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At least 199 records · Page 11

Experimental and analytical study of an inlet forebody for an airframe-integrated scramjet concept

Preliminary analytical and experimental inlet forebody investigations have been conducted at Mach numbers of 6.0 and 8.5. The forebody design concept consisted of a sharp-nosed right circular cone followed by elliptical cross sections. This concept resulted in swept isentropic compression which would allow swept cowl leading edges. Measurements were made to define the condition of the inviscid flow field developed by the forebody, including flow profiles in the vicinity of cowl leading-edge stations, and the three-dimensional boundary-layer effects. The investigation verified some of the expected differences between the predicted and the experimental results.

Andrews, E. H., Jr.↗

Cryogenic Fuel Tank Draining Analysis Model

One of the technological challenges in designing advanced hypersonic aircraft and the next generation of spacecraft is developing reusable flight-weight cryogenic fuel tanks. As an aid in the design and analysis of these cryogenic tanks, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been developed specifically for the analysis of flow in a cryogenic fuel tank. This model employs the full set of Navier-Stokes equations, except that viscous dissipation is neglected in the energy equation. An explicit finite difference technique in two-dimensional generalized coordinates, approximated to second-order accuracy in both space and time is used. The stiffness resulting from the low Mach number is resolved by using artificial compressibility. The model simulates the transient, two-dimensional draining of a fuel tank cross section. To calculate the slosh wave dynamics the interface between the ullage gas and liquid fuel is modeled as a free surface. Then, experimental data for free convection inside a horizontal cylinder are compared with model results. Finally, cryogenic tank draining calculations are performed with three different wall heat fluxes to demonstrate the effect of wall heat flux on the internal tank flow field.

Greer, Donald↗

Geometric optimization of the supersonic stagnation-pressure probe

An investigation was conducted at Mach numbers of 1.41, 1.83, and 2.20 to determine the effects of parametric variations both in the height of the pitot-tube center line from the probe surface, by varying the pitot-tube diameter, and in the radius of surface curvature on the pressure recovery of a probe designed to measure free-stream stagnation pressure. The probe consists of a pitot tube mounted on the surface of a curved cylinder of circular cross section; the pitot tube senses the pressure of the stream tube which has been slowed to subsonic or near sonic velocity by isentropic compression along the curved surface. Pressure recovery - greater than or equal to 99.8 percent of free-stream stagnation pressure - was obtained for a wide range of both angle of attack and yaw for probes satisfying the optimum design criteria determined in this investigation.

Couch, L. M.↗

Analysis of Fluctuating Static Pressure Measurements in the National Transonic Facility

Dynamic measurements of fluctuating static pressure levels were taken with flush-mounted, high-frequency response pressure transducers at 11 locations in the circuit of the National Transonic Facility (NTF) across the complete operating range of this wind tunnel. Measurements were taken at test-section Mach numbers from 0.1 to 1.2, at pressures from 1 to 8.6 atm, and at temperatures from ambient to -250 F, which resulted in dynamic flow disturbance measurements at the highest Reynolds numbers available in a transonic ground test facility. Tests were also made by independent variation of the Mach number, the Reynolds number, or the fan drive power while the other two parameters were held constant, which for the first time resulted in a distinct separation of the effects of these three important parameters.

Igoe, William B.↗

Oscillating cascade aerodynamics at large mean incidence

The aerodynamics of a cascade of airfoils oscillating in torsion about the midchord is investigated experimentally at a large mean incidence angle and, for reference, at a low mean incidence angle. The airfoil section is representative of a modern, low aspect ratio, fan blade tip section. Time-dependent airfoil surface pressure measurements were made for reduced frequencies of up to 1.2 for out-of-phase oscillations at a Mach number of 0.5 and chordal incidence angles of 0 deg and 10 deg; the Reynolds number was 0.9 x l0(exp 6). For the 10 deg chordal incidence angle, a separation bubble formed at the leading edge of the suction surface. The separated flow field was found to have a dramatic effect on the chordwise distribution of the unsteady pressure. In this region, substantial deviations from the attached flow data were found with the deviations becoming less apparent in the aft region of the airfoil for all reduced frequencies. In particular, near the leading edge the separated flow had a strong destabilizing influence while the attached flow had a strong stabilizing influence.

Buffum, Daniel H.↗

Wall Boundary Layer Measurements for the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

Measurements of the boundary layer parameters in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics tunnel were conducted during extensive calibration activities following the facility conversion from a Freon-12 heavy-gas test medium to R-134a. Boundary-layer rakes were mounted on the wind-tunnel walls, ceiling, and floor. Measurements were made over the range of tunnel operation envelope in both heavy gas and air and without a model in the test section at three tunnel stations. Configuration variables included open and closed east sidewall wall slots, for air and R134a test media, reentry flap settings, and stagnation pressures over the full range of tunnel operation. The boundary layer thickness varied considerably for the six rakes. The thickness for the east wall was considerably larger that the other rakes and was also larger than previously reported. There generally was some reduction in thickness at supersonic Mach numbers, but the effect of stagnation pressure, and test medium were not extensive.

