REFLECTOR:Vortex Generators on XL

KeithHallsten reflector@tvbf.org
Sat, 6 Dec 2003 14:05:15 -0800


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Alex,

While your explanation of the effect of VGs is correct in the broad =
outlines, they work by forcing the flow to be turbulent, not by =
maintaining laminar flow.  That is, they GENERATE VORTICIES!  As it =
turns out, a turbulent flow will adhere to the low-pressure side of a =
wing much better, and the flow separation (stall) will be much less =
abrupt than when a laminar flow jumps to turbulent flow in a =
less-controlled manner. =20

I remember some photographs in my old fluid mechanics textbook showing =
two bowling balls impacting water after a significant fall.  One of them =
was a smooth ball, and generated a huge impact crater in the water.  The =
other ball had sand glued to the front, and generated a wake only =
slightly larger than the diameter of the ball.  The rough sand had =
tripped the flow to turbulent on the surface of the ball.  This =
illustrated the difference in flow separation from laminar flow vs. =
turbulent flow.

Keith
   =20
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Alex Balic=20
  To: reflector@tvbf.org=20
  Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 10:15 AM
  Subject: RE: REFLECTOR:Vortex Generators on XL


  Jim,
  I used the more simple term of "sticking" instead of "delayed =
separation of laminar flow" because I don't want to write a thesis on =
laminar flow properties on the reflector, and a lot of the readers here =
may no be familiar with some of  the the technical terms of fluid =
dynamics. I agree, the decision to install or not to install VGs should =
be thoroughly simulated and tested before installation. It appears that =
you have done that. Just FYI, vortex generators are installed to promote =
laminar flow, and thereby DO generally allow a given airfoil section to =
operate at a higher angle of attack. This is precisely the effect that =
allows for a lowered stall speed, because the wing can fly at a higher =
angle of attack.  I personally do not know how much laminar flow the =
canard is designed to "tolerate", (although I would assume that it is =
published under the airfoil number) and that is why I personally would =
not alter the flow  there withought a through simulation of the =
modification.  During my undergraduate studies of this subject, we =
tested several laminar flow promoting techniques, most notably vortex =
generating devises, both passive and active. Sometimes the flow =
modifications that resulted from these modifications were unexpected, =
including some premature separation of flow in some airfoils at various =
angles of attack.  There are so many variables involved in the design of =
VG's that make their effects extremely difficult to quantify in terms of =
generalities except to say that generally they promote laminar flow. For =
all I know, the Swings just started adding and moving VGs  around until =
the aircraft flew the way they wanted, I can not answer that question, =
like you, I am not informed on their testing procedures.  I am not =
saying that you did anything wrong by installing VG's to your canard,  =
as you probably know, the Starship uses them, but I am certain that the =
airfoil design on that aircraft was computer simulated before any actual =
flight testing, and that you should not assume that they will have an =
identical effect on both the main wing and the canard without such =
testing. Maybe your particular arrangement will greatly enhance the low =
speed handling and lower the stall speed of the Velocity, I hope it =
does, please keep us informed.
  Alex

   -----Original Message-----
  From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org]On =
Behalf Of Jim Sower
  Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 10:51 AM
  To: reflector@tvbf.org
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Vortex Generators on XL


