The characteristics of the unsteady boundary layer and stall events occurring on an oscillating NACA 0012 airfoil were investigated by using closely spaced multiple hot-film sensor arrays at . Aerodynamic forces and pitching moments, integrated from surface pressure measurements, and smoke-flow visualizations were also obtained to supplement the hot-film measurements. Special attention was focused on the behaviour of the spatial-temporal progression of the locations of the boundary-layer transition and separation, and reattachment and relaminarization points, compared to the static values, for a range of oscillation frequency and amplitude both prior to, during and after the stall. The initiation, growth and rearward convection of a leading-edge vortex, and the role of the laminar separation bubble leading to the dynamic stall, as well as the mechanisms responsible for the stall events observed at different test conditions were also characterized. The hot-film measurements were also correlated with the aerodynamic load and pitching moment results to quantify the values of lift increment and stall angle delay as a result of the observed boundary layer and stall events. The results reported here provide an insight into the detailed nature of the unsteady boundary-layer events as well as the stalling mechanisms at work at different stages in the dynamic-stall process.

Investigation of flow over an oscillating airfoil

A sharp interface immersed boundary method for compressible viscous flows

We investigated the detailed kinematics and wake structure of lesser dog-faced fruit bats (Cynopterus brachyotis) flying in a wind tunnel. High speed recordings of the kinematics were conducted to obtain three-dimensional reconstructions of wing movements. Simultaneously, the flow structure in the spanwise plane perpendicular to the flow stream was visualized using time-resolved particle image velocimetry. The flight of four individuals was investigated to reveal patterns in kinematics and wake structure typical for lower and higher speeds. The wake structure identified as typical for both speed categories was a closed-loop ring vortex consisting of the tip vortex and the limited appearance of a counter-rotating vortex near the body, as well as a small distally located vortex system at the end of the upstroke that generated negative lift. We also investigated the degree of consistency within trials and looked at individual variation in flight parameters, and found distinct differences between individuals as well as within individuals.

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Wake structure and wing kinematics: the flight of the lesser dog-faced fruit bat, Cynopterus brachyotis

Vortex formation on squared and rounded tip

The near-field behavior of a tip vortex trailing behind a low aspect ratio wing, attached to an axisymmetnc body, is investigated. This study was performed in a tow tank and involved the use of particle displacement velocimetry. Evolution of the tip vortex was studied by mapping its instantaneous lateral velocity at several consecutive axial locations. The axial velocity distribution was also measured. Experiments were repeated at various Reynolds numbers and incidence angles. Repeatability was also examined at the same conditions. The results indicate that roll-up is almost complete at the trailing edge and that less than 66% of the root circulation is entrained into the vortex

Near-field behavior of a tip vortex

The three-dimensional flow structure of a tip vortex in the near wake of both a rectangular, square-tipped NACA 0015 airfoil and a high-lift cambered airfoil was investigated by using a seven-hole pressure probe at Re = 2.01 x 10 5 . Lift-induced drag was computed based on vorticity and was compared with force-balance data. For both the airfoils tested, the vortex strength reached a maximum immediately behind the trailing edge and remained nearly constant up to two chord lengths downstream. As the airfoil incidence increased, the increase in the lift force resulted in a basically linear increase in the vortex strength and the peak values of the tangential velocity and vorticity, whereas the vortex radius did not appear to have a clear dependence on the vortex strength. Depending on the airfoil incidence, the core axial velocity could be wake-like or jet-like. The normalized circulation within the inner region of the nearly axisymmetric tip vortex exhibited a universal, or self-similar, structure. The NACA 0015 airfoil, however, possessed smaller tangential velocities but similar vortex core diameters compared to those of a cambered airfoil

F. Kafyeke

Papers

Structure and induced drag of a tip vortex

Rollup and near-field behavior of a tip vortex