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At least 217 records · Page 12

Full scale visualization of the wing tip vortices generated by a typical agricultural aircraft

The trajectories of the wing tip vortices of a typical agricultural aircraft were experimentally determined by flight test. A flow visualization method, similar to the vapor screen method used in wind tunnels, was used to obtain trajectory data for a range of flight speeds, airplane configurations, and wing loadings. Detailed measurements of the spanwise surface pressure distribution were made for all test points. Further, a powered 1/8 scale model of the aircraft was designed, built, and used to obtain tip vortex trajectory data under conditions similar to that of the full scale test. The effects of light wind on the vortices were demonstrated, and the interaction of the flap vortex and the tip vortex was clearly shown in photographs and plotted trajectory data.

Cross, E. J., Jr.↗

Effect of sweep angle on the pressure distributions and effectiveness of the ogee tip in diffusing a line vortex

Low-speed wind tunnel tests were conducted to study the influence of sweep angle on the pressure distributions of an ogee-tip configuration with relation to the effectiveness of the ogee tip in diffusing a line vortex. In addition to the pressure data, performance and flow-visualization data were obtained in the wind tunnel tests to evaluate the application of the ogee tip to aircraft configurations. The effect of sweep angle on the performance characteristics of a conventional-tip model, having equivalent planform area, was also investigated for comparison with the ogee-tip configuration. Results of the investigation generally indicate that sweep angle has little effect on the characteristics of the ogee in diffusing a line vortex.

Balcerak, J. C.↗

Full scale visualization of the wing tip vortices generated by a typical agricultural aircraft

The trajectories of the wing tip vortices of a typical agricultural aircraft were experimentally determined by flight test. A flow visualization method, similar to the vapor screen method used in wind tunnels, was used to obtain trajectory data for a range of flight speeds, airplane configurations, and wing loadings. Detailed measurements of the spanwise surface pressure distribution were made for all test points. Further, a powered 1/8 scale model of the aircraft was designed, built, and used to obtain tip vortex trajectory data under conditions similar to that of the full-scale test. The effects of light wind on the vortices were demonstrated, and the interaction of the flap vortex and the tip vortex was clearly shown in photographs and plotted trajectory data.

Cross, E. J., Jr.↗

IDGE - A test of dendritic growth theory using space flight

The isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), to be performed on three of the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) flights, starting with USMP-2, is designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. Ground based test data using succinonitrile (SCN), from both a flight growth chamber and a laboratory growth chamber, are compared to theoretical calculations of dendritic tip velocities and radii. The comparison shows that the data from the flight chamber are consistent with the historical data and that dendritic growth in a microgravity environment should exhibit significant differences from the dendritic growth of SCN at g sub 0.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

New AFM Techniques for Investigating Molecular Growth Mechanisms of Protein Crystals

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful technique for investigating protein crystal growth. Earlier AFM studies were among the first to demonstrate that these crystals grew by dislocation and 2D nucleation growth mechanisms [1]. These investigations were restricted to the micron range where only surface features, such as dislocation hillocks and 2D islands are visible. Most AFM instruments can scan at higher resolutions and have the potential to resolve individual protein molecules at nanometer ranges. Such scans are essential for determining the molecular packing arrangements on crystal faces and for probing the growth process at the molecular level. However, at this resolution the AFM tip influences the image produced, with the resulting image being a convolution of the tip shape and the surface morphology [2]. In most studies this problem is resolved by deconvoluting the image to obtain the true surface morphology. Although deconvolution routines work reasonably well for simple one- dimensional shapes, for complex surfaces this approach does not produce accurate results. In this study we devised a new approach which takes advantage of the precise molecular order of crystal surfaces, combined with the knowledge of individual molecular shapes from the crystallographic data of the protein and the AFM tip shape. This information is used to construct expected theoretical AFM images by convoluting the tip shape with the constructed crystal surface shape for a given surface packing arrangement. By comparing the images from actual AFM scans with the constructed ones for different possible surface packing arrangements, the correct packing arrangement can be conclusively determined. This approach was used in this study to determine the correct one from two possible packing arrangements on (I 10) faces of tetragonal lysozyme crystals. Another novel AFM technique was also devised to measure the dimension of individual growth units of the crystal faces. Measuring these units was not attempted before and most studies have assumed that the growth unit consisted of individual protein molecules. The linescan mode of AFM instruments allows the crystal surface to be scanned along a single line. By scanning across a growth step an image showing the motion of the step is obtained. Normally such an image shows a straight line for continuous and constant step velocity. In this study by increasing the scan rate and by decreasing the step velocity (by decreasing the supersaturation), we were able to capture images of individual growth events, shown by jump discontinuities in the step line. By suitable integration of the image the growth unit dimension in the scanned direction can be obtained. Since multiple units can be involved in the growth process it is necessary to collect a statistically relevant sample before drawing conclusions about the growth mechanism. This technique was successfully employed to obtain the dimensions of growth units for the (110) face, showing that they consisted of various aggregates corresponding to the 43 helices in the crystal structure.

