Dependence on reynolds number of onset of vortex asymmetry behind circular cone

W. H. Stahl, A. Asghar

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An experimental study was carried out on two circular cones of different size in a low-speed airstream at high angles of attack and nominally zero yaw. The principal aim was to determine the onset angle of attack at which the vortex system would become asymmetric, as a function of freestream Reynolds number. The range covered was 5, 000 ≤ ReD ≤ 202,000 (formed with base diameter), established with two different-size cones. Onset of vortex-flow asymmetry was determined visually in laser-light planes, normal to the cone axis, with the flow made visible by smoke. The results show a clear dependance of the onset angle on Reynolds number. But, results obtained on the two models of different size, for same Reynolds numbers, do not coincide. The cause might be small differences noticed in _tip geometries. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that, with increasing incidence, a critical value of the ratio of vortex strength and mutual distance is reached, when asymmetry occurs. This seems to be supported by experimental results and might provide an explanation for Reynolds number dependance of onset angle.

Original languageEnglish
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 1996, W. H. Stahl.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Aerospace Engineering

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