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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 235 records · Page 13

A comparison of time-optimal interception trajectories for the F-8 and F-15

The simulation results of a real time control algorithm for onboard computation of time-optimal intercept trajectories for the F-8 and F-15 aircraft are given. Due to the inherent aerodynamic and propulsion differences in the aircraft, there are major differences in their optimal trajectories. The significant difference in the two aircrafts are their flight envelopes. The F-8's optimal cruise velocity is thrust limited, while the F-15's optimal cruise velocity is at the intersection of the Mach and dynamic pressure constraint boundaries. This inherent difference necessitated the development of a proportional thrust controller for use as the F-15 approaches it's optimal cruise energy. Documented here is the application of singular perturbation theory to the trajectory optimization problem, along with a summary of the control algorithms. Numerical results for the two aircraft are compared to illustrate the performance of the minimum time algorithm, and to compute the resulting flight paths.

Calise, Anthony J.↗

Investigation of advanced counterrotation blade configuration concepts for high speed turboprop systems, task 1: Ducted propfan analysis

The time-dependent three-dimensional Euler equations of gas dynamics were solved numerically to study the steady compressible transonic flow about ducted propfan propulsion systems. Aerodynamic calculations were based on a four-stage Runge-Kutta time-marching finite volume solution technique with added numerical dissipation. An implicit residual smoothing operator was used to aid convergence. Two calculation grids were employed in this study. The first grid utilized an H-type mesh network with a branch cut opening to represent the axisymmetric cowl. The second grid utilized a multiple-block mesh system with a C-type grid about the cowl. The individual blocks were numerically coupled in the Euler solver. Grid systems were generated by a combined algebraic/elliptic algortihm developed specifically for ducted propfans. Numerical calculations were initially performed for unducted propfans to verify the accuracy of the three-dimensional Euler formulation. The Euler analyses were then applied for the calculation of ducted propfan flows, and predicted results were compared with experimental data for two cases. The three-dimensional Euler analyses displayed exceptional accuracy, although certain parameters were observed to be very sensitive to geometric deflections. Both solution schemes were found to be very robust and demonstrated nearly equal efficiency and accuracy, although it was observed that the multi-block C-grid formulation provided somewhat better resolution of the cowl leading edge region.

Hall, Edward J.↗

Design of a Low Cost Short Takeoff-vertical Landing Export Fighter/attack Aircraft

The design of a supersonic short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft is presented that is suitable for export. An advanced four poster, low bypass turbofan engine is to be used for propulsion. Preliminary aerodynamic analysis is presented covering a determination of CD versus CL, CD versus Mach number, as well as best cruise Mach number and altitude. Component locations are presented and center of gravity determined. Cost minimization is achieved through the use of developed subsystems and standard fabrication techniques using nonexotic materials. Conclusions regarding the viability of the STOVL design are presented.

Belcher, Anne↗

A hypersonic research vehicle to develop scramjet engines

Four student design teams produced conceptual designs for a research vehicle to develop the supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engines necessary for efficient hypersonic flight. This research aircraft would provide flight test data for prototype scramjets that is not available in groundbased test facilities. The design specifications call for a research aircraft to be launched from a carrier aircraft at 40,000 feet and a Mach number of 0.8. The aircraft must accelerate to Mach 6 while climbing to a 100,000 foot altitude and then ignite the experimental scramjet engines for acceleration to Mach 10. The research vehicle must then be recovered for another flight. The students responded with four different designs, two piloted waverider configurations, and two unmanned vehicles, one with a blended body-wing configuration, the other with a delta wing shape. All aircraft made use of an engine database provided by the General Electric Aircraft Engine Group; both turbofan ramjet and scramjet engine performance using liquid hydrogen fuel was available. Explained here are the students' conceptual designs and the aerodynamic and propulsion concepts that made their designs feasible.

Gregorek, G. M.↗

Flight dynamics research for highly agile aircraft

This paper highlights recent results of research conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center as part of a broad flight dynamics program aimed at developing technology that will enable future combat aircraft to achieve greatly enhanced agility capability at subsonic combat conditions. Studies of advanced control concepts encompassing both propulsive and aerodynamic approaches are reviewed. Dynamic stall phenomena and their potential impact on maneuvering performance and stability are summarized. Finally, issues of mathematical modeling of complex aerodynamics occurring during rapid, large amplitude maneuvers are discussed.

Nguyen, Luat T.↗

Future aerospace ground test facility requirements for the Arnold Engineering Development Center

Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) was conceived at the close of World War II, when major new developments in flight technology were presaged by new aerodynamic and propulsion concepts. During the past 40 years, AEDC has played a significant part in the development of many aerospace systems. The original plans were extended through the years by some additional facilities, particularly in the area of propulsion testing. AEDC now has undertaken development of a master plan in an attempt to project requirements and to plan for ground test and computational facilities over the coming 20 to 30 years. This report was prepared in response to an AEDC request that the National Research Council (NRC) assemble a committee to prepare guidance for planning and modernizing AEDC facilities for the development and testing of future classes of aerospace systems as envisaged by the U.S. Air Force.

