Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Yaw”

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 37 records · Page 2

Static performance of nonaxisymmetric nozzles with yaw thrust-vectoring vanes

A static test was conducted in the static test facility of the Langley 16 ft Transonic Tunnel to evaluate the effects of post exit vane vectoring on nonaxisymmetric nozzles. Three baseline nozzles were tested: an unvectored two dimensional convergent nozzle, an unvectored two dimensional convergent-divergent nozzle, and a pitch vectored two dimensional convergent-divergent nozzle. Each nozzle geometry was tested with 3 exit aspect ratios (exit width divided by exit height) of 1.5, 2.5 and 4.0. Two post exit yaw vanes were externally mounted on the nozzle sidewalls at the nozzle exit to generate yaw thrust vectoring. Vane deflection angle (0, -20 and -30 deg), vane planform and vane curvature were varied during the test. Results indicate that the post exit vane concept produced resultant yaw vector angles which were always smaller than the geometric yaw vector angle. Losses in resultant thrust ratio increased with the magnitude of resultant yaw vector angle. The widest post exit vane produced the largest degree of flow turning, but vane curvature had little effect on thrust vectoring. Pitch vectoring was independent of yaw vectoring, indicating that multiaxis thrust vectoring is feasible for the nozzle concepts tested.

Mason, Mary L.↗

Static thrust-vectoring performance of nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzles with post-exit yaw vanes

A static (wind-off) test was conducted in the Static Test Facility of the 16-ft transonic tunnel to determine the performance and turning effectiveness of post-exit yaw vanes installed on two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzles. One nozzle design that was previously tested was used as a baseline, simulating dry power and afterburning power nozzles at both 0 and 20 degree pitch vectoring conditions. Vanes were installed on these four nozzle configurations to study the effects of vane deflection angle, longitudinal and lateral location, size, and camber. All vanes were hinged at the nozzle sidewall exit, and in addition, some were also hinged at the vane quarter chord (double-hinged). The vane concepts tested generally produced yaw thrust vectoring angles much less than the geometric vane angles, for (up to 8 percent) resultant thrust losses. When the nozzles were pitch vectored, yawing effectiveness decreased as the vanes were moved downstream. Thrust penalties and yawing effectiveness both decreased rapidly as the vanes were moved outboard (laterally). Vane length and height changes increased yawing effectiveness and thrust ratio losses, while using vane camber, and double-hinged vanes increased resultant yaw angles by 50 to 100 percent.

Foley, Robert J.↗

Wind Tunnel Investigation of Fuselage Stability in Yaw with Various Arrangements of Fins

An investigation was made in the 7-by-10 foot wind tunnel to determine the effects of dorsal-type fins and various arrangements of fins on the aerodynamic characteristics of a streamline circular fuselage. Comparative plots of the aerodynamic characteristics of the fuselage alone and the fuselage with various fin arrangements are given to show their effects on coefficients of yawing moment, drag, and lateral force. Results are also given for one case in which a rear fin on a circular fuselage was faired with modeling clay to obtain a fuselage shape with the same side elevation as the fuselage with the unfaired fin but with an elliptical cross section over the rearward portion of the fuselage. The results indicated that fin area to the rear of the center of gravity of the fuselage was beneficial in reducing the magnitude of the unstable yawing moments at large angles of yaw; whereas, fin area forward of the center of gravity was harmful. The dorsal-type fin was more effective for increasing the yawing stability of the fuselage than was a smoothly faired rearward portion with the same side elevation as the fuselage with the unfaired dorsal type fin. The minimum drag coefficient and the slope of the curve of yawing-moment coefficient of the fuselage at zero yaw were unaffected by the addition of the fins, within the experimental accuracy of the tests.

