Method and System for Regulating Internal Fluid Flow Within an Enclosed or Semi-enclosed Environment

Abstract

The present invention features a fluid flow regulator that functions to significantly influence fluid flow across the surface of an object, as well as to significantly effect the performance of the object subjected to the fluid. The fluid flow regulator comprises a pressure recovery drop that induces a sudden drop in pressure at an optimal pressure recovery point on said surface, such that a sub-atmospheric barrier is created that serves as a cushion between the molecules in the fluid and the molecules at the object's surface. More specifically, the present invention fluid flow regulator functions to significantly regulate the pressure gradients that exist along the surface of an object subject to fluid flow. Regulation of pressure gradients is accomplished by selectively reducing the pressure drag at various locations along the surface, as well as the pressure drag induced forward and aft of the object, via the pressure recovery drop. Reducing the pressure drag in turn increases pressure recovery or pressure recovery potential, which pressure recovery subsequently lowers the friction drag along the surface. By reducing or lowering friction drag, the potential for fluid separation is decreased, or in other words, attachment potential of the fluid is significantly increased. All of these effects may be appropriately and collectively phrased and referred to as optimization of fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow, its properties and characteristics (e.g., separation, boundary layer), and relationship to the object are each optimized. The present invention is specifically applicable to wings, wing-like structures (e.g. stabilizers and rudders), and diffusers.

1 . An internal fluid flow regulator that influences fluid flow about a surface of an internal flow device operating within an enclosed or semi-enclosed environment, said internal fluid flow regulator comprising:
 a leading edge comprising a surface capable of receiving a fluid thereon;   a pressure recovery drop that extends a pre-determined distance away from said leading edge, wherein said pressure recovery drop comprises at least one drop face therein, said at least one drop face having a pre-determined drop distance that determines the degree of pressure gradient regulation, said pressure recovery drop functions to regulate existing pressure gradients along said surface to optimize and equalize said fluid flow, wherein said regulation of said pressure gradients functions to optimize said fluid flow, as well as improving the performance of said device;   a sub-atmospheric barrier that is suddenly generated as said fluid encounters and flows over said pressure recovery drop, said sub-atmospheric barrier comprising a low pressure area of fluid molecules having decreased kinetic energy that serve as a cushion between said higher kinetic energy fluid molecules in said fluid and the molecules at said surface to facilitate laminar flow and assist in the reduction of the separation potential of said fluid; and   a trailing edge that defines and extends from the base of said pressure recovery drop that provides a trailing flow boundary for said fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop is oriented in a position selected from the group consisting of perpendicular to the direction of flow of said fluid, substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of said fluid, on an angle with respect to said direction of flow of said fluid, parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of flow of said fluid, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       3 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop comprises a formation selected from the group consisting of linear, curved, spline, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       4 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a pressure gradient regulator. 
   
   
       5 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop extends entirely across said surface. 
   
   
       6 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop extends across only a portion of said surface. 
   
   
       7 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said surface comprises a plurality of fluid flow regulators that function together to regulate, influence, and control fluid flow and its properties and characteristics across said surface. 
   
   
       8 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow regulator is a dynamic fluid flow regulator capable of adjusting, on demand, with varying design constraints, flow characteristics, environmental conditions, and operational situations pertaining to said fluid, said device, and any combination of these during 
   
   
       9 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 8 , wherein said dynamic fluid flow regulator comprises at least one selectively adjustable element, wherein said adjustable elements are selected from a movable leading edge, a movable pressure recovery drop, and a movable trailing edge, each capable of adjusting the height of said drop face and said pressure drop. 
   
   
       10 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises means for effectuating vector positioning about said surface. 
   
   
       11 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises at least one component that oscillates with varying situations and conditions to vary the height of said pressure recovery drop. 
   
   
       12 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said leading edge is integrally formed with said surface. 
   
   
       13 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop is integrally formed with said surface. 
   
   
       14 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said trailing edge is integrally formed with said surface. 
   
   
       15 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said leading edge, said pressure recovery drop, and said trailing edge of said fluid flow regulator are each embodied in a fluid flow regulator device that is removably attachable to an existing surface to allow said existing surface to comprise one or more fluid flow regulators. 
   
   
       16 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop comprises a plurality of drop faces to magnify the influence of fluid flow regulator on said fluid. 
   
   
       17 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of drop faces each comprise a sub-atmospheric barrier. 
   
   
       18 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure recovery drop is positioned at or proximate an optimal pressure recovery point defined as the location(s) about said surface at which there is an imbalanced or unequal pressure gradient forward and aft of said fluid, thus creating an adverse pressure within said device, which adverse pressure gradient induces friction and pressure drag that ultimately increases the separation potential of said fluid. 
   
   
       19 . The internal fluid flow regulator of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of gaseous fluids, liquid fluids, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       20 . An internal flow surface part of an internal flow device or system, said internal flow surface comprising:
 at least one fluid flow regulator comprising a pressure recovery drop having at least one drop face formed therein, said fluid flow regulator functioning to optimize fluid flow over said internal flow surface.   
   
   
       21 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator is integrally formed with said surface. 
   
   
       22 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator is removably attached to said surface. 
   
   
       23 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator is positioned in an orientation selected from the group consisting of perpendicular to the direction of flow of said fluid, substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of said fluid, on an angle with respect to said direction of flow of said fluid, parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of flow of said fluid, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       24 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a formation selected from the group consisting of linear, curved, spline, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       25 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator is positioned at or proximate an optimal pressure recovery point that signals a point of fluid separation. 
   
   
       26 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises a dynamic fluid flow regulator that functions to vary the height of said at least one drop face. 
   
   
       27 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid flow regulator comprises means effectuating vector positioning about said surface. 
   
   
       28 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of gaseous fluids, liquid fluids, and any combination of these. 
   
   
       29 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said pressure recovery drop comprises an orthogonal design. 
   
   
       30 . The internal flow surface of  claim 20 , wherein said flow device is contained within a semi-enclosed environment. 
   
   
       31 - 77 . (canceled)