Three-dimensional characterization of passive flow control devices over an aircraft carrier ski-jump ramp

Abstract

The aircraft carrier is a key element in modern navies. On-board operations at sea take place under very severe conditions, which affect the aerodynamic flow on the flight deck. The ski-jump ramp is a curved runway that enables the aircraft to take-off using shorter runway distance. However, this geometry generates strong flow disturbances, mainly characterized by a recirculation bubble at the forward end of the ramp. This phenomenon reduces the aircraft performances and increases the pilot’s workload due to the unsteady forces which appear on the control surfaces. Passive flow control appears as a solution to this problem. Wind tunnel experimental research was developed in this study to mitigate the adverse aerodynamic effects of the ski-jump ramp presence. Different devices were tested using particle image velocimetry. Geometrical parameters of the devices were varied to study the effectiveness and select the best solution. Interesting results were found for the columnar vortex generator configurations. The optimum configuration could be applied shortly to the full-scale problem to reduce the adverse aerodynamic effects during take-off maneuvers.