As part of research work on aerodynamics, Oleg Vinogradov from the National Research Center "N.E. Zhukovsky Institute" has developed a technical concept for a measuring and computing complex aimed at a 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) demonstrates a significant increase in lift and improved aerodynamic quality. This opens up prospects for creating effective vehicles of the type - ekranoplans.
As part of the concept, Vinogradov proposed three key approaches to the experimental modeling of the ground effect:
- the method of mirror reflection, simulating the influence of the surface due to the symmetrical arrangement of the model;
- the "treadmill" method, reproducing the movement of the surface under the model;
- the method of boundary layer suction on a fixed screen to minimize flow distortion.
The results of these studies may form the basis for the design of promising ekranoplans - aircraft that combine the speed of an airplane, the efficiency of a vessel and the ability to move without the need for airfield infrastructure.
