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At least 37 records · Page 2

Effects of airfoil shape, thickness, camber, and angle of attack on calculated transonic unsteady airloads

The effects of airfoil shape, thickness, camber, and mean angle of attack on transonic unsteady airloads were investigated as calculated by the transonic small-disturbance computer code XTRAN2L. Shape effects were investigated by examining the pressure distributions, shock locations, and unsteady airloads for three 10 percent thick airfoils. NACA 0010, NACA 64A010, and parabolic arc. Thickness effects were determined by studying a single airfoil shape with three different thicknesses: NACA 0008, NACA 0010, and NACA 0012. Angle of attack and camber effects were studied by including mean angle of attack or by adding a simple parabolic camber distribution to the originally symmetric airfoils. Comparisons of unsteady airloads for different airfoil configurations show similar results caused by variations in airfoil shape, thickness, camber, or mean angle of attack. Computer costs can be reduced by limiting the number of transonic unsteady aerodynamic calculations for small changes in airfoil geometry or angle of attack.

Batina, J. T.↗

Study of lee-side flows over conically cambered delta wings at supersonic speeds, part 1

An experimental investigation was performed in which surface pressure data, flow visualization data, and force and moment data were obtained on four conical delta wing models which differed in leading-edge camber only. Wing leading-edge camber was achieved through a deflection of the outboard 30% of the local wind semispan of a reference 75 degrees swept flat delta wing. The four wing models have leading-edge deflection angles delta sub F of 0, 5, 10, and 15 degrees measured streamwise. Data for the wings with delta sub F = 10 and 15 degrees showed that hinge-line separation dominated the lee-side wing loading and prohibited the develpment of leading-edge separation on the deflected portion of wing leading edge. However, data for the wing with delta sub F = 5 degrees, a vortex was positioned on the deflected leading edge with reattachment at the hinge line. Flow visualization results were presented which detail the influence of Mach number, angle of attack, and camber on the lee-side flow characteristics of conically cambered delta wings. Analysis of photgraphic data identified the existence of 12 distinctive lee-side flow types. In general, the aerodynamic force and moment data correlated well with the pressure and flow visualization data.

Wood, Richard M.↗

Study of lee-side flows over conically cambered Delta wings at supersonic speeds, part 2

An experimental investigation was performed in which surface pressure data, flow visualization data, and force and moment data were obtained on four conical delta wing models which differed in leading edge camber only. Wing leading edge camber was achieved through a deflection of the outboard 30% of the local wing semispan of a reference 75 deg swept flat delta wing. The four wing models have leading edge deflection angles delta sub F of 0, 5, 10, and 15 deg measured streamwise. Data for the wings with delta sub F = 10 and 15 deg showed that hinge line separation dominated the lee-side wing loading and prohibited the development of leading edge separation on the deflected portion of wing leading edge. However, data for the wing with delta sub F = 5 deg showed that at an angle of attack of 5 deg, a vortex was positioned on the deflected leading edge with reattachment at the hinge line. Flow visualization results were presented which detail the influence of Mach number, angle of attack, and camber on the lee-side flow characteristics of conically cambered delta wings. Analysis of photographic data identified the existence of 12 distinctive lee-side flow types.

Wood, Richard M.↗

Aerodynamic Characteristics at High Speeds of Related Full-Scale Propellers Having Different Blade-Section Cambers

Wind-tunnel tests of a full-scale two-blade NACA 10-(10)(08)-03 (high camber) propeller have been made for a range of blade angles from 20 degrees to 55 degrees at airspeeds up to 500 miles per hour. The results of these tests have been compared with results from previous tests of the NACA 10-(3) (08)-03 (low camber) and NACA 10-(5)(08)-03 (medium camber) propellers to evaluate the effects of blade-section camber on propeller aerodynamic characteristics.

