Development of Vortex Generator for Control of Separation around an Airfoil

Solid (fin) type vortex generators are known to be effective on suppressing flow separations and widely used at various fluid mechanical elements such as intakes or airfoils of airplanes. But the solid type generators themselves are the cause of extra flow drag. In this study we designed a blowing jet type vortex generator to realize smart control of flow separation. The present vortex generators are consisted of small jets properly distributed on wall surface. Therefore, the present vortex generators are considered to minimize the extra drag compared to the solid type. The vortex generator was found to be able to generate a single longitudinal vortex near wall. Next step is to try active flow control of airfoil MEL001. Therefore it is important to catch the trigger signal of separation before stall.