Measurement of Tip Vortex Paths in the Wake of a HAWT Under Yawed Flow Conditions

Abstract

Tip vortex locations have been measured in the wake of a model rotor in both axial flow and yaw using quantitative flow visualization. For each setting, the axial force coefficient has been derived, as well, from measurements. The results agree well with those previously published on the Delft University of Technology model rotor. The main interest is to determine the tip vortex pitch, wake skew angle, wake expansion, and to physically interpret the data. The results also help to validate and construct models. The tip vortex location data complement the existing skewed wake velocity data from hot-wire anemometry, making it a valuable experimental database.