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In this paper, we present an approach to obtain a desired leading-edge vortex (LEV) shedding pattern from unsteady airfoils through the execution of suitable motion kinematics. Previous research revealed that LEV shedding is associated with the leading-edge suction parameter (LESP) exceeding a maximum threshold. A low-order method called LESP-modulated discrete vortex method (LDVM) was also developed to predict the onset and termination of LEV shedding from an airfoil undergoing prescribed motion kinematics. In the current work, we present an inverse-aerodynamic formulation based on the LDVM to generate the appropriate motion kinematics to achieve a prescribed LESP variation, and thus, the desired LEV shedding characteristics from the airfoil. The algorithm identifies the kinematic state of the airfoil required to attain the target LESP value through an iterative procedure performed inside the LDVM simulation at each time step. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate design scenarios such as tailoring the duration and intensity of LEV shedding, inducing LEV shedding from the chosen surface of the airfoil, promoting or suppressing LEV shedding during an unsteady motion on demand, and achieving similar LEV shedding patterns using different maneuvers. The kinematic profiles generated by the low-order formulation are also simulated using a high-fidelity unsteadymore »Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes method to confirm the accuracy of the low-order model.« less

We evaluate two leading-edge-based dynamic stall onset criteria, namely, the maximum magnitudes of the Leading Edge Suction Parameter and the Boundary Enstrophy Flux, for mixed and trailing-edge stall. These criteria have been shown to successfully predict the onset of leading-edge stall at Reynolds numbers >= O(10^5), where the leading-edge suction drops abruptly. However, for mixed/trailing-edge stall, leading-edge suction tends to persist even when there is significant trailing-edge reversed flow and stall is underway, necessitating further investigation of the effectiveness of these criteria. Using wall-resolved, large-eddy simulations and unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes method, we simulate one leading-edge stall and three mixed/trailing-edge stall cases at Reynolds numbers 2x10^5 and 3x10^6. We contrast the progression of flow features such as trailing-edge separation and vortex formation across different stall types and evaluate the stall onset criteria relative to critical points in the flow. We find that the criteria nearly coincide with the instance of leading-edge suction collapse and are reached in advance of dynamic stall vortex formation and lift stall for all four cases. We conclude that the two criteria effectively signal dynamic stall onset in cases where the dynamic stall vortex plays a prominent role.