Apparatus and methods described herein provide for boundary layer flow sensor and corresponding determination of the flow characteristics of an ambient airflow over an aerodynamic surface. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, the boundary layer flow sensor includes a body confi
Apparatus and methods described herein provide for boundary layer flow sensor and corresponding determination of the flow characteristics of an ambient airflow over an aerodynamic surface. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, the boundary layer flow sensor includes a body configured for mounting within or below the aerodynamic surface, a pressure port configurable between an open state for taking pressure measurements within the boundary layer of the ambient airflow and a closed state that protects the pressure port from contaminants when not in use.
대표청구항▼
1. A boundary layer flow sensor, comprising: a body configured for mounting below an aerodynamic surface and having a pressure tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the body;a pressure port configurable between an open state and a closed state, the pressure tube fluidly coupled to a lower port
1. A boundary layer flow sensor, comprising: a body configured for mounting below an aerodynamic surface and having a pressure tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the body;a pressure port configurable between an open state and a closed state, the pressure tube fluidly coupled to a lower portion of a boundary layer of an ambient airflow over the aerodynamic surface when the pressure port is in the open state, and the pressure tube fluidly decoupled from the boundary layer when the pressure port is in the closed state; andan activation mechanism operative to fluidly couple and decouple the pressure tube to the boundary layer to provide the pressure port in the open state and closed state, respectively. 2. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the activation mechanism comprises a movable cover separating the pressure tube from the ambient airflow, the movable cover movable between a lowered position in which the pressure port is in the closed state and a raised position in which the pressure port is in the open state. 3. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 2, wherein the movable cover comprises a hinged cover configured to pivot along a downstream edge. 4. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 2, wherein the movable cover comprises a deformable cover operative to change shape to reconfigure the pressure port between the open state and the closed state. 5. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 4, wherein the deformable cover comprises a shape memory alloy configured to change shape in response to a threshold temperature. 6. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 4, wherein the deformable cover comprises a material having an internal bias configured to switch between the open state and the closed state. 7. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 1, further comprising a moveable shaft positioned within the body and comprising the pressure tube, and wherein the activation mechanism is responsive to an ambient condition to raise the movable shaft to configure the pressure port in the open state and to lower the movable shaft to configure the pressure port in the closed state. 8. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism comprises a shape memory alloy, and wherein the ambient condition comprises a temperature threshold. 9. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism comprises a diaphragm, and wherein the ambient condition comprises a pressure threshold. 10. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism comprises a piezo-electric actuator or a solenoid. 11. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, further comprising a lid attached to the movable shaft such that when the movable shaft is lowered, the lid is flush with the aerodynamic surface. 12. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, further comprising a lid attached to the movable shaft such that when the movable shaft is lowered, the lid protrudes above the aerodynamic surface, wherein the lid comprises a thickness that allows for laminar airflow over the lid and the aerodynamic surface. 13. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 7, wherein the body comprises a fastener and wherein the moveable shaft is sized according to the fastener. 14. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 1, further comprising a pressure transducer fluidly coupled to the pressure tube and operative to produce an electrical signal corresponding to the total pressure associated with the ambient airflow within the lower portion of the boundary layer. 15. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 1, wherein the pressure tube comprises a total pressure tube configured to measure a total pressure of the ambient airflow within the lower portion of the boundary layer, and wherein the boundary layer flow sensor further comprises at least one static pressure tube positioned along the longitudinal axis of the body such that when the pressure port is configured in the open state, the at least one static pressure tube is fluidly coupled to the lower portion of the boundary layer at an offset angle from the total pressure tube. 16. The boundary layer flow sensor of claim 15, the at least one static pressure tube comprises two static pressure tubes positioned at offset angles of approximately 60 degrees in both directions from the total pressure tube. 17. A boundary layer flow sensor, comprising: a body configured for mounting within a fastener aperture in an aerodynamic surface, the body comprising a movable shaft that is moveable between a raised position to create an open state for a pressure port and a lowered position flush with the aerodynamic surface to create a closed state for the pressure port, the moveable shaft having a total pressure tube extending along a longitudinal axis of the movable shaft and aligned with an ambient airflow when the pressure port is in the open state, andat least one static pressure tube positioned at an offset angle from the total pressure tube; andan activation mechanism operative to raise the movable shaft and fluidly couple the total pressure tube and the at least one static pressure tube to a lower portion of a boundary layer of the ambient airflow, and to lower the movable shaft to the lowered position, in which the moveable shaft is flush with the aerodynamic surface, and fluidly decouple the total pressure tube and the at least one static pressure tube from the lower portion of the boundary layer of the ambient airflow. 18. A method for determining flow characteristics of an ambient airflow over an aerodynamic surface, the method comprising: activating a boundary layer flow sensor mounted flush with the aerodynamic surface;in response to activating the boundary layer flow sensor, exposing a pressure port to a lower portion of a boundary layer of the ambient airflow;measuring at least one pressure associated with the ambient airflow within the lower portion of the boundary layer; anddetermining according to the at least one pressure, whether the ambient airflow is laminar or turbulent. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein exposing the pressure port to the lower portion of the boundary layer of the ambient airflow comprises moving a moveable cover attached to a top end of a body of the boundary layer flow sensor to fluidly couple a pressure tube within the body to the boundary layer of the ambient airflow. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein exposing the pressure port to the lower portion of the boundary layer of the ambient airflow comprises raising a moveable shaft with a pressure tube from below the aerodynamic surface to fluidly couple the pressure tube to the boundary layer of the ambient airflow.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (2)
Schmidt, Peter, Active and passive boundary layer control for vehicle drag reduction.
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