The project FloCoS will focus on an integrated flow control actuator driving system taking into account the specific requirements of piezoelectrically driven Synthetic Jet Actuators. The system will be divided into two different main parts: The amplifier unit on the one hand and the control part on the other hand. For making measurement values available which will be used for closed-loop control of the actuator, a dedicated measurement circuit will be developed and optimized for this specific application. A highly integrated and miniaturized electronic module for fluidic AFC actuators will be the output of this project. FloCoS will not only provide smart power amplifier solutions, but also efficient solutions. State-of-the-art power recovery technologies will be used to minimize the needed power for driving the piezoelectric elements. For the addressed application scenarios, e.g. the test of actuators in large scale wind tunnel test studies, there are special requirements for remote access and control for the system. For the test of the actuators as well as the aerodynamic concepts, the actuators have to be driven in WT/T environment, where control computers and power supply connectors may be far away from the point of action. FloCoS will provide remote access to all system parameters with an advanced monitoring and logging functionality. The requested number of actuators suggests that there is a short term plan to test the actuators at a specific region in the wing, e.g. pylon-wing junction or outer wing. The integration aspects for these regions will demand special concepts for miniaturized solutions. The system itself will be encapsulated to comply with all harsh environmental requirements which are applied to the system in relevant environmental conditions. The conformity of the system with the electromagnetic compatibility requirements will be demonstrated by testing.

The objective of the project is is to develop scale models for the Synthetic Jet Actuator (SJA), that shall be used to enable the design of next generation SJA’s, compared to state of the art. The development of this scale model is intented for improvement of performance predictions, and modelling accuracy of SJA actuators, for future applications. A demonstration rationale is therefore targeted, in order to enable accurate theoretical performance estimations, for given actuator configurations, calculated from geometrical input parameters, and transducer elements parameters. In order to achieve such an objective, the project activities will focus first on analyses and tests of existing SJA’s designs, provided by the topic manager, in order to derive accurate numerical models, and achieve lessons learings, before designing, manufacturing, and testing of a third scale model.

The objective of the ACONIT project is to design, manufacture and test actuators for flow control for an implantation in an aircraft engine. The actuators will fulfill aeronautics requirement in order to increase the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) in this domain. In particular, for the present proposal, one plans to focus on the extension of the stable operating range of axial compressor, allowing thus a reduction of the surge margin through postponing the stall onset. To do so, the first objective of the work is to improve the knowledge of the flow physics of an efficient flow control system by joint numerical and experimental analysis performed in a low speed, single stage axial compressor. The results of this analysis will be used to derive the fluidic specifications for a high TRL actuators and control system. These specifications will be the base for the design and manufacturing of amplified Piezo-electric actuator prototypes whose fluidic performance and operational performance in an environment with vibration and controlled level of temperature will be precisely evaluated before manufacturing final actuators that will be integrated in a full scale engine test facility. Their performance will be evaluated in terms of Surge Margin Improvement as well as in terms of energy balance between the induced consumption and the machine performance improvements. The consortium grouped for carrying out this project is composed of a SME (CTEC), two academic institutions (Bundeswehr University Munich and ENSAM) and a Research Center (ONERA). It groups skills ranging from internal flow analysis in turbomachineries, to flow control or actuators design, manufacturing and characterisations.