A Visualisation Study Of The Vortex Flow Around Double Delta Wings

A family of double-delta wings with leading-edge sweep combinations of 80/80,80/7080/6080/50 and 80/40 deg. was tested in a small towing tank. The hydrogen bubble technique was used to visualize the vortex patterns above the wings over a range of Reynolds numbers (based on centerline chord) from 7000 to 100,000. The effects of variations in incidence and leading-edge kink angle were examined. Reynolds number and leading-edge cross-section shape were found to have significant effects on the vortex structure. Attempts to visualize details of the upper surface secondary vortex flows met with only partial success. Keywords Flow visualization, Vortices, Delta wings, Angle of incidence. (Australia).