Large-eddy simulations of excitation effects on a VTOL upwash fountain

Abstract

The responses of an upwash fountain to various azimuthal and axisymmetric excitations, applied at the exits of its neighboring jets, are investigated. Kinematic arguments are used to determine the interactions of large-scale structures in the fountain and the effects of these interactions on the fountain’s characteristics. Numerical simulations of a row of impinging jets, which contain the essential features of twin jets impinging on the ground, are used to simulate the hovering configuration of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The flow is assumed to be governed by the time-dependent, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The large-eddy simulation approach is followed. Distinct fountain characteristics are shared among the cases in which azimuthal perturbations are applied at both jet exits in the same direction. These include a high fountain spreading rate, a strong lateral interaction with the neighboring jets, and a weak upload at the aircraft’s undersurface. A strong similarity in fountain characteristics also exists for the cases of axisymmetric forcing and azimuthal forcing in opposite directions at the two jet exits. The similar characteristics here include a low fountain spreading rate and a strong upload at the aircraft’s undersurface.