hullámprofil

A hullámprofil, or airfoil in English, is the cross-sectional shape of an object designed to move through a fluid, most commonly air or water, at a speed sufficient to generate significant lift. The characteristic shape of a hullámprofil is typically curved on the upper surface and flatter on the lower surface. This asymmetry is crucial for its function.

When a hullámprofil moves through a fluid, the fluid flowing over the curved upper surface must travel a longer distance than the fluid flowing under the flatter lower surface in the same amount of time. According to Bernoulli's principle, this results in the fluid moving faster over the top of the hullámprofil. Faster moving fluid exerts lower pressure. Consequently, the pressure above the hullámprofil is lower than the pressure below it. This pressure difference creates an upward force, known as lift.

Hullámprofils are fundamental to the design of aircraft wings, helicopter blades, propellers, sails, and hydrofoils. The specific shape of a hullámprofil can be precisely engineered to achieve desired aerodynamic or hydrodynamic characteristics, such as maximizing lift, minimizing drag, or controlling stall behavior. Variations in camber (the curvature of the airfoil), thickness, and leading/trailing edge design all influence its performance. The study and design of hullámprofils is a core discipline within aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.