Patent ID: 6721682
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A method of predicting the aerodynamic performance of a flared body, comprising:generating a look table including calculated values of (CN&agr;)f for freestream Mach numbers greater than or equal to 1.2 and estimated values of (CN&agr;)f for freestream Mach numbers less than 1.2 indexed to geometry and Mach number; solving&it;â€ƒ&it;CNf=(CNÎ±)f&it;Î±;solving&it;â€ƒ&it;CMf=-(xCP-xCGd)&it;CNf,â€ƒto thereby determine the normal force coefficient and the pitching moment coefficient, respectively, where: CNf is the normal force coefficient of the flared body, CMf is the pitching moment coefficient for the flared body, (CN&agr;)f is the pitching moment coefficient derivative (in radians) for the flared body, &agr; is the angle of attack; d is the diameter of the flared body, XCP is the center of pressure, and XCG is the distance from the center of gravity; and using the normal force coefficient and the pitching moment coefficient to predict the aerodynamic performance of the flared body.