Wieseman, Carol D.↗

An analytical and experimental evaluation of airfoil sections for helicopter rotor application

The influence of the more independent airfoil parameters such as thickness, thickness distribution, leading-edge radius, camber, and camber distribution on lift-Mach number characteristics is investigated at lift coefficients up to near-maximum lift. The analysis is based on the drag divergence Mach number (Md) prediction techniques, where Md is the free-stream Mach number at which the rate of increase of drag coefficient with Mach number equals 0.1. The analytical results obtained indicate the compromises in Md which result from changes in thickness ratio, location of maximum thickness, leading edge radius, camber addition, and location of maximum camber for four- and five-digit airfoils and some six-series airfoils of potential interest for helicopters. An example of airfoil sections which combines several of the favorable geometric changes is evaluated analytically and experimentally. A comparison of results shows that the relative effect of the geometric changes on the lift coefficient-Md relation is realistic, and that the methods of analysis employed can be effectively used during preliminary vehicle design and airfoil selection.

Bingham, G. J.↗

Wind tunnel tests of the GA(W)-2 airfoil with 20% aileron, 25% slotted flap, 30% Fowler flap and 10% slot-lip spoiler

Two dimensional wind tunnel tests were conducted for the GA(W)-2 airfoil section with: 20% aileron, 25% slotted flap; 30% Fowler flap, and 10% slot-lip spoiler. All tests were conducted at a Reynolds number of 2,200,000 and a Mach Number of 0.13. In addition to force measurements, tuft studies were conducted for the slotted and Fowler flap configurations. Aileron and spoiler hinge moments were obtained by integration of surface pressure measurements. Tests results show that a value of 3.82 was obtained with 30% Fowler flap. Aileron control effectiveness and hinge moments were similar to other airfoils. The slot-lip spoiler provided powerful, positive roll control at all flap settings.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Effect of Full-Chord Porosity on Aerodynamic Characteristics of the NACA 0012 Airfoil

A test was conducted on a model of the NACA 0012 airfoil section with a solid upper surface or a porous upper surface with a cavity beneath for passive venting. The purposes of the test were to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil with full-chord porosity and to assess the ability of porosity to provide a multipoint or self-adaptive design. The tests were conducted in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel over a Mach number range from 0.50 to 0.82 at chord Reynolds numbers of 2 x 10(exp 6), 4 x 10(exp 6), and 6 x 10(exp 6). The angle of attack was varied from -1 deg to 6 deg. At the lower Mach numbers, porosity leads to a dependence of the drag on the normal force. At subcritical conditions, porosity tends to flatten the pressure distribution, which reduces the suction peak near the leading edge and increases the suction over the middle of the chord. At supercritical conditions, the compression region on the porous upper surface is spread over a longer portion of the chord. In all cases, the pressure coefficient in the cavity beneath the porous surface is fairly constant with a very small increase over the rear portion. For the porous upper surface, the trailing edge pressure coefficients exhibit a creep at the lower section normal force coefficients, which suggests that the boundary layer on the rear portion of the airfoil is significantly thickening with increasing normal force coefficient.

Mineck, Raymond E.↗

High-Subsonic Performance Characteristics and Boundary-Layer Investigations of a 12 10-Inch-Inlet-Diameter Conical Diffuser

Performance and boundary-layer data were taken in a 12 degree 10-inch inlet-diameter conical diffuser of 2:1 exit- to inlet-area ratio. These data were taken for two inlet-boundary-layer conditions. The first condition was that of a thinner inlet boundary later (boundary-layer displacement thickness, delta* approximately equal to 0.034) produced by an inlet section approximately 1 inlet diameter in length between the entrance bell and the diffuser. The second condition was a thicker inlet boundary layer (delta* approximately equal to 0.120) produced by an additional inlet section length of approximately 6 diameters. Longitudinal static-pressure distributions were measured fro wall static orifices. Transverse total- and static-pressure surveys were made at the inlet and exit stations. Boundary-layer velocity distributions were measured at seven stations between the inlet and exit. These data were obtained for a Reynolds number (based on inlet diameter) range of 1 x 10(exp 6) to 3.9 x 10(exp 6). The corresponding Mach number range was from M = 0.2 to choking. At the maximum-power-available condition supersonic flow was obtained as far as 4.5 inches downstream from the diffuser inlet with a maximum Mach number of M approximately equal to 1.5. The total-pressure loss through the diffuser in percentage of inlet dynamic pressure was approximately 2.5 percent for the thinner inlet boundary later and 5.5 percent for the thicker inlet boundary later over the lower subsonic range. These valued increased with increasing flow rate- the values for the thicker inlet boundary later more than those for the thinner inlet boundary layer. The diffuser effectiveness, expressed as the ratio of the actual static-pressure rise to the ideal static-pressure rise, was about 85 percent for the thinner inlet boundary layer and about 67 percent for the thicker inlet boundary later in the lower subsonic range. These values decrease with increasing flow rate. Separated flow was observed for both inlet-boundary-layer conditions in the region of adverse pressure gradient just downstream of the transition curvature from inlet section to diffuser. The flow for the thinner-inlet-boundary-layer condition did not fully re-establish itself along the diffuser walls. The thicker inlet-boundary-layer flow, while not completely re-establishing the normal flow pattern downstream of the separated region, did re-establish more successfully than the thinner inlet boundary layer.

