Numerical simulation of propulsive aerodynamic profiles

Abstract

The problem of creating high-lift propulsive aerodynamic is considered. A method was developed for constructing an aerodynamic profile by solving the inverse problem of aerodynamics. The dependence of the lifting force of this profile on the volume of air sucked from its upper surface and from the angle of attack is studied. The profile under study was developed on the basis of the well-known Griffin/Goldschmid profile with air suction at the upper critical point. Three aerodynamic profiles have been developed. The first profile has a flat lower surface to obtain the ground effect. The second profile is similar to the first but has a slit nozzle near the trailing edge. The third profile is similar to the second but has a non-flat bottom surface and increased thickness. The solution of the inverse problem of aerodynamics was used to construct aerodynamic profiles within the model of an ideal gas. The pressure distribution on the upper part of the profile, its construction height and the range of angles of attack are from 0° to 16°, as well as the degree of rarefaction up to 0.5 atm in the gap through which the air was taken were set. For the second and third profiles, the ratio of the amount of air ejected through the nozzle to the amount of air taken from the upper surface of the profile was set. This ratio ranged from 50 % to 200 %. Numerical calculations were performed for each variant using the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence models and the Transition Shear Stress Transport (SST) and Langtry model. The parameters of the turbulence models were adjusted according to known reference data. The Reynolds number was in the range of 1.5·105–1.5·106. The profiles have a high lift coefficient Cy = 3–3.4 which is achieved when creating a vacuum in the air intake of 0.5 atm. Cy depends on the angle of attack almost linearly up to the maximum values. The greater the air flow through the slot nozzle, the greater is the Cy at a vacuum in the air intake of 0.5 atm. Significance for practical application. The developed profiles have a large thickness and create traction. These profiles are convenient to use in aircraft with large internal volumes, for example, those running on hydrogen fuel.

Keywords

• aerodynamic profile
• high-lift aerodynamic profile
• mathematical modeling
• numerical experiment
• optimization
• power aerodynamics
• propulsive wing concept