INVESTIGATION OF LEADING EDGE TUBERCLES FOR PERIODIC 3D WINGS WITH FLOW VISUALIZATION USING PIV LASER

Abstract

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a technique for visualizing the flow of particles. It has been used extensively to study different phenomena in aerodynamics, including vortex formation. Generally, there is plenty of research of airflow patterns during vortex formation at the tip of the airfoil. However, with advancements in research and technology, newer and more sophisticated flying apparatus have been developed in the past decades. For instance, quadcopters, wind-driven vehicles with propellers, and serrated wings to name a few. Flow patterns around these mechanisms are not studied sufficiently, since the mechanisms themselves were developed only recently. This study addresses the mentioned gap in research by obtaining airflow patterns around NACA 0012 wing profile, as well as the serrated wing by using particle image velocimetry. The methodology includes the experiment setup consisting of a wind tunnel, specialized camera, tracer particle generator, and PIV laser. PIV laser was set such that its rays reflected in a way that it could show the flow of particles around an airfoil. The tracer particle generator was set up in such a way that oil particles were plunged directly at the airfoil level, not higher than it and not lower. A mirror for reflecting laser beam and an adjustable table to fix and adjust the level of particle generator were added to the experimental setup later on to address some issues that arose during the experiment. Major findings of this research include visualization of the wing tip vortex of a NACA 0012 airfoil and the newly printed serrated wing profile.