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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 37 records · Page 2

The theory of the screw propeller

Given here is a brief review of the fundamental principles of the propeller slip-stream theory and its further development through later researches, which demonstrate the connection between the propeller slip-stream theory and Frounde's so-called 'propeller blade theory.' The propeller slip-stream theory, especially in its improved form, now gives us the basis for determining the mutual influence of the parts of the blade, so that, in calculating the shape of the blade, we can get along with certain section characteristics, which have been determined once and for all. It is argued that new theories present the possibility of investigating the phenomena in the vicinity of the propeller, allowing us to calculate its action on the basis of fewer experimental values.

SLIPSTREAMS↗

Prediction of high speed propeller flow fields using a three-dimensional Euler analysis

To overcome the limitations of classical propeller theory, a computer program, NASPROP-E, was developed which solves for the flow field surrounding a multibladed propeller and axisymmetric nacelle combination using a finite difference method. The governing equations are the three dimensional unsteady Euler equations written in a cylindrical coordinate system. They are marched in time until a steady state solution is obtained. The Euler equations require no special treatment to model the blade work vorticity. The equations are solved using an implicit approximate factorization method. Numerical results are presented which have greatly increased the understanding of high speed propeller flow fields. Numerical results for swirl angle downstream of the propeller and propeller power coefficient are higher than experimental results. The radial variation of coefficient are higher than experimental results. The radial variation of swirl angle, however, is in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The predicted variation of power coefficient with blade angle agrees very well with data.

Bober, L. J.↗

The combustion of pure and composite propellants - The expansion and application of laminar flame theory to heterogeneous solid propellants.

Development of a combustion theory based on the laminarized solutions to the energy and flow conservation equations, which is more realistic in recognizing the nature of the heating-rate problem and in obtaining a practical solution to estimating its magnitude. A new experimental approach is used for studying the combustion behavior of pure monopropellants and composite propellants which uses a laser beam to supply additional heat feedback to a burning surface. New experimental data are presented for the laser-induced combustion rate and ignition delay of pure ammonium perchlorate. The pure monopropellant theory is generalized to include such nonadiabatic effects, and the new experimental data are in good agreement with the nonadiabatic theory.-

Hertzberg, M.↗

Full-scale aerodynamic characteristics of a propellar installed on a small twin-engine aircraft wing panel

Full-scale measurements of shaft thrust and torque were made. Wind-tunnel speeds and blade angles were set for full-scale flight conditions. Excellent quality measurements were obtained of the thrust coefficient, the power coefficient, and the propeller efficiency for various values of the advance ratio and the blade incidence angle at 3/4-blade radius. A conventional propeller theory found in the literature was applied to the present results. Although thrust, power, and efficiency were somewhat overpredicted, the advance ratio for maximum efficiency was predicted quite accurately. It was found that, for some conditions, spinner drag could be significant. A simple correction that was based on the spinner base pressure substantially accounted for the changes in efficiency that resulted from this cause.

Barlow, P. R.↗

Refined methods of aeroelastic analysis and optimization

Graduate research activity in the following areas is reported: the divergence of laminated composite lifting surfaces, subsonic propeller theory and aeroelastic analysis, and cross sectional resonances in wind tunnels.

Ashley, H.↗

Modelling of wind tunnel wall effects on the radiation characteristics of acoustic sources

It is pointed out that the relatively high fuel economy available from propeller-driven aircraft has renewed interest in high speed, highly loaded multiple blade turboprop propulsion systems. Undesirable features related to community noise and the high intensity cabin noise have stimulated new research on the acoustic characteristics of turboprops. The present investigation has the objective to develop a mathematical model of the essential features of the radiation of acoustic disturbances from propellers in a duct and in free space in order to quantify the success with which duct testing can be expected to approximate free field conditions. In connection with the importance of source directionality, a detailed model is considered which consists of a finite element representation of the Gutin propeller theory valid in both the near and far field.

Eversman, W.↗

The unified acoustic and aerodynamic prediction theory of advanced propellers in the time domain

This paper presents some numerical results for the noise of an advanced supersonic propeller based on a formulation published last year. This formulation was derived to overcome some of the practical numerical difficulties associated with other acoustic formulations. The approach is based on the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation and time domain analysis is used. To illustrate the method of solution, a model problem in three dimensions and based on the Laplace equation is solved. A brief sketch of derivation of the acoustic formula is then given. Another model problem is used to verify validity of the acoustic formulation. A recent singular integral equation for aerodynamic applications derived from the acoustic formula is also presented here.

Farassat, F.↗

Theory for noise of propellers in angular inflow with parametric studies and experimental verification

This report presents the derivation of a frequency domain theory and working equations for radiation of propeller harmonic noise in the presence of angular inflow. In applying the acoustic analogy, integration over the tangential coordinate of the source region is performed numerically, permitting the equations to be solved without approximation for any degree of angular inflow. Inflow angle is specified in terms of yaw, pitch, and roll angles of the aircraft. Since these can be arbitrarily large, the analysis applies with equal accuracy to propellers and helicopter rotors. For thickness and loading, the derivation is given in complete detail with working equations for near and far field. However, the quadrupole derivation has been carried only far enough to show feasibility of the numerical approach. Explicit formulas are presented for computation of source elements, evaluation of Green's functions, and location of observer points in various visual and retarded coordinate systems. The resulting computer program, called WOBBLE has been written in FORTRAN and follows the notation of this report very closely. The new theory is explored to establish the effects of varying inflow angle on axial and circumferential directivity. Also, parametric studies were performed to evaluate various phenomena outside the capabilities of earlier theories, such as an unsteady thickness effect. Validity of the theory was established by comparison with test data from conventional propellers and Prop Fans in flight and in wind tunnels under a variety of operating conditions and inflow angles.

Propeller acoustics↗

Comparison of model propeller tests with airfoil theory

The purpose of the investigation covered by this report was the examination of the degree of approach which may be anticipated between laboratory tests on model airplane propellers and results computed by the airfoil theory, based on tests of airfoils representative of successive blade sections. It is known that the corrections of angles of attack and for aspect ratio, speed, and interference rest either on experimental data or on somewhat uncertain theoretical assumptions. The general situation as regards these four sets of corrections is far from satisfactory, and while it is recognized that occasion exists for the consideration of such corrections, their determination in any given case is a matter of considerable uncertainty. There exists at the present time no theory generally accepted and sufficiently comprehensive to indicate the amount of such corrections, and the application to individual cases of the experimental data available is, at best, uncertain. While the results of this first phase of the investigation are less positive than had been hoped might be the case, the establishment of the general degree of approach between the two sets of results which might be anticipated on the basis of this simpler mode of application seems to have been desirable.

Durand, William F↗

A description of the mechanical behavior of composite solid propellants based on molecular theory

Both the investigation and the representation of the stress-strain response (including rupture) of gum and filled elastomers can be based on a simple functional statement. Internally consistent experiments are used to sort out the effects of time, temperature, strain and crosslink density on gum rubbers. All effects are readily correlated and shown to be essentially independent of the elastomer when considered in terms of non-dimensionalized stress, strain and time. A semiquantitative molecular theory is developed to explain this result. The introduction of fillers modifies the response, but, guided by the framework thus provided, their effects can be readily accounted for.

Landel, R. F.↗

A modified lifting line theory for wing-propeller interference

An inviscid incompressible model for the interaction of a wing with a single propeller slipstream is presented. The model allows the perturbation quantities to be potential even though the undisturbed flow is rotational. The governing equations for the spanwise lift distribution are derived and a simple method of solving these is indicated. Spanwise lift and induced drag distribution for two cases are computed.

Prabhu, R. K.↗