Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Carson, G. T., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Carson, G. T., Jr..

A parametric experimental study of isolated rectangular nozzles

A parametric study has been conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel on an isolated nonaxisymmetric fuselage, simulating a twin-engine fighter. The effects of aft-end closure distribution (top/bottom nozzle flap boattail angle vs. nozzle sidewall boattail angle) and afterbody/nozzle corner treatment (sharp or radius) were investigated. Four different closure distributions with three different corner radii were tested. Tests were conducted over a range of Mach numbers from 0.40-1.25 at zero degrees angle of attack. Solid plume simulators were used to simulate the jet exhaust.

Bangert, L. S.↗

Fuselage and nozzle pressure distributions of a 1/12-scale F-15 propulsion model at transonic speeds. Effect of fuselage modifications and nozzle variables

Static pressure coefficient distributions on the forebody, afterbody, and nozzles of a 1/12 scale F-15 propulsion model was determined in the 16 foot transonic tunnel for Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20, angles of attack from -2 deg to 7 deg and ratio of jet total pressure to free stream static pressure from 1 up to about 7, depending on Mach number. The effects of nozzle geometry and horizontal tail deflection on the pressure distributions were investigated. Boundary layer total pressure profiles were determined at two locations ahead of the nozzles on the top nacelle surface. Reynolds number varied from about 1.0 x 10 to the 7th power per meter, depending on Mach number.

Pendergraft, O. C., Jr.↗

Aeropropulsive characteristics of nonaxisymmetric-nozzle thrust reversers at Mach numbers from 0 to 1.20

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the performance of nonaxisymmetric-nozzle thrust reversers installed on a generic twin-engine fighter aircraft model. Test data were obtained at static conditions and at Mach numbers from 0.15 to 1.20 with jet exhaust simulated by high pressure air. Results showed that reverse-thrust levels of greater than 50 percent at static conditions and greater than 30 percent at in-flight conditions could be achieved. Internal reverser-port passage length was found to be very important in improving reverser performance. Increasing the reverser-port passage length improved reverse-thrust performance by as much as 28 percent at static conditions and by as much as 17 percent at Mach 1.20.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗

Thrust reversing effects on horizontal tail effectiveness of twin-engine fighter aircraft

The Langley Research Center has conducted an experimental program to determine the interference effects of thrust reversing on horizontal tail effectiveness of a twin engine, general research fighter model at approach (Mach number 0.15) and in-flight (Mach number 0.60 and 0.90) speeds. Twin vertical tails were tested at three longitudinal locations. Two nonaxisymmetric nozzle reverser concepts were studied. The effects of thrust reversing on horizontal tail effectiveness were found to be very dependent upon vertical tail locations. At approach speeds thrust reverser operation usually resulted in large variations in horizontal tail effectiveness as either nozzle pressure ratio or model angle of attack was varied. Either increases or decreases in tail effectiveness ocurred due to reverse operation depending upon tail location. At in-flight conditions there were always decreases in tail effectiveness due to reverser operation regardless of vertical tail location.

Capone, F. J.↗

Experimental and analytical investigation of axisymmetric supersonic cruise nozzle geometry at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.30

Quantitative pressure and force data for five axisymmetric boattail nozzle configurations were examined. These configurations simulate the variable-geometry feature of a single nozzle design operating over a range of engine operating conditions. Five nozzles were tested in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.30. The experimental data were also compared with theoretical predictions.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗

Transonic aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic cruise aircraft research model with the engines suspended above the wing

The influence of upper-surface nacelle exhaust flow on the aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic cruise aircraft research configuration was investigated in a 16 foot transonic tunnel over a range of Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20. The arrow-wing transport configuration with engines suspended over the wing was tested at angles of attack from -4 deg to 6 deg and jet total pressure ratios from 1 to approximately 13. Wing-tip leading edge flap deflections of -10 deg to 10 deg were tested with the wing-body configuration. Various nacelle locations (chordwise, spanwise, and vertical) were tested over the ranges of Mach numbers, angles of attack, and jet total-pressure ratios. The results show that reflecting the wing-tip leading edge flap from 0 deg to -10 deg increased the maximum lift-drag ratio by 1.0 at subsonic speeds. Jet exhaust interference effects were negligible.

