Wave-driven blower and electric motor/generator

Abstract

The present invention provides a wave-driven blower and a wave-driven generator. Embodiments can accelerate fluid flows with waves requiring with no or minimal moving parts. The waves driving the flow can be surface-thermal waves on the walls of the device. The velocity of the surface-thermal wave entrains the fluid near the surface and imparts a velocity to the fluid. Other types of waves can generate fluid flow. These other waves can be produced by variations in chemical composition, ionic concentration, chemical potential, total pressure, partial pressure and surface texture. Operating as a generator, the device extracts energy from a flowing fluid to amplify wave motions. The wave motions in turn generate electrical power or some other form of useable power

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for affecting fluid flow, comprising: (a) a first surface comprising a plurality of regions, each region characterized by a controllable property; (b) a control system configured to control the regions of the first surface such that the controllable properties change in a manner such that the regions in the first surface exert a force along the first surface on a fluid proximal the first surface. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to change the controllable properties such that the controllable properties establish a wave moving along the first surface. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises the temperature of the region. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises the surface texture of the region. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises permeability of the region to fluid pressure. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises heat transfer between the region and fluid proximal the region. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the controllable property comprises one or more of: ohmic heating of the region, thermoelectric transport, electrocaloric changes in the region, and the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by the region. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises ion generation in fluid proximal the region. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the controllable property comprises the chemical potential of the region. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a second surface disposed at an angle other than orthogonal to the first surface and comprising a plurality of regions, each region characterized by a controllable property; and wherein the control system is further configured to control the regions in the second surface in a manner such that the regions in the second surface exert a force along the second surface on a fluid disposed between the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is configured to be in thermal communication with a source of heat, and to be in thermal communication with a fluid proximal the first surface. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the regions comprise thin film thermoelectric switches. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of additional surfaces, each comprising a plurality of regions, each region characterized by a controllable property; and wherein the control system is further configured to control the regions in the plurality of additional surfaces in a manner such that the regions in the additional surfaces exert a force along each additional surface on a fluid disposed proximal each such additional surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method for cooling a heat-generating system, comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as in  claim 1 ; (b) placing the apparatus in thermal communication with the heat-generating system; (c) placing the apparatus in fluid communication with fluid under conditions suitable for the fluid to absorb heat from the apparatus; (d) causing the apparatus to flow the fluid across the first surface, removing heat therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . A method for cooling a heat-generating system as in  claim 14 , wherein the heat generating system comprises an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         16 . A method for cooling a heat-generating system as in  claim 14 , wherein the heat generating system comprises a light source.
 (a) A method for generating power from a fluid, comprising: (a) providing an apparatus as in  claim 1 ;   (b) flowing fluid across the first surface; (c) controlling the controllable properties such that fluid flow across the first surface imparts force to the regions; (d) generating power from the force imparted to the regions.   
     
     
         17 - 34 . (canceled)