Kirchner, Mark E.↗

A three-dimensional upwind PNS code for chemically reacting scramjet flowfields

A new upwind, parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code has been developed to compute the three-dimensional (3D) chemically reacting flow in scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) engines. The code is a modification of the 3D upwind PNS (UPS) airflow code which has been extended in the present study to permit internal flow calculations with hydrogen-air chemistry. With these additions, the new code has the capability of computing aerodynamic and propulsive flowfields simultaneously. The algorithm solves the PNS equations using a finite-volume, upwind TVD method based on Roe's approximate Riemann solver that has been modified to account for 'real gas' effects. The fluid medium is assumed to be a chemically reacting mixture of thermally perfect (but calorically imperfect) gases in thermal equilibrium. The new code has been applied to two test cases. These include the Burrows-Kurkov supersonic combustion experiment and a generic 3D scramjet flowfield. The computed results compare favorably with the available experimental data.

Wadawadigi, Ganesh↗

The rebirth of supersonic transport

A development status evaluation is presented for the aerodynamic and propulsion system technologies that will be required to make a second-generation SST, or High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) sufficiently (20 dB) quieter near airports and in supersonic cruise (sonic boom), less NO(x)-emitting, and longer-range than Concorde. NASA's Ames, Lewis, and Langley facilities are intensively concerned with the development of such an environmentally benign and economically feasible Mach 2.4 HSCT; efforts have concentrated on the design of a powerplant with the requisite specific fuel consumption, low emissions, and low noise.

Rosen, Robert↗

Rocket-powered single-stage vehicle configuration selection and design

A reusable rocket-powered, single-stage launch vehicle has been designed as a part of NASA's Advanced Manned Launch System (AMLS) study to examine options for a next-generation manned space transportation system. The configuration selection process utilized a response surface methodology for multidisciplinary optimization. The methodology was utilized to determine the minimum dry weight entry vehicle to meet constraints on landing velocity and on subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic trim and stability. Once the optimum configuration was determined, a multidisciplinary conceptual vehicle design was performed. This paper presents the results of the configuration selection methodology and summarizes the overall conceptual design process with special attention given to the individual disciplines of weights/ sizing, structures/materials, configuration, flight mechanics, aerodynamics, aeroheating, propulsion, and operations.

Stanley, Douglas O.↗

MARS Mission research center

The Mars Mission Research Center (M2RC) is one of nine University Space Engineering Research Centers established by NASA in June 1988. It is a cooperative effort between NCSU and A&T in Greensboro. The goal of the Center is to focus on research and educational technologies for planetary exploration with particular emphasis on Mars. The research combines Mission Analysis and Design, Hypersonic Aerodynamics and Propulsion, Structures and Controls, Composite Materials, and Fabrication Methods in a cross-disciplined program directed towards the development of space transportation systems for lunar and planetary travel. The activities of the students and faculty in the M2RC for the period 1 Jul. 1990 to 30 Jun. 1991 are described.

Source record↗

Fourth High Alpha Conference, volume 3

Thie goal of this conference was to focus on the flight validation of high-angle-of-attack technologies and provide an in-depth review of the latest high-angle-of-attack activities. Areas covered include: (1) high-angle-of-attack aerodynamics; (2) propulsion and inlet dynamics; (3) thrust vectoring; (4) control laws and handling qualities; (5) tactical utility; and (6) forebody controls.

Source record↗

Aerodynamics model for a generic ASTOVL lift-fan aircraft

This report describes the aerodynamics model used in a simulation model of an advanced short takeoff and vertical landing (ASTOVL) lift-fan fighter aircraft. The simulation model was developed for use in piloted evaluations of transition and hover flight regimes, so that only low speed (M approximately 0.2) aerodynamics are included in the mathematical model. The aerodynamic model includes the power-off aerodynamic forces and moments and the propulsion system induced aerodynamic effects, including ground effects. The power-off aerodynamics data were generated using the U.S. Air Force Stability and Control Digital DATCOM program and a NASA Ames in-house graphics program called VORVIEW which allows the user to easily analyze arbitrary conceptual aircraft configurations using the VORLAX program. The jet-induced data were generated using the prediction methods of R. E. Kuhn et al., as referenced in this report.

Birckelbaw, Lourdes G.↗

Far term visions: The frontiers of the responsibly imaginable

This lecture discusses envisaged advanced concepts across the speed range including VTOL converticars (personal air transportation), advanced subsonic and supersonic long haul transports, hypersonic transports, and developments/applications of flow control technology. In most cases, these concepts and approaches offer at least the potential of 100 percent improvements in various performance metrics and, in some cases, far more. Special emphasis is given to advanced VTOL configurations which may offer simultaneous opportunities for mitigation of both drag-due-to-lift and wake vortex hazard and to synergistic propulsive and aerodynamic interactions. The lecture concludes that a virtual revolution in the civilian aeronautical world is conceivable as a result of technology maturation in several areas which could enable the exploitation of 'end-point' designs.

