Aerodynamic Characterization of a Fan Array Wind Generator
Abstract
Experimental assessment of safe and precise flight control algorithms for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) under gusty wind conditions requires the capability to generate a large range of velocity profiles. In this study, we employ a small fan array wind generator which can generate flows with large spatial and temporal variability. We perform a thorough aerodynamic characterization operating the fans uniformly from a low to the maximum level. PIV and hot-wire measurements indicate a jet-like flow with nearly uniform core which monotonously contracts in streamwise direction and surrounding growing unsteady shear-layers. These complex dynamics results in a limited region with desired flow profile and turbulence level. The experimental results shed light on the flow generated by a full-scale fan array wind generator, and indicate the need for further improvements via properly designed add-ons and dedicated control algorithms.
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Cite
@article{arxiv.2309.00458,
title = {Aerodynamic Characterization of a Fan Array Wind Generator},
author = {Songqi Li and Yutong Liu and Zhutao Jiang and Gang Hu and Bernd R. Noack and Franz Raps},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2309.00458},
year = {2023}
}
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22 pages