ACTIVE FLOW CONTROL FOR TRUCKS: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

The possibility to actively control the external aerodynamic of vehicles is an attractive yet challenging solution to decrease the aerodynamic drag and the fuel consumption. The workflow that describes the implementation of an Active Flow Control (AFC), for the suppression of the separated flow at the A-pillar of a truck, is condensate in this paper. The presented work spans the process from a theoretical verification of the method to a preliminary implementation of an AFC on a real full-scale truck cabin. The study involves CFD and experimental work, including aerodynamic test in a full-scale wind tunnel. The milestones of this process are listed below: - Identification of the problem, Fig. 1. - Preliminary CFD (LES) study, Fig. 2. - CFD (PANS) study of a simplified truck cabin model, Fig. 3. - Experiments on a simplified cabin model and actuation of the flow, Fig. 4. - Full-scale preliminary test (cabin), Fig. 5. - Future: full-scale wind tunnel test (force measurements), cabin + trailer. - Future: piezo electric actuators