Li, Huayu↗

Thematic Mapper geometric correction performance evaluation

The present paper provides a performance evaluation of geometric correction in the Thematic Mapper Image Processing System (TIPS). TIPS forms a part of NASA's Thematic Mapper (TM) data processing facility. During a TM Research and Development period which continues through 1984, the geometric accuracy of TIPS is currently being evaluated. A description is given of TIPS geometric correction system, taking into account a TIPS overview and the Thematic Mapper Control Point Library Build (TCL). TCL generates control point chips which are stored in a library for subsequent use in the Thematic Mapper Archive Generation (TAG). Methods for measuring accuracy are discussed, giving attention to error estimation and direct measurement. A temporal registration evaluation from error estimation is considered along with a temporal evaluation from direct measurement, and a geodetic correction evaluation.

Brooks, J.↗

Vibration-Based Data Used to Detect Cracks in Rotating Disks

Rotor health monitoring and online damage detection are increasingly gaining the interest of aircraft engine manufacturers. This is primarily due to the fact that there is a necessity for improved safety during operation as well as a need for lower maintenance costs. Applied techniques for the damage detection and health monitoring of rotors are essential for engine safety, reliability, and life prediction. Recently, the United States set the ambitious goal of reducing the fatal accident rate for commercial aviation by 80 percent within 10 years. In turn, NASA, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, other Federal agencies, universities, and the airline and aircraft industries, responded by developing the Aviation Safety Program. This program provides research and technology products needed to help the aerospace industry achieve their aviation safety goal. The Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Group of the Optical Instrumentation Technology Branch at the NASA Glenn Research Center is currently developing propulsion-system-specific technologies to detect damage prior to catastrophe under the propulsion health management task. Currently, the NDE group is assessing the feasibility of utilizing real-time vibration data to detect cracks in turbine disks. The data are obtained from radial blade-tip clearance and shaft-clearance measurements made using capacitive or eddy-current probes. The concept is based on the fact that disk cracks distort the strain field within the component. This, in turn, causes a small deformation in the disk's geometry as well as a possible change in the system's center of mass. The geometric change and the center of mass shift can be indirectly characterized by monitoring the amplitude and phase of the first harmonic (i.e., the 1 component) of the vibration data. Spin pit experiments and full-scale engine tests have been conducted while monitoring for crack growth with this detection methodology. Even so, published data are extremely limited, and the basic foundation of the methodology has not been fully studied. The NDE group is working on developing this foundation on the basis of theoretical modeling as well as experimental data by using the newly constructed subscale spin system shown in the preceding photograph. This, in turn, involved designing an optimal sub-scale disk that was meant to represent a full-scale turbine disk; conducting finite element analyses of undamaged and damaged disks to define the disk's deformation and the resulting shift in center of mass; and creating a rotordynamic model of the complete disk and shaft assembly to confirm operation beyond the first critical concerning the subscale experimental setup. The finite element analysis data, defining the center of mass shift due to disk damage, are shown. As an example, the change in the center of mass for a disk spinning at 8000 rpm with a 0.963-in. notch was 1.3 x 10(exp -4) in. The actual vibration response of an undamaged disk as well as the theoretical response of a cracked disk is shown. Experiments with cracked disks are continuing, and new approaches for analyzing the captured vibration data are being developed to better detect damage in a rotor. In addition, the subscale spin system is being used to test the durability and sensitivity of new NDE sensors that focus on detecting localized damage. This is designed to supplement the global response of the crack-detection methodology described here.

