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Active Forebody Vortex Control Using Retractable Miniature Nose-Tip Devices

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
41050 		Program Year/Program:
1998 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
41050 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
Oceanit Center 828 Fort Street Mall, Suite 600 Honolulu, HI -
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 1998
Title: Active Forebody Vortex Control Using Retractable Miniature Nose-Tip Devices
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $99,551.00
 

Abstract:

A pointed slender body at high angle of attack will generate two symmetric vortices resulting from the separation of flow on the leeward side of the body. At critical angles of attack, the vortex shedding becomes asymmetric due to micro-imperfections present at the nose of the body. This asymmetric vortex shedding can result inside forces that may exceed the control capability of the vehicle, and this may cause the body to tumble out of control. The research effort will investigate the effectiveness of introducing retractable miniature flow devices at the nose of a tangent ogive forebody to fix separation points and force the vortex shedding to become symmetric, thus alleviating excessive side forces. Micro-/mini-strakes and miniature perturbations caused by flush-mounted piezo-electric film will be tested to determine their ability to induce symmetric vortex shedding at critical angle-of-attack regimes. The miniature nose attachments will be designed to be deployed/activated by a feedback control system that will monitor side forces due to symmetric vortex shedding. Experimental investigations will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of the concepts.

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Ken C. K. Cheung
8085313017

Business Contact:


0
Small Business Information at Submission:

OCEANIT LABORATORIES, INC.
1100 Alakea Street Honolulu, HI 96813

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No