Influence of wing angle of attack and relative position on the aerodynamics of aerotrain

Abstract

An aerotrain model containing wings with variable angles of attack and positions is constructed. Numerous wind tunnel experiments are conducted to research the influences of angles of attack and relative positions of the wings on the aerodynamic performances of the aerotrain. Experimental results show that the influence of relative positions is insignificant in contrast to that of angles of attack. A long distance between the front and rear wings indicate good aerodynamic performance. The long distance can increase the lift coefficient of the model but has little influence on the drag coefficient. Two representable wing location conditions are selected to measure the pressures on the wing surface. The distribution curves of the wing surface pressures are obtained. The relationship among wing surface pressures, angles of attack, and locations is determined. Flow visualization experiments are conducted on two conditions, and the flowing law on the upper surfaces of the front and rear wings is identified.