Bushnell, Dennis M.↗

Multiaxis Thrust-Vectoring Characteristics of a Model Representative of the F-18 High-Alpha Research Vehicle at Angles of Attack From 0 deg to 70 deg

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the multiaxis thrust-vectoring characteristics of the F-18 High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV). A wingtip supported, partially metric, 0.10-scale jet-effects model of an F-18 prototype aircraft was modified with hardware to simulate the thrust-vectoring control system of the HARV. Testing was conducted at free-stream Mach numbers ranging from 0.30 to 0.70, at angles of attack from O' to 70', and at nozzle pressure ratios from 1.0 to approximately 5.0. Results indicate that the thrust-vectoring control system of the HARV can successfully generate multiaxis thrust-vectoring forces and moments. During vectoring, resultant thrust vector angles were always less than the corresponding geometric vane deflection angle and were accompanied by large thrust losses. Significant external flow effects that were dependent on Mach number and angle of attack were noted during vectoring operation. Comparisons of the aerodynamic and propulsive control capabilities of the HARV configuration indicate that substantial gains in controllability are provided by the multiaxis thrust-vectoring control system.

Asbury, Scott C.↗

An Overview of the NASA F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle

This paper gives an overview of the NASA F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle. The three flight phases of the program are introduced, along with the specific goals and data examples taken during each phase. The aircraft configuration and systems needed to perform the disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research are discussed. The specific disciplines involved with the flight research are introduced, including aerodynamics, controls, propulsion, systems, and structures. Decisions that were made early in the planning of the aircraft project and the results of those decisions are briefly discussed. Each of the three flight phases corresponds to a particular aircraft configuration, and the research dictated the configuration to be flown. The first phase gathered data with the baseline F-18 configuration. The second phase was the thrust-vectoring phase. The third phase used a modified forebody with deployable nose strakes. Aircraft systems supporting these flights included extensive instrumentation systems, integrated research flight controls using flight control hardware and corresponding software, analog interface boxes to control forebody strakes, a thrust-vectoring system using external post-exit vanes around axisymmetric nozzles, a forebody vortex control system with strakes, and backup systems using battery-powered emergency systems and a spin recovery parachute.

Bowers, Albion H.↗

Numerical Computation of the Chemically Reacting Flow around the National Aero-Space Plane

This final report summarizes the research accomplished. The research performed during the grant period can be divided into the following major areas: (1) Computation of chemically reacting Supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) flowfields. (2) Application of a two-equation turbulence model to supersonic combustion flowfields. (3) Computation of the integrated aerodynamic and propulsive flowfields of a generic hypersonic space plane. (4) Computation of hypersonic flows with finite-catalytic walls. (5) Development of an upwind Parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code for thermo-chemical nonequilibrium flows.

Tannehill, J. C.↗

Concept Development of a Mach 2.4 High-Speed Civil Transport

In support of the NASA High-Speed Research Program, a Mach 2.4 high-speed civil transport concept was developed to serve as a baseline for studies to assess advanced technologies required for a feasible year 2005 entry-into-service vehicle. The configuration was designed to carry 251 passengers at Mach 2.4 cruise with a 6500-n.mi. range and operate in the existing world airport structure. The details of the configuration development, aerodynamic design, propulsion system and integration, mass properties, sizing, and mission performance are presented. The baseline configuration has a wing area of 9l00 sq ft and a takeoff gross weight of 614300 lb. The four advanced turbine bypass engines have 39 000 lb thrust with a weight of 9950 lb each, yielding a vehicle takeoff thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.254 and a takeoff wing loading of 67.5 lb/sq ft. The configuration was sized by the 11000-ft takeoff field length requirement and the usable fuel volume limit, which results in a rotation speed of 179 knots and an end-of-mission landing approach velocity of 134 knots.

Fenbert, James W.↗

Concept Development of a Mach 1.6 High-Speed Civil Transport

A high-speed civil transport configuration with a Mach number of 1.6 was developed as part of the NASA High-Speed Research Program to serve as a baseline for assessing advanced technologies required for an aircraft with a service entry date of 2005. This configuration offered more favorable solutions to environmental concerns than configurations with higher Mach numbers. The Mach 1.6 configuration was designed for a 6500 n.mi. mission with a 250-passenger payload. The baseline configuration has a wing area of 8732 square feet a takeoff gross weight of 591570 lb, and four 41000-lb advanced turbine bypass engines defined by NASA. These engines have axisymmetric mixer-ejector nozzles that are assumed to yield 20 dB of noise suppression during takeoff, which is assumed to satisfy, the FAR Stage III noise requirements. Any substantial reduction in this assumed level of suppression would require oversizing the engines to meet community noise regulations and would severly impact the gross weight of the aircraft at takeoff. These engines yield a ratio of takeoff thrust to weight of 0.277 and a takeoff wing loading of 67.8 lb/square feet that results in a rotation speed of 169 knots. The approach velocity of the sized configuration at the end of the mission is 131 knots. The baseline configuration was resized with an engine having a projected life of 9000 hr for hot rotating parts and 18000 hr for the rest of the engine, as required for commercial use on an aircraft with a service entry date of 2005. Results show an increase in vehicle takeoff gross weight of approximately 58700 lb. This report presents the details of the configuration development, mass properties, aerodynamic design, propulsion system and integration, mission performance, and sizing.

Shields, Elwood W.↗