Maynard, Julian D↗

Aerodynamic Characteristics at Mach Number 2.05 of a Series of Highly Swept Arrow Wings Employing Various Degrees of Twist and Camber

A series of arrow wings employing various degrees of twist and camber were tested in the Langley 4- by 4-foot supersonic pressure tunnel. Aerodynamic forces and moments in pitch were measured at a Mach number of 2.05 and at a Reynolds number of 4.4 x 10(exp 6) based on the mean aerodynamic chord. Three of the wings, having a leading-edge sweep angle of 70 deg. and an aspect ratio of 2.24, were designed to produce a minimum drag (in comparison with that produced for other wings in the family) at lift coefficients of 0. 0.08, and 0.16. A fourth and a fifth wing, having a 75 deg. swept leading edge and an aspect ratio of 1.65, were designed for lift coefficients of 0 and 0.16, respectively. A 70 deg. swept arrow wing with twist and camber designed for an optimum loading at a lift coefficient considerably less than that for maximum lift-drag ratio gave the highest lift-drag ratio of all the wings tested a value of 8.8 compared with a value of 8.1 for the corresponding wing without twist and camber. Two twisted and cambered wings designed for optimum loading at the lift coefficient for maximum lift-drag ratio gave only small increases in maximum lift-drag ratios over that obtained for the corresponding flat wings. However, in all cases, the lift-drag ratios obtained were far below the theoretical estimates.

Carlson, Harry W.↗

Investigation at Mach Numbers of 0.60 to 3.50 of Blended Wing-Body Combinations with Cambered and Twisted Wings with Diamond, Delta and Arrow Plan Forms

This investigation is a continuation of the experimental and theoretical evaluation of blended wing-body combinations. The basic diamond, delta, and arrow plan forms which had an aspect ratio of 2 with leading-edge sweeps of 45.00 deg., 59.04 deg., and 70.82 deg. and trailing edge of -45.00 deg., -18.43 deg., and 41.19 deg., respectively, are used herein as standards for evaluating the effects of camber and warp. The wing thickness distributions were computed by varying the section shape along with the body radii (blending process) to match the prescribed area distribution and wing plan form. The wing camber and warp were computed to try to obtain nearly elliptical spanwise and chordwise load distributions for each plan form and thus to obtain low drag due to lift for a range of Mach numbers for which the velocities normal to the wing leading edge are subsonic. Elliptical chordwise load distributions were not possible for the plan forms and design conditions selected, so these distributions were somewhat different for each plan form. The models were tested with transition fixed at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 3.50 and at Reynolds numbers, based on the mean aerodynamic chord of the wing, of roughly 4,000,000 to 9,000,000. At speeds where the velocities normal to the wing leading edges were supersonic, an increase in the experimental wave-drag coefficients due to camber and twist was evident, but this penalty decreased with increased sweep. Thus the minimum wave-drag coefficients for the cambered arrow model were almost identical with the zero-lift wave- drag coefficients for the uncambered arrow model at all test Mach numbers.

Holdaway, George H.↗

An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of a Canard Control on the Lift, Drag, and Pitching Moment of an Aspect-Ratio 2.0 Triangular Wing Incorporating a Form of Conical Camber

The results of an experimental investigation to determine the effect of a canard control on the lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics of an aspect-ratio-2.0 triangular wing incorporating a form of conical camber are presented. The canard had a triangular plan form of aspect ratio 2.0 and was mounted in the extended chord plane of the wing. The ratio of the area of the exposed canard panels to the total wing area was 6.9 percent, and the ratio of the total areas was 12.9 percent. Data were obtained at Mach numbers from 0.70 to 2.22 through an angle-of-attack range from -6 deg to +18 deg with the canard on, and with the canard off. To provide a basis for comparison, the canard was also tested with a symmetrical wing having the same plan form, aspect ratio, and thickness distribution as the cambered wing. The results of the investigation showed that at the high subsonic speeds the gain in maximum lift-drag ratio achieved by camber was considerably reduced by the addition of a canard. At the supersonic speeds, the addition of the canard did not change the effect of camber on the maximum lift-drag ratios.

