A Note on the Vorticity Distribution on the Surface of Slender Delta Wings with Leading Edge Separation

1961 ◽  
Vol 65 (603) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Elle ◽  
J. P. Jones

A description is given of the distribution of vorticity in the surface of thin wings with large leading edge sweep. Although the delta wing is chosen as the basic plan form the deductions are general and applicable to other types of wing. The conclusions are illustrated with experimental evidence from a water tunnel.

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
L C Squire

SummaryThis paper concerns the boundaries between flow regimes for sharp-edged delta wings in supersonic flow and the relation of some predictions of thin-shock-layer theory to these boundaries. In particular, it is shown that the theory predicts that the attachment lines on the lower surface of a thin delta wing at supersonic speeds suddenly jump from just inboard of the leading edges to the centre line in certain flight conditions. In general there is close agreement between the conditions for this jump and the flight conditions corresponding to the change-over from attached flow to the leading-edge separation on the upper surface. Since the movement of the attachment lines on the lower surface must change the position of the sonic line and the nature of the expansion around the edge, it is suggested that the two phenomena are directly related. Thus thin-shock-layer theory can be used to establish the boundaries of the various flow regimes for a wide range of Mach number, incidence and wing sweep. The theory can also be used to predict the effects of wing thickness on leading-edge separation, but here the experimental data is very sparse and somewhat contradictory, so the value of the prediction in the case of thickness requires further investigation.


1973 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Barsby

SummarySolutions to the problem of separated flow past slender delta wings for moderate values of a suitably defined incidence parameter have been calculated by Smith, using a vortex sheet model. By increasing the accuracy of the finite-difference technique, and by replacing Smith’s original nested iteration procedure, to solve the non-linear simultaneous equations that arise, by a Newton’s method, it is possible to extend the range of the incidence parameter over which solutions can be obtained. Furthermore for sufficiently small values of the incidence parameter, new and unexpected results in the form of vortex systems that originate inboard from the leading edge have been discovered. These new solutions are the only solutions, to the author’s knowledge, of a vortex sheet leaving a smooth surface.Interest has centred upon the shape of the finite vortex sheet, the position of the isolated vortex, and the lift, and variations of these quantities are shown as functions of the incidence parameter. Although no experimental evidence is available, comparisons are made with the simpler Brown and Michael model in which all the vorticity is assumed to be concentrated onto an isolated line vortex. Agreement between these two models becomes very close as the value of the incidence parameter is reduced.


1960 ◽  
Vol 64 (596) ◽  
pp. 491-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Elle

In a recent article, H. Werlé, has described how the free spiral vortices on delta wings with leading edge separation suddenly expand if the incidence is increased beyond a critical value. His description conforms to a great extent with the results, arrived at during an English investigation of the same phenomenon (called the vortex breakdown), but the interpretations of the observations, suggested by the two sources, are different. Against this background it is felt that some further comments and some pertinent high speed observations, may be of interest.


In previous calculations (Mangler & Smith 1959) of the vortex-sheet model of leading-edge separation, only qualitative agreement was found with experimental observations. Because the numerical treatment of the model was then necessarily incomplete, it was uncertain how far the lack of quantitative agreement was to be attributed to the limitations of the model. The use of an automatic digital computer has now made it possible to reduce the uncertainties in the calculation to a negligible level. The features of interest in the real flow are more accurately predicted and the remaining discrepancies can be ascribed to the deficiencies in the model. The paper describes the method used to locate the vortex sheet and determine its strength in terms of the two boundary conditions on it; assesses the credibility of the results; and relates them to the observations. It is concluded that the model successfully predicts the observed height of the vortex above the wing, though the predicted lateral position is in error by up to 6% of the semi-span of the wing. This error falls as the incidence increases and is less when transition occurs in the boundary-layer upstream of secondary separation. Normal force is predicted accurately as is the distribution of pressure on the lower surface and the inboard part of the upper surface. The observed suction peak below the vortex changes its character when transition occurs in the boundary-layer upstream of secondary separation. The model predicts the suction peak in the turbulent case fairly well, but it is clear that detailed prediction of the suction peak is not possible by a model which is wholly inviscid.


1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Naomi McMillin ◽  
James L. Pittman ◽  
James L. Thomas

1990 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 209-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Lee ◽  
Chih-Ming Ho

On a delta wing, the separation vorticies can be stationary due to the balance of the vorticity surface flux and the axial convection along the swept leading edge. These stationary vortices keep the wing from losing lift. A highly swept delta wing reaches the maximum lift at an angle of attack of about 40°, which is more than twice as high as that of a two-dimensional airfoil. In this paper, the experimental results of lift forces for delta wings are reviewed from the perspective of fundamental vorticity balance. The effects of different operational and geometrical parameters on the performance of delta wings are surveyed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 103 (1025) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. W. Traub ◽  
B. Moeller ◽  
S. F. Galls

Abstract An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of distributed surface porosity for the alleviation of pitch-up on a delta wing. Tests were undertaken using a 65° sweep delta wing with distributed porosity evaluated at various locations on the wing. Force balance, on and off surface flow visualisation and flow field surveys using a multi-hole probe were undertaken. The data shows that distributed porosity applied along the wing leading edge at the apex is effective in eliminating pitch-up whilst incurring a minimal performance cost. Trailing edge porosity generally degraded performance.


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