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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spatially-Resolved Freestream Velocity Measurements at the NASA Langley 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel Using FLEET

Freestream velocity measurements in the NASA Langley 31-inch Mach 10 wind tunnel are reported in this paper using Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging (FLEET). The freestream measurements acquired during the January 2023 test campaign were the first direct measurement of freestream velocity in this hypersonic wind tunnel facility. Spatial distributions of time-averaged and instantaneous velocity measurements were obtained at all three typical wind tunnel freestream unit Reynolds number conditions of Re∞/L = 1.8∙106 m-1, 3.6∙106 m-1, and 6.4∙106 m-1, though the current paper focuses on centerline measurements for the three Re∞/L and spatial distributions for one Re∞/L. Measured values for time-averaged velocity and mean of the instantaneous velocity at the wind tunnel centerline agree within 5 m/s or 0.4% of the calculated velocity from the facility data acquisition system. Measurements acquired at locations away from the wind tunnel centerline reveal the spatial extent of the core flow of the hypersonic facility.

FLEET↗

NASA NTRS2020

Freestream Mach-Number and Temperature Measurement in NASA Langley’s 20-Inch Supersonic Wind Tunnel Using Laser-Induced Thermal Acoustics

We report single-laser-shot (0.3 us) and time-averaged (500 laser shots at 30 Hz repetition rate) measurements of static temperature T and Mach number M in the freestream of NASA Langley’s 20-inch Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT), using a nonintrusive optical technique: laser-induced thermal acoustics (LITA). Although the single-shot LITA T measurements show typical standard deviations (SD) of the sample of +- 4% (+- 1-sigma or 68% confidence for random errors), the 1-s averages show SDs of the mean deltaT = +- 0.5 K, or +- 0.3% for flow at T ~ 160 K. The 17-s averages show ± 0.1% SDs of the mean. Both 1-s and 17-s averages agree to within about 1% of SWT’s traditional probe measurements. Additionally, the single-shot LITA M measurements show typical shot-to-shot SDs of the sample of +- 5% (+- 1-sigma), but the 1-s averages indicate 1-sigma SDs of the means deltaM = +- 0.02, or +- 1% for M = 2.0. Extending the time averages to 17 s, SDs of the mean are reduced to about deltaM = +- 0.007, or +- 0.4% (± 1-sigma). The 1-s and 17-s time-averaged LITA-measured Mach numbers also agree with the SWT probe instrumentation to within 1%. Most of the shot-to-shot measurement noise probably arises from the LITA instrument itself (the fundamental limit of Fourier transforming a short-duration data series). Thus the 1-s averages only provide upper limits for the temporal stability of the freestream tunnel flow on 1-s time scales and complement previous work that characterized the SWT spatial uniformity of the flow. They also provide a first noninvasive comparison to the traditional calibrations with physical probes, for both the mean and fluctuating components of the freestream.

Laser-Induced Thermal Acoustics (LITA)↗

NASA NTRS1994

Hypersonic Nozzle/Afterbody Experiment: Flow Visualization and Boundary Layer Experiments

This study was conducted to experimentally characterize the flow field created by the interaction of a single-expansion-ramp-nozzle (SERN) flow with a hypersonic external stream Data were obtained from a generic nozzle/afterbody model in the 3.5-Foot Hypersonic Wind Tunnel of the NASA Ames Research Center in a cooperative experimental program involving Ames and the McDonnell Douglas Aerospace. The model design and test planning were performed in close cooperation with members of the Ames computational fluid dynamics (CFD) team for the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) program. This paper presents experimental results consisting of oil-flow and shadowgraph flow-visualization photographs, afterbody surface-pressure distributions, boundary-layer rake measurements, and Preston-tube skin-friction measurements.

