Search NASASearch

Engineering topics

Davis, R. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Davis, R. A..

Flight and analytical investigations of a structural mode excitation system on the YF-12A airplane

A structural excitation system, using an oscillating canard vane to generate force, was mounted on the forebody of the YF-12A airplane. The canard vane was used to excite the airframe structural modes during flight in the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic regimes. Structural modal responses generated by the canard vane forces were measured at the flight test conditions by airframe-mounted accelerometers. Correlations of analytical and experimental aeroelastic results were made. Doublet lattice, steady state double lattice with uniform lag, Mach box, and piston theory all produced acceptable analytical aerodynamic results within the restrictions that apply to each. In general, the aerodynamic theory methods, carefully applied, were found to predict the dynamic behavior of the YF-12A aircraft adequately.

Goforth, E. A.

Pressures measured in flight on the aft fuselage and external nozzle of a twin-jet fighter

Fuselage, boundary layer, and nozzle pressures were measured in flight for a twin jet fighter over a Mach number range from 0.60 to 2.00 at test altitudes of 6100, 10,700, and 13,700 meters for angles of attack ranging from 0 deg to 7 deg. Test data were analyzed to find the effects of the propulsion system geometry. The flight variables, and flow interference. The aft fuselage flow field was complex and showed the influence of the vertical tail, nacelle contour, and the wing. Changes in the boattail angle of either engine affected upper fuselage and lower fuselage pressure coefficients upstream of the nozzle. Boundary layer profiles at the forward and aft locations on the upper nacelles were relatively insensitive to Mach number and altitude. Boundary layer thickness decreased at both stations as angle of attack increased above 4 deg. Nozzle pressure coefficient was influenced by the vertical tail, horizontal tail boom, and nozzle interfairing; the last two tended to separate flow over the top of the nozzle from flow over the bottom of the nozzle. The left nozzle axial force coefficient was most affected by Mach number and left nozzle boattail angle. At Mach 0.90, the nozzle axial force coefficient was 0.0013.

Nugent, J.

Flight-measured effects of boattail angle and Mach number on the nozzle afterbody flow of a twin-jet fighter

The paper presents the flight-measured nozzle afterbody surface pressures and engine exhaust nozzle pressure-area integrated axial force coefficients on a twin-jet fighter for varying boattail angles. The objective of the tests was to contribute to a full-scale flight data base applicable to the nozzle afterbody drag of advanced tactical fighter concepts. The data were acquired during the NASA F-15 Propulsion/Airframe Interactions Flight Research Program. Nozzle boattail angles from 7.7 deg to 18.1 deg were investigated. Results are presented for cruise angle of attack at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 2.0 at altitudes from 20,000 to 45,000 feet. The data show the nozle axial force coefficients to be a strong function of nozzle boattail angle and Mach number.

Plant, T. J.

Titanium honeycomb structure

A brazed titanium honeycomb sandwich system for supersonic transport wing cover panels provides the most efficient structure spanwise, chordwise, and loadwise. Flutter testing shows that high wing stiffness is most efficient in a sandwich structure. This structure also provides good thermal insulation if liquid fuel is carried in direct contact with the wing structure in integral fuel tanks.

Davis, R. A.