Using an Active Gurney Flap to Modify the Performance of a Wind Turbine Wing Section

Abstract

We report on the design, fabrication and testing of a wind tunnel model based on the geometry of a commonly-used wind turbine blade and the changes in aerodynamic performance of the wing due to the deployment of an active Gurney Flap (AGF). The AGF is located near the trailing edge of the wing on the pressure surface and is raised and lowered to modulate aerodynamic performance. The torque required to raise and lower the AGF was measured and found to be approximately CT=0.1, independent of deployment rate, and Reynolds number. Lift and Pitching moments of the wing with and without the AGF were measured over a range of angles of attack and at Reynolds numbers varying from 160,000 to 414,000. We find that the Gurney flap increases the lift and pitching moment of the wing over a wide range of Re and angles of attack.