An investigation into the use of low aspect ratio spherical wells to reduce flow separation on an inverted wing in ground effect

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Copyright: Beves, Christopher Charles
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Abstract
Flow separation is a source of aerodynamic in-efficiency; however by using vortex generators the issue of flow separation can be controlled. This is of particular benefit to flows around bluff bodies which are susceptible to large scale separated flows, such as bodies in ground effect. Previous studies concerning heat transfer applications focused on the ability of low aspect ratio spherical wells (dimples) to produce vortices for flow mixing. Dimpled surfacing on an inverted Tyrrell026 airfoil in ground effect (indicative of high performance automotive aerodynamic applications e.g. Formula One) has been investigated for similar vortex enhanced wake reductions. Experimental measurements using Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) were taken inside a dimple to provide validation and verification of numerical analyses of dimple flows. The k-ω SST turbulence model showed good agreement to the experimental measurements. Additionally experiments were conducted using LDA and PIV with various configurations of dimple arrays placed from a fixed separation point of a 16˚ rearward facing ramp to determine how the array configuration influenced the large scale separation. The airfoil wake with numerous dimple configurations and placements were measured using LDA. Results showed that an array of dimples with close dimple to dimple spacing there was flow recovery in the airfoil wake from the velocity deficit with no dimples of u/Uo,min=-0.1, to u/Uo,min=0.4 with a dimple array, (at α=10˚, ground clearance h/c=0.313). At α=10˚ reductions in the wake size of 30%, 33%, 58% and 68% were found for the ground clearances of h/c=0.112, 0.134, 0.224 and 0.313 respectively. For numerous dimple array configurations, closely spaced dimple arrays were more effective in reducing the wake size, turbulence intensity and Reynolds stresses than those where dimple spacing was further apart. The chord wise location of the array on the wing affected the angle of incidence of the wing for which the wake was able to be reduced. Arrays placed towards the trailing edge improved wake losses at lower angles of incidence. Dimples placed further forward yielded the most improvement at higher angles of incidence, in part due to the increased venturi effect under the wing.
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Author(s)
Beves, Christopher Charles
Supervisor(s)
Barber, Tracie
Leonardi, Eddie
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Publication Year
2009
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
PhD Doctorate
UNSW Faculty
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