Little, B. H., Jr.↗

Altitude-Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Performance of Several Propellers on YP-47M Airplane at High Blade Loading: Aeroproducts H20C-162-X11M2 Four-Blade Propeller - 1

An investigation was made in the Cleveland Altitude wind tunnel to determine the performance of an Aeroproducts H20C-162-X11M2 four-blade propeller on a YP-47M airplane at high blade loadings and high engine powers. The propeller characteristics were obtained for a range of power coefficients from 0.30 to 1.00 at free-stream Mach numbers of 0.40 and 0.50. The results of the force measurements are indicative only of trends in propeller efficiency with changes in power coefficient and advance-diameter ratio because unknown interference effects existed during the investigation. At a free-stream Mach number of 0.40, the envelopes of the efficiency curves decreased about 11% between advance-diameter ratios of 2.40 and 4.40. An increase in power coefficient from 0.30 to 0.80 at an advance-diameter ratio of 2.40 had little effect on the propeller efficiency. A change in power coefficient from 0.40 to 1.00 at an advance-diameter ratio of 4.40 increased the propeller efficiency by about 40%. For conditions below the stall the thrust loading on the outboard blade sections increased more rapidly than on the inboard sections as the power coefficient was increased or as the advance-diameter ratio was decreased. For conditions beyond the stall, the thrust loading decreased on the outboard sections and increased on the inboard sections.

Saari, Martin J.↗

Effect of nozzle lateral spacing on afterbody drag and performance of twin-jet afterbody models with cone plug nozzles at Mach numbers up to 2.20

Twin-jet afterbody models were investigated by using two balances to measure separately the thrust minus total drag and the afterbody drag at Mach numbers of 0.0 and 0.50 to 2.20 for a constant angle of attack of 0. Translating shroud cone plug nozzles were tested at dry and maximum afterburning power settings with a high-pressure air system used to provide jet total-pressure ratios up to 20.0. Two nozzle lateral spacings were studied by using afterbodies with several interfairing shapes. The close- and wide-spaced afterbodies had identical cross-sectional area distributions when similar interfairings were installed on each. Nozzle cant angles of -5, 0, and 5 degrees were investigated. The results show that the highest overall performance was generally obtained with the close-spaced afterbody, basic interfairings (no base), and uncanted nozzles.

Berrier, B. L.↗

Effect of nozzle lateral spacing on afterbody drag and performance of twin-jet afterbody models with convergent-divergent nozzles at Mach numbers up to 2.2

Twin-jet afterbody models were investigated by using two balances to measure the thrust-minus-total drag and the afterbody drag, separately, at static conditions and at Mach numbers up to 2.2 for an angle of attack of 0 deg. Hinged-flap convergent-divergent nozzles were tested at subsonic-cruise- and maximum-afterburning-power settings with a high-pressure air system used to provide jet-total-pressure ratios up to 20. Two nozzle lateral spacings were studied, using afterbodies with similar interfairing shapes but with different longitudinal cross-sectional area distributions. Alternate, blunter, interfairings with different shapes for the two spacings, which produced afterbodies having identical cross-sectional area progressions corresponding to an axisymmetric minimum wave-drag configuration, were also tested. The results indicate that the wide-spaced configurations improved the flow field around the nozzles, thereby reducing drag on the cruise nozzles; however, the increased surface and projected cross-sectional areas caused an increase in afterbody drag. Except for a slight advantage with cruise nozzles at subsonic speeds, the wide-spaced configurations had the higher total drag at all other test conditions.

