Vortex wake control via smart structures technology

Todd R. Quackenbush; Alan J. Bilanin; Robert M. McKillip Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.239160

1 May 1996 Vortex wake control via smart structures technology

Todd R. Quackenbush, Alan J. Bilanin, Robert M. McKillip Jr.

Proceedings Volume 2721, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239160
Event: 1996 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1996, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Control of trailing vortex wakes is an important challenges for both military and civilian applications. This paper summarizes an assessment of the feasibility of mitigating adverse vortex wake effects using control surfaces actuated via Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology. The assessment involved a combined computational/design analysis that identified methods for introducing small secondary vortices to promote the deintensification of vortex wakes of submarines and aircraft. Computational analyses of wake breakup using this `vortex leveraging' strategy were undertaken, and showed dramatic increases in the dissipation rate of concentrated vortex wakes. This paper briefly summarizes these results and describes the preliminary design of actuation mechanisms for the deflectable surfaces that effect the required time-varying wake perturbations. These surfaces, which build on the high-force, high- deflection capabilities of SMA materials, are shown to be well suited for the very low frequency actuation requirements of the wake deintensification mission. The paper outlines the assessment of device performance capabilities and describes the sizing studies undertaken for full-scale Vortex Leveraging Tabs (VLTs) designed for use in hydrodynamic and aerodynamic applications. Results obtained to date indicate that the proposed VLTs can accelerate wake breakup by over a factor of three and can be implemented using deflectable surfaces actuated using SMAs.

Citation Download Citation

Todd R. Quackenbush, Alan J. Bilanin, and Robert M. McKillip Jr. "Vortex wake control via smart structures technology", Proc. SPIE 2721, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies, (1 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.239160

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