A general approach for computing unsteady 3D thin lifting and/or propulsive systems derived from a complete theory

This paper presents the basis of a numerical method for unsteady aerodynamic computation around thin lifting and/or propulsive systems with arbitrary variable geometries, involving the velocity field, the velocity potential, the pressure field and the wake characteristics (geometry and vortex strength). Most of the corresponding theory actually stems from the unsteady wake model established by Mudry, in which the wake is considered to be a median layer, characterized by a pair of functions on which Mudry founded the concept of continuous vortex particle. The governing relations of the continuous problem are then the flow tangency condition, the wake integro‐differential evolution equation, and a flow regularity condition at the trailing edge. This constitutes a rigorous and complete theoretical formulation of this problem, from which a discretization scheme and a numerical method of solution are derived. The view of the vortex wake is similar to the one in the classical vortex lattice approaches, but uses a discrete vortex particle concept, particularly well suited for the prediction of the unsteady wake deformation. This, together with the continuous theory, ensures the computing method compares favorably with the classical methods in terms of flexibility and computing costs. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the present method, the calculation of flapping wings of variable geometry is also presented. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.