Mechanically Amplified Piezoelectric Microactuators for Laminar-Turbulent Transition Control on Airfoils

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bolzmacher ◽  
X. Riedl ◽  
J. Leuckert ◽  
M. Engert ◽  
K. Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Film Sensor ◽  
Transition Control ◽  
Transitional Boundary Layer ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting

Drag reduction on airfoils using arrays of micro-actuators is one application of so-called Aero-MEMS. These microactuators interact with TS instabilities (Tollmien-Schlichting waves) inside a transitional boundary layer by superimposing artificially generated counterwaves in order to delay the transition process. These actuators need to exhibit a relatively large stroke at relatively high operational frequencies when operated at high Mach numbers. For this purpose, a novel micromachined mechanical amplification unit for increasing the stroke of piezoelectric microactuators up to high frequencies is proposed. The mechanical lever is provided by a sliced nickel titanium membrane. In this work, the actuator is explained in detail and wind tunnel experiments are carried out to investigate the effect of this mechanically amplified piezoelectric microactuator on thin transitional boundary layers. The experiments have been carried out in the transonic wind tunnel facility of the Berlin University of Technology on an unswept test wing with an NACA 0004 leading edge. The effectiveness of the actuator for flow control applications is determined in an open-loop setup consisting of one actuator having a relevant spanwise extension and a microstructured hot film sensor array located downstream. The aerodynamic results at Mach 0.33 are presented and discussed. It is shown that the actuator influences TS wave specific frequencies between 2.5 kHz and 7.4 kHz. The actuator amplitude is large enough to influence a transitional boundary layer significantly without bypassing the natural transition process which makes this type of micromachined actuator a candidate for high speed TS-control.

Transition of streamwise streaks in zero-pressure-gradient boundary layers

2002 ◽  
Vol 472 ◽  
pp. 229-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCA BRANDT ◽  
DAN S. HENNINGSON
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting ◽  
Streamwise Streaks ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Optimal Disturbances

A transition scenario initiated by streamwise low- and high-speed streaks in a flat-plate boundary layer is studied. In many shear flows, the perturbations that show the highest potential for transient energy amplification consist of streamwise-aligned vortices. Due to the lift-up mechanism these optimal disturbances lead to elongated streamwise streaks downstream, with significant spanwise modulation. In a previous investigation (Andersson et al. 2001), the stability of these streaks in a zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer was studied by means of Floquet theory and numerical simulations. The sinuous instability mode was found to be the most dangerous disturbance. We present here the first simulation of the breakdown to turbulence originating from the sinuous instability of streamwise streaks. The main structures observed during the transition process consist of elongated quasi-streamwise vortices located on the flanks of the low-speed streak. Vortices of alternating sign are overlapping in the streamwise direction in a staggered pattern. The present scenario is compared with transition initiated by Tollmien–Schlichting waves and their secondary instability and by-pass transition initiated by a pair of oblique waves. The relevance of this scenario to transition induced by free-stream turbulence is also discussed.

Endwall Boundary Layer Development in an Engine Representative Four-Stage Low Pressure Turbine Rig

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vera ◽  
Elena de la Rosa Blanco ◽  
Howard Hodson ◽  
Raul Vazquez
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
The State ◽  
Linear Cascade ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Cold Flow ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Transitional Boundary Layer ◽  
Passage Vortex

Research by de la Rosa Blanco et al. (“Influence of the State of the Inlet Endwall Boundary Layer on the Interaction Between the Pressure Surface Separation and the Endwall Flows,” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., Part A, 217, pp. 433–441) in a linear cascade of low pressure turbine (LPT) blades has shown that the position and strength of the vortices forming the endwall flows depend on the state of the inlet endwall boundary layer, i.e., whether it is laminar or turbulent. This determines, amongst other effects, the location where the inlet boundary layer rolls up into a passage vortex, the amount of fluid that is entrained into the passage vortex, and the interaction of the vortex with the pressure side separation bubble. As a consequence, the mass-averaged stagnation pressure loss and therefore the design of a LPT depend on the state of the inlet endwall boundary layer. Unfortunately, the state of the boundary layer along the hub and casing under realistic engine conditions is not known. The results presented in this paper are taken from hot-film measurements performed on the casing of the fourth stage of the nozzle guide vanes of the cold flow affordable near term low emission (ANTLE) LPT rig. These results are compared with those from a low speed linear cascade of similar LPT blades. In the four-stage LPT rig, a transitional boundary layer has been found on the platforms upstream of the leading edge of the blades. The boundary layer is more turbulent near the leading edge of the blade and for higher Reynolds numbers. Within the passage, for both the cold flow four-stage rig and the low speed linear cascade, the new inlet boundary layer formed behind the pressure leg of the horseshoe vortex is a transitional boundary layer. The transition process progresses from the pressure to the suction surface of the passage in the direction of the secondary flow.

