Kinematic problem of an ideal incompressible fluid flow around an arbitrarily moving airfoil

An unsteady kinematic problem for arbitrary two-dimensional motion of an airfoil in an ideal incompressible fluid with formation of one and two vortex wakes is solved. The problem is solved by the method of conformal mapping of the flow domain onto a circle exterior; solution singularities in the vicinity of a sharp edge are analyzed, and the initial asymptotics of the solution is taken into account. The calculated results are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data on visualization of the flow pattern. The necessity of correct modeling of the initial stage of vortex-wake formation is demonstrated. A regular flow pattern is found to form after three and more periods of oscillations.