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At least 343 records · Page 19

Aerodynamic characteristics of a large-scale hybrid upper surface blown flap model having four engines

Data are presented from an investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of large-scale wind tunnel aircraft model that utilized a hybrid-upper surface blown flap to augment lift. The hybrid concept of this investigation used a portion of the turbofan exhaust air for blowing over the trailing edge flap to provide boundary layer control. The model, tested in the Ames 40- by 80-foot Wind Tunnel, had a 27.5 deg swept wing of aspect ratio 8 and 4 turbofan engines mounted on the upper surface of the wing. The lift of the model was augmented by turbofan exhaust impingement on the wind upper-surface and flap system. Results were obtained for three flap deflections, for some variation of engine nozzle configuration and for jet thrust coefficients from 0 to 3.0. Six-component longitudinal and lateral data are presented with four engine operation and with the critical engine out. In addition, a limited number of cross-plots of the data are presented. All of the tests were made with a downwash rake installed instead of a horizontal tail. Some of these downwash data are also presented.

Carros, R. J.↗

Transonic aerodynamic characteristics of a wing/body combination incorporating jet flaps

A 0.25-scale semispan wing/body model with two types of jet flaps was tested in the Ames 11- by 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. The objective of that testing was to measure the static aerodynamic forces and moments and wing pressure distributions on six configurations differentiated by wing camber, jet flap type, and jet flap angle. Maximum thrust coefficients were limited to 0.12. Angle of attack was varied from -4 deg to 15 deg for Mach numbers between 0.6 and 0.95 at a constant unit Reynolds number of 18.0 million/m (5.5 million/ft). More refined designs and considerably more testing will be required to establish the practicability of the total-exhausting jet flap concept.

Holmberg, J. L.↗

Effect of simulated forward airspeed on small-scale-model externally blown flap noise

Noise tests were conducted on a small-scale model of an externally blown flap lift augmentation system. The nozzle/wing model was subjected to external flow that simulated takeoff and landing flight velocities by placing it in a 33-centimeter-diameter free jet. The results showed that external flow attenuated the noise associated with the various configurations tested. The amount of attenuation depended on flap setting. More attenuation occurred with a trailing-flap setting of 20 deg than with one of 60 deg. Noise varied with relative velocity as a function of the trailing-flap setting and the angle from the nozzle inlet.

Goodykoontz, J. H.↗

Noise and static performance characteristics of a STOL aircraft jet flap

Static noise and performance tests were conducted on a 1/4-scale jet flap model with a multilobe nozzle of array area ratio of 2.7. The model nozzle and flap tested were a two-dimensional section of a distributed blowing system similar to previously investigated augmentor wing systems without the upper shroud and intake door. Noise data were measured with the nozzle alone and also during attached flow conditions with the flap at two turning angles representing takeoff and approach conditions. The noise data are scaled to a 200,000-lb TOGW four-engine airplane and are presented in terms of perceived noise level and one-third octave band sound pressure level. Comparisons are made with the noise levels produced by an augmentor wing airplane fitted with a three-element acoustically lined augmentor flap. The static performance is presented in terms of thrust recovery and effective turning angle.

Harkonen, D. L.↗

Wind tunnel investigation of internally blown jet-flap STOL airplane model

The low speed longitudinal characteristics of the jet flap STOL model were determined. The 17 percent thick supercritical swept wing had leading edge slats and a full span 0.30 chord plain flap with flaperons divided into six equal spanwise segments. The angle of attack range was -4 deg to 24 deg, and the blowing momentum range was from 0 to 2.3. Flap deflections were from 0 deg to 70 deg. Most flap deflections were full span although there were some tests of partial span deflections and partial span blowing.

Vogler, R. D.↗

Acoustic source location in a jet-blown flap using a cross-correlation technique

The acoustic source strength distribution in a turbulent flow field was measured for two far field microphones at 45 deg above and below the plane of the flap surface. A processed signal from an inclined hot-film anemometry probe was cross correlated with the signal from the appropriate far field microphone. The contribution made by the sources associated with the fluctuating pressure on the flap surface to the sound received at far field microphone was estimated by cross correlating the processed signals of microphones which were embedded in the flap surface with the far field microphone signals. In addition, detailed fluid dynamic measurements were made in the flow field of the jet flap using dual sensor hot-film anemometry probes.

