scholarly journals Numerical investigation of the effect of airfoil thickness on onset of dynamic stall

2019 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
pp. 870-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupam Sharma ◽  
Miguel Visbal

Effect of airfoil thickness on onset of dynamic stall is investigated using large eddy simulations at chord-based Reynolds number of 200 000. Four symmetric NACA airfoils of thickness-to-chord ratios of 9 %, 12 %, 15 % and 18 % are studied. The three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver, FDL3DI is used with a sixth-order compact finite difference scheme for spatial discretization, second-order implicit time integration and discriminating filters to remove unresolved wavenumbers. A constant-rate pitch-up manoeuver is studied with the pitching axis located at the airfoil quarter chord. Simulations are performed in two steps. In the first step, the airfoil is kept static at a prescribed angle of attack ($=4^{\circ }$). In the second step, a ramp function is used to smoothly increase the pitch rate from zero to the selected value and then the pitch rate is held constant until the angle of attack goes past the lift-stall point. The solver is verified against experiments for flow over a static NACA 0012 airfoil. Static simulation results of all airfoil geometries are also compared against XFOIL predictions with a generally favourable agreement. FDL3DI predicts two-stage transition for thin airfoils (9 % and 12 %), which is not observed in the XFOIL results. The dynamic simulations show that the onset of dynamic stall is marked by the bursting of the laminar separation bubble (LSB) in all the cases. However, for the thickest airfoil tested, the reverse flow region spreads over most of the airfoil and reaches the LSB location immediately before the LSB bursts and dynamic stall begins, suggesting that the stall could be triggered by the separated turbulent boundary layer. The results suggest that the boundary between different classifications of dynamic stall, particularly leading edge stall versus trailing edge stall, is blurred. The dynamic-stall onset mechanism changes gradually from one to the other with a gradual change in some parameters, in this case, airfoil thickness.

Author(s):  
O. O. Badran ◽  
H. H. Bruun

This paper presents the measured mean flow and Reynolds stresses results, obtained on the center-line plane of the airfoil, covering the boundary layers over the upper surface, the potential flow region and the wake downstream of the trailing edge, at αa = 15°. The flying X-hot-wire probe was used to measure the U and V components of the flow field over the airfoil. An improved understanding of the physical characteristics of separation on the airfoil sections and in the region of the trailing edge is of direct value for the improvement of high lift wings for aircraft. From the study of the separation flow at angle of attack αa = 15°, the following can be concluded: (1) An intermittent reverse flow region occurred near the trailing edge of the airfoil. A separation bubble occurred for a short period of time and was then swept away with the stream wise flow. (2) The angle of attack αa = 15° corresponds to the position of maximum lift for a NACA 4412 airfoil section. (3) It is found that values of the Reynolds normal and shear stresses move away from the surface with downstream distance, and (4) In the wake region, relatively large values of Reynolds stresses occurred, which were related to the vertical oscillation in the lower wake.


1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. V. Hobson ◽  
A. J. H. Williams ◽  
H. J. Ganaim Rickel

Compressor stall was simulated in the Low-Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel at the Turbopropulsion Laboratory of the Naval Postgraduate School. The test blades were of controlled-diffusion design with a solidity of 1.67, and stalling occurred at 10 deg of incidence above the design inlet air angle. All measurements were taken at a flow Reynolds number, based on chord length, of 700,000. Laser-sheet flow visualization techniques showed that the stalling process was unsteady and occurred over the whole cascade. Detailed laser-Doppler-velocimetry measurements over the suction side of the blades showed regions of continuous and intermittent reverse flow. The measurements of the continuous reverse flow region at the leading edge were the first data of their kind in the leading edge separation bubble. The regions of intermittent reverse flow, measured with laser-Doppler velocimeter, corresponded to the flow visualization studies. Blade surface pressure measurements showed a decrease in normal force on the blade, as would be expected at stall. Data are presented in a form that characterizes the unsteady positive and negative velocities about their mean, for both the continuous reverse flow regions and the intermittent reverse flow regions.


1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. O. Badran ◽  
H. H. Bruun

This paper is concerned with measurements of the flow field in the separated flow region behind a backward-facing step. The main instrument used in this research was Flying X Hot-Wire Anemometry (FHWA). Stationary (single normal) Hot-Wire Anemometry (SHWA) was also used. Comparative measurements between the SHW probe and the FHW system were conducted downstream of the step (step height H = 120 mm) and results are presented for axial locations of 1H and 2H. Two step configurations were considered; (i) a blunt leading edge with flow underneath (Case I) and (ii) a blunt leading edge with no flow underneath (Case II). It is observed from the results presented that the two Hot-Wire methods produce significantly different mean velocity and turbulence results inside the separation bubble. In particular, the SHWA method cannot detect the reverse flow velocity direction, while the Flying Hot-Wire clearly identifies the existing reverse flow. Also, in the shear flow region, the results presented indicate that measurements with a SHW probe must be treated with great caution.