Hoggard, H Page, Jr↗

Wind tunnel investigations of forebody strakes for yaw control on F/A-18 model at subsonic and transonic speeds

Wind tunnel investigations have been conducted of forebody strakes for yaw control on 0.06-scale models of the F/A-18 aircraft at free-stream Mach numbers of 0.20 to 0.90. The testing was conducted in the 7- by 10-Foot Transonic Tunnel at the David Taylor Research Center and the Langley 7- by 10-Foot High-Speed Tunnel. The principal objectives of the testing were to determine the effects of the Mach number and the strake plan form on the strake yaw control effectiveness and the corresponding strake vortex induced flow field. The wind tunnel model configurations simulated an actuated conformal strake deployed for maximum yaw control at high angles of attack. The test data included six-component forces and moments on the complete model, surface static pressure distributions on the forebody and wing leading-edge extensions, and on-surface and off-surface flow visualizations. The results from these studies show that the strake produces large yaw control increments at high angles of attack that exceed the effect of conventional rudders at low angles of attack. The strake yaw control increments diminish with increasing Mach number but continue to exceed the effect of rudder deflection at angles of attack greater than 30 degrees. The character of the strake vortex induced flow field is similar at subsonic and transonic speeds. Cropping the strake planform to account for geometric and structural constraints on the F-18 aircraft has a small effect on the yaw control increments at subsonic speeds and no effect at transonic speeds.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

Gyroless yaw control system for a three axis stabilized, zero-momentum spacecraft

A satellite attitude control system is usable in the absence of any inertial yaw attitude reference, such as a gyroscope, and in the absence of a pitch bias momentum. Both the roll-yaw rigid body dynamics and the roll-yaw orbit kinematics are modelled. Pitch and roll attitude control are conventional. The model receives inputs from a roll sensor, and roll and yaw torques from reaction wheel monitors. The model produces estimated yaw which controls the spacecraft yaw attitude.

Stetson, Jr., John B.↗

Supersonic aerodynamic damping and oscillatory stability in pitch and yaw fro a model of a variable-sweep fighter airplane with twin vertical tails

Wind-tunnel measurements of the aerodynamic damping and oscillatory in pitch and yaw for a 1/22-scale model of a proposed carrier-based variable-sweep fighter airplane have been made by using a small-amplitude forced-oscillation technique. Tests were made with a wing leading-edge sweep angle of 68 deg at angles of attack from about -1.5 deg to 15.6 deg at a Mach number of 1.60 and at angles of attack from about -3 deg to 21 deg at Mach numbers of 2.02 and 2.36. The results of the investigation indicate that the basic configuration has positive damping and positive oscillatory stability in pitch for all test conditions. In yaw, the damping is generally positive except near an angle of attack of 0 deg at a Mach number of 1.60. The oscillatory stability in yaw is positive except at angles of attack above 16 deg at Mach numbers of 2.02 and 2.36. The addition of external stores generally causes increases in both pitch and yaw damping. The oscillatory stability in pitch is reduced throughout the angle-of-attack range by the addition of the external stores. The effect of adding stores on the oscillatory stability in yaw is a function of angle of attack and Mach number. The effect of changing horizontal-tail incidence on the pitch parameters is also very dependent on angle of attack and Mach number.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

Study of the single body yawed-wing aircraft concept

Areas relating to the development and improvement of the single-fuselage, yawed-wing transonic transport concept were investigated. These included: (1) developing an alternate configuration with a simplified engine installation;(2) determining a structural design speed placard that would allow the engine-airframe match for optimum airplane performance; and (3) conducting an aeroelastic stability and control analysis of the yawed-wing configuration with a flexible wing. A two-engine, single-fuselage, yawed-wing configuration was developed that achieved the Mach 1.2 design mission at 5560 km (3000 nmi) and payload of 18,140 kg (40,000 lb) with a gross weight of 217,700 kg (480,000 lb). This airplane was slightly heavier than the aft-integrated four-engine configuration that had been developed in a previous study. A modified structural design speed placard, which was determined, resulted in a 6% to 8% reduction in the gross weight of the yawed-wing configurations. The dynamic stability characteristics of the single-fuselage yawed-wing configuration were found to be very dependent on the magnitude of the pitch/roll coupling, the static longitudinal stability, and the dihedral effect.

