A finite element flow solver based on unstructured grids is employed for studying the unsteady flow past oscillating airfoils. The viscous flow past a NACA0012 airfoil at various pitching frequencies is simulated. The variation of the force coefficient with reduced frequency is compared to experimental and other numerical studies. The effect of variation of the amplitude of the pitching motion on the force coefficient shows that the critical parameter for thrust generation is not the reduced frequency but the Strouhal number based an the maximum excursion of the trailing edge. The flow about the airfoil in a combined pitching and heaving motion, a mode found in many insects, is also simulated. The effects of varying the phase angle between the pitch and the heave motions is studied. The thrust coefficient was compared with experimental studies and good agreement is obtained. lt is found that the maximum thrust coefficient is obtained for when the pitch motion leads the heave motion by 120 deg and maximum propulsive efficiency occurs at a phase angle of 90 deg.
Simulation of flow about flapping airfoils using finite element incompressible flow solver
Die Simulation der Strömung um klappenbestückte Tragflügel mit einer inkompressiblen Finite-Elemente-Lösungsmethode
AIAA Journal ; 39 , 2 ; 253-260
2001
8 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 18 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Simulation of Flow about Flapping Airfoils Using a Finite Element Incompressible Flow Solver
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999
|Permeable airfoils in incompressible flow
AIAA | 1993
|