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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 307 records · Page 17

An experimental simulation study of four crosswind landing gear concepts

An experimental investigation was conducted in order to evaluate several crosswind landing-gear concepts which have a potential application to tricycle-gear-configured, short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft landing at crab or heading angles up to 30 deg. In this investigation, the landing gears were installed on a dynamic model which had a scaled mass distribution and gear spacing but no aerodynamic similarities when compared with a typical STOL aircraft. The model was operated as a free body with radio-control steering and was launched onto a runway sloped laterally in order to provide a simulated crosswind side force. During the landing rollout, the gear forces and the model trajectory were measured and the various concepts were compared with each other. Within the test limitations, the landing gear system, in which the gears were alined by the pilot and locked in the direction of motion prior to touchdown, gave the smoothest runout behavior with the vehicle maintaining its crab angle throughout the landing runout.

Stubbs, S. M.↗

On the oscillation of the laterally heterogeneous earth, 1

The perturbative effects, as cause by lateral inhomogeneities in the earth structure and by Coriolis force, contaminate the originally toroidal and spheroidal earth's oscillations, making them of mixed type. For this reason, in order to make the computation of the perturbations more uniform and homogeneous, it was suggested that the earth's free oscillations be expanded into a series in terms of generalized harmonics familiar from the theory of angular momentum in quantum mechanics. Making use of Gibbsian symbolism and of some operators from the theory of angular momentum, explicit expressions were deduced for the perturbative terms in the differential equation of the earth's free oscillations. Decomposition of the strain tensor in terms of canonical vectors was also obtained.

Musen, P.↗

Analysis of a magnetically suspended, high-performance instrument pointing system

This paper describes a highly accurate auxiliary instrument pointing system which can provide fine pointing for a variety of solar-, stellar-, and Earth-viewing scientific instruments during extended space shuttle orbital missions. This system, called the Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS), consists of pointing assemblies for coarse and vernier pointing. The 'coarse' assembly is attached to the spacecraft (e.g., the space shuttle) and consists of an elevation gimbal and a lateral gimbal to provide coarse pointing. The vernier pointing assembly consists of the payload instrument mounted on a plate around which is attached a continuous annular rim. The vernier assembly is suspended in the lateral gimbal using magnetic actuators which provide rim suspension forces and fine pointing torques. A detailed linearized mathematical model is developed for the ASPS/space shuttle system, and control laws and payload attitude state estimators are designed. Statistical pointing performance is predicted in the presence of stochastic disturbances such as crew motion, sensor noise, and actuator noise.

Joshi, S. M.↗

Nonlinear decoupled control synthesis for maneuvering aircraft

A control law for decoupling roll rate, angle of attack and sideslip in rapid, nonlinear airplane maneuvers is derived. For simplicity, only moments caused by ailerons, rudder and elevator are considered, and control forces are neglected. Simulated responses of the closed loop system, including the control forces, show that the neglected forces have no significant effects and that large, simultaneous lateral and longitudinal maneuvers can be precisely performed. The violent divergences which occur in open-loop maneuvers of this type are eliminated by the decoupling. The control law showed little sensitivity to 20 percent perturbation in three important stability derivatives.

Singh, S. N.↗

A four-axis hand controller for helicopter flight control

A proof-of-concept hand controller for controlling lateral and longitudinal cyclic pitch, collective pitch and tail rotor thrust was developed. The purpose of the work was to address problems of operator fatigue, poor proprioceptive feedback and cross-coupling of axes associated with many four-axis controller designs. The present design is an attempt to reduce cross-coupling to a level that can be controlled with breakout force, rather than to eliminate it entirely. The cascaded design placed lateral and longitudinal cyclic in their normal configuration. Tail rotor thrust was placed atop the cyclic controller. A left/right twisting motion with the wrist made the control input. The axis of rotation was canted outboard (clockwise) to minimize cross-coupling with the cyclic pitch axis. The collective control was a twist grip, like a motorcycle throttle. Measurement of the amount of cross-coupling involved in pure, single-axis inputs showed cross coupling under 10 percent of full deflection for all axes. This small amount of cross-coupling could be further reduced with better damping and force gradient control. Fatigue was not found to be a problem, and proprioceptive feedback was adequate for all flight tasks executed.

