An experimental study of the dynamic aerodynamic characteristics of a yaw-oscillating wind turbine airfoil

The design of large wind turbines requires a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the dynamic loads of airfoils, so it is of great importance to study the dynamic aerodynamic characteristics of a yaw-oscillating airfoil. In this paper, using “electronic cam” technology and synchronous acquisition of dynamic data, a wind tunnel test of yaw oscillation for the airfoil dynamic “sweep effect” is carried out for the first time, providing previously missing lateral dynamic test data. The results show that the aerodynamic curves of the yaw-oscillating airfoil have an obvious hysteresis effect, induced mainly by a periodic pressure fluctuation on the airfoil suction surface, and the aerodynamic hysteresis characteristics are enhanced with increasing oscillation frequency, initial angle of attack, and amplitude. The hysteresis loops of the lift and pressure drag, as a function of yaw angle, follows a “W” shape, the hysteresis loop of the pitching moment follows an “M” shape, and the hysteresis loop of the unsteady lift increment follows an “∞” shape. The aerodynamic force of the airfoil under negative stroke is higher than that under positive stroke, and the aerodynamic coefficients decrease clearly with increasing oscillation frequency under positive stroke. The pressure fluctuation on the airfoil surface is due to a periodic generation, development, movement, breakdown, dissipation, and reconstruction of shear layer vortices, leading edge vortices, trailing edge vortices, and dynamic separation vortices. The dynamic aerodynamic hysteresis of the yaw-oscillating airfoil occurs essentially because of the dynamic interaction between vortex and vortex, or vortex and airfoil surface boundary layer.