The second curvature correction for the straight segment approximation of periodic vortex wakes

Abstract

Abstract. The periodic, helical vortex wakes of wind turbines, propellers, and helicopters are often approximated using straight vortex segments which cannot reproduce the binormal velocity associated with the local curvature. This leads to the need for the first curvature correction, which is well known and understood. It is less well known that under some circumstances, the binormal velocity determined from straight segments needs a second correction when the periodicity returns the vortex to the proximity of the point at which the velocity is required. This paper analyzes the second correction by modelling the helical far wake of a wind turbine as an infinite row of equispaced vortex rings of constant radius and circulation. The ring spacing is proportional to the helix pitch. The second correction is required at small vortex pitch, which is typical of the operating conditions of large modern turbines. Then the velocity induced by the periodic wake can greatly exceed the local curvature contribution. The second correction is quadratic in the inverse of the number of segments per ring and linear in the inverse spacing. An approximate expression is developed for the second correction and shown to reduce the errors by an order of magnitude.