Cancellation of crossflow instabilities through multiple discrete roughness elements forcing

Abstract

The presented work introduces a novel cancelation technique, based on the linear superposition of stationary crossflow instabilities (CFI) through the application of a streamwise series of optimally positioned discrete roughness elements (DRE) arrays on a swept wing surface. The DRE arrays are designed and arranged with suitable amplitude and phase shift to induce velocity disturbance systems that destructively interact, ultimately damping the developing CFI. This results in the suppression of monochromatic CFI, reducing their amplitude and growth and delaying the boundary layer transition to turbulence.