Real-­time parametric estimation of periodic wake-­foil interactions using bioinspired pressure sensing and machine learning

Periodic wake-­foil interactions occur in the collective swimming of bio­inspired robots. Wake interaction pattern estimation (and control) is crucial to thrust enhancement and propulsive efficiency optimization. In this paper, we study the wake interaction pattern estimation of two flapping foils in tandem configurations. The experiments are conducted at a Reynolds number of 1.41×10^4 in a water channel. A modified wake-­foil phase parameter Φ, which unifies the influences of inter­foil distance Lx, motion phase difference ∆φ and wake convection velocity Uv, is introduced to describe the wake interaction patterns parametrically. We use a differential pressure sensor on the downstream foil to capture wake interaction characteristics. Data sets at different tandem configurations are collected. The wake-­foil phase Φ is used to label the pressure signals. A one ­dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-CNN) model is used to learn an end­to­end mapping between the raw pressure measurements and the wake-­foil phase Φ. The trained 1D-­CNN model shows accurate estimations (average error 3.5%) on random wake interaction patterns and is fast enough (within 40 ms). Then the trained 1D ­CNN model is applied to online thrust enhancement control of a downstream foil swimming in a periodic wake. Synchronous force monitoring and flow visualization demonstrate the effectiveness of the 1D-­CNN model. The limitations of the model are discussed. The proposed approach can be applied to the online estimation and control of wake interactions in the collective swimming and flying of biomimetic robots.

Flow-Induced Vibration in a Single Row of Cylinders With p/D = 1.26

Crossflow over a row of cylinders with a close space ratio presents an asymmetric configuration with large and narrow wakes behind the cylinders. The wake interaction can impact the vibration response of the cylinders. In tube banks, the impact results in damages to the equipment. The present experimental study aims to analyze the influence of close space observed in a single row of cylinders on the flow-induced vibration. The study compares a single row with fixed cylinders and a single row with one cylinder free to vibrate. The cylinder free to vibrate is tested in four configurations. The study was conducted with an aerodynamic channel with a cross-section of 0.193 × 0.146 m and smooth cylinders with a diameter of 25.1 mm, space ratio is 1.26. The measurements are executed with hot-wire anemometry and accelerometers, for the cases with one cylinder free to vibrate and with hot-wire anemometry and microphones for the case with all fixed cylinders. The Reynolds number ranges between 1.0 × 104 and 4.5 × 104, obtained with the reference flow velocity, measured with a Pitot tube, and the cylinder diameter. The comparison between the wake response for single row fixed and single row and free to vibrate are executed using Fourier transform and Wavelet Transform. The comparison of the results with the models presented in the literature to predict the elastic instability of the fluid in a single row of cylinders is performed.

Numerical Investigation of Loss Development in a Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade With Unsteady Inflow and Varying Inlet Endwall Boundary Layer

An investigation of endwall loss development is conducted using the T106A low-pressure turbine cascade. (U)RANS simulations are complemented by measurements under engine relevant flow conditions (M2th = 0.59, Re2th = 2·105). The effects of unsteady inflow conditions and varying inlet endwall boundary layer are compared in terms of secondary flow attenuation downstream of the blade passage, analyzing steady, time-averaged, and time-resolved flow fields. While both measures show similar effects in the turbine exit plane, the upstream loss development throughout the blade passage is quite different. A variation of the endwall boundary layer alters the slope of the axial loss generation beginning around the midpoint of the blade passage. Periodically incoming wakes, however, cause a spatial redistribution of the loss generation with a premature loss increase due to wake interaction in the front part of the passage followed by an attenuation of the profile- and secondary loss generation in the aft section of the blade passage. Ultimately, this leads to a convergence of the downstream loss values in the steady and unsteady inflow cases.

Effects of uniform vertical inflow perturbations on the performance of flapping wings

Flapping wings have attracted significant interest for use in miniature unmanned flying vehicles. Although numerous studies have investigated the performance of flapping wings under quiescent conditions, effects of freestream disturbances on their performance remain under-explored. In this study, we experimentally investigated the effects of uniform vertical inflows on flapping wings using a Reynolds-scaled apparatus operating in water at Reynolds number ≈ 3600. The overall lift and drag produced by a flapping wing were measured by varying the magnitude of inflow perturbation from J Vert = −1 (downward inflow) to J Vert = 1 (upward inflow), where J Vert is the ratio of the inflow velocity to the wing's velocity. The interaction between flapping wing and downward-oriented inflows resulted in a steady linear reduction in mean lift and drag coefficients, C ¯ L and C ¯ D , with increasing inflow magnitude. While a steady linear increase in C ¯ L and C ¯ D was noted for upward-oriented inflows between 0 < J Vert < 0.3 and J Vert > 0.7, a significant unsteady wing–wake interaction occurred when 0.3 ≤ J Vert < 0.7, which caused large variations in instantaneous forces over the wing and led to a reduction in mean performance. These findings highlight asymmetrical effects of vertically oriented perturbations on the performance of flapping wings and pave the way for development of suitable control strategies.

Dynamic inflow model for a Floating Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine in surge motion

Floating Offshore Wind Turbines may experience large surge motions which, when faster than the local wind speed, cause rotor-wake interaction. Previous research hypothesised that this phenomena can result in a turbulent wake state or even a vortex ring state, invalidating the Actuator Disc Momentum Theory and the use of the Blade Element Momentum Theory. We challenge this hypothesis and demonstrate that the Actuator Disc Momentum Theory is valid and accurate in predicting the induction at the actuator in surge, even for large and fast motions. To achieve this, we derive a dynamic inflow model which mimics the vorticity-velocity system and the effect of the motion. The predictions of the model are compared against results from other authors and from a semi-free wake vortex-ring model. The results show that the surge motion and rotor-wake interaction do not cause a turbulent wake state or vortex ring state, and that the application of Actuator Disc Momentum Theory and Blade Element Momentum Theory is valid and accurate, when correctly applied in an inertial reference frame. The results show excellent agreement in all cases. The proposed dynamic inflow model includes an adaptation for highly loaded flow and it is accurate and simple enough to be easily implemented in most Blade Element Momentum models.

Optimal tuning of a wind plant energy production based on improved grey wolf optimizer

The tuning of optimal controller parameters in wind plant is crucial in order to minimize the effect of wake interaction between turbines. The purpose of this paper is to develop an improved grey wolf optimizer (I-GWO) in order to tune the controller parameters of the turbines so that the total energy production of a wind plant is increased. The updating mechanism of original GWO is modified to improve the efficiency of exploration and exploitation phase while avoiding trapping in local minima solution. A row of ten turbines is considered to evaluate the effectiveness of the I-GWO by maximizing the total energy production. The proposed approach is compared with original GWO and previously published modified GWO. Finally, I-GWO produces the highest total energy production as compared to other methods, as shown in statistical performance analysis.