Leading-edge vortices as a high-lift mechanism for large aspect ratio wings

Abstract eng:
The Leading-Edge Vortex (LEV) is one of the primary mechanisms to achieve high lift forces on wings. Theoretical and experimental studies suggest the spanwise flow along a wing has a major role in the stabilization of LEVs over the upper wing surface. While this is well known for low aspect ratio (delta) wings we show that continuous spanwise flow is achievable for high aspect ratio wings, depending on on the wing planform. A two-dimensional potential flow model is developed here for Joukowski type airfoils with a LEV and a sink element at the vortex core representing the spanwise flow. The results reported provide significant insight for developing a full three-dimensional potential flow model of the LEV phenomenon about a varying sweep, large aspect ratio wing at post-stall angles.

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