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At least 199 records · Page 11

Viscous/potential flow about multi-element two-dimensional and infinite-span swept wings - Theory and experiment

The viscous subsonic flow past two-dimensional and infinite-span swept multi-component airfoils is studied theoretically and experimentally. The computerized analysis is based on iteratively coupled boundary-layer and potential-flow analysis. The method, which is restricted to flows with only slight separation, gives surface pressure distribution, chordwise and spanwise boundary-layer characteristics, lift, drag, and pitching moment for airfoil configurations with up to four elements. Merging confluent boundary layers are treated. Theoretical predictions are compared with an exact theoretical potential flow solution and with experimental measures made in the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel for both two-dimensional and infinite-span swept wing configurations. Section lift characteristics are accurately predicted for zero and moderate sweep angles where flow separation effects are negligible.

Olson, L. E.↗

Lateral equilibrium of asymmetrical swept wings - Aileron control vs geometric twist

A static aeroelastic phenomenon unique to an aircraft with asymmetrically swept wings is discussed. A simple formula is derived from the analysis of a highly idealized model. The validity of this formula is examined through the use of a more sophisticated numerical analysis. Among the results of this analysis are the following: aileron settings of a few degrees are sufficient to trim such aircraft in roll-for-g-flight; the use of built-in twist in the form of initial negative dihedral provides an efficient alternative to aileron trim; if the wing is elastically tailored in a proper fashion, it may be possible to design a wing whose elastic deformation under airloads provides a form of self-trim in roll at the cruise q of the aircraft.

Weisshaar, T. A.↗

Approximate indicial lift function for tapered, swept wings in incompressible flow

An approximate indicial lift function associated with circulation was developed for tapered, swept wings in incompressible flow. The function is derived by representing the wings with a simple vortex system. The results from the derived equations compare well with the limited available results from more rigorous and complex methods. The equations, as derived, are not very convenient for calculating the dynamic response of aircraft, parameter extraction, or for determining frequency-response curves for wings. Therefore, an expression is developed to convert the indicial response function to an exponential form which is more convenient for these purposes.

Queijo, M. J.↗

High performance forward swept wing aircraft

A high performance aircraft capable of subsonic, transonic and supersonic speeds employs a forward swept wing planform and at least one first and second solution ejector located on the inboard section of the wing. A high degree of flow control on the inboard sections of the wing is achieved along with improved maneuverability and control of pitch, roll and yaw. Lift loss is delayed to higher angles of attack than in conventional aircraft. In one embodiment the ejectors may be advantageously positioned spanwise on the wing while the ductwork is kept to a minimum.

Koenig, David G.↗

An interactive three-dimensional boundary-layer method for transonic flow over swept wings

A three-dimensional laminar/turbulent boundary-layer method is developed for transonic flow over swept wings. The governing equations and curvature terms are written for a nonorthogonal body-oriented curvilinear coordinate system. The viscous method is coupled to the full-potential inviscid code, FLO-30, through a displacement-surface interaction. Typically, for transonic Mach numbers and moderate sweep angles, between 5 and 12 viscous updates are required for convergence. The method is applied to a variety of wing planforms, and the results are also compared to those obtained with the three-dimensional integral inviscid-viscous interaction method TAWFIVE (Streett and Melson, 1983).

Woodson, Shawn H.↗

Applicability of linearized-theory attached-flow methods to design and analysis of flap systems at low speeds for thin swept wings with sharp leading edges

Low-speed experimental force and data on a series of thin swept wings with sharp leading edges and leading and trailing-edge flaps are compared with predictions made using a linearized-theory method which includes estimates of vortex forces. These comparisons were made to assess the effectiveness of linearized-theory methods for use in the design and analysis of flap systems in subsonic flow. Results demonstrate that linearized-theory, attached-flow methods (with approximate representation of vortex forces) can form the basis of a rational system for flap design and analysis. Even attached-flow methods that do not take vortex forces into account can be used for the selection of optimized flap-system geometry, but design-point performance levels tend to be underestimated unless vortex forces are included. Illustrative examples of the use of these methods in the design of efficient low-speed flap systems are included.

