Virtual Shaping on NACA 0015 by Means of a High Momentum Coefficient Synthetic Jet

Results concerning flow control on a NACA 0015 airfoil using high power synthetic jets are presented for low incidences and for Reynolds numbers ranging from 132000 to 425000. The forcing was operated through a spanwise slit positioned near the leading edge at x/c=1.25% or at x/c=10% on the upper surface. Static pressure distribution measurements around the airfoil, wake surveys and smoke flow visualizations were performed. Pressure distributions were significantly modified around the injection location, showing an area of intense suction which increased the lift and strongly affected the drag. Flow visualizations highlighted that the intense suction was due to a virtual shaping effect caused by the formation of a recirculation bubble capable of displacing the streamlines. Low momentum deficits in the wake velocity distributions and, in certain conditions, jet-like flow was observed for the forced cases. Finally, a scaling law relating the bubble size to the forcing intensity is proposed.