A Simple Means of Measuring Vortex Strength, and the Performance of Triangular Ramp-Type Vortex Generators in a Uniform Velocity Field

1962 ◽  
Vol 66 (624) ◽  
pp. 783-785
Author(s):  
A. D. McEwan ◽  
P. N. Joubert

The performance of triangular ramp vortex generators of a type used for boundary layer separation control, has been compared with that of equivalent wing or vane type of lifting generators, in a uniform velocity field, and was shown to be substantially inferior. Performance was established using a novel vortex strength measuring device of unusual simplicity, for which calibrations are given and applications are discussed.The usefulness of vortex generators in avoiding boundary layer separation due to an adverse pressure gradient has been established. Little, however, is known of the nature of vortex modified boundary layers. As part of an investigation into convective heat transfer through such layers it was desired to compare the circulation-drag performance of two representative generator configuration types, these being the popularly used stub wing or vane type, and the edge separation, plough or wedge type.

Author(s):  
Yanfeng Zhang ◽  
Shuzhen Hu ◽  
Xue-Feng Zhang ◽  
Michael Benner ◽  
Ali Mahallati ◽  
...  

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the flow mechanisms in an aggressive interturbine transition duct with and without low-profile vortex generators flow control. The interturbine duct had an area ratio of 1.53 and a mean rise angle of 35 deg. Measurements were made inside the annulus at a Reynolds number of 150,000. At the duct inlet, the background turbulence intensity was raised to 2.3% and a uniform swirl angle of 20 deg was established with a 48-airfoil vane ring. Results for the baseline case (no vortex generators) showed the flow structures within the duct were dominated by counter-rotating vortices and boundary layer separation in both the casing and hub regions. The combination of the adverse pressure gradient at the casing's first bend and upstream low momentum wakes caused the boundary layer to separate on the casing. The separated flow on the casing appears to reattach at the second bend. Counter-rotating and corotating vortex generators were installed on the casing. While both vortex generators significantly decreased the casing boundary layer separation with consequential reduction of overall pressure losses, the corotating configuration was found to be more effective.


Author(s):  
Edward Canepa ◽  
Davide Lengani ◽  
Francesca Satta ◽  
Ennio Spano ◽  
Marina Ubaldi ◽  
...  

The continuous tendency in modern aeroengine gas turbines towards reduction of blade count and ducts length may lead to aerodynamic loading increase beyond the limit of boundary layer separation. For this reason boundary layer separation control methods, up to now mostly employed in external aerodynamics, begin to be experimented in internal flows applications. The present paper reports the results of a detailed experimental study on low profile vortex generators used to control boundary layer separation on a large-scale flat plate with prescribed adverse pressure gradients. Inlet turbulent boundary layer conditions and pressure gradients are representative of aggressive turbine intermediate ducts. This activity is part of a joint European research program on Aggressive Intermediate Duct Aerodynamics (AIDA). The pressure gradients on the flat plate are generated by increasing the aperture angle of a movable wall opposite to the flat plate. To avoid separation on the movable wall, boundary layer suction is applied on it. Complementary measurements (surface static pressure distributions, surface flow visualizations by means of wall mounted tufts, instantaneous and time-averaged velocity fields in the meridional and cross-stream planes by means of Particle Image Velocimetry) have been used to survey the flow with and without vortex generators. Three different pressure gradients, which induce turbulent separation in absence of boundary layer control, were tested. Vortex generators height and location effects on separation reduction and pressure recovery increase were investigated. For the most effective VGs configurations detailed analyses of the flow field were performed, that demonstrate the effectiveness of this passive control device to control separation in diffusing ducts. Particle Image Velocimetry vector and vorticity plots illustrate the mechanisms by which the vortex generators transfer momentum towards the surface, re-energizing the near-wall flow and preserving the boundary layer from separation.


1973 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Telionis ◽  
M. J. Werle

The laminar boundary-layer equations for incompressible flow with a mild adverse pressure gradient were numerically solved for flows over downstream moving boundaries. It was demonstrated that the vanishing of skin friction in this case is not related to separation.2 Indeed the integration proceeds smoothly through a point of vanishing skin friction and further downstream a Goldstein-type singularity appears at a station where all the properties of separation according to the model of Moore, Rott, and Sears are present. It is also numerically demonstrated that the singular behavior is not uniform with n, the distance perpendicular to the wall, but it is initiated at a point away from the wall leaving below a region of nonsingular flow. The foregoing points provide numerical justification of the general theoretical models of unsteady boundary-layer separation suggested by Sears and Telionis.


Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Kung-Ming Chung ◽  
Kao-Chun Su ◽  
Keh-Chin Chang

Deflected control surfaces can be used as variable camber control in different flight conditions, and a convex corner resembles a simplified configuration for the upper surface. This experimental study determines the presence of passive vortex generators, VGs (counter-rotating vane type), on shock-induced boundary layer separation for transonic convex-corner flow. The mean surface pressure distributions in the presence of VGs for h/δ = 0.2 and 0.5 are similar to those for no flow control. If h/δ = 1.0 and 1.5, there is an increase in the amplitude of the mean surface pressure upstream of the corner’s apex, which corresponds to greater device drag and less downstream expansion. There is a decrease in peak pressure fluctuations as the value of h/δ increases, because there is a decrease in separation length and the frequency of shock oscillation. The effectiveness of VGs also depends on the freestream Mach number. For M = 0.89, there is an extension in the low-pressure region downstream of a convex corner, because there is greater convection and induced streamwise vorticity. VGs with h/δ ≤ 0.5 are preferred if deflected control surfaces are used to produce lift.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1505-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Lengani ◽  
Daniele Simoni ◽  
Marina Ubaldi ◽  
Pietro Zunino ◽  
Francesco Bertini

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kin Pong Lo ◽  
Christopher J. Elkins ◽  
John K. Eaton

Conical diffusers are often installed downstream of a turbomachine with a central hub. Previous studies showed that nonstreamlined hubs had extended separated wakes that reduced the adverse pressure gradient in the diffuser. Active flow control techniques can rapidly close the central separation bubble, but this restores the adverse pressure gradient, which can cause the outer wall boundary layer to separate. The present study focuses on the use of a step-wall diffuser to stabilize the wall boundary layer separation in the presence of core flow control. Three-component mean velocity data for a set of conical diffusers were acquired using magnetic resonance velocimetry. The results showed the step-wall diffuser stabilized the wall boundary layer separation by fixing its location. An axisymmetric step separation bubble was formed. A step with a periodically varying height reduced the reattachment length of the step separation and allowed the diffuser to be shortened. The step-wall diffuser was found to be robust in a range of core flow velocity profiles. The minimum distance between the core flow control mechanism and the step-wall diffuser as well as the minimum length of the step were determined.


2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zare Shahneh ◽  
F. Motallebi

The results of an investigation into the effects that sub-boundary layer vortex generators (SBVGs) have on reducing normal shock-induced turbulent boundary layer separation are presented. The freestream Mach number and Reynolds number were M=1.45 and R=15.9×106/m, respectively. Total pressure profiles, static pressure distributions, surface total pressure (Preston pressure) distributions, oil flow visualization, and Schlieren photographs were used in the result analysis. The effects of SBVG height and the location upstream of the shock were investigated. A novel tetrahedron shape SBVG with different lengths (30 mm and 60 mm) was used for these experiments. The effect of streamwise location of the longer SBVG on the interaction was also investigated. The location of the shock wave was controlled by an adjustable choke mechanism located downstream of the working section. The results show that an increase in the distance for the longer SBVG from 17.4δR to 25.5δR did not remove the separation entirely, but the shorter SBVG provided higher total pressure distribution within the boundary layer in the recovery region. This also provided a healthier boundary layer profile downstream of the interaction region with lower displacement thickness and shape factor.


Author(s):  
Yanfeng Zhang ◽  
Shuzhen Hu ◽  
Xue Feng Zhang ◽  
Michael Benner ◽  
Edward Vlasic

This paper presents the experimental investigation of the flow in an aggressive inter-turbine duct (AITD). The goal is to improve the understanding of the flow mechanisms within the AITD and of the underlying physics of low-profile vortex generators (LPVGs). The flow structures in the AITD are dominated by counter-rotating vortices and boundary layer separations in both the casing and hub regions. At the first bend of the AITD, the casing boundary layer separates in a 3D mode because of the upstream wakes; this is followed by a massive 2D boundary layer separation. Due to the effect of the radial pressure gradient at the first bend, the streamwise vorticity generated by the casing 3D separation stays close to the casing endwall, and later mixes with the casing counter-rotating vortices formed at the second bend. By using LPVGs with different configurations installed on the casing, the casing boundary layer separation is significantly reduced. The streamwise vortices generated by the LPVGs have the potential to generate another pair of counter-rotating vortices at the AITD second bend, which help to delay/prevent the boundary layer separation. Therefore, the total pressure loss in the AITD was significantly reduced.


2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Lori ◽  
Savaas Xanthos ◽  
Mahmoud Ardebili ◽  
Yiannis Andreopoulos

Control of boundary layer separation has been investigated employing an array of micro-actuated delta winglets. The flow with the array is simulated computationally in an initially two-dimensional boundary layer, which is subjected to a Favorable Pressure Gradient (FPG) that accelerated the flow substantially, followed by an Adverse Pressure Gradient (APG) where the flow decelerated, the two successive distortions cause a flow separation in the boundary layer developing on the opposite wall of the wind tunnel. The simulations capture vortices formed by the impulsive motion of the delta wings. The vortices are part of recirculating zone in the wake of the actuators, which as they advect downstream, bring high momentum fluid into the near wall region of a separated flow. Preliminary results indicate micro-actuated delta wings array affect boundary layer separation favorably.


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