• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2022

This research work presents an experimental study's outcomes to reveal the impact of an O-ring on the flow control over a sphere placed in a turbulent boundary layer. The investigation is performed quantitatively and qualitatively using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and dye visualization. The sphere model having a diamater of 42.5 mm is located in a turbulent boundary layer flow over a smooth plate for gap ratios of 0≤G/D≤1.5 at Reynolds number of 5 × 10³. Flow characteristics, including patterns of instantaneous vorticity, streaklines, time-averaged streamlines, velocity vectors, velocity fluctuations, Reynolds stress correlations, and turbulence kinetic energy (), are compared and discussed for a naked sphere and spheres having O-rings. The boundary layer velocity gradient and proximity of the sphere to the flat plate profoundly influence the flow dynamics. At proximity ratios of G/D=0.1 and 0.25, a wall jet is formed between lower side of the sphere and flat plate, and velocity fluctuations increase in regions close to the wall. At G/D=0.25, the jet flow also induces local flow separations on the flat plate. At higher proximity ratios, the velocity gradient of the boundary layer causes asymmetries in the mean flow characteristics and turbulence values in the wake region. It is observed that the O-ring with various placement angles (𝜃) on the sphere has a considerable alteration in the flow structure and turbulence statistics on the wake. At lower placement angles, where the O-ring is closer to the forward stagnation point of the sphere, the flow control performance of the O-ring is limited; however, its impact on the flow separation becomes pronounced as it is moved away from the forward stagnation point. At G/D=1.50 for O-ring diameters of 4.7 (2 mm) and 7 (3 mm) percent of the sphere diameter, the -ring exhibits remarkable flow control at 𝜃=50° and 𝜃=55° before laminar flow separation occurrence on the sphere surface, respectively. This conclusion is yielded from narrowed wakes and reductions in turbulence statistics compared to the naked sphere model. The O-ring with a diameter of 3 mm and placement angle of 50° exhibits the most effective flow control. It decreases, in sequence, streamwise velocity fluctuations and length of wake recovery region by 45% and 40%, respectively, which can be evaluated as source of decrement in drag force.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.417-427
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• 2016

This paper is the first investigation of the steady flow characteristics of an SI engine with a semi-wedge combustion chamber as a function of the port shape. For this purpose, the planar velocity profiles were measured at the 1.75B position by particle image velocimetry. The flow patterns were examined with both a straight and a helical port. Two swirls were observed up to 4 mm valve lift with the straight port and up to 2 mm with the helical one; however, only one swirl was present after these lifts. The flow characteristics changed suddenly between 4 and 5 mm lift in the straight port; on the other hand, the change with lift was gradual with the helical port - the transition points between flow regimes were different with the port shapes. In addition, the centers of the swirls were relatively far from the cylinder center so that the effect of eccentricity may not be negligible at 1.75B, regardless the shape. The eccentricity values with the straight port were especially high - over 0.5 for all lifts. Finally, real velocities were found to be much lower than those predicted by the assumption of ISM evaluation, with the profiles differing qualitatively as well.