A strain amplification structure has a frame with a hexagonal structure incorporating a plurality of rigid beams that are connected to opposing end beams by a plurality of flexible joints. A piezoceramic actuator assembly is connected to the opposing end beams having a collar including an opening. A shaft providing an output is connected to the plurality of rigid beams with flexible joints and passes through the opening in the collar for non-interfering motion orthogonal to the actuator assembly.

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

An aircraft, an aircraft wing structure and a method are provided in order to address lift and drag, such as by increasing lift and reducing drag. In the context of an aircraft wing structure, the aircraft wing structure includes a wing extending outboard from a fuselage of an aircraft. The wing also extends from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The aircraft wing structure also includes one or more actuators carried by the wing and causing fluid to be directed through one or more respective orifices defined by the wing so as to alter flow over a lower surface of the wing. The one or more orifices that are defined by the wing are closer to the leading edge than to the trailing edge. Thus, the fluid introduced through the one or more orifices may increase lift and reduce drag of the associated aircraft.

A method and apparatus are presented. An active flow control system comprises a flow control valve, a manifold, and a temperature control system. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of air into the manifold. The manifold is operatively connected to a number of actuators. The temperature control system is configured to heat at least a portion of the flow of air.

Method and apparatus for controlling the aerodynamics of an aircraft using an active flow control system is disclosed herein. In one example, the active flow control system includes an airframe and a plurality of fluidic oscillators. The airframe includes an inlet configured for flight speeds ranging from subsonic to hypersonic. The plurality of fluidic oscillators is mounted about a curvature of the airframe. Each fluidic oscillator includes a body and an integral nozzle coupled to the body. The body has an inflow portion and a narrow nozzle inlet formed opposite the inflow portion. The integral nozzle is coupled to the body by the narrow nozzle inlet. The narrow nozzle inlet forms a single fluid flow path from the inflow portion to the narrow nozzle inlet.

A cooperative actuator system for active flow control, a vehicle comprising such cooperative actuator system, and a method for operating an actuator system for active flow control. The cooperative actuator system includes actuators, a control unit, and a data unit. The actuators are distributed along the surface in at least a first group and a second group downstream of the first group. The control unit is configured to control the actuators of the first group so that they form a first flow structure along the surface. The data unit is configured to provide data of the first flow structure. The control unit is further configured to control the actuators of the second group based on the data of the first flow structure, so that the actuators of the second group cooperatively interact with the first flow structure to form a second flow structure along the surface.

A device including a resonant array of a plurality of synthetic jet generators where neighboring jet generators are coupled, resulting in the potential for constructive and destructive interference between jets of the plurality of synthetic jet generators depending on the relative phase of a corresponding plurality of drive signals to plurality of synthetic jet generators. The device also includes a controller configured to control the relative phase of the corresponding plurality of drive signals to effect a change in a first jet emitted by a first synthetic jet generator of the plurality of synthetic jets by changing a given phase of a second jet emitted by a second synthetic jet generator of the plurality of synthetic jet generators.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an airfoil comprising a trailing edge, a first fluidic outlet, and a first fluid supply. The trailing edge can have a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The first fluidic outlet can be positioned on one of the first or second surfaces. The first fluid supply can be configured to eject a fluid out of the first fluidic outlet to alter an aerodynamic load experienced by the airfoil.

A bimorph disk actuator is disclosed including a substrate formed from a substrate composite material and having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface, a first piezoceramic disk rigidly connected to the first substrate surface of the substrate, a second piezoceramic disk rigidly connected to the second substrate surface of the substrate, and a first composite ring formed from a first ring composite material, rigidly connected to the first substrate surface and surrounding the first piezoceramic disk. A second composite may be rigidly connected to the second substrate surface and surrounding the second piezoceramic disk. A method and apparatus for forming the bimorph disk actuator are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a fluid actuator for influencing the flow along a flow surface by ejection of a fluid. By means of a like fluid actuator a continuous flow is distributed to at least two outlet openings in order to generate fluid pulses out of these outlet openings. Control of this distribution takes place inside an interaction chamber supplied with fluid flow via a feed line. Into this interaction chamber there merge at least two control lines via control openings to which respective different pressures may be applied. The flow in the interaction chamber is distributed to the individual outlet openings as a function of the pressure difference at the control openings.