The influence of inlet flow condition on the frequency of self-excited jet precession

A precessing jet flow can be generated naturally by a fluidic nozzle comprising a cylindrical nozzle-chamber with a large sudden expansion at its inlet and a small lip at its outlet. Such a precessing jet flow is offset with respect to the chamber axis, about which it rotates. The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of the chamber-inlet configuration on the frequency of such precession. Three different inlet configurations, classified as long pipe, smooth contraction, and sharp-edged orifice plate, are tested. It is found that the frequency of precession from the orifice is highest, whereas that of the pipe jet is lowest. These differences appear to result partly from the distinct differences in their respective initial boundary layers.