Challenges About Detecting And Analysing The Rotor Blade Tip Vortices In Numerical Simulations At Late Wake Ages

Abstract

Main tip vortex (MTV) are a fundamental feature of a rotor wake for efficiency, noise production and vibrations. During the decay of the wake, the initial helicoidal structure is eventually developing into a complex vortical flow field. To study numerically the late wake age regime, which are of great practical interest to understand the wake decay, difficulties are related to the correct detection of the MTV. Thus, an automated and easily applicable procedure to track the MTV is proposed. This method, through a series of precautions and considerations, allows to follow the MTV even far from the rotor plane. The results, in terms of position, wandering, dimensions and shape of the MTV can be useful regarding a turbulent regime otherwise difficult to analyse.