Abstract: Waveguide or flow guide surfaces can improve the efficiency of fluid flow through tubes or over surfaces. When incorporated in a tube, the waveguides improve flow and function as sound absorbers making them useful in engine mufflers, firearm silencer/suppressors and jet engine exhaust attenuators. On surfaces, the waveguides can reduce fluid drag and find use on projectiles (e.g., bullets), airfoils for aircraft, and land borne vehicles. The waveguide array in either a tubular chamber or on a surface comprises a plurality of successive wave-like undulations inclined generally in the direction of flow and when employed in tubes extending inwardly to permit an unobstructed path for the fluid gas from entry to exit. The waves define annular wave cavities between their successive inwardly extending edges and the wall of the chamber with each cavity having a cavity mouth open to the unobstructed path.

Abstract: Waveguide or flow guide surfaces can improve the efficiency of fluid flow through tubes or over surfaces. When incorporated in a tube, the waveguides improve flow and function as sound absorbers making them useful in engine mufflers, firearm silencer/suppressors and jet engine exhaust attenuators. On surfaces, the waveguides can reduce fluid drag and find use on projectiles (e.g., bullets), airfoils for aircraft, and land borne vehicles. The waveguide array in either a tubular chamber or on a surface comprises a plurality of successive wave-like undulations inclined generally in the direction of flow and when employed in tubes extending inwardly to permit an unobstructed path for the fluid gas from entry to exit. The waves define annular wave cavities between their successive inwardly extending edges and the wall of the chamber with each cavity having a cavity mouth open to the unobstructed path.

Abstract: A channel for moving gas between an entry into which gas is introduced and an exit through which gas exits, comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent guides, each guide comprising an outer portion of a smoothly-curved, modified torus whose inner wall has concave curvature on the gas inlet and convex curvature on the gas outlet and has an inflection point of curvature axially downstream of the inlet of the respective guide. Each guide forms a smoothly curved internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into the gas flow channel, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the channel. Flow of fluid in the channel is unidirectional and axial from the entry to the exit.

Abstract: A channel for moving gas between an entry into which gas is introduced and an exit through which gas exits, comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent guides, each guide comprising an outer portion of a smoothly-curved, modified torus whose inner wall has concave curvature on the gas inlet and convex curvature on the gas outlet and has an inflection point of curvature axially downstream of the inlet of the respective guide. Each guide forms a smoothly curved internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into the gas flow channel, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the channel. Flow of fluid in the channel is unidirectional and axial from the entry to the exit.

Abstract: A tube for moving gas between an entry end into which gas is introduced and an exit end through which gas exits the tube, the tube comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent? guides, each guide comprising an outer half of a smoothly-curved, modified torus, and an outer rigid tube wall. Each guide forms an internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into an inner portion of the tube, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the tube, and the flow of fluid in the tube is unidirectional and axial from the entry end to the exit end.

Abstract: A tube for moving gas between an entry end into which gas is introduced and an exit end through which gas exits the tube, the tube comprising a plurality of adjoining adjacent? guides, each guide comprising an outer half of a smoothly-curved, modified torus, and an outer rigid tube wall. Each guide forms an internal cavity with a cavity mouth opening into an inner portion of the tube, the cavities shaped such that a vortex forms within each of the cavities as gas passes through the tube, and the flow of fluid in the tube is unidirectional and axial from the entry end to the exit end.

Abstract: A tube comprises a series of guides with each successive guide smaller than a next prior guide forms an effective funnel with a smaller end extending toward into a larger end of a next adjacent guide. The larger end of the next adjacent guide extends past the smaller end of that prior guide and loops back to taper into smooth connection to the outside of the smaller end of that prior guide therein creating a cavity in the guide. Gas passing rapidly past the cavities causes a Bernoulli effect that reduces pressure within the cavities. Because the mouth of the guides is large, a vortex is induced from a shearing interface between gases within the cavity and the main flow of gas moving down the tube. A less energetic layer of gas is created that buffers tube guides from main gas flow through the tube center.