Discrete adjoint based optimal active control of separation on a realistic high-lift configuration

Abstract

This paper presents a framework for the optimal active separation control mechanism on a realistic high-lift configuration. To control the separation, synthetic jet actuation is applied on the pressure and suction side of a 3D wing with slats, flaps and flap track fairings. Flowcontrol is realised by varying the parameters of actuation like amplitude, frequency, phase shift and blowing angles.An optimal set of actuation parameters that delay the separation and enhance the aerodynamic performance is found by combining a gradient based optimisation algorithm with a discrete adjoint Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) solver. A detailed analysis of the sensitivities with respect to the actuation parameters is presented. Optimisation has yielded a noticeable increase in the lift compared to the initial actuated flow.