Kulfan, R. M.↗

Bilinear tangent yaw guidance

This paper presents a parametric yaw steering law which has been used to provide closed-loop yaw guidance for the launch of the HEAO (High Energy Astronomy Observatory) satellite mission using the Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle. This bilinear tangent steering law provides near optimal yaw steering for maneuvers requiring insertion into orbits with a specified inclination and node. Bilinear tangent steering is shown to be optimal in both the pitch and yaw planes when a uniform gravitational field is assumed. The conditions under which the general bilinear tangent laws degenerate into linear tangent and constant attitude laws are presented. The flight computer implementation of these laws in a rotating coordinate system using real-time integration of the equations of motion is detailed. Explicit solution of the parametric guidance equations requires the inflight solution of (2x2) two-point boundary value problems in the pitch and yaw planes. Excellent results are obtained even for very large (greater than 50 deg) out-of-plane steering angles.

Brusch, R. G.↗

Static investigation of several yaw vectoring concepts on nonaxisymmetric nozzles

A test has been conducted in the static test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the flow-turning capability and the effects on nozzle internal performance of several yaw vectoring concepts. Nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzles with throat areas simulating dry and afterburning power settings and single expansion ramp nozzles with a throat area simulating a dry power setting were modified for yaw thrust vectoring. Forward-thrust and pitch-vectored nozzle configurations were tested with each yaw vectoring concept. Four basic yaw vectoring concepts were investigated on the nonaxisymmetric convergent-divergent nozzles: (1) translating sidewall; (2) downstream (of throat) flaps; (3) upstream (of throat) port/flap; and (4) powered rudder. Selected combinations of the rudder with downstream flaps or upstream port/flap were also tested. A single yaw vectoring concept, post-exit flaps, was investigated on the single expansion ramp nozzles. All testing was conducted at static (no external flow) conditions and nozzle pressure ratios varied from 2.0 up to 10.0.

Mason, M. L.↗

A static investigation of a simultaneous pitch and yaw thrust vectoring 2-D C-D nozzle

An investigation has been conducted in the static test facility of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the internal performance and flow-turning capability of a two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzle. Thrust vectoring in the pitch plane was provided by rotation of the divergent flaps. The exhaust stream was turned in the yaw direction by deflection of yaw flaps hinged at the end of the nozzle sidewalls. The yaw flap hinge location was varied along the divergent region of the nozzle at four locations including the exit plane and the throat plane. The three hinge locations upstream of the nozzle exit plane required the downstream corners of both upper and lower divergent flaps to be cut off to eliminate interference when the yaw flaps were deflected. Three different lengths of yaw flaps were tested at several angles of deflection. The nozzle simulated a dry power setting with an expansion ratio typical of subsonic cruise and was tested at nozzle pressure ratios from 2.0 to 7.0.

Taylor, John G.↗

Effects of yaw on low angle injection into a supersonic flow

This paper presents the results of a study of transverse gas injection into supersonic/hypersonic streams with low downstream transverse angles in addition to yaw angles varying from zero to approximately 30 deg. The primary data are concentration measurements, with nanoshadowgraphs and oil flow visualization pictures also included. Two sets of experiments were performed. The first set studied the effects of yaw angle, specifically beta = 15 and 28 deg, on a helium injector with a 30-deg transverse angle in a Mach 3 freestream. Axial measurement stations were x/d = 30, 50, and 100. It was found that, as beta was increased, the maximum concentration mixing rate did not vary, but the jet core penetration decreased more at beta = 15 deg than at beta = 28 deg. A shearing effect between the portion of the jet in the boundary layer and the portion in the freestream increased the area of a typical constant concentration contour. The second set of experiments, conducted at NASA Langley, studied the effect of yawed injection at a transverse angle of 15 deg in a Mach 6 flow. Axial stations of x/d = 20, 40, 60, and 80 were used. A yaw angle of beta = 15 deg was found to decrease both the jet core mixing rate and penetration. The primary benefit of yaw was to increase lateral spreading. For similar injection conditions, the results show less near-field mixing at Mach 6 than Mach 3, but a faster mixing rate in the far-field at Mach 6.

