초록

An actuator including a first and second conductor on a dielectric, wherein application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a fluid flow in communication with the actuator. Related systems and methods are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising: mounting a plurality of conductors on a surface, at least one of said plurality of conductors defining an aperture; applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors, wherein the voltage creates a plasma; and creatin

The invention claimed is: 1. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising: mounting a plurality of conductors on a surface, at least one of said plurality of conductors defining an aperture; applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors, wherein the voltage creates a plasma; and creating a suction device with the plurality of conductors, thereby resulting in a fluid flow toward the surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting comprises positioning the plurality of conductors substantially flush with the surface. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying a voltage comprises applying a substantially continuous voltage during the creating the suction device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying a voltage comprises pulsing the voltage during the creating the suction device. 5. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising: mounting a plurality of conductors on a surface, at least one of said plurality of conductors defining an aperture; applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors; and creating a plasma synthetic jet actuator with the plurality of conductors, thereby resulting in a fluid flow towards or away from the surface. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mounting comprises positioning the plurality of conductors substantially flush with the surface. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the applying a voltage comprises applying a substantially continuous voltage during the creating the synthetic jet actuator. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the applying a voltage comprises pulsing the voltage during the creating the synthetic jet actuator. 9. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising: mounting a first conductor on a first side of a dielectric, the first conductor having at least one edge that defines a boundary; mounting a second conductor on a second side of a dielectric, the second conductor is positioned within the boundary; applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors to modify a flow of fluid in communication with one of the first and second conductor. 10. A fluid actuator, comprising: a first and second conductor positioned on a dielectric, wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture and whereby application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma between the first and second conductor, thereby modifying a flow of a fluid in communication with the actuator. 11. The fluid actuator of claim 10, wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow away from the actuator. 12. The fluid actuator of claim 10, wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow toward the actuator. 13. The fluid actuator of claim 10, wherein the first conductor encircles the second conductor. 14. The fluid actuator of claim 10, wherein the first conductor is substantially ring shaped and the second conductor is circular. 15. The fluid actuator of claim 14, further comprising a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor. 16. A system for modifying a fluid flow, comprising: a surface; and an actuator including a first and second conductor positioned on a dielectric wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture, and whereby the actuator is connected to the surface and application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma between the first and second conductor, thereby directing a flow of a fluid in communication with the actuator towards or away from the surface. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the actuator is substantially flush with the surface. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow away from the actuator. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow toward the actuator. 20. The system of claim 16, wherein one of the first and second conductor is embedded in the surface. 21. The system of claim 16, wherein the surface includes a plurality of actuators, each independently controlled. 22. The system of claim 16, wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first conductor is substantially ring shaped and the second conductor is circular. 24. A fluid actuator, comprising: a first conductor positioned on a first side of a dielectric, the first conductor has at least one edge that defines a boundary; and a second conductor positioned on a second side of a dielectric, wherein the second conductor is positioned within the boundary, and application of a voltage to one of the first and second conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a flow of fluid in communication with one of the first and second conductor. 25. The fluid actuator of claim 24, wherein the first and second conductor are substantially “v”-shaped.