A Potential Flow Design Method for Multicomponent Airfoil Sections

Abstract

A multicomponent, potential flow design method has been developed to generate an airfoil section with a specified velocity distribution on its surface. The method was developed from an accurate and efficient surface vorticity analysis method. An iterative approach is used to adjust the geometry of a basic airfoil section until it gives the required velocity distribution. This approach allows the designer to adjust the solution to suit the practical constraints within which airfoil designers must work. Examples of the results of various airfoil design problems are shown.