Carlson, Harry W.↗

A transonic interactive boundary-layer theory for laminar and turbulent flow over swept wings

A 3-D laminar and turbulent boundary-layer method is developed for compressible flow over swept wings. The governing equations and curvature terms are derived in detail for a nonorthogonal, curvilinear coordinate system. Reynolds shear-stress terms are modeled by the Cebeci-Smith eddy-viscosity formulation. The governing equations are descretized using the second-order accurate, predictor-corrector finite-difference technique of Matsuno, which has the advantage that the crossflow difference formulas are formed independent of the sign of the crossflow velocity component. The method is coupled with a full potential wing/body inviscid code (FLO-30) and the inviscid-viscous interaction is performed by updating the original wing surface with the viscous displacement surface calculated by the boundary-layer code. The number of these global iterations ranged from five to twelve depending on Mach number, sweep angle, and angle of attack. Several test cases are computed by this method and the results are compared with another inviscid-viscous interaction method (TAWFIVE) and with experimental data.

Woodson, Shawn H.↗

Two experimental supercritical laminar-flow-control swept-wing airfoils

Two supercritical laminar-flow-control airfoils were designed for a large-chord swept-wing experiment in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel where suction was provided through most of the model surface for boundary-layer control. The first airfoil was derived from an existing full-chord laminar airfoil by extending the trailing edge and making changes in the two lower-surface concave regions. The second airfoil differed from the first one in that it was designed for testing without suction in the forward concave region of the lower surface. Differences between the first airfoil and the one from which it was derived as well as between the first and second airfoils are discussed. Airfoil coordinates and predicted pressure distributions for the design normal Mach number of 0.755 and section lift coefficient of 0.55 are given for the three airfoils.

Allison, Dennis O.↗

Modeling Boundary-Layer Transition in Subsonic Flow over a Swept Wing

Predicting the onset of boundary-layer transition is often more accurate using physics-based models that directly compute disturbance growth rather than phenomenological models often implemented into industrial CFD codes. The aim of this ongoing study is to calibrate linear, physics-based computations of transition in subsonic flows over swept wings against a large set of experimental data. Advancing the calibration of linear models of transition contributes to the CFD-Vision-2030 goal of automated boundary-layer transition prediction. This progress report uses the dual N-factor method to model transition over the swept NACA 64-2-015A wing. The flow conditions match selected test conditions from an extensive experimental dataset acquired from the NASA Ames 12-ft Pressure Tunnel. The OVERFLOW 2.4b flow solver is used to obtain laminar basic states based on an infinite-span assumption. Stability analyses are performed on 365 distinct configurations with linear stability theory (LST) and parabolized stability equations (PSE) from the Langley Stability and Transition Analysis Codes (LASTRAC), modeling the growth of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) and stationary crossflow (SCF) disturbances. From a total of 67 data points for unswept, i.e., TS-dominant configurations, the critical N-factor based on PSE is found to be N_TS = 9. The SCF critical N-factor is found to be near 8 for the highly swept, SCF-dominant configurations. Dual N-factor curves for both LST and PSE computations demonstrate a high level of interaction between TS and SCF. It may be worthwhile to investigate an alternate metric to visualize maximal SCF amplification upstream of the transition location to account for the growth of SCF modes near the leading edge, which is not considered in the conventional applications of the dual N-factor criterion.

