Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “fans”

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 343 records · Page 19
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Impact resistance of composite fan blades

The resistance of current-design Pratt and Whitney Aircraft low aspect ratio advanced fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite fan blades to foreign object damage (FOD) at STOL operating conditions was investigated. Five graphite/epoxy and five boron/epoxy wide chord fan blades with nickel plated stainless steel leading edge sheath protection were fabricated and impact tested. The fan blades were individually tested in a vacuum whirlpit under FOD environments. The FOD environments were typical of those encountered in service operations. The impact objects were ice balls, gravel, stralings and gelatin simulated birds. Results of the damage sustained from each FOD impact are presented for both the graphite boron reinforced blades. Tests showed that the present design composite fan blades, with wrap around leading edge protection have inadequate FOD impact resistance at 244 m/sec (800 ft/sec) tip speed, a possible STOL operating condition.

Premont, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Longitudinal aerodynamics of a low-wing lift-fan transport including hover characteristics in and out of ground effect

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted in the Langley V/STOL tunnel to determine the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a six-fan, tip-driven (remote) lift-fan VTOL transport throughout transition. The large midspan lift-fan pods and cruise fans were removed to determine their influence on the stability and control of the configuration. Data were obtained in the hovering mode for ranges of model height above ground. The data are presented without analysis or discussion.

Hoad, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Altitude performance of a low-noise-technology fan in a turbofan engine with and without a sound suppressing nacelle

Test variables were inlet Reynolds number index (0.2 to 0.5), flight Mach number (0.2 to 0.8), and flow distortion (tip radial and combined circumferential - tip radial patterns). Results are limited to fan bypass and overall engine performance. There were no discernible effects of Reynolds number on fan performance. Increasing flight Mach number shifted the fan operating line such that pressure ratio decreased and airflow increased. Inlet flow distortion lowered stall margin. For a Reynolds number index of 0.2 and flight Mach number of 0.54, the sound suppressing nacelle lowered fan efficiency three points and increased specific fuel consumption about 10 percent.

Biesiadny, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Two-stage, low noise advanced technology fan. 4: Aerodynamic final report

A two-stage research fan was tested to provide technology for designing a turbofan engine for an advanced, long range commercial transport having a cruise Mach number of 0.85 -0.9 and a noise level 20 EPNdB below current requirements. The fan design tip speed was 365.8m/sec (1200ft/sec);the hub/tip ratio was 0.4; the design pressure ratio was 1.9; and the design specific flow was 209.2 kg/sec/sq m(42.85lbm/sec/sq ft). Two fan-versions were tested: a baseline configuration, and an acoustically treated configuration with a sonic inlet device. The baseline version was tested with uniform inlet flow and with tip-radial and hub-radial inlet flow distortions. The baseline fan with uniform inlet flow attained an efficiency of 86.4% at design speed, but the stall margin was low. Tip-radial distortion increased stall margin 4 percentage points at design speed and reduced peak efficiency one percentage point. Hub-radial distortion decreased stall margin 4 percentage points at all speeds and reduced peak efficiency at design speed 8 percentage points. At design speed, the sonic inlet in the cruise position reduced stall margin one percentage point and efficiency 1.5 to 4.5 percentage points. The sonic inlet in the approach position reduced stall margin 2 percentage points.

Harley, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Acoustic and aerodynamic effects of rotor pitch angle for a variable-pitch, 6-foot diameter fan stage

An externally driven, 1.2 pressure ratio full-scale fan stage with an adjustable pitch rotor was tested in an outdoor facility at the Lewis Research Center. Rotor pitch angles resulting in minimum sideline perceived noise levels are defined as a function of stage thrust. Thrust-corrected fan noise variations are examined for operation at constant thrust, rotor tip speed, and stage work coefficient. At constant stage thrust, reducing the rotor pitch angle below design values increased the fan noise with the greatest change occurring in the blade passing tone level. At constant fan speed the minimum noise occurred at a particular rotor pitch angle, which was not the minimum thrust condition. With constant stage work coefficient, rear quadrant noise increased at above-design speed conditions.

Woodward, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Lift/cruise fan V/STOL technology aircraft design definition study. Volume 2: Propulsion transmission system design

Two types of lift/cruise fan technology aircraft were conceptually designed. One aircraft used turbotip fans pneumatically interconnected to three gas generators, and the other aircraft used variable pitch fans mechanically interconnected to three turboshaft engines. The components of each propulsion transmission system were analyzed and designed to the depth necessary to determine areas of risk, development methods, performance, weights and costs. The types of materials and manufacturing processes were identified to show that the designs followed a low cost approach. The lift/cruise fan thrust vectoring hoods, which are applicable to either aircraft configuration, were also evaluated to assure a low cost/low risk approach.

