This research presents an investigation on the scaling effects for synthetic jet actuators using Ansys-CFX and a Lumped Element Model (LEM). Synthetic jets or zero net mass-flux devices use a vibrating diaphragm to generate an oscillatory flow through a small orifice. A synthetic jet actuator can be used on MAVs as thrust generator or fixed on an airfoil for flow separation control. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created, using Ansys-CFX, to be validated against referred publications. The use of mesh adaption is discussed. This baseline model was then used to complete a scaling analysis using a set of geometries. The average velocity and the thrust at the orifice were controlled values. The Lumped Element Model (LEM) was employed to create a model comparable to the baseline CFX model. Discussion about the way of using the LEM is provided. Another scaling analysis was conducted using the LEM and optimal excitation parameters of the actuator were found. Finally a test case was conducted with both models, velocity profile was extracted for future use in an application of controlled separated flow over an airfoil using an actuator and optimal excitation parameters were obtained.
","abstract_html":"<p>This research presents an investigation on the scaling effects for synthetic jet actuators using Ansys-CFX and a Lumped Element Model (LEM). Synthetic jets or zero net mass-flux devices use a vibrating diaphragm to generate an oscillatory flow through a small orifice. A synthetic jet actuator can be used on MAVs as thrust generator or fixed on an airfoil for flow separation control. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created, using Ansys-CFX, to be validated against referred publications. The use of mesh adaption is discussed. This baseline model was then used to complete a scaling analysis using a set of geometries. The average velocity and the thrust at the orifice were controlled values. The Lumped Element Model (LEM) was employed to create a model comparable to the baseline CFX model. Discussion about the way of using the LEM is provided. Another scaling analysis was conducted using the LEM and optimal excitation parameters of the actuator were found. Finally a test case was conducted with both models, velocity profile was extracted for future use in an application of controlled separated flow over an airfoil using an actuator and optimal excitation parameters were obtained.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Bourlier, Amandine"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering","degree_level":"Thesis - Open Access","degree_discipline":"Aerospace Engineering","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Vladimir V. Golubev","Hany Nakhla","R.R. Mankbadi"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2010,"date_issued":"2010-10-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2010-10-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:25:45Z","subjects":["scaling effects","synthetic jet actuator","Aerospace Engineering"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/12","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Vladimir V. Golubev","Hany Nakhla","R.R. Mankbadi"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Bourlier, Amandine"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Aerospace Engineering"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis - Open Access"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["scaling effects","synthetic jet actuator","Aerospace Engineering"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/12"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This research presents an investigation on the scaling effects for synthetic jet actuators using Ansys-CFX and a Lumped Element Model (LEM). Synthetic jets or zero net mass-flux devices use a vibrating diaphragm to generate an oscillatory flow through a small orifice. A synthetic jet actuator can be used on MAVs as thrust generator or fixed on an airfoil for flow separation control. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created, using Ansys-CFX, to be validated against referred publications. The use of mesh adaption is discussed. This baseline model was then used to complete a scaling analysis using a set of geometries. The average velocity and the thrust at the orifice were controlled values. The Lumped Element Model (LEM) was employed to create a model comparable to the baseline CFX model. Discussion about the way of using the LEM is provided. Another scaling analysis was conducted using the LEM and optimal excitation parameters of the actuator were found. Finally a test case was conducted with both models, velocity profile was extracted for future use in an application of controlled separated flow over an airfoil using an actuator and optimal excitation parameters were obtained.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Investigation of Scaling Effects for a Synthetic Jet Actuator Using High and Low Fidelity Analyses"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Vladimir V. Golubev","Hany Nakhla","R.R. Mankbadi"],"dc:creator":["Bourlier, Amandine"],"dc:description.abstract":["This research presents an investigation on the scaling effects for synthetic jet actuators using Ansys-CFX and a Lumped Element Model (LEM). Synthetic jets or zero net mass-flux devices use a vibrating diaphragm to generate an oscillatory flow through a small orifice. A synthetic jet actuator can be used on MAVs as thrust generator or fixed on an airfoil for flow separation control. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was created, using Ansys-CFX, to be validated against referred publications. The use of mesh adaption is discussed. This baseline model was then used to complete a scaling analysis using a set of geometries. The average velocity and the thrust at the orifice were controlled values. The Lumped Element Model (LEM) was employed to create a model comparable to the baseline CFX model. Discussion about the way of using the LEM is provided. Another scaling analysis was conducted using the LEM and optimal excitation parameters of the actuator were found. Finally a test case was conducted with both models, velocity profile was extracted for future use in an application of controlled separated flow over an airfoil using an actuator and optimal excitation parameters were obtained.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/12"],"dc:subject":["scaling effects","synthetic jet actuator","Aerospace Engineering"],"dc:title":["Investigation of Scaling Effects for a Synthetic Jet Actuator Using High and Low Fidelity Analyses"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Aerospace Engineering"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis - Open Access"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:25:45Z"}