Geometrically-exact unsteady model for airfoils undergoing large amplitude maneuvers

A semi-analytical, geometrically-exact, unsteady potential flow model is developed for airfoils undergoing large amplitude maneuvers. For this objective, the classical unsteady theory of Theodorsen is revisited relaxing some of the major assumptions such as (1) flat wake, (2) small angle of attack, (3) small disturbances to the mean flow components, and (4) time-invariant free-stream. The kinematics of the wake vortices is simulated numerically while the wake and bound circulation distribution and, consequently, the associated pressure distribution are determined analytically. The steady and unsteady behaviors of the developed model are validated against experimental and computational results. The model is then used to determine the lift frequency response at different mean angles of attack. Both qualitative and quantitative discrepancies are found between the obtained frequency response and that of Theodorsen at high angles of attack.

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