| 20080314558 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A FLEXIBLE COMPOSITE SURFACE FOR PRESSURE-DROP FREE HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT AND FLOW DRAG REDUCTION - A flexible composite sheet (FCS) comprising a membrane, a substrate coupled to the membrane, and a plurality of ridges coupled between the membrane and the substrate, wherein a vibratory motion is induced from the flow to at least one segment of a membrane spanning a distance s, wherein the vibratory motion is reflected from at least one segment of the membrane to the flow, and wherein a reduction in fluctuations is caused in the flow pressure gradient and freestream velocity U at all frequencies except around f, where f≈U/s. When coupled to a heat exchanger fin, the FCS can enhance heat transfer without enhancing flow pressure drop. The FCS has other flow control applications, such as a drag reduction when coupled to an aircraft wing. | 12-25-2008 |
