초록 ▼

Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control shock waves and hypersonic or supersonic fluid flow, including systems for controlling, mitigating, and/or effecting air flow in relation to air vehicles, wind tunnels, or other assets, or the like, as well as systems, equipment

Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control shock waves and hypersonic or supersonic fluid flow, including systems for controlling, mitigating, and/or effecting air flow in relation to air vehicles, wind tunnels, or other assets, or the like, as well as systems, equipment, and methods for disrupting the shock structure at the inlet for the engine of an air vehicle traveling at supersonic or hypersonic speed; mitigating blast effects on vehicles; mitigating heating of throats in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels, as well as control the flow parameters and Mach number in their test sections.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An energy deposition system to direct a blast wave in order to protect and mitigate damage to an asset, wherein the system comprises: at least one conductive path to channel expanding gas in a direction other than into the asset;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at leas

1. An energy deposition system to direct a blast wave in order to protect and mitigate damage to an asset, wherein the system comprises: at least one conductive path to channel expanding gas in a direction other than into the asset;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at least one conductive path;at least one sensor for assessing the likelihood of a blast wave to be mitigated; andat least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source and the at least one sensor, for controlling energy discharge from the at least one energy source along the at least one conductive path in response to assessment of a potential blast wave by the at least one sensor. 2. An energy deposition system for use in an air vehicle containing one or more inlets, comprising a system for starting the one or more inlets to ingest supersonic or hypersonic air flow, wherein the system for starting the one or more inlets comprises: at least one partially conductive path along a surface of the one or more inlets;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at least one partially conductive path;at least one sensor for assessing whether the one or more inlets is in an un-start condition;at least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source and the at least one sensor, for controlling energy discharge from the at least one energy source along the at least one partially conductive path in response to assessment of an un-start condition by the at least one sensor; andat least one energy transducer for capturing and converting energy exerted on the air vehicle during flight into energy for powering the system for starting the one or more inlets, wherein the at least one energy transducer converts frictional forces into energy for powering the system for starting the one or more inlets. 3. An energy deposition system for use in an air vehicle containing one or more inlets, comprising a system for starting the one or more inlets to ingest supersonic or hypersonic air flow, wherein the system for starting the one or more inlets comprises: at least one partially conductive path along a surface of the one or more inlets;at least one energy source for generating electric discharges that is operably connected to the at least one partially conductive path;at least one sensor for assessing whether the one or more inlets is in an un-start condition; andat least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source and the at least one sensor, for controlling the electric discharges along the at least one partially conductive path in response to assessment of an un-start condition by the at least one sensor,wherein the at least one partially conductive path comprises two or more partially conductive paths, and wherein the at least one controller controls the timing of the electric discharges along the two or more partially conductive paths in a phased manner. 4. An energy deposition system for use on an asset, comprising a system for effecting flow control, wherein the system for effecting flow control comprises: at least one path along at least one surface of the asset;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at least one path;at least one sensor for assessing if flow control is needed; andat least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source, for controlling energy discharge from the at least one energy source along the at least one path;wherein the at least one path comprises two or more conductive paths, wherein the at least one energy source generates electric discharges, and wherein the at least one controller controls the timing of the electric discharges along the two or more conductive paths. 5. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the energy deposition system is used in an air vehicle's engine. 6. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the energy deposition system generates low density channels, along which high pressure gas can flow preferentially. 7. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control reduces pressure. 8. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control directs high pressure products. 9. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the energy deposition system is used in an engine. 10. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates confinement experienced by expanding gases. 11. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control reduces drag. 12. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates engine unstart conditions. 13. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates an engine unstart. 14. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates resonance. 15. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates engine noise. 16. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control mitigates screech. 17. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control increases efficiency in a turbine engine. 18. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control disrupts and dissipates shock waves in a turbine engine. 19. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control dissipates waves. 20. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the flow control disrupts and dissipates waves in a turbine engine. 21. The energy deposition system of claim 4, wherein the at least one controller controls the timing of the electric discharges along the two or more conductive paths in a phased manner. 22. The energy deposition system of claim 21, wherein the flow control reduces drag along at least one surface of the asset. 23. An energy deposition system to mitigate unstart in an engine, wherein the system comprises: at least one conductive path along at least one surface of the engine;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at least one conductive path;at least one sensor for assessing at least one parameter contributing to unstart conditions; andat least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source and the at least one sensor, for controlling energy discharge from the at least one energy source along the at least one conductive path in response to the at least one sensor. 24. An energy deposition system to mitigate noise in an engine, wherein the system comprises: at least one conductive path along at least one surface of the engine;at least one energy source that is operably connected to the at least one conductive path;at least one sensor for assessing at least one parameter contributing to noise; andat least one controller that is operably connected to the at least one energy source and the at least one sensor, for controlling energy discharge from the at least one energy source along the at least one conductive path in response to the at least one sensor.