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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 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Flight-measured pressure characteristics of aft-facing steps in thick boundary layer flow for transonic and supersonic Mach numbers

Aft-facing step base pressure flight data were obtained for three step heights for nominal transonic Mach numbers of 0.80, 0.90, and 0.95, and for supersonic Mach numbers of 2.2, 2.5, and 2.8 with a Reynolds number, based on the fuselage length ahead of the step, of about 10 to the 8th power. Surface static pressures were measured ahead of the step, behind the step, and on the step face (base), and a boundary layer rake was used to obtain boundary layer reference conditions. A comparison of the data from the present and previous experiments shows the same trend of increasing base pressure ratio (decreasing drag) with increasing values of momentum thickness to step height ratios. However, the absolute level of these data does not always agree at the supersonic Mach numbers. For momentum thickness to height ratios near 1.0, the differences in the base pressure ratios appear to be primarily a function of Reynolds number based on the momentum thickness. Thus, for Mach numbers above 2, the data analyzed show that the base pressure ratio decreases (drag increases) as Reynolds number based on momentum thickness increases for a given momentum thickness and step height.

Powers, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Photon Sieve Design and Fabrication for Imaging Characteristics Using UAV Flight

The Photon Sieve (PS) team at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) began receiving support for the development and characterization of PS devices through the NASA Internal Research & Development Program (IRAD) in 2015. The project involves ascertaining the imaging characteristics of various PS devices. These devices hold the potential to significantly reduce mission costs and improve imaging quality by replacing traditional reflector telescopes. The photon sieve essentially acts as a lens to diffract light to a concentrated point on the focal plane like a Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP). PS’s have the potential to focus light to a very small spot which is not limited by the width of the outermost zone as for the FZP and offers a promising solution for high resolution imaging. In the fields of astronomy, remote sensing, and other applications that require imaging of distant objects both on the ground and in the sky, it is often necessary to perform post-process filtering in order to separate noise signals that arise from multiple scattering events near the collection optic. The PS exhibits a novel filtering technique that rejects the unwanted noise without the need for time consuming post processing of the images. This project leverages key Langley resources to design, manufacture, and characterize a series of photon sieve specimens. After a prototype was developed and characterized in the Langley ISO5 optical cleanroom and laboratory, outside testing was conducted via the capture of images of the moon by using a telescopic setup. This next goal of the project is to design and develop a telescope and image capture system as a drone-based instrument payload. The vehicle utilized for the initial demonstration was a NASA hive model 1200 XE-8 research Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), capable of handling a 20-pound maximum payload with a 25-minute flight time. This NASA Technical Memorandum (NASA-TM) introduces preliminary results obtained using a PS-based imaging system on the UAV. The next version of the telescope structure will be designed around diffractive optical components and commercially available camera electronics to create a lightweight payload.

Kim, Hyun Jung↗
NASA NTRS1950

Stall Characteristics Obtained from Flight 10 of Northrop X-4 No. 2 Airplane (USAF No. 46-677)

NACA instrumentation has been installed ii the X-J4 airplanes to obtain stability and control data during the acceptance tests conducted by the Northrop Aircraft Corporation. This report presents data obtained on the stalling characteristics of the airplane in the clean and gear- down configurations. The center of gravity was located at approximately 18 percent of the mean aerodynamic chord during the tests. The results indicated that the airplane was not completely stalled when stall was gradually approached during nominally U accelerated flight but that it was completely stalled during a more abruptly approached stall in accelerated flight. The stall in accelerated flight was relatively mild, and this was attributed to the nature of the variation of lift with angle of attack for the 001-614 airfoil section, the plan form of the wing, and to the fact that the initial sideslip at the stall produced (as shown by wind-tunnel tests of a model of the airplane) a more symmetrical stall pattern.

Sadoff, Melvin↗
NASA NTRS1978

Flight-measured buffet characteristics of a supercritical wing and a conventional wing on a variable-sweep airplane

Windup-turn maneuvers were performed to assess the buffet characteristics of the F-111A aircraft and the same aircraft with a supercritical wing, which is referred to as the F-111 transonic aircraft technology (TACT) aircraft. Data were gathered at wing sweep angles of 26, 35, and 58 deg for Mach numbers from 0.60 to 0.95. Wingtip accelerometer data were the primary source of buffet information. The analysis was supported by wing strain-gage and pressure data taken in flight, and by oil-flow photographs taken during tests of a wind tunnel model. In the transonic speed range, the overall buffet characteristics of the aircraft having a supercritical wing are significantly improved over those of the aircraft having a conventional wing.

Monaghan, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Flight investigation of effects of a fan-in-fin yaw control concept on helicopter flying-quality characteristics

Flight-test results which describe flying-quality factors related to the fan-in-fin yaw control concept as utilized on a pre-production version of a European helicopter are presented. Design compromises to be considered with this concept are also presented. The large, fixed vertical fin associated with the fan-in-fin system was helpful in maneuvering flight, but introduced several flying-quality problems when combined with the fan.

Kelley, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Powered-lift takeoff performance characteristics determined from flight test of the Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft /QSRA/

A powered-lift, reduced thrust takeoff performance program utilizing quiet short-haul research aircraft has been conducted. It has been shown that the powered-lift upper surface blowing concept greatly enhances aircraft takeoff performance. The improvements include: (1) takeoff field lengths may be shortened by approximately 30%; (2) Air Force critical field lengths may be shortened by approximately 60%; (3) powered lift upper surface blowing aircraft have better handling and performance characteristics than comparable conventional aircraft; and (4) the low speeds associated with powered-lift takeoff enhance safety margins.

