A Sweeping Jet Application on a High Reynolds Number Semi-Span Supercritical Wing Configuration

The FAST-MAC circulation control model was modified to test an array of unsteady sweeping-jet actuators at realistic flight Reynolds numbers in the National Transonic Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. Two types of sweeping jet actuators were fabricated using rapid prototype techniques, and directed over a 15% chord simple-hinged flap. The model was configured for low-speed high-lift testing with flap deflections of 30° and 60°, and a transonic cruise configuration with a 0° flap deflection. For the 30° flap high-lift configuration, the sweeping jets achieved comparable lift performance in the separation control regime, while reducing the mass flow by 54% as compared to steady blowing. However, the sweeping jets were not effective for the 60° flap. For the transonic cruise configuration, the sweeping jets reduced the drag by 3.3% at an off design condition. The drag reduction for the design lift coefficient for the sweeping jets provided only half the drag reduction shown for the steady blowing case (6.5%), but accomplished this with a 74% reduction in mass flow.