Novel Numerical Framework for Active Grid-Based Flow Control

We introduce a novel numerical approach for active grid-based control of fluid flow, extending traditional methodologies in grid-induced flow manipulation. The proposed framework addresses steady, incompressible, inviscid, two-dimensional flows, incorporating rotational perturbations to effectively simulate realistic disturbances introduced by active grids. Utilizing the finite element method (FEM), we solve for the stream functions upstream and downstream of the grid, enforcing conservation of mass, momentum, and energy across the grid interface. This allows for precise numerical determination of optimal blade angular positions to achieve desired velocity profiles. Aerodynamic parameters such as lift, drag, and pressure loss coefficients, crucial for accurate modeling, are extracted from detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations performed under representative flow conditions. The approach has been demonstrated through detailed analyses of two-blade and eight-blade grid configurations, highlighting its robustness and effectiveness in shaping complex shear and boundary-layer flows. This methodology offers significant advancements for active grid control, facilitating efficient and accurate prediction and design of controlled aerodynamic flow fields for experimental applications.