Optimal Operation of the NACA0012-IK30 Airfoil

• Main Author: Camacho, Emanuel A. R.
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Silva, A. R. R., Marques, Flávio D.
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.6/13355
• topic: Unsteady airfoils; Bio-inspired flows; NACA0012-IK30 airfoil

The kinematics of oscillating airfoils are crucial to understanding subjects such as rotor dynamics and bio-inspired flows. Unsteady airfoils have been studied extensively, but there is an overall lack of knowledge regarding newer and more complex kinematics. The present paper builds upon previous studies of the NACA0012-IK30 airfoil by implementing a gradient-based method that searches for a leading-edge pitching amplitude that maximizes propulsive power. All of this is done numerically by solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the Intermittency Transition model. Results indicate that for higher reduced frequencies, higher leading-edge pitching amplitudes are required to maximize the mean propulsive power. Additionally, propulsive power is achieved with near-optimal propulsive efficiency, which is a common limitation of traditional flapping airfoils.