Design of wing-body configurations to delay the onset of vortex asymmetry

Abstract

The stability analysis developed by Cai, Liu, and Luo (J. of Fluid Mech., vol. 480, 2003, pp.65-94) is augmented by a numerical conformal mapping technique in order to extend its applicability to problems with complex geometry. The extended method is applied to investigate the stability of symmetric vortices over wing-body combinations with various designs of the cross-sectional geometry through morphing a basic profile formed by a flat-plate wing and a circular-cone center-body. The effect of the thickness of the wing and the body, bending the wing tips, and contouring the cross-sectional proflies of the wing and the body are studied systematically. Through this process, it is discovered that a cross-sectional profile like that of a disturbed cobra has the largest stability range up to very high angles of attack for the symmetric vortices over a slender conical forebody.