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1997 34 GurneyParametricStudy
1997 34 GurneyParametricStudy
Michael Papadakis
Wichita State Univ., KS
Ismael Heron
Wichita State Univ., KS
AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting & Exhibit, 35th, Reno, NV, Jan. 6-9, 1997
The effect of Gurney flaps on 2D airfoils, 3D wings, and reflection plane model was investigated using a symmetric NACA
0011 and a cambered GA(W)-2 airfoils during the single element airfoil part of the study. The GA(W)-2 airfoil was also used
during the two-element airfoil study with its 25 percent chord slotted flap deflected at 10, 20, and 30 degrees. Straight and
tapered reflection plane wings with natural laminar flow (NLF) airfoil sections were tested for the 3D wing part of this
investigation. A fuselage and engine were attached to the tapered NLF wing for the reflection plane model investigation.
Compared to the baseline clean configuration, the Gurney flap improved the maximum lift coefficient. However, there was a
drag penalty associated with this lift increase. (Author)
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AIAA-97-0034
1
pressure on the lower surface as compared to the have been limited in terms of configuration (i.e.,
clean airfoil. This increase in the airfoil's two-dimensional airfoils) and oftentimes in terms
circulation is presumably associated with the of measurement types (e.g., aerodynamic loads
downward turning of the flow behind the airfoil. and airfoil pressure distribution). Thus, the
Storms and Jang4 measured aerodynamic loads objective of the research effort at Wichita State
and pressure distributions on a NACA 4412 University has been to conduct a comprehensive
airfoil. They found that the Gurney flap study on Gurney flaps for a wide range of
generated an additional nose-down pitching configurations, test conditions, and measurement
moment compared to the clean airfoil. Myose et types. Thus far, Gurney flaps of varying
al5 measured aerodynamic loads, airfoil pressure heights have been tested on two-dimensional
distribution, wake and boundary layer profiles airfoils (NACA 00115'11 and GA(W)-28), three-
for a NACA 0011 airfoil with Gurney flaps. dimensional reflection plane wings (NLF12 and
They found that the wake behind the airfoil was NACA 6-series), and a twin engine reflection
shifted downwards as suggested by the earlier plane model13. The purpose of this paper is to
flow visualization studies. summarize the aerodynamic load results from
Previous studies1"5 which include these numerous investigations at Wichita State
aerodynamic load results show that the Gurney University. The authors are unaware of any
flap increases the maximum lift coefficient, other study which investigates the effect of
decreases the angle of attack of zero lift while Gurney flaps for such a wide range of test
the lift curve slope remains relatively constant, configurations.
and increases the nose-down pitching moment.
All of these results indicate that the Gurney flap Experimental Set-up
increases the effective camber of the airfoil. A
computational study by Jang et al6 further The experiment was conducted in the
suggests that the Gurney flap works by affecting Wichita State University Beech memorial low
the Kutta condition on the airfoil. The speed wind tunnel. This closed-return type wind
downward turning of the flow relieves the tunnel consists of four screens for flow
adverse pressure gradient near the trailing edge conditioning, a 6:1 ratio contraction section, a 7
and thus increases the suction over the upper feet high by 10 feet wide by 12 feet long test
surface. Giguere et aP suggests that the section, a diffuser section, a four-bladed 11 feet
increase in lift with the Gurney flap is obtained diameter variable pitch propeller and a 1000
with very little penalty in drag because the horsepower electric motor section followed by
Gurney flap resides within the airfoil's boundary the four corners with turning vanes. The
layer. Based on their results (on LA 203 and maximum speed of the Beech wind tunnel is 160
Gottingen 797 airfoils) as well as a review of mph (235 ft/s). The facility is equipped with a
past studies, they found that the optimum truncated pyramid-type external balance which is
Gurney flap height scales with the boundary capable of measuring up to six components of
layer thickness. aerodynamic force and moment data
On two-element airfoils, a Gurney flap can simultaneously. Since the present experiment
be placed on the trailing element alone7'8, or on consisted of tests on two dimensional airfoils and
the main element alone8'9, or on both reflection plane (i.e., semi-span) whig models,
elements.8'10 When the Gurney flap was located only the lift, drag, and pitching moment were
on the trailing element, an increase in lift was measured by the balance. To eliminate the
obtained.7'8'10 Under some flap settings, a effects of boundary layer build-up along the
Gurney flap on the main element did not wind tunnel floor, two dimensional wall inserts
improve the lift performance.8'10 were used during the 2-D airfoil tests and
As indicated by the above literature survey, ground boards were used during the reflection
there have been a number of studies on the plane tests.
