Synthetic Jet Actuator Equipped With A Piezoelectric Actuator And A Viscous Seal

1 . A synthetic jet ejector, comprising:

a housing;

a blade disposed in said housing, said blade having a first fixed end and a second movable end; and

an actuator disposed on said blade;

wherein said actuator oscillates said blade so that said blade traces out a first volume as the second end of said blade moves between a first apex and a second apex, wherein said housing has a first portion which is spaced apart from, and complimentary in shape to, at least a first surface of said first volume, and wherein the spacing between said first volume and said housing is sufficiently small to form a viscous seal around the periphery of said actuator.

2 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , further comprising a first aperture in said housing.

3 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , further comprising a first aperture in said blade.

4 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first fixed end is attached to said housing.

5 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first fixed end and said second movable end are opposing ends of said blade.

6 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said blade divides the interior of said housing into a first volume and a second volume when it is at rest.

7 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 6 , further comprising a second aperture, wherein said first aperture is disposed on a first side of said blade, and wherein said second aperture is disposed on a second side of said blade.

8 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 5 , wherein said first and second apertures are selected from the group consisting of openings and nozzles.

9 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first portion of said housing is adjacent to said second end of said blade.

10 . The synthetic jet ejector of claim 1 , wherein said first portion of said housing is arcuate in shape.