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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 NTRS1985

Assessment of preliminary prediction techniques for wing leading-edge vortex flows at supersonic speeds

A theoretical investigation of the aerodynamics of sharp leading-edge delta wings at supersonic speeds has been conducted. The primary objective of this was to determine the applicability of existing theoretical methods to predict wing leading-edge separated-flow characteristics at conditions conductive to high-lift supersonic flight. Predicted results from two modified linear-theory methods (LTSTAR and VORCAM) are compared with experimental data. Comparison of the two methods for uncambered wings revealed that the LTSTAR code is in much better agreement with experimentally measured vortex strength, vortex position, and total lifting characteristics than the VORCAM code. Selected analysis was also performed with an Euler code, SWINT. The results of this study indicated that the SWINT code was not well suited to the analysis of wings with separated flow at high lift and low supersonic speeds.

Wood, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Comparison of computations and experimental data for leading edge vortices - Effects of yaw and vortex flaps

Computations are presented using the conical Euler equations for swept delta wings with leading edge vortices. All the wings have sharp leading edges swept at 75 degrees to the freestream. In addition to an idealized flat plate model, geometrical features also included are thickness, centerbody, and two vortex flaps. Freestream Mach numbers of 1.7 to 2.8, angles of attack of 10 and 12 degrees, and angles of yaw of 0 and 8 degrees are considered. The computations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with surface pressure data and vapor screen pictures recently obtained at NASA Langley Research Center. The comparisons indicate that the dominant features of these flows are adequately modeled by the Euler equations, but viscous models are needed for the surface boundary layer and secondary separations.

Murman, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Comparison of computations and experimental data for leading edge vortices - Effects of yaw and vortex flaps

Computations are presented using the conical Euler equations for swept delta wings with leading edge vortices. All the wings have sharp leading edges swept at 75 degrees to the freestream. In addition to an idealized flat plate model, geometrical features also included are thickness, centerbody, and two vortex flaps. Freestream Mach numbers of 1.7 to 2.8, angles of attack of 10 and 12 degrees, and angles of yaw of 0 and 8 degrees are considered. The computations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with surface pressure data and vapor screen pictures recently obtained at NASA Langley Research Center. The comparisons indicate that the dominant features of these flows are adequately modeled by the Euler equations, but viscous models are needed for the surface boundary layer and secondary separations.

Murman, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effects of a modified leading edge on noise and boundary-layer transition in a rod-wall sound shield at Mach 5

A version of a rod wall sound shield was tested in the Mach 5 pilot quiet tunnel over a range of unit Reynolds numbers from 10 to 35 million per meter. The model was modified by inclining the leading edge plates to produce an initial 2 deg expansion to ascertain the sensitivity of boundary layer transition to leading edge disturbances. Rod surface pitot pressures, mean free stream pitot pressures, and static pressures on the rods and plenum walls were measured. Hot-wire measurements were also made in the model and nozzle free stream at a unit Reynolds number of 15 million per meter. The surface pitot pressures indicated that transition was much farther forward than for the previous tests due to the leading edge modification and minor fabrication flaws in the model. Early boundary layer transition on the rods was confirmed by hot-wire measurements which showed much higher noise levels in the free stream shield flow when compared with results from previous tests. Mean pitot pressure surveys within the shielded region inside the model indicated that there was an overexpansion and recompression that would limit the streamwise length of undisturbed flow to about 13 cm along the centerline.

Creel, T. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Compressibility and Leading-Edge Bluntness Effects for a 65 Deg Delta Wing

A 65 deg. delta wing has been tested in the National Transonic Facility (NTF) at mean aerodynamic chord Reynolds numbers from 6 million to 120 million at subsonic and transonic speeds. The configuration incorporated a systematic variation of the leading edge bluntness. The analysis for this paper is focused on the compressibility and bluntness effects primarily at a Reynolds number of 6 million from this data set. Emphasis is placed upon on the onset and progression of leading-edge vortex separation, and compressibility is shown to promote this separation. Comparisons with recent publications show that compressibility and Reynolds number have opposite effects on blunt leading edge vortex separation

Luckring, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Supersonic wings with significant leading-edge thrust at cruise

Experimental/theoretical correlations are presented which show that significant levels of leading-edge thrust are possible at supersonic speeds for certain planforms having the geometry to support the theoretical thrust-distribution potential. The new analytical process employed provides not only the level of leading-edge thrust attainable but also the spanwise distribution of both it and that component of full theoretical thrust which acts as vortex lift. Significantly improved aerodynamic performance in the moderate supersonic speed regime is indicated.

Robins, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effect of a round airfoil nose on leading-edge suction

Kulfan (1979) assumed that the angle of attack for initial vortex separation on a slender wing with rounded leading edges could be obtained by equating the leading-edge suction (LES) and nose drag coefficients. In the present study, this assumption is examined and is shown to predict reasonably well the initial angle of attack at which laminar separation occurs near the airfoil nose. However, the assumption is shown to be slightly less accurate for thick or cambered airfoils. Attainable LES estimated by Kulfan's method seemed to agree well with that obtained from an airfoil aerodynamics code and experimental data on a NACA 64A009 airfoil at M = 0.4 and Re = 0.86 x 10 to the 6th.

