The Full Multi-wake Vortex Lattice Method: a detached flow model based on Potential Flow Theory

Abstract

Abstract One of the main issues concerning to the standard Vortex Lattice Method is its application to partially or fully detached flow conditions, where non-linear aerodynamic characteristics appears as the angle of attack increases and/or the aspect ratio decreases. In order to solve such limitations a pure numerical approach based entirely on the Vortex Lattice Method concepts has been developed. The so-called steady “Full Multi-wake Vortex Lattice Method” comes from the main hypothesis that each discretized element on the body’s surface detaches their own wakes downstream. Obtained results match for lift, induced drag and moment coefficients for the entire aspect ratio range configurations (under straight wakes and inviscid assumptions). A future unsteady version of such multi-wake approach could improve the current results obtained through Vortex Element Methods (as vortons or isolated vortex filaments).