Computational aerodynamics of low Reynolds number plunging,pitching and flexible wings for MAV applications

Micro air vehicles （MAV＇s） have the potential to revolutionize our sensing and information gathering capabilities in environmental monitoring and homeland security areas. Due to the MAV＇s＇ small size, flight regime, and modes of operation, significant scientific advancement will be needed to create this revolutionary capability. Aerodynamics, structural dynamics, and flight dynamics of natural flyers intersects with some of the richest problems in MAV＇s, inclu- ding massively unsteady three-dimensional separation, transition in boundary layers and shear layers, vortical flows and bluff body flows, unsteady flight environment, aeroelasticity, and nonlinear and adaptive control are just a few examples. A challenge is that the scaling of both fluid dynamics and structural dynamics between smaller natural flyer and practical flying hardware/lab experiment （larger dimension） is fundamentally difficult. In this paper, we offer an overview of the challenges and issues, along with sample results illustrating some of the efforts made from a computational modeling angle.

Experimental Study of Owl-Like Airfoil Aerodynamics at Low Reynolds Numbers

This study experimentally investigates aerodynamic characteristics and flow fields of a smooth owl-like airfoil without serrations and velvet structures. This biologically inspired airfoil design is intended to serve as the main-wing for low-Reynolds-number aircrafts such as micro air vehicles. Reynolds number dependency on aerodynamics is also evaluated at low Reynolds numbers. The results of the study show that the owl-like airfoil has high lift performance with a nonlinear lift increase due to the presence of a separation bubble on the suction side. A distinctive flow feature of the owl airfoil is a separation bubble on the pressure side at low angles of attack. The separation bubble switches location from the pressure side to the suction side as the angle of attack increases and is continuously present on the surface within a wide range of angles of attack. The Reynolds number dependency on the lift curves is insignificant, although differences in the drag curves are especially pronounced at high angles of attack. Eventually, we obtain the geometric feature of the owl-like airfoil to increase aerodynamic performance at low Reynolds numbers.

An Investigation into the Effects of the Reynolds Number on High-Speed Trains Using a Low Temperature Wind Tunnel Test Facility

A series of tests have been conducted using a Cryogenic Wind Tunnel to study the effect of Reynolds number(Re)on the aerodynamic force and surface pressure experienced by a high speed train.The test Reynolds number has been varied from 1 million to 10 million,which is the highest Reynolds number a wind tunnel has ever achieved for a train test.According to our results,the drag coefficient of the leading car decreases with higher Reynolds number for yaw angles up to 30º.The drag force coefficient drops about 0.06 when Re is raised from 1 million to 10 million.The side force is caused by the high pressure at the windward side and the low pressure generated by the vortex at the lee side.Both pressure distributions are not appreciably affected by Reynolds number changes at yaw angles up to 30°.The lift force coefficient increases with higher Re,though the change is small.At a yaw angle of zero the down force coefficient is reduced by a scale factor of about 0.03 when the Reynolds number is raised over the considered range.At higher yaw angles the lift force coefficient is reduced about 0.1.Similar to the side force coefficient,the rolling moment coefficient does not change much with Re.The magnitude of the pitching moment coefficient increases with higher Re.This indicates that the load on the front bogie is higher at higher Reynolds numbers.The yawing moment coefficient increases with Re.This effect is more evident at higher yaw angles.The yawing moment coefficient increases by about 6%when Re is raised from 1 million to 10 million.The influence of Re on the rolling moment coefficient around the leeward rail is relatively smaller.It increases by about 2%over the considered range of Re.