    Alex Balic wrote:=20
    Was said"=20
      You shouldn't assume that, because the airfoils are different.
    The fact that there are nearly twice as many VGs on the main wing =
would tend to ensure "balance" (whatever that is). =20
      What you want=20
      to avoid is sticking the flow to the top of the canard more than =
it was=20
      designed to since the canard is supposed to stall before the main =
wing.
    .... sticking ... more than it was designed to ...=20
    What exactly does "sticking" mean and how much "sticking", =
precisely, was the canard designed to tolerate?  Is there a report =
somewhere in the Velocity archives that you can quote or I can read?=20
    The canard airfoil does have more chamber than the main wing, =
precisely to make it stall at a lower AoA than the main wing.  I don't =
believe VGs alter that.=20
      If the canard becomes more stall resistant (better flow adhesion =
due to well=20
      placed VG's), you will have a big problem unless the wing has the =
same or=20
      better improvement,
    Which is why I used the same placement of VGs on the canard and wing =
- neither is more "well placed" than the other.=20
      since there is some leeway built into the design, you=20
      hopefully won't have a problem, but really, you should get the =
situation=20
      analyzed professionally before venturing out,
    That is what I thought I was doing when I consulted with Dr. Price=20
      otherwise, stick to VG's on=20
      the mains only.........  The VG's will not change the center of =
lift=20
      appreciably,
    I disagree.  It may not move the CL of the wing, but by increasing =
the lift of the wing, will move the CL of the airplane aft, having the =
effect of a forward CG and defeating the purpose of installing the VGs=20
      just move the point of flow separation further back, and allow=20
      the airfoil to fly at a higher angle of attack.
    If you move the point of separation further back, doesn't that cause =
the CP to move back?=20
    What I would appreciate hearing is less unsupported generalities and =
vague terms like "sticking" and "balance" and all and more specific =
engineering and hard science.=20
    A lot of folks have been alluding (rather vaguely) to "factory =
approved" placement of VGs.  I would really appreciate someone comparing =
the way I did mine and how, precisely it differs from how "the factory" =
did theirs.  We could then have a rational discussion as to what effect =
my departures from the "gospel according to Duane" might have on the =
flight characteristics of my airplane.  I am at quite a disadvantage =
here in that I have no specifics at all on how the factory does this, =
but you folks have all the details on my approach.  I can't make =
specific comparisons, and until now, for some reason you folks won't.  I =
feel that further discussion, if it is to be rational and useful, must =
involve specifics.  Absent details and some engineering principles =
applied to them, it's all bullshit and black magic.=20

    I can't learn much from unsupported generalities.  That's why I went =
to Jim Price .... Jim S.=20

       =20
      -----Original Message-----=20
      From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org]On =

      Behalf Of John Dibble=20
      Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 3:50 PM=20
      To: reflector@tvbf.org=20
      Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Vortex Generators on XL=20

      Jim Sower wrote:=20

      >=20
      >If one were to install VGs on the wing or canard and not the =
other, it=20
      might "mess up"=20
      >the "lift ratio".  I used the same VGs in the same pattern and =
location on=20
      both=20
      >surfaces.  No reason to believe that would "mess up" anything.=20
      >=20
      My SRG is aft cg when I fly solo.  Could I install vgs on the main =
wing=20
      only to reduce the aft cg situation?=20

      John=20

      _______________________________________________=20
      To change your email address, visit=20
      http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector=20

      Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery=20
      user:pw =3D tvbf:jamaicangoose=20
      Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail=20
      Check old archives: =
http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html=20

      _______________________________________________=20
      To change your email address, visit =
http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector=20

      Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery=20
      user:pw =3D tvbf:jamaicangoose=20
      Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail=20
      Check old archives: =
http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html

    --=20
    Jim Sower=20
    Crossville, TN; Chapter 5=20
    Long-EZ N83RT, Velocity N4095T=20
     =20

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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Alex,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>While your explanation of the effect of =
VGs is=20
correct in the broad outlines, they work by forcing the flow to be =
turbulent,=20
not by maintaining laminar flow.&nbsp; That is, they GENERATE =
VORTICIES!&nbsp;=20
As it turns out, a turbulent flow will adhere to the low-pressure side =
of a wing=20
much better, and the flow separation (stall) will be much less abrupt =
than when=20
a laminar flow jumps to turbulent flow in a less-controlled =
manner.&nbsp;=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I remember some photographs in my old =
fluid=20
mechanics textbook showing two bowling balls impacting water after a =
significant=20
fall.&nbsp; One of them was a smooth ball, and generated a huge impact =
crater in=20
the water.&nbsp; The other ball had sand glued to the front, and =
generated a=20
wake only slightly larger than the diameter of the ball.&nbsp; The rough =
sand=20
had tripped the flow to turbulent on the surface of the ball.&nbsp; This =

