Delay of vortex ring pinchoff by an imposed bulk counterflow

The Kelvin-Benjamin variational principle has been previously used to predict that vortex ring pinchoff can be delayed if the energy of the leading vortex ring is decreased during formation and/or the energy delivered by the vortex generator is increased. We present experimental results in which the former and latter energy effects were simultaneously accomplished by imposing a bulk axisymmetric counterflow during vortex ring formation. Measurements indicate that the formation number is retarded sufficiently to allow increased ingestion of fluid circulation by the leading vortex ring. This serves as a first demonstration of artificial manipulation of vortex ring formation for potential propulsive benefits in starting jets. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.