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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Symmetry plane model for turbulent flows with vortex generators

An approximate procedure is proposed for predicting the performance of counterrotating vortex-generator installations in incompressible flow. An inviscid calculation that includes the motion of the vortices is used to obtain crossflow velocities at the boundary-layer edge as a function of initial position, spacing, and strength of the vortices, and local values of the spanwise gradient are then folded into an integral turbulent-boundary layer procedure applied in the plane of symmetry. Special attention is paid to the consistency of the approximations and equations used. The two-dimensional aerodynamics of vortex generator installations on a NACA 0016 airfoil at angle-of-attack are estimated in this manner, and the results compared with experiments carried out with a 30-cm chord wing mounted in a 2.4 x 3.6-m cross-section wind tunnel and tested at chord Reynolds numbers of 0.7 and 1.4 x 10 to the 6th. Agreement in the separation location is found for these complex flows for a range of conditions.

Arnaud, Gilles L.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Shape Optimization of Vortex Generators to Control Mack Mode Amplification

This paper demonstrates the potential to use shape optimization for the design of vortex generators in an axisymmetric boundary layer. This shape optimization increases the amplitude of stationary streaks created by streamwise vorticity, with the goal of reducing the amplification of Mack mode instabilities. The test case under consideration matches a trajectory point during the ascent phase of the HIFiRE-1 flight experiment. Wall-mounted vortex generators are added to the cone and their shape is optimized to control the amplification of Mack mode instabilities that are known to initiate laminar-turbulent transition in this flow. An empirical objective function is developed based on the previous studies of optimal streaks. A constraint on the maximum streak amplitude is added to avoid the initiation of bypass transition. The shape optimization is conducted using SU2, an open-source suite for multiphysics simulation and design. A significant improvement is observed in an integral metric of the streak amplitude, while the maximum streak amplitude is maintained close to the baseline level. The qualitative features of the optimized geometry are discussed.

Vortex generators↗
NASA NTRS2012

Experimental Study of Boundary Layer Flow Control Using an Array of Ramp-Shaped Vortex Generators

The objective of this study was to obtain a database on the flowfield past an array of vortex generators (VGs) in a turbulent boundary layer. All testing was carried out in a low speed wind tunnel with a flow velocity of 29 ft/sec, giving a Reynolds number of 17,500 based on the width of the VG. The flowfield generated by an array of five ramp-shaped vortex generators was examined with hot wire anemometry and smoke flow visualization. The magnitude and extent of the velocity increase near the wall, the penetration of the velocity deficit into the core flow, and the peak streamwise vorticity are examined. Influence of various parameters on the effectiveness of the array is considered on the basis of the ability to pull high momentum fluid into the near wall region.

Hirt, Stefanie M.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Vortex Generators in a Two-Dimensional, External-Compression Supersonic Inlet

Computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed as part of a process to design a vortex generator array for a two-dimensional inlet for Mach 1.6. The objective is to improve total pressure recovery a on at the engine face of the inlet. Both vane-type and ramp-type vortex generators are examined.

supersonic inlets↗
NASA NTRS1979

A viscous flow analysis for the tip vortex generation process

A three dimensional, forward-marching, viscous flow analysis is applied to the tip vortex generation problem. The equations include a streamwise momentum equation, a streamwise vorticity equation, a continuity equation, and a secondary flow stream function equation. The numerical method used combines a consistently split linearized scheme for parabolic equations with a scalar iterative ADI scheme for elliptic equations. The analysis is used to identify the source of the tip vortex generation process, as well as to obtain detailed flow results for a rectangular planform wing immersed in a high Reynolds number free stream at 6 degree incidence.

Shamroth, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Vortex Generator Model Developed for Turbomachinery

A computational model was developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center to investigate possible uses of vortex generators (VG's) for improving the performance of turbomachinery. A vortex generator is a small, winglike device that generates vortices at its tip. The vortices mix high-speed core flow with low-speed boundary layer flow and, thus, can be used to delay flow separation. VG's also turn the flow near the walls and, thus, can be used to control flow incidence into a turbomachinery blade row or to control secondary flows.

