Some applications of the turbulence amplifier to airborne systems

The turbulence amplifier relies on the disruption of a laminar air stream by a small actuating signal that consists of a transverse jet. The dynamic pressure head, generated by the passage of an aircraft through the atmosphere will provide sufficient supply pressure at 130 mph and sufficient control pressure at 30 mph. This means that, in certain applications, no external power source is required, which is of significant interest to airborne applications. As a result of this feature, three systems were investigated for practicability. A description is presented of the development and performance of laboratory models of these three applications. An ice detection and de-icing control system was designed to sense icing conditions on a wing leading edge, and to use the sensed data to operate a de-icing control system. A demonstration model for a control surface asymmetry detection and rectification system was built, and a stall warning system was studied.