Engineering topics

Donatelli, D. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Donatelli, D. A..

3 records

NASA NTRS1983

Wing loading on a 60 degree delta wing with vortex flaps

Wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 60 deg delta wing with three vortex flap designs to determine pressure distributions over the wing and flap. The results showed that an optimum vortex flap design depends on proper definition of the vortex flap deflection angle. They also revealed that flap thickness plays an important role in the behavior of the vortex flow over the flap and wing and can have a substantial effect on wing and flap pressure loading. Design codes which fail to account for thickness may result in a much less than optimum flap and deprive the designer of an important tool in designing an effective flap with optimum loading.

Marchman, J. F., III↗

NASA NTRS1983

An experimental study of pressures on 60 deg Delta wings with leading edge vortex flaps

An experimental study was conducted in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel to determine surface pressures over a 60 deg sweep delta wing with three vortex flap designs. Extensive pressure data was collected to provide a base data set for comparison with computational design codes and to allow a better understanding of the flow over vortex flaps. The results indicated that vortex flaps can be designed which will contain the leading edge vortex with no spillage onto the wing upper surface. However, the tests also showed that flaps designed without accounting for flap thickness will not be optimum and the result can be oversized flaps, early flap vortex reattachment and a second separation and vortex at the wing/flap hinge line.

Marchman, J. F., III↗

NASA NTRS1983

Pressure investigation of NASA leading edge vortex flaps on a 60 deg Delta wing

Pressure distributions on a 60 deg Delta Wing with NASA designed leading edge vortex flaps (LEVF) were found in order to provide more pressure data for LEVF and to help verify NASA computer codes used in designing these flaps. These flaps were intended to be optimized designs based on these computer codes. However, the pressure distributions show that the flaps wre not optimum for the size and deflection specified. A second drag-producing vortex forming over the wing indicated that the flap was too large for the specified deflection. Also, it became apparent that flap thickness has a possible effect on the reattachment location of the vortex. Research is continuing to determine proper flap size and deflection relationships that provide well-behaved flowfields and acceptable hinge-moment characteristics.

Marchman, J. F., III↗