Evaluation criteria and performance comparison of actuators

Abstract

Active flow control (AFC) relies on actuators’ control authority as a primary enabling technology for flow manipulation. The requirements of the actuation systems are revisited and tools for critical evaluation of actuators are offered. The application in mind is boundary layer separation control. To be accepted by industry, system efficiency should always be assessed, not only the improvement in aerodynamic performance. Clearly there are additional considerations. A few performance based criteria for comparing different actuation concepts are offered, considering the actuation power and system weight. Relevant recent separation control data are compared and discussed.