Experimental evaluation of the flow field induced by an active vortex generator

• An active vortex generator (VG) is investigated using particle image velocimetry. • The effects of oscillation height, frequency, and waveform are being investigated. • Active VG yields increased mixing and reduced drag compared to its static counterpart. • Momentum transport and drag peaked at the frequency of the shear layer instability. • Active VG provides a robust method for separation control in various flow conditions. This investigation examined the flow field generated by a ramp-shaped vortex generator (VG) that underwent active oscillation within a laminar boundary layer. The oscillations were applied through a servomotor, which pivoted the VG around its leading edge. The study evaluated the influence of varying the maximum VG height during the oscillations ( h ), actuation frequency ( f ), and the waveform governing the periodic oscillation of the VG. Planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements were conducted to estimate flow mixing and the drag induced by the VG. The height-based Reynolds number ( Re h ) ranged from 300 to 600, and the chord-based Strouhal number ( St c ) for the oscillations varied from 0.67 to 3.33. The findings of the study indicate that active VGs lead to a greater wall-normal transport of streamwise momentum and result in lower drag compared to static VGs. Furthermore, increasing h results in larger momentum transport and drag of the active VGs. The investigation also revealed that the highest momentum transport and drag occurred when f was close to the instability frequency of the shear layer. The results show the potential of active VGs for separation control under various flow conditions.