Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight
Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight
Aerodynamics and Design for Ultra-Low Reynolds Number Flight
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Chapter 6<br />
in boundary layer thickness. The reduction in boundary layer thickness increases the<br />
effectiveness of the airfoil geometry, particularly aft where the cumulative effects on<br />
boundary layer development are greatest. For the optimal airfoil designs of Chapter 3,<br />
this means that the kink in the camberline at 80% chord will have much more effect than<br />
intended.<br />
Detailed comparisons of blade sectional aerodynamics are presented <strong>for</strong> a single chord-<br />
wise station at r/R = 0.48 <strong>and</strong> 50,760 RPM. This case was selected to minimize tip<br />
effects. <strong>Reynolds</strong> number variations are minor since the rotational velocity term<br />
dominates any induced velocities. Cross-flow is minimal up to separation, which occurs<br />
aft of 90% chord. The blade-element method predicts that at this station C = 0.45<br />
corresponding to α=2.5 degrees. Pressure <strong>and</strong> skin friction distributions <strong>for</strong> this section<br />
calculated with INS2d <strong>and</strong> those taken from the OVERFLOW-D analysis are presented<br />
in Figures 6.49 <strong>and</strong> 6.50. The total pressure thrust agrees within 5%, but the pressure<br />
distributions are dramatically different. The OVERFLOW-D section is operating at a<br />
lower local angle of attack, but achieves the same pressure thrust with a large increase in<br />
the aft loading. The section torque due to skin friction is 30% higher in the three-<br />
dimensional case.<br />
148<br />
Cp<br />
-1.0<br />
-0.8<br />
-0.6<br />
-0.4<br />
-0.2<br />
0.0<br />
0.2<br />
0.4<br />
0.6<br />
0.8<br />
1.0<br />
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0<br />
FIGURE 6.49 Chordline pressure distribution at r/R=0.48, 50k RPM.<br />
x/c<br />
OVERFLOW-D<br />
INS-2D, α = 2.5<br />
INS-2D, α = 1.25