illustrated the difference in flow separation from laminar flow vs. =
turbulent=20
flow.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Keith</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3Dalex157@direcway.com =
href=3D"mailto:alex157@direcway.com">Alex=20
  Balic</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dreflector@tvbf.org=20
  href=3D"mailto:reflector@tvbf.org">reflector@tvbf.org</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, December 06, =
2003 10:15=20
  AM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: REFLECTOR:Vortex =
Generators=20
  on XL</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV><SPAN class=3D159023117-06122003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
  size=3D2>Jim,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
  <DIV><SPAN class=3D159023117-06122003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>I=20
  used the more simple term of "sticking" instead of "delayed separation =
of=20
  laminar flow" because I don't want to write a thesis on laminar flow=20
  properties on the reflector, and a lot of the readers here may no be =
familiar=20
  with&nbsp;some of &nbsp;the the technical terms of fluid dynamics. I =
agree,=20
  the decision to install or not to install VGs should be thoroughly =
simulated=20
  and tested before installation. It appears that you have done that. =
Just FYI,=20
  vortex generators are installed to promote laminar flow, and thereby =
DO=20
  <U>generally</U> allow a given airfoil section to operate at a higher =
angle of=20
  attack. This is precisely the effect that allows for a lowered stall =
speed,=20
  because the&nbsp;wing can fly at a higher angle of attack. &nbsp;I =
personally=20
  do not know how much laminar flow the canard is designed to =
"tolerate",=20
  (although I would assume that it is published under the airfoil =
number) and=20
  that is why I personally would not alter the flow&nbsp; there =
withought a=20
  through simulation of the modification.&nbsp; During my undergraduate =
studies=20
  of this subject, we tested&nbsp;several laminar flow promoting =
techniques,=20
  most notably vortex generating devises, both passive and active. =
Sometimes the=20
  flow modifications that resulted from these modifications were =
unexpected,=20
  including some premature separation&nbsp;of flow in some airfoils at =
various=20
  angles of attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are so many variables involved in =
the=20
  design of VG's that make their effects extremely difficult to quantify =
in=20
  terms of generalities except to say that generally they promote =
laminar flow.=20
  For all I know, the Swings just started adding and moving VGs&nbsp; =
around=20
  until the aircraft flew the way they wanted, I can not answer that =
question,=20
  like you, I am not informed on their testing procedures. &nbsp;I am =
not saying=20
  that you did anything wrong by installing VG's to your canard,&nbsp; =
as you=20
  probably know, the Starship uses them, but I am certain that the =
airfoil=20
  design on that aircraft was computer simulated before any actual =
flight=20
  testing, and&nbsp;that you should&nbsp;not assume that they will have =
an=20
  identical effect on both the main wing and the canard without such =
testing.=20
  Maybe your particular arrangement will greatly enhance the low speed =
handling=20
  and lower the stall speed of the Velocity, I hope it does, please keep =
us=20
  informed.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
  <DIV><SPAN class=3D159023117-06122003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
  size=3D2>Alex</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
  <DIV><SPAN class=3D159023117-06122003></SPAN><FONT face=3DTahoma><FONT =

