The performance of two self-adaptive flaps designed with a biomimetic approach is investigated. Each flap comprised a rigid plastic frame covered with a porous material (characterized by its solidity, σ) and is installed on the side of a square cylinder. In order to investigate the effect of the flap dynamics, the flaps are either positioned at a given angle (passive control) or hinged on their leading edges and left free to adapt to the flow changes (self-adaptive control). For the optimum position of 20° and σ=100%, a significant drag reduction of 30% is obtained over a large range of Reynolds numbers (Re 20,000 to 60,000). The investigation of the flow in the close wake of the model for both fixed and moving flaps reveals a modification of the flow topology and a possible change in the mode of vortex formation.
- Fluids Engineering Division
Flow Control of a Bluff Body Wake by Means of Self-Adaptive Flaps
Feuvrier, A, Mazellier, N, & Kourta, A. "Flow Control of a Bluff Body Wake by Means of Self-Adaptive Flaps." Proceedings of the ASME 2014 4th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting collocated with the ASME 2014 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels. Volume 1B, Symposia: Fluid Machinery; Fluid-Structure Interaction and Flow-Induced Noise in Industrial Applications; Flow Applications in Aerospace; Flow Manipulation and Active Control: Theory, Experiments and Implementation; Multiscale Methods for Multiphase Flow; Noninvasive Measurements in Single and Multiphase Flows. Chicago, Illinois, USA. August 3–7, 2014. V01BT14A009. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FEDSM2014-21387
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