Investigation of a Passive Flow Control Device in an S-Duct Inlet at High Subsonic Flow

This paper reports the investigation of a flow control strategy for an S-duct diffusers. The method incorporates stream-wise tubercles, and aims to enhance the performance of S-duct inlets by reducing the size and intensity of separated flow. These devices, bioinspired from humpback whale flippers’ leading edge protuberances, have been shown to be effective in increasing post-stall coefficients of lift of airfoils. In S-duct diffusers, the presence of convex curvature next to the separated region provides an ideal location for the installation of a tubercle-like device. The flow control effectiveness was evaluated by test-rig measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the flow in an S-duct at high subsonic flow conditions (Ma = 0.80). The S-ducts were rapid prototyped in plastic using 3D printing. Static surface pressure along the length and total pressure at the exit revealed pressure recovery, total pressure loss, swirl, and the nature of flow distortion at the S-duct exit. CFD simulations used ANSYS FLUENT with a RANS solver closed with the RKE turbulence model. The CFD simulation compared well with the test-rig data and provided useful information on flow mechanism and for understanding flow features. The performance of the baseline and variant with the flow control device was compared and flow control strategy was evaluated.

Unsteady Aerodynamic Characteristics of Oscillating Cascade With Separation Bubble in High Subsonic Flow

Unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of an oscillating cascade composed of DCA (Double Circular Arc airfoil) blades were studied both experimentally and numerically. The test cascade was operated in high subsonic flow fields with incidence angles up to 5 degrees. Above 3 degrees of the incidence, a separation bubble was produced at the leading edge. The principal concern of the present study was placed on the influence of the separated region on the vibration instability of the cascade blades. The experiment was conducted in a linear cascade wind tunnel in which seven DCA blades were equipped. The central one could be oscillated in a pitching mode. The influence coefficient method was adopted for the measurement, where the unsteady aerodynamic moments were measured on the central blade and neighboring ones. For the numerical analysis, a quasi 3-D N-S code with k–ε turbulence model was developed. The experimental and numerical results complemented each other to obtain detailed understanding of the unsteady aerodynamic behavior of the cascade. It was found that the separation bubble at the leading edge governed the vibration characteristics of blades through the oscillation of the separation bubble itself on the blade surfaces. From the results of parametric studies, the phase shift of the oscillation of the separation bubble was found to be a key factor for determining the unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of the oscillating blades.