  size=3D2><SPAN class=3D159023117-06122003><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D159023117-06122003>&nbsp;</SPAN>-----Original=20
  Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> reflector-admin@tvbf.org=20
  [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Jim =
Sower<BR><B>Sent:</B>=20
  Saturday, December 06, 2003 10:51 AM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
  reflector@tvbf.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: REFLECTOR:Vortex Generators =
on=20
  XL<BR><BR></DIV></FONT></FONT>
  <BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">Alex Balic wrote: =
<BR>Was=20
    said"=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">You shouldn't assume that, because the =
airfoils=20
      are different.</BLOCKQUOTE>The fact that there are nearly twice as =
many VGs=20
    on the main wing would tend to ensure "balance" (whatever that =
is).&nbsp;=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">What you want <BR>to avoid is sticking the =
flow to=20
      the top of the canard more than it was <BR>designed to since the =
canard is=20
      supposed to stall before the main wing.</BLOCKQUOTE>.... sticking =
... more=20
    than it was designed to ... <BR>What exactly does "sticking" mean =
and how=20
    much "sticking", precisely, was the canard designed to =
tolerate?&nbsp; Is=20
    there a report somewhere in the Velocity archives that you can quote =
or I=20
    can read? <BR>The canard airfoil does have more chamber than the =
main wing,=20
    precisely to make it stall at a lower AoA than the main wing.&nbsp; =
I don't=20
    believe VGs alter that.=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">If the canard becomes more stall resistant =
(better=20
      flow adhesion due to well <BR>placed VG's), you will have a big =
problem=20
      unless the wing has the same or <BR>better =
improvement,</BLOCKQUOTE>Which is=20
    why I used the same placement of VGs on the canard and wing - =
neither is=20
    more "well placed" than the other.=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">since there is some leeway built into the =
design,=20
      you <BR>hopefully won't have a problem, but really, you should get =
the=20
      situation <BR>analyzed professionally before venturing =
out,</BLOCKQUOTE>That=20
    is what I thought I was doing when I consulted with Dr. Price=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">otherwise, stick to VG's on <BR>the mains=20
      only.........&nbsp; The VG's will not change the center of lift=20
      <BR>appreciably,</BLOCKQUOTE>I disagree.&nbsp; It may not move the =
CL of the=20
    wing, but by increasing the lift of the wing, will move the CL of =
the=20
    airplane aft, having the effect of a forward CG and defeating the =
purpose of=20
    installing the VGs=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">just move the point of flow separation =
further=20
      back, and allow <BR>the airfoil to fly at a higher angle of=20
    attack.</BLOCKQUOTE>If you move the point of separation further =
back,=20
    doesn't that <B>cause</B> the CP to move back? <BR>What I would =
appreciate=20
    hearing is less unsupported generalities and vague terms like =
"sticking" and=20
    "balance" and all and more specific engineering and hard science.=20
    <P>A lot of folks have been alluding (rather vaguely) to "factory =
approved"=20
    placement of VGs.&nbsp; I would really appreciate someone comparing =
the way=20
    I did mine and how, precisely it differs from how "the factory" did=20
    theirs.&nbsp; We could then have a rational discussion as to what =
effect my=20
    departures from the "gospel according to Duane" might have on the =
flight=20
    characteristics of my airplane.&nbsp; I am at quite a disadvantage =
here in=20
    that I have no specifics at all on how the factory does this, but =
you folks=20
    have all the details on my approach.&nbsp; I can't make specific=20
    comparisons, and until now, for some reason you folks won't.&nbsp; I =
feel=20
    that further discussion, if it is to be rational and useful, must =
involve=20
    specifics.&nbsp; Absent details and some engineering principles =
applied to=20
    them, it's all bullshit and black magic.=20
    <P>I can't learn much from unsupported generalities.&nbsp; That's =
why I went=20
    to Jim Price .... Jim S.=20
    <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=3D"CITE">&nbsp;=20
      <P>-----Original Message----- <BR>From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org =
[<A=20
      =
href=3D"mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org">mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org<=
/A>]On=20
      <BR>Behalf Of John Dibble <BR>Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 3:50 =
PM=20
      <BR>To: reflector@tvbf.org <BR>Subject: Re: REFLECTOR:Vortex =
Generators on=20
      XL=20
      <P>Jim Sower wrote:=20
      <P>&gt; <BR>&gt;If one were to install VGs on the wing or canard =
and not=20
      the other, it <BR>might "mess up" <BR>&gt;the "lift ratio".&nbsp; =
I used=20
      the same VGs in the same pattern and location on <BR>both=20
      <BR>&gt;surfaces.&nbsp; No reason to believe that would "mess up"=20
      anything. <BR>&gt; <BR>My SRG is aft cg when I fly solo.&nbsp; =
Could I=20
      install vgs on the main wing <BR>only to reduce the aft cg =
situation?=20
      <P>John=20
      <P>_______________________________________________ <BR>To change =
your=20
      email address, visit <BR><A=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector">http://www.tvbf.o=
rg/mailman/listinfo/reflector</A>=20

      <P>Visit the gallery!&nbsp; www.tvbf.org/gallery <BR>user:pw =3D=20
      tvbf:jamaicangoose <BR>Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail=20
      <BR>Check old archives: <A=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html">http://www.t=
vbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html</A>=20

      <P>_______________________________________________ <BR>To change =
your=20
      email address, visit <A=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector">http://www.tvbf.o=
rg/mailman/listinfo/reflector</A>=20

      <P>Visit the gallery!&nbsp; www.tvbf.org/gallery <BR>user:pw =3D=20
      tvbf:jamaicangoose <BR>Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail=20
      <BR>Check old archives: <A=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html">http://www.t=
vbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html</A></P></BLOCKQUOTE>
    <P>-- <BR>Jim Sower <BR>Crossville, TN; Chapter 5 <BR>Long-EZ N83RT, =

    Velocity N4095T <BR>&nbsp; =
</P></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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