Keener, Earl R.↗

NASA NTRS2013

The Challenges of Integrating Instrumentation with Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators

To realize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration s (NASA) goal of landing humans on Mars, development of technologies to facilitate the landing of heavy payloads are being explored. Current entry, decent, and landing technologies are not practical when utilizing these heavy payloads due to mass and volume constraints dictated by limitations imposed by current launch vehicle fairings. Therefore, past and present technologies are now being considered to provide a mass and volume efficient solution, including Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators (IADs) [1]. IAD ground and flight tests are currently being conducted to develop and characterize their performance under flight-like conditions. The integrated instrumentation systems, which are key to the performance characterization in each of these tests, have proven to be a challenge compared to the instrumentation of traditional rigid aeroshells. To overcome these challenges, flexible and embedded sensing systems have been developed, along with improved instrumenting techniques. This development opportunity faces many difficult aspects specific to inflatable structures in extreme environments. These include but are not limited to: physical flexibility, packaging, temperature, structural integration and data acquisition [2]. To better define the instrumentation challenges posed by IAD technology development, a survey was conducted to identify valuable measurements for ground and flight testing. From this survey many sensing technologies were explored, resulting in a down-selection to the most viable prospects. These systems were then iterated upon in design to determine the best integration techniques specific to a 3m and 6m stacked torus IAD. Each sensing system was then integrated and employed to support the IAD testing in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 40 x 80 wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center in the summer of 2012. Another challenge that has been explored is the data acquisition of IAD sensing technologies. Traditionally all space based sensing systems transmit their data through a wired interface. This limits the amount of sensors able to be integrated within the IAD due to volume and routing restrictions of the supporting signal and excitation wires. To alleviate this situation, multiple wireless data acquisition technologies have been researched and developed through rapid prototyping efforts. The final custom multi-nodal wireless system utilized during the summer 2012 IAD test series consisted of four remote nodes and one receiving base station. The system reliably conditioned and acquired 20+ sensors over the course of the wind tunnel test series. These developments in wireless data acquisition techniques can eliminate the need for structural feedthroughs and reduce system mass associated with wiring and wire harnesses. This makes the utilization of flight instrumentation more attractive to future missions, which would result in further improved characterization of IAD technology, and overall, increased scientific knowledge regarding the response of inflatable structures to extreme entry environments. [

Swanson, Gregory T.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Advanced Measurement Technology at NASA Langley Research Center

Instrumentation systems have always been essential components of world class wind tunnels and laboratories. Langley continues to be on the forefront of the development of advanced systems for aerospace applications. This paper will describe recent advances in selected measurement systems which have had significant impact on aerospace testing. To fully understand the aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics influencing aerospace vehicles, highly accurate and repeatable measurements need to be made of critical phenomena. However, to maintain leadership in a highly competitive world market, productivity enhancement and the development of new capabilities must also be addressed aggressively. The accomplishment of these sometimes conflicting requirements has been the challenge of advanced measurement developers. However, several new technologies have recently matured to the point where they have enabled the achievement of these goals. One of the critical areas where advanced measurement systems are required is flow field velocity measurements. These measurements are required to correctly characterize the flowfield under study, to quantify the aerodynamic performance of test articles and to assess the effect of aerodynamic vehicles on their environment. Advanced measurement systems are also making great strides in obtaining planar measurements of other important thermodynamic quantities, including species concentration, temperature, pressure and the speed of sound. Langley has been on the forefront of applying these technologies to practical wind tunnel environments. New capabilities in Projection Moire Interferometry and Acoustics Array Measurement systems have extended our capabilities into the model deformation, vibration and noise measurement arenas. An overview of the status of these techniques and recent applications in practical environments will be presented in this paper.

