A computational and experimental investigation of the propulsive and lifting characteristics of oscillating airfoils and airfoil combinations in incompressible flow

Computational and experimental methods have been used to systematically study one and two airfoils undergoing unsteady motion. first, a single airfoil analysis with the modified computer code, U2DIFF. thrust, efficiency, and phase relationships were computed and compared to existing theoretical results. Furthermore, to help understand the dynamic stall process, relationships were developed between steady and quasi-steady pressure distributions for an airfoil undergoing a ramp motion. Next, an unsteady analysis for two airfoils was done with the modified computer code USPOTF2. Again, thrust and efficiencies for interfering, harmonically oscillating airfoils were computer and compared to existing theoretical results. Furthermore, an analysis was completed on the effects of a harmonically oscillating airfoil on the pressure gradient of a stationary airfoil. Finally, flow visualization experiments were conducted using a low smoke speed tunnel at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). This experiment demonstrated the effects of a thrust producing, oscillating airfoil on the formation of the wake vortices. Furthermore, a flow visualization experiment was conducted in the NPS low speed wind tunnel, which demonstrated the beneficial influence of a secondary airfoil oscillating in the vicinity of a stationary airfoil at high-angle-of-attack.

Department dc:contributor.department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

1992

Author dc:creator

• Neace, Kerry S.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Platzer, Max F.
• Hebbar, S. K.

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/23578

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/23578