Experimental Study on Flow Control Characteristics of Synthetic Jets over a Blended Wing Body Configuration

Abstract

This paper presents experimental investigations on the characteristics of synthetic jets over blended wing body configuration. Flow control experiments were performed by using piezoelectrically driven synthetic jet under various flow conditions. In the first step, baseline characteristics of blended wing body configuration were analyzed when synthetic jet was off. Pressure distribution and separated-flow region on the wing surface were examined by changing the angle of attack. Flow control experiments were carried out by synthetic jet to demonstrate the flow control performance in the post-stall regime. Comparative studies were also conducted for a stalled condition. Aerodynamic coefficient was examined by changing synthetic jet operating condition, such as jet oscillation frequency and jet module locations. Based on various comparisons, it was observed that synthetic jet operating conditions have significantly influence on the development of leading-edge vorticies, that is to say, flow control performance of synthetic jet.