effect of Gurney flaps. However, these studies Four different airfoils and wings were
tested during the course of this investigation. Table 2 specifies the test conditions of the
Table 1 lists the specifications for the airfoils various configurations investigated. In the case
and wings. The NACA 0011 symmetric airfoil, of the GA(W)-2 two-element airfoil, the 1%
NLF 0414 straight wing, and NLF 0215 tapered height Gurney flap was attached at the main
whig were pitched about their quarter chord element trailing edge, at the flap trailing edge,
location while the GA(W)-2 two-element airfoil and at both locations. In the case of the NLF
was pitched about its half chord location. The 0414 straight wing, Gurney flaps of 1.5, 3.0,
GA(W)-2 airfoil had 0.1 inch wide transition and 4.5 feet in span were located inboard,
strips made from #80 carborundum grit at the outboard, and at mid-span. When the engine
5% chord locations of both the upper and lower nacelle was attached to reflection plane model,
surfaces of the main element. The other airfoil the Gurney flap did not encompass the spanwise
and wings did not have transition strips. portion of the engine nacelle.
(a) Lift coefficient versus angle of attack. (b) Lift coefficient versus drag coefficient.
80 80
70 70
60 60
50 50
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
-10 -10
-20 -20
-30 -30
-8-6-4-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
(c) Lift to drag ratio versus angle of attack. (d) Lift to drag ratio versus lift coefficient.
Fig. 1. Aerodynamic loads for single element airfoils. NACA 0011: +, baseline clean; A, 1% height
Gurney flap; °, 2% height Gurney flap; n, 4% height Gurney flap. GA(W)-2: x, baseline clean; v, 1%
height Gurney flap.
Table 3. NACA 0011 Gurney Flap Performance Table 4. Slotted Flap Pivot Locations.
3.0
1.2
2.5
1.0
2.0 0.8
0.6 4.5ft
1.5
0.4
3 ft Inboard
3 ft Outboard
1.0 0.2 1.5ft Inboard
1.5ftMidspan
0.0 1.5ft Outboard
0.5 Clean
-0.2
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 -0.4
C.
3.0
+.5ft
2.5 3 ft Inboard
3 ft Outboard
1.5ft Inboard
2.0 1.5ft Midspan
1.5ft Outboard
Clean
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
C,
(d) Lift coefficient versus drag coefficient for
(b) Drag coefficient versus angle of attack.
20° flap deflection.
3.5
Fig. 3. Aerodynamic loads for NLF 0414
3.0 straight wing with 0.033c height Gurney flap at
2.5 q = 20 lb/ft2.
2.0
main element cove (v), trailing element flap (A),
and both elements (O). Figure 2a shows that
there is a small gain in lift using a main element
Gurney flap in the 20° deflection configuration.
0.5
However, figure 2b shows that very little
.
0.0
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 additional lift is obtained using a main element
C, Gurney flap in the 10° and 30° deflection
(e) Lift coefficient versus drag coefficient for configurations. This is because the gap width
30° flap deflection. and flow through the slot was originally
Fig. 2 (continued). Aerodynamic loads for optimized without the main element Gurney flap
GA(W)-2 two element airfoil: + , baseline clean; in place. Figures 2c through 2e show that the
v, 1% height main Gurney; A, 1% height flap effect of the Gurney flap is to increase the drag
Gurney; O, 1% height Gurney on both main at low to moderate lift coefficients compared to
and flap elements. the baseline clean configurations. Using the
Gurney flap, an improvement in the performance
Figure 2 shows the aerodynamic load is only obtained at the high lift coefficients.
results for the two-element airfoil. Results are
shown for the baseline clean (+) configuration Three-Dimensional Wings
as well as with the Gurney flap located at the Figure 3 shows the lift and drag results for
the NLF 0414 straight wing at a dynamic 1.6
0.6 4.5ft
Figure 3 a shows that the effect of the Gurney 0.4
3 ft Inboard
3 ft Outboard
flap is to increase the maximum lift coefficient. 0.2
1.5ft Inboard
1.5ft Uidspan
As expected, the larger increases in lift are 0.0 1.5ft Outboard
Clean
obtained with the longer spanwise length Gurney -0.2
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
-0.2
(a) Lift coefficient versus angle of attack. (a) Lift coefficient versus angle of attack.
(b) Drag coefficient versus angle of attack. (b) Drag coefficient versus angle of attack.
Fig. 5 Aerodynamic loads for NLF 0215 Fig. 6 Aerodynamic loads for NLF 0215
tapered wing (alone). tapered wing with fuselage and nacelle.