Swept Transition Experimental Platform (STEP)

Conference paper (2024)

Authors

A.F. Rius Vidales Ship Hydromechanics and Structures - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
M. Barahona Lopez Aerodynamics - Aerospace Engineering
M. Kotsonis Aerodynamics - Aerospace Engineering
Research Group
Ship Hydromechanics and Structures (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2024 A.F. Rius Vidales, M. Barahona Lopez, M. Kotsonis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-0942
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Published Date

2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Ship Hydromechanics and Structures

Abstract

A new experimental facility named Swept Transition Experimental Platform (STEP) has been designed and built for detailed studies of crossflow instability and its interaction with surface irregularities and varying wall temperature conditions. The STEP is designed for use in the anechoic low-turbulence wind tunnel facility at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The new facility consists of a swept flat-plate model with a movable leading edge capable of precisely translating to create forward/backward-facing step irregularities. In addition, the plate’s wall temperature can be adjusted to study the potential of thermal laminar flow control. An adjustable pressure body provides the favorable pressure distribution required to enhance the development of crossflow instability. Static pressure measurements are conducted to characterize the nominal pressure distribution. In addition, detailed hot-wire measurements and theoretical stability calculations reveal that the combination of discrete roughness elements, pressure distribution, and experimental facility allows for a detailed study of the development of crossflow instability in the linear and non-linear growth regime. Consequently, the STEP enables further fundamental research on laminar flow control at TU Delft.