Bio-mimetic flow control for drag reduction on a three-dimensional model vehicle

Abstract

In the present study, we present a bio-mimetic flow control device for reduction of drag on a model vehicle. The model vehicle from GM company (GM model) is chosen as the base conguration, having various base slant inclination. This model has the critical slant angle of 25 degree, at which the drag coefficient is high (CD = 0.311) and the wake structure is very complex. The present device is inspired by secondary feathers of a bird which passively pop up at landing, and is installed at the critical angle to reduce the drag on the model vehicle. The drag on the GM model is decreased by up to 7.5% with the present control device. It is shown that the present device moves the separation point to further downstream, resulting in the base pressure recovery.