Demaio, Joe↗

Postflight Quiet Stance Stability of Astronauts Following Recovery From a Simulated Fall

INTRODUCTION: Astronauts returning from space flight universally present with postural ataxia. Throughout the Space Shuttle Program, measurement of ataxia has concentrated on sway in the anterior-posterior plane. Implementation of an interdisciplinary pre- and postflight study (Functional Task Test, FTT) designed to evaluate both astronaut postflight functional performance and related physiological changes has allowed the investigation of postural instability by characterizing dynamic stabilographic sway patterns. METHODS: Six astronauts from short-duration (Shuttle) and three from long-duration (ISS) flights were required to recover from a simulated fall. Subjects with eyes open, wearing running shoes lay prone on the floor for 2 minutes and then quickly stood up, maintained a quiet stance for 3 minutes, arms relaxed along the side of the body, and feet comfortably placed on the force plate. Crewmembers were tested twice before flight, on landing day (Shuttle only), and 1, 6, and 30 days after flight. Anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) center-of-pressure (COP) coordinates were calculated from the ground reaction forces collected at 500 Hz. The 3-minute quiet stance trial was broken into three 1-minute segments for stabilogram diffusion analysis. A mean sway speed (rate of change of COP displacement) was also calculated as an additional postural stability parameter. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: While there was considerable variation, most of crewmembers tested exhibited increased stochastic activity evidenced by larger short-term COP diffusion coefficients postflight in both the AP and ML planes, suggesting significant changes in postural control mechanisms, particularly control of lower limb muscle function. As expected, postural instability of ISS astronauts on the first day postflight was similar to that of Shuttle crewmembers on landing day. Recoveries of stochastic activity and mean sway speed to baseline levels were typically observed by the 30th day postflight for both long-duration and short-duration crewmembers. Dynamic postural stability characteristics obtained in this low-impact study complement the data measured with computerized dynamic posturography.

Reschke, M. F.↗

Free-to-Roll Investigation of Uncommanded Lateral Motions for an Aircraft with Vented Strakes

A free-to-roll study of the low-speed lateral characteristics of the pre-production F/A-l8E was conducted in the NASA Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. In developmental flight tests the F/A-18E unexpectedly experienced uncommanded lateral motions in the power approach configuration. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the free-to-roll technique for the detection of uncommanded lateral motions for the pre-production F/A-l8E in the power approach configuration. The data revealed that this technique in conjunction with static data revealed insight into the cause of the lateral motions. The free-to-roll technique identified uncommanded lateral motions at the same angle-of-attack range as experienced in flight tests. The cause of the uncommanded lateral motions was unsteady asymmetric wing stall. The paper also shows that free-to-roll data or static force and moment data alone are not enough to accurately capture the potential for an aircraft to experience uncommanded lateral motion.

Owens, Elaine M.↗

Free-to-Roll Investigation of Uncommanded Lateral Motions for an Aircraft With Vented Strakes

A free-to-roll study of the low-speed lateral characteristics of the pre-production F/A-18E was conducted in the NASA Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. In developmental flight tests the F/A-18E unexpectedly experienced uncommanded lateral motions in the power approach configuration. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the free-to-roll technique for the detection of uncommanded lateral motions for the preproduction F/A-18E in the power approach configuration. The data revealed that this technique in conjunction with static data revealed insight into the cause of the lateral motions. The free-to-roll technique identified uncommanded lateral motions at the same angle-of-attack range as experienced in flight tests. The cause of the uncommanded lateral motions was unsteady asymmetric wing stall. The paper also shows that free-to-roll data or static force and moment data alone are not enough to accurately capture the potential for an aircraft to experience uncommanded lateral motion.

Bryan, Elaine M.↗

Free-to-Roll Investigation of the Pre-Production F/A-18E Powered Approach Wing Drop

A free-to-roll study of the low-speed lateral characteristics of the pre-production F/A-18E was conducted in the NASA Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. In developmental flight tests the F/A-18E unexpectedly experienced uncommanded lateral motions in the power approach configuration. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the free-to-roll technique for the detection of uncommanded lateral motions for the pre-production F/A-18E in the power approach configuration. The data revealed that this technique in conjunction with static data revealed insight into the cause of the lateral motions. The free-to-roll technique identified uncommanded lateral motions at the same angle-of-attack range as experienced in flight tests. The cause of the uncommanded lateral motions was unsteady asymmetric wing stall. The paper also shows that free-to-roll data or static force and moment data alone are not enough to accurately capture the potential for an aircraft to experience uncommanded lateral motion.

VERTICAL TAIL↗

Wind tunnel research comparing lateral control devices, particularly at high angles of attack X : various control devices on a wing with a fixed auxiliary airfoil

Results are given of a series of systemic tests comparing lateral control devices with particular reference to their effectiveness at high angles of attack. These tests were made with two sizes of ordinary ailerons and different sizes of spoilers on a Clark Y wing model having a narrow auxiliary airfoil fixed ahead and above the leading edge, the chords of the main and auxiliary airfoils being parallel. In addition, the auxiliary airfoil itself was given angular deflection. The purpose was to provide rolling moments for lateral control. The tests were made in a 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel. They included both force and rotation tests to show the effect of the devices on the lift and drag characteristics of the wing and on the lateral stability characteristics, as well as lateral control. They showed that none of the aileron arrangements tried would give rolling control of an assumed satisfactory value at all angles of attack up to the stall. However, they would give satisfactory values, but at the expense of abnormally high deflections and very heavy hinge moments. The most effective combination of ailerons and spoilers gave satisfactory values of rolling moment at angles of attack below the stall, and the values did not fall off as rapidly above the stall as with ailerons alone. With an arrangement of this type having the proper relative proportions and linkage, it should be possible to obtain reasonably satisfactory yawing moments and control forces. Deflecting one-half of the auxiliary airfoil downward for the purpose of control gave strong favorable yawing moments at all angles of attack, but gave very small rolling moments at the low angles of attack.

