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Experimental evaluation of compliant surfaces at low speedsAn experimental study was devised to determine the profile drag on a subsonic wind tunnel model partially covered with various compliant surface materials. The model consisted of a large section of constant thickness bounded fore and aft by symmetric airfoil fairings. A flat rigid plate, the control surface, could be exchanged for four contiguous complaint panels. The flexible media generally consisted of thin polyvinylchloride membranes stretched to various tensions over trapped fluid cavities of air, water, or polyethelene oxide solution, or over dry or flooded open-celled polyurethane foams. On the basis of very accurate direct-force cell measurements, all configurations were found to yield profile drags equal to or slightly higher than that obtained for the conventional rigid surface case. The results indicate that the potential for practical drag-reducing applications will be limited to either high-density or high-speed flows where more sensible pressure perturbations occur.
Document ID
19740026342
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Mcalister, K. W. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Wynn, T. M. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1974
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-X-3119
A-5596
Accession Number
74N34455
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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