• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.131-148
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• 2022

The paper presents the surface-modified NACA 2412 airfoil performance with variable cavity characteristics such as size, shape and orientation, by numerically investigated with the pre-validation study. The study attempts to improve the airfoil aerodynamic performance at 30 m/s with a variable angle of attack (AOA) ranging from 0° to 20° under Reynolds number (R_e) 4.4×10⁵. Through passive surface control techniques, a boundary layer control strategy has been enhanced to improve flow performance. An intense background survey has been carried out over the modifier orientation, shape, and numbers to differentiate the sub-critical and post-critical flow regimes. The wall-bounded flows along with its governing equations are investigated using Reynolds Average Navier Strokes (RANS) solver coupled with one-equational transport Spalart Allmaras model. It was observed that the aerodynamic efficiency of cavity airfoil had been improved by enhancing maximum lift to drag ratio ((l/d) max) with delayed flow separation by keeping the flow attached beyond 0.25C even at a higher angle of attack. Detailed investigation on the cavity distribution pattern reveals that cavity depth and width are essential in degrading the early flow separation characteristics. In this study, overall general performance comparison, all the cavity airfoil models have delayed stalling compared to the original airfoil.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2020

The aircraft industry supports aviation by building aircraft and manufacturing aircraft parts for their maintenance. Fuel economization is one of the biggest concerns in the aircraft industry. The reduction in specific fuel consumption of aircraft can be achieved by a variety of means, simplest and more effective is the one to impose minor modifications in the aircraft main wing or the parts which are exposed to the air flow. This method can lead to a reduction in aerodynamic resistance offered by the air and have a smoother flight. The main objective of this study is to propose geometric design modifications on an existing aircraft wing which acts as a vortex generator and it can reduce the drag and increase lift to drag ratio, leading to lower fuel consumption. The NACA 2412 aircraft wing is modified and designed. Rigorous flow analysis is carried out using computational fluid dynamics based software Ansys Fluent. Results show that saw tooth modification to the main wing shows the best aerodynamic efficiency as compared to other modifications.