Becker, R. S.↗

Force and pressure tests of the GA(W)-1 airfoil with a 20% aileron and pressure tests with a 30% Fowler flap

Wind tunnel force and pressure tests were conducted for the GA(W)-1 airfoil equipped with a 20% aileron, and pressure tests were conducted with a 30% Fowler flap. All tests were conducted at a Reynolds number of 2.2 and a Mach number of 0.13. The aileron provides control effectiveness similar to ailerons applied to more conventional airfoils. Effects of aileron gaps from 0% to 2% chord were evaluated, as well as hinge moment characteristics. The aft camber of the GA(W)-1 section results in a substantial up-aileron moment, but the hinge moments associated with aileron deflection are similar to other configurations. Fowler flap pressure distributions indicate that unseparated flow is achieved for flap settings up to 40 deg., over a limited angle of attack range. Theoretical pressure distributions compare favorably with experiments for low flap deflections, but show substantial errors at large deflections.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Effect of flap deflection on the lift coefficient of wings operating in a biplane configuration

Biplane models with a lift flap were tested in a wind tunnel to study the effect of flap deflection on the aerodynamic coefficient of the biplane as well as of the individual wings. Optimization of the position flap was carried out, and the effect of changes in the chord length of the lower wing was determined for the aerodynamic structure of a biplane with a lift flap on the upper wing.

Stasiak, J.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of a small-scale straight and swept-back wing with knee-blown jet flaps

Two sting-mounted, 50.8 cm (20 in.) span, knee-blown, jet-flap models were tested in a large (2.1- by 2.5-m (7- by 10-ft) subsonic wind tunnel. A straight- and swept-wing model were tested with fixed flap deflection with various combinations of full-span leading-edge slats. The swept-wing model was also tested with wing tip extensions. Data were taken at angles-of-attack between 0 deg and 40 deg, at dynamic pressures between 143.6 N/sq m (3 lb/sq ft) and 239.4 N/sq m (5 lb/sq ft), and at Reynolds numbers (based on wing chord) ranging from 100,000 to 132,000. Jet flap momentum blowing coefficients up to 10 were used. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients, and exit flow profiles for the flap blowing are presented in graphical form without analysis.

Morehouse, G. G.↗

Flap-lag-torsion flutter analysis of a constant life rotor

The constant lift rotor (CLR) employs a control input of pitch moment to several airfoil sections which are free to pivot on a continuous spar, allowing them to change their pitch to obtain the desired lift. A flap-lag-torsion flutter analysis of a constant lift rotor blade in hover was developed. The blade model assumes rigid body flap and lead-lag motions at the root hinge and each strip undergoes an independent torsional motion. The results are presented in terms of root locus plots of complex eigenvalues as a function of thrust. The effects of several parameters (including structural damping, center of gravity and elastic axis offset from aerodynamic center, compressibility pitch-lag and pitch-flap coupling) on the blade dynamics are examined. With a suitable combination of lag damper and pitch-flap coupling, it is possible to design a constant lift rotor blade free from flutter instability.

Chopra, I.↗

Flap-lag-torsion aeroelastic stability of circulation-controlled rotors in hover

The results of a theoretical investigation of the flap-lag-torsion stability of circulation controlled rotors in hover are presented. Stability boundaries are presented as a function of thrust and lag frequency, at several levels of blowing coefficient, for flap frequencies of 1.1/rev and 1.8/ rev. The effects of several parameters on the blade flap-lag stability are examined, including structural damping, structural coupling, pitch-lag and pitch-flap coupling, and the blade feathering motion. The trailing edge blowing can have a major impact on the blade aeroelastic stability, which should be considered in the rotor design. The implications of these results for the current CCR and X-Wing rotorcraft designs are considered.

Chopra, I.↗

Internal-external flow integration for a thin ejector-flapped wing section

Thin airfoil theories of an ejector flapped wing section are reviewed. The global matching of the external airfoil flow with the ejector internal flow and the overall ejector flapped wing section aerodynamic performance are examined. Mathematical models of the external and internal flows are presented. The delineation of the suction flow coefficient characteristics are discussed. The idealized lift performance of an ejector flapped wing relative to a jet augmented flapped wing are compared.

Woolard, H. W.↗

A computer program to calculate the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of upper-surface-blown wing-flap configurations

A user's manual is presented for a computer program in which a vortex-lattice lifting-surface method is used to model the wing and multiple flaps. The engine wake model consists of a series of closely spaced vortex rings with rectangular cross sections. The jet wake is positioned such that the lower boundary of the jet is tangent to the wing and flap upper surfaces. The two potential flow models are used to calculate the wing-flap loading distribution including the influence of the wakes from up to two engines on the semispan. The method is limited to the condition where the flow and geometry of the configurations are symmetric about the vertical plane containing the wing root chord. The results include total configuration forces and moments, individual lifting-surface load distributions, pressure distributions, flap hinge moments, and flow field calculation at arbitrary field points. The use of the program, preparation of input, the output, program listing, and sample cases are described.