Antcliff, Richard R.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Aerodynamic parameters of the Navion airplane extracted from flight

An iterative method, which is characterized as a maximum-likelihood minimum-variance technique, was used to extract the aerodynamic parameters of a Navion airplane from flight data. The purposes were to compare the results with parameters obtained from wind-tunnel tests and with results obtained by analog matching the same data, and to develop techniques for application of the parameter extraction program. Results from the study showed that the parameter-extraction program can produce aerodynamic parameters which will permit close estimation of the aircraft time histories used in the extraction process. The program determined an estimate of the standard deviations of the states and parameters. These estimates were used to indicate how well the calculated states fit the flight data and the confidence in the values of the estimated parameters. The study also showed that the values of the parameters were affected by the data and mathematical model used during the extraction process. Because of the lack of confidence in the parameters extracted by use of some of the sets of data, several parameters were estimated by other methods. By using a combination of methods, a set of parameters which gave a fit to the data was obtained.

Suit, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Droplet field visualization and characterization via digital image analysis

This paper describes techniques that have been developed at JPL for visualization and measurements of droplet fields in a moving airstream. The techniques have been applied to a variety of problems which include simulation of heavy rain conditions in a wind tunnel, engine ingestion of wheel spray, analysis of fuel nozzle sprays and aerodynamic breakup of non-Newtonian liquids. The approach pursued here is direct imaging using a pulsed laser illumination source, followed by digital processing of photographic images. A laser double pulse technique has been used for determination of droplet velocities. Laser induced fluorescence has been used to enhance droplet definition in photographic images. The image processing software developed is capable of distinguishing between out-of-focus and in-focus drops, retaining only the latter for size determination.

Hernan, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

An analytical and experimental study to investigate flutter suppression via piezoelectric actuation

The objective was to analytically and experimentally study the capabilities of adaptive material plate actuators for suppressing flutter. The validity of analytical modeling techniques for piezoelectric materials was also investigated. Piezoelectrics are materials which are characterized by their ability to produce voltage when subjected to a mechanical strain. The converse piezoelectric effect can be utilized to actuate a structure by applying a voltage. For this investigation, a two degree of freedom wind tunnel model was designed, analyzed, and tested. The model consisted of a rigid airfoil and a flexible mount system which permitted a translational and a rotational degree of freedom. It was designed such that flutter was encounted within the testing envelope of the wind tunnel. Actuators, made of piezoelectric material were affixed to leaf springs of the mount system. Each degree of freedom was controlled by a separate leaf spring. Command signals, applied to the piezoelectric actuators, exerted control over the damping and stiffness properties. A mathematical aeroservoelastic model was constructed using finite element methods, laminated plate theory, and aeroelastic analysis tools. Plant characteristics were determined from this model and verified by open loop experimental tests. A flutter suppression control law was designed and implemented on a digital control computer. Closed loop flutter testing was conducted. The experimental results represent the first time that adaptive materials have been used to actively suppress flutter. It demonstrates that small, carefully placed actuating plates can be used effectively to control aeroelastic response.

Heeg, Jennifer↗

NASA NTRS1995

Experimental results for a hypersonic nozzle/afterbody flow field

This study was conducted to experimentally characterize the flow field created by the interaction of a single-expansion ramp-nozzle (SERN) flow with a hypersonic external stream. Data were obtained from a generic nozzle/afterbody model in the 3.5 Foot Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center, in a cooperative experimental program involving Ames and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace. The model design and test planning were performed in close cooperation with members of the Ames computational fluid dynamics (CFD) team for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) program. This paper presents experimental results consisting of oil-flow and shadow graph flow-visualization photographs, afterbody surface-pressure distributions, rake boundary-layer measurements, Preston-tube skin-friction measurements, and flow field surveys with five-hole and thermocouple probes. The probe data consist of impact pressure, flow direction, and total temperature profiles in the interaction flow field.

