Plasma Actuation Systems to Produce Swirling Flows

Abstract

The present application provides a plasma actuation system for a turbo-machinery device. The plasma actuation system may include an end wall, a number of end wall actuators positioned about the end wall, and a blade positioned adjacent to the end wall. The end wall actuators are oriented to produce a swirling flow between the end wall and the blade.

1 . A plasma actuation system for a turbo-machine, device, comprising:
 an end wall;   a plurality of end wall actuators positioned about the end wall; and   a blade positioned adjacent to the end wall;   wherein the plurality of end wall actuators are oriented to produce a swirling flow between the end wall and the blade.   
     
     
         2 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of end wall actuators comprises a plurality of circumferential momentum end wall actuators. 
     
     
         3 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the plurality of circumferential momentum end wall actuators are positioned about the blade. 
     
     
         4 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of end wall actuators comprises a plurality of intermediate momentum end wall actuators. 
     
     
         5 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of blade actuators positioned on the blade. 
     
     
         6 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of blade actuators comprises a plurality of circumferential momentum blade actuators. 
     
     
         7 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of blade actuators comprises a plurality of intermediate momentum blade actuators. 
     
     
         8 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of blade actuators are positioned about a tip of the blade. 
     
     
         9 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of end wall actuators and the plurality of blade actuators comprise a plurality of axial momentum actuators. 
     
     
         10 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of end wall actuators and the plurality of blade actuators comprise a plurality of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators. 
     
     
         11 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators comprises a pair of conductive layers to produce a plasma therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbo-machinery device comprises a compressor. 
     
     
         13 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbo-machinery device comprises a turbine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of reducing a blockage and losses about an end wall and a blade tip of a turbo-machinery device, comprising:
 actuating a plurality of end wall actuators;   generating circumferential and/or intermediate momentum in a flow therethrough; and   creating a swirling flow near the end wall and the blade tip so as to reduce the blockage and losses thereabout.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of actuating a plurality of blade actuators generating circumferential and/or intermediate momentum in the flow therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of generating axial momentum in the flow therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . A plasma actuation system for a turbo-machinery device; comprising:
 an end wall;   the end wall comprising a plurality of circumferential momentum end wall actuators and/or a plurality of intermediate momentum end wall actuators; and   a blade;   the blade comprising a plurality of circumferential momentum blade actuators and/or a plurality of intermediate momentum blade actuators;   wherein the plurality of circumferential momentum end wall actuators, the plurality of intermediate momentum end wall actuators, the plurality of circumferential momentum blade actuators, and the plurality of intermediate momentum blade actuators are oriented to produce a swirling flow between the end wall and the blade.   
     
     
         18 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of circumferential momentum end wall actuators, the plurality of intermediate momentum end wall actuators, the plurality of circumferential momentum blade actuators, and the plurality of intermediate momentum blade actuators comprise a plurality of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators. 
     
     
         19 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 17 , wherein the turbo-machinery device comprises a compressor. 
     
     
         20 . The plasma actuation system of  claim 17 , wherein the turbo-machinery device comprises a turbine.