Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : November 19, 2024 - November 20, 2024
Insects and bioinspired micro air vehicles (MAV) gain lift by flapping their wings, on which a Leading Edge Vortex (LEV) is formed. Dynamic increases in angle of attack on their wings cause the formation of LEV on the wing surface. The LEV provides additional lift and therefore more efficient flight can be achieved by promoting the growth of the LEV and delaying its detachment. In this study, we attempt to augment the growth of LEV on a pitching NACA 0015 aerofoil using a dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma actuator (PA) placed 88% of chord length from the leading edge. The effect of the control is evaluated by the surface pressure measurement. The lift coefficient was successfully increased by 9.4% on average over time by actuating PA from the beginning of the motion. It was also suggested that actuating a PA at a trailing edge of the aerofoil may act in two ways: (1) inducing virtual camber and (2) augmenting LEV growth. This study is a first step towards future feedback control of LEV dynamics, which adapts to unsteady flow conditions.
