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AEM Seminar: On the Control of a Canonical Separated Flow

Louis N. Cattafesta III, University Eminent Scholar & Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Florida A&M University/Florida State University - College of Engineering

2:30 PM on 2019-04-12

3-230 Keller Hall


Abstract:

Flow separation is generally an undesirable phenomenon that produces adverse aerodynamic effects. Control of flow separation is a complex problem and thus a popular area of research. A common obstacle is the lack of understanding of the complex fluid mechanics in cases of flow separation, evident by the substantial amount of flow control achieved through trial-and-error methods. The purpose of this work is to better understand the nature of separation for improved active control methods, which includes closed-loop control via reduced order methods. Control of a canonical separation problem, with the key features of separated flow, is achieved at a chord Reynolds number of 105. Separation is created on a flat-plate model, devoid of curvature that would otherwise include effects particular to the type of aerodynamic body. The characteristics of the imposed separation are evaluated with the intent of having a nominally two-dimensional separated region, with the same essential flow characteristics of a more traditionally stalled airfoil. Results provide a reduced-order estimation technique that is used to identify global, dynamic modes through experimental measurements. Reattachment of the baseline separation is then achieved in open-loop control via zero-net mass-flux (ZNMF) actuation. Efficient reattachment is achieved by targeting the identified characteristic flow frequencies, enabling reattachment of the separated flow with less than a quarter of the control effort compared to open-loop high-frequency sinusoidal forcing. The baseline and control results are then used to identify a reduced-order model suitable for closed-loop control, with the resulting benefits of set-point tracking and full boundary layer reattachment with minimum control effort.

Bio:

Louis N. Cattafesta III is currently a University Eminent Scholar and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering. He is also the Director of the Florida Center for Advanced Aero Propulsion (FCAAP). He received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1986 from Penn State University, a MS degree in Aeronautics from MIT in 1988 via an AFRAPT Fellowship, and a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1992 from Penn State University via a PSU College of Engineering Dean’s Fellowship and a NASA GSRP Fellowship. In 1992, he joined High Technology Corporation as a Research Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center. His research at NASA Langley focused on supersonic laminar flow control and pressure- and temperature-sensitive paint measurement techniques, and in 1996 he was awarded the 1996 NASA Team Excellence Award for his contributions. At that time, he became involved in active control of flow-induced cavity oscillations, which provoked his current research interests in active flow control and aeroacoustics. He joined the University of Florida as an Assistant Professor in 1999 and was promoted to an Associate and Full Professor in 2003 and 2008, respectively, before joining Florida State University in 2012. Funding for his research has been provided by grants from NASA, AFOSR, ONR, NSF, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, General Electric, Gulfstream, among others. Dr. Cattafesta has co-authored 4 AIAA best conference paper awards in 2001, 2002, and two in 2004. He is the author or co-author of 7 US Patents, 7 book chapters, and approximately 90 archival journal publications. Dr. Cattafesta is an Associate Fellow of AIAA and a Fellow of APS and ASME. He is also a member of ASA. He is currently an Associate Editor for Experiments in Fluids. Prior to this he was an Associate Editor for AIAA Journal.


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