초록 ▼

The invention relates to a vortex generator (10), in particular for a model (12) in a fluid-dynamic channel. In order to save time during the development of vehicles, in particular aircraft, in particular to save wind tunnel time, it is suggested to configure the vortex generator (10) switchable. Fu

The invention relates to a vortex generator (10), in particular for a model (12) in a fluid-dynamic channel. In order to save time during the development of vehicles, in particular aircraft, in particular to save wind tunnel time, it is suggested to configure the vortex generator (10) switchable. Further, the invention relates to various uses of such a switchable vortex generator (10), in particular on models in fluid-dynamic channels and in fluid-dynamic channel tests.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A switchable vortex generator for arrangement on a flow-dynamic surface comprising a vortex generating element reciprocatingly switchable between at least first and second positions, the vortex generating element being configured to generate vortices in a flow flowing in the area of said flow-dyn

1. A switchable vortex generator for arrangement on a flow-dynamic surface comprising a vortex generating element reciprocatingly switchable between at least first and second positions, the vortex generating element being configured to generate vortices in a flow flowing in the area of said flow-dynamic surface, anda support member configured to support the vortex generating element, the support member being moveable to selectively hold the vortex generating element at least in the first position at which the vortex generating element is extended from the surface and in the second position, differing from the first position, at which the vortex generating element is retracted into the surface,the support member including a bistable biasing member configured to bias the vortex generating element in the first position so that the vortex generating element remains in the first position without energy input. 2. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the vortex generating element is formed as a profile element having a geometric profile structure chosen from a group containing circular, ellipsoid, rectangular, quadratic, triangular, polygonal, and chevron profile structures. 3. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes at least one magnet. 4. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes at least one electrostatic force generating member. 5. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes at least one electrodynamic force generating member. 6. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes at least one mechanical spring element. 7. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member is configured in such a way that the vortex generating element also remains in the second position without energy input. 8. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the bistable biasing member includes a first magnet for holding the vortex generating element in the first position and at least one second magnet for holding the vortex generating element in the second position. 9. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member includes at least one bistable spring element. 10. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member includes an actuator membrane moveable between the at least two positions and wherein the vortex generating element is mounted on the actuator membrane. 11. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting member is switchable between the two positions by the application of an external force. 12. The vortex generator according to claim 11, wherein at least one magnet element is associated to the supporting member for moving the supporting member from one of the first and the second positions to the other of the first and second positions by applying an external magnetic field. 13. The vortex generator according to claim 1, further comprising a switching mechanism for switching the vortex generator between an ON and an OFF state. 14. The vortex generator according to claim 13, characterized in that the switching mechanism is signal-controlled. 15. The vortex generator according to claim 13, wherein the switching mechanism includes at least one actuator from a group of actuators comprising electromagnetic actuators, piezo-electric actuators, electrostatic actuators, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, permanent-magnetic actuators and thermoelectric actuators. 16. The vortex generator according to claim 1, further comprising a covering membrane having a smooth surface, against which a flow to be influenced by the vortex generator can flow. 17. The vortex generator according to claim 16, wherein the covering membrane has a through hole through which the vortex generating element is extendable and retractable. 18. A vortex generating apparatus for arrangement on a flow-dynamic surface where a fluid medium flows, comprising an arrangement of a plurality of vortex generators, each vortex generator comprising: a vortex generating element reciprocatingly switchable between at least first and second positions, the vortex generating element being configured to generate vortices in a flow flowing in the area of said flow-dynamic surface, anda support member configured to support the vortex generating element, the support member being moveable to selectively hold the vortex generating element at least in the first position at which the vortex generating element is extended from the surface and in the second position, differing from the first position, at which the vortex generating element is retracted into the surface,the support member including a bistable biasing member configured to bias the vortex generating element in the first position so that the vortex generating element remains in the first position without energy input. 19. The vortex generating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the vortex generators are arranged in a periodically distributed manner. 20. The vortex generating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the vortex generators are arranged in a statistically distributed manner. 21. The vortex generating apparatus according claim 18, wherein at least two of the vortex generators have vortex generating elements with different profile geometry. 22. A body in a flowing fluid medium, having an arrangement of a plurality of vortex generators, each vortex generator comprising: a vortex generating element reciprocatingly switchable between at least first and second positions, the vortex generating element being configured to generate vortices in a flow flowing in the area of said flow-dynamic surface, anda support member configured to support the vortex generating element, the support member being moveable to selectively hold the vortex generating element at least in the first position at which the vortex generating element is extended from the surface and in the second position, differing from the first position, at which the vortex generating element is retracted into the surface,the support member including a bistable biasing member configured to bias the vortex generating element in the first position so that the vortex generating element remains in the first position without energy input. 23. The body according to claim 22, wherein the body is chosen from a group comprising a component of an aircraft, a component of a test model of an aircraft, and a wind channel test model. 24. A switchable vortex generator for arrangement on a flow-dynamic surface comprising a vortex generating element reciprocatingly switchable between at least first and second positions, the vortex generating clement being configured to generate vortices in a flow flowing in the area of said flow-dynamic surface, anda support member configured to support the vortex generating element, the support member being moveable to selectively hold the vortex generating element in the first position at which the vortex generating element is extended from the surface and in the second position, differing from the first position, at which the vortex generating element is retracted into the surface such that the supporting member is switchable between the first and second positions by the application of an external magnetic force external to the switchable vortex generator, the support member including a bistable biasing member configured to bias the vortex generating element in the first position so that the vortex generating element remains in the first position without energy input.