STUDY OF THE ELECTROSTATIC FIELD AND CHARGE DISTRIBUTION IN A VORTEX SEEDED WITH DUST

摘要

A program was undertaken to investigate the vortex geometry, particle distribution and electric field distribution in a trailing vortex shed from an airfoil tip placed in a dust laden flow. A differential airfoil, positioned in a subsonic wind tunnel, generated the trailing vortex. Dust conditions, typical of a helicopter landing zone, were simulated by seeding the wind tunnel flow with P.V.C. plastic pellets, No. 3 sand, and No. 120 sand. A vaned probe was used to measure the vortex geometry. A particle impact probe and a miniature field meter were used to map the particle distribution and electric field distribution across the trailing vortex. Vortex geometry particle distribution and electric field intensity were measured throughout the plane normal to the wind tunnel axis at several locations downstream from the airfoil. (Modified author abstract)