Lift Augmentation on a Tiltrotor Wing Using the Combination of Vortex Generators and Gurney’s Flap

Abstract

Recently, flow control using vortex generators (VGs) and a Gurney flap (GF) has received considerable attention, but independently. The purpose of this study is to perform a numerical investigation into the lift augmentation effects of a tiltrotor wing with the combination of VGs and GF. The numerical results were obtained with the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, and the turbulence was solved by the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation turbulence model. The separate and joint performances of these two control devices at different angles of attack are determined. It is shown that the combined configuration can provide greater lift augmentation than either device individually. Compared with the baseline wing, the implementation of both devices increases the stall angle of attack from 10° to 22°, and the maximum lift coefficient is improved by 82.33%.