Thrust performance of micromachined synthetic jets

Abstract

ABSTRACT The performance of synthetic jets produced by an electrostatically driven acoustic resonator is discussed. A reduced order model of the coupled membrane motion and acoustic field in the resonator is used to determine thrust and power consumption. The coupled system presents unique features depending on the pressure coupling parameter defined as the ratio of the pressure force on the membrane to its inertia. Thrust output increases as the pressure coupling parameter decreases and for stiffer membranes. Theoretical thrust performance of the order of 50 mN per resonator, andpower to thrust ratio in th e range 20-60 m/s could be achieved. We report also progress in the development of a micro propulsion system based on synthetic jets. Measurements of the membrane deformation and flow at the exit of the synthetic jets are reported. the ejector exit area, and U INTRODUCTION resulting in higher Reynolds number. Also, at The development of high impulse momentum sources for application to micro propulsion and flow control remains a very difficult challenge. Recently zero-mass-flux synthetic jets have been proposed as an actuator for flow control