Theoretical study on two-dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of unsteady wings

A simple computing method based con a potential theory is developed for two-dimensional steady and unsteady deflected wings. This method of theoretical analysis is essentially related to thin and angular airfoils. Thus, the method is very simple but is effective to, forecast aerodynamic forces for deflected or angular airfoils with a small camber operating in high Reynolds number flow, specifically in unsteady motion. The suction force acting on the leading edge of steady airfoils is theoretically obtained by using the Blasius formula. By Polhamus's leading edge suction analogy, the suction force is considered to be directed upward in partially separated flow for real thin airfoil with sharp leading edge. The theory can also be applied to obtain the aerodynamic characteristics of thin airfoils operating on low Reynolds number flow under some degree of approximation. This is very useful for the unsteady aerodynamic analysis because the Navier-Stokes equation can be solved by neither analytical nor numerical method for the thin and angular airfoils, which are common in the insect wing. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.