The goal of this project was to visualize the flowfield over low aspect-ratio wings at low Reynolds numbers which are used in micro-air vehicle applications. A new sting balance was designed and constructed to support a wing in the WPI water tunnel. The sting was designed to resist the corrosive properties of saltwater. Flow visualizations were conducted for an aspect ratio (AR = 1) wing over a Reynolds number range of 35,000 to 70,000 and flow angles of 2? to 15?. Observed flow phenomena included flow separation regions and vortices. The observations were compared with an earlier work by Sathaye et al. (2004). A second experimental apparatus consisting of a low aspect ratio, flat plate wing to be used to obtain surface pressure measurements was also designed.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Minschke, Ernst Thomas
• Borges, Alex G.
• Massih-Tehrani, John Ali

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 06D396M

Advisor

• Olinger, David J.

Year

• 2006

Date created

• 2006-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright