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Wiki Vortex Generator

Vortex generators are small vanes or bumps placed on aircraft surfaces to delay flow separation and aerodynamic stalling. They improve control surface effectiveness and alleviate shock-stall problems on swept wings. Vortex generators work by creating tip vortices that draw high-energy air from outside the boundary layer into contact with the aircraft skin, re-energizing the boundary layer and allowing control surfaces to work more effectively at high angles of attack. They are commonly found on the leading edges of wings and vertical tails.

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175 views

Wiki Vortex Generator

Vortex generators are small vanes or bumps placed on aircraft surfaces to delay flow separation and aerodynamic stalling. They improve control surface effectiveness and alleviate shock-stall problems on swept wings. Vortex generators work by creating tip vortices that draw high-energy air from outside the boundary layer into contact with the aircraft skin, re-energizing the boundary layer and allowing control surfaces to work more effectively at high angles of attack. They are commonly found on the leading edges of wings and vertical tails.

Uploaded by

questrwp
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Vortex generator - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 1 of 4

Vortex generator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A vortex generator is an aerodynamic surface, Vortex generator


consisting of a small vane or bump that creates a
vortex.[1][2] Vortex generators can be found on many
devices, but the term is most often used in aircraft
design.[1]

Vortex generators delay flow separation and


aerodynamic stalling; they improve the effectiveness
of control surfaces[2] (e.g., Embraer 170 and
Symphony SA-160). For swept-wing transonic
designs, they alleviate potential shock-stall problems
(e.g., Harrier, Blackburn Buccaneer, Gloster Javelin).

After-market Micro Dynamics vortex generators


Contents mounted on the wing of a Cessna 182K

■ 1 Method of operation
■ 2 After-market installation
■ 3 Increase in maximum takeoff weight
■ 4 Maximum landing weight
■ 5 References
■ 6 See also

Method of operation
1967 Model Cessna 182K in flight
Vortex generators are likely to be found on the external surfaces showing after-market vortex
of vehicles where flow separation is a potential problem because generators on the wing leading edge
vortex generators delay flow separation. [3] On aircraft they are
installed on the front third of a wing in order to maintain steady
airflow over the control surfaces at the rear of the wing.[2] They
are typically rectangular or triangular, about 80% as tall as the
boundary layer, and run in spanwise lines near the thickest part
of the wing.[1] They can be seen on the wings and vertical tails of
many airliners. Vortex generators are positioned in such a way
that they have an angle of attack with respect to the local airflow.
[1]

A vortex generator creates a tip vortex which draws energetic, TA-4SU Super Skyhawk showing
the row of vortex generators on the
rapidly-moving air from outside the slow-moving boundary layer
drooped leading edge slats.
into contact with the aircraft skin. The boundary layer normally
thickens as it moves along the aircraft surface, reducing the
effectiveness of trailing-edge control surfaces; vortex generators can be used to remedy this problem,
among others, by "re-energizing the boundary layer".[1][2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator 1/5/2011

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