Numerical Calculation of Wind Tip Vortex Formation for Different Wingtip devices

Abstract

In this study numerical calculations are conducted to understand implementation of different wingtip device for wingtip vortexes formation. Numerical methods are performed over NACA 0012 winglet at the varying Reynolds numbers from 0.5x106 to 1x106 with the angle of attack 10° and compared with other study. Implementations of winglet are divided into four categories and these are one winglet up or down sloping, split winglet up and down sloping, and single winglet with two-step inclined. First, up and down sloping winglet are designed and simulated then split winglet are investigated numerically with the varying angle. Finally, winglets with two step inclined angles are investigated. For the up sloping winglet, wingtip vortexes formation is reduced considerably as the angle with wing surface approaches 90 degrees. But vortexes formation is clearly happening at the angle starting less than 90° and beyond 135 degree. For the down sloping, while there is a visible vortex formation below 90 degrees but more uniform flow is observed compared to conventional wing tips at around 90 degrees. For the split winglet configurations, less vortex formation is observed generally compared to other. As a result, single or split winglet up or down sloping perpendicular or wider angle with lateral surface decreases wingtip vortex formations.

Keywords

• wingtip device
• wingtip
• vortexes
• fuel efficiency
• vortices