Optimizing Vortex Generator Configurations on Commercial Aircraft

Abstract

This paper discusses the optimal size and geometry of generators on commercial aircraft to prevent stalling while minimizing drag generated by the vortex generators (VG) based on literature review. While VGs equipment is necessary for the airplane’s safety, they inevitably increase skin friction drag on the wing. Although it increases the safety of the aircraft, this added turbulence increases drag and fuel consumption, which increases the budget, especially over long-term operation. This paper will review the results of multiple published research papers, and determine the best outcome by combining the findings throughout different papers. The goal of this paper is to find a VG that can maximize passenger safety by delaying flow separation while minimizing the economic and aerodynamic costs of excess drag. By analyzing numerous aerodynamic principles, this paper investigates how the orientation, height, and geometry of VGs can be optimized and how these devices ensure every passenger’s safety without sacrificing fuel economy. Using the data from the paper, the literature reviewed concluded that the optimization of a vortex generator likely have a Trapezoidal shape counter-rotating VG, height of 0.8-1.0δ, 10-18 degrees of incidence angle, placed at 20% of chord wing/separation region, 2.5h spacing within each pair and 7-8h between each pair of VG. (δ=boundary layer thickness; h=height of VG).