Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow

The lift of an aircraft can be effectively enhanced by circulation control (CC) technology at subsonic speeds, but the efficiency at transonic speeds is greatly decreased. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood. In this study, Reynolds averaged Navier—Stokes simulation w...

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Main Authors: Ye Chen, Zhongxi Hou, Xiaolong Deng, Zheng Guo, Shuai Shao, Boting Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Aerospace
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/8/11/311
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author Ye Chen
Zhongxi Hou
Xiaolong Deng
Zheng Guo
Shuai Shao
Boting Xu
author_facet Ye Chen
Zhongxi Hou
Xiaolong Deng
Zheng Guo
Shuai Shao
Boting Xu
author_sort Ye Chen
collection DOAJ
description The lift of an aircraft can be effectively enhanced by circulation control (CC) technology at subsonic speeds, but the efficiency at transonic speeds is greatly decreased. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood. In this study, Reynolds averaged Navier—Stokes simulation with <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>ω</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> shear stress transport model was utilized to investigate the mechanism of lift enhancement by CC in transonic flow. For validation, the numerical CC results were compared with the NASA experimental data obtained for transonic CC airfoil. Thereafter, the RAE2822 airfoil was modified with a Coanda surface. The lift enhancement effects of CC via steady blowing with different momentum coefficients were tested at <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>M</mi><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0.3</mn></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> and 0.8 at <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>α</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mn>3</mn><mo>∘</mo></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and various fluid mechanics phenomena were investigated. The results indicate that the flow structure of the CC jet is insensitive to the incoming flow conditions because of the similarity to the local static pressure field around the trailing edge of the airfoil. Owing to the appearance of shockwaves on the airfoil surface in the transonic regime, the performance of the CC jet is restricted to the trailing edge of the airfoil. Transonic CC achieved a slight improvement in aerodynamic performance owing to a favorable shift in the shockwave pattern and accelerated flow in the separation region on the airfoil surfaces. Revealing the mechanism of lift enhancement of CC in the transonic regime can facilitate the rational design of new fluidic actuators with high activity and expand the potential applications of CC technology.
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spelling doaj.art-f8657444fb1f4edd9b43f813c834baa42023-11-22T21:57:28ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102021-10-0181131110.3390/aerospace8110311Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic FlowYe Chen0Zhongxi Hou1Xiaolong Deng2Zheng Guo3Shuai Shao4Boting Xu5College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, ChinaCollege of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, ChinaCenter of Strategic Assessments and Consulting, Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing 100091, ChinaThe lift of an aircraft can be effectively enhanced by circulation control (CC) technology at subsonic speeds, but the efficiency at transonic speeds is greatly decreased. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon is not fully understood. In this study, Reynolds averaged Navier—Stokes simulation with <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>k</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>ω</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> shear stress transport model was utilized to investigate the mechanism of lift enhancement by CC in transonic flow. For validation, the numerical CC results were compared with the NASA experimental data obtained for transonic CC airfoil. Thereafter, the RAE2822 airfoil was modified with a Coanda surface. The lift enhancement effects of CC via steady blowing with different momentum coefficients were tested at <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>M</mi><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>0.3</mn></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> and 0.8 at <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mi>α</mi><mo>=</mo><msup><mn>3</mn><mo>∘</mo></msup></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>, and various fluid mechanics phenomena were investigated. The results indicate that the flow structure of the CC jet is insensitive to the incoming flow conditions because of the similarity to the local static pressure field around the trailing edge of the airfoil. Owing to the appearance of shockwaves on the airfoil surface in the transonic regime, the performance of the CC jet is restricted to the trailing edge of the airfoil. Transonic CC achieved a slight improvement in aerodynamic performance owing to a favorable shift in the shockwave pattern and accelerated flow in the separation region on the airfoil surfaces. Revealing the mechanism of lift enhancement of CC in the transonic regime can facilitate the rational design of new fluidic actuators with high activity and expand the potential applications of CC technology.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/8/11/311circulation controleffectivenesstransonic flowflow control
spellingShingle Ye Chen
Zhongxi Hou
Xiaolong Deng
Zheng Guo
Shuai Shao
Boting Xu
Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
Aerospace
circulation control
effectiveness
transonic flow
flow control
title Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
title_full Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
title_fullStr Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
title_full_unstemmed Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
title_short Numerical Study of the Lift Enhancement Mechanism of Circulation Control in Transonic Flow
title_sort numerical study of the lift enhancement mechanism of circulation control in transonic flow
topic circulation control
effectiveness
transonic flow
flow control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/8/11/311
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