High frequency pulsed microjet actuation

摘要

An actuator configured to rapidly vary the throat geometry of a microjet nozzle. Varying the throat geometry rapidly changes the characteristics of the microjet produced by the microjet nozzle. The inventive device is capable of producing pulsed flow. In some embodiments it is also capable of producing rapidly variable flow in order to provide active control.

主权项

1. A microjet nozzle assembly for creating a microjet with cyclical characteristics comprising:
a. a nozzle having a converging section, a throat, and a diverging section; b. said throat having a diameter between 100 micrometers and 1000 micrometers; c. said nozzle being configured to accelerate a flow of compressible gas to a supersonic velocity and direct said supersonic gas out said diverging section, thereby creating said microjet; d. said nozzle being bounded by nozzle wall; e. an actuator positioned to bear against at least a portion of said nozzle wall in said throat; f. said actuator being configured to move said at least a portion of said nozzle wall inward, thereby altering a cross section of said throat and thereby altering said flow of said compressible gas through said nozzle; and g. wherein said actuator is configured to cycle at a rate between about 5 Hz and about 5 kHz.