Wind tunnel experiments demonstrate improved flow control in airfoils using flexible flaps with inclined protrusions, suggesting enhanced aerodynamic performance.
Key Points
The research aims to investigate how inclined protrusions on flexible upper-surface flaps can control flow separation and improve aerodynamic performance.
Conducted wind tunnel experiments to assess flow dynamics
Utilized You Only Look Once v8 for object detection
Measured aerodynamic forces
Visualized flow fields to understand the effects of modifications
Inclined protrusions reduce the critical Reynolds number for unsteady flapping states
Lift improved by 10.4% and drag reduced by 7.4%
Lift-to-drag ratio increased by 21.6%
Findings indicate flexibility is sensitive to surface conditions
Increased protrusion height enhances aerodynamic shape and lift