The aerodynamic forces acting on a kite proposed for propelling marine shipping are investigated using computational and experimental means. Attention is given to the kite's positions as perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the air flow that still possess potential for thrust generation but cannot be analysed using finite wing models applicable for kites at low angles of attack. Good agreement is achieved in the prediction of the time-averaged drag coefficient between the large eddy simulations (LESs) of a full scale kite and wind tunnel measurements of a small scale kite model. At zero-yaw conditions both the time-averaged drag and lift (side) forces show behavior similar to the literature-reported empirical relations for flat plates of the same aspect ratio (AR), but with differences of up to 20% in the coefficients’ values. Thus, the plate’s known empirical formulae for aerodynamic forces at zero yaw angles may be used as fast low-accuracy prediction tools before engaging with the more costly turbulent flow computations and wind tunnel tests. Yawing moderately the kite can actually increase mildly the drag but further yawing or pitching it reduces the dominant drag force. Both the drag and lift show unsteady components that are related to the large turbulent wake behind the kite and vortical shedding from the kite's ends. Power spectra of the aerodynamic forces’ coefficients are presented and analysed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2015
Research-Article
Large Eddy Simulation of Flows Around a Kite Used as an Auxiliary Propulsion System
A. Scupi,
A. Scupi
Faculty of Naval Electro-Mechanics,
104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
e-mail: andrei.scupi@cmu-edu.eu
Constanţa Maritime University
,104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Romania
e-mail: andrei.scupi@cmu-edu.eu
Search for other works by this author on:
E. J. Avital,
E. J. Avital
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
e-mail: e.avital@qmul.ac.uk
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
e-mail: e.avital@qmul.ac.uk
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Dinu,
D. Dinu
Faculty of Naval Electro-Mechanics,
104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Constanţa Maritime University
,104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Romania
Search for other works by this author on:
J. J. R. Williams,
J. J. R. Williams
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Munjiza
A. Munjiza
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Scupi
Faculty of Naval Electro-Mechanics,
104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
e-mail: andrei.scupi@cmu-edu.eu
Constanţa Maritime University
,104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Romania
e-mail: andrei.scupi@cmu-edu.eu
E. J. Avital
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
e-mail: e.avital@qmul.ac.uk
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
e-mail: e.avital@qmul.ac.uk
D. Dinu
Faculty of Naval Electro-Mechanics,
104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Constanţa Maritime University
,104 Mircea cel Bătrân Street,
Constanţa 900663,
Romania
J. J. R. Williams
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
A. Munjiza
School of Engineering and Materials Science,
Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
Queen Mary University of London
,Mile End Road,
London E1 4NS,
UK
Contributed by the Fluids Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF FLUIDS ENGINEERING. Manuscript received September 3, 2013; final manuscript received March 3, 2015; published online June 8, 2015. Assoc. Editor: Feng Liu.
J. Fluids Eng. Oct 2015, 137(10): 101301 (8 pages)
Published Online: October 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
September 3, 2013
Revision Received:
March 3, 2015
Online:
June 8, 2015
Citation
Scupi, A., Avital, E. J., Dinu, D., Williams, J. J. R., and Munjiza, A. (October 1, 2015). "Large Eddy Simulation of Flows Around a Kite Used as an Auxiliary Propulsion System." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. October 2015; 137(10): 101301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030482
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Related Articles
A New Class of Synthetic Jet Actuators—Part II: Application to Flow Separation Control
J. Fluids Eng (March,2005)
Transient Simulation of the Aerodynamic Response of a Double-Deck Bus in Gusty Winds
J. Fluids Eng (March,2009)
Space-Time Computational Techniques for the Aerodynamics of Flapping Wings
J. Appl. Mech (January,2012)
The Influence of Compressibility on the Aerodynamics of an Inverted Wing in Ground Effect
J. Fluids Eng (June,2011)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Practical Applications
Robust Control: Youla Parameterization Approach
Introduction and Definitions
Handbook on Stiffness & Damping in Mechanical Design
Assessment of Flow Aggressiveness at an Ultrasonic Horn Cavitation Erosion Test Device by PVDF Pressure Measurements and 3D Flow Simulations
Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Cavitation (CAV2018)