Transition process around laminar separation bubbles
The continuous development of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones, UAV, MAV) operating in a Reynolds number range of Re < 500,000 is opening up new areas of research in the field of aerodynamics. Due to a possible separation of the laminar boundary layer and the following transition of the separated shear layer into a turbulent flow, a reattachment of the shear layer can occur. On average, a so-called laminar separation bubble (LSB) forms, which negatively affects the pressure distribution of the airfoil. Especially in the case of transient flow conditions, there are fundamental questions regarding the dynamics of LSBs that have not yet been clarified. Therefore, the aim of this research project is to investigate the dynamics of laminar separation bubbles and to answer open research questions by conducting experiments in a water towing tank in combination with modern optical measurement techniques (3D-PIV/PTV). Conducting the experiments in a water towing tank makes it possible to specifically and reproducibly influence the flow parameters of unsteady flows in order to analyse the effects on the dynamics of the laminar separation bubble.
Cooperations:
- Prof. Serhiy Yarusevych (University of Waterloo, Canada)
Person in Charge:
- Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Dierl
Funder:
- German Research Foundation