The effects of vortex ingestion on the flow in a diffusing S-duct

An experimental study of the effects of an ingested vortex on the flowfield of a diffusing S-duct is reported. The vortex is generated through the use of a stationary pinwheel device mounted upstream of the diffusing S-duct. Three test conditions vary the location of the vortex in the duct inlet crossplane. For each condition of ingested vortex, a baseline S-duct and an S-duct with an array of vortex generators is examined. The data taken consist of duct inlet and exit crossplane surveys of velocity and total pressure. Duct surface flow visualization and static pressure are also recorded. The data acquired in these tests are compared to identical S-duct data taken in the absence of the ingested vortex. The ingested vortex is observed to have a strong influence on the flowfield inside (and exiting) the S-duct, but only when the vortex impinges at the inlet crossplane location coincident with the crossplane location of downstream flow separation within the duct. When the ingested vortex impinges at this location it reduces the extent of flowfield separation inside the baseline duct and promotes stronger crossflow in the exit plane of both the baseline duct and the duct with installed vortex generators. This enhanced crossflow also strengthens the vortices shed from the vortex generators. The other impingement locations of the ingested vortex are found to produce little effect on the flowfield of the duct with or without vortex generators.