A Perspective on Oscillating Foil Propulsion

Platzer M., ANILIR B., KURTULUŞ D. F.

in: Sustainable Aviation, Springer Nature, pp.283-289, 2024 identifier

  • Publication Type: Book Chapter / Chapter Research Book
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/978-3-031-42041-2_35
  • Publisher: Springer Nature
  • Page Numbers: pp.283-289
  • Keywords: Air vehicle propulsion, Boundary layer aerodynamics, Computational fluid dynamics, Flow control, Flow separation, Strouhal number, Unsteady foil aero-hydrodynamics
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this paper, a brief review is given of the physics of oscillating foil propulsion. It is then shown that the jet flow generated by an oscillating foil can be used as a flow control device. Experimental and computational fluid dynamic investigations are presented that show that the separated flow downstream of a rounded foil trailing edge can be reattached by positioning an oscillating foil in the separated flow region. Therefore, further studies of the interaction between small oscillating foils placed in the boundary layer or wake regions of stationary foils appear warranted.