Mendenhall, M. R.↗

Exploratory subsonic investigation of vortex-flap concept on arrow wing configuration

The drag reduction potential of a vortex flap concept, utilizing the thrust contribution of separation vortices maintained over leading edge flap surfaces, was explored in subsonic wind tunnel tests on a highly swept arrow wing configuration. Several flap geometries were tested in comparison with a previous study on the same model with leading edges drooped for attached flow. The most promising vortex flap arrangements produced drag reductions comparable with leading edge droop over a range of lift coefficients from 0.3 to 0.6 (untrimmed), and also indicated beneficial effects in the longitudinal and lateral static stability characteristics.

Rao, D. M.↗

Leading-edge 'Vortex Flaps' for enhanced subsonic aerodynamics of slender wings

The 'Vortex Flap' is a novel concept aimed at reducing the lift-dependent drag due to leading-edge flow separation on highly swept, slender wings at high angles of attack. The suction effect of coiled vortices generated via controlled separation over leading-edge flap surfaces is utilized to produce an aerodynamic thrust component. This principle was verified through wind-tunnel experiments on 74-deg and 60-deg delta wings and a supersonic-cruise slender wing aircraft configuration. Adaptation of the vortex-flap for augmentation of roll-control on the 74-deg delta at high angles of attack also was demonstrated. Selected results are presented in this paper to indicate the potential of the vortex flap concept to enhance the low-speed performance, stability and control of slender wing aircraft.

Rao, D. M.↗

Use of Truncated Flapped Airfoils for Impingement and Icing Tests of Full-Scale Leading-Edge Sections

In an effort to increase the operational range of existing small icing tunnels, the use of truncated airfoil sections has been suggested. With truncated airfoils, large-scale or even full-scale wing-icing-protection systems could be evaluated. Therefore, experimental studies were conducted in the NACA Lewis laboratory icing 'tunnel with an NACA 651-212 airfoil section to determine the effect of truncating the airfoil chord on velocity distribution and impingement characteristics. A 6-foot-chord airfoil was cut successively at the 50- and 30-percent-chord stations to produce the truncated airfoil sections, which were equipped with trailing-edge flaps that were used to alter the flow field about the truncated sections. The study was conducted at geometric angles of attack of 00 and 40, an airspeed of about 156 knots, and volume-median droplet sizes of 11.5 and 18.6 microns. A dye-tracer technique was used in the impingement studies. With the trailing-edge flap on the truncated airfoil deflected so that the local velocity distribution in the impingement region was substantially the same as that for the full-chord airfoil, the local impingement rates and the limits of impingement for the truncated and full-chord airfoils were the same. In general, truncating the airfoils with flaps undeflected resulted in a subs'tantially altered velocity distribution and local impingement rates compared with those of the full-chord airfoil. The use of flapped truncated airfoils may permit impingement and icing studies to be conducted with full-scale leading-edge sections, ranging in size from tip to root sections.

vonGlahn, Uwe H.↗

Wing flap-type control effectiveness and effects of control hinge gap seals for a supercritical wing

Wind-tunnel tests were made to investigate the control effectiveness of wing trailing-edge flap-type aerodynamic controls for a supercritical wing. The tests determined the effects of spanwise flap control location, two different wing transition grit location patterns, magnitude of angular control deflection, control hinge moments and control hinge gap seals. Results show that the inboard flap position deflections caused interference rearward at the vertical tail, and that all flap positions for deflections in one direction only caused interference at the horizontal tail at a higher than design Mach number. Changes in wing transition grit pattern caused significant changes to static longitudinal characteristics and longitudinal control effectiveness.

Anglin, E. L.↗

Upper Vortex Flap - A versatile surface for highly swept wings

The Upper Vortex Flap (UVF) is a multipurpose surface concept to improve the subsonic aerodynamics of highly swept delta wings. Hinged along the leading edges and deployed from the wing upper surface, the UVF generates a vortex inboard on the wing in addition to the leading-edge vortex acting on the flap. The relative suction levels on the wing and on the flap surface, governed by the flap angle and angle of attack, lead to a variety of functional applications viz. lift increment, drag modulation, lift/drag improvement and roll augmentation. This paper presents wind tunnel force and pressure measurements on a 74-deg flat plate delta to define the UVF-related vortex effects and to assess its potential as a versatile control surface in different angle-of-attack regimes.

Rao, D. M.↗