Experimental Investigation of Reynolds Number Effect on Wind Turbine Profiles in the Cryogenic Wind Tunnel Cologne DNW-KKK

Wind turbine size has increased continuously and correspondingly also its Reynolds numbers. The Reynolds number effect can therefore no longer be ignored in design and optimization of wind turbines. Reliable profile test data should be available. A suitable facility for testing wind turbine profiles at high Reynolds numbers is the Cryogenic Wind Tunnel Cologne DNW-KKK. By means of injecting liquid nitrogen the tunnel can be cooled down to 100 K and the Reynolds number therefore can be raised accordingly. The maximum Reynolds number for 2D profile tests can reach 27x10^6. In this paper the test uncertainty and the flow quality of DNW-KKK were analyzed. Then some test results on the Reynolds number effect of the wind turbine profiles will be presented. The Reynolds number effect is different from model to model. Especially for thick profiles and flow control devices the Reynolds number effect is not always like the description in literature.

Effects of relative thickness on aerodynamic characteristics of airfoil at a low Reynolds number

This study focuses on the characteristics of low Reynolds number flow around airfoil of high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles（HAUAVs） cruising at low speed.Numerical simulation on the flows around several representative airfoils is carried out to investigate the low Reynolds number flow.The water tunnel model tests further validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the numerical method.Then the effects of the relative thickness of airfoil on aerodynamic performance are explored, using the above numerical method, by simulating flows around airfoils of different relative thicknesses（12%, 14%, 16%, 18%）, as well as different locations of the maximum relative thickness（x/c = 22%, 26%, 30%, 34%）, at a low Reynolds number of 5 × 10^5.Results show that performance of airfoils at low Reynolds number is mainly affected by the laminar separation bubble.On the premise of good stall characteristics, the value of maximum relative thickness should be as small as possible, and the location of the maximum relative thickness ought to be closer to the trailing edge to obtain fine airfoil performance.The numerical method is feasible for the simulation of low Reynolds number flow.The study can help to provide a basis for the design of low Reynolds number airfoil.

Effects of surface roughness on the aerodynamic performance of a high subsonic compressor airfoil at low Reynolds number

The aerodynamic performance of compressor airfoil is significantly affected by the surface roughness at low Reynolds number(Re).In the present study,numerical simulations have been conducted to investigate the impact of surface roughness on the profile loss of a high subsonic compressor airfoil at Re=1.5×10^(5).Four roughness locations,covering 10%,30%,50%and 100%of the suction surface from the leading edge and seven roughness magnitudes(Ra)ranging from 52 to525 lm were selected.Results showed that the surface roughness mainly determined the loss generation process by influencing the structure of the Laminar Separation Bubble(LSB)and the turbulence level near the wall.For all the roughness locations,the variation trend for the profile loss with the roughness magnitude was similar.In the transitionally rough region,the negative displacement effect of the LSB was suppressed with the increase of roughness magnitude,leading to a maximum decrease of 14.6%,16.04%,16.45%and 10.20%in the profile loss at Ra=157 lm for the four roughness locations,respectively.However,with a further increase of the roughness magnitude in the fully rough region,the stronger turbulent dissipation enhanced the growth rate of the turbulent boundary layer and increased the profile loss instead.By comparison,the leading edge roughness played a dominant role in the boundary layer development and performance variation.To take fully advantage of the surface roughness reducing profile loss at low Re,the effects of roughness on suppressing LSB and inducing strong turbulent dissipation should be balanced effectively.

桥梁风工程研究中的雷诺数效应研究进展

桥梁风工程研究中的雷诺数效应问题是伴随着风洞试验方法产生的一个基础性问题,随着桥梁尺寸的增大其雷诺数也逐渐增大,风洞试验雷诺数和实桥梁雷诺数的差别对试验结果的影响越来越受重视。该研究阐述了雷诺数效应问题的由来,回顾了雷诺数效应研究的发展历程,总结了针对圆形断面、矩形断面、主梁断面等不同桥梁结构断面雷诺数效应问题的研究进展,包括结构周围流场、气动力、风致振动随雷诺数的变化,指出了桥梁风工程雷诺数效应研究中尚待解决的问题,为今后该领域的研究提供参考和建议。

