Characterization of Vortex Dynamics in the Near Wake of an Oscillating Flexible Foil

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Firas F. Siala ◽  
Alexander D. Totpal ◽  
James A. Liburdy
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Swirling Strength ◽  
The Mean

An experimental study was conducted to explore the effect of surface flexibility at the leading and trailing edges on the near-wake flow dynamics of a sinusoidal heaving foil. Midspan particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements were taken in a closed-loop wind tunnel at a Reynolds number of 25,000 and at a range of reduced frequencies (k = fc/U) from 0.09 to 0.20. Time-resolved and phase-locked measurements are used to describe the mean flow characteristics and phase-averaged vortex structures and their evolution. Large-eddy scale (LES) decomposition and swirling strength analysis are used to quantify the vortical structures. The results demonstrate that trailing edge flexibility has minimal influence on the mean flow characteristics. The mean velocity deficit for the flexible trailing edge and rigid foils remains constant for all reduced frequencies tested. However, the trailing edge flexibility increases the swirling strength of the small-scale structures, resulting in enhanced cross-stream dispersion. Flexibility at the leading edge is shown to generate a large-scale leading edge vortex (LEV) for k ≥ 0.18. This results in a reduction in the swirling strength due to vortex interactions when compared to the flexible trailing edge and rigid foils. Furthermore, it is shown that the large-scale LEV is responsible for extracting a significant portion of energy from the mean flow, reducing the mean flow momentum in the wake. The kinetic energy loss in the wake is shown to scale with the energy content of the LEV.

Characterization of Vortex Dynamics in the Near Wake of an Oscillating Flexible Foil

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firas F. Siala ◽  
Alexander D. Totpal ◽  
James A. Liburdy
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
The Mean

An experimental study was conducted to explore the effect of surface flexibility at the leading and trailing edges on the near-wake flow dynamics of a sinusoidal heaving foil. Mid-span particle image velocimetry measurements were taken in a closed loop wind tunnel at a Reynolds number of 25,000 and at a range of reduced frequencies (k = fc/U) from 0.09–0.20. Time resolved and phase locked measurements were used to describe the mean flow characteristics and phase averaged vortex structures and their evolution throughout the oscillation cycle. Large eddy scale decomposition and swirl strength analysis were used to quantify the effect of flexibility on the vortical structures. The results demonstrate that flexibility at the trailing edge has a minimal influence on the mean flow characteristics when compared to the purely rigid foil. The mean velocity deficit for the flexible trailing edge and rigid foils is shown to remain constant for all reduced frequencies tested. However, the trailing edge flexibility increases the swirl strength of the small scale structures, which results in enhanced cross stream dispersion of the mean velocity profile. Flexibility at the leading edge is shown to generate a large scale leading edge vortex for k ≥ 0.18. This results in a reduction in the swirl strength due to the complex vortex interactions when compared to the flexible trailing edge and rigid foils. Furthermore, it is shown that the large scale leading edge vortex is responsible for extracting a significant portion of the energy from the mean flow, resulting in a substantial reduction of mean flow momentum in the wake. The kinetic energy loss in the wake is shown to scale well with the energy content of the leading edge vortex.

A Turbulent Boundary Layer Flow Over an Open Shallow Cavity

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled J. Hammad
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vector Fields ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Recirculation Region ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Cavity Depth

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to study the flow structure and turbulence, upstream, over, and downstream a shallow open cavity. Three sets of PIV measurements, corresponding to a turbulent incoming boundary layer and a cavity length-to-depth ratio of four, are reported. The cavity depth based Reynolds numbers were 21,000; 42,000; and 54,000. The selected flow configuration and well characterized inflow conditions allow for straightforward assessment of turbulence models and numerical schemes. All mean flow field measurements display a large flow recirculation region, spanning most of the cavity and a smaller, counter-rotating, secondary vortex, immediately downstream of the cavity leading edge. The Galilean decomposed instantaneous velocity vector fields, clearly demonstrate two distinct modes of interaction between the free shear and the cavity trailing edge. The first corresponds to a cascade of vortical structures emanating from the tip of the leading edge of the cavity that grow in size as they travel downstream and directly interact with the trailing edge, i.e., impinging vortices. The second represents vortices that travel above the trailing edge of the cavity, i.e., non-impinging vortices. In the case of impinging vortices, a strong, large scale region of recirculation forms inside the cavity and carries the flow disturbances, arising from the impingement of vortices on the trailing edge of the cavity, upstream in a manner that interacts with and influences the flow as it separates from the cavity leading edge.

