Evolution of the Vorticity Contour in Vortex Energy Sources

Abstract

This article utilizes the physical modeling of a differentially rotating shallow fluid to understand the role of restructuring the vorticity contour in realizing the effects of the evolution of intense atmospheric vortex formations. Also paper analyzes the results of laboratory experiments with a rotating fluid model with the conditions for the formation of the polygonal structure of the vorticity contour on the central part and transitions between the modes of the vortex structures at the periphery. Taking into account the diagram of eddy currents stability established for the model where various cases of instability development are visually indicated with changes in the barotropic velocity shift and angular velocity of the entire system, the selection rules for transition times between central polygonal structures and peripheral motion modes with different numbers of vortices are defined. Assuming the analogy and general principles of formation found during radio-location Doppler sounding of polygonal structures of the eye of hurricanes and accompanying peripheral vortices with a corresponding index of symmetry, illustrative calculations of the characteristic times of structural transformations of the configuration of the hurricane eye contour are presented until just before the destruction. Obtained results are important for the organization of the research and monitoring of tropical cyclones including space-based methods.