Enhancement of Transonic Airfoil Performance Using Pulsed Jets for Separation Control
Abstract
Selected active and passive flow control devices have been investigated for their possible improvements to transonic airfoil performance. These investigations are part of co-operative effort between the U.S.'s Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the UK's Defense Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) to explore flow control concepts. In particular, this manuscript reports on an experimental demonstration of pulsed vortex generator jets (PVGJs) conducted in DERA's High Speed Tunnel in Bedford. The primary goal of this test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of using PVGJs to suppress shock-induced separation of a transonic airfoil. It had yet to be demonstrated that this control technique would result in a net performance improvement. The influence of pulsing frequency on performance was evaluated over a range of lift conditions. The experiments were conducted at Mach numbers from 0.67 to 0.71, yielding chord Reynolds numbers of about 19 million.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA413925
Entities
People
- Carl P. Tilmann
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory