US 12,296,944 B2
Systems and methods for producing traveling waves along surfaces exposed to supersonic fluid flows
Iman Borazjani, College Station, TX (US)
Assigned to The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX (US)
Filed by The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX (US)
Filed on Apr. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/136,526.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/332,598, filed on Apr. 19, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0043112 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 23/04 (2006.01); B64C 21/01 (2023.01); F02C 7/04 (2006.01); F02K 7/14 (2006.01); B64C 30/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 23/04 (2013.01) [B64C 21/01 (2023.01); F02C 7/04 (2013.01); F02K 7/14 (2013.01); B64C 30/00 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A supersonic flow system in which a supersonic flow is encountered, the system comprising:
a surface configured to be exposed to a supersonic fluid flow, wherein the surface comprises an upstream end and a downstream end opposite the upstream end;
a wave generator coupled to the surface and comprising one or more actuators configured to selectably induce strain in the surface; and
a wave controller in signal communication with the wave generator the wave controller comprising a processor and a memory device including instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the wave controller to:
activate the one or more actuators to induce one or more travelling waves configured to travel along the surface between the upstream end and the downstream end of the surface; and
control the activation of the one or more actuators to alter one or more properties of the supersonic flow whereby one or more shocks in the supersonic flow are selectably adjusted using the one or more travelling waves.