Obrien, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Wind tunnel and ground static tests of a .094 scale powered model of a modified T-39 lift/cruise fan V/STOL research airplane

Ground static and wind tunnel test of a scale model modified T-39 airplane are reported. The configuration in the nose and replacement of the existing nacelles with tilting lift/cruise fans. The model was powered with three 14 cm diameter tip driven turbopowered simulators. Forces and moments were measured by an internal strain guage balance. Engine simulator thrust and mass flow were measured by calibrated pressure and temperature instrumentation mounted downstream of the fans. The low speed handling qualities and general aerodynamic characteristics of the modified T-39 were defined. Test variables include thrust level and thrust balance, forward speed, model pitch and sideslip angle at forward speeds, model pitch, roll, and ground height during static tests, lift/cruise fan tilt angle, flap and aileron deflection angle, and horizonal stabilizer angle. The effects of removing the landing gear, the lift/cruise fans, and the tail surfaces were also investigated.

Hunt, D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a low-wing lift-fan transport including hover characteristics in and out of ground effect

The longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a six-fan, tip-driven (remote) lift-fan VTOL transport through transition were determined by an investigation conducted in the Langley V/STOL tunnel. Tests were also made with the large midspan lift-fan pods and lift-cruise fans removed to determine their their influence on the stability and control of the configuration. Data were obtained for a range of model height above ground.

Hoad, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Study of noise and inflow distortion sources in the NASA QF-1B fan using measured blade and vane pressures

Pressure transducers were installed on the blades and vanes of QF-1B, a transonic-tip-speed fan from the NASA Quiet Fan Program which was tested on the outdoor quiet fan test facility at NASA-Lewis. Signals from the transducers and from far field microphones were analyzed to determine sources of nonuniform inflow and noise. The nonuniform inflow was mostly unsteady with roughly equal contributions from atmospheric turbulence and rig interference. The rig interference was largest at the bottom and appeared to be generated by the support structure which was located behind the inlet lip under the fan. Interaction of this inflow distortion was the dominant source of noise at 1, 2, and 3 times blade passing frequency (BPF) at 60, 70, and 80 percent of design speed. At 90 percent speed, noise at BPF was dominated by the steady rotor field. A broadband spectrum peak centered at about 2.2 times BPF was identified as rotor/stator interaction stemming from a high frequency rotor exit flow component. The remaining broadband energy from 0.3 to 3.5 times BPF was attributed to the better known type of rotor/stator interaction associated with rotor wake turbulence.

Hanson, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Flight-Effects on Predicted Fan Fly-By Noise

The impact on PNLT (Perceived Noise Level, Tone corrected) and Fly-by EPNL (Effective Perceived Noise Level) when forward motion reduces the noise generated by the bypass fan of an aircraft engine was studied. Calculated noise spectra for a typical subsonic tip speed fan designed for blade passage frequency (BPF) tone cutoff were translated in frequency by systematically varying the BPF from 0.5 to 8 kHz. Two cases of predicted flight-effects on fan source noises were considered: reduced BPF tone level of 8 db and reduced broadband noise level of about 2 db in addition to reduced tone level. The maximum reduction in PNLT of the noise as emitted from the fan occurred when the BPF was at 4 kHz where the reductions were 7.4 and 10.0 db. The maximum reduction in EPNL of the noise as received during a 500-foot altitude fly-by occurred when the BPF was at 2.5 kHz where the reductions were 5.0 and 7.8 db.

Heidmann, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effectiveness of an inlet flow turbulence control device to simulate flight noise fan in an anechoic chamber

A hemispherical inlet flow control device was tested on a 50.8 cm. (20-inch) diameter fan stage in the NASA-Lewis anechoic chamber. The control device used honeycomb and wire mesh to reduce turbulence intensities entering the fan. Far field acoustic power level results show about a 5 db reduction in blade passing tone and about 10 dB reduction in multiple pure tone sound power at 90% design fan speed with the inlet device in place. Hot film cross probes were inserted in the inlet to obtain data for two components of the turbulence at 65 and 90% design fan speed. Without the flow control device, the axial intensities were below 1.0%, while the circumferential intensities were almost twice this value. The inflow control device significantly reduced the circumferential turbulence intensities and also reduced the axial length scale.

Woodward, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

VSTOL tilt nacelle aerodynamics and its relation to fan blade stresses

A scale model of a VSTOL tilt nacelle with a 0.508 m single stage fan was tested in a low speed wind tunnel to ascertain inlet aerodynamic and fan aeromechanical performance over the low speed flight envelope. Fan blade stress maxima occurred at discrete rotational speeds corresponding to integral engine order vibrations of the first flatwise bending mode. Increased fan blade stress levels coincided with internal boundary layer separation but became severe only when the separation location had progressed to the entry lip region of the inlet.