面向民机标模的宽域高雷诺数小样本气动建模方法研究

目前飞行雷诺数下复杂工况地面试验需要的运行成本极高,高雷诺数流态下的试验数据少而稀,变雷诺数气动力精确模化存在严重的数据不均衡和小样本问题,因此,气动仿真精度亟待提升。为解决变雷诺数气动力获取成本与模型精度之间的矛盾,聚焦后续飞行器设计的降本增效,以CHN-T1运输机标模为研究对象,通过数据融合和信息迁移两大策略,降低了预测模型对高雷诺数样本的依赖,实现了宽域高雷诺数小样本气动特性的快速预测。本研究利用覆盖亚跨声速、百万至千万量级变雷诺数下的18条气动力曲线构建了宽域变雷诺数气动数据集,设计了涵盖不同速域、雷诺数和马赫数外插等多种复杂度的算例进行分析验证,将仅利用单一来源试验数据构建的模型精度作为基准,对比了不同方法的特点。结果表明,利用10条左右的高精度气动力曲线作为建模数据时,采用基于神经网络的数据融合方法得到的气动预测模型均方根误差可降低50%以上,信息迁移方法得到的气动力预测模均方根误差也可降低至少40%。

低雷诺数翼型多目标优化设计研究

为消除低雷诺数下对称翼型小迎角范围内的气动力非线性现象,基于高斯过程回归模型及NSGA‑Ⅱ多目标遗传算法并耦合RANS的数值方法建立了低雷诺数翼型优化设计程序,以多个状态下小迎角范围内的平均巡航因子为目标函数开展翼型优化设计。结果表明:优化翼型具有明显的几何凸起,有效改变了分离泡的位置和类型,进而显著改善翼型气动特性,Re=4×104时小迎角范围内的升力系数非线性现象基本消失。进一步分析发现优化翼型的凸起增强了壁面的对流影响和来流抵抗逆压梯度的能力,进而改善了翼型的气动特性。

不同雷诺数下4∶1圆角矩形柱气动力特性及流场数值模拟研究

圆角化处理的矩形柱绕流具有复杂的气动力和流场特性。为深入了解圆角矩形柱的雷诺数(Reynolds number, Re)效应,采用基于计算流体力学(Computational fluid dynamics, CFD)的大涡模拟(Large eddy simulation,LES)方法,开展了不同Re下宽高比4∶1圆角矩形柱绕流数值模拟,研究了不同Re下圆角矩形柱的气动力系数、斯特劳哈尔数(Strouhal number, St)、风压系数和流场等变化规律。结果表明:表面风压和时均流场在Re≤4×10^(3)时,Re效应显著,但当Re>4×10^(3)时,Re效应较弱。当Re≤4×10^(3)时,升力系数均方根和平均阻力系数随着Re先增大后减小,在Re=1×10^(3)时达到最大;而St先增大后减小再增大,分别在Re=2×10^(3)时达到最大,在Re=4×10^(3)时达到最小。回流长度随着Re先减小后增大,尾流旋涡中心逐渐后移。

火星超低雷诺数下螺旋桨气动性能研究

火星超低雷诺数环境导致螺旋桨系统气动特性相比于地球环境显著恶化,翼型表面层流分离现象影响了火星螺旋桨的气动特性.为设计出适应火星低雷诺数环境的螺旋桨,深入了解超低雷诺数对翼型气动特性的作用机理,采用Transition SST转捩模型求解非定常可压缩N-S方程的数值模拟技术,对几种适用于低雷诺数环境的翼型进行火星超低雷诺数环境下气动特性模拟计算,从而选取最适应火星大气环境的翼型.结果表明CLF5605翼型具有更好的气动性能.对选定的翼型进行不同超低雷诺数下气动特性模拟计算,揭示了超低雷诺数对翼型气动特性的影响,即在火星大气雷诺数范围内,更高的雷诺数对应更好的气动性能;对雷诺数从100~20000翼型表面边界层状态进行数值模拟,发现翼型层流分离结构发生显著变化,从低雷诺数下的层流边界层状态,随着雷诺数的增加开始发生层流分离,在翼型尾缘产生层流分离泡,并最终变成湍流边界层.采用最小能量损失的方法设计火星螺旋桨,对其气动性能进行了数值模拟仿真,并对轻量化制造的螺旋桨进行了地面台架实验验证,通过将地面实验结果与CFD数值模拟仿真结果对比,验证了螺旋桨轻量化设计合理性以及数值计算的准确性.