boundary-layer transition↗

Modeling Boundary-Layer Transition in Subsonic Flow over a Swept Wing

Predicting the onset of boundary-layer transition is often more accurate using physics-based models that directly compute disturbance growth rather than phenomenological models often implemented into industrial CFD codes. The aim of this ongoing study is to calibrate linear, physics-based computations of transition in subsonic flows over swept wings against a large set of experimental data. Advancing the calibration of linear models of transition contributes to the CFD-Vision-2030 goal of automated boundary-layer transition prediction. This progress report uses the dual N-factor method to model transition over the swept NACA 64-2-015A wing. The flow conditions match selected test conditions from an extensive experimental dataset acquired from the NASA Ames 12-ft Pressure Tunnel. The OVERFLOW 2.4b flow solver is used to obtain laminar basic states based on an infinite-span assumption. Stability analyses are performed on 365 distinct configurations with linear stability theory (LST) and parabolized stability equations (PSE) from the Langley Stability and Transition Analysis Codes (LASTRAC), modeling the growth of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) and stationary crossflow (SCF) disturbances. From a total of 67 data points for unswept, i.e., TS-dominant configurations, the critical N-factor based on PSE is found to be N_TS = 9. The SCF critical N-factor is found to be near 8 for the highly swept, SCF-dominant configurations. Dual N-factor curves for both LST and PSE computations demonstrate a high level of interaction between TS and SCF. It may be worthwhile to investigate an alternate metric to visualize maximal SCF amplification upstream of the transition location to account for the growth of SCF modes near the leading edge, which is not considered in the conventional applications of the dual N-factor criterion.

computational modeling↗

Improved computational treatment of transonic flow about swept wings

Relaxation solutions to classical three-dimensional small-disturbance (CSD) theory for transonic flow about lifting swept wings are reported. For such wings, the CSD theory was found to be a poor approximation to the full potential equation in regions of the flow field that are essentially two-dimensional in a plane normal to the sweep direction. The effect of this deficiency on the capture of embedded shock waves in terms of (1) the conditions under which shock waves can exist and (2) the relations they must satisfy when they do exist is emphasized. A modified small-disturbance (MSD) equation, derived by retaining two previously neglected terms, was proposed and shown to be a consistent approximation to the full potential equation over a wider range of sweep angles. The effect of these extra terms is demonstrated by comparing CSD, MSD, and experimental wing surface pressures.

Ballhaus, W. F.↗

Multivariable control of a forward swept wing aircraft

The impact of independent canard and flaperon control of the longitudinal axis of a generic forward swept wing aircraft is examined. The Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG)/Loop Transfer Recovery (LTR) method is used to design three compensators: two single-input-single-output (SISO) systems, one with angle of attack as output and canard as control, the other with pitch attitude as output and canard as control, and a two-input-two-output system with both canard and flaperon controlling both the pitch attitude and angle of attack. The performances of the three systems are compared showing the addition of flaperon control allows the aircraft to perform in the precision control modes with very little loss of command following accuracy.

Quinn, W. W.↗

The 3-D LDV Measurements on a 30-Degree Swept Wing with a Simulated Ice Accretion

Three dimensional flowfield measurements have been obtained for a semispan 30-degree swept wing with a simulated glaze ice accretion. The model tested has a NACA 0012 section perpendicular to the leading edge. Measurements were made using a two-component laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) system. Mean velocity measurements were obtained for all three velocity components. Streamwise turbulence intensities were also obtained. All measurements were taken in the University of Illinois 3 by 4 foot subsonic wind tunnel at a Reynolds number of 1 million and 8 degrees angle of attack. The data is presented in tabular form.

Bragg, Michael B.↗

Lift augmentation for highly swept wing aircraft

A pair of spaced slots, disposed on each side of an aircraft centerline and spaced well inboard of the wing leading edges, are provided in the wing upper surfaces and directed tangentially spanwise toward thin sharp leading wing edges of a highly swept, delta wing aircraft. The slots are individually connected through separate plenum chambers to separate compressed air tanks and serve, collectively, as a system for providing aircraft lift augmentation. A compressed air supply is tapped from the aircraft turbojet power plant. Suitable valves, under the control of the aircraft pilot, serve to selective provide jet blowing from the individual slots to provide spanwise sheets of jet air closely adjacent to the upper surfaces and across the aircraft wing span to thereby create artificial vortices whose suction generate additional lift on the aircraft. When desired, or found necessary, unequal or one-side wing blowing is employed to generate rolling moments for augmented lateral control. Trailing flaps are provided that may be deflected differentially, individually, or in unison, as needed for assistance in take-off or landing of the aircraft.

Rao, Dhanvada M.↗