Boundary layer

In physics and fluid mechanics, the boundary layer is that layer of fluid in the immediate vicinity of a bounding surface. In the atmosphere the boundary layer is the air layer near the ground affected by diurnal heat, moisture or momentum transfer to or from the surface. On an aircraft wing the boundary layer is the part of the flow close to the wing. The Boundary layer effect occurs at the field region in which all changes occur in the flow pattern. The boundary layer distorts surrounding nonviscous flow. It is a phenonomen of viscous forces. This effect is related to the Leidenfrost effect and the Reynolds number.

Boundary layer turbine

This effect was exploited in the Tesla turbine, patented by Nikola Tesla in 1913. It is referred to as a bladeless turbine because it uses the boundary layer effect and not a fluid impinging upon the blades as in a conventional turbine. Boundary layer turbines are also known as cohesion-type turbines, bladeless turbine, and Prandtl layer turbine (after Ludwig Prandtl).

Related Topics:
Tesla turbine - Nikola Tesla - Turbine

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