What is it about?
The research is about affecting the wingtip vortex without using external surfaces. By having a slot in the wing, we can affect the free shear layer behind the wing which in turn affects the wingtip vortex. Its a technique to use the wake to affect the wingtip vortex.
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Why is it important?
So far the wingtip vortex is affected by the use of winglets commercially. The maximum reduction in induced drag one can achieve is around 5-7%. Active control techniques such as suction and blowing proved to be ineffective in reducing drag when it is scaled up. This research presents a new technique to affect the wingtip vortex using the wake it generates. The wake behind the wing in itself is highly turbulent and has enough energy to affect the rollup of the wingtip vortex.
Perspectives
I hope this article makes people think about different ways by which we can affect the wake so that it affects the wingtip vortex. The current research shows that the strength of the vortex can be reduced by 20% if we use the wake to affect it.
Sid Gunasekaran
University of Dayton University Archives and Special Collections
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Effect of Chordwise Slots on Aerodynamic Efficiency, January 2018, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA),
DOI: 10.2514/6.2018-0342.
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