Journal of Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering
Open Access

Theoretical optimization of a cylindrical body of rotation using Magnus effect lift

3^rd International Conference and Exhibition on Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

October 05-07, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Mark N Callender

Middle Tennessee State University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Aeronaut Aerospace Eng

Abstract :

The Magnus effect is the phenomenon whereby a rotating body experiences an asymmetric force due to its rotation. Historically researchers (Benjamin Robins and Gustav Magnus) investigated this effect using spherical bodies. A simplified investigation later followed by limiting attention to two dimensions, reducing the sphere to a circle was performed. Potential flow theory was capable of describing this situation by superposing a uniform stream upon a collocated doublet/vortex flow. Integrating Eulerâ�?�?s equation along the surface of the resulting â�?�?rotatingâ�? circle yielded an asymmetric force. Experimental verification of this theoretical result was undertaken by approximating the two dimensional circle by a circular cylinder that spanned either a water or wind tunnel. Potential flow theory was taken by Ludwig Prandtl and expanded to describe the lifting flow about a three dimensional surface. Prandtl and his colleague Max Munk used this theory to derive the optimum distribution of vortex flow (hence, circulation) along the span of a lifting body. The elliptical distribution is the optimum in order to reduce induced drag. Given that optimum, Munk was able to solve for the optimum chord distribution for a fixed wing. The extension from two dimensional to three dimensional investigation for airfoils/fixed wings has outpaced that for rotating bodies. The majority of the work on rotating bodies to date has remained two dimensional. The author has taken the optimum circulation distribution and applied it to a rotating cylindrical body. The theoretically optimum three dimensional geometry has been derived and will herein be described.

Biography :

Mark N Callender received his Doctorate in Engineering Science, specifying in Thermal and Fluid Mechanics, from The University of Tennessee Space Institute in 2013. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Department of Middle Tennessee State University located in Murfreesboro, TN. His research interests include Magnus Effect lift, low Reynolds number fluid mechanics, Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) design, ground vehicle drag reduction, the philosophy of time, the existence of actual infinities, and Christian apologetics.

Email: Nate.Callender@mtsu.edu