Menees, Gene P.↗

Transonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Wing-Body Combination having a 52.5 deg Sweptback Wing of Aspect Ratio 3 with Conical Camber and Designed for a Mach Number of the Square Root of 2

An investigation has been made of the effects of conical wing camber and supersonic body indentation on the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-body configuration at transonic speeds. Wing aspect ratio was 3.0, taper ratio was 0.1, and quarter-chord line sweepback was 52.5 deg with airfoil sections of 0.03 thickness ratio. The tests were conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel at various Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.05 at angles of attack from -4 deg to 14 deg. The cambered-wing configuration achieved higher lift-drag ratios than a similar plane-wing configuration. The camber also reduced the effects of wing-tip flow separation on the aerodynamic characteristics. In general, no stability or trim changes below wing-tip flow separation resulted from the use of camber. The use of supersonic body indentation improved the lift-drag ratios at Mach numbers from 0.96 to 1.05.

Igoe, William B.↗

Aeroelastic Analysis of a Flexible Wing Wind Tunnel Model with Variable Camber Continuous Trailing Edge Flap Design

This paper presents data analysis of a flexible wing wind tunnel model with a variable camber continuous trailing edge flap (VCCTEF) design for drag minimization tested at the University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory (UWAL). The wind tunnel test was designed to explore the relative merit of the VCCTEF concept for improved cruise efficiency through the use of low-cost aeroelastic model test techniques. The flexible wing model is a 10%-scale model of a typical transport wing and is constructed of woven fabric composites and foam core. The wing structural stiffness in bending is tailored to be half of the stiffness of a Boeing 757-era transport wing while the torsional stiffness is about the same. This stiffness reduction results in a wing tip deflection of about 10% of the wing semi-span. The VCCTEF is a multi-segment flap design having three chordwise camber segments and five spanwise flap sections for a total of 15 individual flap elements. The three chordwise camber segments can be positioned appropriately to create a desired trailing edge camber. Elastomeric material is used to cover the gaps in between the spanwise flap sections, thereby creating a continuous trailing edge. Wind tunnel data analysis conducted previously shows that the VCCTEF can achieve a drag reduction of up to 6.31% and an improvement in the lift-to-drag ratio (L=D) of up to 4.85%. A method for estimating the bending and torsional stiffnesses of the flexible wingUWAL wind tunnel model from static load test data is presented. The resulting estimation indicates that the stiffness of the flexible wing is significantly stiffer in torsion than in bending by as much as 9 to 1. The lift prediction for the flexible wing is computed by a coupled aerodynamic-structural model. The coupled model is developed by coupling a conceptual aerodynamic tool Vorlax with a finite-element model of the flexible wing via an automated geometry deformation tool. Based on the comparison of the lift curve slope, the lift prediction for the rigid wing is in good agreement with the estimated lift coefficients derived from the wind tunnel test data. Due to the movement of the VCCTEF during the wind tunnel test, uncertainty in the lift prediction due to the indicated variations of the VCCTEF deflection is studied. The results show a significant spread in the lift prediction which contradicts the consistency in the aerodynamic measurements, thus suggesting that the indicated variations as measured by the VICON system may not be reliable. The lift prediction of the flexible wing agrees very well with the measured lift curve for the baseline configuration. The computed bending deflection and wash-out twist of the flexible wing also match reasonably well with the aeroelastic deflection measurements. The results demonstrate the validity of the aerodynamic-structural tool for use to analyze aerodynamic performance of flexible wings.

