Three-dimensional flow past rotating wing at low Reynolds number: a computational study

Abstract

In this work, we performed a computational study on the three-dimensional (3D) flow past a rotating wing at a low Reynolds number (Re = 200). The 3D vortical structures and aerodynamic performances of the rotating wing with different aspect ratios and rotating speeds are computed and analyzed. A quasi-steady model is adopted for prediction of aerodynamic performances of the wing, and its applicability is evaluated by the computation. It is found that there exists a periodic vortex shedding pattern at a low rotating speed, while vortices may cluster near the wing when rotating speed is high enough. The wake vortex topology is also affected by the aspect ratio. The current quasisteady aerodynamic model could only be used for rotating wing aerodynamics at a low rotating speed when regularly periodic vortex shedding exists.