DIAgnostics, MOdeling and coNtrol of airfoils in Dynamic Stall regimes

Aerodynamic forces generated by rotor blades and wings in unsteady regime modulates when the angle-of-attack (AoA) is dynamically varied.

One of the important phenomena that occurs with the increase in the magnitude of the AoA modulations is the dynamic stall (DS) which entails large excursions of the aerodynamic forces in turn introducing strong vibrations (alongside noise generation) and structural fatigue.

The emergence of 3D flow features (i.e. stall cells) further complicates the DS phenomenon and leads to spanwise modulation of lift and drag.

Overally, DIAMONDS seeks to address time-resolved (TR) and three-dimensional (3D) diagnostics, modeling and control of airfoils in DS regimes.

Objectives of DIAMONDS are: 1) characterization of the pitching airfoil in the DS regime using a TR-3D particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) method, 2) investigation of leading-edge (LE) tubercles to control spanwise lift and drag modulation acting on the stall cells, and 3) development of an unsteady stall cell characterization model through extension of the unsteady lifting-line theory (ULLT) to the 3D flow structures also in presence of LE tubercles.

Implemented in TU Delft, and supervised by Prof. Fulvio Scarano and Dr.

Morgan Mogeng Li, DIAMONDS will allow me to diversify my individual competence by acquiring new scientific and non-scientific skills.

DIAMONDS will strongly benefit my inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary expertise and strengthen my international network.

A two-way transfer of knowledge is guaranteed since DIAMONDS combines my expertise in analytical aerodynamic modeling with the hosts expertise in the state-of-the-art 3D optical flow diagnostics methods.

In addition to creating high quality new knowledge about stall cells and DS phenomenon and its control, DIAMONDS leads to wind turbines and rotorcraft that are safer and much quieter and have less environmental consequences and also makes it possible to fly with less fuel or generate energy at a lower cost.