Reconfigurable Synthetic Jet Actuation for Closed-Loop Hingeless Flow Control

"In this work, we propose to capitalize on our experience with synthetic jet actuation, low order system modeling, and control in order to develop an integrated approach to hingeless flow control. We first propose to develop a new, hybrid, synthetic jetactuator that will be capable, via real-time actuator parameter control, of both separation manipulation (reduction, elimination or promotion) and dynamic virtual shaping. Next we will generate reduced-order flow models and will subsequently close thecontrol loop. The planform used to develop and demonstrate the new techniques will be a NACA-0015 wing first in steady flow and subsequently in dynamic maneuvering. The Texas A&M Fluid Dynamics Laboratory of the Aerospace Engineering Department has hadseveral years of experience with actuator development and steady and dynamic wind-tunnel testing. Aeroprobe will be responsible for the controls aspects of the problem. The area of active flow control is undergoing great activity and the successfulcompletion of the proposed effort will satisfy the needs of several industries such as jet engines and turbomachinery, rotorcraft, UAV's military and civil aviation to name a few among others. Due to our dominant market position in the area of multi-holeprobes and fluid measurement instrumentation, we are in contact with several major companies from the aeronautics and UAV segments. In order to commercialize the product that may result from the propo