Fluidic propulsive system

Abstract

A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle. The system includes a convex surface, a diffusing structure coupled to the convex surface, and at least one conduit coupled to the convex surface. The conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface a primary fluid produced by the vehicle. The system further includes an intake structure coupled to the convex surface and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle. The diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a convex surface;   a diffusing structure coupled to the convex surface;   at least one conduit coupled to the convex surface and configured to introduce to the convex surface a primary fluid produced by the vehicle; and   an intake structure coupled to the convex surface and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface includes a plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises an array of conduits arranged in at least one of a curved orientation, a spiraled orientation, and a zigzagged orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the intake structure is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         5 . A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a diffusing structure;   at least one conduit coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a primary fluid produced by the vehicle; and   an asymmetrical intake structure coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the intake structure comprises first and second lateral opposing edges, and the first lateral opposing edge has a greater radius of curvature than the second lateral opposing edge. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the intake structure comprises first and second opposing edges, and the second opposing edge includes a curved portion projecting toward the first opposing edge. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises an array of conduits arranged in at least one of a curved orientation, a spiraled orientation, and a zigzagged orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a convex surface, wherein the at least one conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface the primary fluid produced by the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a diffusing structure;   at least one conduit coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a primary fluid produced by the vehicle;   an intake structure coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, and   an actuating element coupling the diffusing structure to the vehicle and configured to provide at least two dimensions of movement of the diffusing structure relative to the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises an array of conduits arranged in at least one of a curved orientation, a spiraled orientation, and a zigzagged orientation. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a convex surface, wherein the at least one conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface the primary fluid produced by the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A propulsion system coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising: a diffusing structure comprising first and second wall regions, the first and second wall regions including respective first and second actuators, the first and second wall regions including respective first and second interior surfaces, the first actuator configured to move the first surface relative to the second surface when the second surface is not moving, the second actuator configured to move the second surface relative to the first surface when the first surface is not moving;
 at least one conduit coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a primary fluid produced by the vehicle; and   an intake structure coupled to the diffusing structure and configured to introduce to the diffusing structure a secondary fluid accessible to the vehicle, wherein the diffusing structure comprises a terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and secondary fluid.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises an array of conduits arranged in at least one of a curved orientation, a spiraled orientation, and a zigzagged orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a convex surface, wherein the at least one conduit is configured to introduce to the convex surface the primary fluid produced by the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . A propulsion system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
 a primary airfoil coupled to the vehicle; and   a first secondary airfoil coupled to the vehicle and positioned downstream of fluid flowing over the primary airfoil, the first secondary airfoil comprising a first output structure and at least one first conduit coupled to the first output structure, the at least one first conduit configured to introduce to the first output structure a primary fluid produced by the vehicle, the first output structure comprising a first terminal end configured to provide egress for the introduced primary fluid toward the primary airfoil and out of the first secondary airfoil.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a second secondary airfoil coupled to the vehicle and positioned downstream of fluid flowing over the primary airfoil, each of the first and second secondary airfoils having a leading edge disposed toward the primary airfoil, the first secondary airfoil opposing the second secondary airfoil whereby:
 the first and second secondary airfoils define a diffusing region; and   the leading edges define an intake region configured to receive and introduce to the diffusing region the primary fluid and the fluid flowing over the primary airfoil, the diffusing region comprising a primary terminal end configured to provide egress from the system for the introduced primary fluid and fluid flowing over the primary airfoil.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the second secondary airfoil comprises a second output structure and at least one second conduit coupled to the second output structure, the at least one second conduit configured to introduce to the second output structure the primary fluid produced by the vehicle, the second output structure comprising a second terminal end configured to provide egress for the introduced primary fluid toward the primary airfoil and out of the second secondary airfoil. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a first actuator configured to rotate the first secondary airfoil relative to the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a second actuator configured to rotate the second secondary airfoil relative to the vehicle.