A VORTEX-LATTICE METHOD FOR THE MEAN CAMBER SHAPES OF TRIMMED NO COPLANAR PLAN FORMS WITH MINIMUM VORTEX DRAG

摘要

A new subsonic method has been developed by which the mean camber surface can be determined for trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag. This method uses a vortex lattice and overcomes previous difficulties with chord loading specification. This method uses a Trefftz plane analysis to determine the optimum span loading for mini¬mum drag, then solves for the mean camber surface of the wing, which will provide the required loading. Sensitivity studies, comparisons with other theories, and applications to configurations which include a tandem wing and a wing-winglet combination have been made and are presented.