A minimal model for flow control on an aerofoil using a poro-elastic coating

A minimal model is obtained for vortex-shedding from an aerofoil with a porous coating of flow-compliant feather-like actuators, in order to better understand this passive way to achieve flow control. This model is realized by linearly coupling a minimal-order model for vortex-shedding from the same aerofoil without any such coating with an equation for the poro-elastic coating, here modelled as a linear damped oscillator. The various coefficients in this model, derived using perturbation techniques, aid in our understanding of the physics of this fluid–structure interaction problem. The minimal model for a coated aerofoil indicates the presence of distinct regimes that are dependent on the flow and coating characteristics. The models and the parametric studies performed provide insight into the selection of optimal coating parameters, to enable flow control at low Reynolds numbers.