Chima, Rodrick V.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development and testing of vortex generators for small horizontal axis wind turbines

Vortex generators (VGs) for a small (32 ft diameter) horizontal axis wind turbine, the Carter Model 25, have been developed and tested. Arrays of VGs in a counterrotating arrangement were tested on the inbound half-span, outboard half-span, and on the entire blade. VG pairs had their centerlines spaced at a distance of 15% of blade chord, with a spanwise width of 10% of blade chord. Each VG had a length/height ratio of 4, with a height of between 0.5% and 1.0% of the blade chord. Tests were made with roughness strips to determine whether VGs alleviated the sensitivity of some turbines to an accumulation of bugs and dirt on the leading edge. Field test data showed that VGs increased power output up to 20% at wind speeds above 10 m/s with only a small (less than 4%) performance penalty at lower speeds. The VGs on the outboard span of the blade were more effective than those on inner sections. For the case of full span coverage, the energy yearly output increased almost 6% at a site with a mean wind speed of 16 mph. The VGs did reduce the performance loss caused by leading edge roughness. An increase in blade pitch angle has an effect on the power curve similar to the addition of VGs. VGs alleviate the sensitivity of wind turbine rotors to leading edge roughness caused by bugs and drift.

Gyatt, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Experimental investigation of the performance of vortex generators mounted in the supersonic portion of a mixed-compression inlet

Vortex generators were investigated as a means of controlling the throat boundary layer in a Mach 2.5 mixed-compression inlet. With or without throat bleed, the generators were unable to produce the inlet peak recoveries available with good performance bleed. Generators placed on the unbled inlet centerbody ahead of the cowl shock impingement point degraded inlet performance. Generators placed further aft on the unbled centerbody, but ahead of the throat, improved inlet performance at conditions where the terminal shock could cause boundary layer separation. Adding generators to the inlet with throat bleed reduced performance. Bleed aft of the generators degraded the vortex flow field.

Michell, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effect of vortex generators on the power conversion performance and structural dynamic loads of the Mod-2 wind turbine

Applying vortex generators from 20 to 100 percent span of the Mod-2 rotor resulted in a projected increase in annual energy capture of 20 percent and reduced the wind speed at which rated power is reached by nearly 3 m/sec. Application of vortex generators from 20 to 70 percent span, the fixed portion of the Mod-2 rotor, resulted in a projected increase in annual energy capture of about half this. This improved performance came at the cost of a small increase in cyclic blade loads in below rated power conditions. Cyclic blade loads were found to correlate well with the change in wind speed during one rotor revolution.

Sullivan, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Measurements and modeling of flow structure in the wake of a low profile wishbone vortex generator

The results of an experimental examination of the vortex structures shed from a low profile 'wishbone' generator are presented. The vortex generator height relative to the turbulent boundary layer was varied by testing two differently sized models. Measurements of the mean three-dimensional velocity field were conducted in cross-stream planes downstream of the vortex generators. In all cases, a counter-rotating vortex pair was observed. Individual vortices were characterized by three descriptors derived from the velocity data; circulation, peak vorticity, and cross-stream location of peak vorticity. Measurements in the cross plane at two axial locations behind the smaller wishbone characterize the downstream development of the vortex pairs. A single region of stream wise velocity deficit is shared by both vortex cores. This is in contrast to conventional generators, where each core coincides with a region of velocity deficit. The measured cross-stream velocities for each case are compared to an Oseen model with matching descriptors. The best comparison occurs with the data from the larger wishbone.

Wendt, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1948

Design criteria for and applications of the vortex generator mixing principal

There are at this date numerable projects, in various Divisions of U.A.C., either in progress or contemplated, which are employing the vortex generator mixing principle. This principle is defined as the method which utilises tip vortices generated by low aspect ratio airfoils for the purpose of transverse mixing of the flow of a confined fluid medium where the axis of the vortex is parallel to the direction of flow. To date, vortex generator design criteria have not been published. Therefore, for the assistance of those individuals concerned and in the interest of the vortex mixing principle, the following material (subject to modifications) is presented in this memorandum report.

H D Taylor↗
NASA NTRS1984

The effects of blade mounted vortex generators on the noise from a MOD-2 wind turbine generator

Comparison noise measurements were made for a standard MOD-2 machine and for one modified to include an array of vortex generators on the suction sides of the blades near maximum thickness. Data were obtained for comparable azimuth angles and distances for a range of wind velocities of 7.6 to 10.3 m/s and for power outputs of 1.4 MW. Since the observed differences are small it is concluded that the inclusion of vortex generators on this machine will result in no significant increase in environmental impact due to noise.

Hubbard, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Vortex generator for controlling the dispersion of effluents in a flowing liquid

A method is disclosed for controlling the dispersion of effluents in a flowing liquid. A vortex generator for creating a distinct recirculating vortical flow is disposed in a flowing liquid and effluents are discharged into the vortical flow. The effluents are entrained in the vortical flow and by selectively positioning the vortex generator the dispersion of the entrained effluents can be controlled.

