Fluidic oscillator having decoupled frequency and amplitude control
View Patent ↗A fluidic oscillator having independent frequency and amplitude control includes a fluidic-oscillator main flow channel having a main flow inlet, a main flow outlet, and first and second control ports disposed at opposing sides thereof. A fluidic-oscillator controller has an inlet and outlet. A volume defined by the main flow channel is greater than the volume defined by the controller. A flow diverter coupled to the outlet of the controller defines a first fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the first control port and defines a second fluid flow path from the controller's outlet to the second control port.
1. A fluidic oscillator having independent frequency and amplitude control comprising:
a fluidic-oscillator main flow channel having a main flow inlet configured to receive an amplitude controlling fluid flow and a main flow outlet, said main flow channel having a first control port and a second control port disposed at opposing sides thereof, said main flow channel defining a first volume between said main flow inlet and said main flow outlet;
a fluidic-oscillator controller having an inlet configured to receive a frequency controlling fluid flow and an outlet, wherein a second volume is defined between said inlet and said outlet, and wherein said first volume is greater than said second volume; and
a flow diverter coupled to said outlet of said controller, said first control port, and said second control port, said flow diverter defining a first fluid flow path directed from said outlet only to said first control port and defining a second fluid flow path directed from said outlet only to said second control port,
wherein said amplitude controlling fluid flow controls an amplitude of a fluid flow through said main flow channel and said frequency controlling fluid flow controls a frequency of said fluid flow through said main flow channel, and wherein said amplitude controlling fluid flow is independent of said frequency controlling fluid flow.
2. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 1 , further comprising a first plenum in fluid communication with said main flow inlet and a second plenum in fluid communication with said inlet of said controller.
3. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 2 , wherein said main flow channel and said first plenum are formed using a first panel and a second panel, wherein said controller and said second plenum are formed using said second panel and a third panel, and wherein said flow diverter is formed using said second panel.
4. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 1 , wherein said first volume is at least two times greater than said second volume.
5. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 1 , wherein said main flow channel, said flow diverter, and said controller are formed using a layered construction.
6. A fluidic oscillator having independent frequency and amplitude control, comprising:
a fluidic-oscillator main flow channel having only a main flow inlet configured to receive an amplitude controlling fluid flow, a main flow outlet, a first control port, and a second control port, wherein said first control port and said second control ports are disposed at opposing sides of said main flow channel, said main flow channel defining a first volume between said main flow inlet and said main flow outlet;
a fluidic-oscillator controller having an inlet configured to receive a frequency controlling fluid flow and an outlet, wherein a second volume is defined between said inlet and said outlet, and wherein said first volume is greater than said second volume;
and a flow diverter coupled to said outlet of said controller, said first control port, and said second control, said flow diverter defining a first fluid flow path directed from said outlet only to said first control port and defining a second fluid flow path directed from said outlet only to said second control port,
wherein said amplitude controlling fluid flow controls an amplitude of a fluid flow through said main flow channel and said frequency controlling fluid flow controls a frequency of said fluid flow through said main flow channel, and
wherein said amplitude controlling fluid flow is independent of said frequency controlling fluid flow.
7. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 6 , further comprising a first plenum in fluid communication with said main flow inlet and a second plenum in fluid communication with said inlet of said controller.
8. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 7 , wherein said main flow channel and said first plenum are formed using a first panel and a second panel, wherein said controller and said second plenum are formed using said second panel and a third panel, and wherein said flow diverter is formed using said second panel.
9. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 6 , wherein said first volume is at least two times greater than said second volume.
10. A fluidic oscillator as in claim 6 , wherein said main flow channel, said flow diverter, and said controller are formed using a layered construction.