In this work we present the application of the new synthetic jet actuator (SJA) to flow separation control over a NACA 0015 wing. The actuator is compact enough to fit in the interior of the wing that has a chord of 0.375 m. The wing was tested in the Texas A&M University Aerospace Engineering 3 ft×4 ft wind tunnel. An experimental investigation into the effects of the synthetic jet actuator on the performance of the wing is described. Emphasis is placed on the capabilities of the actuator to control the separation of the flow over the wing at high angles of attack. The results include force balance measurements, on surface and off surface flow visualization, surface pressure measurements, and wake surveys. All of the reported tests were performed at a free-stream velocity of 35 m/s, corresponding to a Reynolds number of 8.96×105. The angle of attack was varied from −2.0 deg to 29.0 deg. For the results presented, at angles of attack lower than 10 deg, the actuator has minimal effects. At higher angles of attack, the SJA delays the onset of stall. The use of the actuator causes an 80% increase in the maximum lift coefficient, while the angle at which stall occurs is increased from 12 to 18 deg. The drag on the wing is decreased as a consequence of SJA actuation. For angles of attack larger than 18 deg, where the wing experiences massive separation, the SJA still provides a moderate amount of lift augmentation compared to the unforced case. At angles of attack larger than 25°, a larger frequency of actuation is required to produce significant effects.
Although strong potential of synthetic jets as flow separation control actuators has been demonstrated in the existing literature, there is a large gap between the synthetic jet actuators (SJA) used in laboratory demonstrations and the SJAs needed in realistic fullscale applications, in terms of compactness, weight, efficiency, control authority and power density. In most cases, the SJAs used in demonstrations are either too large or too weak for realistic applications. In this work, we present the development of compact, high-power synthetic jet actuators for realistic flow separation control applications and demonstrate the developed SJA technology in representative, flow separation control problems, including control of steady separation/stall. The developed actuators are compact enough to fit in the interior of a 14.75" chord, NACA0015 wing, have maximum power of 2.0 HP and can produce (for the tested conditions) exit velocities as high as 80 m/sec. Flow separation control was demonstrated over a 14.75" chord, NACA 0015 wing at angles of attack and free stream velocities as high as 25 degrees and 45 m/s, respectively and pressure data was acquired over the wing for a range of conditions.
Although the potential of synthetic jets as flow separation control actuators has been demonstrated in the existing literature, there is a large gap between the synthetic jet actuators (SJA) used in laboratory demonstrations and the SJAs needed in realistic, full-scale applications, in terms of compactness, weight, efficiency, control authority and power density. In most cases, the SJAs used in demonstrations are either too large or too weak for realistic applications. In this work, we present the development of a new class of high-power synthetic jet actuators for realistic flow control applications. The operating principle of the actuator is the same as that of crankshaft driven piston engines, which makes a significant part of the technology necessary for the actuator development available off-the-shelf. The design of the actuator is modular and scalable. Several “building block” units can be stacked in series to create the actuator of the desired size. Moreover, active exit slot reconfiguration, in the form of variable exit slot width, decouples the actuator frequency from the actuator jet momentum coefficient and allows the user to set the two independently (within limits). Part I of this paper presents the design, fabrication and bench top characterization of the actuator. Several versions of the actuator were designed, built and tested, leading up to the development of a six-piston compact actuator that has a maximum power consumption of 1200 W (1.6 hp) and can produce (for the tested conditions) peak exit velocities as high as 124 m/s. In Part II, the actuator was housed in the interior of a NACA0015 profiled wing with a chord of 0.375 m (14.75 inches). The assembly’s performance in controlling flow separation was studied in the wind tunnel.
This paper addresses the use of 5-hole probes in the testing of industrial centrifugal compressors. The 5-hole probes utilized for this work are of the conical-tip type and were used in a non-nulling configuration (i.e., the probes do not need to be rotated or moved in any way during the tests). These 5-hole probes proved to be fairly robust, making them practical for a nonlaboratory setting such as an industrial multistage compressor test stand. A discussion of 5-hole probes and how they function is provided, including an overview of the mathematical formulations and calibrations required to translate the pressure data gathered from the 5 holes into static and total pressures, velocities and flow angles. A method to transform these variables from a probe-based coordinate system to a machine-based coordinate system is also presented and schematics of this process are provided to aid the reader’s understanding. The testing performed on a prototype multistage centrifugal compressor using 5-hole probes is also discussed, showing that the probes provided valuable insight into the flowfield exiting the impellers and at the return bend. The hub-to-shroud velocity profile exiting an impeller was found to be more skewed than expected and was contributing to poor performance in the downstream stationary components. The measured flowfield from one of the tests is also compared against 3-D CFD results and comments are offered regarding the agreement between the analytical and measured results. Advantages and disadvantages of 5-hole probes as compared to more conventional instrumentation are presented. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the value of 5-hole probe data in the development and/or troubleshooting of high performance turbomachinery and in the validation/calibration of design and analysis tools.
This paper deals with the aerodynamic and performance behavior of a three-stage high pressure research turbine with 3-D curved blades at its design and off-design operating points. The research turbine configuration incorporates six rows beginning with a stator row. Interstage aerodynamic measurements were performed at three stations, namely downstream of the first rotor row, the second stator row, and the second rotor row. Interstage radial and circumferential traversing presented a detailed flow picture of the middle stage. Performance measurements were carried out within a rotational speed range of 75% to 116% of the design speed. The experimental investigations have been carried out on the recently established multi-stage turbine research facility at the Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory, TPFL, of the Texas A&M University.
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