Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Subsonic Transports”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14

Preliminary design of a high speed civil transport: The Opus 0-001

Based on research into the technology and issues surrounding the design, development, and operation of a second generation High Speed Civil Transport, HSCT, the Opus 0-001 team completed the preliminary design of a sixty passenger, three engine aircraft. The design of this aircraft was performed using a computer program which the team wrote. This program automatically computed the geometric, aerodynamic, and performance characteristic of an aircraft whose preliminary geometry was specified. The Opus 0-001 aircraft was designed for a cruise Mach number of 2.2, a range of 4,700 nautical miles and its design was based in current or very near term technology. Its small size was a consequence of an emphasis on a profitable, low cost program, capable of delivering tomorrow's passengers in style and comfort at prices that make it an attractive competitor to both current and future subsonic transport aircraft. Several hundred thousand cases of Cruise Mach number, aircraft size and cost breakdown were investigated to obtain costs and revenues for which profit was calculated. The projected unit flyaway cost was $92.0 million per aircraft.

Source record↗

Measurement and prediction of propeller flow field on the PTA aircraft at speeds of up to Mach 0.85

High speed subsonic transports powered by advanced propellers provide significant fuel savings compared to turbofan powered transports. Unfortunately, however, propfans must operate in aircraft-induced nonuniform flow fields which can lead to high blade cyclic stresses, vibration and noise. To optimize the design and installation of these advanced propellers, therefore, detailed knowledge of the complex flow field is required. As part of the NASA Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) program, a 1/9 scale semispan model of the Gulfstream II propfan test-bed aircraft was tested in the NASA-Lewis 8 x 6 supersonic wind tunnel to obtain propeller flow field data. Detailed radial and azimuthal surveys were made to obtain the total pressure in the flow and the three components of velocity. Data was acquired for Mach numbers ranging from 0.6 to 0.85. Analytical predictions were also made using a subsonic panel method, QUADPAN. Comparison of wind-tunnel measurements and analytical predictions show good agreement throughout the Mach range.

Aljabri, Abdullah S.↗

Quiet engine program flight engine design study

The results are presented of a preliminary flight engine design study based on the Quiet Engine Program high-bypass, low-noise turbofan engines. Engine configurations, weight, noise characteristics, and performance over a range of flight conditions typical of a subsonic transport aircraft were considered. High and low tip speed engines in various acoustically treated nacelle configurations were included.

Klapproth, J. F.↗

Experimental study of the effect on span loading on aircraft wakes

Measurements were made in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel of the rolling moment induced on a following model in the wake 13.6 spans behind a subsonic transport model for a variety of trailing edge flap settings of the generator. It was found that the rolling moment on the following model was reduced substantially, compared to the conventional landing configuration, by reshaping the span loading on the generating model to approximate a span loading, found in earlier studies, which resulted in reduced wake velocities. This was accomplished by retracting the outboard trailing edge flaps. It was concluded, based on flow visualization conducted in the wind tunnel as well as in a water tow facility, that this flap arrangement redistributes the vorticity shed by the wing along the span to form three vortex pairs that interact to disperse the wake.

Corsiglia, V. R.↗

Preliminary Study of Advanced Turboprops for Low Energy Consumption

The fuel savings potential of advanced turboprops (operational about 1985) was calculated and compared with that of an advanced turbofan for use in an advanced subsonic transport. At the design point, altitude 10.67 km and Mach 0.80, turbine-inlet temperature was fixed at 1590 K while overall pressure ratio was varied from 25 to 50. The regenerative turboprop had a pressure ratio of only 10 and an 85 percent effective rotary heat exchanger. Variable camber propellers were used with an efficiency of 85 percent. The study indicated a fuel savings of 33 percent, a takeoff gross weight reduction of 15 percent, and a direct operating cost reduction of 18 percent was possible when turboprops were used instead of the reference turbofan at a range of 10 200 km. These reductions were 28, 11, and 14 percent, respectively, at a range of 5500 km. Increasing overall pressure ratio from 25 to 50 saved little fuel and slightly increased takeoff gross weight.

Kraft, G. A.↗

Experimental study of the effect of span loading on aircraft wakes

Measurements were made in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel of the rolling moment induced on a following model in the wake 13.6 spans behind a subsonic transport model for a variety of trailing edge flap settings of the generator. It was found that the rolling moment on the following model was reduced substantially, compared to the conventional landing configuration, by reshaping the span loading on the generating model to approximate a span loading, found in earlier studies, which resulted in reduced wake velocities. This was accomplished by retracting the outboard trailing edge flaps. It was concluded, based on flow visualization conducted in the wind tunnel as well as in a water tow facility, that this flap arrangement redistributes the vorticity shed by the wing along the span to form three vortex pairs that interact to disperse the wake.

Corsiglia, V. R.↗

Development of weight and cost estimates for lifting surfaces with active controls

Equations and methodology were developed for estimating the weight and cost incrementals due to active controls added to the wing and horizontal tail of a subsonic transport airplane. The methods are sufficiently generalized to be suitable for preliminary design. Supporting methodology and input specifications for the weight and cost equations are provided. The weight and cost equations are structured to be flexible in terms of the active control technology (ACT) flight control system specification. In order to present a self-contained package, methodology is also presented for generating ACT flight control system characteristics for the weight and cost equations. Use of the methodology is illustrated.

Anderson, R. D.↗

Study of Turbofan Engines Designed for Low Enery Consumption

Subsonic transport turbofan engine design and technology features which have promise of improving aircraft energy consumption are described. Task I addressed the selection and evaluation of features for the CF6 family of engines in current aircraft, and growth models of these aircraft. Task II involved cycle studies and the evaluation of technology features for advanced technology turbofans, consistent with initial service in 1985. Task III pursued the refined analysis of a specific design of an advanced technology turbofan engine selected as the result of Task II studies. In all of the above, the impact upon aircraft economics, as well as energy consumption, was evaluated. Task IV summarized recommendations for technology developments which would be necessary to achieve the improvements in energy consumption identified.

Neitzel, R. E.↗

Preliminary compressor design study for an advanced multistage axial flow compressor

An optimum, axial flow, high pressure ratio compressor for a turbofan engine was defined for commercial subsonic transport service starting in the late 1980's. Projected 1985 technologies were used and applied to compressors with an 18:1 pressure ratio having 6 to 12 stages. A matrix of 49 compressors was developed by statistical techniques. The compressors were evaluated by means of computer programs in terms of various airline economic figures of merit such as return on investment and direct-operating cost. The optimum configuration was determined to be a high speed, 8-stage compressor with an average blading aspect ratio of 1.15.

Marman, H. V.↗

NASA's goal - Keeping the US number one in aeronautics

This article discusses the wide range of efforts being pursued by NASA to maintain the preeminence of the United States in military and commercial aircraft design. Emphasis is placed on the question of where industry should concentrate its research and technology efforts to support the aviation needs of the future. The major military and civil aircraft developments forseen for the period from 1985 to 2000 are identified, and NASA's role in the Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology program is briefly considered. Other programs discussed include those concerning airfoils, propulsion systems, aviation safety, next-generation subsonic transports, STOL and VTOL vehicles, and supersonic cruise aircraft.

Lovelace, A. M.↗

Hydrogen-fueled subsonic aircraft: A perspective

The performance characteristics of hydrogen-fueled subsonic transport aircraft are compared to those using conventional aviation kerosene. Additional aspects discussed include potential improvements in the exhaust emissions characteristics of aircraft jet engines, problems associated with onboard fuel containment, results of recent studies of the impact of hydrogen-fueled aircraft on the airport and associated ground support equipment, and estimates of the cost and thermal efficiency of producing synthetic aviation fuels from coal.

