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Chapman, Dean R

Publications and source records attributed to Chapman, Dean R.

At least 19 records

Investigation of Separated Flows in Supersonic and Subsonic Streams with Emphasis on the Effect of Transition

Report presents the results of experimental and theoretical research conducted on flow separation associated with steps, bases, compression corners, curved surfaces, shock-wave boundary-layer reflections, and configurations producing leading-edge separation. Results were obtained from pressure-distribution measurements, shadowgraph observations, high-speed motion pictures, and oil-film studies. The maximum scope of measurement encompassed Mach numbers between 0.4 and 3.6, and length Reynolds numbers between 4,000 and 5,000,000.

Chapman, Dean R↗

Some possibilities of using gas mixtures other than air in aerodynamic research

A study is made of the advantages that can be realized in compressible-flow research by employing a substitute heavy gas in place of air. The present report is based on the idea that by properly mixing a heavy monatomic gas with a suitable heavy polyatomic gas, it is possible to obtain a heavy gas mixture which has the correct ratio of specific heats and which is nontoxic, nonflammable, thermally stable, chemically inert, and comprised of commercially available components. Calculations were made of wind-tunnel characteristics for 63 gas pairs comprising 21 different polyatomic gases properly mixed with each of three monatomic gases (argon, krypton, and zenon).

Chapman, Dean R↗

Reduction of Profile Drag at Supersonic Velocities by the Use of Airfoil Sections Having a Blunt Trailing Edge

A preliminary theoretical and experimental investigation has been made on the aerodynamic characteristics of blunt-trailing-edge airfoils at supersonic velocities. The theoretical considerations indicate that properly designed airfoils with moderately blunt trailing edges can have less profile drag, greater lift-curve slope, and high maximum lift-drag ratio than conventional sections. These predictions have been substantiated by experimental measurements on airfoils of 10-percent-thickness ratio at Mach numbers of 1.5 and 2.0, and at Reynolds numbers between 0.2 and 1.2 million.

Chapman, Dean R↗

Experimental Investigation of Base Pressure on Blunt-Trailing-Edge Wings at Supersonic Velocities

Measurements of base pressure are presented for 29 blunt-trailing-edge wings having an aspect ratio of 3.0 and various airfoil profiles. The different profiles comprised thickness ratios between 0.05 and 0.10, boattail angles between -2.9 degrees and 20 degrees, and ratios of trailing-edge thickness to airfoil thickness between 0.2 and 1.0. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers of 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.1. For each Mach number, the Reynolds number and angle of attack were varied. The lowest Reynolds number investigated was 0.2 x 10(6) and the highest was 3.5 x 10(6). Measurements on each wing were obtained separately with turbulent flow and laminar flow in the boundary layer. Span-wise surveys of the base pressure were conducted on several wings. The results with turbulent boundary-layer flow showed only small effects on base pressure of variations in Reynolds number, airfoil profile shape, boattail angle, and angle of attack. The principal variable affecting the base pressure for turbulent flow was the Mach number.

Chapman, Dean R↗

Airfoil profiles for minimum pressure drag at supersonic velocities -- general analysis with application to linearized supersonic flow

A theoretical investigation is made of the airfoil profile for minimum pressure drag at zero lift in supersonic flow. In the first part of the report a general method is developed for calculating the profile having the least pressure drag for a given auxiliary condition, such as a given structural requirement or a given thickness ratio. The various structural requirements considered include bending strength, bending stiffness, torsional strength, and torsional stiffness. No assumption is made regarding the trailing-edge thickness; the optimum value is determined in the calculations as a function of the base pressure. To illustrate the general method, the optimum airfoil, defined as the airfoil having minimum pressure drag for a given auxiliary condition, is calculated in a second part of the report using the equations of linearized supersonic flow.

Chapman, Dean R↗

An Analysis of Base Pressure at Supersonic Velocities and Comparison with Experiment

In the first part of the investigation an analysis is made of base pressure in an inviscid fluid, both for two-dimensional and axially symmetric flow. It is shown that for two-dimensional flow, and also for the flow over a body of revolution with a cylindrical sting attached to the base, there are an infinite number of possible solutions satisfying all necessary boundary conditions at any given free-stream Mach number. For the particular case of a body having no sting attached only one solution is possible in an inviscid flow, but it corresponds to zero base drag. Accordingly, it is concluded that a strictly inviscid-fluid theory cannot be satisfactory for practical applications. An approximate semi-empirical analysis for base pressure in a viscous fluid is developed in a second part of the investigation. The semi-empirical analysis is based partly on inviscid-flow calculations.

Chapman, Dean R↗

Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Viscosity on the Drag and Base Pressure of Bodies of Revolution at a Mach Number 1.5

Models were tested to evaluate effects of Reynolds number for both laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Principal geometric variables investigated were afterbody shape and length-diameter ratio. Force tests and base-pressure measurements were made. Schlieren photographs were used to analyze the effects of viscosity on flow separation and shock-wave configuration and to verify the condition of the boundary layer as deduced from the force tests. The results are discussed and compared with theoretical calculations.

Chapman, Dean R↗