초록 ▼

A system for augmenting the apparent velocity and effectiveness of an airfoil, such as a wing, on a vehicle includes at least one ionizer or emitter positioned relative to the airfoil to ionize a fluid media in which the airfoil travels and at least one attractor/receiver for accelerating the flow o

A system for augmenting the apparent velocity and effectiveness of an airfoil, such as a wing, on a vehicle includes at least one ionizer or emitter positioned relative to the airfoil to ionize a fluid media in which the airfoil travels and at least one attractor/receiver for accelerating the flow of ionized fluid media over the airfoil. The system further includes a voltage source to which each ionizer and each attractor is electrically connected.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for augmenting the apparent velocity and effectiveness of an airfoil on a vehicle comprising: means positioned relative to the airfoil to ionize a fluid media in which the airfoil travels; said ionization means comprising at least one emitter; means for accelerating

What is claimed is: 1. A system for augmenting the apparent velocity and effectiveness of an airfoil on a vehicle comprising: means positioned relative to the airfoil to ionize a fluid media in which the airfoil travels; said ionization means comprising at least one emitter; means for accelerating the flow of ionized fluid media over the airfoil; said accelerating means comprising at least one attractor; and each said emitter having a first surface area and each said attractor having a second surface area which is greater than said first surface area. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said ionization means comprises a first emitter positioned forward of a leading edge of said airfoil. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said ionization means further comprises at least one additional emitter positioned above an upper surface of said airfoil. 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said ionization means comprises a first emitter positioned on a leading edge of said airfoil. 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said ionization means further comprises at least one additional emitter positioned above an upper surface of said airfoil. 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said accelerating means comprises an attractor located adjacent a leading edge of said airfoil. 7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said accelerating means further comprises at least one additional attractor positioned along at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of said airfoil. 8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage source attached to said ionization means and said accelerating means. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said voltage source comprises a direct current source. 10. A system according to claim 8, wherein said voltage source comprises a pulsating direct current source. 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising said ionizing means and said accelerating means being configured to prevent reverse flow of oppositely charged particles. 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said ionizing means comprises a plurality of ionizers and said accelerating means comprises a plurality of attractors, wherein said ionizers and attractors are configured into a plurality of pairs, and wherein adjacent pairs of ionizers and attractors have reversed polarity. 13. A method for enhancing the effectiveness of an airfoil as said airfoil travels through a fluid media, said method comprising the steps of: placing at least one emitter having a first surface area relative to said airfoil; placing at least one attractor having a second surface area which is greater than said first surface area relative to said airfoil; ionizing a portion of the fluid media in which the airfoil travels using said at least one emitter; and accelerating the flow of ionized fluid media over the airfoil using said at least one attractor. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said at least one emitter placing step comprises positioning a first emitter in front of a leading edge of said airfoil and applying a first charge to said first emitter. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one emitter placing step comprises positioning at least one additional emitter downstream of said first emitter and applying a second charge to said at least one additional emitter. 16. A method according to claim 13, wherein said at least one attractor placing step comprises placing a first attractor adjacent a leading edge of said airfoil. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said at least one attractor placing step comprises placing at least one additional attractor downstream of said first attractor. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said at least one additional attractor placing step comprises placing said at least one attractor adjacent at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of said airfoil. 19. A method for enhancing the effectiveness of an airfoil as said airfoil travels through a fluid media, said method comprising the steps of: providing pairs of ionizers and attractors relative to said airfoil; said ionizers and attractors providing step comprises providing an ionizer having a first surface area in each of said pairs and an attractor having a second surface area greater than said first surface area in each of said pairs; providing a charge to said ionizers to ionize said fluid media; providing a charge to said attractors for accelerating said ionized fluid media over at least one surface of said airfoil; and configuring adjacent pairs of said ionizers and attractors to prevent reverse flow of oppositely charged particles.