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At least 37 records · Page 2

Testing of High-Lift Common Research Model at Takeoff Configurations

The 10% scale High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was tested in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) in support of the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project. The main objective of the wind tunnel test was to improve the aerodynamic performance of a representative aircraft model during takeoff operations using localized active flow control (AFC). This approach involves the application of AFC concepts locally to a relatively small region; therefore, it has the potential to cause minimal architectural change to current aircraft configurations. In addition, the power requirements of localized AFC could be supplied with onboard air resources. Recent exploratory studies identified the aileron as a target area for improving lift-to-drag ratio using localized AFC concepts. The idea is to deflect the ailerons beyond their nominal deflection angles and use AFC to reduce flow separation that occurs at larger aileron deflections. Several AFC concepts with different configurations were evaluated with the goal of achieving high-lift performance improvement. The assessment of AFC configurations is reported in a companion paper. The focus of the current paper is to report the data relevant to the CRM-HL takeoff configurations and establish a reference case for localized AFC application. Three takeoff configurations —reference, nominal, and high-lift improved—are documented. These takeoff configurations are obtained by varying aileron deflection. Wind tunnel measurements including surface static pressures and force and moment data are presented. In addition, surface tuft flow visualization, mainly on the aileron, is provided to understand the flow characteristics developed over the aileron during takeoff.

Wind tunnel test↗

Semispan Test Results of a Conventional High-Lift Common Research Model in Landing Configuration

A 10%-scale high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was tested in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. This research was aimed at providing a representative reference case for comparison with an Active Flow Control (AFC) enabled version of the CRM-HL and to increase the existing experimental database for CFD high-lift prediction. The test was conducted mostly at a freestream Mach number of 0.20. The effects of the engine nacelle, nacelle chine, tufts, small variations in Mach number, hysteresis-associated increasing/decreasing angle of attack, and incoming floor boundary-layer thickness (i.e., thinning by activation of the floor boundary layer removal system) were examined. A prestall lift performance degradation for the CRM-HL configuration was resolved with a properly placed nacelle chine. Surface pressure results are presented in detail for three key variants of CRM-HL — baseline (nacelle on), nacelle off, and nacelle with the most effective chine installation. The presented aerodynamic forces and surface pressures include both with and without the wall correction using the Transonic Wall Interference Correction System (TWICS) method. A limited set of photogrammetry results is also presented to document the model deformation under test conditions.

high-lift↗

Aeroelastic Modeling and CFD Simulation of Wind-Tunnel Scale Aspect Ratio 13.5 Common Research Model

This paper presents an aeroelastic modeling and simulation study of an aspect ratio 13.5 wind-tunnel scale Common Research Model (CRM) with distributed flaps. A vortex-lattice VSPAERO model of the CRM model is developed. A transonic small disturbance/integral boundary layer correction method is implemented in the VSPAERO model to account for the transonic and viscous flow effects. The structural deformation of the CRM model is calculated using a NASTRAN equivalent beam model. The VSPAERO model is coupled to the NASTRAN equivalent beam model to provide a rapid aero-structural analysis. A validation of the VSPAERO aeroelastic model is conducted by comparing the results to FUN3D CFD aeroelastic simulation results. An aerodynamic database is generated using the developed VSPAERO aeroelastic model for the real-time drag optimization and maneuver load alleviation study of the wind-tunnel scale CRM model.

