CFD simulations of active flow control devices applied on a cambered flap

Overview & Synopsis

Novel techniques to reduce the negative effects of modern aviation on the environment have been studied for several decades. Among these techniques, one can mention the morphing of the lifting surfaces of an aircraft (wing and flaps), which allows to reduce the weight by removing some mechanisms, while optimizing more finely and in a controlled way the shape of the wings and control surfaces during the different flight phases. On the other hand, there are flow control techniques that are developed and used, such as vortex generators and blowing-suction devices, in order to control the structure of the flow on the lifting surfaces, and thus reduce the drag. The present study proposes a coupling of these 2 types of devices, namely the camber of a flap allowing an increase in lift, coupled with Zero Net Mass Flux (ZNMF) devices that will permit a separated flow that might occur with important camber to reattach. The combination of these both devices is investigated using three-dimensional CFD simulations by means of hybrid RANS/LES turbulence modelling. View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-1545.vid