Lan, C. Edward↗
NASA NTRS1990

Connection between leading-edge sweep, vortex lift, and vortex strength for delta wings

An effort is made to clarify the effect of leading-edge sweep on the vortex lift and leading-edge vortex strength of a slender wing; while it is often assumed that increasing sweep enhances vortex lift and strength, the opposite is the case. The suction analogy is used in association with numerical and experimental data to derive simple formulas yielding the actual relationship for delta wings. The difference between vortex lift and nonlinear lift is highlighted.

Hemsch, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The influence of leading-edge thrust on twisted and cambered wing design for supersonic cruise

A study of leading-edge thrust phenomena at supersonic speeds has shown that although these forces are not large, they can be a significant factor in the design of wings for supersonic cruise. It is seen that the rather severe twisted and cambered wing surfaces resulting from the application of present design methods, which ignore leading-edge thrust, can be replaced by more moderate surfaces with little or no loss in aerodynamic efficiency if realistic possibilities for the attainment of some fraction of the theoretical thrust are taken into account.

Carlson, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Reynolds Number, Compressibility, and Leading-Edge Bluntness Effects on Delta-Wing Aerodynamics

An overview of Reynolds number, compressibility, and leading edge bluntness effects is presented for a 65 degree delta wing. The results of this study address both attached and vortex-flow aerodynamics and are based upon a unique data set obtained in the NASA-Langley National Transonic Facility (NTF) for i) Reynolds numbers ranging from conventional wind-tunnel to flight values, ii) Mach numbers ranging from subsonic to transonic speeds, and iii) leading-edge bluntness values that span practical slender wing applications. The data were obtained so as to isolate the subject effects and they present many challenges for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies.

Luckring, James M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Water tunnel results of leading-edge vortex flap tests on a delta wing vehicle

A water tunnel flow visualization test on leading edge vortex flaps was conducted at the flow visualization facility of the NASA Ames Research Center's Dryden Flight Research Facility. The purpose of the test was to visually examine the vortex structures caused by various leading edge vortex flaps on the delta wing of an F-106 model. The vortex flaps tested were designed analytically and empirically at the NASA Langley Research Center. The three flap designs were designated as full-span gothic flap, full-span untapered flap, and part-span flap. The test was conducted at a Reynolds number of 76,000/m (25,000/ft). This low Reynolds number was used because of the 0.076-m/s (0.25-ft/s) test section flow speed necessary for high quality flow visualization. However, this low Reynolds number may have influenced the results. Of the three vortex flaps tested, the part-span flap produced what appeared to be the strongest vortex structure over the flap area. The full-span gothic flap provided the next best performance.

Delfrate, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Materials, Manufacturing, and Test Development of a Composite Fan Blade Leading Edge Subcomponent for Improved Impact Resistance

Application of polymer matrix composite materials for jet engine fan blades is becoming attractive as an alternative to metallic blades; particularly for large engines where significant weight savings are recognized on moving to a composite structure. However, the weight benefit of the composite is offset by a reduction of aerodynamic efficiency resulting from a necessary increase in blade thickness; relative to the titanium blades. Blade dimensions are largely driven by resistance to damage on bird strike. Further development of the composite material is necessary to allow composite blade designs to approximate the dimensions of a metallic fan blade. The reduction in thickness over the state of the art composite blades is expected to translate into structural weight reduction, improved aerodynamic efficiency, and therefore reduced fuel consumption. This paper presents test article design, subcomponent blade leading edge fabrication, test method development, and initial results from ballistic impact of a gelatin projectile on the leading edge of composite fan blades. The simplified test article geometry was developed to realistically simulate a blade leading edge while decreasing fabrication complexity. Impact data is presented on baseline composite blades and toughened blades; where a considerable improvement to impact resistance was recorded.

Materials↗
NASA NTRS2014

Materials, Manufacturing and Test Development of a Composite Fan Blade Leading Edge Subcomponent for Improved Impact Resistance

Application of polymer matrix composite materials for jet engine fan blades is becoming attractive as an alternative to metallic blades; particularly for large engines where significant weight savings are recognized on moving to a composite structure. However, the weight benefit of the composite of is offset by a reduction of aerodynamic efficiency resulting from a necessary increase in blade thickness; relative to the titanium blades. Blade dimensions are largely driven by resistance to damage on bird strike. Further development of the composite material is necessary to allow composite blade designs to approximate the dimensions of a metallic fan blade. The reduction in thickness over the state of the art composite blades is expected to translate into structural weight reduction, improved aerodynamic efficiency, and therefore reduced fuel consumption. This paper presents test article design, subcomponent blade leading edge fabrication, test method development, and initial results from ballistic impact of a gelatin projectile on the leading edge of composite fan blades. The simplified test article geometry was developed to realistically simulate a blade leading edge while decreasing fabrication complexity. Impact data is presented on baseline composite blades and toughened blades; where a considerable improvement to impact resistance was recorded.

Ballistic Impact↗
NASA NTRS1978

A computer program for calculating aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect-ratio wings with partial leading-edge separation

The necessary information for using a computer program to predict distributed and total aerodynamic characteristics for low aspect ratio wings with partial leading-edge separation is presented. The flow is assumed to be steady and inviscid. The wing boundary condition is formulated by the Quasi-Vortex-Lattice method. The leading edge separated vortices are represented by discrete free vortex elements which are aligned with the local velocity vector at midpoints to satisfy the force free condition. The wake behind the trailing edge is also force free. The flow tangency boundary condition is satisfied on the wing, including the leading and trailing edges. The program is restricted to delta wings with zero thickness and no camber. It is written in FORTRAN language and runs on CDC 6600 computer.

Mehrotra, S. C.↗