Dynamic Stall Characteristics of Pitching Finite-Aspect-Ratio Wings
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Abstract
In this study, an experimental investigation was performed to characterize the dynamic stall of pitching wings and provide confirmation of the existence of the arch-shaped vortex for moderate sweep wing. Dynamic stall is a complex flow, which happens because of a sudden change of incident angle during the pitching motion. The pitching motion of a wing can cause instability in the shear layer and generate the separation burst at certain angles. For a pitching wing, the dynamic stall vortex is characterized by the formation of an arch-shaped vortex to the evolution of a ring-shaped vortex. The leg of the arch-shaped vortex causes a negative pressure region on the airfoil surface and can, in fact, generate greater lift. However, in certain conditions, the detachment of the arch-shaped vortex from the airfoil surface can cause high pressure and vibration in the structures. The formation of the arch-shaped vortex and its evolution were systematically investigated using cutting-edge flow diagnostic techniques, and the physics of the dynamic stall is explained in addition to providing the confirmation of the theory developed based on Computational Fluid Dynamics.
The study was done using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Pressure-Sensitive Paint for three sweep angle wings. The wings, with an aspect ratio of AR=4 and a NACA 0012 section assembled with round-tip, are considered for the current experimental study. The sweep angles = 0, 15, and 30 degrees were considered to compare the flow phenomena. The PIV results show the formation of a laminar separation bubble and its evolution to a dynamic stall vortex. The increase of sweep angle causes the formation of such vortices towards the wing tip. In the process of finding the footprint of the vortices and pressure distribution on the surface of the wings, a single-shot lifetime method using fast porous paint was used. The results show the existence of suction pressure and later grows towards the trailing edge of the wing due to the formation of a dynamic stall vortex. In addition, at Re=2x10^5 and reduced frequency k=0.2, a moderate sweep airfoil shows the apparent footprint of the arch-shaped vortex, which confirms the current theory.