Strategies for practical implementations of low-input thermal flow control

Abstract

This study focuses on aspects of system integration of Active Flow Control which is based on thermal actuation, whereby higher air supply temperature results in reduced mass flow with no degradation in Active Flow Control performance. Optional approaches for practical system integration associated with heated supply are introduced. A set of thermal actuation methods will be presented and their effectiveness will be computationally demonstrated for an isolated blowing actuator and a fluidic oscillator. Applications to an airplane high-lift configuration will also be presented for different modes of actuation, further demonstrating the potential of thermal actuation. Actuators based on the high temperature air supply are presented. The article introduces potential strategies for system integration associated with heated supply, while highlighting the benefit of using available high-temperature sources for Active Flow Control.