MICROELECTRONIC MODULE, MODULE ARRAY, AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING A FLOW

Abstract

A microelectronic module for influencing a flow of a fluid is provided. The module comprises at least one voltage converter for converting a provided first voltage into a higher, lower, or identical second voltage. The module also comprises at least one active flow-influencing element for influencing the direction and/or the speed of a fluid which is flowing around and/or over the flow-influencing element. At least the voltage converter and the active flow-influencing element are disposed on a thin-film, planar substrate. The influencing of the direction and/or the speed of the fluid is dependent on a hydrodynamic acceleration as a function of the second voltage provided by the voltage converter at the flow-influencing element.

Claims

1. A microelectronic module for influencing a flow of a fluid, comprising: at least one voltage converter for converting a provided first voltage into a higher, lower, or identical second voltage; at least one active flow-influencing element for influencing a direction and/or speed of a fluid which is flowing around and/or over the active flow-influencing element; wherein at least the voltage converter and the active flow-influencing element are disposed on a thin-film, planar substrate; and wherein the influencing of the direction and/or the speed of the fluid is dependent on a hydrodynamic acceleration as a function of the second voltage provided by the voltage converter at the active flow-influencing element.

2. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage converter comprises a piezoelectric transformer.

3. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the provided first voltage for the voltage converter is provided, at least partially, via an external voltage source.

4. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate further comprises an energy-generating element for generating at least a portion of the first voltage to be provided, or wherein the substrate further comprises an energy-generating element for generating at least a portion of the first voltage to be provided, wherein the energy-generating element comprises a solar cell arrangement.

5. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thin-film, planar substrate is a flexible and/or multidimensionally deformable film or lattice.

6. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module comprises a plurality of active flow-influencing elements, wherein the active flow-influencing elements have a different orientation and/or an identical orientation; or wherein the module comprises a plurality of active flow-influencing elements and at least one passive flow-influencing element, wherein the active and/or passive flow-influencing elements have a different orientation and/or an identical orientation.

7. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 6, wherein the orientation, a time-dependent and/or a voltage amplitude-dependent control of the plurality of active flow-influencing elements and/or the orientation of the passive flow-influencing elements determine/determines the direction of the influence on the fluid.

8. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module comprises at least one receiver configured for receiving a signal, wherein the switching element can be switched depending on the signal; and/or wherein the module comprises at least one transmitter configured for transmitting a signal to a receiver, wherein the signal includes at least information regarding the parameters detected by the module.

9. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module comprises at least one sensor configured for gathering information regarding the module, information regarding the fluid and/or information regarding the environment of the module, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor.

10. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determination of a pressure, a temperature and/or a humidity acting on the module due to the fluid flowing past is carried out by the flow-influencing element and/or a separate sensor.

11. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module comprises a control element configured for adjusting the hydrodynamic acceleration of a passing flow of fluid depending on gathered information; and/or wherein the module comprises at least one switching element for activating and/or deactivating the module.

12. The microelectronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage converter, the switching element, the flow-influencing element, the sensor, the receiver, the transmitter and/or the control element are designed as a MEMS structure.

13. A module array comprising a plurality of microelectronic modules as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active and/or passive flow-influencing elements of the plurality of microelectronic modules have, at least partially, a different orientation.

14. An arrangement at least of a microelectronic module or at least a module array as claimed in claim 1 on a surface of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, a watercraft, or a ground vehicle.

15. A method for influencing a flow of a fluid using at least one microelectronic module or at least one module array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the direction and/or speed of the flow of a fluid flowing around and/or over a surface of the module or module array is influenced, the method comprising: converting a provided first voltage into a higher, lower, or identical second voltage; generating a hydrodynamic acceleration as a function of the second voltage; and influencing the direction and/or the speed of the fluid by the hydrodynamic acceleration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In the drawings, reference numbers that are generally the same refer to the same parts in all the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, value is placed, in general, on the explanation of the principles of the disclosure herein. In the following description, different embodiments of the disclosure herein are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a microelectronic module;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a module array comprising a plurality of microelectronic modules;

[0050] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of a plurality of microelectronic modules on the surface of an aircraft; and

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for influencing a flow of a fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings which, for the purpose of explanation, show specific details and embodiments in which the disclosure herein can be put into practice.

