Experimental Investigation of Flow Control by Means of Airfoil Flapping.
Abstract
Flapping airfoils generate thrust-producing jet-like wakes. It therefore is the objective of this investigation to explore whether this feature can be used for effective flow control. To this end, the flow characteristics of flapping airfoils are first explored in a water tunnel experiment, using dye flow visualization and laser-doppler velocimeter. The effect of airfoil flapping frequency and amplitude of oscillation and of flow velocity on the wake flow characteristics are determined. This is followed by a second water tunnel experiment, where a small flapping airfoil is mounted in and near the separated flow region caused by the flow over a backward-facing step. The effect of airfoil size, location, frequency, and amplitude of oscillation on the separated flow region is again determined by means of laser-doppler velocimeter. It is found that the reattachment length of the separated flow region can be reduced by as much as 70%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA322347
Entities
People
- Jiannwoei Yue
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School