Simulation of slot and round synthetic jets in the context of boundary-layer separation control

Abstract

Synthetic jets--also referred to as mass-less jets--offer the potential of effective, on-demand, fluid-based control of separating boundary layers on highly loaded aerodynamic surfaces, without the need for a mass source. However, the control authority that may optimally be derived from such jets, and any generality of the underlying flow physics are obscured by the wide range of geometric and flow parameters that contribute to their performance characteristics. The present article reviews the state-of-the art in the area of computational modelling and simulation of synthetic jets, with emphasis placed on key fluid-mechanics phenomena. The review is divided into two principal parts, one focusing on slot jets and the other on round jets. Within the latter part, ongoing research by the authors on the simulation of synthetic jets discharged into a separated boundary layer is highlighted as an example of the current status in this area.