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Performance of the bio-inspired leading edge protuberances on a static wing and a pitching wing

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Abstract

It is shown that the leading edge protuberances on the flippers of a humpback whale can significantly improve the hydrodynamic performance. The present study numerically investigates the flow control mechanisms of the leading edge protuberances on a static wing and a pitching wing. For static wings, the performance in both laminar flow and turbulent flow are studied in the context of the flow control mechanisms. It is shown that the protuberances have slight effects on the performance of static wings in laminar flow. Also, it could be deduced that non-uniform downwash does not delay the stall occurrence in either laminar flow or turbulent flow. In turbulent flow, the leading edge protuberances act in a manner similar to vortex generators, enhancing the momentum exchange within the boundary layer. Streamwise vortices do contribute to the delay of the stall occurrence. The normal vorticity component also plays an important role in delaying the stall occurrence. However, for the pitching wing, the effect of leading edge protuberances is negligible in turbulent flow. Detailed analysis of the flow field indicates that for the wing with the leading edge protuberances, the leading edge vortices become more complex, while the thrust jet and the vortices in the wake are not changed significantly by the leading edge protuberances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering Mechanics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Ya-yun Wang  (王雅赟), Wen-rong Hu  (胡文蓉) & Shi-dong Zhang  (张仕栋)

  2. MOE Key Laboratory of Hydrodynamics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Wen-rong Hu  (胡文蓉)

  3. Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Chiba University International Cooperative Research Center (SJTC-CUICRC), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Wen-rong Hu  (胡文蓉) & Shi-dong Zhang  (张仕栋)

Authors
  1. Ya-yun Wang  (王雅赟)
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  2. Wen-rong Hu  (胡文蓉)
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  3. Shi-dong Zhang  (张仕栋)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wen-rong Hu  (胡文蓉).

Additional information

Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11072152, 1472173).

Biography: WANG Ya-yun (1990-), Female, Master

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Wang, Yy., Hu, Wr. & Zhang, Sd. Performance of the bio-inspired leading edge protuberances on a static wing and a pitching wing. J Hydrodyn 26, 912–920 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(14)60100-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6058(14)60100-1

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