Microjet Flow Control on an Airfoil Flap: Particle Image Velocimetry Characterization

What is it about?

High-lift systems allow aircraft to take off and land at relatively low speeds while maintaining the possibility of efficient cruise. Conventional high-lift systems such as flaps and slats are heavy, mechanically complex, and slow to operate. An alternative high-enhancement method, known as a normal-blowing microjet augments a traditional flap and allows for more responsive lift control. Although wind tunnel tests and computer simulations have shown this technique to be effective in increasing lift, detailed experiments are needed to fully understand the microjet's interaction with the airflow. This study makes detailed measurements of microjet momentum injection and corresponding lift enhancement. These measurements are compared to existing 2D numerical simulations and similarities and discrepancies between the experiments and simulations are discussed.

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