Determination & Characterization of Aerodynamic Performance of the Leading Edge Tubercles of the Humpback Whales in the Aircraft Wing

– This study investigates and provides a detailed report on the effects of the leading edge sinusoidal protrusions (tubercles) on the performance of the aircraft wings. The leading edge geometry was inspired by the morphology of the Humpback whale flipper, which is a highly acrobatic species. The aim of this study is to determine and characterize the aerodynamic performance of the leading edge tubercles of the Humpback whale incorporated in the aircraft wings (business jet). The medium size business jet wing has been analyzed with the leading edge tubercles with airfoil section selected is NACA 23012. The design of the wing with leading edge tubercles has been generated using design software. The finite volume method is used to analyze the wing using Ansys Fluent solver for an angle of attack (AoA) range of 0° to 16° at low speed Reynolds number. Turbulence model SST k-ɷ is used to simulate steady flow over normal and tubercle wing. Few specific parameters have been varied to determine an ideal tubercle configuration for the wing in terms of improved lift performance with minimal drag penalties. The objective of the work is focusing on the basic fluid-mechanics phenomena involved to show that beneficial effects of tubercles on wing leading edge.