Lift-induced drag

About: Lift-induced drag is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2861 publications have been published within this topic receiving 41094 citations.

Experimental Investigation of the Momentum Method for Determining Profile Drag

Abstract: Report presents the results of an experimental investigation conducted in the full-scale tunnel to determine the accuracy of the Jones and the Betz equations for computing profile drag from total and static pressure surveys in the wake of wings. Surveys were made behind 6 by 8-foot airfoils of the NACA 0009, and 0018 sections at zero lift and behind the NACA 0012 at positive lifts. The surveys were made at various spanwise positions and at distances behind the airfoil ranging from 0.05c to 3.00c.

On the lock-on of vortex shedding to oscillatory actuation around a circular cylinder

Abstract: We numerically investigate the influence of sinusoidal flow control on the von Karman vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder in two-dimensional flow. Actuator location, direction, frequency, and amplitude are varied to examine their effects on the wake and the corresponding change in drag on the cylinder. We place focus on the conditions for which the cylinder wake locks onto the actuation frequency. The lock-on region is found to be consistent with stability horns observed in oscillator dynamics. Under certain conditions, the actuation reduces drag by elongating the wake structure to appear more streamlined than the wake without flow control. In other cases, the use of actuation led to less streamlined wakes, resulting in no significant drag reduction or for some instances in a drag increase. Purely steady and oscillatory actuation components are examined to highlight their individual influence on the lock-on and drag characteristics. We also note that low frequency oscillations are observed for cases in the neighborhood of the lock-on boundaries due to the competition between low and high-drag states.

On Wings of the Minimum Induced Drag: Spanload Implications for Aircraft and Birds

Abstract: For nearly a century Ludwig Prandtl's lifting-line theory remains a standard tool for understanding and analyzing aircraft wings. The tool, said Prandtl, initially points to the elliptical spanload as the most efficient wing choice, and it, too, has become the standard in aviation. Having no other model, avian researchers have used the elliptical spanload virtually since its introduction. Yet over the last half-century, research in bird flight has generated increasing data incongruous with the elliptical spanload. In 1933 Prandtl published a little-known paper presenting a superior spanload: any other solution produces greater drag. We argue that this second spanload is the correct model for bird flight data. Based on research we present a unifying theory for superior efficiency and coordinated control in a single solution. Specifically, Prandtl's second spanload offers the only solution to three aspects of bird flight: how birds are able to turn and maneuver without a vertical tail; why birds fly in formation with their wingtips overlapped; and why narrow wingtips do not result in wingtip stall. We performed research using two experimental aircraft designed in accordance with the fundamentals of Prandtl's second paper, but applying recent developments, to validate the various potentials of the new spanload, to wit: as an alternative for avian researchers, to demonstrate the concept of proverse yaw, and to offer a new method of aircraft control and efficiency.

Gas turbine engine fan duct base pressure drag reduction

Abstract: An aircraft is provided with an aircraft base pressure drag reduction apparatus including apparatus for ducting boundary layer air on board an aircraft wherein the air produces ram air drag, apparatus for using the air for work, and apparatus for ducting the used boundary layer air to a low pressure area of an aircraft which otherwise produces base pressure drag on the aircraft to reduce the base pressure drag that the low pressure area would otherwise produce. In a more particular embodiment of the invention the low pressure area of the aircraft is in a fan duct of an aircraft gas turbine engine. In the preferred embodiment the low pressure area in a fan duct of an aircraft gas turbine engine is on the pylon fairing and the means for using the air for work includes at least one means for bleeding boundary layer air from the surface of the aircraft for reducing aircraft boundary layer induced drag.

Minimum Induced Drag Theorems for Multiwing Systems

Abstract: Under the assumption of a rigid wake aligned with the freestream velocity, a computationally efficient induced drag minimization procedure, tailored for the preliminary design phases of generic mul...