Active Flow Control Improves Flow Attachment

Active flow control techniques are used to improve fluid flow quality over a control surface wherever flow separation is is a problem. FlexSys develops active flow control systems for various applications, including transonic flow, low-Reynolds-number flow, and active safety systems. We use compliant actuators to deploy a static or oscillatory mechanical disturbance into the boundary layer, and retract them flush with the control surface when not in use.

Application - High-Frequency Micro-Vortex Generator

FlexSys has designed and tested two high-frequency mechanical vortex generator devices for active flow control. One makes use of a voice-coil actuator, and the other uses a piezo stack actuator. Both are light, small, fast, and energy efficient actuation systems. Testing shows that our devices improve flow attachment on par with the best pneumatic flow control systems. Movie (.wmv 308 KB) Read more... (Download pdf brochure)