1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garth V. Hobson ◽  
Andrew J. H. Williams ◽  
Humberto J. Ganaim Rickel

Compressor stall was simulated in the Low Speed Cascade Wind Tunnel at the Turbopropulsion Laboratory. The test blades were of controlled-diffusion design with a solidity of 1.67, and stalling occurred at 10 degrees of incidence above the design inlet air angle. All measurements were taken at a flow Reynolds number, based on chord length, of 700 000. Laser-sheet flow visualization techniques showed that the stalling process was unsteady and occurred over the whole cascade. Detailed laser-Doppler-velocimetry measurements over the suction side of the blades showed regions of continuous and intermittent reverse flow. The measurements of the continuous reverse flow region at the leading edge were the first data of their kind in the leading edge separation bubble. The regions of intermittent reverse flow, measured with laser Doppler velocimeter, corresponded to the flow visualization studies. Blade surface pressure measurements showed a decrease in normal force on the blade as would be expected at stall. Data is presented in a form which characterizes the unsteady positive and negative velocities about their mean, for both the continuous reverse flow regions and the intermittent reverse flow regions.


Author(s):  
Shashank Maurya ◽  
Xing Wang ◽  
Inderjit Chopra

A single main rotor helicopter's maximum forward speed is limited due to the compressibility effects on the advancing side and reverse flow and dynamic stall on the retreating side. Compound helicopters can address these issues with a slowed rotor and lift compounding. There is a scarcity of test data on compound helicopters, and the present research focuses on a systematic wind tunnel test on lift compounding. Slowing down the rotor increases the advance ratio and, hence, the reverse flow region, which does not produce much lift. The lift is augmented with a wing on the retreating side. A hingeless rotor hub helps to balance the rolling moment with lift offset. Wind tunnel tests were carried out on this configuration up to advance ratios of 0.7 at two different wing incidence angles. Rotor performance, controls, blade structural loads, and hub vibratory loads were measured and compared with in-house comprehensive analysis, UMARC. A comparison between different wing incidences at constant total lift provided many insights into the lift compounding. It increased the vehicle efficiency and reduced peak-to-peak lag bending moment and in-plane 4/rev hub vibratory loads. The only trade-off was steady rotor hub loads and rolling moment at the wing root carried by the fuselage.


2015 ◽  
Vol 767 ◽  
pp. 782-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Garmann ◽  
M. R. Visbal

AbstractA canonical study is developed to investigate the unsteady interactions of a streamwise-oriented vortex impinging upon a finite surface using high-fidelity simulation. As a model problem, an analytically defined vortex superimposed on a free stream is convected towards an aspect-ratio-six ($\mathit{AR}=6$) plate oriented at an angle of ${\it\alpha}=4^{\circ }$ and Reynolds number of $\mathit{Re}=20\,000$ in order to characterize the unsteady modes of interaction resulting from different spanwise positions of the incoming vortex. Outboard, tip-aligned and inboard positioning are shown to produce three distinct flow regimes: when the vortex is positioned outboard of, but in close proximity to, the wingtip, it pairs with the tip vortex to form a dipole that propels itself away from the plate through mutual induction, and also leads to an enhancement of the tip vortex. When the incoming vortex is aligned with the wingtip, the tip vortex is initially strengthened by the proximity of the incident vortex, but both structures attenuate into the wake as instabilities arise in the pair’s feeding sheets from the entrainment of opposite-signed vorticity into either structure. Finally, when the incident vortex is positioned inboard of the wingtip, the vortex bifurcates in the time-mean sense with portions convecting above and below the wing, and the tip vortex is mostly suppressed. The time-mean bifurcation is actually a result of an unsteady spiralling instability in the vortex core that reorients the vortex as it impacts the leading edge, pinches off, and alternately attaches to either side of the wing. The increased effective angle of attack inboard of impingement enhances the three-dimensional recirculation region created by the separated boundary layer off the leading edge which draws fluid from the incident vortex inboard and diminishes its impact on the outboard section of the wing. The slight but remaining downwash present outboard of impingement reduces the effective angle of attack in that region, resulting in a small separation bubble on either side of the wing in the time-mean solution, effectively unloading the tip outboard of impingement and suppressing the tip vortex. All incident vortex positions provide substantial increases in the wing’s lift-to-drag ratio; however, significant sustained rolling moments also result. As the vortex is brought inboard, the rolling moment diminishes and eventually switches sign as the reduced outboard loading balances the augmented sectional lift inboard of impingement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 175682931983367
Author(s):  
Carolyn M Reed ◽  
David A Coleman ◽  
Moble Benedict