[0053] The expression exemplary is used in this case to mean serving as an example, a case, or an illustration. Every embodiment or configuration described herein as exemplary should not necessarily be interpreted to be preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or configurations.

[0054] In the following extensive description, reference is made to the attached drawings which form a part of this description and in which, for purposes of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosure herein can be applied are shown. In this regard, directional terminology is used, such as, for example, top, bottom, front, back, leading, trailing, etc., with reference to the orientation of the described figure or figures. Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is clear that other embodiments can be used and structural or logical changes can be made without deviating from the scope of protection of the subject matter disclosed herein. It is clear that the features of the different exemplary embodiments described herein can be combined with one another, unless specifically indicated otherwise elsewhere. The following extensive description should therefore not be interpreted to be limiting, and the scope of protection of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the attached claims.

[0055] Within the scope of this description, the terms connected and coupled are used for describing both a direct as well as an indirect connection and a direct or an indirect coupling. In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numbers, to the extent this is appropriate.

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a microelectronic module 100 for influencing a flow of a fluid. The module 100 comprises a voltage converter 101 for converting a provided first voltage V1 into a higher, lower, or identical second voltage V2. The module 100 also comprises an active flow-influencing element 103 for influencing the direction and/or the speed of a fluid flowing around and/or over the active flow-influencing element 103. The voltage converter 101 and the active flow-influencing element 103 of the module 100 are disposed on a thin-film, planar substrate 104. The voltage converter 101 and the flow-influencing element 103 of the module 100 are electrically coupled to one another. The influencing of the direction and/or the speed of the fluid is dependent on a hydrodynamic acceleration as a function of the second voltage V2 provided by the voltage converter 101 to the flow-influencing element 103. In addition to the active flow-influencing element 103, another passive flow-influencing element (not illustrated), for example, a passive, three-dimensional structure, can be provided on the module 100. The module can comprise a switching element (not illustrated) for the purpose of specifically activating and/or deactivating the flow-influencing element 103.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a module array 200 comprising a plurality of microelectronic modules 201. Each of the microelectronic modules 201 comprises a voltage converter 202, a switching element 203, and a flow-influencing element 204 on a thin-film, planar substrate 205. Although each of the depicted modules 201 comprises a separate switching element 204, according to an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), a switching element 204 can also be provided for two or more modules 201.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an arrangement 300 of a plurality of microelectronic modules 301 on the surface of an aircraft 302. In the embodiment shown, multiple microelectronic modules 301 are arranged on the wings 303, 304 of the aircraft 302 in the region of the leading edge of the wing in order to reduce friction losses at the leading edge of the wing.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart 400 of one embodiment of a method for influencing a flow of a fluid using at least one microelectronic module or at least one module array. In step 401, a first voltage is provided, which is converted into a second voltage which is higher than, lower than, or equal to the first voltage. With the aid of the second voltage, a hydrodynamic acceleration is generated in step 402 as a function of the second voltage. In step 403, the direction and/or the speed of the fluid are is influenced by the generated hydrodynamic acceleration.

[0060] Although the disclosure herein has been shown and described primarily with reference to certain embodiments, persons who are familiar with the technical field should understand that numerous modifications with respect to the embodiment and details can be made thereto without deviating from the nature and scope of the disclosure herein as defined by the attached claims. The scope of the disclosure herein is therefore determined by the attached claims, and it is therefore intended that all changes that fall within the literal scope or the doctrine of equivalents of the claims be included.

[0061] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 100, 201, 301 Module 101, 202 Voltage converter 103, 204 Active flow-influencing element 104, 205 Substrate 200 Module array 203 Switching element 300 Arrangement 302 Aircraft 303, 304 Wing 400 Flow chart 401-403 Method steps V1 First voltage V2 Second voltage