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Ladson, C. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Ladson, C. L..

Status of advanced airfoil tests in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

A joint NASA/U.S. industry program to test advanced technology airfoils in the Langley 0.3-meter Transonic Tunnel (TCT) was formulated under the Langley ACEE Project Office. The objectives include providing U.S. industry an opportunity to compare their most advanced airfoils to the latest NASA designs by means of high Reynolds number tests in the same facility. At the same time, industry would again experience in the design and construction of cryogenic test techniques. The status and details of the test program are presented. Typical aerodynamic results obtained, to date, are presented at chord Reynolds number up to 45 x 10(6) and are compared to results from other facilities and theory. Details of a joint agreement between NASA and the Deutsche Forschungs- und Versuchsantalt fur Luft- and Raumfahrt e.V. (DFVLR) for tests of two airfoils are also included. Results of these tests will be made available as soon as practical.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Tests of a NACA 65(sub 1)-213 airfoil in the NASA Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to study the two dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 65 sub 1-213 airfoil over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Test temperature ranged from ambient to about 100K at pressures ranging from about 1.2 to 6.0 atm. Mach number was varied from 0.22 to 0.80 and Reynolds number (based on airfoil chord) from 3 million to 40 million. Data are included which demonstrate the effects of fixed transition, Mach number, and Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil. A sample of data showing the effects of angle of attack on the pressure distribution is also given. The data are presented in an uncorrected form with no analysis.

Plentovich, E. B.↗

Instrumentation for calibration and control of a continuous-flow cryogenic tunnel

Aspects of selection and application of calibration and control instrumentation that are influenced by the extremes in the temperature environment to be found in cryogenic tunnels are described. The instrumentation and data acquisition system used in the 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel along with typical calibration data obtained in a 20 by 60 cm two dimensional test section are described.

Ladson, C. L.↗

A fan pressure ratio correlation in terms of Mach number and Reynolds number for the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Calibration data for the two dimensional test section of the Langley 0.3 Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel were used to develop a Mach number-Reynolds number correlation for the fan pressure ratio in terms of test section conditions. Well established engineering relationships combined to form an equation which is functionally analogous to the correlation. A geometric loss coefficient which is independent of Reynolds number or Mach number was determined. Present and anticipated uses of this concept include improvement of tunnel control schemes, comparison of efficiencies for operationally similar wind tunnels, prediction of tunnel test conditions and associated energy usage, and determination of Reynolds number scaling laws for similar fluid flow systems.

Lawing, P. L.↗

Instrumentation for calibration and control of a continuous-flow cryogenic tunnel

Those aspects of selection and application of calibration and control instrumentation that are influenced by the extremes in the temperature environment to be found in cryogenic tunnels are described with emphasis on the instrumentation and data acquisition system used in the Langley 0.3 m transonic cryogenic tunnel. Typical calibration results obtained in a 20 by 60 cm two dimensional test section are included.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Review of design and operational characteristics of the 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

The past 6 years of operation with the NASA Langley 0.3 m transonic cryogenic tunnel (TCT) show that there are no insurmountable problems associated with cryogenic testing with gaseous nitrogen at transonic Mach numbers. The fundamentals of the concept were validated both analytically and experimentally and the 0.3 m TCT, with its unique Reynolds number capability, was used for a wide variety of aerodynamic tests. Techniques regarding real-gas effects were developed and cryogenic tunnel conditions can be set and maintained accurately. Cryogenic cooling by injecting liquid nitrogen directly into the tunnel circuit imposes no problems with temperature distribution or dynamic response characteristics. Experience with the 0.3 m TCT, indicates that there is a significant learning process associated with cryogenic, high Reynolds number testing. Many of the questions have already been answered; however, factors such as tunnel control, run logic, economics, instrumentation, and model technology present many new and challenging problems.

Ray, E. J.↗

A new airfoil research capability

The design and construction of a self streamlining wall test section for the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel was included in the fiscal year 1978 construction of facilities budget for Langley Research Center. The design is based on the research being carried out by M. J. Goodyer at the University of Southampton, Southampton, England, and is supported by Langley Research Center. This paper presents a brief description of the project. Included are some of the design considerations, anticipated operational envelope, and sketches showing the detail design concepts. Some details of the proposed operational mode, safety aspects, and preliminary schedule are presented.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Review of design and operational characteristics of the 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

The fundamentals of cryogenic testing are validated both analytically and experimentally employing the 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel. The tunnel with its unique Reynolds number capability has been used for a wide variety of aerodynamic tests. Techniques regarding real-gas effects have been developed and cryogenic tunnel conditions are set and maintained accurately. It is shown that cryogenic cooling, by injecting nitrogen directly into the tunnel circuit, imposes no problems with temperature distribution or dynamic response characteristics.

Ray, E. J.↗

Description and calibration of the Langley 6- by 28-inch transonic tunnel

The Langley 6 by 28 inch transonic tunnel is described. The tunnel is a two dimensional facility with slotted top and bottom walls, used for testing two dimensional airfoil sections. Basic tunnel-empty Mach number distributions, noise surveys, and test section total pressure surveys are presented. The Mach number capability of the facility is from about 0.3 to 1.2. The stagnation pressure can be varied from 207 kN/sq m (30 lb/sq in) absolute to 620 kN/sq m (90 lb/sq in) absolute. This range of pressure can provide a Reynolds number of about 10 million, based on a 15.2 cm (6.0 in.) model chord at Mach numbers from 0.5 to 1.0. The maximum Reynolds number capability at a Mach number of 1.0 is about 15 million, based on the same model chord.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Development of a computer program to obtain ordinates for NACA 4-digit, 4-digit modified, 5-digit, and 16 series airfoils

A computer program developed to calculate the ordinates and surface slopes of any thickness, symmetrical or cambered NACA airfoil of the 4-digit, 4-digit modified, 5-digit, and 16-series airfoil families is presented. The program produces plots of the airfoil nondimensional ordinates and a punch card output of ordinates in the input format of a readily available program for determining the pressure distributions of arbitrary airfoils in subsonic potential viscous flow.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Development of a computer program to obtain ordinates for NACA-6 and 6A-series airfoils

A computer program was developed to produce the ordinates for airfoils of any thickness, thickness distribution, or camber in the NACA 6- and 6A-series. For the 6-series and for all but the leading edge of the 6A-series, agreement between the ordinates obtained from the new program and previously published values is generally within .00005 chord. Near the leading edge of the 6A-series airfoils, differences up to .00035 chord are found.

Ladson, C. L.↗

Description and calibration of the Langley 6- by 19-inch transonic tunnel

A description and calibration is presented of the Langley 6- by 19-inch transonic tunnel which is a two-dimensional facility with top and bottom slotted walls used for testing two-dimensional airfoil sections. Basic tunnel-empty Mach number distributions and schlieren flow photographs as well as integrated normal-force coefficients, pitching-moment coefficients, surface-pressure distributions, and schlieren flow photographs of an NACA 0012 airfoil calibration model are presented. The Mach number capability of the facility is from 0.5 to about 1.1 with a corresponding Reynolds number range of 1.5 million to 3 million based on a 4.0-in. model chord. Comparisons of experimental results from the tests with previous data are also presented.

Ladson, C. L.↗