Investigation of PVdF active diaphragms for synthetic jets

Kelly C. Bailo; Diann E. Brei; Frederick T. Calkins

doi:10.1117/12.388164

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12 June 2000 Investigation of PVdF active diaphragms for synthetic jets

Kelly C. Bailo; Diann E. Brei; Frederick T. Calkins

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Proceedings Volume 3991, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388164
Event: SPIE's 7th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2000, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

Current research has shown that aircraft can gain significant aerodynamic performance benefits by employing active flow control (AFC). One of the enabling technologies of AFC is the synthetic jet. Synthetic jets, also known as zero-net-mass flux actuators, act as bi-directional pumps injecting high momentum air into the local aerodynamic flow. Previous work has concentrated on high frequency synthetic jets based on piezoelectric active diaphragms such as Thunder actuators. Low frequency synthetic jets present a unique challenge requiring large displacements, which current technology has difficulty meeting. Boeing is investigating novel shaped low frequency synthetic jets that can modify the flow over fixed aircraft wings. This paper present the initial study of two promising active diaphragm concepts: a crescent shape and an opposing bender shape. These active diaphragms were numerically modeled utilizing the general-purpose finite element code ABAQUS. Using the ABAQUS results, the dynamic volume change within each jet was calculated and incorporated into an analytical linear Bernoulli model to predict the velocities and pressures at the nozzle. Simulations were performed to determine trends to assist in selection of prototype configurations. Prototypes of both diaphragm concepts were constructed from polyvinylidene fluoride and experimentally tested at Boeing with promising results.

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Kelly C. Bailo, Diann E. Brei, and Frederick T. Calkins "Investigation of PVdF active diaphragms for synthetic jets", Proc. SPIE 3991, Smart Structures and Materials 2000: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies, (12 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.388164

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