Contribution to the theory of thin-profile trailing edge separation

Abstract

The conditions of nonsymmetric trailing edge flow with separation are investigated. Solutions of the equations for the interaction zone in the neighborhood of the trailing edge of a thin profile at an angle of attack of the order O(Re^−1/16) in the separated flow regime are constructed numerically. It is shown that for this zone a solution exists up to a certain angle of attack. In all the regimes the value of the friction on the upper surface at the very end of the trailing edge remains a positive quantity. The solution of the equations in the separated flow regimes is found to be nonunique. The flow over the leading edge is assumed to be unseparated, and the separation at the trailing edge, if present, is assumed to be localized in the interior of the boundary layer. The flow over a Kutta profile at zero angle of attack is taken as an example. In this case the satisfaction of the Chaplygin-Joukowsky condition at the trailing edge ensures smooth flow over both the trailing and leading edges.