Abstract
We experimentally show, for the first time, that a stable Leading-Edge Vortex (LEV) can be formed on an asymmetric spinnaker, which is a high-lift sail used by yachts to sail downwind. We tested a 3D printed rigid sail in a water flume at a chord-based Reynolds number of ca. 104. We found that on the leeward side of the sail (the suction side), the flow separates at the leading edge reattaching further downstream and forming a stable LEV. The LEV grows in diameter from the root to the tip of the sail, where it merges with the tip vortex. We detected the LEV using the γ criterion, and we verified its sta- bility over time. The lift contribution provided by the LEV was computed solving a complex potential model of each sail section. This analysis indicated that the LEV provides a substantial contribution to the total sail’s lift. These findings suggest that the maximum lift of low-aspect-ratio wings with a sharp leading edge, such as spinnakers, can be enhanced by promoting a stable LEV.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 23 Aug 2017 |
| Event | The 70th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics - Colorado Convention Center, Denver, United States Duration: 19 Nov 2017 → 21 Nov 2017 http://www.apsdfd2017.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | The 70th Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics |
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| Abbreviated title | APS DFD17 |
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Denver |
| Period | 19/11/17 → 21/11/17 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- delta wing
- bird wing aerodynamics
- leading-edge vortex