Boundary Layer Characteristics on a Tiltrotor Blade Model

Abstract

Boundary layer characteristics at the trailing edge of a tiltrotor blade model were measured using a flattened pitot probe and a single hot wire. The blade was mounted in Virginia Tech Stability Wind tunnel stationary on a turntable on the wind tunnel's upper wall with the tip pointing down. The measurement point was located at 1 mm behind the trailing edge to make it possible to measure the flow near the blade surface and measure the boundary layer on both sides of the trailing edge in a same run. Mean velocity profiles were measured for a variety of Reynolds numbers and angles of attack. Turbulence intensity and spectral measurements were performed using a single hot wire at the highest Reynolds number. Conclusion was reached that both of the flattened pitot probe and single hot wire are good for boundary layer thickness measurements. Displacement thickness, which is important in trailing edge noise prediction, was calculated from the profile data and fit using an algebra expression against the tip angle of attack. Once the relationship between tip angle of attack and local effective angle of attack is obtained by lifting line theory, the results can be used in the trailing edge noise prediction code.