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At least 235 records · Page 13

Leading edge vortex dynamics on a pitching delta wing

A study of the dynamic behavior of the leading edge vortices on a delta wing undergoing oscillatory pitching motion is presented. A sharp edge, flat plate, delta wing having a sweep angle of 70 deg was used in this investigation. The wing was sinusoidally pitched about its 1/2 chord position at reduced frequencies ranging from k = 2(pi)fc/u = 0.05 to 0.30 at chord Reynolds numbers between 90,000 and 350,000, for angle of attack ranges of 29 to 39 deg and 0 to 45 deg. During these dynamic motions, visualization of the leading edge vortices was obtained by marking the vortices with TiCl4 introduced through ports located near the model apex. The location of vortex breakdown was recorded using high speed motion picture photography. The motion picture records were analyzed to determine vortex trajectory and breakdown position as a function of angle of attack. When the wing was sinusoidally pitched, a hysteresis was observed in the location of breakdown position. This hysteresis increased with reduced frequency. The velocity of breakdown propagation along the wing, and the phase lag between model motion and breakdown location were also determined. Detailed information was also obtained on the oscillation of breakdown position in both static and dynamic cases.

Lemay, S. P.↗

Development of a Forced Oscillation System for Measuring Dynamic Derivatives of Fluidic Vehicles

A new Forced Oscillation System (FOS) has been designed and built at NASA Langley Research Center that provides new capabilities for aerodynamic researchers to investigate the dynamic derivatives of vehicle configurations. Test vehicles may include high performance and general aviation aircraft, re-entry spacecraft, submarines and other fluidic vehicles. The measured data from forced oscillation testing is used in damping characteristic studies and in simulation databases for control algorithm development and performance analyses. The newly developed FOS hardware provides new flexibility for conducting dynamic derivative studies. The design is based on a tracking principle where a desired motion profile is achieved via a fast closed-loop positional controller. The motion profile for the tracking system is numerically generated and thus not limited to sinusoidal motion. This approach permits non-traditional profiles such as constant velocity and Schroeder sweeps. Also, the new system permits changes in profile parameters including nominal offset angle, waveform, and associated parameters such as amplitude and frequency. Most importantly, the changes may be made remotely without halting the FOS and the tunnel. System requirements, system analysis, and the resulting design are addressed for a new FOS in the 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT). The overall system including mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems is described. The design is complete, and the FOS has been built and installed in the 12-Foot LSWT. System integration and testing have verified design intent and safe operation. Currently it is being validated for wind-tunnel operations and aerodynamic testing. The system is a potential major enhancement to forced oscillation studies. The productivity gain from the motion profile automation will shorten the testing cycles needed for control surface and aircraft control algorithm development. The new motion capabilities also will serve as a test bed for researchers to study and to improve and/or alter future forced oscillation testing techniques.

Trieu, B. C.↗

Influence of vane sweep on rotor-stator interaction noise

The influence of vane sweep in rotor-stator interaction noise is investigated. In an analytical approach, the interaction of a convected gust representing the rotor viscous wake, with a cascade of cascade of finite span swept airfoils, representing the stator, is analyzed. The analysis is based on the solution of the exact linearized equations of motion. High frequency convected gusts for which noise generation is concentrated near the leading edge of airfoils is considered. In a preliminary study, the problem of an isolated finite span swept airfoil interacting with a convected gust is analyzed. Results indicate that sweep can substantially reduce the farfield noise levels for a single airfoil. Using the single airfoil model, an approximate solution to the problem of noise radiation from a cascade of finite span swept airfoils interacting with a convected gust is derived. A parametric study of noise generated by gust cascade interaction is carried out to assess the effectiveness of vane sweep in reducing rotor-stator interaction noise. The results show that sweep is beneficial in reducing noise levels. Rotor wake twist or circumferential lean substantially influences the effectiveness of vane sweep. The orientation of vane sweep must be chosen to enhance the natural phase lag caused by wake lean, in which case rather small sweep angles substantially reduce the noise levels.

