jla06 wrote:Cornermarker,
sorry for not replying sooner, had a busy week!
I am using a low speed, open return wind tunel to test the model I've designed. As you can see from image 1 below, the rear outboard section (i.e. region corresponding to where is normaly located the aileron) has been slightly modified in order to obtain a nearly separated flow at the location of the jet holes. Obviously, the closer to separation, the smaller the external force (blowing) is required. This is important in aviation since the blown air is bled from the engine (compressor stage). A reduction in engine mass flow rate causes a reduction in thrust, so it's a compromise between thrust and control capabilities.
I designed my model in such a way that it allows for this outboard region to be exchanged with other parts. Each exchangable part differs in a unique variable so it makes it possible to study several parameters at a relatively low variable cost. Bare in mind that the parts are Rapid Prot. so it is kind of expensive. The variables I decided to look at are 3:
1. Chordwise location of jet holes (around 80% +/- 2%)
2. Blowing angle in the chordwise plane (normal to local surface, directed forwards) - not skewed sideways as this induces the formation of vortices which energize the BL
3. The equivalence to a conventional aileron (i.e. creating a sort of equivalence table between mass flow rates and deflection angles of a typical aileron)
Here are some images you might find interesting.
Image 1: Full assembly. Exchangeable component shown in red.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8826/dibujo13l.jpg
Image 2: Exchangeable component used to as a convetional aileron reference
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7290/dibujo12p.jpg
Image 3: Flow visualization - Fluorescent oil + UV lighting
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5207 ... 7small.jpg
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6164/dscf1153small.jpg
This will serve as my final year project of my aeronautical degree which I will hopefully complete in a few weeks time!
Great work! This is the kind of thing I've been waiting for so thanks for your input. Those shots are beautiful
So, help me understand what I'm seeing in the uv photos. What I got out of this is that it is in fact possible to use blowing to force separation, but the blowing slot must not arranged as not to create vortices, which, as we know, delays separation.
I know your model isn't meant to approximate the f1 wing, but what does your understanding of the phenomenon tell you when you look at the McLaren wing above? What is your hunch about what is happening on the wing at high speed, given the pressures and velocities likely to be involved. Vortices, no vortices? How important is it that the slot be blowing forward to get separation? That's something I had not considered previously, but now I realize it's something they might do if the object
were to force separation. How hard is it to avoid the formation of vortices?
Above, there is a quote from an abstract which suggests that all kinds of devices placed near the area of separation (including such simple things as grooves) help to delay that separation. I'm sure they didn't point their jets forward, but otherwise does everything gel?
Now, back to your research, what kinds of applications do you see this having in aviation? Have you found anything completely unexpected? Of course, I'd be interested in seeing any more pictures or data you'd be willing to share
Congrats, and what will you be doing with your degree?
Thanks again.
Kelpster