Weick, Fred E↗

A model for unsteady effects in lateral dynamics for use in parameter estimation

A mathematical model for the unsteady aerodynamic effects for use in lateral aircraft dynamics has been developed. The approach is to derive approximations to the force and moment coefficients based on Weissinger's arrangement for the trailing vortex pattern for a sideslipped wing. The main thrust of the modeling is for application to estimation of the lateral stability and control derivatives.

Wells, W. R.↗

Lateral aerodynamics of delta wings with leading edge separation

An unsteady vortex lattice method is presented for the calculation of the aerodynamic forces acting on lifting surfaces undergoing complex three dimensional motion. For the present case the nonsymmetric motion of a slender delta wing was considered and the resulting lateral characteristics were calculated. The flow separation line was specified along the wing leading edge and the emanating vortex sheet shape and rollup was then calculated. Numerical results are presented for the combined high angle of attack and side slip condition and for the wing constant roll and coning motions.

Katz, J.↗

Summary of stability and control characteristics of the XB-70 airplane

The stability and control characteristics of the XB-70 airplane were evaluated for Mach numbers up to 3.0 and altitudes up to 21,300 meters (70,000 feet). The airplane's inherent longitudinal characteristics proved to be generally satisfactory. In the lateral-directional modes, the airplane was characterized by light wheel forces, low static directional stability beyond approximately 2 deg of sideslip, adverse yaw response to aileron inputs throughout the entire Mach number range, and negative effective dihedral with wingtips full down. At subsonic Mach numbers, with the flight augmentation control system off, the light wheel forces and adverse yaw response to aileron inputs caused the pilots to minimize use of the ailerons. At supersonic Mach numbers, with the augmentation system off, the adverse yaw due to aileron and the negative effective dihedral were conducive to pilot-induced oscillations.

Wolowicz, C. H.↗

Longitudinal and lateral static stability and control characteristics of a 1/6-scale model of a remotely piloted research vehicle with a supercritical wing

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel to determine the longitudinal and lateral-directional static stability and control characteristics of a 1/6-scale force model of a remotely piloted research vehicle. The model was equipped with a supercritical wing and employed elevons for pitch and roll control. Test conditions were as follows: Reynolds number of about 6.6 x 10 to the 6th power per meter, variations of sideslip from -6 deg to 6 deg, elevon deflection angle (symmetrically and asymmetrically) from -9 deg to 3 deg, and rudder deflection angle from 0 deg to -10 deg. The model was longitudinally statically stable at angles of attack up to about 7 deg, which is significantly greater than the angle of attack for the cruise condition (approximately 4 deg). In the range of test Mach numbers, the model was directionally stable and had positive effective dihedral, sufficient pitch control, and positive effectiveness of roll and yaw control.

Byrdsong, T. A.↗

Vibration and buckling studies of pretensioned structures

Results of analyses and tests of a simple pretensional structure are presented. Linear finite element analysis correlated well with experimental small amplitude vibration data. The buckling and vibration behavior of a pretensional stayed column was studied in detail. The bifurcation buckling load was also predicted accurately. Postbuckling behavior of the column was unusual and results in a post buckling restoring force of only 1/64 the bifurcation buckling load. Interaction between lateral accelerations and compressive load creates isolated stay slackening at loads above 50 percent of the buckling load. Further research will be required to fully understand their impact on the use of pretensioned structures as large space structures.

Belvin, W. K.↗

Sloshing of Cryogenic Helium Driven by Lateral Impulse/Gravity Gradient-Dominated/or g-Jitter-Dominated Accelerations and Orbital Dynamics

The coupling of slosh dynamics within a partially filled rotating dewar of superfluid helium 11 with spacecraft orbital dynamics is investigated in response to the environmental disturbances of (a) lateral impulses, (b) gravity gradients and (c) g-jitter forces. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the coupling of helium 11 fluid slosh dynamics driven by three cases of environmental force with spacecraft dynamics can affect the bubble deformations and their associated fluid and spacecraft mass centre fluctuations. The numerical computation of slosh dynamics is based on a rotational frame, while the spacecraft dynamics is associated with a non-rotational frame. Results show that the major contribution of orbital dynamics is driven by coupling with slosh dynamics. Neglecting the effect of slosh dynamics acting on the spacecraft may lead to the wrong results for the development of orbital and attitude control techniques.

Hung, R. J.↗