Mercer, C. E.↗

Experimental and analytical investigation of a nonaxisymmetric wedge nozzle at static conditions

An experimental investigation of a nonaxisymmetric wedge nozzle was conducted at static conditions. The resulting data, in the form of detailed pressure distributions and oil flow photographs, expand the current nonaxisymmetric nozzle data base. An analytical investigation has been conducted to evaluate a two-dimensional, inviscid, time-dependent theory as a nonaxisymmetric nozzle performance predictor. For the range of nozzle pressure ratios investigated, results indicate good agreement between theory and experiment in regions of predominately two-dimensional flow and limited agreement in regions of three-dimensional flow. For the wedge nozzle and related nozzle configurations, the two dimensional, inviscid theory may be applied as a limited performance predictor.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗

Mach 4 free-jet tunnel starting experiments for a hypersonic research engine model causing high blockage

Tests of a full scale hypersonic research engine (HRE) were conducted in the hypersonic tunnel facility at Mach numbers of 5, 6, and 7. Since the HRE would cause a rather high blockage (48.83 percent of the nozzle area), subscale tests were conducted in various available small wind tunnels prior to the full scale tests to study the effects of model blockage on tunnel starting. The results of the Mach 4 subscale tests which utilized a model system at 0.0952 scale which simulated the HRE in the test section of the tunnel are presented. A satisfactory tunnel starting could not be achieved by varying the free jet length or diffuser size nor by inserting the model into the test stream after tunnel starting. However, the installation of a shroud around the HRE model allowed the tunnel to start with the model preset in the tunnel at a tunnel stagnation pressure to atmospheric exit pressure ratio of 13.4. The simulation of the discharge of instrumentation cooling water and the addition of test hardware at the aft end of the HRE model did not have a significant effect on the tunnel starting.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗

Upper Surface Nacelle Influence on SCAR Aerodynamic Characteristics at Transonic Speeds

The arrow-wing transport configuration with detached engines located over the wing to produce upper surface exhaust flow effects was tested at angles of attack from -4 deg to 8 deg and jet total-pressure ratios from 1 (Jet off) to approximately 10. Wing tip leading edge flap deflections of -10 deg to 10 deg were tested with the wing-body configuration only (no nacelles). Tests were made with various nacelle chordwise, spanwise, and vertical height locations over the Mach number, angle of attack, and jet total-pressure ratio ranges. Deflecting the wing tip leading edge flap from 0 deg to -10 deg increased maximum lift to drag ratio by 1.0 at subsonic speeds. Installation of upper surface nacelles (no wing/nacelle pylons) increased the wing-body pitching moment at all Mach numbers and decreased the drag of the wing-body configuration at subsonic Mach numbers. Jet exhaust interference effects were negligible.

Mercer, C. E.↗

Analytical chemical kinetic investigation of the effects of oxygen, hydrogen, and hydroxyl radicals on hydrogen-air combustion

Quantitative values were computed which show the effects of the presence of small amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, and hydroxyl radicals on the finite-rate chemical kinetics of premixed hydrogen-air mixtures undergoing isobaric autoignition and combustion. The free radicals were considered to be initially present in hydrogen-air mixtures at equivalence ratios of 0.2, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.2. Initial mixture temperatures were 1100 K, 1200 K, and 1500 K, and pressures were 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 atm. Of the radicals investigated, atomic oxygen was found to be the most effective for reducing induction time, defined as the time to 5 percent of the total combustion temperature rise. The reaction time, the time between 5 percent and 95 percent of the temperature rise, is not decreased by the presence of free radicals in the initial hydrogen-air mixture. Fuel additives which yield free radicals might be used to effect a compact supersonic combustor design for efficient operation in an otherwise reaction-limited combustion regime.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