Generation mechanism of a hierarchy of vortices in a turbulent boundary layer

2019 ◽  
Vol 865 ◽  
pp. 1085-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaro Motoori ◽  
Susumu Goto
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Generation Mechanism ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Generation Process ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The Mean

To understand the generation mechanism of a hierarchy of multiscale vortices in a high-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layer, we conduct direct numerical simulations and educe the hierarchy of vortices by applying a coarse-graining method to the simulated turbulent velocity field. When the Reynolds number is high enough for the premultiplied energy spectrum of the streamwise velocity component to show the second peak and for the energy spectrum to obey the$-5/3$power law, small-scale vortices, that is, vortices sufficiently smaller than the height from the wall, in the log layer are generated predominantly by the stretching in strain-rate fields at larger scales rather than by the mean-flow stretching. In such a case, the twice-larger scale contributes most to the stretching of smaller-scale vortices. This generation mechanism of small-scale vortices is similar to the one observed in fully developed turbulence in a periodic cube and consistent with the picture of the energy cascade. On the other hand, large-scale vortices, that is, vortices as large as the height, are stretched and amplified directly by the mean flow. We show quantitative evidence of these scale-dependent generation mechanisms of vortices on the basis of numerical analyses of the scale-dependent enstrophy production rate. We also demonstrate concrete examples of the generation process of the hierarchy of multiscale vortices.

Coherent structures and dominant frequencies in a turbulent three-dimensional diffuser

2012 ◽  
Vol 699 ◽  
pp. 320-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Malm ◽  
Philipp Schlatter ◽  
Dan S. Henningson
Keyword(s):  
Coherent Structures ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Bulk Velocity ◽  
Time Signal ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dominant Frequencies

AbstractDominant frequencies and coherent structures are investigated in a turbulent, three-dimensional and separated diffuser flow at $\mathit{Re}= 10\hspace{0.167em} 000$ (based on bulk velocity and inflow-duct height), where mean flow characteristics were first studied experimentally by Cherry, Elkins and Eaton (Intl J. Heat Fluid Flow, vol. 29, 2008, pp. 803–811) and later numerically by Ohlsson et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 650, 2010, pp. 307–318). Coherent structures are educed by proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) of the flow, which together with time probes located in the flow domain are used to extract frequency information. The present study shows that the flow contains multiple phenomena, well separated in frequency space. Dominant large-scale frequencies in a narrow band $\mathit{St}\equiv fh/ {u}_{b} \in [0. 0092, 0. 014] $ (where $h$ is the inflow-duct height and ${u}_{b} $ is the bulk velocity), yielding time periods ${T}^{\ensuremath{\ast} } = T{u}_{b} / h\in [70, 110] $, are deduced from the time signal probes in the upper separated part of the diffuser. The associated structures identified by the POD are large streaks arising from a sinusoidal oscillating motion in the diffuser. Their individual contributions to the total kinetic energy, dominated by the mean flow, are, however, small. The reason for the oscillating movement in this low-frequency range is concluded to be the confinement of the flow in this particular geometric set-up in combination with the high Reynolds number and the large separated zone on the top diffuser wall. Based on this analysis, it is shown that the bulk of the streamwise root mean square (r.m.s.) value arises due to large-scale motion, which in turn can explain the appearance of two or more peaks in the streamwise r.m.s. value. The weak secondary flow present in the inflow duct is shown to survive into the diffuser, where it experiences an imbalance with respect to the upper expanding corners, thereby giving rise to the asymmetry of the mean separated region in the diffuser.

