Schematized Flow Models for a Power-Augmented Lifting System

Abstract

One of the problems that developers of wing-in-ground-effect vehicles have to solve is related to necessity to reduce the power required for detaching the craft from water. An efficient way to facilitate takeoff consists of blowing air under the main wing of the craft from special engines. This mode of vehicle operation is often called power augmentation or, briefly, PAR. Power augmentation provides additional dynamic head to support the vehicle at small speed and alleviates hydrodynamic loads due to the impact of waves upon the structure of the craft. From the viewpoint of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, the problem of power-augmented takeoff is extremely complicated. It features the interaction of turbulent jets with the vehicle and water surface, the resulting spray effects, and the transient motion of the vehicle. In what follows, only very simplified models of power-augmented flows will be considered for a lifting system moving very close to the underlying surface.