wing section for inverted ground effect
wing section for inverted ground effect
(OP)
I'm looking for the best possible airfoil out there for a wing-in-ground-effect section that is inverted in order to generate downforce, the airfoil has to generate as little drag as possible whilst maximizing downforce. The requirements are a bit of an oxymoron, but please advise on the best possible compromise or solution





RE: wing section for inverted ground effect
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: wing section for inverted ground effect
Right now I'm looking for different wing sections that I can use for a proof of concept model and reference material that has to do with ground effect and wing sections is very hard to come by.
Sorry I can't be more open about the application, but I don't want to disclose any details until I've filed for a patent.
RE: wing section for inverted ground effect
The aerodynamics of solar cars is very similar to this and small changes in the profile can cause a 30% shift in drag.
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: wing section for inverted ground effect
span and chord do matter, it's called aspect ratio, and for your geometry the aspect ratio is 5.
all airfoils vary their Lift/Drag substantially with angle of attack, which i suspect is constant for your application.
reynold's number is an importantinput for airfoil selection. i suspect that in your case it's quite low, which isn't a problem, you just need to be aware of it.
why is the specific profile that important to your patent application ? surely the patent outlines an idea, the novel solution to a problem, the novel application of technology, without saying (necessarily) "using a NACA 0012 airfoil this patent does ..."; if you did then would could get around your patent by saying "using a NACA 0016 airfoil ..." no?
Research airfoil L/D ... incidence is important (constant though it may be) ... a NACA 0012has zero L/D at zero degrees (will it does in free stream aerodynamic situations, 'cause it's symetric and has zero lift at zero incidence; in ground effect the situation may be different) and something +ve at positive incidence.
RE: wing section for inverted ground effect
Fundamentally the angle of the dangle is the most important part.
Depending on application, especiall if really rough Proof of Concept, I'd consider just a symetric aerofoil - essentially a stretched out tear drop shape.
KENAT,
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