Gyekenyesi, Andrew L.↗

Hover and forward flight acoustics and performance of a small-scale helicopter rotor system

A 2.1-m diam., 1/6-scale model helicopter main rotor was tested in hover in the test section of the NASA Ames 40- by 80- Foot Wind Tunnel. Subsequently, it was tested in forward flight in the Ames 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. The primary objective of the tests was to obtain performance and noise data on a small-scale rotor at various thrust coefficients, tip Mach numbers, and, in the later case, various advance ratios, for comparisons with similar existing data on full-scale helicopter rotors. This comparison yielded a preliminary evaluation of the scaling of helicopter rotor performance and acoustic radiation in hover and in forward flight. Correlation between model-scale and full-scale performance and acoustics was quite good in hover. In forward flight, however, there were significant differences in both performance and acoustic characteristics. A secondary objective was to contribute to a data base that will permit the estimation of facility effects on acoustic testing.

Kitaplioglu, C.↗

Further comparison of wind tunnel and airplane acoustic data for advanced design high speed propeller models

Comparisons were made between the SR-2 and SR-3 model propeller noise data taken in the NASA 8-by-6 wind tunnel, in the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) anechoic tunnel, and with boom and fuselage microphones on the NASA Jetstar airplane. Plots of peak blade passage tone noise versus helical tip Mach number generally showed good agreement. The levels of the airplane fuselage data were somewhat lower than the boom data by an approximately uniform value. The curve shapes were similar except for the UTRC data which was flatter than the other sets. This was attributed to the UTRC data being taken at constant power while the other data were taken at constant advance ratio. General curves of the peak blade passage tone versus helical tip Mach number fit through all the data are also presented. Directivity shape comparisons at the cruise condition were similar for the airplane and 8-by-6 tunnel data. The UTRC data peaked farther forward but, when an angle correction was made for the different axial Mach number used in the UTRC tests, the shape was similar to the others. The general agreement of the data from the four configurations enables the formation of a good consensus of the noise from these propellers.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

Comparison of measured and calculated helicopter rotor impulsive noise

The thickness noise theory is discussed. Two full-scale rotors were tested in a wind tunnel with several tips involving changes in chord, thickness, and sweep. Impulsive noise data reduction procedures used are described. The calculated and measured impulsive noise peak pressures as a function of advancing tip Mach number are compared, showing good correlation for all rotors considered.

Johnson, W.↗

Performance Analysis of Two Early NACA High Speed Propellers with Application to Civil Tiltrotor Configurations

The helicopter industry is vigorously pursuing development of civil tiltrotors. One key to efficient high speed performance of this rotorcraft is prop-rotor performance. Of equal, if not greater, importance is assurance that the flight envelope is free of aeroelastic instabilities well beyond currently envisioned cuise speeds. This later condition requires study at helical tip Match numbers well in excess of 1.0. Two 1940's 'supersonic' propeller experiments conducted by NACA have provided an immensely valuable data bank with which to study prop-rotor behavior at transonic and supersonic helical tip Mach numbers. Very accurate 'blades alone' data were obtained by using nearly an infinite hub. Tabulated data were recreated from the many thrust and power figures and are included in two Appendices to this report. This data set is exceptionally well suited to re-evaluating classical blade element theories as well as evolving computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses. A limited comparison of one propeller's experimental results to a modem rotorcraft CFD code is made. This code, referred to as TURNS, gives very encouraging results. Detailed analysis of the performance data from both propellers is provided in Appendix A. This appendix quantifies the minimum power required to produce usable prop-rotor thrust. The dependence of minimum profile power on Reynolds number is quantified. First order compressibility power losses are quantified as well and a first approximation to design air-foil thickness ratio to avoid compressibility losses is provided. Appendix A's results are applied to study high speed civil tiltrotor cruise performance. Predicted tiltrotor performance is compared to two turboprop commercial transports. The comparison shows that there is no fundamental aerodynamic reason why the rotorcraft industry could not develop civil tiltrotor aircraft which have competitive cruise performance with today's regional, turboprop airlines. Recommendations for future study that will insure efficient prop-rotor performance to well beyond 400 knots are given.

