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A Study of Methods to Increase the Lift of Supersonic Airfoils at Low Speeds

Citation

Pollock, Albert David and Reck, Floyd Francis (1947) A Study of Methods to Increase the Lift of Supersonic Airfoils at Low Speeds. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/J3NG-DD26. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12082008-083805

Abstract

This thesis presents a study of the problem of improving the lift characteristics of a supersonic wing at low speeds. Trailing edge split flaps, nose flaps, and boundary layer control were investigated singularly and together using the optimum configuration of each. Results indicate that the nose flap has an appreciable effect on preventing separation and thus increasing the lift. Split flaps give an increment of lift as would be expected. The boundary layer control consisted of blowing a sheet of high velocity air back over the top surface of the wing with very definite improvements of the lift and drag characteristics. The work on the blowing technique, it is suggested, indicates sufficient promise to warrant much further study. The relatively large increment of lift that can be attributed to the prevention of flow separation at high angles of attack suggests that such boundary layer control could be used to improve controlability and to delay the stall, particularly tip stall, of high speed aircraft with very large sweep back angles.

Item Type:Thesis (Engineer's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Aeronautical Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Nagamatsu, Henry T.
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1947
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-12082008-083805
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12082008-083805
DOI:10.7907/J3NG-DD26
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:4877
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:07 Jan 2009
Last Modified:16 Mar 2023 22:00

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