Pendergraft, O. C., Jr.↗

Flow in a discrete slotted nozzle with massive injection

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the effect of massive wall injection on the flow characteristics in a slotted nozzle. Some of the experiments were performed on a water table with a slotted-nozzle test section. This has 45 deg and 15 deg half angles of convergence and divergence, respectively, throat radius of 2.5 inches, and throat width of 3 inches. The hydraulic analogy was employed to qualitatively extend the results to a compressible gas flow through the nozzle. Experimental results from the water table include contours of constant Froude and Mach number with and without injection. Photographic results are also presented for the injection through slots of CO2 and Freon-12 into a main-stream air flow in a convergent-divergent nozzle in a wind tunnel. Schlieren photographs were used to visualize the flow, and qualititative agreement between the results from the gas tunnel and water table is good.

Perkins, H. C.↗

LEWICE/E: An Euler based ice accretion code

A new version of the LEWICE ice accretion computer code was developed which calculates the ice growth on two dimensional surfaces, incorporating the effects of compressibility through the solution of the Euler equations. The code is modular and contains separate stand-alone program elements that create a grid, calculate the flow field parameters, calculate the droplet trajectory paths, determine the amount of ice growth, and plot results. This code increases the applicability of ice accretion predictions by allowing calculations at higher Mach numbers. The new elements of the code are described. Calculated results are compared to experiment for several cases, including a LEWICE example case and a thin airfoil section at a Mach number of 0.58.

Potapczuk, Mark G.↗

LEWICE/E - An Euler based ice accretion code

A new version of the LEWICE ice accretion computer code was developed which calculates the ice growth on two dimensional surfaces, incorporating the effects of compressibility through the solution of the Euler equations. The code is modular and contains separate stand-alone program elements that create a grid, calculate the flow field parameters, calculate the droplet trajectory paths, determine the amount of ice growth, and plot results. This code increases the applicability of ice accretion predictions by allowing calculations at higher Mach numbers. The new elements of the code are described. Calculated results are compared to experiment for several cases, including a LEWICE example case and a thin airfoil section at a Mach number of 0.58.

Potapczuk, Mark G.↗

Characteristics of the NASA-Ames Laminar Flow Supersonic Wind Tunnel for Unique Mach 1.6 Transition Studies

Flow quality measurements have been performed in the unique Laminar Flow Supersonic Wind Tunnel (LFSWT) to examine both mean and dynamic characteristics. The intent was to provide the necessary flow information about this ground test facility, to support meaningful transition research at Mach 1.6 and flight unit Reynolds numbers. This paper is intended to assist other experimentalists with similar goals of characterizing low-supersonic test environments. An array of instrumentation has been used to highlight the importance of proper selection of pressure instruments and data acquisition procedures. We conclude that the test section is low-disturbance (based on classical standards of pressure disturbances less than 0.1% with no specified data bandwidth), and has uniform flow. This is confirmation that the quiet design features of the LFSWT are effective. However, characterization of the test section flow over a 0.25k-5Ok bandwidth shows that the disturbance levels can be greater than classical standards particularly for stagnation pressures less than 9.5 psia (0.65 bar) with low stagnation temperatures. Variability of the flow disturbances in the settling chamber and test section is contained in a narrow frequency bandwidth below 5k Hz, which is associated with resonant frequencies from the pressure reduction system. So far, these disturbances have not impacted transition along the tunnel walls or a 10 degrees cone. However, continual vigilance is required to maintain a known low-disturbance environment for transition research in the LFSWT. Furthermore, the formation of standards for flow quality measurements is strongly recommended, so that transition research can be better isolated from tunnel disturbances.

Wolf, Stephen W. D.↗

Drag Measurements at Transonic Speeds of NACA 65-009 Airfoils Mounted on a Freely Falling Body to Determine the Effects of Sweepback and Aspect Ratio

Drag measurements at transonic speeds on rectangular airfoils and on airfoils swept back 450 are reported. These airfoils, which were mounted on cylindrical test bodies, are part of a series being tested in free drops from high altitude to determine the effect of variation of basic airfoil parameters on airfoil drag characteristics at transonic speeds. These rectangular and swept-back airfoils had the same span, airfoil section (NACA 65-009), and chord perpendicular to the leading edge. The tests were made to compare the drag of rectangular and sweptback airfoils at a higher aspect ratio than had been used in a similar comparison reported previously. The results showed that the drag of the swept-back airfoil was less than 0.15 that of the rectangular airfoil at a Mach number of 1.00 and less than 0.30 that of the rectangular airfoil at a Mach number of 1.17. A comparison of these swept-back airfoils with similar airfoils of lower aspect ratio previously tested by the same method indicated that in the investigated speed range reduction in aspect ratio results in increased drag. In the highest part of the investigated speed range, however, the drag coefficient of the high-aspect-ratio swept-back airfoils showed a tendency to approach that of the lower-aspect-ratio swept-back airfoils. A similar comparison for the rectangular airfoils showed that delay in the drag rise and a reduction in drag at supercritical speeds can be realIzed through reduction in aspect ratio. These results confirm those reported in NACA ACR No. L5J16.

Mathews, Charles W.↗