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Pasquale, Laura (2017) Robust feedback control of flow separation using plasma actuators. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This thesis addresses the problem of controlling the unsteady flow separation over an aerofoil using plasma actuators, with the aim of improving the performance of fluid systems through the use of robust feedback controllers. Despite the complexity of the dynamics of interest, it is shown how the problem of controlling flow separation can be successfully formulated and solved as a simple output regulation problem.

First, a novel control-oriented reduced-order model for nonlinear systems evolving on attractors is obtained. Its application to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is proposed, in order to obtain a linear reduced-order model (whose state variables have a clear and consistent physical meaning) of the complex flow/actuator dynamics.

On the basis of the proposed model, a new robust multivariable feedback control algorithm for flow separation suppression is designed, using real-time velocity measurements, which are available in realistic applications. The presented control scheme is tested in both Single-Input-Single-Output (SISO) and Multi-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO) configurations, thus allowing for optimising the closed-loop system, with the aim of selecting suitable numbers and positions of the actuator/sensor pairs along the aerofoil, as well as desired references for the real-time measurements, according to the specific application (e.g., flow separation suppression, mixing enhancement etc.).

Accurate numerical simulations of incompressible flows around both 2D aerofoils and 3D wings are performed in order to optimise the closed-loop system and illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in the presence of complex dynamics that are neglected at the design stage. Robust performances, with respect to both parameter variations (e.g. geometry of the domain and Reynolds number) and model uncertainties, are demonstrated. The designed controller is able to effectively suppress the flow separation along the aerofoil, as well as the shedding vortices, thus yielding both a reduction of the drag and an increase of the lift. This allows for stall avoidance and increased efficiency.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Zanchetta, Pericle Houston, Paul Choi, Kwing-So Morvan, Herve P.
Keywords:	Flow control; Robust control; Flow separation; Plasma actuators; Boundary layer control.
Subjects:	T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Engineering
Item ID:	47943
Depositing User:	Pasquale, Laura
Date Deposited:	13 Dec 2017 04:40
Last Modified:	14 Dec 2017 10:21
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/47943

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