Generation of a Pulsed Jet by Jet Vectoring Through a Nozzle with Multiple Outlets

Abstract

A method of producing a pulsatile jet flow from a substantially constant flow primary jet in a way that is mechanically efficient, easy to implement, and allows direct control over pulse duration and pulsing frequency is disclosed herein. The invention includes at least two components: (a) a constant flow fluid jet produced by any normal method (e.g., propeller) that can be directionally vectored fluidically, mechanically, or electromagnetically and (b) a nozzle with multiple outlets (orifices) through which the vectored jet may be directed. By alternately vectoring the jet through different outlets, a transient (pulsatile) flow at an outlet is obtained even with a substantially constant primary jet flow. Additionally, the nozzle outlets may be oriented in different directions to provide thrust vectoring, making the invention useful for maneuvering, directional control, etc.

1 . A system for propelling and maneuvering a device comprising:
 a vehicle that comprises a fluid thruster that produces a substantially constant flow jet and two or more outlets in fluid communication with the substantially constant flow jet; and   two or more fluid conduits adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the substantially constant flow jet and generally in alignment with the constant flow jet, wherein each of the two or more fluid conduits are capable of creating a control jet in close proximity to the substantially constant flow jet, wherein the control jet that exits from at least one of the two or more fluid conduits directs the substantially constant flow jet into an outlet downstream from the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an exhaust from each of the two or more outlets comprises short jet pulses generated by alternately vectoring the substantially constant flow jet between the outlets to generate compact vortical structures (vortex rings), wherein a frequency and a duration of the control jets are independently controlled by varying a flow rate and a frequency of the control jets vectoring from the conduits. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid outlets are defined further as capable of being oriented at different angles relative to the substantially constant flow jet to provide thrust vectoring, directional control, or propulsion of the substantially constant flow jet into more than one outlet at a time. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the substantially constant flow jet, or the control jet, is at least one of a ducted fan/propeller, compressed air released through a nozzle, a turbojet engine, a jet engine, a turboprop, a ramjet, a rocket propulsion, or a scramjet. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control jets comprise one or more angles with respect to an axis of the substantially constant flow jet and comprise a multiplicity or a continuum of angles. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the control jet has a higher speed than the substantially constant flow jet and the substantially constant flow jet is directed to an outlet generally located near a plane passing through the conduit and the axis of the constant flow jet and on the side of the constant flow jet axis closest to the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the speed of the control jet may be varied to direct the substantially constant flow jet to different outlets generally located near a plane passing through the conduit and the axis of the constant flow jet. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for vectored jet thrust comprising:
 generating a substantially constant flow jet, wherein the a substantially constant flow jet is directed into two or more outlets;   positioning two or more fluid conduits adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the substantially constant flow jet and generally in alignment with the constant flow jet;   creating a control jet from flow through two or more fluid conduits in close proximity to the constant flow jet, wherein the control jet directs the substantially constant fluid jet into an outlet downstream from the conduit.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an exhaust from each of the two or more outlets comprises short jet pulses generated by alternately vectoring the substantially constant flow jet between the outlets to generate compact vortical structures (vortex rings), wherein a frequency and a duration of the control jets are independently controlled by varying a flow rate and a frequency of the control jets from the conduits. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid outlets are defined further as capable of being oriented at different angles relative to the substantially constant fluid flow jet to provide thrust vectoring, directional control, or propulsion of the substantially constant flow jet into more than one outlet at a time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the substantially constant flow jet, or the control jet, is at least one of a ducted fan/propeller, compressed air released through a nozzle, a turbojet engine, a jet engine, a turboprop, a ramjet, a rocket propulsion, or a scramjet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the control jets comprise one or more angles with respect to an axis of the substantially constant flow jet and comprise a multiplicity or a continuum of angles. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of injecting the control jet at a speed that is higher speed than the substantially constant flow jet, wherein the substantially constant flow jet is directed to an outlet located near a plane passing through the conduit and the axis of the constant flow jet and on the side of the constant flow jet axis closest the conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of varying the speed of the control to direct the substantially constant flow jet to different outlets generally located near a plane passing through the conduit and the axis of the constant flow jet. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A vectored jet thrust vehicle comprising:
 a substantially constant flow fluid jet that is controlled by two or more control jets that exhaust from two or more conduits adjacent to and generally aligned with the substantially constant flow fluid jet; and   two or more nozzles in fluid communication with the substantially constant flow fluid jet wherein the control jets direct the substantially constant flow fluid jet into one or more outlets to maneuver the vehicle.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled)