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At least 235 records · Page 13

Atmospheric Probe Model: Construction and Wind Tunnel Tests

The material contained in this document represents a summary of the results of a low speed wind tunnel test program to determine the performance of an atmospheric probe at low speed. The probe configuration tested consists of a 2/3 scale model constructed from a combination of hard maple wood and aluminum stock. The model design includes approximately 130 surface static pressure taps. Additional hardware incorporated in the baseline model provides a mechanism for simulating external and internal trailing edge split flaps for probe flow control. Test matrix parameters include probe side slip angle, external/internal split flap deflection angle, and trip strip applications. Test output database includes surface pressure distributions on both inner and outer annular wings and probe center line velocity distributions from forward probe to aft probe locations.

Vogel, Jerald M.↗

Large-Scale Wind-Tunnel Tests of a Wingless Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft: Preliminary Results

Large-scale wind-tunnel tests were made of a wingless vertical take-off and landing aircraft at zero sideslip to determine performance and longitudinal stability and control characteristics at airspeeds from 0 to 70 knots. Roll control and rudder effectiveness were also obtained. Limitations in the propulsion system restricted the lift for which level flight could be simulated to approximately 1500 pounds. Test variables with roll control and rudder undeflected were airspeed, vane setting, angle of attack, elevator deflection, and power. In most of the tests angle of attack, elevator, and power were varied individually while the other four parameters were held constant at previously determined values required for simulating trimmed level flight. The majority of the tests were made with power on and tail on at airspeeds between 20 and 70 knots. However, a limited number of data were obtained for the following conditions: (1) at zero velocity, horizontal tail on, power on; (2) at forward velocity, tail off and power on; and (3) at forward velocity, tail on, but with power off.

Koenig, David G.↗

Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Tests of Blowing Boundary-Layer Control Applied to a Helicopter Rotor

A full-scale wind-tunnel test was conducted of two boundary-layer-control applications to a 44-foot diameter helicopter rotor. Blowing from a nozzle near the leading edge of the blades delayed retreating blade stall. Results also indicated that delay of retreating blade stall could be obtained by cyclic blowing with a lower flow rate than that required for continuous blowing. It was found that blowing applied through a nozzle at mid-chord had no effect on retreating blade stall.

McCloud, John L., III↗

Wind-Tunnel Tests of the 1/25-Scale Powered Model of the Martin JRM-1 Airplane. IV - Tests with Ground Board and with Modified Wing and Hull - TED No. NACA 232: Tests with Ground Board and with Modified Wing and Hull, TED No. NACA 232 - Part 4

Wind-tunnel tests were made of a 1/25 scale model of the Martin JRM-1 airplane to determine: (1) The longitudinal stability and control characteristics of the JRM-1 model near the water and lateral and directional stability characteristics with power while moving on the surface of the water, the latter being useful for the design of tip floats; (2) The stability and stalling characteristics of the wing with a modified airfoil contour; (3) Stability characteristics of a hull of larger design gross weight; The test results indicated that the elevator was powerful enough to trim the original model in a landing configuration at any lift coefficient within the specified range of centers of gravity. The ground-board tests for evaluating the aerodynamic forces and moments on an airplane in a simulated cross wind indicate a high dihedral effect in the presence of the ground board and, consequently, during low-speed taxying and take-off, large overturning moments would result which would have to be overcome by the tip floats.

Lockwood, Vernard E.↗

U.S. aerospace industry opinion of the effect of computer-aided prediction-design technology on future wind-tunnel test requirements for aircraft development programs

A survey of the U.S. aerospace industry in late 1977 suggests that there will be an increasing use of computer-aided prediction-design technology (CPD Tech) in the aircraft development process but that, overall, only a modest reduction in wind-tunnel test requirements from the current level is expected in the period through 1995. Opinions were received from key spokesmen in 23 of the 26 solicited major companies or corporate divisions involved in the design and manufacture of nonrotary wing aircraft. Development programs for nine types of aircraft related to test phases and wind-tunnel size and speed range were considered.

Treon, S. L.↗

Impact and Estimation of Balance Coordinate System Rotations and Translations in Wind-Tunnel Testing

Discrepancies between the model and balance coordinate systems lead to biases in the aerodynamic measurements during wind-tunnel testing. The reference coordinate system relative to the calibration coordinate system at which the forces and moments are resolved is crucial to the overall accuracy of force measurements. This paper discusses sources of discrepancies and estimates of coordinate system rotation and translation due to machining and assembly differences. A methodology for numerically estimating the coordinate system biases will be discussed and developed. Two case studies are presented using this methodology to estimate the model alignment. Examples span from angle measurement system shifts on the calibration system to discrepancies in actual wind-tunnel data. The results from these case-studies will help aerodynamic researchers and force balance engineers to better the understand and identify potential differences in calibration systems due to coordinate system rotation and translation.

Toro, Kenneth G.↗

Wind Tunnel Testing for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

NASA Ames Research Center is pursuing the development of SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy. SOFIA will consist of a 2.5 meter telescope mounted aft of the wing of a Boeing 747 aircraft. Since a large portion of the infrared spectrum is not visible at ground level due to absorption by water vapor in the atmosphere below 40,000 feet, it is highly desirable to make observations above this altitude. SOFIA will provide the opportunity for astronomers to conduct high-altitude research for extended periods of time. Current study is focused on wind tunnel testing for the open cavity. If not controlled, air would create resonance and damage the telescope. For this reason, SOFIA will design a boundary layer control device to achieve laminar flow over the cavity. This also provides a clearer flow for seeing, thus improving resolution on infrared sources. Other effects being tested in the wind tunnel are aerodynamic torque loads on the telescope, and flutter loads on the tail.