Envia, Edmane↗

An experimental study of the sources of fluctuating pressure loads beneath swept shock/boundary-layer interactions

An experimental research program providing basic knowledge and establishing a database on the fluctuating pressure loads produced on aerodynamic surfaces beneath three dimensional shock wave/boundary layer interactions is described. Such loads constitute a fundamental problem of critical concern to future supersonic and hypersonic flight vehicles. A turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate is subjected to interactions with swept planar shock waves generated by sharp fins at angle of attack. Fin angles from 10 to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3 and 4 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. Miniature Kulite pressure transducers flush-mounted in the flat plate are used to measure interaction-induced wall pressure fluctuations. The distributions of properties of the pressure fluctuations, such as their ring levels, amplitude distributions, and power spectra, are also determined. Measurements were made for the first time in the aft regions of these interactions, revealing fluctuating pressure levels as high as 160 dB. These fluctuations are dominated by low frequency (0-5 kHz) signals. The maximum ring levels in the interactions show an increasing trend with increasing interaction strength. On the other hand, the maximum ring levels in the forward portion of the interactions decrease linearly with increasing interaction sweep back. These ring pressure distributions and spectra are correlated with the features of the interaction flowfield. The unsteadiness of the off-surface flowfield is studied using a new, non-intrusive technique based on the shadow graph method. The results indicate that the entire lambda-shock structure generated by the interaction undergoes relatively low-frequency oscillations. Some regions where particularly strong fluctuations are generated were identified. Fluctuating pressure measurements are also made along the line of symmetry of an axisymmetric jet impinging upon a flat plate at an angle. This flow was chosen as a simple analog to the impinging jet region found in the rear portion of the shock wave/boundary layer interactions under study. It is found that a sharp peak in ring pressure level exists at or near the mean stagnation point. It is suggested that the phenomena responsible for this peak may be active in the swept interactions as well, and may cause the extremely high fluctuating pressures observed in the impinging jet region in the present experimental program.

Settles, G. S.↗

Modal analysis using a Fourier analyzer, curve-fitting, and modal tuning

The proposed modal test program differs from single-input methods in that preliminary data may be acquired using multiple inputs, and modal tuning procedures may be employed to define closely spaced frquency modes more accurately or to make use of frequency response functions (FRF's) which are based on several input locations. In some respects the proposed modal test proram resembles earlier sine-sweep and sine-dwell testing in that broadband FRF's are acquired using several input locations, and tuning is employed to refine the modal parameter estimates. The major tasks performed in the proposed modal test program are outlined. Data acquisition and FFT processing, curve fitting, and modal tuning phases are described and examples are given to illustrate and evaluate them.

Craig, R. R., Jr.↗

Matrix Analysis of Longitudinal and Torsional Vibrations in Nonuniform Multibranch Beams

Since longitudinal modes and frequencies provide basic data for dynamic analyses of arbitrary beam-like structures and since closed-form solutions for the modes are generally not feasible to obtain, an approximate method is developed for computing the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes for a variable-section, unconstrained multibranch beam. A lumped mass analogy employing influence coefficients is used to represent the beam. The simultaneous equations of motion for the lumped mass system are derived in matrix form and algebraically manipulated to yield a classical eigenvalue equation solvable by standard procedures. The orthogonality relationship of the natural modes is derived and used to form the basis of an orthogonal sweeping process for determination of modes above the fundamental. Numerical examples including an application to a solid-fuel launch system are presented. Also, a detailed discussion is devoted to the theoretical verifications of the approximate modes and frequencies.

Wingate, Robert T.↗

In-flight investigation of a rotating cylinder-based structural excitation system for flutter testing

A research excitation system was test flown at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility on the two-seat F-16XL aircraft. The excitation system is a wingtip-mounted vane with a rotating slotted cylinder at the trailing edge. As the cylinder rotates during flight, the flow is alternately deflected upward and downward through the slot, resulting in a periodic lift force at twice the cylinder's rotational frequency. Flight testing was conducted to determine the excitation system's effectiveness in the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight regimes. Primary research objectives were to determine the system's ability to develop adequate force levels to excite the aircraft's structure and to determine the frequency range over which the system could excite structural modes of the aircraft. In addition, studies were conducted to determine optimal excitation parameters, such as sweep duration, sweep type, and energy levels. The results from the exciter were compared with results from atmospheric turbulence excitation at the same flight conditions. The comparison indicated that the vane with a rotating slotted cylinder provides superior results. The results from the forced excitation were of higher quality and had less variation than the results from atmospheric turbulence. The forced excitation data also invariably yielded higher structural damping values than those from the atmospheric turbulence data.

Vernon, Lura↗

The Influence of Sweep on the Aerodynamic Loading of an Oscillating NACA0012 Airfoil

The effect of sweep on the dynamic response of the NACA 0012 airfoil was investigated. Unsteady chordwise distributed pressure data were obtained from a tunnel spanning wing equipped with 21 single surface transducers (13 on the suction side and 8 on the pressure side of the airfoil). The pressure data were obtained at pitching amplitudes of 8 and 10 degrees over a tunnel Mach number range of 0.10 to 0.46 and a pitching frequency range of 2.5 to 10.6 cycles per second. The wing was oscillated in the unswept and swept positions about the quarter-chord pivot axis relative to mean incidence angle settings of 0, 9, 12, and 15 degrees. A compilation of all the response data obtained during the test program is presented. These data are in the form of normal force, chord force, lift force, pressure drag, and moment hysteresis loops derived from chordwise integrations of the unsteady pressure distributions. The hysteresis loops are organized in two main sections. In the first section, the loop data are arranged to show the effect of sweep (lambda = 0 and 30 deg) for all available combinations of mean incidence angle, pitching amplitude, reduced frequency, and chordwise Mach number. The second section shows the effect of chordwise Mach number (MC = 0.30 and MC = 0.40) on the swept wing response for all available combinations of mean incidence angle, pitching amplitude, and reduced frequency.

