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Piziali, R. A.

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

2-D and 3-D oscillating wing aerodynamics for a range of angles of attack including stall

A comprehensive experimental investigation of the pressure distribution over a semispan wing undergoing pitching motions representative of a helicopter rotor blade was conducted. Testing the wing in the nonrotating condition isolates the three-dimensional (3-D) blade aerodynamic and dynamic stall characteristics from the complications of the rotor blade environment. The test has generated a very complete, detailed, and accurate body of data. These data include static and dynamic pressure distributions, surface flow visualizations, two-dimensional (2-D) airfoil data from the same model and installation, and important supporting blockage and wall pressure distributions. This body of data is sufficiently comprehensive and accurate that it can be used for the validation of rotor blade aerodynamic models over a broad range of the important parameters including 3-D dynamic stall. This data report presents all the cycle-averaged lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficient data versus angle of attack obtained from the instantaneous pressure data for the 3-D wing and the 2-D airfoil. Also presented are examples of the following: cycle-to-cycle variations occurring for incipient or lightly stalled conditions; 3-D surface flow visualizations; supporting blockage and wall pressure distributions; and underlying detailed pressure results.

Piziali, R. A.

Hovering model helicopter rotor testing

A relatively large test chamber, chosen to minimize room interference effects during helicopter hovering rotor tests, was found in initial operations to exhibit large, random variations of thrust, torque, and blade flapping. The source of these problems, unsteady recirculation of test chamber flow, was addressed by the addition of a 'flow straightener' that reduced these parameter variations to 1.5 percent of mean values. Rotor performance was then measured outside the chamber in calm, free air conditions and compared with chamber results obtained before and after modifications. Attention is given to wake flow visualization conducted in the test chamber, as well as outside.

Piziali, R. A.

Spanwise loading distribution and wake velocity surveys of a semi-span wing

The spanwise distribution of bound circulation on a semi-span wing and the flow velocities in its wake were measured in a wind tunnel. Particular attention was given to documenting the flow velocities in and around the development tip vortex. A two-component laser velocimeter was used to make the velocity measurements. The spanwise distribution of bound circulation, three components of the time-averaged velocities throughout the near wake their standard deviations, and the integrated forces and moments on a metric tip as measured by an internal strain gage balance are presented without discussion.

Felker, F. F., III

Analysis of measured airfoil pressure distributions

A method for evaluating the Glauert coefficients from airfoil pressure distributions is investigated. The linear operating range of the airfoils in steady-state and periodic operating conditions are considered. A rational method for quantitatively characterizing airfoil pressure distributions relative to their geometry and aerodynamic operating environment is developed. The characteristics of the airfoil operating environment is determined from its measured pressure distribution.

Piziali, R. A.

A theoretical study of the application of jet flap circulation control for reduction of rotor vibratory forces

The results of a study to investigate the theoretical potential of a jet-flap control system for reducing the vertical and horizontal non-cancelling helicopter rotor blade root shears are presented. A computer simulation describing the jet-flap control rotor system was developed to examine the reduction of each harmonic of the transmitted shears as a function of various rotor and jet parameters, rotor operating conditions and rotor configurations. The computer simulation of the air-loads included the influences of nonuniform inflow and blade elastic motions. (no hub motions were allowed.) The rotor trim and total rotor power (including jet compressor power) were also determined. It was found that all harmonics of the transmitted horizontal and vertical shears could be suppressed simultaneously using a single jet control.

Piziali, R. A.