A Note on the Vortex Patterns in the Boundary Layer Flow of a Swept-back Wing

1952 ◽  
Vol 56 (496) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Black
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Laminar Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layer Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Turbulent Layer ◽  
Edge Radius ◽  
Layer Flow ◽  
Vortex Patterns

Detailed investigations of the two-dimensional characteristics of thin aerofoil sections with small leading-edge radius have been made by Gault and McCullough. They found that at angles of incidence well below the stalling angle of the section, the laminar boundary layer separated from the surface near the nose, became transitional away from the surface, and re-attached to the aerofoil as a turbulent layer a little farther downstream. Beneath the separated layer, a “bubble” vortex was formed lying parallel to the leading edge, its rotation being such that the flow adjacent to the surface was towards the leading edge.

Criteria for Boundary Layer Transition

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Becker ◽  
Donald M. McEligot ◽  
Edmond Walsh ◽  
Eckart Laurien
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Boundary Layer Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Freestream Turbulence ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Layer Flow

New results are deduced to assess the validity of proposed transition indicators when applied to situations other than boundary layers on smooth surfaces. The geometry employed utilizes a two-dimensional square rib to disrupt the boundary layer flow. The objective is to determine whether some available criteria are consistent with the present measurements of laminar recovery and transition for the flow downstream of this rib. For the present data — the proposed values of thresholds for transition in existing literature that are based on the freestream turbulence level at the leading edge are not reached in the recovering laminar run but they are not exceeded in the transitioning run either. Of the pointwise proposals examined, values of the suggested quantity were consistent for three of the criteria; that is, they were less than the threshold in laminar recovery and greater than it in the transitioning case.

Keel Design for Low Viscous Drag

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford J. Obara ◽  
C. P. van Dam
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Laminar Boundary Layer ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Viscous Drag ◽  
Hydrodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Sweep Angle ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Layer Flow

In this paper, foil and planform parameters which govern the level of viscous drag produced by the keel of a sailing yacht are discussed. It is shown that the application of laminar boundary-Layer flow offers great potential for increased boat speed resulting from the reduction in viscous drag. Three foil shapes have been designed and it is shown that their hydro­dynamic characteristics are very much dependent on location and mode of boundary-Layer transition. The planform parameter which strongly affects the capabilities of the keel to achieve laminar flow is lea ding-edge sweep angle. The two significant phenomena related to keel sweep angle which can cause premature transition of the laminar boundary layer are crossflow instability and turbulent contamination of the leading-edge attachment line. These flow phenomena and methods to control them are discussed in detail. The remaining factors that affect the maintainability of laminar flow include surface roughness, surface waviness, and freestream turbulence. Recommended limits for these factors are given to insure achievability of laminar flow on the keel. In addition, the application of a simple trailing-edge flap to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of a foil at moderate-to-high leeway angles is studied.

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