Aeroelastic Modeling↗

Wind Tunnel Testing of Active Flow Control on High-Lift Common Research Model

A 10%-scale high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM-HL) and an Active Flow Control (AFC) version of the model equipped with a simple-hinged flap (CRM-SHLAFC) were successfully tested. The tests were performed in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). The CRM-HL has a set of 37° inboard and outboard single-element Fowler flaps. The CRM-SHL-AFC has a set of 50° inboard and 55° outboard simple-hinged flaps equipped with integrated modular AFC cartridges on the flap shoulder. Both high-lift configurations share the same 30° slats and engine nacelle. Three new types of AFC devices were examined: the Double-Row Sweeping Jets (DRSWJ), the Alternating Pulsed Jets (APJ), and the High Efficiency Low Power (HELP) actuators. The DRSWJ and the APJ actuators used two rows of unsteady jets, whereas the HELP actuators used a combination of unsteady and steady jets, to overcome strong adverse pressure gradients while minimizing the mass flow usage. Nozzle pressure ratio, mass flow consumption and the power coefficient, which takes account of both supply air pressure and mass flow usage for the actuators, were used for judging the performance efficiency of the AFC devices. A prestall lift performance degradation for the CRM-HL configuration was resolved with a properly placed nacelle chine. The configuration with nacelle chine was chosen as the representative reference conventional high-lift case for comparison with the CRMSHL- AFC. The AFC-induced lift coefficient increment (DCL) was maintained for the entire lift curve over the CRM-SHL-AFC case with no AFC for almost all flow-control cases examined. The lift curve of the reference CRM-HL have a slightly steeper slope compared to those of the CRM-SHL-AFC configurations. The HELP actuation concept was extremely effective in controlling flow separation in the “linear region” of the curves comparing lift coefficient to mass flow rate. The HELP actuation achieved a targeted DCL of 0.50 using a moderate amount of mass flow and supply air pressure. The CRM-SHL-AFC configuration equipped with HELP actuation was able to match or exceed the lift performance of the reference conventional high-lift configuration (i.e., CRM-HL equipped with a nacelle chine), thus meeting the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) project goal.

Lin, John C.↗

Surface Flow Visualization of the High-Lift Common Research Model

A 10% scale version of the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was tested in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) in support of the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project. The CRM-HL experiment included various configurations such as conventional and simple-hinged flaps, with and without engine nacelle/pylon, with and without nacelle chine, different Active Flow Control (AFC) methods (sweeping jets, alternating pulsed jets, and preconditioned boundary layer blowing), and their various parameters. This particular study is focused on the surface flow visualization of the conventional CRM-HL model at landing configuration. The conventional CRM-HL model with the single-slotted Fowler flap system serves as a baseline for the AFC-enabled simplified high-lift configuration as well as a high-lift technology development platform due to its publicly open geometry. Surface flow visualizations were performed using fluorescent minitufts, which were found to be nonintrusive to the aerodynamic performance. Tuft flow visualizations are supplemented with the relevant pressure and force measurements in order to understand the flow characteristics developed on the conventional CRM- HL model. In addition, three dimensional, unsteady, compressible Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for selective cases. The surface streamlines and transverse velocity fluctuations obtained by the CFD simulations are qualitatively compared to the tuft direction and tuft unsteadiness, respectively. Force measurements of the CRM-HL model show performance degradation at higher angles of attack. Surface flow visualizations revealed the performance loss due to the nacelle/pylon wake that grows with angle of attack and eventually promotes flow separation over the inboard wing. This performance loss was successfully recovered by placing a chine on the engine nacelle.

Koklu, Mehti↗

Development of the 10% NASA CRM High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL)

A 10%-scale Common Research Model-high lift version (CRM-HL) was developed to support extensive experimental investigations in the areas of active flow control, control surface optimization for landing and take-off, acoustic technology development, and computational fluid dynamics code validation to name a few. The CRM-HL was designed to have modular components that will enable the model to be tested in the following three forms: (1) conventional high-lift (CHL) configuration, (2) Active Flow Control (AFC) enabled simple hinged flap high-lift (SHL) configuration, and (3) CHL configuration with noise reduction treatments for the slats and/or the flaps. This paper describes the design, analysis, and fabrication of the CRM-HL for testing in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) 14 by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) and other wind tunnels as deemed appropriate by the research community such as the Qinetiq 5 Meter tunnel.

Jared S. Fell↗

Comparing Unstructured Adaptive Mesh Solutions for the High Lift Common Research Model Airfoil

Discretization error is a common source of uncertainty in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses. Traditional means of controlling discretization error through fixed-mesh refinement studies has proven to be difficult particularly when modeling complex geometries and flow fields. One reason for this is that mesh generation in today’s production CFD workflow is often a labor intensive process that is heavily dependent on user judgment. Unstructured mesh adaptation is known to be an efficient way to control discretization errors in CFD. Adaptive methods replace user based decision making with automated processes that optimize a mesh to reduce discretization error. This paper compares the application of multiple solution adaptive techniques in combination with multiple flow solvers to solve for the flow field about a 2D airfoil section of the NASA High-Lift Common Research Model (HL-CRM). By driving the adaptive mesh processes to a similar level of mesh convergence, the ability to achieve consistent results between multiple adaptive techniques and flow solvers is demonstrated. Mesh convergence for the various adaptive mesh approaches is compared identifying potential areas for improvement and providing mesh generation guidance for future workshops.

mesh adaptation high-lift 2D airfoil↗

Comparing Unstructured Adaptive Mesh Solutions for the High Lift Common Research Model Airfoil

