Visualization of Vortex Wake Interactions
Author
Summary, in English
The fluid dynamics of insect wings and the fins and tails of fish are governed by vortex wake interactions, which are strongly related to the wing, fins and tail kinematics. By modeling the kinematics of these wings, fins and tails as a two-dimensionally flapping foil, the influence of the kinematics on the vortex wake interactions is studied. This is done by varying the non-dimensional advance ratio -which describes the amount of foil chord lengths traveled during one falling cycle- and keeping the other independent variables constant. The vortex wake interactions in the wake of the flapping foil as a function of the advance ratio were studied with so-called soap-film tunnel technique: a planar film of soap runs down between two wires at constant flow velocity. In this soap-film the vorticity field in the wake of the flapping foil can directly be visualized using a high speed camera and monochromatic illumination. Different vortex wake pattern domains were found for various advance ratios. This shows that the vortex wake interactions are strongly related to the advance ratio as well as the behavior of the Leading Edge Vortex (LEV). At low advance
Publishing year
2005
Language
English
Publication/Series
Proceedings of PSFVIP-5
Links
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Keywords
- soap film
- flapping flight
Status
Published