Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-16T23:57:23.082Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Efficient lift enhancement of a blunt edged delta wing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

L. W. Traub
L. W. Traub*
Affiliation:
Aerospace Engineering DepartmentTexas A&M UniversityTexas, USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A windtunnel study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of leading edge vortex plates in enhancing the lifting abilities of a blunt edged delta wing. In the investigation, vortex plates were attached to both the upper and lower surfaces of the leading edge. Various positions of the vortex plates with respect to the wing's leading edge were evaluated. The results indicate that a vortex plate located on the upper surface of the wing is capable of increasing lift so as to be comparable to a similar sharp edged wing, whilst reducing drag through some retained leading edge thrust. The increase in zero lift drag associated with vortex plate attachment tends to limit potential performance improvements. A vortex plate mounted on the lower wing surface decreased lift slightly compared to the blunt wing. However, drag was found to decrease markedly.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 101 , Issue 1009 , November 1997 , pp. 439 - 445
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1997 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Polhamus, E.C. Prediction of vortex lift characteristics by a leading edge suction analogy, J Aircr, 1971, 8, (4), pp 193–199.Google Scholar
2. Bradley, R.G. and Wray, W.O. A conceptual study of leading edge vortex enhancement by blowing, J Aircr, 1974, 11, (1), pp 33–38.Google Scholar
3. Traub, L.W. Effects of spanwise blowing on a delta wing with vortex flaps, J Aircr, 1995, 32, (4), pp 884–887.Google Scholar
4. Trebble, W.J.G. Exploratory investigation of the effects of blowing from the leading edge of a delta wing, ARC R&M 3518, April 1966.Google Scholar
5. Rao, D.M. An exploratory study of area efficient vortex flap concepts, J Aircr, 1983, 20, (12), pp 1062–1067.Google Scholar
6. Traub, L.W. Aerodynamic characteristics of vortex flaps on a double delta planform, J Aircr, 1995, 32, (2), pp 449–450.Google Scholar
7. Traub, L.W. and Van Der Merwe, J. Aerodynamic characteristics of strake vortex flaps on a strake wing configuration, J Aircr, 1994, 31, (5), pp 1116–1120.Google Scholar
8. Rinoie, K. and Stollery, J.L. Experimental studies of vortex flaps and vortex plates; part 2. 1·15m span 60° delta wing, National Aerospace Lab. 1992, TR-1180T, Tokyo, Japan.Oct.Google Scholar
9. Traub, L.W. Comparative study of delta wings with blunt leading edges and vortex flaps, J Aircr, 1996, 33, (4), pp 828–830.Google Scholar
10. Shindo, S. Simplified tunnel correction method, J Aircr, 1995, 32, (1), pp 210–213.Google Scholar
11. Pope, A. and Rae, W.H. Low Speed Windtunnel Testing, John Wiley and Sons, 1984, pp 199–208 and pp 362–424.Google Scholar
12. Wentz, W.H. and Kohlman, D.L. Windtunnel investigations of vortex breakdown of slender sharp edged wings, NASA CR 98737, Nov 1968.Google Scholar
13. Lamar, J.E. and Gloss, B.B. Subsonic aerodynamic characteristics of interacting lifting surfaces with separated flow around sharp edges predicted by a vortex lattice method, NASA TN-D 7921, Sept 1975.Google Scholar
14. Traub, L.W., Galls, S.F. and Rediniotis, O.K. Reynolds number effects on vortex breakdown of a blunt edged delta, J Aircr, 1996, 33, (4), pp 835–837.Google Scholar
15. Carlson, H.W. and Mack, R.J. Studies of leading edge thrust phenomena, J Aircr, 1980, 17, (12), pp 890–897.Google Scholar
16. Traub, L.W. Analytic prediction of lift for delta wings with partial leading edge thrust, J Aircr, 1994, 31, (6), pp 1426–1429.Google Scholar
17. Erickson, G.E. Water tunnel flow visualization: insight into complex three dimensional flow fields, AIAA Paper 79–1530, July 1979.Google Scholar