Читать книгу Aeroplane Construction and Operation онлайн

61 страница из 66

Burgess Seaplane Scout.

Calculation of Area

Wind Tunnel at Washington Navy Yard in Which the Air Circulates Continuously Through a Closed Circuit

ssss1

Test Methods in General

In spite of these discouraging computations, Langley proceeded with a very carefully conducted series of experiments, first investigating the laws of surface sustenation on various forms of plates, and when the data collected was sufficient for his needs, he started to construct a number of model flyers with various wing arrangements and aerofoil forms. It was Langley's experiments upon aerofoils that cleared the way for the Wright Brothers, who started a further and more complete investigation in 1896. Experiments were made on the effect of curvature, aspect ratio and angle of incidence, and the results obtained in their "wind tunnel" were afterwards applied to their successful full size machine. During 1901 to 1902 the Wrights investigated the properties of at least 100 different aerofoil forms. Both Langley's and Wrights’ experiments were with models, although they were made in a different manner. It was in this way that experimental evidence gained precedence over theory.