Thesis
Manta ray profile performance analysis and comparison with NACA four-digit airfoils
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100382
Abstract
The Manta Ray (Myliobatidae Mobula) is a species of cartilaginous fish with wingshaped cross-sectional profiles. Little research on the fluid dynamics of these profiles exists, and there are no comparisons of their performance to other wing profiles such as those defined by the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). In this study, Computed Tomography (CT) profile scans of a manta were first analyzed for lift, drag and moment coefficients using Two Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (2D-CFD). Profile chord and maximum camber locations were then used to determine NACA 4-digit airfoil analogs. The NACA analog airfoils were analyzed by 2D-CFD under identical test cases and their lift, drag and moment coefficients extracted for comparison with the manta parameters. Manta profiles were found to have smaller lift and moment coefficients at low Reynolds numbers, but with drag coefficients averaging 11% less than the NACA analog airfoils. The same manta profiles were then analyzed by Three Dimensional (3D) CFD and wind tunnel models for pressure distributions and forces to determine their pressure lift, drag and moment coefficients for direct comparisons and also for comparisons to the 2D coefficients. The manta has a leading edge sweep angle of approximately 26°, resulting in significant 3D flow effects of lower lift line slopes and higher drag coefficients for a given angle of attack range. Test cases were defined in terms of the Reynolds Number and Angle of Incidence of the profile relative to fluid flow.
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Details
- Title
- Manta ray profile performance analysis and comparison with NACA four-digit airfoils
- Creators
- Daniel Douglas Williams
- Contributors
- Stephen A. Solovitz (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525193401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis