Pneumatic flow control studies using steady blowing on a supercritical aerofoil

Experimental studies have been conducted on a NASA 17-percent thick supercritical aerofoil with a Coanda trailing edge at subsonic speeds in both the boundary-layer control and circulation control regimes. Detailed boundary-layer surveys were performed along the mid span on the suction surface and around the Coanda trailing edge. The wake located at 43% chord-length behind the aerofoil was measured with a single-component hotwire anemometer, and the profile drag coefficients were calculated from the integration of wake momentum deficit. Lift forces and pitching moments were recorded from -20deg to +20deg incidence using a 3-component force balance. In the circulation control regime, the boundary-layer results indicated that separation bubbles are not present at high incidences compared to the boundary-layer control regime, and that minimised the potential for flow separation delay around the Coanda trailing edge. The spectral analysis of the wake showed a significant reduction of wake fluctuations at high incidences and improvement of the stability at the edge of the wake. The study of aerodynamic forces suggested the need to increase the blowing momentum coefficient if the circulation control is used near the stalling angle-of-attack.