Methods for reducing the non-linear behavior of actuators used for synthetic jets
View Patent ↗A synthetic jet ejector ( 101 ) is provided herein which comprises a diaphragm ( 119 ), a first voice coil ( 121 ) disposed on a first side of the diaphragm, and a second voice coil ( 123 ) disposed on a second side of the diaphragm.
1. A synthetic jet ejector, comprising:
a housing;
an actuator which is disposed in said housing and which is equipped with a diaphragm and a voice coil, wherein said diaphragm has first and second surfaces;
a surround which supports said diaphragm; and
at least one spring which is adapted to reduce the lateral movement of said diaphragm;
wherein said spring comprises a central hub equipped with a plurality of arms, wherein said central hub is attached to said first surface of said diaphragm, wherein said second surface faces said voice coil, and wherein each of said plurality of arms includes a first portion which extends linearly away from said hub and which terminates in a second, folded portion;
wherein said voice coil drives said diaphragm to create a fluidic flow into and out of said housing, and wherein said spring is exposed to said fluidic flow.
2. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said voice coil which depends from said diaphragm.
3. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 2 , further comprising a permanent magnet.
4. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 3 , wherein said voice coil terminates in a hollow cylindrical portion, and wherein said hollow cylindrical portion interfaces with a circular space between said magnet and said housing.
5. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said spring has a plurality of terminal portions which releasably engage said surround.
6. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 5 , wherein each of said terminal portions contains at least one fold that releasably engages a groove in said surround.
7. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 5 , wherein each of said arms terminates in one of said plurality of terminal portions.
8. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , further comprising a stationary permanent magnet;
wherein said permanent magnet is disposed on a first side of said diaphragm, and wherein said at least one spring is attached to a portion of said housing which is adjacent to a second side of said diaphragm.
9. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first portion is planar, and wherein said second portion is not coplanar with said first portion.
10. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first portion is planar, and wherein said second portion extends along an axis that is not coplanar with said first portion.
11. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first portion is planar, and wherein said second portion extends above the plane of said first portion.
12. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said second portion is attached directly to said first portion.
13. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said second portion comprises at least first and second planar segments.
14. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 13 , wherein said first and second planar segments are joined along an axis.
15. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 14 , wherein said first and second planar segments engage a complimentary shaped ridge on said surround.
16. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of arms includes first, second and third arms spaced equally about said hub.
17. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said central hub is attached across said first surface.
18. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is exposed to said fluidic flow.
19. The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is not exposed to said fluidic flow.
20. A synthetic jet ejector, comprising:
an actuator equipped with a diaphragm;
a voice coil attached to said diaphragm;
a housing; and
at least one structure disposed between said voice coil and said housing which is adapted to reduce the lateral movement of said diaphragm;
wherein said at least one structure comprises a spring, wherein said voice coil drives said diaphragm to create a fluidic flow into and out of said housing, wherein said at least one structure is exposed to said fluidic flow, wherein said spring comprises a central hub equipped with a plurality of arms, and wherein each of said plurality of arms includes a first portion which extends linearly away from said hub and which terminates in a second, folded portion.