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Vortex flows on UAVs: Issues and challenges

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

I. Gursul
I. Gursul*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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Abstract

Separated and vortical flows are dominant over various unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). In this article, issues and challenges of vortical flows for future UAVs are reviewed. These include shear layer instabilities, vortex breakdown and wing stall, vortex interactions, nonslender vortices, multiple vortices, and manoeuvring wing vortices. There are also issues relating to vortical flows in certain flow/structure interactions, as well as in aerodynamics/propulsion interactions. Separated and vortical flows are even more dominant at low Reynolds number flows. The main features of vortical flows, unsteady aerodynamics, and propulsion related vortical flow isssues relevant to mini- and micro air vehicles, are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 108 , Issue 1090 , December 2004 , pp. 597 - 610
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2004 

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