Study on the Sensitivity of the Streamwise Location of MVG on SWBLI in MVG-Based Supersonic Flow Control

Abstract

Micro vortex generator (MVG) is a currently facile, robust, and feasible device for supersonic and hypersonic flow control. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact on SWBLI from the streamwise location of MVG. Large eddy simulation (LES) was conducted on MVG controlled supersonic ramp flow to reveal the sensitivity of MVG streamwise position on shock-wave boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) control. Numerical cases with minor different distances between MVG and ramp corner are carried out. The results are analyzed in time-averaged and instantaneous view, respectively. The results show that streamwise position has a significant effect on SWBLI in some aspects. With minor changes on the streamwise position, the ring-like vortices generated by MVG were very similar, with only small changes in height and intensity. However, the small changes made on the ring-like vortices produced relatively significant changes to the separation region in front of the ramp. In terms of the time-averaged solution, the farther the MVG is from the ramp, the higher the ring-like vortices are lifted, and the shock wave is also disturbed/reduced more strongly. Further, the flow separation zone on the wall also appears smaller. The results of this study play a guiding role for further optimal configuration of MVG in flow control.