Shaw, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Prop-fan data support study

Updated parametric prop-fan data packages are presented and the rationale used in developing the new prop-fan data is detailed. These data represent Hamilton Standard's projections of prop-fan characteristics for aircraft that are expected to be in-service in the 1985 to 1990 time frame. The basic prop-fan configuration was designed for efficient cruise operation at 0.8 Mach number and 10,668M altitude. The design blade tip speed is 244 mps and the design power loading is 301 KW/M squared.

Baum, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effectiveness of an inlet flow turbulence control device to simulate flight fan noise in an anechoic chamber

A hemispherical inlet flow control device was tested on a 50.8 cm. (20-inch) diameter fan stage in the NASA-Lewis Anechoic Chamber. The control device used honeycomb and wire mesh to reduce turbulence intensities entering the fan. Far field acoustic power level results showed about a 5 dB reduction in blade passing tone and about 10 dB reduction in multiple pure tone sound power at 90% design fan speed with the inlet device in place. Hot film cross probes were inserted in the inlet to obtain data for two components of the turbulence at 65 and 90% design fan speed. Without the flow control device the axial intensities were below 1.0%, while the circumferential intensities were almost twice this value. The inflow control device significantly reduced the circumferential turbulence intensities and also reduced the axial length scale.

Woodward, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A new blade element method for calculating the performance of high and intermediate solidity axial flow fans

A method is presented to design and predict the performance of axial flow rotors operating in a duct. The same method is suitable for the design of ducted fans and open propellers. The unified method is based on the blade element approach and the vortex theory for determining the three dimensional effects, so that two dimensional airfoil data can be used for determining the resultant force on each blade element. Resolution of this force in the thrust and torque planes and integration allows the total performance of the rotor, fan or propeller to be predicted. Three different methods of analysis, one based on a momentum flow theory; another on the vortex theory of propellers; and a third based on the theory of ducted fans, agree and reduce cascade airfoil data to single line as a function of the loading and induced angle of attack at values of constant inflow angle. The theory applies for any solidity from .01 to over 1 and any blade section camber. The effects of the duct and blade number can be determined so that the procedure applies over the entire range from two blade open propellers, to ducted helicopter tail rotors, to axial flow compressors with or without guide vanes, and to wind tunnel drive fans.

Borst, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Containment of composite fan blades

The development of containment concepts for use with large composite fan blades, taking into account the frangible nature of composite blades is considered. Aspects of the development program include; (1) an analysis to predict the interaction between a failed fan blade and the blade containment structure; (2) scaling factors to allow impact testing using subscale containment rings and simulated blades; (3) the design and fabrication of containment systems for further evaluation in a rotating rig test facility; (4) evaluate the test data against the analytically predicted results; and (5) determine overall systems weights and design characteristics of a composite fan stage installation and compare to the requirements of an equivalent titanium fan blade system. Progress in the blade impact penetration tests and the design and fabrication of blade containment systems is reported.

Coppa, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Theoretical fan velocity distortions due to inlets and nozzles

Nonuniform velocity profiles imposed on the propulsion system fan can cause fan blade stresses and thrust losses. A theoretical parametric study of the effects of inlets with 0 deg and 90 deg nozzle deflection on the velocity profile at a hypothetical fan is presented. The parameters investigated are fan-to-nozzle spacing and inlet centerline offset. The interaction between the inlet and nozzle is also investigated. The study is made using a two-dimensional analysis.

Hawk, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Reduction of rotor-turbulence interaction noise in static fan noise testing

Three effective inlet cleanup methods are described. A flared reverse cone inlet is used to eliminate wakes from the fan casings and/or probe supports. Boundary layer suction is employed ahead of the fan rotor and on the outer flare of the cone to reduce the boundary layer turbulence and remove any residual wakes. To reduce the midstream turbulent intensity and length scales, a turbulence control structure is used which is constructed with both a layer of honeycomb and a fine mesh screen. The effects of these cleanup methods are quantified by measuring the far-field noise in an anechoic chamber, using a high-speed 20-in.-diam fan of the current high passband type. The changes in the turbulent field impinging on this rotor are quantified by mapping the streamwise and transverse turbulent properties (spectra, intensity and length scale) with crossed hot film probes. It is convincingly shown that it is possible to clean up the inlet flow of a static fan noise test facility to a point where the static acoustic data simulate flight data.

Kantola, R. A.↗