초록 ▼

A method to manipulate boundary layer conditions within a ducted fluid flow is provided. This method may be used to attach fluid flow to ducted surfaces bounding the fluid flow. This involves flowing a fluid over the surface wherein the fluid contains positively charged ions and electrons. An electr

A method to manipulate boundary layer conditions within a ducted fluid flow is provided. This method may be used to attach fluid flow to ducted surfaces bounding the fluid flow. This involves flowing a fluid over the surface wherein the fluid contains positively charged ions and electrons. An electric field accelerates ions and electrons in directions parallel to the electric field. The accelerated positively charged ions accelerate low energy air within lower regions of a boundary layer over the ducted surfaces bounding the ducted fluid flow. A magnetic field at the surface redirects ions and electrons based on their velocity and charge. The magnetic field imparts little force on the relatively heavy and slow moving positive ions but has a significant impact on the relatively fast moving, light weight electrons.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. An aircraft, comprising:a jet engine having a compressor for compressing a primary air flow, a combustion chamber downstream of the compressor wherein a combustible fuel is injected into air compressed in the compressor, and a turbine downstream of the combustion chamber for driv

What is claimed: 1. An aircraft, comprising:a jet engine having a compressor for compressing a primary air flow, a combustion chamber downstream of the compressor wherein a combustible fuel is injected into air compressed in the compressor, and a turbine downstream of the combustion chamber for driving the compressor, the compressor, combustion chamber and turbine being located along a longitudinal axis;a duct leading to the engine to receive the primary air flow as the aircraft is in flight, the duct directing the primary airflow parallel to the axis as the primary airflow reaches the compressor;a ducted surface upstream of the compressor over which the air flows, creating a boundary layer of slower moving air at the ducted surface;a plasma generator operable to generate a plasma in the primary air flow proximate to the ducted surface;a plurality of electrodes embedded within the ducted surface downstream from the plasma generator, wherein the electrodes are operable to generate an electric field in the boundary layer;a plurality of magnets embedded within the ducted surface adjacent and between the electrodes to generate a magnetic field in the boundary layer; andwherein the electric and magnetic fields are configured to accelerate the plasma, causing slower moving air within lower regions of the boundary layer to accelerate to reduce flow separation prior to reaching the compressor.