Parametric Study of Vortices Shed from Airfoil Vortex Generators

Abstract

Extensive parametric study of vortices shed from the tips of airfoil vortex generators has been conducted to determine the dependence of initial vortex circulation and peak vorticity on elements of airfoil geometry and impinging-flow conditions. The vortex generators were symmetric airfoils examined in subsonic airflow on the surface of a straight pipe. The circulation and peak-vorticity data were derived from cross-plane velocity measurements acquired with a seven-hole probe one chord length downstream of the airfoil-trailing-edge-tip location. Circulation and peak vorticity are observed to be proportional to the freestream Mach number, the angle of attack, and the span-to-boundary-layer-thickness ratio