Numerical simulation of boundary-layer transition and transition control

1989 ◽  
Vol 199 ◽  
pp. 403-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Laurien ◽  
L. Kleiser
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Longitudinal Vortices ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting

The laminar-turbulent transition process in a parallel boundary-layer with Blasius profile is simulated by numerical integration of the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using a spectral method. The model of spatially periodic disturbances developing in time is used. Both the classical Klebanoff-type and the subharmonic type of transition are simulated. Maps of the three-dimensional velocity and vorticity fields and visualizations by integrated fluid markers are obtained. The numerical results are compared with experimental measurements and flow visualizations by other authors. Good qualitative and quantitative agreement is found at corresponding stages of development up to the one-spike stage. After the appearance of two-dimensional Tollmien-Schlichting waves of sufficiently large amplitude an increasing three-dimensionality is observed. In particular, a peak-valley structure of the velocity fluctuations, mean longitudinal vortices and sharp spike-like instantaneous velocity signals are formed. The flow field is dominated by a three-dimensional horseshoe vortex system connected with free high-shear layers. Visualizations by time-lines show the formation of A-structures. Our numerical results connect various observations obtained with different experimental techniques. The initial three-dimensional steps of the transition process are consistent with the linear theory of secondary instability. In the later stages nonlinear interactions of the disturbance modes and the production of higher harmonics are essential.We also study the control of transition by local two-dimensional suction and blowing at the wall. It is shown that transition can be delayed or accelerated by superposing disturbances which are out of phase or in phase with oncoming Tollmien-Schlichting instability waves, respectively. Control is only effective if applied at an early, two-dimensional stage of transition. Mean longitudinal vortices remain even after successful control of the fluctuations.

Secondary instability and subcritical transition of the leading-edge boundary layer

2016 ◽  
Vol 792 ◽  
pp. 682-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. John ◽  
Dominik Obrist ◽  
Leonhard Kleiser
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Secondary Instability ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Wall Suction ◽  
Transition Mechanism

The leading-edge boundary layer (LEBL) in the front part of swept airplane wings is prone to three-dimensional subcritical instability, which may lead to bypass transition. The resulting increase of airplane drag and fuel consumption implies a negative environmental impact. In the present paper, we present a temporal biglobal secondary stability analysis (SSA) and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of this flow to investigate a subcritical transition mechanism. The LEBL is modelled by the swept Hiemenz boundary layer (SHBL), with and without wall suction. We introduce a pair of steady, counter-rotating, streamwise vortices next to the attachment line as a generic primary disturbance. This generates a high-speed streak, which evolves slowly in the streamwise direction. The SSA predicts that this flow is unstable to secondary, time-dependent perturbations. We report the upper branch of the secondary neutral curve and describe numerous eigenmodes located inside the shear layers surrounding the primary high-speed streak and the vortices. We find secondary flow instability at Reynolds numbers as low as$Re\approx 175$, i.e. far below the linear critical Reynolds number$Re_{crit}\approx 583$of the SHBL. This secondary modal instability is confirmed by our three-dimensional DNS. Furthermore, these simulations show that the modes may grow until nonlinear processes lead to breakdown to turbulent flow for Reynolds numbers above$Re_{tr}\approx 250$. The three-dimensional mode shapes, growth rates, and the frequency dependence of the secondary eigenmodes found by SSA and the DNS results are in close agreement with each other. The transition Reynolds number$Re_{tr}\approx 250$at zero suction and its increase with wall suction closely coincide with experimental and numerical results from the literature. We conclude that the secondary instability and the transition scenario presented in this paper may serve as a possible explanation for the well-known subcritical transition observed in the leading-edge boundary layer.

Effects of Weak Free Stream Nonuniformity on Boundary Layer Transition (Keynote Paper)

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Watmuff
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting ◽  
Distorted Waves ◽  
Thickness Variations

Experiments are described in which well-defined FSN (Free Stream Nonuniformity) distributions are introduced by placing fine wires upstream of the leading edge of a flat plate. Large amplitude spanwise thickness variations are present in the downstream boundary layer resulting from the interaction of the laminar wakes with the leading edge. Regions of elevated background unsteadiness appear on either side of the peak layer thickness, which share many of the characteristics of Klebanoff modes, observed at elevated Free Stream Turbulence (FST) levels. However, for the low background disturbance level of the free stream, the layer remains laminar to the end of the test section (Rx ≈ l.4×106) and there is no evidence of bursting or other phenomena associated with breakdown to turbulence. A vibrating ribbon apparatus is used to demonstrate that the deformation of the mean flow is responsible for substantial phase and amplitude distortion of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) waves. Pseudo-flow visualization of hot-wire data shows that the breakdown of the distorted waves is more complex and occurs at a lower Reynolds number than the breakdown of the K-type secondary instability observed when the FSN is not present.