Spaid, Frank W.↗

NASA NTRS2022

Identification and Reduction of Interactional Noise of a Quadcopter in Hover and Forward Flight Conditions

Advanced Air Mobility is a vision for a safe, accessible, and sustainable aviation system to transport people and cargo between places not served by traditional aviation. With this emerging transportation industry, there is motivation to characterize the noise of vehicles to determine their potential impacts on the community. An experimental testing campaign was conducted on a representative model of a small unmanned aircraft system in the NASA Langley Low Speed Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel as a continuation of a previous testing campaign. The goals of the current test are to identify sources of interactional noise as well as to test custom-designed rotors and noise reduction devices. The tested noise reduction methods involve increasing the vertical distances between the rotors and the vehicle airframe as well as between the forward and aft rotor disk planes. These methods are intended to reduce rotor-airframe interaction noise in hover and fore-aft rotor wake ingestion noise in forward flight. A phased microphone array is also utilized to identify the locations of prominent noise generation for the different vehicle configurations in forward flight. Elevation of the rotors from the vehicle airframe yielded nearly 8 dBA overall noise reduction in forward flight, while yielding up to 4 dB reduction in overall tonal levels for one of the rotors in hover.

Nikolas S Zawodny↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Database of CFD-Based Buffet Forcing Functions for Artemis I Structural Response Evaluation

Time-accurate FUN3D simulations are utilized to estimate buffet-induced unsteady forces experienced by the Space Launch System during the Artemis I (AR01) flight. A set of FUN3D simulations was developed that employed time-accurate mesh translations to simulate the changing velocity and attitude based on the AR01 best estimated trajectory. In these simulations, referred to as accelerating-flow simulations, the freestream Mach number increased from 0.80 to 1.92. Additional time-accurate simulations were obtained at constant freestream Mach number equal to 0.95, 1.18, 1.70, thereby simulating stationary conditions experienced by the flow in a wind-tunnel. On the grounds of favorable comparisons between simulated and flight-measured environments, the FUN3D-based surface pressures were utilized to develop a buffet forcing function (BFF) database. This BFF database was analyzed to characterize the spatial distribution and frequency content of the buffet forces during transonic and supersonic portions of the AR01 flight. The region of interest is located downstream of the forward attachment (FA) hardware between the core stage and the solid rocket boosters where vortex shedding off the FA protuberance produces significant unsteadiness. The analysis reveals that, at transonic and supersonic conditions, buffet forces that are based on constant freestream Mach number data are a good approximation of those based on accelerating-flow simulations.

FUN3D↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Database of CFD-Based Buffet Forcing Functions for Artemis I Structural Response Evaluation

transonic buffet↗

NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady aerodynamic characterization of a military aircraft in vertical gusts

The effects of 2.5-m/sec vertical gusts on the flight characteristics of a 1:8.6 scale model of a Mirage 2000 aircraft in free flight at 35 m/sec over a distance of 30 m are investigated. The wind-tunnel setup and instrumentation are described; the impulse-response and local-coefficient-identification analysis methods applied are discussed in detail; and the modification and calibration of the gust-detection probes are reviewed. The results are presented in graphs, and good general agreement is obtained between model calculations using the two analysis methods and the experimental measurements.

Lebozec, A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Overview of 6- X 6-foot wind tunnel aero-optics tests

The splitter-plate arrangement used in tests in the 6 x 6 foot wind tunnel and how it was configured to study boundary layers, both heated and unheated, shear layers over a cavity, separated flows behind spoilers, accelerated flows around a turret, and a turret wake are described. The flows are characterized by examples of the steady-state pressure and of velocity profiles through the various types of flow layers.

Buell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

An analytical and experimental investigation of flutter suppression via piezoelectric actuation

The objective of this research was to analytically and experimentally study the capabilities of adaptive material plate actuators for suppressing flutter. Piezoelectrics are materials which are characterized by their ability to produce voltage when subjected to a mechanical strain. The converse piezoelectric effect can be utilized to actuate a structure by applying a voltage. For this investigation, a two degree of freedom wind-tunnel model was designed, analyzed, and tested. The model consisted of a rigid wing and a flexible mount system which permitted translational and rotational degrees of freedom. Actuators, made of piezoelectric material were affixed to leaf springs on the mount system. Command signals, applied to the piezoelectric actuators, exerted control over the closed-loop damping and stiffness properties. A mathematical aeroservoelastic model was constructed using finite element and stiffness properties. A mathematical aeroservoelastic model was constructed using finite element methods, laminated plate theory, and aeroelastic analysis tools. A flutter suppression control law was designed, implemented on a digital control computer, and tested to conditions 20 percent above the passive flutter speed of the model. The experimental results represent the first time that adaptive materials have been used to actively suppress flutter. It demonstrates that small, carefully-placed actuating plates can be used effectively to control aeroelastic response.

