Study of winglets applied to biplanesThis paper examines, both theoretically and experimentally, the possibility of improving the aerodynamic characteristics of a biplane configuration by adding winglets. Theoretical calculations show good agreement with experiment in predicting inviscid drag due to lift. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that the addition of winglets to an optimized biplane configuration can increase the ideal efficiency factor by up to 13 percent, as well as increasing the lift-curve slope and maximum lift coefficient. A theoretical analysis comparing the biplane with an optimized winglet to an equivalent monoplane indicates that the biplane has the potential for a 6.4-percent increase in L/D(max), and 13-percent increase in C(L) to the 3/2-power/C(D), the classical endurance parameter.
Document ID
19850037480
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gall, P. D. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Smith, H. C. (Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA, United States)