Recent advances in technology for flow control based on development of actuator induced aerodynamics

The strategy on the selection of the actuator in the flow control system is strongly required, since the separating shear layer associated with the vortex structure has receptivity of the different kinds of disturbances. Many kinds of the passive control devices for flow separation have been employed in the engineering application since 1950. Many studies on an actuator started in 1980's after the passive one. The advanced actuators such as the synthetic jet, plasma actuator jet and active dimple were suggested in late 1990's or early 2000's. The aerodynamics around the device is also discussed, since the remarkable progress in the micro sensing system like the stereo-scopic Particle Image Velocimetry has been made. The recent progress in both actuator device and instrumentation is attributed to the development of MEMS and Laser Optics based technologies. Some examples of the flow control by the recent actuators such as synthetic jet and plasma actuator are discussed. Topics also include the actuator induced flow behavior and vortex interaction. An appropriate selection of the actuator device is a key in control for flow separation. © 2012 The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.