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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 271 records · Page 15

Pilot-aircraft system response to wind shear

The nonlinear aircraft motion and automatic control computer model of Frost and Reddy has been expanded to incorporate the human pilot into simulations of aircraft response to wind shear. Fixed-stick, autopilot, and manned computer simulations are made with an aircraft having characteristics of a Queen Air (small commuter-type aircraft) flown through longitudinal winds measured by a Doppler radar beamed along the glide slope during the SESAME '79 experiments in Oklahoma. Simulations are also made flying a model Boeing 727 through sinusoidal head wind to tail wind shears at the phugoid frequency to evaluate the response of manned aircraft in thunderstorm wind environments.

Turkel, B. S.↗

An SCR inverter for electric vehicles

An inverter for an electric vehicle propulsion application has been designed and constructed to excite a polyphase induction motor from a fixed propulsion battery source. The inverter, rated at 35kW peak power, is fully regenerative and permits vehicle operation in both the forward and reverse directions. Thyristors are employed as the power switching devices arranged in a dc bus commutated topology. This paper describes the major role the controller plays in generating the motor excitation voltage and frequency to deliver performance similar to dc systems. Motoring efficiency test data for the controller are presented. It is concluded that an SCR inverter in conjunction with an ac induction motor is a viable alternative to present dc vehicle propulsion systems on the basis of performance and size criteria.

Latos, T.↗

The future of short-haul transport aircraft

Owing to recent economic and regulatory changes and escalating fuel costs, major airlines have begun to shift their short-haul service to longer, more profitable routes, leaving short-haul operations to rapidly growing commuter airlines. The short-haul routes are currently serviced by small turboprop-powered aircraft. The results of some recent design studies aimed at replacing the turboprops with specialized propeller- and rotor-driven aircraft are discussed. Some potential future designs are illustrated and discussed.

Williams, L. J.↗

An acoustic sensitivity study of general aviation propellers

This paper describes the results of a study in which a systematic approach has been taken in studying the effect of selected propeller parameters on the character and magnitude of propeller noise. Four general aviation aircraft were chosen, i.e., a Cessna 172, Cessna 210, Cessna 441, and a 19 passenger commuter concept, to provide a range in flight velocity, engine horsepower, and gross weight. The propeller parameters selected for examination consisted of number of blades, rpm reduction, thickness/chord reduction, activity factor reduction, proplets, airfoil improvement, sweep, position of maximum blade loading, and diameter reduction.

Korkan, K. D.↗

Pilot-aircraft system reponse to wind shear

The nonlinear aircraft motion and automatic control model is expanded to incorporate the human pilot into simulations of aircraft response to wind to wind shear. The human pilot is described by a constant gains lag filter. Two runs are carried out using pilot transfer functions. Fixed-stick, autopilot, and manned computer simulations are made with an aircraft having characteristics of a small commuter type aircraft flown through longitudinal winds measured by a Doppler radar beamed along the glide slope. Simulations are also made flying an aircraft through sinusoidal head wind and tail wind shears at the phugoid frequency to evaluate the response of manned aircraft in thunderstorm wind environments.

Turkel, B. S.↗

Cost/benefit analysis of advanced materials technology candidates for the 1980's, part 2

Cost/benefit analyses to evaluate advanced material technologies projects considered for general aviation and turboprop commuter aircraft through estimated life-cycle costs, direct operating costs, and development costs are discussed. Specifically addressed is the selection of technologies to be evaluated; development of property goals; assessment of candidate technologies on typical engines and aircraft; sensitivity analysis of the changes in property goals on performance and economics, cost, and risk analysis for each technology; and ranking of each technology by relative value. The cost/benefit analysis was applied to a domestic, nonrevenue producing, business-type jet aircraft configured with two TFE731-3 turbofan engines, and to a domestic, nonrevenue producing, business type turboprop aircraft configured with two TPE331-10 turboprop engines. In addition, a cost/benefit analysis was applied to a commercial turboprop aircraft configured with a growth version of the TPE331-10.

Dennis, R. E.↗

NASA Research in aeropropulsion

Selected examples of recent accomplishments and current activities that are relevant to the principal classes of civil and military vehicles: subsonic transports, commuters, supersonic transports, general aviation, rotorcraft, V/STOL, and high performance. Some instances of emerging technologies with potential high impact on further progress are discussed.

Stewart, W. L.↗

Advanced propulsion system concept for hybrid vehicles

A series hybrid system, utilizing a free piston Stirling engine with a linear alternator, and a parallel hybrid system, incorporating a kinematic Stirling engine, are analyzed for various specified reference missions/vehicles ranging from a small two passenger commuter vehicle to a van. Parametric studies for each configuration, detail tradeoff studies to determine engine, battery and system definition, short term energy storage evaluation, and detail life cycle cost studies were performed. Results indicate that the selection of a parallel Stirling engine/electric, hybrid propulsion system can significantly reduce petroleum consumption by 70 percent over present conventional vehicles.

Bhate, S.↗

Microcomputer processing for Loran-C

Schematic diagrams are presented for the microcomputer processing for Loran-C. Diagrams are included for the following: microcomputer Loran-C loop improvements; Loran-C receiver commutated AGC; and DC-DC power supply.

