Turbulent boundary layer separation over a rearward facing ramp and its control through mechanical excitation

A vane which oscillates about a fixed point at the inlet to a two-dimensional, 20-deg rearward-facing ramp has been noted to effectively delay the separation of a turbulent boundary layer. A parametric study has been conducted to determine the variation of the maximum values of the static pressure recovery, measured close to the ramp exit as a function of the oscillation frequency of the vane. The resulting curves show a peak value in the maximum static pressure recovery as a function of the vane's oscillation frequency. For the excited cases, corona anemometer measurements in the inner wall regions of the boundary layer along the surface of the ramp show a large range of unsteadiness in the local velocities. Finally, a qualitative explanation of the phenomena of delay of separation is discussed which appears to be supported by the surface static pressure and flow field measurements obtained.