Robust control of flow separation over a pitching aerofoil using plasma actuators

Pasquale, Laura; Broglia, R.; Choi, K.S.; Durante, D.; Zanchetta, Pericle

Abstract

We address the problem of controlling the unsteady flow separation over an aerofoil, using plasma actuators. Despite the complexity of the dynamics of interest, we show how the problem of controlling flow separation can be formulated as a simple output regulation problem, so that a simple control strategy may be used. A robust multivariable feedback control is designed and tested in a configuration with two actuator/sensor pairs. Accurate numerical simulations of incompressible flows on a pitching NACA 0012 at Reynolds Re = 20,000 are performed in order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Robust, fast flow reattachment is achieved, along with both stabilisation and increase/reduction of the lift/drag, respectively. The control system shows good dynamic performances, as the angle of attack is varied. The chosen output can be experimentally measured by appropriate sensors and the extension of the proposed approach to 3D configurations is straightforward.

Citation

Pasquale, L., Broglia, R., Choi, K., Durante, D., & Zanchetta, P. (in press). Robust control of flow separation over a pitching aerofoil using plasma actuators. IFAC papers online, 50(1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2017.08.1000

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Conference Name: 20th World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control, IFAC
• End Date: Jul 14, 2017
• Acceptance Date: Feb 27, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 21, 2017
• Journal: IFAC Papers Online
• Print ISSN: 1474-6670
• Electronic ISSN: 1474-6670
• Publisher: International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2017.08.1000
• Keywords: Flow control, Robust control, Flow separation, Plasma actuators, Boundary layer control
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/888645
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405896317314763
• Related Public URLs: https://www.ifac2017.org/
• Additional Information: Paper given at the 20th World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control, Toulouse, France, 9-14 July 2017.