Abstract: The first preferred embodiment of an improved fluid mixing system comprises a synthetic jet actuator aligned perpendicular to a primary fluid flow. When the synthetic jet actuator is driven at a very high frequency, small scale mixing of the primary fluid flow can be effectively controlled. A second preferred embodiment for a mixing system comprises at least one synthetic jet actuator attached to the housing of a primary jet such that the direction of the synthetic jet flow will be parallel to the direction of the primary jet flow. If the two jets are allowed to operate at the same time, the synthetic jet actuator will have the effect of more effectively mixing the primary jet into the ambient fluid. Another embodiment of an improved mixing system comprises a synthetic jet actuator situated in a closed volume. The fluid flow created by the synthetic jet actuator in the closed volume will greatly aid mixing of the fluids in the chamber without injecting any new matter into the chamber.

Abstract: A synthetic jet actuator, which can be micromachined if desired, generates a synthetic jet stream characterized by a series of successive vortices that can be used for effectively entraining adjacent fluid. The synthetic jet actuator can be used to bend, or vector, a jet stream from another jet actuator. Further, because the synthetic jet actuator exhibits zero net mass flux, the synthetic jet actuator can be used within a bounded volume. In structure, the synthetic jet actuator comprises a housing defining an internal chamber and having an orifice. A flexible metallized diaphragm forms a wall of the housing and can change the volume of the chamber when moved. An electrode is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the diaphragm, and an electrical bias is imposed between the metallized diaphragm and the electrode by a control system to force movement of the diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves, the volume in the internal chamber changes and vortices are ejected from the chamber through the orifice.

Abstract: Synthetic jet actuator, which can be micromachined if desired, generates a synthetic jet stream characterized by a series of successive vortices that can be used for effectively entraining adjacent fluid. The synthetic jet actuator can be used to bend, or vector, a jet stream from another jet actuator. Further, because the synthetic jet actuator exhibits zero net mass flux, the synthetic jet actuator can be used within a bounded volume. In structure, the synthetic jet actuator comprises a housing defining an internal chamber and having an orifice. A flexible metallized diaphragm forms a wall of the housing and can change the volume of the chamber when moved. An electrode is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the diaphragm, and an electrical bias is imposed between the metallized diaphragm and the electrode by a control system to force movement of the diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves, the volume in the internal chamber changes and vortices are ejected from the chamber through the orifice.