A New Low Reynolds Number Facility for Active Flow Control Applications

Recent interest in gaining understanding of the dynamics and behavior of the leading-edge vortex structure observed in biological flight systems has prompted the construction of a new low Reynolds number facility. This facility, a recirculating oil tunnel, gives several distinct advantages over similar facilities, utilizing water or air as the working fluid, for this kind of study. Additionally, as understanding is gained, active flow control strategies leading to the stabilization of the leading-edge vortex structure will be investigated, and this facility is specially equipped to enable this study. The tunnel has been designed and installed at the California Institute of Technology Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories. Design features of the facility will be discussed, along with some preliminary measurements conducted on a NACA 0012 wing.