehicle in an environmental media, the system comprising:

a first transducer configured to emit a first energy at a first 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; and

a second transducer configured to emit a second energy at a second angle, the second angle being different than the first angle,

wherein the first or second transducer is configured to modify a drag exerted on the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first or second transducer is attached to a front or rear potion of the vehicle.

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

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the energy is altered based upon a vehicle velocity or direction.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the emitted energy promotes turbulent or laminar flow flow.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the first energy is substantially equal to the second energy.

17. A drag modification system for a vehicle in an environmental media, the system comprising:

a first transducer configured to emit a first beam at a first 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; and

a second transducer configured to emit a second beam at a second angle, the second angle being offset from first angle,

wherein a drag on a portion of the vehicle is changed by the first or second beam by adjusting the environmental media.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the first angle of the first beam or the second angle of the second beam is changed by an operator of the vehicle or a computer associated with the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the first or second beam is changed based upon a movement of environmental media with respect to the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the first or second transducer is configured to adjust the first or second beam responsive to vehicle velocity, vehicle pitch, vehicle yaw, turbulence, air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, or altitude.