As part of aerodynamic research, Oleg Vinogradov from the National Research Center "N.E. Zhukovsky Institute" has developed a technical concept for a measurement and computing system aimed at detailed study of the ground effect in a wind tunnel.
Ground effect is an aerodynamic phenomenon in which an aircraft moving at a low altitude above a surface (water or land) exhibits a significant increase in lift and an improvement in aerodynamic quality. This opens up prospects for creating efficient vehicles of the type — ground-effect vehicles.
As part of the concept, Vinogradov proposed three key approaches to the experimental modeling of the ground effect:
- mirror reflection method, simulating the influence of the surface due to the symmetrical arrangement of the model;
- "moving track" method, reproducing the movement of the surface under the model;
- boundary layer suction method on a stationary screen to minimize flow distortions.
The results of these studies may form the basis for the design of promising ground-effect vehicles — aircraft that combine the speed of an airplane, the efficiency of a vessel, and the ability to move without the need for airfield infrastructure.