A General Three-Dimensional Potential-Flow Method Applied to V/STOL Aerodynamics

This paper describes a numerical method for solving three-dimensional incompressible flow problems and its use in predicting the aerodynamic characteristics of V/STOL aircraft. Arbitrary configuration and inlet geometry, fan inflow distributions, thrust vectoring, jet entrainment, angles of yaw, and flight speeds from hover through transition can be treated. Potential-flow solutions are obtained with the method of influence coefficients, using source and doublet panels distributed on the boundary surfaces. The results include pressure distributions, lift, induced drag and side force, and moments. Theoretical solutions are presented for clean lifting wings and for a NASA fan-in-wing model. Comparisons with the experimental NASA data demonstrate the validity of the approach and uncover the importance of viscous effects, fan inflow distribution, and jet entrainment.