Aerostrakes suppressing asymmetric lee-vortices on a slender body at high angles of attack

Abstract

Asymmetric lee-vortices can occur on slender bodies at high angles of attack which can be obtained in fast maneuvers. These asymmetric vortices induce unwanted side forces and yawing moments which destabilize the body. Therefore, an active flow control device called “aerostrakes“ was tested experimentally which forces a fixed symmetric separation at the shoulder in order to build up a symmetric lee-vortex system thus reducing or even eliminating the vortex induced side forces and yawing moments. This device works the same way as strakes but with the advantage of being activatable when needed.