TRANSONIC FLOW AROUND THE LEADING-EDGE OF A THIN AIRFOIL WITH A PARABOLIC NOSE

Transonic potential flow around the leading edge of a thin two-dimensional general airfoil with a parabolic nose is analysed. Asymptotic expansions of the velocity potential function are constructed at a fixed transonic similarity parameter (K) in terms of the thickness ratio of the airfoil in an outer region around the airfoil and in an inner region near the nose. These expansions are matched asymptotically. The outer expansion consists of the transonic small-disturbance theory and it second-order problem, where the leading-edge singularity appears. The inner expansion accounts for the flow around the nose, where a stagnation point exists. Analytical expressions are given for the first terms of the inner and outer asymptotic expansions. A boundary value problem is formulated in the inner region for the solution of a uniform sonic flow about an infinite two-dimensional parabola at zero angle of attack, with a symmetric far-field approximation, and with no circulation around it. The numerical solution of the flow in the inner region results in the symmetric pressure distribution on the parabolic nose. Using the outer small-disturbance solution and the nose solution a uniformly valid pressure distribution on the entire airfoil surface can be derived. In the leading terms, the flow around the nose is symmetric and the stagnation point is located at the leading edge for every transonic Mach number of the oncoming flow and shape and small angle of attack of the airfoil. The pressure distribution on the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil is symmetric near the edge point, and asymmetric deviations increase and become significant only when the distance from the leading edge of the airfoil increases beyond the inner region. Good agreement is found in the leading-edge region between the present solution and numerical solutions of the full potential-flow equations and the Euler equations.