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Title: Reduction of vortex induced forces and motion through surface roughness control

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1129081

Roughness is added to the surface of a bluff body in a relative motion with respect to a fluid. The amount, size, and distribution of roughness on the body surface is controlled passively or actively to modify the flow around the body and subsequently the Vortex Induced Forces and Motion (VIFM). The added roughness, when designed and implemented appropriately, affects in a predetermined way the boundary layer, the separation of the boundary layer, the level of turbulence, the wake, the drag and lift forces, and consequently the Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), and the fluid-structure interaction. The goal of surface roughness control is to decrease/suppress Vortex Induced Forces and Motion. Suppression is required when fluid-structure interaction becomes destructive as in VIM of flexible cylinders or rigid cylinders on elastic support, such as underwater pipelines, marine risers, tubes in heat exchangers, nuclear fuel rods, cooling towers, SPAR offshore platforms.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FG36-05GO15162
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
Patent Number(s):
8,684,040
Application Number:
12/125,409
OSTI ID:
1129081
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2008 May 22
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (14)

Tide-powered electrical generator patent May 1976
Aeolian windmill patent May 1977
Cylindrical body provided with means for counteracting vibrations resulting from a transversely flowing fluid patent November 1977
Apparatus for producing electrical energy from multidirectional water wave action patent December 1980
Wave pump apparatus patent November 1983
Tidal generator patent June 1995
Fluid flow control devices patent May 1998
Cylindrical member with reduced air flow resistance patent June 1999
Apparatus for generating electricity from flowing fluids patent November 2000
Method and apparatus for reducing drag and suppressing vortex-induced vibration patent September 2003
Fan with reduced noise generation patent March 2005
Vortex shedding and drag force reduction patent June 2005
Enhancement of vortex induced forces and motion through surface roughness control patent November 2011
Apparatus and method for reducing vortices in the wake of a marine member patent-application March 2006

Cited By (1)

Passive Control of Vortex-Induced Vibrations: An Overview journal January 2008

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