Numerical Study of the Effect of the Trailing-Edge Devices (Gurney Flap and Divergent Trailing-edge Flap) on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Airfoil in Transonic Flow for Drone Applications

The primary objective of this research was to examine how the inclusion of mini Trailing-edge devices (referred to as mini TEDs) impacts the aerodynamic properties of the RAE-2822 airfoil. Utilizing ANSYS Fluent software, we conducted numerical simulations to analyze the behavior of compressible flow around the airfoil, specifically at a Mach number (Ma) of 0.73, while varying the angles of attack. The mini TEDs employed in our simulations com - prised a Gurney flap and a divergent trailing-edge. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating these mini TEDs at the trailing-edge leads to a noteworthy increase in the lift coefficient (CL) and drag coefficient (CD). However, it is worth noting that this enhancement resulted in an improved lift-to-drag ratio for the airfoil for specific angles of attack. These outcomes underscore the potential advantages of employing mini TEDs to enhance aerodynamic performance, especially in aerospace drone applications.