Plasma actuator
View Patent ↗An actuator including a first and second conductor on a dielectric, wherein application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a fluid flow in communication with the actuator. Related systems and methods are also provided.
1. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising:
mounting a plurality of conductors on a surface, at least one of said plurality of conductors defining an aperture;
applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors, wherein the voltage creates a plasma; and
creating a suction device with the plurality of conductors, thereby resulting in a fluid flow toward the surface.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mounting comprises positioning the plurality of conductors substantially flush with the surface.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying a voltage comprises applying a substantially continuous voltage during the creating the suction device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying a voltage comprises pulsing the voltage during the creating the suction device.
5. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising:
mounting a plurality of conductors on a surface, at least one of said plurality of conductors defining an aperture;
applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors; and
creating a plasma synthetic jet actuator with the plurality of conductors, thereby resulting in a fluid flow towards or away from the surface.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the mounting comprises positioning the plurality of conductors substantially flush with the surface.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the applying a voltage comprises applying a substantially continuous voltage during the creating the synthetic jet actuator.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the applying a voltage comprises pulsing the voltage during the creating the synthetic jet actuator.
9. A method of modifying a flow of fluid, comprising:
mounting a first conductor on a first side of a dielectric, the first conductor having at least one edge that defines a boundary;
mounting a second conductor on a second side of a dielectric, the second conductor is positioned within the boundary;
applying a voltage to at least one of the conductors to modify a flow of fluid in communication with one of the first and second conductor.
10. A fluid actuator, comprising:
a first and second conductor positioned on a dielectric, wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture and whereby application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma between the first and second conductor, thereby modifying a flow of a fluid in communication with the actuator.
11. The fluid actuator of claim 10 , wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow away from the actuator.
12. The fluid actuator of claim 10 , wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow toward the actuator.
13. The fluid actuator of claim 10 , wherein the first conductor encircles the second conductor.
14. The fluid actuator of claim 10 , wherein the first conductor is substantially ring shaped and the second conductor is circular.
15. The fluid actuator of claim 14 , further comprising a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor.
16. A system for modifying a fluid flow, comprising:
a surface; and
an actuator including a first and second conductor positioned on a dielectric wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture, and whereby the actuator is connected to the surface and application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma between the first and second conductor, thereby directing a flow of a fluid in communication with the actuator towards or away from the surface.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is substantially flush with the surface.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow away from the actuator.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the application of the voltage to the first conductor results in a fluid flow toward the actuator.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein one of the first and second conductor is embedded in the surface.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein the surface includes a plurality of actuators, each independently controlled.
22. The system of claim 16 , wherein one of the first and second conductor defines an aperture.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the first conductor is substantially ring shaped and the second conductor is circular.
24. A fluid actuator, comprising:
a first conductor positioned on a first side of a dielectric, the first conductor has at least one edge that defines a boundary; and
a second conductor positioned on a second side of a dielectric, wherein the second conductor is positioned within the boundary, and application of a voltage to one of the first and second conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a flow of fluid in communication with one of the first and second conductor.
25. The fluid actuator of claim 24 , wherein the first and second conductor are substantially “v”-shaped.