Leading-edge receptivity of a hypersonic boundary layer on a flat plate

2001 ◽  
Vol 426 ◽  
pp. 73-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. MASLOV ◽  
A. N. SHIPLYUK ◽  
A. A. SIDORENKO ◽  
D. ARNAL
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Inclination Angles ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting ◽  
Radiation Conditions

Experimental investigations of the boundary layer receptivity, on the sharp leading edge of a at plate, to acoustic waves induced by two-dimensional and three- dimensional perturbers, have been performed for a free-stream Mach number M∞ = 5.92. The fields of controlled free-stream disturbances were studied. It was shown that two-dimensional and three-dimensional perturbers radiate acoustic waves and that these perturbers present a set of harmonic motionless sources and moving sources with constant amplitude. The disturbances excited in the boundary layer were measured. It was found that acoustic waves impinging on the leading edge generate Tollmien–Schlichting waves in the boundary layer. The receptivity coefficients were obtained for several radiation conditions and intensities. It was shown that there is a dependence of receptivity coefficients on the wave inclination angles.

Surface Flow Patterns as Visualised by Dust Deposits on the Blades of a Fan

1963 ◽  
Vol 67 (633) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. T. Hignett ◽  
M. M. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Flow Visualisation ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Layer Flow ◽  
Dust Deposits

Investigations by one of the authors in connection with the design of a fan for a blower type of wind tunnel showed that regular and repeatable dust patterns occurred on the blades of a one-quarter scale model fan of 18 inches diameter. Dust was deposited on the fan blades along the leading-edge and on the suction surface over an area thought to be the turbulent region of the boundary layer. The introduction of isolated protuberances on the dust free area of a blade gave rise to turbulence wedges in which dust was also deposited and this was interpreted as confirmation of the coincidence of the dust deposits with regions of turbulent boundary-layer flow. These deposits showed the existence of a considerable extent of laminar flow on the suction surface of each blade close to the root, a region where high lift coefficients would be expected with associated adverse pressure gradients. Two-dimensional wind tunnel experiments were made to confirm the interpretation of the observed dust patterns by comparison with the smoke filament and volatile liquid methods of flow visualisation and these are reported in Reference 2.

Experiments in a boundary layer subjected to free stream turbulence. Part 2. The role of TS-waves in the transition process

1994 ◽  
Vol 281 ◽  
pp. 219-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Boiko ◽  
K. J. A. Westin ◽  
B. G. B. Klingmann ◽  
V. V. Kozlov ◽  
P. H. Alfredsson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Small Amplitude ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Natural Occurrence ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Onset Of Turbulence ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting

The natural occurrence of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) waves has so far only been observed in boundary layers subjected to moderate levels of free stream turbulence (Tu < 1%), owing to the difficulty in detecting small-amplitude waves in highly perturbed boundary layers. By introducing controlled oscillations with a vibrating ribbon, it is possible to study small-amplitude waves using phase-selective filtering techniques. In the present work, the effect of TS-waves on the transition is studied at Tu = 1.5%. It is demonstrated that TS-waves can exist and develop in a similar way as in an undisturbed boundary layer. It is also found that TS-waves with quite small amplitudes are involved in nonlinear interactions which lead to a regeneration of TS-waves in the whole unstable frequency band. This results in a significant increase in the number of turbulent spots, which promote the onset of turbulence.

Simulation of blunt-fin-induced shock-wave and turbulent boundary-layer interaction

1985 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 163-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Mao Hung ◽  
Pieter G. Buning
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shock Wave ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Horseshoe Vortex ◽  
Layer Interaction ◽  
Boundary Layer Interaction

The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved numerically for supersonic flow over a blunt fin mounted on a flat plate. The fin shock causes the boundary layer to separate, which results in a complicated, three-dimensional shock-wave and boundary-layer interaction. The computed results are in good agreement with the mean static pressure measured on the fin and the flat plate. The main features, such as peak pressure on the fin leading edge and a double peak on the plate, are predicted well. The role of the horseshoe vortex is discussed. This vortex leads to the development of high-speed flow and, hence, low-pressure regions on the fin and the plate. Different thicknesses of the incoming boundary layer have been studied. Varying the thicknesses by an order of magnitude shows that the size of the horseshoe vortex and, therefore, the spatial extent of the interaction are dominated by inviscid flow and only weakly dependent on the Reynolds number. Coloured graphics are used to show details of the interaction flow field.

Predicting Transitional Separation Bubbles

2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-501
Author(s):  
John A. Redford ◽  
Mark W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Test Cases ◽  
Transition Model ◽  
Flow Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Attached Flow

This paper describes the modifications made to a successful attached flow transition model to produce a model capable of predicting both attached and separated flow transition. This transition model is used in combination with the Fluent CFD software, which is used to compute the flow around the blade assuming that it remains entirely laminar. The transition model then determines the start of transition location and the development of the intermittency. These intermittency values weight the laminar and turbulent boundary layer profiles to obtain the resulting transitional boundary layer parameters. The ERCOFTAC T3L test cases are used to validate the predictions. The T3L blade is a flat plate with a semi-circular leading edge, which results in the formation of a separation bubble the length of which is strongly dependent on the transition process. Predictions were performed for five T3L test cases for differing free-stream turbulence levels and Reynolds numbers. For the majority of these test cases the measurements were accurately predicted.

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