A new hole-down-array design for airfoil separation control
This study explores the feasibility of passive flow control utilizing a hole-down array (HDA), inspired by the natural observation of gaps in bird feathers during flight. We combine numerical simulations with experimental wind tunnel tests to assess the impact of HDA on the standard NACA0012 airfoil...
| Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repository: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/441270 |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/441270 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Flow control Flow separation Canonical holes CFD Hole-down-array Wind tunnel Wing design Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Aerodinàmica Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física::Física de fluids |
| Summary: | This study explores the feasibility of passive flow control utilizing a hole-down array (HDA), inspired by the natural observation of gaps in bird feathers during flight. We combine numerical simulations with experimental wind tunnel tests to assess the impact of HDA on the standard NACA0012 airfoil. We test two distinct HDA configurations: one featuring a single row of holes and the other with two rows, with the holes positioned either centrally along the airfoil or near the trailing edge. The aim is to evaluate these design alternatives and their potential to enhance performance. The aerodynamic coefficients and pressure distributions are computed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), then compared and verified with wind tunnel test data. The findings are promising, indicating that these configurations could significantly boost lift without affecting drag. Although results vary with the angle of attack, the maximum lift-to-drag ratio can be improved relative to the original NACA0012 model. Additionally, we highlight the limitations encountered when employing 2D simulations for complex geometries. |
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