Flow field characterization of a jet and vortex actuator

 An actuator, which produces several different flow fields that may be used for active flow control, is characterized in still air using flow visualization and velocity measurements. The primary actuator-induced flow fields are: free jets, wall jets, and vortex flows. The non-dimensional parameters governing these actuator-induced flows are developed. For the vortex-flow regime, the operational range of the actuator increases as it’s size decreases without a significant decrease in either the actuator induced velocity or vortex core size. The velocity scaling is developed for the vortex flow and suggests that the optimum actuator efficiency occurs at a Stokes number of approximately 7.9 for the range of parameters surveyed. In a turbulent, zero pressure gradient boundary layer, measurements made just downstream of the actuator (when operated in the vortex mode) indicate a vortical disturbance is generated in the boundary layer. Received: 2 September 1998/Accepted: 9 January 1999