Active Control of Leading Edge Separation Within the German Flow Control Network

Abstract

The paper describes experiments with a 2D two-element high-lift airfoil with active flow control in a 2.8m windtunnel. The flow control system is integrated into the nose region of the airfoil to delay the onset of leading-edge stall, it consists of pulsed vortex generator jets that utilize compressed air. The results indicate that active flow control can be applied at a practical high-lift system. The pulsed vortex generator jets effectively delay the onset
\nof separation at the main element and increase amax and cl,max respectively. However, the margin that can be gained is very dependent on the overall stall behavior of the airfoil.