Optimal Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of a Paraglider Airfoil Based on the Sharknose Concept

Abstract

The effects of classical air inlet configurations on the aerodynamic performance of a paraglider airfoil are firstly presented. Followed by conducting gradient-based aerodynamic shape optimization of the baseline airfoil used in the investigation of the classical air inlets. Different air inlet configurations are introduced to the optimized profile, and there effects on the aerodynamic performance are then compared to the initial and optimized airfoils. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) are solved for the flow field around the closed and open airfoils. The canopy is assumed to be smooth, rigid and impermeable. Results are focused on both of lift and drag coefficients for performance analysis and on the internal pressure coefficient which can be critical for a real flexible wing regarding the risk of collapse.

Wind-Tunnel Measurement of Differential Pressure on the Surface of a Dynamically Inflatable Wing Cell

“…Several works devoted to the development of control models, guidance systems, and trajectory optimization can be found in the literature [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Further, a representative number of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based aerodynamic characterization is available [6,[16][17][18][19][20]. However, few experimental results related to the paraglider cell deformation can be found in recent literature [21].…”

Influence of Material Degradation on Deformation of Paraglider during Flight

“…Numerical calculations of the flow over the paraglider wing were previously performed in the sense of geometry influence [21,22] or the position of the inlet to the airstreams [23] on the aerodynamic characteristics, whereas the previous research of the authors of this publication studied the sensitivity of paraglider performance to air permeability material change [24].…”