Passing-over leading-edge vortex: The thrust booster in heaving airfoil

Abstract

The thrust generated by heaving airfoil in incompressible flow is studied both numerically and theoretically. It is found that the behaviors of leading-edge vortex (LEV) under different airfoil’s transverse velocities have an important influence on the thrust. When this velocity is small, the LEV is advected downstream regularly; however, as transverse velocity increases, the LEV can be pushed back to the leading edge again and pass over it to the opposite side of the airfoil. In cases with the LEV passing over the leading edge, the maximum transient thrust can be enhanced by several times compared with that in the single-stroke motion. The reason and critical condition for the occurrence of passing-over leading-edge vortex (PO-LEV) are found. Based on the source of the pressure Poisson equation, a near-field force theory is developed and used together with the boundary vorticity flux (BVF) theory to clarify the thrust enhancement mechanisms.