Completed Projects
Passive (vortex generator) and active (a pair of synthetic jets) devices have been used in unison to create a Hybrid “fail-safe” device, which proved to be more effective than either device on its own and is the focus of this study.
The effectiveness of a finite span synthetic jet oriented parallel to the freestream direction, actuated on a finite span cylinder of low aspect ration and issuing normal to the cylinder surface was investigated experimentally using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV), surface pressure measurements, and hotwire anemometry.
Compact inlets with an S-shape have become widely used in aircrafts due to the numerous advantages compared to conventional ducts. However, due to their low length to diameter ration and low aspect ration, there are some flow phenomena, which are undesirable such as massive separation leading to losses in total pressure and secondary flow structures causing distortion at the Aerodynamic Interface Plane (AIP). These drawbacks need yet to be overcome in order to apply these ducts on a wider range of vehicles.
The inlet to an aircraft propulsion system is typically designed to supply flow to the compressor with minimal pressure loss, distortion, or unsteadiness.
The addition of active flow control devices, such as synthetic jet actuators, on three-dimensional aerodynamic surfaces (i.e. vertical tail, wings, etc.) can lead to significant flowfield modification for beneficial improvements in aerodyanmic performance. Previous work by Dr. Nicholas Rathay and collaborators on this project focused on augmenting the side force generated by synthetic jets through separation control on scaled vertical tail models. Since commercial airplane tails are sized based on a single engine failure situation, they are larger than necessary for normal flight.
This project is acutely focused on the fundamental fluid physics governing the unsteady loads experienced by non-streamlined objects. Bluff bodies, as they are commonly known, experience abrupt separation of the flow which subjects them to the consequences of flows which may be unsteady and in many cases, transitioning from laminar towards turbulence. Examples of bluff bodies include tall buildings, bridge decks, and slung-load containers. One archetype geometry which has proven itself to be a benchmark for other studies is the rectangular prism.