Schenberger, Deborah↗

Small scale noise and wind tunnel tests of upper surface blowing nozzle flap concepts. Volume 1. Aerodynamic test results

The results and analyses of aerodynamic and acoustic studies conducted on the small scale noise and wind tunnel tests of upper surface blowing nozzle flap concepts are presented. Various types of nozzle flap concepts were tested. These are an upper surface blowing concept with a multiple slot arrangement with seven slots (seven slotted nozzle), an upper surface blowing type with a large nozzle exit at approximately mid-chord location in conjunction with a powered trailing edge flap with multiple slots (split flow or partially slotted nozzle). In addition, aerodynamic tests were continued on a similar multi-slotted nozzle flap, but with 14 slots. All three types of nozzle flap concepts tested appear to be about equal in overall aerodynamic performance but with the split flow nozzle somewhat better than the other two nozzle flaps in the landing approach mode. All nozzle flaps can be deflected to a large angle to increase drag without significant loss in lift. The nozzle flap concepts appear to be viable aerodynamic drag modulation devices for landing.

Renselaer, D. J.↗

Wind-tunnel Tests at Low Speed of Swept and Yawed Wings Having Various Plan Forms

Results are presented of wind-tunnel tests made at low speed of various small-scale models of sweptback, sweptforward, and yawed wings. The tests covered changes in aspect ratio, taper ratio, and tip shape. Some data were obtained with high-lift devices on sweptback wings and with ailerons on sweptforward wings. The data have been briefly analyzed and some comparisons have been made with the available theory.

HIGH LIFT DEVICES - COMPLETE WINGS↗

SOFIA: Aft cavities wind tunnel test

This appendix to the final report of SOFIA 2 is a collection of configuration photos of the wind tunnel test and a brief description of each for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

Source record↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/27-Scale Model of the Douglas XF3D-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA DE 312

Free-spinning-tunnel tests have been made on a 1/27-scale model of the Douglas XF3D-1 airplane to confirm a preliminary evaluation made of the airplane spin and recovery characteristics and previously reported. Recovery characteristics were satisfactory for erect and inverted spins when the model was in the clean condition. When the slow-down brakes were open, recoveries were slow. The pedal force necessary to reverse the airplane rudder during a spin will be within the physical capabilities of the pilot. A 10-foot-diameter parachute attached to the tail of the airplane (laid-out-flat diameter, drag coefficient 0.7) or a 4.5-foot-diameter parachute attached to the outboard wing tip will be satisfactory for emergency spin recovery from demonstration spins. If it becomes necessary for the crew to abandon the airplane during a spin, they should leave from the outboard side of the cockpit. The test results indicated spin and recovery characteristics generally similar to those indicated in the preliminary evaluation.

Scher, Stanley H.↗

Data Fusion in Wind Tunnel Testing; Combined Pressure Paint and Model Deformation Measurements (Invited)

As the benefit-to-cost ratio of advanced optical techniques for wind tunnel measurements such as Video Model Deformation (VMD), Pressure-Sensitive Paint (PSP), and others increases, these techniques are being used more and more often in large-scale production type facilities. Further benefits might be achieved if multiple optical techniques could be deployed in a wind tunnel test simultaneously. The present study discusses the problems and benefits of combining VMD and PSP systems. The desirable attributes of useful optical techniques for wind tunnels, including the ability to accommodate the myriad optical techniques available today, are discussed. The VMD and PSP techniques are briefly reviewed. Commonalties and differences between the two techniques are discussed. Recent wind tunnel experiences and problems when combining PSP and VMD are presented, as are suggestions for future developments in combined PSP and deformation measurements.

Bell, James H.↗

Blockage correction in three-dimensional wind tunnel testing based on the wall signature method

An improved wall interference assessment and correction method for three-dimensional wind tunnel testing is presented. Blockage corrections on the surface of a test article are calculated based on a limited number of wall pressure measurements. These measurements are combined with a signature analysis procedure and influence functions to determine an equivalent test article and wake representation. Pressure coefficient corrections are calculated based on this equivalent body. The signature analysis procedure is modified to improve the on-line operation of the wall signature method. A new geometry of the equivalent body is introduced which can be combined with existing panel codes more effectively. The calculation of influence functions and the determination of pressure coefficient corrections are based on a panel code. Therefore it is possible to apply the present method to any closed tunnel cross section. A numerical simulation of the idealized flow field of a wing and its wake in a rectangular wind tunnel is used to verify the improved wall signature method. The present method is considered to calculate blockage corrections in the NASA/ARC 12ft Pressure Wind Tunnel.

Ulbrich, N.↗

Results of transonic wind tunnel tests on an 0.015-scale space shuttle mated vehicle model (67-ots) in the LaRC 8 foot TPT (IA41)

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to obtain aerodynamic force data for Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20. Data were obtained for an alpha range of -10 deg to +10 deg (beta = 0 deg beta = 5 deg) and beta range of -10 deg to +10 deg (alpha = 0 deg). Longitudinal and lateral-directional stability and control data were obtained for tank alone, tank plus SRB's, tank plus Orbiter, and mated configuration of tank + Orbiter + SRB's. Also, single-component rudder hinge moment data were obtained at rudder deflections of 0 and -20 deg for each Mach number tested. Plots of aerodynamic coefficients vs. Mach number are presented, using data from both test IA41 and tests LRC-UPWT-1056, 1073 (IA42A/B) for Mach numbers of 1.60 to 4.63. The model tested in IA42A/B was the same model as tested in IA41.

Hardin, R.↗