An Inverse Method for the Design of Bodies of Revolution by Boundary Integral Modelling

Abstract

A surface vorticity boundary integral method is presented for the design of bodies of revolution in axisymmetric flow. The analysis finds the desired body shape to deliver a prescribed surface potential flow velocity or pressure distribution. To achieve this the body surface is simulated by a flexible vorticity sheet of prescribed strength. Starting from an arbitrary first guess for the body shape, normally an ellipsoid, the flexible vortex sheet is successively realigned with its own self-induced flow field during an iterative process which converges accurately onto the desired shape. A well-proven analysis method is also presented for back-checking the final design.