Micro-cavity actuator for delay of dynamic stall

An aircraft comprising:

• a fuselage;
• an airfoil operably associated with the fuselage;
• and
• at least one micro-cavity actuator formed adjacent a leading edge of the airfoil on a pressure side thereof;
• wherein the micro-cavity actuator includes a recessed portion extending inward from the pressure sidewall of the airfoil and is positioned between a stagnation point and a leading edge of the airfoil to generate a resonance in an air flow moving from the stagnation point past the micro-cavity actuator toward a laminar separation bubble on the suction side surface of the airfoil.

A method for delaying stall of an airfoil comprising:

• forming a micro-cavity actuator proximate a leading edge on a pressure side of the airfoil;
• moving the airfoil through a fluid flow;
• generating a flow activated resonance within the micro-cavity actuator when a stagnation point of the fluid flow is further away from a leading edge of the airfoil than a position of the micro-cavity actuator;
• and
• retaining a closed laminar separation bubble adjacent a suction sidewall of the airfoil as the activated resonance propagates from the pressure side to the suction side of the airfoil to delay dynamic stall of the airfoil.