Plasma generator reduces aerodynamic drag.
 

This is a new approach. It seems that an electronic plasma generator can reduce aerodynamic drag. A new patent has been granted on such, U.S. Patent # 8,091,950.

The application of the plasma generators seems to be mainly targeting class 8, heavy, trucks. It reads by locating the plasma generator at strategic locations on the truck/trailer combination, especially at the back end of the trailer, reduces the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

Interesting stuff. Opens up a whole new area of aerodynamic modification.


Link:

Browse by Class/Subclass

Just noticed the link takes you to a search window for class/subclass. Type in

class- 296 subclass- 180.1 and it will come up.

To view the text and images you will have to download free software offered at the USPTO site.

Bondo

Here is a link to an article which explains the science behind plasma generation reducing aerodynamic drag.

Will Plasma Revolutionize Aircraft Design

I've long believed that a lack of understanding regarding plasma dynamics was responsible for our problems with hypersonic jets. I'm glad to see that research is being done on the topic, though I'm not sure that inducing a plasma wave is necessarily where we should be focusing.

Regardless, I'm off to install an old microwave on the front of my car...

UFOlogy
 

I won't be able to recall the title,but a book related to UFO studies from the 50s or 60s relayed a story about NACA or NASA research involving atmospheric ionization around aircraft by employing onboard generators in attempts to achieve drag reduction.This was sub-sonic aircraft though if I remember correctly.
If 'Sky-be-Gone' was effective,it would be an analog to a full-cavitation rocket-torpedo in which the hull never actually touches the water and vectored-thrust provides the guidance.
I would like to here a discussion about the physics of the plasma at the transitional interface to the outer flow region of surrounding air.
Interesting,Thanks Brett!

My understanding of plasmas is that they consist of ionized atoms. Ionized atoms tend to be highly reactive since an ionized state is an unstable state. That would appear to result in anything going through that plasma to be corroded or otherwise degraded. This may not be a big problem with a hypersonic vehicle where you are trading off plasma degradation to high temperature friction degradation. But at far subsonic speeds, our vehicles typically see little surface degradation due to the air friction.

Well, they are ionized atoms; however, I don't believe that they ever make physical contact with any of the surfaces.

An interesting Euro consortium on surface & jet plasma actuators, either for aerodynamic wing efficiencies or control. Any effectiveness could reduced structural weight, engine combustion optimization and primarily to improve aerodynamic performance. PLASMAERO - useful PLASMas for AEROdynamic control Home

Read many syfy books with plasma tech but primarily used for radar-evading/stealth properties. Early aeronautics plasma tech were used in early Russian fighter plane designs & now being explored by SIXTH gen Chinese fighter plane designs. First read about them in fictional fighter aircraft; Dale Brown's XF-15 Cheetah, XF-34A Dreamstar, & Fi-170 Tuman and Tom Clancy's F-19a Ghostrider...and used in many 'cloaking' spaceships.

Not plasma but shows how effective this technology can be at reducing drag and turbulence.

Influence of a DC corona discharge on the airflow along an inclined flat plate

http://laboratorios.fi.uba.ar/lfd/we...9ger-et-al.pdf


Edit: See photos on page 4

Hmmm, I know this type of patent.

"It probably doesn't work. We certainly haven't shown it does. But if it does work and someone figures it out how to make it practical, they'll have to pay us money. Even if they do something remotely related, we'll try to collect money."

They can probably make a few bucks licensing it out as the patent number slapped on an unrelated scam.