External Aerodynamics of Surface Effect Vehicles.
Abstract
The speeds of surface effect vehicles are of the order of one hundred knots. At these speeds aerodynamic forces become significant necessitating an understanding of the craft external aerodynamics. In order to predict external flow phenomenon about a hovercraft a discrete vortex model was applied to the problem. This model was programmed and run on a Honeywell 635 computer. A corresponding experimental model was designed, fabricated, and tested. The results of the experimental programme and those obtained from the analytical computer study were then compared. It appears that the discrete vortex model is an effective means of representing the external aerodynamics of surface effect vehicles provided that sufficient computer space is available. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0769506
Entities
People
- Robert E. Fishman
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy