You are on page 1of 7

Fluid Dynamics - Aerodynamics Julia Kim What is FLUID DYNAMICS?

- Deals with the relations between velocities and accelerations and forces exerted by or upon fluids in motion. (http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/~tejada/FluidMechanics.pdf) - It is important in understanding ocean currents and weather systems. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/78521227/Fluid-Dynamics-Coanda-Effects ) AND I AM GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON ONE OF THE FLUIDS AIR. Quote from Henri Coanda, a Romanian scientist who is called, one of the pioneers of the aviation, parent of the modern jet aircraft. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/78521227/Fluid-Dynamics-Coanda-Effects) These airplanes we have today are no more than a perfection of a childs toy made of paper. In my opinion, we should search for a completely different flying machine, based on other flying principles. I imagine a future aircraft, which will take off vertically, fly as usual, and land vertically. This flying machine should have no moving parts. This idea came from the huge power of cyclones. (http://www.scribd.com/doc/78521227/Fluid-Dynamics-Coanda-Effects) AERODYNAMICS of AIRPLANE Definition o Aerios: concerning the air o Dynamis: force o Aerodynamics is concerned with motions of air and other forces and how these forces relate to the mechanics of flying. (http://www.free-online-private-pilotground-school.com/aerodynamics.html) Motion of air is hard to visualize. Air is a mixture of gases. Air enables us to fly. Air has substance; it is denser near the earth and gets thinner at higher altitudes. o Thus, it exerts force when it moves. Double wing model of airflow o The basic principles of aerodynamics are illustrated by action of the air between the wings.

Speed at the narrow part is higher than the speeds at the entrance and the exit, so there is an increase in air speed as it passes through the narrow path, the smaller opening. o This change in velocity has to be balanced by the speed difference. o Air pressure is changed in the narrow part.

The narrow part has a pressure that is significantly lower than the pressure at either end. Bernoullis Principle of Pressure o An increase in the speed of movement or flow would cause a decrease in the fluids pressure. (http://www.free-online-private-pilot-groundschool.com/aerodynamics.html) o Higher velocity, lower pressure.

By cutting the wing model in half, it looks like an aircraft wing section called an airfoil.

It is helpful to lower pressure over a wing. o Because there is a higher pressure beneath the wing, allowing it to push or lift it into the area of the lower pressure above the wing. o

Some of todays wings have symmetrical airfoil with same curvature on both sides. o This design equalizes the pressure on top and bottom of the airfoil. o But, if we incline the airfoil a few degrees, there is going to be a lower pressure on top of the wing, creating a pressure different between the top and bottom, giving us lift. Relative Wind o The airflow striking the fixed wing airfoil of an aircraft or the aircraft itself. o Its direction is always opposite to and parallel with the flight path of the airplane. o In level flight, relative wind and flight path are horizontal and parallel.

The Angle of Attack o A small angle formed by the centered line, or cord line of the airfoil, with the flight path.

When we increase the angle of attack (alpha), we increase the pressure difference, creating more lift. BUT!! There is a limit on the lift.

Stall begins when we increase alpha to the limit.

If the alpha angle is increased even more, lift will decrease rapidly until there is a total stall, and turbulence will be very high. Important Principles in Aerodynamics o Angle of Attack alpha is the angle formed between relative wind and the cord line of the airfoil. Even small variations affect the amount of lift. o Lift the flying principle that as air is accelerated over an airfoil, it decreases pressure, and thus overcomes weight. o Stall air flowing over the top of the airfoil ceases to follow the upper curved surface and breaks away in eddy of air; it is the result of an alpha so great that the air can no longer flow smoothly over the curved top surface of the wing; stall usually begins at about 15.

Now, Lets Apply Our Learning to the Entire Structure of Airplane & Its Flight Airplane wings are airfoils. The vertical tail, horizontal tail, and propeller all are aerodynamic shapes Design of an aircraft is determined by a careful consideration of many aerodynamics shapes and how they totally respond to the principles of lift, angle of attack, and stall. Airfoils o Have a rounded leading edge and a point trailing edge. o Chord line - the centered line from the center of the leading edge to the point of the trailing edge. o Camber of an airfoil; camber refers to curvature.

Two More Important Principles in Aerodynamics o Thrust A force to make the plane go forward and create the relative wind. Generated by engine, which exerts the force to move the aircraft forward. Aerodynamically, the airfoils of the propeller blades form lift or low pressure in front of the blades, pulling the propeller forward.

How about JETS? o The balancing reaction of the action when exhaust gases and air are pushed out of the exhaust thrusts the aircraft forward. o Drag is the retarding force of air resistance and inertia. Lift holds up the airplane and overcomes the weight of the airplane. Thrust is what moves the airfoil ahead and overcomes drag. When an airplane is flying straight in the level and is not accelerating, these forces are in balance; thrust equaling drag, and lift equaling weight. o Suppose we increase power, we increase thrust, and while it is out of balance with drag, speed will increase, but drag will also increase with speed until these forces are in balance. o By increasing the speed, we also increase the lift capability of an aircraft because more air is flowing over the airfoil. o The lift is maintained equally to weight by changing the angle of attack with speed. o In steady level flight, all forces are in balance; thrust equals drag and lift equals weight.

An airplane is the total of many aerodynamics shapes, but some of these are variables thats how we control flight. o Vertical tail has aerodynamic characteristics due to its shape. These cause it to move the fuselage from side to side as the rudders are deflected. o When the hinged surfaces move the way from the stream line position, we increase camber. This gives us a controlled pressure difference which produces a desired force. o Elevators are hinged surfaces connected to the horizontal stabilizer. They work in the same way as the rudder. Moving the elevators varies the angle of attack of the airplane. Small controlled surface is called a trim tab. It is an aerodynamic device used to ease the pressure on pilot control by creating enough lift in the segment to hold the controlled surface in position aerodynamically. Ailerons, too, are movable surfaces o They are placed outboard toward the wing tips. o As they are moved, they vary the airfoil, increasing the lifting force on one wing while decreasing the lifting force on the other. o In some aircraft, there are other devices to vary the aerodynamics of the wing. Most of these are high lift devices, such as flaps, which reduce the stall speed during landing and take-off. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0tvhjIpjSE)

http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/aircraftstructure.html

You might also like