Separating Boundary Layer Response to an Unsteady Turbulent Environment

An experimental investigation of the separating boundary layer of a wing subjected to periodic turbulent disturbances was conducted. Turbulence pulses were generated by a non-thrusting spinning rod placed upstream of the test airfoil at the reduced frequencies of .09 and .47. Time-varying velocity measurements were made at various heights above the 70 chord location at 12 deg. angle of attack nearly separated flow and 22 deg. angle of attack fully separated flow. Split-film anemometry was used to determine flow speed and direction. The flow responses were compared to the quasi-steady state of undisturbed separated flow. Variation of reduced frequency had a dramatic influence on the effects which the periodic disturbance had on the flow response. At a reduced disturbance of .47 the periodic disturbance had no noticeable influence. Imposition of periodic disturbance of the same reduced frequency on attached flow near separation 12 deg. angle of attack once again caused no apparent destabilizing effects. Lack of sensitivity of the separated boundary layers to the pulses generated at the higher reduced frequency of .47 apparently resulted from its inability to resolve turbulent pulses from one another. Imposition at 22 deg. angle of attack of a pulse at the reduced frequency of .09, however, first stabilized the flow, then greatly intensified the original separation before allowing the flow to return to its undisturbed separated state.