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At least 199 records · Page 11

Experimental and analytical studies in tilt-rotor aeroelasticity

An overview of an experimental and analytical research program underway for studying the aeroelastic and dynamic characteristics of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft is presented. Selected results from several investigations of scaled models in the transonic dynamics tunnel, as well as some results from a test of a flight-worthy proprotor in the full-scale wind tunnel are shown and discussed with a view toward delineating various aspects of dynamic behavior peculiar to proprotor aircraft. Included are such items as proprotor/pylon stability, whirl flutter, gust response, and blade flapping. Theoretical predictions are shown to be in agreement with the measured stability and response behavior.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗

Experimental and analytical studies in tilt-rotor aeroelasticity

An overview of an experimental and analytical research program for studying the aeroelastic and dynamic characteristics of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft is presented. Selected results from several investigations of scaled models in the Langley transonic dynamics tunnel as well as some results from a test of a flight-worthy prop rotor in the NASA Ames full-scale wind tunnel are shown and discussed with a view toward delineating various aspects of dynamic behavior peculiar to prop rotor aircraft. Included are such items as prop rotor pylon stability, whirl flutter, gust response, and blade flapping. Theoretical predictions, based on analyses developed at Langley, are shown to be in agreement with the measured stability and response behavior.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗

Measurement of tilt rotor VTOL rotor wake-airframe ground aerodynamic interference for application to real time flight simulation

The hover and low speed rotor wake-airframe-ground aerodynamic characteristics of the XV-15 tilt rotor research aircraft were determined in wind tunnel tests of a scale model. Results of the wind tunnel tests were applied to real flight time simulation. The principal findings of the wind tunnel tests are summarized. The effect of aerodynamic interference on the handling qualities of the aircraft is analyzed. It was determined that aerodynamic interference effects are significant in hover and at low speeds, with the influence being more pronounced in ground effect than out of it. At airspeeds above 60 knots, aerodynamic interference does not have a significant effect on handling characteristics.

Gaffey, T. M.↗

Conceptual design study of a 1985 commercial STOL tilt rotor transport

Results of conceptual engineering design studies of a STOL tilt rotor commercial aircraft for the 1985 time frame are presented. The details of aircraft size, performance, flying qualities, noise, and cost are included. The savings in terms of fuel economy resulting from STOL operations compared with VTOL vehicles are determined.

Widdison, C. A.↗

Analytical evaluation of tilting proprotor wind tunnel test requirements

Specific test requirements related to the wind tunnel testing of the XV-15 advanced tilt rotor research aircraft were determined. The following analytical tools were developed: (1) digital simulation of the XV-15, incorporating a simplified tunnel support model, control system loop, measurement lags, gust disturbances, and sensor noise, (2) specialization of existing data analysis programs to the high order XV-15 dynamical model (transfer function program, a time series analysis program, an advanced maximum likelihood parameter identification program), (3) several auxiliary programs to provide estimates of damping from transfer functions as well as calculations of model decomposition of system response. The following results were discussed: (1) modelling of the aircraft, instrumentation, and controls, (2) results of the rotor/cantilever wing model and coupled wing, (3) examples of data prediction with system identification techniques, and (4) detailed conclusions and recommendations.

Hall, W. E., Jr.↗

A review of some tilt-rotor aeroelastic research at NASA-Langley

An overview of an experimental and analytical research program conducted within the Aeroelasticity Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center for studying the aeroelastic and dynamic characteristics of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft is presented. Selected results from several joint NASA/contractor investigations of scaled models in the Langley transonic dynamics tunnel are shown and discussed with a view toward delineating various aspects of dynamic behavior peculiar to proprotor aircraft. Included are such items as proprotor/pylon stability, whirl flutter, gust response, and blade flapping. Theoretical predictions, based on analyses developed at Langley, are shown to be in agreement with the measured stability and response behavior.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗

Considerations for the application of finite element beam modeling to vibration analysis of flight vehicle structures

The manner of representing a flight vehicle structure as an assembly of beam, spring, and rigid-body components for vibration analysis is described. The development is couched in terms of a substructures methodology which is based on the finite-element stiffness method. The particular manner of employing beam, spring, and rigid-body components to model such items as wing structures, external stores, pylons supporting engines or external stores, and sprung masses associated with launch vehicle fuel slosh is described by means of several simple qualitative examples. A detailed numerical example consisting of a tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft is included to provide a unified illustration of the procedure for representing a structure as an equivalent system of beams, springs, and rigid bodies, the manner of forming the substructure mass and stiffness matrices, and the mechanics of writing the equations of constraint which enforce deflection compatibility at the junctions of the substructures. Since many structures, or selected components of structures, can be represented in this manner for vibration analysis, the modeling concepts described and their application in the numerical example shown should prove generally useful to the dynamicist.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗

Report on research and technology-FY 1981

More than 65 technical reports, papers, and articles published by personnel and contractors at the Dryden Flight Research Center are listed. Activities performed for the Offices of Aeronautics and Space Technology, Space and Terrestrial Applications, Space Transportation Systems, and Space Tracking and Data Systems are summarized. Preliminary stability and control derivatives were determined for the shuttle orbiter at hypersonic speeds from the data obtained at reentry. The shuttle tile tests, spin research vehicle nose shapes flight investigations, envelope expansion flights for the Ames tilt rotor research aircraft, and the AD-1 oblique wing programs were completed as well as the KC-135 winglet program.

Source record↗

XV-15 Tilt Rotor fly-by-wire collective control demonstrator development specifications

A fly by wire system in the collective control system for XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft was evaluated. The collective control system was selected because it requires a system tracking accuracy between right and left rotors of approximately 0.1%. The performance characteristics of the collectors axel provide typical axis control response data. The demonstrator is bread boarded as a dual system instead of the triplex system.

