Inviscid Vortex Models Research Articles

Ensemble Kalman filter for vortex models of disturbed aerodynamic flows

The task of dynamic flow estimation is to construct an approximation of an evolving flow---and particularly, its response to disturbances---using measurements from available sensors. Building from previous work by Darakananda et al.~(Phys Rev Fluids 2018), we further develop an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) framework for aerodynamic flows based on an ensemble of randomly-perturbed inviscid vortex models of flow about an infinitely-thin plate. In the forecast step, vortex elements in each ensemble member are advected by the flow and new elements are released from each edge of the plate; the elements are aggregated to maintain an efficient representation. The vortex elements and leading edge constraint are corrected in the analysis step by assimilating the surface pressure differences across the plate measured from the truth system. We show that the overall framework can be physically interpreted as a series of adjustments to the position and shape of an elliptical region of uncertainty associated with each vortex element. In this work, we compare the previously-used stochastic EnKF with the ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF), which uses a deterministic analysis step. We examine the response of the flat plate at $20^\circ$ in two perturbed flows, with truth data obtained from high-fidelity simulation at Reynolds number 500. In the first case, we apply a sequence of large-amplitude pulses near the leading edge of the plate to mimic flow actuation. In the second, we place the plate in a vortex street wake behind a cylinder. In both cases, we show that the vortex-based framework accurately estimates the pressure distribution and normal force, with no {\em a priori} knowledge of the perturbations. We show that the ETKF is consistently more robust than the stochastic EnKF. Finally, we examine the mapping from measurements to state update in the analysis step through SVD of the Kalman gain.

Vortex dynamics of a jet at the pressure node in a standing wave

In this paper we investigate the vortex structure and dynamics formed in the near field of a turbulent axisymmetric jet subjected to transverse acoustic forcing. Full three-dimensional phase-averaged velocity measurements were obtained to elucidate the coherent structures formed when the jet is positioned at the pressure node of a plane standing wave oriented transversely to the streamwise flow direction, which creates a plane symmetry about the nodal line dissecting the jet exit. Due to the change in phase that occurs across the nodal line, it was found that axisymmetry is broken and the jet undergoes a periodic transverse flapping motion consistent with a sinuous mode. This was accompanied by a periodic train of interconnected vortex structures, resembling inverted hairpin (or horseshoe) vortices, formed as the shear layers rolled up in anti-phase either side of the jet, and propagated a few diameters downstream before breaking up. An inviscid vortex model employing inverted hairpin line vortices is shown to capture both the dynamics of the vortex structures and the fluctuating velocity fields. Overall, the jet response and resulting vortex dynamics observed represent a significant departure from the axisymmetric flow structures observed with conventional longitudinal forcing and more closely resemble the phenomenon of bifurcating jets.

A versatile taxonomy of low-dimensional vortex models for unsteady aerodynamics

Inviscid vortex models have been demonstrated to capture the essential physics of massively separated flows past aerodynamic surfaces, but they become computationally expensive as coherent vortex structures are formed and the wake is developed. In this work, we present a two-dimensional vortex model in which vortex sheets represent shear layers that separate from sharp edges of the body and point vortices represent the rolled-up cores of these shear layers and the other coherent vortices in the wake. We develop a circulation transfer procedure that enables each vortex sheet to feed its circulation into a point vortex instead of rolling up. This procedure reduces the number of computational elements required to capture the dynamics of vortex formation while eliminating the spurious force that manifests when transferring circulation between vortex elements. By tuning the rate at which the vortex sheets are siphoned into the point vortices, we can adjust the balance between the model’s dimensionality and dynamical richness, enabling it to span the entire taxonomy of inviscid vortex models. This hybrid model can capture the development and subsequent shedding of the starting vortices with insignificant wall-clock time and remain sufficiently low-dimensional to simulate long-time-horizon events such as periodic bluff-body shedding. We demonstrate the viability of the method by modelling the impulsive translation of a wing at various fixed angles of attack, pitch-up manoeuvres that linearly increase the angle of attack from$0^{\circ }$to$90^{\circ }$, and oscillatory pitching and heaving. We show that the proposed model correctly predicts the dynamics of large-scale vortical structures in the flow by comparing the distributions of vorticity and force responses from results of the proposed model with a model using only vortex sheets and, in some cases, high-fidelity viscous simulation.

