Naming conventions for wing/fin planforms

Discussion in 'Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics' started by Leo Lazauskas, Sep 2, 2012.

  1. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    I am developing some families of mathematical planforms for wings, fins and
    rudders. There are some fairly obviously named planforms, e.g. rectangular,
    delta, elliptical, trapezoidal etc, but I haven't found anything for swept curved
    planforms.

    The attached planform has a (vertical) sinusoidal midline and an elliptical
    chord length either side of the midline. Is there a name for this planform?
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2015
  2. Mikko Brummer
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    Mikko Brummer Senior Member

    Crescent?
     
  3. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    Crescent (or lunate) wings typically have pointed wingtips, like swordfish
    fins.
    Some have elliptical chord lengths, and are considered as a variant of elliptical
    wings. The wings of Spitfire aircraft were also called elliptical. They were
    composed of two ellipses of different half chords.
     
  4. Petros
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    Petros Senior Member

    how about a swept elliptical plan form? if you took the sweep out of it the plan form would be a low aspect ratio ellipse.

    You might also just name it after something familiar, it reminds me of a sting ray plan form.
     
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  5. Ad Hoc
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    Ad Hoc Naval Architect

    Might be worth investing in a series of "kids" geometry books or kids learning about shapes like here:
    http://www.fun-stuff-to-do.com/geometric-shapes-worksheets.html

    Since they start pretty basic and cover many different shapes. Rather than looking down the tech ruote, try the simple route first. Just a thought.
     
  6. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    Thanks, Gentlemen.

    Petros: I agree that it is a swept elliptical planform.
    At higher AR it is more like a boomerang.
    I thought there might be some sensible naming convention
    as for the examples I gave before.

    Some wings/fins could have sensible, evocative names,
    such as the "Fluke" and ogee planforms.
    There are, of course, some that are a bit obscure, like the
    "Gothic Planform".

    AdHoc: Interesting suggestion. After all, kids came up with
    the names googol and googolplex for large numbers :)
     

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  7. latestarter
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    latestarter Senior Member

    It reminds me of a Pringles crisp.
     
  8. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    That's because you have a clean mind.
    When I went to the toilet today, and looked down, I came up with another
    description....
     
  9. latestarter
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    latestarter Senior Member

  10. philSweet
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    philSweet Senior Member

  11. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    Guitar pick.:)
     
  12. DMacPherson
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    DMacPherson Senior Member

    Rang. (As in boomer...)
     
  13. Leo Lazauskas
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    Leo Lazauskas Senior Member

    I have made a mess of explaining myself.
    The names I am trying to find don't depend on the aspect ratio.

    The original, and the attached two figures all have the same
    mathematical description. They have a sinusoidal midline (from tip to tip)
    and the chord length is elliptical for all cases.
    I'll just stick to the very nerdy name, "elliptical-sine" for these planforms.
     

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  14. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    I was reviewing my math book when I came across this. A cardiod. Hope that helps.
     

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  15. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Convoluted?
     
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