临近空间球载飞行器投放控制关键技术综述

临近空间作为地球新的认知领域和重要的国家安全空间逐渐受到世界主要大国的重视.临近空间飞行器球载投放起飞方式能够使飞行器快速达到期望的飞行高度,同时减少因穿越对流层稠密大气所需的能源消耗,因而受到广泛关注并迅速发展成为临近空间飞行器起飞的一种重要方式.独特的球载投放起飞方式对高空气球及被投放飞行器的多项控制关键技术提出了较高的要求,高空低密度的飞行环境使得低速飞行具有明显的低雷诺数特性,随高度剧烈变化的风场增加了球载平台定点区域驻空的难度,载球系统上升过程的旋转运动给投放控制带来巨大的干扰,投放时刻的判断与拉起控制给大翼展柔性飞行器带来了新挑战.本文梳理了临近空间球载飞行器投放控制的关键技术及其研究现状,并对其未来的应用进行了展望.

雷诺数对高负荷低速涡轮性能影响的试验研究

为了研究雷诺数对高负荷低压低速涡轮性能的影响规律,以某双级高负荷低压低速涡轮为研究对象,在涡轮部件试验器上开展了变雷诺数试验研究。控制其他相似参数保持一致,通过来流节流、出口引射的方式改变涡轮内雷诺数水平。共采集了6个雷诺数状态下的气动参数,分析了雷诺数对涡轮总特性及测量截面流场参数的变化规律。结果表明,该涡轮效率随着雷诺数的降低而显著降低,研究雷诺数范围内,效率降低了2.8%;在低雷诺数下,第二级导叶通道涡、尾缘涡等涡系尺度及强度均发展壮大,气动损失增加;第二级动叶轮周功减小,做功能力损失6.3%。

高空菱形翼布局无人机气动特性

为了获取无人机执行情报、监视和侦察等特种任务时的长航时优势,菱形翼布局无人机受到了大家的极大关注。高空菱形翼布局无人机通过前后翼搭接,能够有效增加整机展弦比,同时由于飞行高度高,飞行速度低,流动存在层流-分离-转捩等特殊流动现象,流动具有复杂性。本文采用数值模拟方法,对菱形翼布局无人机在低雷诺数下的气动特性进行了研究。结果表明:菱形翼气动布局具有较好的气动特性,存在着前后翼相互干扰的问题。随着前后翼距离靠近,前翼受阻滞、后翼受下洗效应越严重;同时,在大迎角下,后翼受前翼下洗影响流动分离延迟,使整机气动焦点后移,纵向静稳定裕度增大。

火星直升机旋翼翼型气动特性研究

受火星稀薄大气影响,火星直升机旋翼工作在低雷诺数、高马赫数的特殊气动环境下,旋翼翼型的气动特性与地球常规翼型具有较大差别。采用CFD方法开展火星直升机旋翼翼型数值计算研究,分析翼型相对厚度、弯度及最大弯度位置等几何参数对翼型气动性能与流动特性的影响,为火星直升机旋翼翼型的研究提供参考。同时,通过对几种典型的低雷诺数翼型的气动性能进行计算分析,发现CLF5605翼型的综合性能更为优异,更符合火星直升机对旋翼翼型的要求。