St.hilaire, A. O.↗

Model verification of large structural systems

A computer program for the application of parameter identification on the structural dynamic models of space shuttle and other large models with hundreds of degrees of freedom is described. Finite element, dynamic, analytic, and modal models are used to represent the structural system. The interface with math models is such that output from any structural analysis program applied to any structural configuration can be used directly. Processed data from either sine-sweep tests or resonant dwell tests are directly usable. The program uses measured modal data to condition the prior analystic model so as to improve the frequency match between model and test. A Bayesian estimator generates an improved analytical model and a linear estimator is used in an iterative fashion on highly nonlinear equations. Mass and stiffness scaling parameters are generated for an improved finite element model, and the optimum set of parameters is obtained in one step.

Lee, L. T.↗

Laser Velocimeter for Studies of Microgravity Combustion Flowfields

A velocimeter was developed based on modulated filtered Rayleigh scattering (MFRS). The MFRS velocimeter was successfully demonstrated by making one-component velocity measurements in a supersonic expansion using molecular Rayleigh scattering in a jet of N2. These measurements were made in a sweep mode where the Rayleigh scattered profile is cross-correlated with absorption in a static cell to determine velocity. To improve temporal resolution the frequency-locked mode of operation was developed, with an in-situ referencing scheme to compensate for signal fluctuations arising from density variations in the probe volume. Spectroscopic grade (i.e. continuously tunable, single-mode) laser sources with high power (greater than 100 mW) are not commercially available at the wavelength of interest (780 nm). We developed an all-solid-state system with a low power (approximately 10 mW) spectroscopic grade laser source in a Littrow cavity is amplified by a broad-area diode laser. We have demonstrated that the slaved output tracks the injected input but have not yet demonstrated power gain by the end of the grant period.

Varghese, Philip L.↗

Improving Rotor-Stator Interaction Noise Code Through Analysis of Input Parameters

There are two major sources of aircraft noise. The first is from the airframe and the second is from the engines. The focus of the acoustics branch at NASA Glenn is on the engine noise sources. There are two major sources of engine noise; fan noise and jet noise. Fan noise, produced by rotating machinery of the engine, consists of both tonal noise, which occurs at discrete frequencies, and broadband noise, which occurs across a wide range of frequencies. The focus of my assignment is on the broadband noise generated by the interaction of fan flow turbulence and the stator blades. such as the sweep and stagger angles and blade count, as well as the flow parameters such as intensity of turbulence in the flow. The tool I employed in this work is a computer program that predicts broadband noise from fans. The program assumes that the complex shape of the curved blade can be represented as a single flat plate, allowing it to use fairly simple equations that can be solved in a reasonable amount of time. While the results from such representation provided reasonable estimates of the broadband noise levels, they did not usually represent the entire spectrum accurately. My investigation found that the discrepancy between data and theory can be improved if the leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade are treated separately. Using this approach, I reduced the maximum error in noise level from a high of 30% to less than 5% for the cases investigated. Detailed results of this investigation will be discussed at my presentation. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of geometric parameters

Unton, Timothy J.↗

Study of Near-Stall Flow Behavior in a Modern Transonic Fan with Composite Sweep

Detailed flow behavior in a modern transonic fan with a composite sweep is investigated in this paper. Both unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) methods are applied to investigate the flow field over a wide operating range. The calculated flow fields are compared with the data from an array of high-frequency response pressure transducers embedded in the fan casing. The current study shows that a relatively fine computational grid is required to resolve the flow field adequately and to calculate the pressure rise across the fan correctly. The calculated flow field shows detailed flow structure near the fan rotor tip region. Due to the introduction of composite sweep toward the rotor tip, the flow structure at the rotor tip is much more stable compared to that of the conventional blade design. The passage shock stays very close to the leading edge at the rotor tip even at the throttle limit. On the other hand, the passage shock becomes stronger and detaches earlier from the blade passage at the radius where the blade sweep is in the opposite direction. The interaction between the tip clearance vortex and the passage shock becomes intense as the fan operates toward the stall limit, and tip clearance vortex breakdown occurs at near-stall operation. URANS calculates the time-averaged flow field fairly well. Details of measured RMS static pressure are not calculated with sufficient accuracy with URANS. On the other hand, LES calculates details of the measured unsteady flow features in the current transonic fan with composite sweep fairly well and reveals the flow mechanism behind the measured unsteady flow field.