This paper provides a fundamental understanding of the unsteady fluid-dynamic phenomena on a cycloidal rotor blade operating at ultra-low Reynolds numbers (Re ∼ 18,000) by utilizing a combination of instantaneous blade force and flowfield measurements. The dynamic blade force coefficients were almost double the static ones, indicating the role of dynamic stall. For the dynamic case, the blade lift monotonically increased up to ±45° pitch amplitude; however, for the static case, the flow separated from the leading edge after around 15° with a large laminar separation bubble. There was significant asymmetry in the lift and drag coefficients between the upper and lower halves of the trajectory due to the flow curvature effects (virtual camber). The particle image velocimetry measured flowfield showed the dynamic stall process during the upper half to be significantly different from the lower half because of the reversal of dynamic virtual camber. Even at such low Reynolds numbers, the pressure forces, as opposed to viscous forces, were found to be dominant on the cyclorotor blade. The power required for rotation (rather than pitching power) dominated the total blade power.


Author(s):  
M J Crompton ◽  
R V Barrett

Detailed measurements of the separation bubble formed behind the sharp leading edge of a flat plate at low speeds and incidence are reported. The Reynolds number based on chord length ranged from 0.1 × 105 to 5.5 × 105. Extensive use of laser Doppler anemometry allowed detailed velocity measurements throughout the bubble. The particular advantages of laser Doppler anemometry in this application were its ability to define flow direction without ambiguity and its non-intrusiveness. It allowed the mean reattachment point to be accurately determined. The static pressure distribution along the plate was also measured. The length of the separation bubble was primarily determined by the plate incidence, although small variations occurred with Reynolds number because of its influence on the rate of entrainment and growth of the shear layer. Above about 105, the Reynolds number effect was no longer evident. The reverse flow boundary layer in the bubble exhibited signs of periodic stabilization before separating close to the leading edge, forming a small secondary bubble rotating in the opposite sense to the main bubble.


Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Al Habib Ullah ◽  
Kristopher L. Tomek ◽  
Charles Fabijanic ◽  
Jordi Estevadeordal

An experimental investigation regarding the dynamic stall of various swept wing models with pitching motion was performed to analyze the effect of sweep on the dynamic stall. The experiments were performed on a wing with a NACA0012 airfoil section with an aspect ratio of AR = 4. The experimental study was conducted for chord-based Reynolds number Rec =2×105 and freestream Mach number Ma=0.1. First, a ‘particle image velocimetry’ (PIV) experiment was performed on the wing with three sweep angles, Λ=0o, 15o, and 30o, to obtain the flow structure at several wing spans. The results obtained at a reduced frequency showed that a laminar separation bubble forms at the leading edge of the wing during upward motion. As the upward pitching motion continues, a separation burst occurs and shifts towards the wing trailing edge. As the wing starts to pitch downward, the growing dynamic stall vortex (DSV) vortex sheds from the wing’s trailing edge. With the increasing sweep angle of the wing, the stall angle is delayed during the dynamic motion of the wing, and the presence of DSV shifts toward the wingtip. During the second stage, a ‘turbo pressure-sensitive paint’ (PSP) technique was deployed to obtain the phase average of the surface pressure patterns of the DSV at a reduced frequency, k=0.1. The phase average of pressure shows a distinct pressure map for two sweep angles, Λ=0o, 30o, and demonstrates a similar trend to that presented in the published computational studies and the experimental data obtained from the current PIV campaign.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Grayson ◽  
E. Garcia

Wind power continues to be produced by large-scale wind farms in remote areas. Supplying urban areas requires that this power be transmitted over vast distances. Generating power locally in urban cities not only decreases transmission distances but reduces external demand by using the harvested energy on site. A crucial element in the use of wind in the built environment as a source of energy is finding ways to maximize its flow. As flow approaches the windward façade of a building’s structure, it is disturbed, causing an increase in velocity both at the roof’s edge and above the separation bubble. Energy harvesting devices are usually placed in this flow region. The aim of this study is to further investigate the accelerated flow by modifying the building’s structure to be a concentrator of the wind, thereby maximizing the available wind power. Using computational fluid dynamics, sloped façades at varying angles were investigated. Simulations show that at an angle of 30°, the velocity is amplified by more than 100% at the separation point directly above the roof’s leading edge. Currently, wind tunnel experiments simulating flow behavior are being conducted and it is expected that analysis of the data will validate and support the findings presented.


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