The Flow Over a Backward Facing Step Subjected to Multiple Synthetic Jet Actuators
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abstract
The ability of synthetic jet actuators to leverage natural instabilities in the flow field due to separation is reviewed for applications towards virtual shape change. The separating flow over a backward facing step of height h is studied under the influence of an actuator upstream and downstream of separation. Experimental tests were conducted in a wind tunnel using particle imaging velocimetry and time averaged static pressure data to measure and analyze the affected flow fields and pressure distribution. Results show a single actuator placed upstream of separation is capable of diminishing the separation region by up to 55%. By placing a second actuator downstream of separation, the ability to influence the pressure distribution has been shown. The two actuators demonstrated the ability to affect Cp and Cp/x in the region from 0 - 6h after the step. The location of the second actuator downstream was also shown to be no longer effective in influencing the pressure distributions after a distance of 4.67h downstream from the step.