Hah, Chunill↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/20-Scale Model of an Unswept-Wing Jet-Propelled Trainer Airplane

A flutter analysis employing the kernel function for three- dimensional, subsonic, compressible flow is applied to a flutter-tested tail surface which has an aspect ratio of 3.5, a taper ratio of 0.15, and a leading-edge sweep of 30 deg. Theoretical and experimental results are compared at Mach numbers from 0.75 to 0.98. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental flutter dynamic pressures and frequencies is achieved at Mach numbers to 0.92. At Mach numbers from 0.92 to 0.98, however, a second solution to the flutter determinant results in a spurious theoretical flutter boundary which is at a much lower dynamic pressure and at a much higher frequency than the experimental boundary.

Bowman, James S., Jr.↗

Subsonic Kernel-Function Flutter Analysis of a Highly Tapered Tail Surface and Comparison with Experimental Results

A flutter analysis employing the kernel function for three-dimensional, subsonic, compressible flow is applied to a flutter-tested tail surface which has an aspect ratio of 3.5, a taper ratio of 0.15, and a leading-edge sweep of 30 deg. Theoretical and experimental results are compared at Mach numbers from 0.75 to 0.98. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental flutter dynamic pressures and frequencies is achieved at Mach numbers to 0.92. At Mach numbers from 0.92 to 0.98, however, a second solution to the flutter determinant results in a spurious theoretical flutter boundary which is at a much lower dynamic pressure and at a much higher frequency than the experimental boundary.

Walberg, Gerald D.↗

An Implementation of a Tracking Filter

For Goddard's new Matlab-based data analysis system, a Hilbert transform is used to generate a quadrature signal directly from the COLA signal. This differs from the usual practice of synthesizing the sine and cosine components after determining the sweep characteristics from the COLA signal. The original and quadrature signals are in turn mixed with the signal to be analyzed and then filtered to determine the frequency spectrum. This new technique appears to be more accurate in determining frequency and is insensitive to variations in COLA amplitude.

Worth, Daniel B.↗

Dynamic stability derivatives at angles of attack from minus 5 deg to 90 deg for a variable-sweep fighter configuration with twin vertical tails

An investigation was conducted in the Langley full-scale tunnel to determine the dynamic stability derivatives in pitch, roll, and yaw over an angle-of-attack range of -5 deg to 90 deg for a variable-sweep fighter configuration with twin vertical tails. The study consisted of forced-oscillation tests of a 1/10-scale model of the airplane at a Reynolds number of 0.4 million based on the reference wing mean aerodynamic chord. Tests were conducted for wing sweep angles of 22 deg, 35 deg, 50 deg, and 68 deg, and the effects of the vertical and horizontal tails, wing leading-edge slats, nose-mounted canards, and frequency of the oscillation were also evaluated.

Grafton, S. B.↗

Effect of large amplitude pitching motions on the unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of flat-plate wings

Large-amplitude unsteady motion effects on the aerodynamic force and stability characteristics of flat-plate wings were investigated in a wind tunnel for the cases of two delta wings with respective leading edge sweeps of 70 and 45 deg, and a rectangular wing whose aspect ratio was equal to that of the 70-deg delta wing. Attention was given to the effects of reduced frequency and mean angle of attack. It is found that lags in vortex burst location and separation/reattachment of flow on the upper surface of the wing produced large overshoots and hysteresis loops in normal force and pitching moment coefficients that were a strong function of mean oscillation angle and reduced frequency.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Manipulation of upstream rotor leading edge vortex and its effects on counter rotating propeller noise

The leading edge vortex of a counter rotating propeller (CRP) model was altered by using shrouds and by turning the upstream rotors to a forward sweep configuration. Performance, flow, and acoustic data were used to determine the effect of vortex impingement on the noise signature of the CRP system. Forward sweep was found to eliminate the leading edge vortex of the upstream blades. Removal of the vortex had little effect on the tone noise at the forward and rear blade passing frequencies (BPF's) but significantly altered both the sound pressure level and directivity of the interaction tone which occurs at the sum of the two BPF's. A separate manipulation of the leading edge vortex performed by installing shrouds of various inlet length on the CRP verified that diverting the vortex path increases the noise level of the interaction tone. An unexpected link has been established between the interaction tone and the leading edge vortex-blade interaction phenomenon.

Squires, Becky↗