Active Flow Control for an Outer Wing Model of a Take-off Transport Aircraft Configuration - A Numerical Study

Abstract

This contribution discusses the implementation of fluidic actuators that produce a pulsed outlet flow on a three dimensional model of the outer wing of a long-range transport aircraft at take-off, by high-fidelity numerical simulations. The leading-edge high-lift unprotected wing extension, including a wingtip device, designed for high performance at cruise flight, is subject to local flow separation at high angles of attack and low speed flight conditions. Active flow control (AFC) applied at the outer wing can prevent the formation of large turbulent flow separation and increase the aircraft lift to drag ratio (L/D), decrease the drag (D), and increase the angle of attack (AoA) for maximum lift (CLmax). The performed unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations prove the flow changes by the local AFC application and include a variation of the actuator’s geometrical setup. The results suggest a successful implementation on a transport aircraft and with an acceptable blowing momentum coefficient.