Modeling of Acoustic Streaming for Micro-Air Vehicle Propulsion and Flow Control

The study examines the capability of several inviscid analytical and numerical models to predict the acoustic streaming phenomenon and related micro-jet thrust generation process in a resonator cavity with an orifice and a vibrating diaphragm. In particular, a low-order integral technique is presented for calculating the spatial and temporal development of flow fluctuations. Results are presented with the objective to better understand the physics involved and to develop criteria for optimal cavity operating conditions producing maximum thrust. A good qualitative comparison with available experimental data is demonstrated