Unsteady Vortex Dynamics and Surface Pressure Topologies on a Finite Pitching Wing

Abstract

A straight wing having an NACA 0015 cross section and rectangular planform was attached to a circular splitter plate. This configuration was pitched at a constant rate to angles exceeding the static stall angel. The unsteady, vortex-dominated flow that developed over the wing and splitter plate was characterized in detail using surface pressure measurements and flow visualization. Both types of data showed that the leading-edge vortex underwent profound three-dimensional alterations to cross section and convection over the entire wing span. These changes in leading-edge vortex structure and kinematics were correlated with prominent spanwise variations in force coefficients. When appropriately dissected, visualization results and pressure data suggested physical mechanisms to account for these three-dimensional variations in unsteady forces and surface pressures.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA285490

Entities

People

  • H. E. Helin
  • S. J. Schreck

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Animal Structures
  • Boundary Layer
  • Convection
  • Data Acquisition
  • Flow
  • Flow Visualization
  • Leading Edges
  • Measurement
  • Photographs
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Pressure Gradients
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Unsteady Flow

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.