Dropped leading-edge aerofoil for improved aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance

Madi, Fakhreddine; Yao, Yufeng; O’Donnell, Matthew P.; Win Naung, Shine

Abstract

Extended Abstract Ensuring the optimal performance of aerofoils is a critical engineering design challenge in aviation. The difficulty of enhancing aerodynamic efficiency whilst simultaneously reducing aeroacoustic emissions is well documented. Although traditional static and morphing leading-edge designs have achieved notable performance improvements recent advancements indicate that dynamically actuated leading-edge technologies could offer even greater benefits. We present a harmonic dropped Leading-Edge Aerofoil (DLEA) that oscillates dynamically adapting to changing flow conditions in real-time. The concept of the Harmonic DLEA involves a dynamically oscillating leading-edge, proposed with the idea that it can adjust to changing flow conditions in real-time. This adaptation has the potential to enhance lift-to-drag ratios while significantly reducing unwanted noise. Recently, Wang et al. [1] demonstrated substantial advancements in aerodynamic performance of continuous morphing wings with parabolic leading-edge and trailing-edge flaps. The parametrization framework developed by Wang et al. [1] builds on the work of Hunsaker et al. [2] extending it to accommodate simultaneous leading and trailing-edge geometrical transformations. Improvements in the lift-to-drag ratio were observed for specific operating conditions. A reduction of flow separation and increasing lift was shown across a range of angles of attack highlighting the benefits of this approach. The present study leverages the geometric model of Wang et al. [1] to integrate harmonic motion to achieve real-time adaptability, optimised flow control and enhance aeroacoustic performance, extending understanding from static to dynamic morphing control. Figure 1 provides an example of the morphing configurations investigated by our study from which we will demonstrate additional aerodynamic benefits going beyond static systems. The renewable energy sector has also explored adaptable aerofoils, for example, Smith and Wang [3] investigated serrated leading-edges on wind turbine blades. They identified a mechanism for noise reduction but noted an accompanying trade-off in aerodynamic efficiency. Here we try to minimise * Corresponding author Email address: [e-mail] (Fakhreddine Madi) 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 x-coordinates [m]-0.08-0.06-0.04-0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 Y-coordinates [m]

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 59th 3AF International Conference on Applied Aerodynamics
• Start Date: Mar 24, 2024
• End Date: Mar 26, 2024
• Acceptance Date: Dec 9, 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 7, 2025
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Morphing Aerofoil; Unsteady Aerodynamics; Aeroacoustics; dropped Leading-Edge Aerofoil; Harmonic motion
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13540022