一种可折叠巡检与救援无人机的气动外形设计

对便携可折叠巡检无人机的气动外形进行初步设计。总体设计便携可折叠巡检无人机的气动特性,包括无人机布局方案、无人机折叠设计以及无人机的布局设计,并对机翼的气动设计与选择进行深入探讨。在二维气动特性的分析和比较中,选择NACA系列的NACA 0012、NACA 2412和Eppler 387翼型。比对结果表明,在巡航状态下,Eppler 387翼型表现出足够的升力并同时保持较低的阻力,使得该巡检无人机在各种飞行条件下均能达到最佳性能。

风力机新系列翼型气动性能研究

风力机翼型气动性能是风力机气动设计和性能分析的重要基础。采用粘性和无粘性结合的分析计算方法 ,对风力机新系列翼型进行了气动性能研究 ,用低雷诺数翼型分析和设计软件XFOIL分析了FFA W3系列两种翼型在不同雷诺数和不同马赫数下的气动性能 ,并与实验数据进行了比较 。

微型飞行器低雷诺数空气动力学

微型飞行器(MAVs)设计绝不是常规飞行器在尺度上的简单缩小,面临许多技术难题．其中微型飞行器低雷诺数空气动力学是其最为根本的技术瓶颈之一,也是当前受到广泛关注的热点之一．本文紧密结合微型飞行器技术,对这一领域中所面临的低雷诺数空气动力学问题和近两年来该方向国内一些新的进展进行了较为详细的介绍．按照MAVs飞行方式和结构特性进行分类,简单介绍微型飞行器研究中的低Re数空气动力学问题．首先介绍了二维和三维固定翼低雷诺数空气动力学问题:包括层流分离泡,翼型升力系数小攻角非线性效应,静态迟滞效应,以及低Re数小展弦比机翼气动特性．第2,介绍了拍动翼低雷诺数空气动力学方面的研究工作．包括前人提出的昆虫低Re数下获得高升力的多种非定常拍动翼飞行机制:Wagner效应、Weis-Fogh效应(clap-and-fling)、延迟失速效应(delayed stall)、Kramer效应(rotational forces)、尾迹捕获效应(wake capture)、附加质量效应(added mass)等．以及国内学者近几年在拍动翼方面取得的一些研究成果．第3,介绍了柔性翼低雷诺数气动问题．研究表明柔性翼对于固定翼微型飞行器提高抗阵风能力,拍动翼微型飞行器产生足够的升力和推力．最后简单介绍了可变形翼(morphing wing)微型飞行器方面的一些研究工作,指出微型飞行器技术可以通过采用可变形翼设计,突破众多的技术瓶颈．另一方面,可变形翼概念可以通过在低成本,低速的MAVs上进行飞行试验,获得非常好的验证平台．

低压涡轮内部流动及其气动设计研究进展

随着高空无人飞行器研究的不断升温,高空低雷诺数条件下动力装置的研究越来越受到人们的重视.结合近年来国内外相关领域的研究工作,对低雷诺数低压涡轮内部复杂流动机理的研究进展进行了介绍,包括低雷诺数情况下低压涡轮内部非定常流动的特点,叶片边界层分离及转捩现象机理,上游周期性尾迹与下游叶片边界层相互作用机理等.在此基础上给出了适合低雷诺数条件的低压涡轮气动设计方法:尾迹通过与边界层的相互作用,能够抑制分离,进而减小叶型损失,在气动设计中有效引入非定常效应可以大幅度提高低压涡轮的气动负荷或降低气动损失,最终达到提高性能的目的;数值及实验结果验证了这种设计方法的有效性.

雷诺数对飞机气动特性的影响研究

采用CARDC自主开发的基于非结构混合网格技术的大规模并行解算器MFlow,对运输类飞机和战斗机气动特性的雷诺数影响规律进行了研究。通过对不同翼型气动特性的雷诺数影响进行数值模拟研究,探讨了雷诺数对运输类飞机和战斗机气动特性影响不同的原因,得到了翼型厚度和弯度是雷诺数影响气动特性的关键参数的结论。