In fluid dynamics, aerodynamic potential flow codes or panel codes are used to determine the fluid velocity, and subsequently the pressure distribution, on an object.
This may be a simple two-dimensional object, such as a circle or wing, or it may be a three-dimensional vehicle.
A series of singularities as sources, sinks, vortex points and doublets are used to model the panels and wakes.
Advanced panel codes, such as Panair (developed by Boeing), were first introduced in the late 1970s, and gained popularity as computing speed increased.
The Source Strength at an arbitrary point Q is: The Doublet Strength at an arbitrary point Q is: The simplified potential flow equation is: With this equation, along with applicable boundary conditions, the potential flow problem may be solved.
This value of the various source and doublet terms may be evaluated at a convenient point (such as the centroid of the panel).
Some assumed distribution of the source and doublet strengths (typically constant or linear) are used at points other than the centroid.
where: These terms can be used to create a system of linear equations which can be solved for all the unknown values of