Harris, Franklin D.↗

Vortex Wake Turbulence: Flight Tests Conducted During 1970

A flight test program designed to obtain data on the characteristics of wing-tip vortices generated by large jet aircraft was initiated on 12 February 1970. The objective was to update the interim air traffic separation standards issued on 21 January 1970 restricting the airspace behind the B-747 and C-5A aircraft 60 deg either side and 2,000 feet below to a distance of 10 miles. The program involved flight tests at three different locations, which were conducted simultaneously. (1) At the Edwards Air Force Base test range, a NASA CV-990 and F-104 probed the vortices of a C-5A. This supplemented previous flight tests in U-3A and F-104 behind a B-52 and C-5A. (2) At Seattle, the Boeing Company probed the vortices of a B-747 and a B-707-300 with a B-737 and F-86. In addition, approach, landing, takeoff, and crossing runway tests were conducted with a B-737 trailing a B-747. Immediately following the Edwards tests, the NASA CV-990 proceeded to Seattle and engaged in probing flights behind the same B-747 and B-707-300. (3) At Idaho Falls, Idaho, FAA personnel, utilizing the Atomic Energy Commission and Environmental Science Services Administration facilities and a 200 ft, instrumented tower, conducted 114 flights past the tower. The aircraft were positioned to permit their vortices to descend into the air flow sensors and smoke generated from various levels on the tower. This permitted obtaining measurements and photography of the vortex core diameters, tangential velocities and related characteristics. Immediately following this test phase, analysis of the interrelated data was completed by the project managers representing NASA, Boeing and FAA and a Compilation of Work Papers was issued on 30 April 1970. These data were the basis of a revised General Notice issued on 26 February 1970 which, in essence, modified the restricted airspace to five miles behind heavy jets in the 300,000 lb. gross takeoff weight category.

Source record↗

Effects of Shrouded Stator Cavity Flows on Multistage Axial Compressor Aerodynamic Performance

Experiments were performed on a low-speed multistage axial-flow compressor to assess the effects of shrouded stator cavity flows on aerodynamic performance. Five configurations, which involved changes in seal-tooth leakage rates and/or elimination of the shrouded stator cavities, were tested. Data collected enabled differences in overall individual stage and the third stage blade element performance parameters to be compared. The results show conclusively that seal-tooth leakage ran have a large impact on compressor aerodynamic performance while the presence of the shrouded stator cavities alone seemed to have little influence. Overall performance data revealed that for every 1% increase in the seal-tooth clearance to blade-height ratio the pressure rise dropped up to 3% while efficiency was reduced by 1 to 1.5 points. These observed efficiency penalty slopes are comparable to those commonly reported for rotor and cantilevered stator tip clearance variations. Therefore, it appears that in order to correctly predict overall performance it is equally important to account for the effects of seal-tooth leakage as it is to include the influence of tip clearance flows. Third stage blade element performance data suggested that the performance degradation observed when leakage was increased was brought about in two distinct ways. First, increasing seal-tooth leakage directly spoiled the near hub performance of the stator row in which leakage occurred. Second, the altered stator exit now conditions caused by increased leakage impaired the performance of the next downstream stage by decreasing the work input of the downstream rotor and increasing total pressure loss of the downstream stator. These trends caused downstream stages to progressively perform worse. Other measurements were acquired to determine spatial and temporal flow field variations within the up-and-downstream shrouded stator cavities. Flow within the cavities involved low momentum fluid traveling primarily in the circumferential direction at about 40% of the hub wheel speed. Measurements indicated that the flow within both cavities was much more complex than first envisioned. A vortical flow structure in the meridional plane, similar to a driven cavity, existed within the upstream cavity Furthermore, other spatial and temporal variations in Row properties existed. the most prominent being caused by the upstream potential influence of the downstream blade. This influence caused the fluid within cavities near the leading edges of either stator blades in space or rotor blades in time to be driven radially inward relative to fluid near blade mid-pitch. This influence also produced large unsteady velocity fluctuations in the downstream cavity because of the passing of the downstream rotor blade.