Passive pitching of splitters in the trailing edge of elliptic cylinders

2017 ◽  
Vol 826 ◽  
pp. 363-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Jin ◽  
L. P. Chamorro
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Shedding ◽  
Semimajor Axis ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Recirculation Region ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
High Background ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
The Mean

The distinctive pitching of hinged splitters in the trailing edge of elliptic cylinders was experimentally studied at various angles of attack ($AoA$) of the cylinder, Reynolds numbers, splitter lengths, aspect ratios ($AR$) of the cylinder and freestream turbulence levels. High-resolution telemetry and hotwire anemometry were used to characterize and gain insight on the dynamics of splitters and wake flow. Results show that the motions of the splitters contain various dominating modes, e.g. $f_{p}$ and $f_{v}$, which are induced by the mean flow and wake dynamics. High background turbulence dampens the coherence of the regular vortex shedding leading to negligible $f_{v}$. For a sufficiently long splitter, namely twice the semimajor axis of the cylinder, dual vortex shedding mode exists close to the leading and trailing edges of the splitter. In general, the splitters oscillate around an equilibrium position nearly parallel to the mean direction of the flow; however, a skewed equilibrium is also possible with a strong recirculation region. This is the case with cylinders of low $AR$ and high $AoA$, where higher lift and drag occurs. Flow measurements at various transverse locations within the wake of the cylinder–splitter system indicate that the signature of the low-frequency splitter pitching is shifted in the wake in the cases with non-zero $AoA$ of the cylinder. Although the splitter pitching exhibits two dominant vortex shedding modes in various configurations, only the higher frequency is transmitted to the wake.

scholarly journals Stochastic partial differential fluid equations as a diffusive limit of deterministic Lagrangian multi-time dynamics

2017 ◽  
Vol 473 (2205) ◽  
pp. 20170388 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Cotter ◽  
G. A. Gottwald ◽  
D. D. Holm
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Particle Dynamics ◽  
Homogenization Theory ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Time Dynamics ◽  
Fluid Equations ◽  
Diffusive Limit ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Stochastic Fluid

In Holm (Holm 2015 Proc. R. Soc. A 471 , 20140963. ( doi:10.1098/rspa.2014.0963 )), stochastic fluid equations were derived by employing a variational principle with an assumed stochastic Lagrangian particle dynamics. Here we show that the same stochastic Lagrangian dynamics naturally arises in a multi-scale decomposition of the deterministic Lagrangian flow map into a slow large-scale mean and a rapidly fluctuating small-scale map. We employ homogenization theory to derive effective slow stochastic particle dynamics for the resolved mean part, thereby obtaining stochastic fluid partial equations in the Eulerian formulation. To justify the application of rigorous homogenization theory, we assume mildly chaotic fast small-scale dynamics, as well as a centring condition. The latter requires that the mean of the fluctuating deviations is small, when pulled back to the mean flow.

Near-Wake Flow of a V-Gutter With Slit Bleed (Data Bank Contribution)

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing-Tang Yang ◽  
Go-Long Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Flow ◽  
Reynolds Shear Stress ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Near Wake ◽  
Cold Flow ◽  
Flame Holder ◽  
Flow Through

The cold-flow characteristics of a v-shape flame holder with flow bleed from a slit located at the leading edge have been investigated. According to experimental evidence, a nonsymmetric wake structure is developed behind the symmetric slit v-gutter. The flow through the slit induces greater reverse flow and greater back pressure in the near wake. It also provokes more extensive transport across the shear layers and reduces both the turbulent intensity and the Reynolds shear stress of the wake flow. These results indicate that the slit v-gutter can have a better flame holding ability and less pressure loss compared with the traditional v-gutter. In view of fluid dynamics features, the slit v-gutter is indeed a potentially useful design of flame holder.

scholarly journals Altimetric observations of surface characteristics of the Antarctic ice sheet

