Dynamic stall control using inflatable leading edge

The inflatable leading edge (ILE) as a dynamic stall control concept for helicopter rotor blades was investigated numerically on a dynamically pitching airfoil. A fluid-structure interaction (FSI) numerical method for the elastic membrane structure was constructed based on unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations and mass spring damper (MSD) structural dynamic model. The numerical results indicate that the ILE can change the radius of curvature of the airfoil leading edge, which could reduce the streamwise adverse pressure gradient and suppress the formation of dynamic stall vortex (DSV). Although the maximum lift coefficient of the airfoil is reduced by 8.2%, the maximum drag and pitching moment coefficients of the airfoil are reduced by up to 50.1% and 55.3%, respectively.