Investigation of the effects of vortex generators mounted on airfoil on aerodynamic characteristics

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of aerodynamically shaped vortex generators on aerodynamic characteristics instead of the traditional triangular type of vortex generators used in aircraft airfoils. For this reason, the new type of vortex generators was aerodynamically shaped with the S1223 airfoil profile and compared with traditional ones. NACA4415 was used for the basic airfoil model and experiments were carried out by placing the vortex generators on the airfoil profile. Experimentally, force measurement and surface oil flow imaging methods were performed at Reynolds number (Re)=140000 and the smoke wire visualization method was performed at Re=50000 in subsonic suction type wind tunnel. Conventional vortex generators were tested in 6 different configurations and the most successful position was determined as M5. The M5 model was applied and compared to the vortex generators produced with the S1223 airfoil model. According to results, airfoil shaped vortex generators (SM5) increased the maximum lift coefficient (CLmax) by 5.44% at x/c=0.2 compared to conventional one (GM5). Additionally, airfoil shaped vortex generators have lower drag values by outperforming conventional ones in drag coefficient (CD). The L/D ratio of SM5, which shows the general aerodynamic characteristics, is higher than GM5 by 94.56%, 75.3% and 114.35% at x/c=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 respectively.