Optimisation of air-jet vortex generators with respect to system design parameters

Abstract

Abstract A simple technique is proposed that allows the definition of the geometry and characteristics of an air-jet vortex generator to be defined, using the system requirements in practical design. Typically, the aircraft designer is concerned with the mass flow-rate and air pressure requirements of any pneumatic system for inclusion to an airframe. These parameters are not congruent with those for air-jet vortex generator aerodynamic design, and therefore, some tool is required to bridge the gap. Such a tool is proposed, based on empirical methods for the prediction of air-jet vortex generator behaviour. The technique allows the comparison of the vortex strength, and the system inputs (the jet mass flow-rate and the air-jet plenum pressure) for the air-jet, for a range of jet nozzle diameters and jet velocity ratios. Through this comparison, the optimum air-jet design can be reached for a given system input.