Discretization error is a common source of uncertainty in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses. Traditional means of controlling discretization error through fixed-mesh refinement studies has proven to be difficult particularly when modeling complex geometries and flow fields. One reason for this is that mesh generation in today’s production CFD workflow is often a labor intensive process that is heavily dependent on user judgment. Unstructured mesh adaptation is known to be an efficient way to control discretization errors in CFD. Adaptive methods replace user based decision making with automated processes that optimize a mesh to reduce discretization error. This paper compares the application of multiple solution adaptive techniques in combination with multiple flow solvers to solve for the flow field about a 2D airfoil section of the NASA High-Lift Common Research Model (HL-CRM). By driving the adaptive mesh processes to a similar level of mesh convergence, the ability to achieve consistent results between multiple adaptive techniques and flow solvers is demonstrated. Mesh convergence for the various adaptive mesh approaches is compared identifying potential areas for improvement and providing mesh generation guidance for future workshops.

mesh adaptation↗

High Lift Common Research Model for Wind Tunnel Testing: An Active Flow Control Perspective

This paper provides an overview of a research and development effort sponsored by the NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology Project to achieve the required high-lift performance using active flow control (AFC) on simple hinged flaps while reducing the cruise drag associated with the external mechanisms on slotted flaps of a generic modern transport aircraft. The removal of the external fairings for the Fowler flap mechanism could help to reduce drag by 3.3 counts. The main challenge is to develop an AFC system that can provide the necessary lift recovery on a simple hinged flap high-lift system while using the limited pneumatic power available on the aircraft. Innovative low-power AFC concepts will be investigated in the flap shoulder region. The AFC concepts being explored include steady blowing and unsteady blowing operating in the spatial and/or temporal domain. Both conventional and AFC-enabled high-lift configurations were designed for the current effort. The high-lift configurations share the cruise geometry that is based on the NASA Common Research Model, and therefore, are also open geometries. A 10%-scale High Lift Common Research Model (HL-CRM) is being designed for testing at the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel during fiscal year 2018. The overall project plan, status, HL-CRM configurations, and AFC objectives for the wind tunnel test are described.

Lin, John C.↗

Semispan Test Results of an Active Flow Control Enabled High-Lift Common Research Model in Landing Configuration

A 10%-scale semispan, Active Flow Control (AFC) enabled, simplified high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM-SHL-AFC) was tested in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. The main objective of the test was to develop an AFC system that can provide the necessary lift recovery on a simple-hinged flap high-lift system while minimizing its pneumatic power requirement. Three new types of AFC approaches were examined: Double-Row Sweeping Jets (DRSWJ), Alternating Pulsed Jets (APJ), and High Efficiency Low Power (HELP) actuators. The DRSWJ and the APJ actuators used two rows of unsteady jets, whereas the HELP actuators used an upstream row of sweeping jets combined with a downstream row of steady jets to overcome strong adverse pressure gradients. The test was conducted mostly at a freestream Mach number of 0.20. For exploration purposes, a limited number of runs were made at lower Mach numbers or using vortex generators (VGs). Minimal sensitivity to Mach number or VGs, for the cases evaluated, were observed. The AFC-induced lift coefficient increment was maintained over the AFC-off case for most flow-control cases examined. The CRM-SHL-AFC configuration equipped with HELP actuation was the only actuator configuration able to match or exceed the targeted lift performance of a reference conventional high-lift configuration. The presented aerodynamic data include lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients as a function of angle of attack, with and without the Transonic Wall Interference Correction System (TWICS) method applied. Lift increments as a function of AFC pneumatic power usage (i.e., nozzle pressure ratio, mass flow, momentum coefficient, and power coefficient) are also presented at a lower angle of attack (α = 8.9°) and at maximum lift (α= 17.1°). At the two angles of attack, the surface pressure distributions and autospectral densities from the unsteady pressure transducers for the AFC-off case and the best HELP actuation case are compared.

high-lift↗

NASA Common Research Model Test Envelope Extension With Active Sting Damping at NTF

The NASA Common Research Model (CRM) high Reynolds number transonic wind tunnel testing program was established to generate an experimental database for applied Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) validation studies. During transonic wind tunnel tests, the CRM encounters large sting vibrations when the angle of attack approaches the second pitching moment break, which can sometimes become divergent. CRM transonic test data analysis suggests that sting divergent oscillations are related to negative net sting damping episodes associated with flow separation instability. The National Transonic Facility (NTF) has been addressing remedies to extend polar testing up to and beyond the second pitching moment break point of the test articles using an active piezoceramic damper system for both ambient and cryogenic temperatures. This paper reviews CRM test results to gain understanding of sting dynamics with a simple model describing the mechanics of a sting-model system and presents the performance of the damper under cryogenic conditions.