1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (144) ◽  
pp. 265-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Legrésy ◽  
Frédérique Rémy
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Height Measurement ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to investigate the geophysical characteristics of the Antarctic ice sheet using radar altimetric observations. To do this, we use an altimetric waveform simulator, in situ observations, ERS-1 (European remote-sensing satellite) data and SPOT (Satellite pour l’observation de la terre) images. The small-scale study takes place at Dome C, Terre Adélie, which is a relatively flat region with gentle undulations and low wind speed. Despite this, the altimetric waveform parameters (height, energy, leading edge and trailing edge) are highly noisy. The effect of undulations on the waveform parameters is found to be dominant. The combination of a subsurface signal and a rough surface produces a linear effect on the altimetric backscattering or on the trailing edge of the waveform, but a strongly non-linear effect on the leading edge of the waveform or height estimation. As a consequence, the height measurement is very sensitive to the altimeter technical or orbital characteristics and is not reproducible from one mission to another. Observations show sastrugi fields that enhance the leading edge and affect the whole waveform. Observed local backscattering changes, probably due to local variations in surface microroughness, enhance the backscattered energy and may artificially create a topographic signal. The continental-scale study shows coherent patterns. Even if both surface and subsurface components affect the altimetric observation, the large-scale signal is mostly controlled by surface backscattering variations. The surface or near-subsurface characteristics of the snowpack may then be reached by altimetric observations.

scholarly journals The Effect of Vortex Shedding on the Unsteady Pressure Distribution Around the Trailing Edge of a Turbine Blade

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cicatelli ◽  
C. H. Sieverding
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Unsteady Pressure

The wakes behind turbine blade trailing edge are characterized by large scale periodic vortex patterns known as the von Karman vortex street. The failure of steady-state Navier-Stokes calculations in modeling wake flows appears to be mainly due to ignoring this type of flow instabilities. In an effort to contribute to a better understanding of the time varying wake flow characteristics behind turbine blades, VKI has performed large scale turbine cascade tests to obtain very detailed information about the steady and unsteady pressure distribution around the trailing edge of a nozzle guide vane. Tests are run at an outlet Mach number of M2,is,=0.4 and a Reynolds number of Rec = 2·106. The key to the high spatial resolution of the pressure distribution around the trailing edge is a rotatable trailing edge with an embedded miniature pressure transducer underneath the surface and a pressure slot opening of about 1.5° of the trailing edge circle. Signal processing allowed or differentiation between random and periodic pressure fluctuations. Ultra-short schlieren pictures help in understanding the physics behind the pressure distribution.

scholarly journals Nonlinear dynamics of large-scale coherent structures in turbulent free shear layers

2015 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 396-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuesong Wu ◽  
Xiuling Zhuang
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Dynamics ◽  
Coherent Structures ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Shear Layers ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Evolution System ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Free Shear Layers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Scale Turbulence

Fully developed turbulent free shear layers exhibit a high degree of order, characterized by large-scale coherent structures in the form of spanwise vortex rollers. Extensive experimental investigations show that such organized motions bear remarkable resemblance to instability waves, and their main characteristics, including the length scales, propagation speeds and transverse structures, are reasonably well predicted by linear stability analysis of the mean flow. In this paper, we present a mathematical theory to describe the nonlinear dynamics of coherent structures. The formulation is based on the triple decomposition of the instantaneous flow into a mean field, coherent fluctuations and small-scale turbulence but with the mean-flow distortion induced by nonlinear interactions of coherent fluctuations being treated as part of the organized motion. The system is closed by employing a gradient type of model for the time- and phase-averaged Reynolds stresses of fine-scale turbulence. In the high-Reynolds-number limit, the nonlinear non-equilibrium critical-layer theory for laminar-flow instabilities is adapted to turbulent shear layers by accounting for (1) the enhanced non-parallelism associated with fast spreading of the mean flow, and (2) the influence of small-scale turbulence on coherent structures. The combination of these factors with nonlinearity leads to an interesting evolution system, consisting of coupled amplitude and vorticity equations, in which non-parallelism contributes the so-called translating critical-layer effect. Numerical solutions of the evolution system capture vortex roll-up, which is the hallmark of a turbulent mixing layer, and the predicted amplitude development mimics the qualitative feature of oscillatory saturation that has been observed in a number of experiments. A fair degree of quantitative agreement is obtained with one set of experimental data.

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