Wind Tunnel↗

Experimental Investigation of a Flexible Wing with a Variable Camber Continuous Trailing Edge Flap Design

This paper presents experimental results of a flexible wing wind tunnel model with a variable camber continuous trailing edge flap (VCCTEF) design for drag minimization, tested at the University of Washington Aeronautical Labo- ratory (UWAL). The wind tunnel test was designed to explore the relative merit of the VCCTEF concept for improved cruise efficiency through the use of low-cost aeroelastic model test techniques. The flexible wing model is a 10-scaled model of a typical transport wing and is constructed of woven fabric composites and foam core. The wing structural stiffness in bending is tailored to be half of the stiffness of a Boeing 757-era transport wing, while the torsional stiffness is about the same. This stiffness reduction results in a wing tip deflection of about 10 of the wing semi-span. The VCCTEF is a multi-segment flap design having three chordwise camber segments and five spanwise flap sections for a total of 15 individual flap elements. The three chordwise camber segments can be positioned appropriately to create a desired trailing edge camber. Elastomeric material is used to cover the gaps in between the spanwise flap sections, thereby creating a continuous trailing edge. Wind tunnel data indicate a high degree of data correlation and repeata- bility. The VCCTEF can achieve a drag reduction of up to 6.31 and an improvement in the lift-to-drag ratio (LD) of up to 4.85. The paper also presents two methods for estimating the lift coefficient of a rigid wing using a dynamic pressure correction and an aeroelastic deflection correction. Both methods provide good estimates of the rigid-wing lift coefficient.

Aerodynamics↗

Subsonic and supersonic longitudinal stability and control characteristics of an aft tail fighter configuration with cambered and uncambered wings and uncambered fuselage

An investigation has been made in the Mach number range from 0.20 to 2.16 to determine the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a fighter airplane concept. The configuration concept employs a single fixed geometry inlet, a 50 deg leading-edge-angle clipped-arrow wing, a single large vertical tail, and low horizontal tails. The wing camber surface was optimized in drag due to lift and was designed to be self-trimming at Mach 1.40 and at a lift coefficient of 0.20. An uncambered or flat wing of the same planform and thickness ratio was also tested. However, for the present investigation, the fuselage was not cambered. Further tests should be made on a cambered fuselage version, which attempts to preserve the optimum wing loading on that part of the theoretical wing enclosed by the fuselage.

Dollyhigh, S. M.↗

The prediction of pressure distributions on an arrow-wing configuration including the effect of camber, twist, and a wing fin

Wind tunnel tests of an arrow wing body configuration consisting of flat, twisted, and cambered twisted wings were conducted at Mach numbers from 0.40 to 2.50 to provide an experimental data base for comparison with theoretical methods. A variety of leading and trailing edge control surface deflections were included in these tests, and in addition, the cambered twisted wing was tested with an outboard vertical fin to determine its effect on wing and control surface loads. Theory experiment comparisons show that current state of the art linear and nonlinear attached flow methods were adequate at small angles of attack typical of cruise conditions. The incremental effects of outboard fin, wing twist, and wing camber are most accurately predicted by the advanced panel method PANAIR. Results of the advanced panel separated flow method, obtained with an early version of the program, show promise that accurate detailed pressure predictions may soon be possible for an aeroelasticity deformed wing at high angles of attack.

Bobbitt, P. J.↗

Influence of airfoil camber on convected gust interaction noise

This paper investigates the effect of airfoil steady loading on the sound generated by the interaction of an airfoil with a convected disturbance. A previous theory, which included only the incidence angle contribution to the mean loading, is extended to include camber. The theory is based on a linearization of the Euler equations about a nonuniform, 0(1) Mach number subsonic mean flow. The discussion concentrates on the case of a slightly cambered airfoil at small incidence angle, interacting with a gust whose wavelength is short compared to the airfoil chord. The small parameter representing the amount of camber and incidence, and the large parameter representing the ratio of airfoil chord to disturbance wavelength, are utilized in a singular perturbation solution to the governing equations. Acoustic power calculations reveal that the amount of sound generated increases significantly with increased loading. More importantly, it is shown that the radiated acoustic power correlates very well with the strength of the mean flow around the leading edge.