Wellborn, Steven R.↗

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE)

The Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE) constituted a series of three NASA-supported microgravity experiments, all of which flew aboard the space shuttle, Columbia. This experimental space flight series was designed and operated to grow and record dendrite solidification in the absence of gravity-induced convective heat transfer, and thereby produce a wealth of benchmark-quality data for testing solidification scaling laws. The data and analysis performed on the dendritic growth speed and tip size in Succinontrie (SCN) demonstrates that although the theory yields predictions that are reasonably in agreement with experiment, there are significant discrepancies. However, some of these discrepancies can be explained by accurately describing the diffusion of heat. The key finding involves recognition that the actual three-dimensional shape of dendrites includes time-dependent side-branching and a tip region that is not a paraboloid of revolution. Thus, the role of heat transfer in dendritic growth is validated, with the caveat that a more realistic model of the dendrite then a paraboloid is needed to account for heat flow in an experimentally observed dendrite. We are currently conducting additional analysis to further confirm and demonstrate these conclusions. The data and analyses for the growth selection physics remain much less definitive. From the first flight, the data indicated that the selection parameter, sigma*, is not exactly a constant, but exhibits a slight dependence on the supercooling. Additional data from the second flight are being examined to investigate the selection of a unique dendrite speed, tip size and shape. The IDGE flight series is now complete. We are currently completing analyses and moving towards final data archiving. It is gratifying to see that the IDGE published results and archived data sets are being used actively by other scientists and engineers. In addition, we are also pleased to report that the techniques and IDGE hardware system that the authors developed with NASA, are being currently employed on both designated flight experiments, like EDSE, and on flight definition experiments, like TDSE.

Glicksman, Martin E.↗

Single stage evaluation of highly loaded high Mach number compressor stages. 6: Data and performance of cantilevered stator

A compressor stage with a rotor tip speed of 1600 ft/sec was tested to evaluate its performance with a cantilevered stator and a rotating inner shroud beneath the stator. Both the rotor blades and the stator vanes were composed of multiple circular arc airfoil sections. Comparison of data taken during this test of the cantilevered stator and previous tests with the same compressor and airfoil geometry in a shroud stator configuration showed only slight differences in stage performance with no significant effect on overall efficiency. However, the severity of the stator wake near the rotating hub was decreased at all flows including the near surge condition. Stall and wise open discharge corrected weight flows were the same as for the shrouded stator configuration.

Merrow, A. S.↗

Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of a small unpowered jet aircraft with a T-tail

The aerodynamic characteristics of a full scale executive type jet transport aircraft with a T-tail were investigated in a 40 x 80 ft (12.2 by 24.4 meter) wind tunnel (subsonic). Static, longitudinal, and lateral stability, and control characteristics were determined at angles of attack from -2 deg to +42 deg. The aircraft wing had 13 deg of sweep and an aspect ratio of 5.02. The aircraft was tested power off with various wing leading- and trailing-edge high lift devices. The basic configuration was tested with and without such components as engine nacelles, wing tip tanks, and empannage. Hinge-moment data were obtained and downwash angles in the horizontal-tail plane location were calculated. The data were obtained at Reynolds numbers of 4.1 million and 8.7 million based on mean aerodynamic chord. The model had static longitudinal stability through initial stall. Severe tail buffet occurred near the angle of attack for maximum lift. Above initial stall the aircraft had pronounced pitch-up, characteristic of T-tail configurations. A stable trim point was possible at angles of attack between 30 deg and 40 deg (depending on c.g. location and flap setting). Hinge-moment data showed no regions with adverse effects on stick force. Comparisons of wind-tunnel data and flight-test are presented.

Soderman, P. T.↗

An Experimental Study of the Nonlinear Stiffness of a Rotor Blade Undergoing Flap, Lag and Twist Deformations

The large deformation of a cantilevered beam under a gravity tip load was studied. The beam root is rotated so that the tip load is oriented at various angles with respect to the beam principal axes. Static twist and bending deflections of the tip and bending natural frequencies were measured as a function of tip load magnitude and orientation. The experimental data are compared with the results of a recently developed nonlinear structural theory and agreement is good for deflections that are small compared to the beam span with systematic deviations for larger deflections. These results support the validity and utility of the nonlinear structural theory for rotor blade applications.

Dowell, E. H.↗

An experimental-theoretical correlation study of non-linear bending and torsion deformations of a cantilever beam

An experimental study of the large deformation of a cantilevered beam under a gravity tip load has been made. The beam root is rotated so that the tip load is oriented at various angles with respect to the beam principal axes. Static twist and bending deflections of the tip and bending natural frequencies have been measured as a function of tip load magnitude and orientation. The experimental data are compared with the results of a recently developed non-linear structural theory. Agreement is reasonably good when bending deflections are small compared to the beam span, but systematic differences occur for larger deflections.

Dowell, E. H.↗