Turbulator

A turbulator or turbulence or vortex generator referred to in aerodynamics a little artificially applied surface disturbance which transfers a laminar flow to a turbulent to delay an imminent stall. They are mostly found on the wing surface of smaller aircraft.

Effect

The flow resistance of a body in a laminar flow is less than in a turbulent - first a desired property. For example, smooth wing small aircraft are immersed in laminar.

With an increase in angle of attack will increase the pressure gradient on the support surface. They lead to a stall and a sudden decrease of the lift. As the chart shows, the boundary layer thickness may be higher than in a laminar (arrows) in a turbulent flow. However, the flow rate decreases with increasing distance to more quickly than in a laminar flow. The higher energy makes the flow less sensitive to the replacement of the wing area.

Turbulators are small artificially applied surface defects. Create turbulence and cause a laminar boundary layer flow in a turbulent. The flow separation is delayed.

Turbulators consist of transverse rails, small vertical plates or wells. Another way to make the boundary layer flow for the handling, the Ausblasturbulator. Is a number of fine holes, through which air is blown in transversely to the direction of flow in the boundary layer.

Turbulators are used, for example, before ailerons in gliders.

More options

In addition to vortex generators may be other ways to stabilize the flow over the wing and the outer skin:

• Sawtooth (aerodynamics )
• Boundary layer fence
• Suction / blowing out of the boundary layer
• Strake
• Canards

Astir CS with zig-zag tape at the wing base

Turbulator in the form of a sheet metal angle on the nose of a racing car from 1970

Dimples on a golf ball.

• Aeronautical engineering