Myers, M. R.↗

Evaluation of leading- and trailing-edge flaps on flat and cambered delta wings at supersonic speeds

An experimental investigation has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of leading- and trailing-edge flaps on a flat and cambered wing at superconic speeds. Results from the experimental tests showed that highly complex and three-dimensional flow can occur over the wings with leading- and/or trailing-edge flaps deflected. An analysis of the data also showed that flap effectiveness varies significantly between a cambered and flat wing of identical planform and flap geometry. Mach number effects are similar for both flat and cambered wings for all aerodynamic parameters.

Hernandez, Gloria↗

Variable-camber systems integration and operational performance of the AFTI/F-111 mission adaptive wing

The advanced fighter technology integration, the AFTI/F-111 aircraft, is a preproduction F-111A testbed research airplane that was fitted with a smooth variable-camber mission adaptive wing. The camber was positioned and controlled by flexing the upper skins through rotary actuators and linkages driven by power drive units. The wing camber and control system are described. The measured servoactuator frequency responses are presented along with analytical predictions derived from the integrated characteristics of the control elements. A mission adaptive wing system chronology is used to illustrate and assess the reliability and dependability of the servoactuator system during 1524 hours of ground tests and 145 hours of flight testing.

Smith, John W.↗

A correlation by means of transonic similarity rules of experimentally determined characteristics of a series of symmetrical and cambered wings of rectangular plan form

Transonic similarity rules are applied to the correlation of experimental data for a series of related rectangular wings of varying aspect ratio, thickness, and camber. The data correlation is presented in two parts: the first part presents the correlation for a series of 22 wings having symmetrical NACA 63a-series sections; the second part is concerned with a study of one type of camber by correlation of the data for a series of 18 cambered wings having NACA 63a2xx and 63a4xx sections.

Mcdevitt, John B↗

Effect of leading- and trailing-edge flaps on clipped delta wings with and without wing camber at supersonic speeds

An experimental investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of thin, moderately swept fighter wings has been conducted to evaluate the effect of camber and twist on the effectiveness of leading- and trailing-edge flaps at supersonic speeds in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The study geometry consisted of a generic fuselage with camber typical of advanced fighter designs without inlets, canopy, or vertical tail. The model was tested with two wing configurations an uncambered (flat) wing and a cambered and twisted wing. Each wing had an identical clipped delta planform with an inboard leading edge swept back 65 deg and an outboard leading edge swept back 50 deg. The trailing edge was swept forward 25 deg. The leading-edge flaps were deflected 4 deg to 15 deg, and the trailing-edge flaps were deflected from -30 deg to 10 deg. Longitudinal force and moment data were obtained at Mach numbers of 1.60, 1.80, 2.00, and 2.16 for an angle-of-attack range 4 deg to 20 deg at a Reynolds number of 2.16 x 10(exp 6) per foot and for an angle-of-attack range 4 deg to 20 deg at a Reynolds number of 2.0 x 10(exp 6) per foot. Vapor screen, tuft, and oil flow visualization data are also included.

Hernandez, Gloria↗

Unique considerations in the design and experimental evaluation of tailored wings with elastically produced chordwise camber

Some of the unique considerations that are associated with the design and experimental evaluation of chordwise deformable wing structures are addressed. Since chordwise elastic camber deformations are desired and must be free to develop, traditional rib concepts and experimental methodology cannot be used. New rib design concepts are presented and discussed. An experimental methodology based upon the use of a flexible sling support and load application system has been created and utilized to evaluate a model box beam experimentally. Experimental data correlate extremely well with design analysis predictions based upon a beam model for the global properties of camber compliance and spanwise bending compliance. Local strain measurements exhibit trends in agreement with intuition and theory but depart slightly from theoretical perfection based upon beam-like behavior alone. It is conjectured that some additional refinement of experimental technique is needed to explain or eliminate these (minor) departures from asymmetric behavior of upper and lower box cover strains. Overall, a solid basis for the design of box structures based upon the bending method of elastic camber production has been confirmed by the experiments.

Rehfield, Lawrence W.↗