Lilley, R. W.↗

Propulsion system study for Small Transport Aircraft Technology (STAT)

Propulsion system technologies applicable to the generation of commuter airline aircraft expected to enter service in the 1990's are identified and evaluated in terms of their impact on aircraft operating economics and fuel consumption. The most promising technologies in the areas of engine, propeller, gearbox, and nacelle design are recommended for future research. Each item under consideration is evaluated relative to a modern baseline engine, the General Electric CT7-5, in a current technology aircraft flying a fixed range and payload. The analysis is presented for two aircraft sizes (30 and 50 passenger), over a range of mission lengths (100 to 1100 km) and fuel costs ($264 to $396 per cu m).

Smith, C. E.↗

NASA research in aeropropulsion

NASA research activities in the development of civilian and military aircraft are discussed. The advances made in subsonic and supersonic transports, commuter aircraft, rotorcraft, V/STOL, and high-performance engines are reviewed, and the problems facing general aviation are considered. Comments on some new areas of technology are also presented.

Stewart, W. L.↗

Small Transport Aircraft Technology /STAT/ Propulsion Study

The NASA Small Transport Aircraft Technology (STAT) Propulsion Study was established to identify technology requirements and define the research and development required for new commuter aircraft. Interim results of the studies defined mission and design characteristics for 30- and 50-passenger aircraft. Sensitivities were defined that relate changes in engine specific fuel consumption (SFC), weight, and cost (including maintenance) to changes in the aircraft direct operating cost (DOC), takeoff gross weight, and empty weight. A comparison of performance and economic characteristics is presented between aircraft powered by 1980 production engines and those powered by a 1990 advanced technology baseline engine.

Heldenbrand, R. W.↗

Noise transmission and attenuation for business aircraft

This paper describes analytical studies applicable for estimating the effects of noise transmission into light aircraft and commuter type aircraft. The propeller noise and turbulent boundary layer noise are considered. The analytical model described uses modal methods and incorporates flat stiffened panels for flat sided sidewalls and curved stiffened panels for cylindrical enclosures. The numerical results include noise attenuation with add-on treatments and the sensitivity of the transmitted noise to the discrete stiffening of the sidewall panels.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

High voltage DC switchgear development for multi-kW space power system: Aerospace technology development of three types of solid state power controllers for 200-1100VDC with current ratings of 25, 50, and 80 amperes with one type utilizing an electromechanical device

Three types of solid state power controllers (SSPC's) for high voltage, high power DC system applications were developed. The first type utilizes a SCR power switch. The second type employes an electromechanical power switch element with solid state commutation. The third type utilizes a transistor power switch. Significant accomplishments include high operating efficiencies, fault clearing, high/low temperature performance and vacuum operation.

Billings, W. W.↗

Bibliography of NASA published reports on general aviation, 1975 to 1981

This bibliography lists 478 documents which relate to all heavier-than-air fixed wing aircraft exclusive of military types and those used for commercial air transport. An exception is the inclusion of commuter transport aircraft types within the general aviation category. NASA publications included in this bibliography are: conference publications (CP), reference publications (RP), technical memorandums (TM, TMX), technical notes (TN), technical papers (TP), and contractor reports (CR). In addition, papers and articles on NASA general aviation programs published by technical societies (AIAA, SAE, etc.) are included, as well as those listed in NASA's Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports (STAR) Journal. Author and subject indexes are also provided to facilitate use of the bibliography.

Source record↗

Direct current ballast circuit for metal halide lamp

A direct current ballast circuit for a two electrode metal halide lamp is described. Said direct current ballast circuit includes a low voltage DC input and a high frequency power amplifier and power transformer for developing a high voltage output. The output voltage is rectified by diodes and filtered by inductor and capacitor to provide a regulated DC output through commutating diodes to one terminal of the lamp at the output terminal. A feedback path from the output of the filter capacitor through the bias resistor to power the high frequency circuit which includes the power amplifier and the power transformer for sustaining circuit operations during low voltage transients on the input DC supply is described. A current sensor connected to the output of the lamp through terminal for stabilizing lamp current following breakdown of the lamp is described.

Lutus, P.↗

Greenlandair VTOL transportation study

An operational and economic analysis was conducted on Greenlandair, a large helicopter commuter operation. Results indicate that the airline could realize a significant increase in available seat miles with a decrease in total cost by replacing the fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with Tiltrotors. The Tiltrotor can fly 2.5 times faster than the helicopters, and 25% faster than the presently used turboprop aicraft. Fuel consumption could be reduced by one half, and with additional savings on maintenance, crew costs, and ground support costs, plus expanded flight schedules, the airline could achieve a net yearly savings of over 2 million dollars.

Reber, R. R.↗

We have just begun to create efficient transport aircraft

Factors affecting the cost-effectiveness and economics of the air transportation industry are reviewed. The delivery of more fuel-efficient aircraft and eventual total replacement in the 1990's by fleets of advanced aircraft are seen to offset rising fuel costs. Better airport operations are perceived to eliminate fuel-costly delays due to overcrowded runways, lack of available carriers, and maintenance of aircraft in holding patterns. Noise reduction research will lower the lawsuit costs from noise pollution, and the introduction of advanced turbofans for long, short, and medium range flights, advanced commuter planes, and advanced SSTs offering projected 50% increases in current aircraft efficiencies are seen to be limited only by the airlines' ability to provide purchase financing, rather than by a lack of available new technology.

Maglieri, D. J.↗