| Abstract: | Laminar boundary‐layer separation near the leading edge of a thin airfoil is one of the principal factors that limits the lift force acting on the airfoil. Marginal separation, in particular, denotes the onset of separation which is accompanied by the formation of a short separation bubble. Using asymptotic analysis this effect is studied in the limit of high Reynolds number and for transonic external flow conditions. It is assumed that the fluid under consideration is a perfect gas and the airfoil surface is taken to be thermally insulated. Results to be presented include the analytical investigation of the emerging three layer structure, the associated transonic far field and the calculation of representative wall shear stress distributions. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