Rivers, Melissa B.↗

Multi-Objective Optimal Control of the 6-DoF Aeroservoelastic Common Research Model with Aspect Ratio 13.5 Wing

A new 6-DoF aeroservoelastic (ASE) Common Research Model (CRM) provided by The Boeing Company with aspect ratio 13.5 and 17 control surfaces per wing is utilized to demonstrate combined tracking and optimal multi-objective control. The multi-objective controller is derived on the closed loop tracking controller, and utilizes state and gust estimates provided by an extended state observer. Various methods of model reduction useful for control and estimation are presented. A computationally efficient MATLAB/Simulink simulation is presented which includes actuator dynamics, rate and deflection saturation limits, and gust disturbance inputs. The platform is used to demonstrate excellent 6-DoF tracking control performance coupled with the multi-objective controller, which is shown to effectively reduce structural mode movement, wing root bending moment, and drag. State and gust estimation is also shown to perform well, even when derived and/or implemented with significantly fewer states than the original full-sized model.

Drew, Michael C.↗

Additional Findings from the Common Research Model Natural Laminar Flow Wind Tunnel Test

An experimental investigation of the Common Research Model with Natural Laminar Flow (CRM-NLF) took place in the National Transonic Facility (NTF) at the NASA Langley Research Center in 2018. The 5.2% scale semispan model was designed using a new natural laminar flow design method, Crossflow Attenuated NLF (CATNLF). CATNLF enables laminar flow on typical transport wings with high sweep and Reynolds number by reshaping the wing airfoils to obtain specific pressure distribution characteristics that control the crossflow growth near the leading edge. The CATNLF method also addresses Tollmien- Schlichting transition, attachment line transition, and Görtler vortices. During the wind tunnel test, data were acquired to address three primary test objectives: validate the CATNLF design method, characterize the NTF laminar flow testing capabilities, and establish best practices for laminar flow wind tunnel testing. The present paper provides both experimental and computational data to understand the CRM-NLF laminar flow characteristics, as well as address the three primary test objectives. The effects of angle of attack and Reynolds number on the CRM-NLF laminar flow extent are studied, and the dominant transition mechanism is evaluated at a variety of test conditions. Critical N-factors are calculated for the NTF environment, and a discussion on best practices for laminar flow wind tunnel testing is provided. The CRM-NLF in the NTF provided initial confirmation of the ability of the CATNLF method to suppress crossflow growth and enable significant extents of laminar flow on transport wings with high sweep and Reynolds numbers.

Lynde, Michelle N.↗

Mitigation of Nacelle/Pylon Wake on the High-Lift Common Research Model Using a Nacelle Chine

A 10% scale, high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was tested in the NASA Langley Research Center 14-by22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel. The focus of the wind tunnel test campaign was to assess the feasibility of active flow control (AFC) on the simplified CRM-HL configuration. The modular design of the CRM-HL model enabled the testing of the conventional CRM-HL version to establish a benchmark for the AFC research. The wind tunnel model has the capability of being tested with and without the engine nacelle/pylon for comparison. The wind tunnel investigation included the acquisition of force and moment data, steady pressure data, as well as surface flow visualization using minitufts. For some select cases, numerical simulations were performed to aid in understanding the wind tunnel data. Wind tunnel measurements indicated a lift degradation of the conventional CRM-HL at high angles of attack. The surface flow visualization with fluorescent minitufts revealed that the lift degradation is due to flow separation caused by the nacelle/pylon wake on the inboard wing. The wake and the consequent flow separation were successfully mitigated using a nacelle chine installed on the inboard side of the engine nacelle.

