An experimental investigation of vortex development on pitching low-aspect-ratio plates
Date
2013-05-01
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Abstract
This thesis presents an experimental investigation into unsteady vortex development on
pitching low-aspect-ratio plates. Simultaneous to force measurements, the three-dimensional
Particle Tracking Velocimetry technique is used to characterize the suction-side
ow eld.
On an aspect-ratio-four rectangular plate, inboard-directed spanwise
ow is induced by the
tip vortex, while the tip-vortex formation process correlates with the angle of attack. As
such, slow and fast pitch-up motions induce low and high levels of inboard-directed
ow.
This inboard-directed
ow alters the leading-edge-vortex (LEV) dynamics, slowing LEV
growth in the near-tip region while causing LEV compression near the symmetry plane. On
lunate and truncate planforms, outboard-directed
ow induced by spanwise leading-edge
curvature, rather than vortex stretching, mitigates the arch-vortex that is observed to form
on the rectangular planform. Additionally, the vortical wake formed by planforms that
have identical spanwise leading-edge curvature, but otherwise di er in geometry, correlates
strongly with a favourable lift-to-drag ratio on these planforms during the force-relaxation
phase.
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Keywords
Engineering--Aerospace, Engineering--Mechanical
Citation
Hartloper, C. (2013). An experimental investigation of vortex development on pitching low-aspect-ratio plates (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24887