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Sleeper, R. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Sleeper, R. K..

15 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Planar equations of rollout motion for an aircraft with free or steerable landing gears

Equations were derived for an aircraft in a three-point attitude. Transient tire forces were simulated by delaying the application of forces derived from steady-state considerations. Predicted rollout trajectories were similar to those measured in tests of a small-scale landing-gear model equipped with pneumatic tires (where a laterally sloping runway was used to simulate a crosswind), both with and without nose-wheel steering.

Sleeper, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Tire stiffness and damping determined from static and free-vibration tests

Stiffness and damping of a nonrolling tire were determined experimentally from both static force-displacement relations and the free-vibration behavior of a cable-suspended platen pressed against the tire periphery. Lateral and force-and-aft spring constants and damping factors of a 49 x 17 size aircraft tire for different tire pressure and vertical loads were measured assuming a rate-independent damping form. In addition, a technique was applied for estimating the magnitude of the tire mass which participates in the vibratory motion of the dynamic tests. Results show that both the lateral and force-and-aft spring constants generally increase with tire pressure but only the latter increased significantly with vertical tire loading. The fore-and-aft spring constants were greater than those in the lateral direction. The static-spring-constant variations were similar to the dynamic variations but exhibited lower magnitudes. Damping was small and insensitive to tire loading. Furthermore, static damping accounted for a significant portion of that found dynamically. Effective tire masses were also small.

Sleeper, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Summary of NASA landing-gear research

This paper presents a brief summary of the airplane landing gear research underway at NASA. The technology areas include: ground handling simulator, antiskid braking systems, space shuttle nose-gear shimmy, active control landing gear, wire brush skid landing gear, air cushion landing systems, tire/surface friction characteristics, tire mechanical properties, tire-tread materials, powered wheels for taxiing, and crosswind landing gear. This paper deals mainly with the programs on tire-tread materials, powered wheel taxiing, air cushion landing systems, and crosswind landing gear research with particular emphasis on previously unreported results of recently completed flight tests. Work in the remaining areas is only mentioned.

Fisher, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Preliminary test results of the joint FAA-USAF-NASA runway research program. Part 1: Traction measurements of several runways under wet and dry conditions with a Boeing 727, a diagonal-braked vehicle, and a mu-meter

The stopping distance, brake application velocity, and time of brake application were measured for two modern jet transports, along with the NASA diagonal-braked vehicle and the British Mu-Meter on several runways, which when wetted, cover the range of slipperiness likely to be encountered in the United States. Tests were designed to determine if correlation between the aircraft and friction measuring vehicles exists. The test procedure, data reduction techniques, and preliminary test results obtained with the Boeing 727, the Douglas DC-9, and the ground vehicles are given. Time histories of the aircraft test run parameters are included.

Horne, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A transformation method for deriving from a photograph, position and heading of a vehicle in a plane

Equations have been derived that transform perspectively viewed planar surface coordinates, as seen in a photograph, into coordinates of the original plane surface. These transformation equations are developed in terms of nine geometric variables that define the photographic setup and are redefined in terms of eight parameters. The parameters are then treated as independent quantities that fully characterize the transformation and are expressed directly in terms of the four corner coordinates of a reference rectangle in the object plane and their coordinates as seen in a photograph. Vehicle position is determined by transforming the perspectively viewed coordinate position of a representative vehicle target into runway coordinates. Vehicle heading is determined from the runway coordinates of two vehicle target points. When the targets are elevated above the plane of the reference grid, the computation of the heading angle is unaffected; however, the computation of the target position may require adjustment of two parameters. Methods are given for adjusting the parameters for elevation and an example is included for both nonelevated and elevated target conditions.

Sleeper, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An experimental simulation study of four crosswind landing gear concepts

An experimental investigation was conducted in order to evaluate several crosswind landing-gear concepts which have a potential application to tricycle-gear-configured, short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft landing at crab or heading angles up to 30 deg. In this investigation, the landing gears were installed on a dynamic model which had a scaled mass distribution and gear spacing but no aerodynamic similarities when compared with a typical STOL aircraft. The model was operated as a free body with radio-control steering and was launched onto a runway sloped laterally in order to provide a simulated crosswind side force. During the landing rollout, the gear forces and the model trajectory were measured and the various concepts were compared with each other. Within the test limitations, the landing gear system, in which the gears were alined by the pilot and locked in the direction of motion prior to touchdown, gave the smoothest runout behavior with the vehicle maintaining its crab angle throughout the landing runout.

Stubbs, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Accelerometer-controlled automatic braking system

Braking system, which employs angular accelerometer to control wheel braking and results in low level of tire slip, has been developed and tested. Tests indicate that system is feasible for operations on surfaces of different slipperinesses. System restricts tire slip and is capable of adapting to rapidly-changing surface conditions.

Dreher, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Experimental investigation of an accelerometer controlled automatic braking system

An investigation was made to determine the feasibility of an automatic braking system for arresting the motion of an airplane by sensing and controlling braked wheel decelerations. The system was tested on a rotating drum dynamometer by using an automotive tire, wheel, and disk-brake assembly under conditions which included two tire loadings, wet and dry surfaces, and a range of ground speeds up to 70 knots. The controlling parameters were the rates at which brake pressure was applied and released and the Command Deceleration Level which governed the wheel deceleration by controlling the brake operation. Limited tests were also made with the automatic braking system installed on a ground vehicle in an effort to provide a more realistic proof of its feasibility. The results of this investigation indicate that a braking system which utilizes wheel decelerations as the control variable to restrict tire slip is feasible and capable of adapting to rapidly changing surface conditions.

Dreher, R. C.↗