Costen, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lift enhancement of an airfoil using a Gurney flap and vortex generators

The results of a low-speed wind tunnel test are presented for a single-element airfoil incorporating two lift-enhancing devices, namely a Gurney flap and vortex generators. The former consists of a small plate, on the order of one to two percent of the airfoil chord in height, located at the trailing edge perpendicular to the pressure side of the airfoil. The later consist of commercially-available, wishbone-shaped vortex generators. The test was conducted in the NASA Ames 7- by 10-foot Wind Tunnel with a full-span NACA 4412 airfoil. Measurements of surface pressure distributions and wake profiles were made to determine the lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients for the various airfoil configurations. The results indicate that the addition of a Gurney flap increased the maximum lift coefficient from 1.49 up to 1.96.

Storms, Bruce L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Supersonic jet mixing enhancement by vortex generators

Experiments were conducted to explore the effects of vortex generators, in the form of tabs projecting normally into the jet, on the mixing and the far-field noise characteristics of a jet. A converging-diverging nozzle with a design Mach number of 1.36 was used in the experiments. The flow regimes from subsonic to highly underexpanded supersonic conditions were studied. One, two, and four tabs were used and some of the findings of previous investigators were examined and confirmed. The tabs eliminated screech noise from moderately overexpanded cases to highly underexpanded cases. Detailed flow visualizations and measurements showed that two tabs bifurcated the jet at all Mach numbers. While the effect of two tabs was persistent and the jet remained bifurcated, the distortions produced by one and four tabs disappeared by a streamwise distance of approximately 16 jet diameters. Two and four tabs significantly increased the entrainment of ambient air into the jet.

Samimy, M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Experimental study of the use of vortex generators to reduce fluctuating pressure loads in shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions

Fluctuating wall pressure measurements have been made in a separated shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction produced by an unswept compression corner in a Mach 5 flow. Wheeler doublet vortex generators were placed 15.8 boundary layer thicknesses upstream of the corner to study their effect on the fluctuating pressure loads produced by the translating separation shock. The vortex generators produced significant three-dimensionality in an otherwise two-dimensional interaction. They reduced the upstream influence and the length of the region of shock motion by 60% and 64%, respectively, decreased the maximum wall pressure rms by 23%, and shifted the fluctuations to a higher frequency band. The maximum fraction of energy in the 100-500 Hz frequency band is decreased by 11%. These changes are due to a fuller boundary layer profile, a weaker separation shock, and increased boundary layer turbulence causing increased separation shock jitter.

Barter, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Vortex generator design for aircraft inlet distortion as a numerical optimization problem

Aerodynamic compatibility of aircraft/inlet/engine systems is a difficult design problem for aircraft that must operate in many different flight regimes. Takeoff, subsonic cruise, supersonic cruise, transonic maneuvering, and high altitude loiter each place different constraints on inlet design. Vortex generators, small wing like sections mounted on the inside surfaces of the inlet duct, are used to control flow separation and engine face distortion. The design of vortex generator installations in an inlet is defined as a problem addressable by numerical optimization techniques. A performance parameter is suggested to account for both inlet distortion and total pressure loss at a series of design flight conditions. The resulting optimization problem is difficult since some of the design parameters take on integer values. If numerical procedures could be used to reduce multimillion dollar development test programs to a small set of verification tests, numerical optimization could have a significant impact on both cost and elapsed time to design new aircraft.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Experimental Study of an Inclined Jet-In-Cross-Flow Interacting with a Vortex Generator

An experiment is conducted on the effectiveness of a vortex generator (VG) in preventing lift-off of a jet-in-cross-flow (JICF), with film-cooling application in mind. The jet issues into the boundary layer at an angle of 20 to the free-stream. The effect of a triangular ramp-shaped VG is studied while varying its geometry and location. Detailed flow-field properties are documented for a specific case in which the height of the VG and the diameter of the orifice are comparable to the approach boundary layer thickness. This combination of VG and JICF produce a streamwise vortex pair with vorticity magnitude three times larger (and of opposite sense) than that found in the JICF alone. Such a VG appears to be most effective in keeping the jet attached to the wall. While most of the data are taken at a jet-to-freestream momentum flux ratio (J) of 2, limited surveys are done for varying J. The VG is found to have a significant effect even at the highest J (=11) covered in the experiment. Effect of parametric variation is studied mostly from surveys ten diameters downstream from the orifice. When the VG height is halved there is a lift-off of the jet. On the other hand, when the height is doubled, the jet core is dissipated due to larger turbulence intensities. Varying the location of the VG, over a distance of three diameters from the orifice, is found to have little impact. Rounding off the edges of the VG with increasing radius of curvature progressively diminishes the effect. However, a small radius of curvature may be quite tolerable in practice.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