Abstract: A system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a dual diaphragm synthetic jet coupled to high performance dual actuator solenoids, wherein the synthetic jet is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) based aerodynamic actuator is configured to modify a shockwave boundary layer interaction and limit incident boundary layer growth caused by a reflected shockwave.

Abstract: Active Circulation Control (ACC) of aerodynamic structures, such as a turbine blade, uses unsteady or oscillatory flow from either synthetic jets or pulsed jets to modify a velocity profile of the blade. The blade includes an opening disposed in a surface of the blade at a location proximate to a trailing edge, a leading edge, or both the trailing edge and the leading edge of the blade. An active flow control device in fluid communication with the opening produces a wall-jet of pulsed fluid that flows over the trailing edge, the leading edge, or both the trailing and leading edges of the blade and modify the velocity profile of the blade.

Abstract: A high-frequency, high-voltage electron switch includes an electron source, a steering mechanism, a mask or anode plate, and a target. The electron source produces a beam of electrons with a voltage of at least about 1 kV that impinges upon the anode plate. The steering mechanism scans the electron beam across the anode plate at a scanning frequency of at least about 10 MHz. A hole or aperture is provided in the anode plate that allows the electron beam to pass through and produce a pulsed, high-voltage current in the target with a very high-frequency repetition rate and a very fast rise time. The pulsed, high-voltage current produced in the target can be used to cause a high-voltage source to turn on and off.

Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, the compression system comprising a rotor having a plurality of blades arranged around a centerline axis, each blade having a blade airfoil and a blade tip, and at least one plasma actuator located on a blade. Exemplary embodiments of a detection system for detecting an instability in a compression system rotor and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on a blade to facilitate the improvement of the stability of the rotor are disclosed.

Abstract: A high voltage, fast pulse rise/fall time, and high repetition rate pulse generator solves the high pulse repetition rate limitations associated with RF power amplifiers and gap switch type pulse generators. The pulse generator employs a transmission line architecture and structural techniques that allow for continued high voltage, fast rise/fall time, and high repetition pulse rate operation of the pulse generator without impairment of the pulse generator while exceeding performance characteristics achievable with conventional RF power amplifiers and gap switch type pulse generators.

Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, the compression system comprising a stator stage having a row of a plurality of stator vanes arranged around a centerline axis, each stator vane having a vane airfoil and at least one plasma actuator located on the stator stage. Exemplary embodiments of a detection system for detecting an instability in a compression system rotor and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor are disclosed.

Abstract: An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a stator stage located axially proximate to a rotor, the stator stage having a row of a plurality of stator vanes arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on the stator vane that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed.

Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, the compression system comprising a rotor having a circumferential row of blades each blade having a blade tip, a static component located radially outwardly and apart from the blade tips, a detection system for detecting an instability in the rotor during the operation of the rotor, and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor when an instability is detected by the detection system. A gas turbine engine comprising a detection system for detecting an instability during the operation of the fan section and a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the fan section is disclosed.

Abstract: An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor during the operation of the rotor, a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor when the onset of instability is detected by the detection system, a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system.

Abstract: A plasma enhanced pilot including a swirler mechanism is configured to be inserted into an existing blank (purge air) or liquid fuel (dual fuel) cartridge space within the centerbody of a lean, premixed land-based gas turbine combustor fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge device for generating a plasma discharge is disclosed. The device includes a first electrode, a second electrode separated from the first electrode, and a dielectric material disposed between the two electrodes. Each electrode has a first end, a first surface, and a second surface. The first end of the first electrode is disposed proximate to the first end of the second electrode. The first end of the first electrode comprises a set of saw-tooth features disposed between the surfaces configured to stabilize location of streamers of the plasma discharge upon generation thereof.

Abstract: A plasma generation system includes a pulse generator having at least one switch and that is configured to convert a DC voltage to a desired high frequency, high breakdown voltage pulse sufficient to break down a high-breakdown voltage gap, wherein all pulse generator switches are solely low to medium voltage, high frequency switches, and further configured to apply the breakdown voltage to a plasma load for the generation of plasma. In one application, the plasma generation system is useful to manipulate the flow of jets and provide highly efficient acoustic noise reduction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a combustion apparatus comprises: an oxidant inlet, a fuel inlet, a mixing zone configured to mix fuel and oxidant to form a mixture, a combustion zone in fluid communication with the mixing zone and configured to combust the mixture, and an outlet in fluid communication with the combustion zone. The mixing zone, the combustion zone, and/or the outlet comprises an electro-dynamic swirler configured to swirl ionized gas. The electro-dynamic swirler comprises a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a power source. In one embodiment, a method of creating thrust comprises: mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a mixture, igniting the mixture to form an ignited mixture, combusting the ignited mixture to form a flame, and using the flame to create thrust, wherein the flame and/or the fuel and oxidant are electro-dynamically swirled.

Abstract: A high voltage, high speed, and high repetition rate pulse generator solves the high pulse repetition rate limitations associated with RF power amplifiers. The pulse generator employs resonant techniques to provide current limiting features that allow for continued high voltage, high speed, and high repetition pulse rate operation of the pulse generator without impairment of the pulse generator during both short circuit and open circuit load conditions.

Abstract: A high-frequency, high-voltage electron switch includes an electron source, a steering mechanism, a mask or anode plate, and a target. The electron source produces a beam of electrons with a voltage of at least about 1 kV that impinges upon the anode plate. The steering mechanism scans the electron beam across the anode plate at a scanning frequency of at least about 10 MHz. A hole or aperture is provided in the anode plate that allows the electron beam to pass through and produce a pulsed, high-voltage current in the target with a very high-frequency repetition rate and a very fast rise time. The pulsed, high-voltage current produced in the target can be used to cause a high-voltage source to turn on and off.

Abstract: A machine includes an unsteady blower device, such as a synthetic jet actuator, disposed such that an aperture of the blower is disposed upon the trailing edge of the machine component. The unsteady blower device is actuated to perform unsteady blowing of a fluid from the aperture in order to enhance turbulent mixing in the flow to mitigate undesirable wakes that interact with downstream components. Such unsteady blower devices facilitate momentum transfer or unsteady excitation or energy addition into the flow through the machine via direct injection of additional fluid.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade is situated on a wind turbine and includes a side and a tip. The blade is configured to rotate about an axis upon an impact of a wind flow on the blade. An active flow modification device is disposed on the blade. The active flow modification device is configured to receive active flow instructions and to modify the wind flow proximate to the blade. The resulting wind turbine blade uses these active flow modifications to achieve reduced loads, reduced aerodynamic losses, reduced noise, enhanced energy capture, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a dual diaphragm synthetic jet coupled to high performance dual actuator solenoids, wherein the synthetic jet is operable to produce an oscillatory flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) produces the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A dielectric barrier discharge device for generating a plasma discharge is disclosed. The device includes a first electrode, a second electrode separated from the first electrode, and a dielectric material disposed between the two electrodes. Each electrode has a first end, a first surface, and a second surface. The first end of the first electrode is disposed proximate to the first end of the second electrode. The first end of the first electrode comprises a set of saw-tooth features disposed between the surfaces configured to stabilize location of streamers of the plasma discharge upon generation thereof.