Meuleners, R. J.↗

Aeronautics for the 21st century

An assessment is made of the development possibilities of aerospace vehicle materials and structures, propulsion, avionics, configurations, computerized simulation, and operational capabilities. The supersonic transports envisioned for the 21st century would incorporate advanced, high temperature material structural design techniques, and a variable-cycle engine technology capable of a 40 percent increase in cruise efficiency over current systems, combined with low takeoff noise and efficient subsonic operation. This technology, as well as that of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft which will be able to cruise at speeds comparable to those of present fixed-wing aircraft, are directly applicable to military systems. The impact of microelectronics and computer technologies on both avionics and the computational simulation of three-dimensional aerodynamic characteristics are also noted as important prospective developments.

Beggs, J. M.↗

Advanced Rotorcraft Transmission (ART) program-Boeing helicopters status report

The Advanced Rotorcraft Transmission (ART) program is structured to incorporate key emerging material and component technologies into an advanced rotorcraft transmission with the intention of making significant improvements in the state of the art (SOA). Specific objectives of ART are: (1) Reduce transmission weight by 25 pct.; (2) Reduce transmission noise by 10 dB; and (3) Improve transmission life and reliability, while extending Mean Time Between Removal to 5000 hr. Boeing selected a transmission sized for the Tactical Tilt Rotor (TTR) aircraft which meets the Future Air Attack Vehicle (FAVV) requirements. Component development testing will be conducted to evaluate the high risk concepts prior to finalizing the advanced transmission configuration. The results of tradeoff studies and development test which were completed are summarized.

Lenski, Joseph W., Jr.↗

Using RotCFD to Predict Isolated XV-15 Rotor Performance

Experimental techniques to measure rotorcraft aerodynamic performance are widely used. However, the need exists to understand the limitations of ground based testing by augmenting the analysis of experimental test results with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. The immediate objective of the present research is to develop an XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft rotor model for investigation of wind tunnel wall interference. The predicted performance of the XV-15 during various flight modes is compared to theoretical and experimental data. This research is performed to support wind tunnel tests scheduled for 2016. A mid-fidelity RANS solver, RotCFD, is used with an unsteady, incompressible flow model and a realizable k- turbulence model. The rotor is modeled using an actuator disk model or blade element model with a momentum source approach. In RotCFD the setup, grid generation and running of cases is faster than many CFD codes which makes it a useful engineering tool. Performance predictions need not be as accurate as high-fidelity CFD codes, as long as wall effects can be properly simulated. Being able to accurately predict unsteady rotorcraft performance on desktop-class computers provides a quicker analysis of highly complex flows during the initial design phase.

CFD↗

Folding tilt rotor demonstrator feasibility study

This study considers the modification of existing aircraft to the folding tilt rotor (FTR) design configuration, and then addresses the vehicle design requirements necessary to demonstrate the FTR concept throughout the hover/transition high-speed envelope. Three potential candidates are considered: (1) the Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey combined with either the existing TF-34 convertible engine or a conceptual convertible engine utilizing the torque-converter-coupled fan configuration; (2) a combination of the same powerplants with a modified Lockheed S-3A Viking; and (3) the NASA/Army/BELL XV-15 airframe mated with a conceptual generic turbofan engine with a fixed-pitch fan coupled to the engine by means of a torque converter. Required aircraft modifications are identified and recommended R&D efforts for engine/rotor/airframe integration are presented.

Eisenberg, J. D.↗

AV-95 Sun Devil: High-Speed Military Rotorcraft

The AV-95 Sun Devil must combine helicopter capabilities, such as vertical takeoff and landings (VTOL) and rotor-powered flight, along with long-duration cruise and high-speed dash capabilities unobtainable by conventional helicopters. To be able to perform both tasks, and perform them well, the AV-95 Sun Devil design incorporates several unconventional devices; the AV-95 uses two convertible turbofan engines, able to provide both shaft power for the main rotor and tall fan as well as jet thrust either separately or simultaneously. Other devices used for the AV-95 include a variable diameter main rotor and a blown flap. In helicopter mode, the AV-95 Sun Devil performs like a winged helicopter. The addition of wings to an attack helicopter results in two significant advantages. First, the addition of wings makes a helicopter more maneuverable than a wingless, but otherwise similar helicopter. Second, since the wings produce lift, rotor stall and compressibility effects can be significantly delayed at high tip velocities. In fixed-wing mode, the main rotor is completely off-loaded but slightly powered, and the rotor diameter has been minimized. The AV-95 Sun Devil has many advantages over other VTOL aircraft. The conversion process is simple and fast; conversion does not make the AV-95 vulnerable to enemy attack during conversion such as a tilt-wing or a tilt-rotor. Stop-rotor aircraft and a stowed rotor aircraft require heavy breaking of the rotor for conversion; this adds time for conversion and weight to the aircraft. Because the AV-95 never stops the rotor in flight, much weight is spared, and conversion is much simpler and faster.

Source record↗

Recent developments in the dynamics of advanced rotor systems

The problems that were encountered in the dynamics of advanced rotor systems are described. The methods for analyzing these problems are discussed, as are past solutions of the problems. To begin, the basic dynamic problems of rotors are discussed: aeroelastic stability, rotor and airframe loads, and aircraft vibration. Next, advanced topics that are the subject of current research are described: vibration control, dynamic upflow, finite element analyses, and composite materials. Finally, the dynamics of various rotorcraft configurations are considered: hingeless rotors, bearingless rotors, rotors with circulation control, coupled rotor/engine dynamics, articulated rotors, and tilting proprotor aircraft.

Johnson, W.↗