Heeg, Jennifer↗

NASA NTRS1993

Analytical and experimental investigation of flutter suppression by piezoelectric actuation

The objective of this research was to analytically and experimentally study the capabilities of piezoelectric plate actuators for suppressing flutter. Piezoelectric materials are characterized by their ability to produce voltage when subjected to a mechanical strain. The converse piezoelectric effect can be utilized to actuate a structure by applying a voltage. For this investigation, a two-degree-of-freedom wind tunnel model was designed, analyzed, and tested. The model consisted of a rigid wing and a flexible mount system that permitted a translational and a rotational degree of freedom. The model was designed such that flutter was encountered within the testing envelope of the wind tunnel. Actuators made of piezoelectric material were affixed to leaf springs of the mount system. Command signals, applied to the piezoelectric actuators, exerted control over the damping and stiffness properties. A mathematical aeroservoelastic model was constructed by using finite element methods, laminated plate theory, and aeroelastic analysis tools. Plant characteristics were determined from this model and verified by open loop experimental tests. A flutter suppression control law was designed and implemented on a digital control computer. Closed loop flutter testing was conducted. The experimental results represent the first time that adaptive materials have been used to actively suppress flutter. They demonstrate that small, carefully placed actuating plates can be used effectively to control aeroelastic response.

Heeg, Jennifer↗

NASA NTRS2001

Characterization of Pressure Sensitive Paint Intrusiveness Effects on Aerodynamic Data

One effect of using pressure sensitive paint (PSP) is the potential intrusiveness to the aerodynamic characteristics of the model. The paint thickness and roughness may affect the pressure distribution. and therefore, the forces and moments on the wind tunnel model. A study of these potential intrusive effects was carried out at NASA Langley Research Center where a series of wind tunnel tests were conducted using the Modem Design of Experiments (MDOE) test approach. The PSP effects on the integrated forces were measured on two different models at different test conditions in both the Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel (LTPT) and the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) at Langley. The paint effect was found to be very small over a range of Reynolds numbers, Mach numbers and angles of attack. This is due to the very low surface roughness of the painted surface. The surface roughness, after applying the NASA Langley developed PSP, was lower than that of the clean wing. However, the PSP coating had a localized effects on the pressure taps, which leads to an appreciable decrease in the pressure tap reading.

Amer, Tahani R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Transonic airfoil calculations including wind tunnel wall-interference effects

The results of Reynolds-averaged time-dependent inviscid and turbulent compressible Navier-Stokes computations using the implicit finite-difference approach of Steger (1978), modified by incorporating a pressure boundary condition, (PBC) to account for wall interference are compared with experimental data on a NACA 64A010 airfoil (Johnson and Bachalo, 1980) in graphs and briefly characterized. The computational approach is the same as that used by King and Johnson (1980), but a 137 x 50 mesh is used instead of a 97 x 35 mesh, and special care is taken in resolving the nose, shock, and trailing-edge regions. Imposition of PBC is shown to improve significantly the accuracy of the computations for the flowfield on the upper surface of the airfoil, shifting the shock forward to its experimentally measured position in the case of turbulent flow. The failure of the method, even with PBC, to match the experimental shock location in the case of a flow with a separation bubble is attributed to inadequacies in the algebraic turbulence model employed (Baldwin and Lomax, 1978).

King, L. S.↗