Numerical simulation for flow shadowing and multiple reflections between two flat plates in the free-molecular regime.

A free-molecular flow past two parallel circular flat plates is analyzed by the test particle Monte Carlo (TPMC) method. Flow shadowing and multiple reflections have a vital influence on aerodynamic coefficients of the two plates. At the pitch angle of 0, lift coefficients of each plate do not equal to zero. Flow shadowing has a significant effect on the front side of the shaded plate while multiple reflections play a dominant role on the back side of the shading one. The area ratio of the two plates has an evident effect on flow shadowing and multiple reflections, and different area ratios lead to different pressure distributions on the front side of the shaded plate and the back side of the shading one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]