Two-Dimensional Wind Tunnel and Computational Investigation of a Microtab Modified Airfoil

*† ‡ A computational and wind tunnel investigation into the effectiveness of a microtab-based aerodynamic load control system is presented. The microtab-based load control concept consists of a small tab, with a deployment height on the order of 1% of chord, which emerges approximately perpendicular to a lifting surface in the vicinity of the trailing edge. Lift mitigation is achieved by deploying the tabs on the upper (suction) surface of a lifting surface. Similarly, lift enhancement can be attained by tab deployment on the lower (pressure) surface of a lifting surface. A sensitivity analysis using Reynolds-averaged NavierStokes methods was conducted to determine optimal sizing and positioning of the tabs for active load control at a chord Reynolds number of 1.0 million for the S809 baseline airfoil. These numerical simulations provide insight into the flow phenomena that govern this promising load control system and guided tab placement during the wind tunnel study of the S809 airfoil. The numerical and experimental results are largely in agreement and demonstrate that load control through microtabs is viable. Future efforts will include a study of the unsteady load variations that occur during tab deployment and retraction, and three-dimensional issues involving spanwise tab placement and tab gaps.

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