Riddle, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Orion Launch Abort Vehicle Attitude Control Motor Testing

Current Orion Launch Abort Vehicle (LAV) configurations use an eight-jet, solid-fueled Attitude Control Motor (ACM) to provide required vehicle control for all proposed abort trajectories. Due to the forward position of the ACM on the LAV, it is necessary to assess the effects of jet-interactions (JI) between the various ACM nozzle plumes and the external flow along the outside surfaces of the vehicle. These JI-induced changes in flight control characteristics must be accounted for in developing ACM operations and LAV flight characteristics. A test program to generate jet interaction aerodynamic increment data for multiple LAV configurations was conducted in the NASA Ames and NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnels from August 2007 through December 2009. Using cold air as the simulant gas, powered subscale models were used to generate interaction data at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic test conditions. This paper presents an overview of the complete ACM JI experimental test program for Orion LAV configurations, highlighting ACM system modeling, nozzle scaling assumptions, experimental test techniques, and data reduction methodologies. Lessons learned are discussed, and sample jet interaction data are shown. These data, in conjunction with computational predictions, were used to create the ACM JI increments for all relevant flight databases.

Murphy, Kelly J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Analyses and tests confirm design of proprotor aircraft.

Discussion of the design features of a 300-knot tilt-proprotor VTOL aircraft having proprotors 25 ft in diameter, an empty weight of 7390 pounds, a maximum VTOL gross weight of 12,400 pounds, and a design dive speed of 300 knots. Proprotor stability analysis covering aeroelastic stability characteristics and flight mode stability characteristics is included. An evaluation of the proprotor design is made on the basis of aerodynamic and aeroelastic model tests and full-scale performance tests. The test results and other obtained research data suggest the readiness of this aircraft design for construction and flight tests.

Edenborough, H. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Further observations on maximum likelihood estimates of stability and control characteristics obtained from flight data

A maximum likelihood estimation method for flight test data is described. Flight results based on 3000 maneuvers from 30 aircraft on the effect of resolution and sampling rate on the estimates, on understanding the discrepancies previously observed in the magnitude of the Cramer-Rao bounds, on the scale effects on the derivative estimates obtained from dynamic aircraft flight maneuvers, and on the analysis of lateral-directional maneuvers obtained in turbulence, are presented.

Iliff, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Flight-measured pressure characteristics of aft-facing steps in high Reynolds number flow at Mach numbers of 2.20, 2.50, and 2.80 and comparison with other data

The YF-12 airplane was studied to determine the pressure characteristics associated with an aft-facing step in high Reynolds number flow for nominal Mach numbers of 2.20, 2.50, and 2.80. Base pressure coefficients were obtained for three step heights. The surface static pressures ahead of and behind the step were measured for the no-step condition and for each of the step heights. A boundary layer rake was used to determine the local boundary layer conditions. The Reynolds number based on the length of flow ahead of the step was approximately 10 to the 8th power and the ratios of momentum thickness to step height ranged from 0.2 to 1.0. Base pressure coefficients were compared with other available data at similar Mach numbers and at ratios of momentum thickness to step height near 1.0. In addition, the data were compared with base pressure coefficients calculated by a semiempirical prediction method. The base pressure ratios are shown to be a function of Reynolds number based on momentum thickness. Profiles of the surface pressures ahead of and behind the step and the local boundary layer conditions are also presented.

Powers, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Estimation of aerodynamic characteristics from dynamic flight test data

Significant effort was spent in estimating unknown aircraft coefficients, such as stability and control derivatives from dynamic flight maneuvers. The techniques used to estimate these coefficients are becoming increasingly complex; however, these techniques make it possible to obtain estimates of coefficients that in the past were nearly impossible to obtain. A survey of the investigations that were undertaken to obtain estimates of coefficients from dynamic flight maneuvers is presented. One method, the maximum likelihood estimation technique, is described briefly and some of the successful applications of the technique are presented. Possible techniques for analyzing responses obtained in the stall/spin regime are discussed. Recent data obtained in the stall/spin flight regime are presented along with a discussion of how some basic results can be obtained with simple analysis techniques.

Liff, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

In-flight flow visualization characteristics of the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack

Surface and off-surface flow visualization techniques have been used to visualize the three-dimensional separated flows on the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack. Results near alpha = 25 deg to 26 deg and alpha = 45 deg to 49 deg are presented. Both the forebody and leading-edge extension (LEX) vortex cores and breakdown locations were visualized using smoke. Forebody and LEX vortex separation lines on the surface were defined using an emitted-fluid technique. A laminar separation bubble was also detected on the nose cone using the emitted fluid technique and was similar to that observed in the wind-tunnel test, but not as extensive. Regions of attached, separated, and vortical flow were noted on the wing and the leading-edge flap using tufts and flow cones, and compared well with limited wind-tunnel results.

Fisher, David F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

In-flight flow visualization characteristics of the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack

Surface and off-surface flow visualization techniques were used to visualize the 3-D separated flows on the NASA F-18 high alpha research vehicle at high angles of attack. Results near the alpha = 25 to 26 deg and alpha = 45 to 49 deg are presented. Both the forebody and leading edge extension (LEX) vortex cores and breakdown locations were visualized using smoke. Forebody and LEX vortex separation lines on the surface were defined using an emitted fluid technique. A laminar separation bubble was also detected on the nose cone using the emitted fluid technique and was similar to that observed in the wind tunnel test, but not as extensive. Regions of attached, separated, and vortical flow were noted on the wing and the leading edge flap using tufts and flow cones, and compared well with limited wind tunnel results.

Fisher, David F.↗