Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2016
A theoretical study is made of the aerodynamics of wings executing simple harmonic oscillations. The wings considered are slender and infinite-simally thin; they may have curved leading edges and be cambered, but their cross sections must be straight lines. The value of the reduced frequency is assumed to be such that the flow is governed by the two-dimensional Laplace equation.
Leading-edge separation is simulated by a line vortex joined to the leading edge by a cut. The strength and position of the vortex and the values of the generalised forces can be determined by the theory. Results have been calculated for flat delta wings and a flat gothic wing; they are in reasonable agreement with experiment.