Search NASASearch

Engineering topics

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Whitlow, J. B., Jr..

At least 19 records

Fuel savings potential of the NASA Advanced Turboprop Program

The NASA Advanced Turboprop (ATP) Program is directed at developing new technology for highly loaded, multibladed propellers for use at Mach 0.65 to 0.85 and at altitudes compatible with the air transport system requirements. Advanced turboprop engines offer the potential of 15 to 30 percent savings in aircraft block fuel relative to advanced turbofan engines (50 to 60 percent savings over today's turbofan fleet). The concept, propulsive efficiency gains, block fuel savings and other benefits, and the program objectives through a systems approach are described. Current program status and major accomplishments in both single rotation and counter rotation propeller technology are addressed. The overall program from scale model wind tunnel tests to large scale flight tests on testbed aircraft is discussed.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Supersonic propulsion technology

Propulsion concepts for commercial supersonic transports are discussed. It is concluded that variable cycle engines, together with advanced supersonic inlets and low noise coannular nozzles, provide good operating performance for both supersonic and subsonic flight. In addition, they are reasonably quiet during takeoff and landing and have acceptable exhaust emissions.

Powers, A. G.

Effects of airplane characteristics and takeoff noise and field length constraints on engine cycle selection for a Mach 2.32 cruise application

Sideline noise and takeoff field length were varied for two types of Mach 2.32 cruise airplane to determine their effect on engine cycle selection. One of these airplanes was the NASA/Langley-LTV arrow wing while the other was a Boeing modified delta-plus-tail derived from the earlier 2707-300 concept. Advanced variable cycle engines were considered. A more conventional advanced low bypass turbofan engine was used as a baseline for comparison. Appropriate exhaust nozzle modifications were assumed, where needed, to allow all engines to receive either an inherent co-annular or annular jet noise suppression benefit. All the VCE's out-performed the baseline engine by substantial margins in a design range comparison, regardless of airplane choice or takeoff restrictions. The choice among the three VCE's considered, however, depends on the field length, noise level, and airplane selected.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Comparison of parametric duct-burning turbofan and non-afterburning turbojet engines in a Mach 2.7 transport

A parametric study was made of duct-burning turbofan and suppressed dry turbojet engines installed in a supersonic transport. A range of fan pressure ratios was considered for the separate-flow-fan engines. The turbofan engines were studied both with and without jet noise suppressors. Single- as well as dual-stream suppression was considered. Attention was concentrated on designs yielding sideline noises of FAR 36 (108 EPNdB) and below. Trades were made between thrust and wing area for a constant takeoff field length. The turbofans produced lower airplane gross weights than the turbojets at FAR 36 and below. The advantage for the turbofans increased as the sideline noise limit was reduced. Jet noise suppression, especially for the duct stream, was very beneficial for the turbofan engines as long as duct burning was permitted during takeoff. The maximum dry unsuppressed takeoff mode, however, yielded better results at extremely low noise levels. Noise levels as low as FAR 36-11 EPNdB were obtained with a turbofan in this takeoff mode, but at a considerable gross weight penalty relative to the best FAR 36 results.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Supersonic propulsion

The Supersonic Cruise Airplane Research (SCAR) technology program is reported. Mission requirements, cycle considerations, engine evaluation, and SCAR test results are discussed. It is concluded that improved aerodynamics and structures, greater use of composites, and more-refined active controls are needed in the airframe area for designing an economically viable, environmental acceptable supersonic aircraft.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Comparative performance of several SST configurations powered by noise limited turbojet engines

A simplified study was made in which the mission performances of three Mach 2.7 airplane configurations were compared. Both wing loading and size of the unaugmented turbojet engines were varied at different levels of suppressor technology. The lowest gross weight and the best return on investment were obtained with an advanced arrow wing configuration when a mission range of 4200 nautical miles was specified. This comparison was made for the takeoff noise levels specified in F.A.R. 36 using retractable jet noise suppressors assumed to be capable of 15 PNdb of suppression with only a 7.5-percent thrust loss. With less advanced suppressor technology, a modified delta configuration is a close competitor of the arrow wing. Despite its good takeoff characteristics, a swing-wing configuration was too structurally heavy to be competitive at F.A.R. 36 noise levels. Engine performance and weight commensurate with engine definition in 1975 were postulated.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

Optimization of engines for a commercial Mach 0.98 transport using advanced turbine cooling methods

A study was made of an advanced technology airplane using supercritical aerodynamics. Cruise Mach number was 0.98 at 40,000 feet altitude with a payload of 60,000 pounds and a range of 3000 nautical miles. Separate-flow turbofans were examined parametrically to determine the effect of sea-level-static design turbine-inlet-temperature and noise on takeoff gross weight (TOGW) assuming full-film turbine cooling. The optimum turbine inlet temperature was 2650 F. Two-stage-fan engines, with cruise fan pressure ratio of 2.25, achieved a noise goal of 103.5 EPNdB with todays noise technology while one-stage-fan engines, achieved a noise goal of 98 EPNdB. The take-off gross weight penalty to use the one-stage fan was 6.2 percent.

Kraft, G. A.

Preliminary appraisal of hydrogen and methane fuel in a Mach 2.7 supersonic transport

The higher heating value of hydrogen relative to JP fuel is estimated to reduce fuel weight by three fold and gross weight by 40 percent for comparable designed airplanes of equal payload and range. Engine design parameters were varied to determine the influence of lower noise goals on gross weight and direct operating cost. At current fuel prices, the DOC of a hydrogen airplane would be much higher than that of a JP airplane. A methane airplane could offer an 8.5-percent lower KOC than JP. But future shortages may escalate the prices of both JP and methane, whereas the price of hydrogen manufactured hydrolytically could be reduced from present levels. If in the future all three fuels are postulated to have equal costs per unit of energy, the DOC for hydrogen could be as much as 20 percent below that for JP on the reference 4000-nautical-mile mission. Longer ranges or lower noise requirements would improve the advantage of hydrogen.

Whitlow, J. B., Jr.