Harnessing the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability: feedback stabilization of an inviscid vortex sheet

In this investigation, we use a simple model of the dynamics of an inviscid vortex sheet given by the Birkhoff–Rott equation to obtain fundamental insights about the potential for stabilization of shear layers using feedback control. As actuation, we consider two arrays of point sinks/sources located a certain distance above and below the vortex sheet and subject to the constraint that their mass fluxes separately add up to zero. First, we demonstrate using analytical computations that the Birkhoff–Rott equation linearized around the flat-sheet configuration is in fact controllable when the number of actuator pairs is sufficiently large relative to the number of discrete degrees of freedom present in the system, a result valid for generic actuator locations. Next, we design a state-based linear-quadratic regulator stabilization strategy, where the key difficulty is the numerical solution of the Riccati equation in the presence of severe ill-conditioning resulting from the properties of the Birkhoff–Rott equation and the chosen form of actuation, an issue that is overcome by performing computations with a suitably increased arithmetic precision. Analysis of the linear closed-loop system reveals exponential decay of the perturbation energy and the corresponding actuation energy in all cases. Computations performed for the nonlinear closed-loop system demonstrate that initial perturbations of non-negligible amplitude can be effectively stabilized when a sufficient number of actuators is used. We also thoroughly analyse the sensitivity of the closed-loop stabilization strategies to the variation of a number of key parameters. Subject to the known limitations of inviscid vortex models, our findings indicate that, in principle, it may be possible to stabilize shear layers for relatively large initial perturbations, provided that the actuation has sufficiently many degrees of freedom.

The flow upstream of a row of aligned wind turbine rotors and its effect on power production

A row of wind turbine rotors with a mutual spacing of three diameters is simulated using both Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations and a simple inviscid vortex model. The angle between the incoming wind and the line connecting the turbines is varied between 45 and 90 degrees. The simulations show that the power production of the turbines deviate significantly compared with a corresponding isolated turbine even though there is no direct wake-turbine interaction at the considered wind directions. Nevertheless, both models indicate marked alterations in the upstream flow, which directly link to the turbines' power adjustments. Thus, turbines which are placed laterally relative to the prevailing wind (as seen at various test sites) have, at least numerically, a mutual effect on each other. Therefore, they might not necessarily produce the same power as a stand-alone turbine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Optimal reconstruction of inviscid vortices

We address the question of constructing simple inviscid vortex models that optimally approximate realistic flows as solutions of an inverse problem. Assuming the model to be incompressible, inviscid and stationary in the frame of reference moving with the vortex, the ‘structure’ of the vortex is uniquely characterized by the functional relation between the streamfunction and vorticity. It is demonstrated how the inverse problem of reconstructing this functional relation from data can be framed as an optimization problem which can be efficiently solved using variational techniques. In contrast to earlier studies, the vorticity function defining the streamfunction–vorticity relation is reconstructed in the continuous setting subject to a minimum number of assumptions. To focus attention, we consider flows in three-dimensional axisymmetric geometry with vortex rings. To validate our approach, a test case involving Hill's vortex is presented in which a very good reconstruction is obtained. In the second example, we construct an optimal inviscid vortex model for a realistic flow in which a more accurate vorticity function is obtained than produced through an empirical fit. When compared with available theoretical vortex-ring models, our approach has the advantage of offering a good representation of both the vortex structure and its integral characteristics.

Analytical solutions for von Kármán streets of hollow vortices

New analytical solutions are presented for steadily translating von Kármán vortex streets made up of two infinite rows of hollow vortices. First, the solution for a single row of hollow vortices due to Baker et al. ["Structure of a linear array of hollow vortices of finite cross-section," J. Fluid Mech. 74, 469 (1976)] is rederived, in a modified form, and using a new mathematical approach. This approach is then generalized to find relative equilibria for both unstaggered and staggered double hollow vortex streets. The method employs a combination of free streamline theory and conformal mapping ideas. The staggered hollow vortex streets are compared with analogous numerical solutions for double streets of vortex patches due to Saffman and Schatzman [“Properties of a vortex street of finite vortices,” SIAM (Soc. Ind. Appl. Math.) J. Sci. Stat. Comput. 2, 285 (1981)] and several common features are found. In particular, within the two different inviscid vortex models, the same street aspect ratio of approximately 0.34–0.36 is found to have special significance for the equilibria.

A Study on Separated Flows behind Bluff Bodies by Inviscid Vortex Models (2nd Report)

Two-dimensional transient and quasi-steady separated flows behind a flat plate and a circular cylinder are simulated by inviscid vortex models using a discrete-vortex approximation for free shear layers. The features of the models are discussed through the comparisons of the numerical results with experimental data.Light is thrown on the time development of wake in transient flow and on a new method for the calculation of vortex shedding from a circular cylinder. The method is developed through the consideration of the treatment of Kutta condition which determines the circumstances of vortex shedding from body surface, on the assumption of the location of the separation point from which free vortices are shed.The time development of wake not only of a flat plate, but of a circular cylinder in transient flow for short times after their starts can be explained with inviscid vortex models.The method proposed here is shown to predict, for circular cylinder, the vortex patterns, the drag, the side force and the Strouhal number to a good degree of agreement with the experimental results.

A Study on Separated Flows behind Bluff Bodies by Inviscid Vortex Models (1st Report)

A Study on Separated Flows behind Bluff Bodies by Inviscid Vortex Models (1st Report)