Modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media

Abstract

Drag experienced by a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. Environmental media may be adjusted by microwave, chemical, ultrasonic, acoustic (including subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic), or electromagnetic energy. One or more energy beams may be directed toward a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow, at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:
 a surface having a leading portion and a trailing portion; and   a transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the transducer being configured to emit an energy beam at an angle with respect to the surface,   wherein the transducer is configured to provide an acoustic disturbance in the fluid media.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is forward of the leading portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is above or below the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is rearward of the trailing portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic disturbance increases suction in the fluid media rearward of the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the acoustic disturbance creates a virtual vehicle or trailing structure following the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following a wing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following of an engine or propeller. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the angle is adjustable to increase or decrease drag. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein surface has a profile that is adjustable. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transducer is selectively activatable. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to a velocity or acceleration of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to an air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, or altitude of the fluid media. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid media substantially comprises air, water, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a pressure sensor, altimeter sensor, temperature sensor, or wind direction sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the energy beam includes a pulsed or continuous wave pattern. 
     
     
         17 . A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:
 a surface having a leading portion and a trailing portion;   a first transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the first transducer being configured to emit a first energy beam at a first angle with respect to the surface; and   a second transducer at or near the leading or trailing portion, the second transducer being configured to emit a second energy beam at a second angle with respect to the surface,   wherein the first and second transducers are configured to provide an acoustic disturbance in the fluid media.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the first and second transducers are configured so that the first and second energy beams intersect. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is forward of the leading portion. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is above or below the surface. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of the acoustic disturbance is rearward of the trailing portion. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the acoustic disturbance increases suction in the fluid media following the surface. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the acoustic disturbance creates a virtual vehicle or trailing structure following the vehicle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following a wing. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the energy beam adjusts the fluid media following an engine or propeller. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the angle is adjustable to increase or decrease drag. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 17  wherein surface has a profile that is adjustable. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the transducer is selectively activatable. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to a velocity or acceleration of the vehicle. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the energy beam is adjustable in response to an air density, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, or altitude of the fluid media. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the fluid media substantially comprises air, water, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising at least one of a pressure sensor, altimeter sensor, temperature sensor, or wind direction sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the energy beam includes a pulsed or continuous wave pattern. 
     
     
         34 . A modification system for a vehicle in a fluid media, the system comprising:
 a surface having a first portion and a second portion;   a first transducer at or near the first portion, the first transducer being configured to emit a first energy beam to increase or decrease acoustic disturbance at or near the first portion;   a second transducer at or near the second portion, the second transducer being configured to emit a second energy beam to increase or decrease acoustic disturbance at or near the second portion;   wherein the first and second transducers selectively increase or decrease acoustic disturbance in the fluid media at or near the first and second portions of the surface.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the first and second transducers are configured so that the first and second energy beams intersect.