A class of airfoils having finite trailing edge pressure gradients

Some new developments relevant to the design of single-element airfoils using potential flow methods are presented. In particular, the ramifications of the unbounded trailing edge pressure gradients generally present in the potential flow solution for the flow over an airfoil are examined, and the conditions necessary to obtain a class of airfoils having finite trailing edge pressure gradients developed. The incorporation of these conditions into the inverse method of Eppler for the design of low-speed airfoils is discussed, and designs generated using the modified scheme are presented for consideration. A detailed viscous analysis of one of these airfoils demonstrates a significant reduction in the strong inviscid-viscid interactions generally present near the trailing edge. These reductions offer the possibility of improved airfoil performance, as well as the possibility of improved accuracy in the methods of airfoil design and analysis.