Multi-element airfoils are one of the most common high-lift devices used in aircraft. There are many variations of them, and the number of elements depends on the aircraft type, weight, runway takeoff and landing distances, and the required stall speed for landing and takeoff as well. Multi-element airfoils are also very complex dynamical systems where the interaction of elements on the aerodynamic performance of the whole system is highly entangled.
This CFD simulation was carried out using 2D-URANS at Mach=0.1 and aimed to replicate the complex motion of these elements in action. The leading-edge slat at the front undergoes nonlinear translational and rotational motion, while the Fowler flaps rotate about a specific axis. The base airfoil is the GA (W)-2 developed by NASA, but both elements and their trajectories are custom-designed.
