Engineering topics

Paris, S. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Paris, S. W..

3 records

NASA NTRS1984

Benefits of high aerodynamic efficiency to orbital transfer vehicles

The benefits and costs of high aerodynamic efficiency on aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles (AOTV) are analyzed. Results show that a high lift to drag (L/D) AOTV can achieve significant velocity savings relative to low L/D aerobraked OTV's when traveling round trip between low Earth orbits (LEO) and alternate orbits as high as geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Trajectory analysis is used to show the impact of thermal protection system technology and the importance of lift loading coefficient on vehicle performance. The possible improvements in AOTV subsystem technologies are assessed and their impact on vehicle inert weight and performance noted. Finally, the performance of high L/D AOTV concepts is compared with the performances of low L/D aeroassisted and all propulsive OTV concepts to assess the benefits of aerodynamic efficiency on this class of vehicle.

Andrews, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Application of an advanced trajectory optimization method to ramjet propelled missiles

The mission performance characteristics of ramjet-propelled missiles are highly dependent upon the trajectory flown. Integration of the trajectory profile with the ramjet propulsion system performance characteristics to achieve optimal missile performance is very complex. Past trajectory optimization methods have been extremely problem dependent and require a high degree of familiarity to achieve success. A general computer code (CTOP) has been applied to ramjet-powered missiles to compute open-loop optimal trajectories. CTOP employs Chebyshev polynomial representations of the states and controls. This allows a transformation of the continuous optimal control problem to one of parameter optimization. With this method, the trajectory boundary conditions are always satisfied. State dynamics and path constraints are enforced via penalty functions. The presented results include solutions to minimum fuel-to-climb, minimum time-to-climb, and minimum time-to-target intercept problems.

Paris, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A study of viscous cross-flow effects on circular cylinders at high Reynolds numbers

Results of experimental studies on viscous cross-flow over circular cylinders for Reynolds numbers from 0.15 x 10 to the 6th to 10.9 x 10 to the 6th at Mach numbers of less than 0.3 are presented and compared with previous work where possible. Results presented include the variation of static cross-flow drag coefficients with both Reynolds number and ratio of surface roughness to model diameter, the variation of Strouhal number with Reynolds number and the dynamic variation of surface static pressure coefficients with both angular position around the cylinder and Reynolds number. The effects of end-plates on flow around two-dimensional bluff-bodies and of tunnel blockage on drag measurements are also discussed.

James, W. D.↗