Review of Mechanisms and Suppression Methods for Low-Frequency Pressure Fluctuations in Open-Jet Wind Tunnels

Abstract

Low-frequency pressure fluctuations are common in open-jet wind tunnels, affecting test accuracy and posing safety risks to the wind tunnels. These oscillations can be caused by different mechanisms in different wind tunnels, and it is often necessary to identify the specific mechanism responsible for the oscillation and develop appropriate control methods. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state of research on low-frequency pressure fluctuations in subsonic open-jet wind tunnels, with a particular emphasis on their generation mechanisms and control strategies. The primary source of excitation is attributed to the edgetone feedback formed by the impingement of the jet on the collector. The sound wavelength corresponding to the edgetone frequency is close to that of the plenum scale, facilitating resonance with both plenum-associated vibration modes and specific-order standing wave modes within the circuit loop, resulting in significant low-frequency pulsations. Passive control methods such as nozzle vortex generators and collector breathing gaps have been extensively employed due to their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The concluding section highlights some unresolved issues that require further investigation in this field.

Keywords

• open-jet wind tunnel
• low-frequency pressure fluctuation
• edgetone feedback
• control method
• vortex generator