Witcofski, R. D.↗

Design Considerations for Laminar Flow Control Aircraft

A study was conducted to investigate major design considerations involved in the application of laminar flow control to the wings and empennage of long range subsonic transport aircraft compatible with initial operation in 1985. For commercial transports with a design mission range of 10,186 km (5500 n mil) and a payload of 200 passengers, parametric configuration analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of aircraft performance, operational, and geometric parameters on fuel efficiency. Study results indicate that major design goals for aircraft optimization include maximization of aspect ratio and wing loading and minimization of wing sweep consistent with wing volume and airport performance requirements.

Sturgeon, R. F.↗

Scanning laser-velocimeter surveys and analysis of multiple vortex wakes of an aircraft

A laser velocimeter capable of rapidly scanning a flow field while simultaneously sensing two components of the velocity was used to measure the vertical and streamwise velocity structure 1.5 spans downstream in the wake of a model typical of a large subsonic transport (Boeing 747). This flow field was modeled by a superposition of axisymmetric vortices with finite cores. This theoretical model was found to agree with the measured velocities everywhere except where two vortices were in close proximity. Vortex strengths derived from the span loading on the wing as predicted by vortex-lattice theory also agree with the present measurements. The axisymmetric vortex model used herein is a useful tool for analytically investigating the vortex wakes of aircraft.

Corsiglia, V. R.↗

Preliminary study of effects of winglets on wing flutter

Some experimental flutter results are presented over a Mach number range from about 0.70 to 0.95 for a simple, swept, tapered, flat-plate wing model having a planform representative of subsonic transport airplanes and for the same wing model equipped with two different upper surface winglets. Both winglets had the same planform and area (about 2 percent of the basic-wing area); however, one weighed about 0.3 percent of the basic-wing weight, and the other weighed about 1.8 percent of the wing weight. The addition of the lighter winglet reduced the wing-flutter dynamic pressure by about 3 percent; the heavier winglet reduced the wing-flutter dynamic pressure by about 12 percent. The experimental flutter results are compared at a Mach number of 0.80 with analytical flutter results obtained by using doublet-lattice and lifting-surface (kernel-function) unsteady aerodynamic theories.

Doggett, R. V., Jr.↗

Study of unconventional aircraft engines designed for low energy consumption

A study of unconventional engine cycle concepts, which may offer significantly lower energy consumption than conventional subsonic transport turbofans, is described herein. A number of unconventional engine concepts were identified and parametrically studied to determine their relative fuel-saving potential. Based on results from these studies, regenerative, geared, and variable-boost turbofans, and combinations thereof, were selected along with advanced turboprop cycles for further evaluation and refinement. Preliminary aerodynamic and mechanical designs of these unconventional engine configurations were conducted and mission performance was compared to a conventional, direct-drive turofan reference engine. Consideration is given to the unconventional concepts, and their state of readiness for application. Areas of needed technology advancement are identified.

Neitzel, R. E.↗

Alternate aircraft fuels: Prospects and operational implications

The potential use of coal-derived aviation fuels was assessed. The studies addressed the prices and thermal efficiencies associated with the production of coal-derived aviation kerosene, liquid methane and liquid hydrogen and the air terminal requirements and subsonic transport performance when utilizing liquid hydrogen. The fuel production studies indicated that liquid methane can be produced at a lower price and with a higher thermal efficiency than aviation kerosene or liquid hydrogen. Ground facilities of liquefaction, storage, distribution and refueling of liquid hydrogen fueled aircraft at airports appear technically feasibile. The aircraft studies indicate modest onboard energy savings for hydrogen compared to conventional fuels. Liquid hydrogen was found to be superior to both aviation kerosene and liquid methane from the standpoint of aircraft engine emissions.

Witcofski, R. D.↗

Energy efficient engine preliminary design and integration studies

The characteristics and systems benefits of an energy efficient engine (E3) suitable for use on advanced subsonic transport aircraft were determined. Relative to a current CF6-50C engine, the following benefits were estimated: 14.4% reduction in installed cruise specific fuel consumption, and a reduction in direct operating cost of more than 5%. The advanced technology E3 system would also permit: compliance with FAR 36 (1977) noise limits, and compliance with 1981 EPA emission standards.

Johnston, R. P.↗