Mehti Koklu↗

Characterization of Collection Efficiency of the Common Research Model Midspan Wing Section in the IRT

This paper presents a preliminary study for the characterization of collection efficiency from icing tests conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. A test method previously developed for measuring the attachment line maximum collection efficiency of a swept NACA 0012 airfoil model at zero angle of attack was applied to the leading-edge region of a 65%-scale version of the Common Research Model midspan wing section. A correlation for the stagnation line maximum collection efficiency as a function of the modified inertia parameter was obtained with LEWICE3D simulations utilizing a discrete number of drop diameters. It was then compared with the collection efficiency measurement data obtained in the IRT. For the experimental collection efficiency, two ice shape digitization procedures were utilized to extract 2-D chord-wise ice shape profiles, i.e., the Maximum Combined Cross Section or MCCS, and the Minimum Combined Cross Section or Min CCS, at selected span-wise locations from the 3-D scanned ice shapes. The preliminary result showed that the rime ice thickness method can be used to characterize the collection efficiency distribution, for conditions free of ice erosion, in the main ice shape region. However, a high-order statistical processing of the ice scan is needed for estimating the mean ice thickness in areas where feathers are prevalent. From the limited comparison of the experimental and LEWICE3D collection efficiency data in the CRM65 MS model leading edge area, it was shown that the attachment line maximum collection efficiency is reasonably estimated by the best curve-fit correlation in the range of modified inertia parameter tested. A tighter alignment control of the iced and cold clean model scans is needed to improve the comparison. Further evaluation of this correlation is recommended to assess its applicability for Common Research Model type swept wing icing scaling analysis.

Ice Scailing↗

Characterization of Collection Efficiency of the Common Research Model Midspan Wing Section in the IRT

This paper presents a preliminary study for the characterization of collection efficiency from icing tests conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. A test method previously developed for measuring the attachment line maximum collection efficiency of a swept NACA 0012 airfoil model at zero angle of attack was applied to the leading-edge region of a 65%-scale version of the Common Research Model midspan wing section. A correlation for the stagnation line maximum collection efficiency as a function of the modified inertia parameter was obtained with LEWICE3D simulations utilizing a discrete number of drop diameters. It was then compared with the collection efficiency measurement data obtained in the IRT. For the experimental collection efficiency, two ice shape digitization procedures were utilized to extract 2-D chord-wise ice shape profiles, i.e., the Maximum Combined Cross Section or MCCS, and the Minimum Combined Cross Section or MinCCS, at selected span-wise locations from the 3-D scanned ice shapes. The preliminary result showed that the rime ice thickness method can be used to characterize the collection efficiency distribution, for conditions free of ice erosion, in the main ice shape region. However, a high-order statistical processing of the ice scan is needed for estimating the mean ice thickness in areas where feathers are prevalent. From the limited comparison of the experimental and LEWICE3D collection efficiency data in the CRM65 MS model leading edge area, it was shown that the attachment line maximum collection efficiency is reasonably estimated by the best curve-fit correlation in the range of modified inertia parameter tested. A tighter alignment control of the iced and cold clean model scans as well as the model angle of attack are needed to improve the comparison. Further evaluation of this correlation is recommended to assess its applicability for Common Research Model type swept wing icing scaling analysis.

Icing Scaling↗

Assessment of Aeroacoustic Simulations of the High-Lift Common Research Model

This paper presents further validation of PowerFLOWR aeroacoustic simulations of the High-Lift Common Research Model through comparisons with experimental data from a recently completed wind tunnel test. Preliminary time- averaged surface pressure and microphone array data from the experiment are in reasonably good agreement with the simulations, and the slat is shown to be a dominant noise source on this model. The simulations did not predict slat tones that were very prominent in the experiment, but they did capture the broadband component of slat noise in the low-frequency range up to 1 kHz at full scale. Future tests are planned to demonstrate slat noise reduction technology, and simulations are being used to guide this development.

Lockard, David P.↗

On the Alleviation of Background Noise for the High-Lift Common Research Model Aeroacoustic Test

Microphone array measurements of the airframe noise from the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) in the NASA Langley 14- by 22- Foot Subsonic Tunnel were initially hindered by extraneous noise sources. The steps taken to reduce the background noise in the open-jet test section for the aeroacoustic test are described in this paper. Adhesive-backed felt was used to attenuate noise resulting from the interaction of the test section shear layer with the collector and diffuser surfaces, scrubbing noise from the floor perforated panels, as well as an extraneous noise source produced near the junction of the model and the floor when the model was producing significant lift. The effects of the felt on noise attenuation and acoustic reflections are discussed. Following the CRM-HL test, scrubbing noise measurements from a floor basket with a perforated top panel were acquired in the Quiet Flow Facility to compare the performance of different perforated panel covers and their respective effects on the noise spectra. Aside from a smooth, hard wall, the felt cover was found to produce the minimum scrubbing noise of all the materials tested.

background noise↗