Thomas, R. H.↗

Wind-tunnel Investigation of Effect of Yaw on Lateral-stability Characteristics I : Four N.A.C.A. 23012 Wings of Various Plan Forms with and Without Dihedral

Four N.A.C.A. 23012 wings were tested at several angles of yaw in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. All the wings have rounded tips and, in plan form, one is rectangular and the others are tapered 3:1 with various amounts of sweep. Each wing was tested with two amounts of dihedral and with partial-span split flaps. The coefficients of lift, drag, and pitching moment are given for all the models at zero yaw. The coefficients of rolling moment, yawing moment, and side force are given for the rectangular wing at all values of yaw tested. The rate of change in the coefficients with angle of yaw is given in convenient form for stability calculations.

Bamber, M J↗

Differential Pressures on a Pitot-venturi and a Pitot-static Nozzle over 360 Degrees Pitch and Yaw

Measurements of the differential pressures on two navy air-speed nozzles, consisting of a Zahm type Pitot-Venturi tube and a SQ-16 two-pronged Pitot-static tube, in a tunnel air stream of fixed speed at various angles of pitch and yaw between 0 degrees and plus or minus 180 degrees. This shows for a range over -20 degrees to +20 degrees pitch and yaw, indicated air speeds varying very slightly over 2 per cent for the Zahm type and a maximum of about 5 per cent for the SQ-16 type from the calibrated speed at 0 degree. For both types of air-speed nozzle the indicated air speed increases slightly as the tubes are pitched or yawed several degrees from their normal 0 degrees altitude, attains a maximum around plus or minus 15 degrees to 25 degrees, declines rapidly therefrom as plus or minus 40 degrees is passed, to zero in the vicinity of plus or minus 70 degrees to 100 degrees, and thence fluctuates irregular from thereabouts to plus or minus 180 degrees. The complete variation in indicated air speed for the two tubes over 360 degree pitch and yaw is graphically portrayed in figures 9 and 10. For the same air speed and 0 degree pitch and yaw the differential pressure of the Zahm type Pitot-Venturi nozzle is about seven times that of the SQ-16 type two-prolonged Pitot-static nozzle.

Bear, R M↗

Differential Canard deflection for generation of yawing moment on the X-31 with and without the vertical tail

The feasibility of augmenting the available yaw control power on the X-31 through differential deflection of the canard surfaces was studied as well as the possibility of using differential canard control to stabilize the X-31 with its vertical tail removed. Wind-tunnel tests and the results of departure criteria and linear analysis showed the destabilizing effect of the reduction of the vertical tail on the X-31. Wind-tunnel testing also showed that differential canard deflection was capable of generating yawing moments of roughly the same magnitude as the thrust vectoring vanes currently in place on the X-31 in the post-stall regime. Analysis showed that the X-31 has sufficient aileron roll control power that with the addition of differential canard as a yaw controller, the wind-axis roll accelerations will remain limited by yaw control authority. It was demonstrated, however, that pitch authority may actually limit the maximum roll rate which can be sustained. A drop model flight test demonstrated that coordinated, wind axis rolls could be performed with roll rates as high as 50 deg/sec (full scale equivalent) at 50 deg angle of attack. Another drop model test was conducted to assess the effect of vertical tail reduction, and an analysis of using differential canard deflection to stabilize the tailless X-31 was performed. The results of six-degree-of-freedom, non-linear simulation tests were correlated with the drop model flights. Simulation studies then showed that the tailless X-31 could be controlled at angles of attack at or above 20 deg using differential canard as the only yaw controller.

Whiting, Matthew Robert↗

Roll-yaw control at high angle of attack by forebody tangential blowing

The feasibility of using forebody tangential blowing to control the roll-yaw motion of a wind tunnel model is experimentally demonstrated. An unsteady model of the aerodynamics is developed based on the fundamental physics of the flow. Data from dynamic experiments is used to validate the aerodynamic model. A unique apparatus is designed and built that allows the wind tunnel model two degrees of freedom, roll and yaw. Dynamic experiments conducted at 45 degrees angle of attack reveal the system to be unstable. The natural motion is divergent. The aerodynamic model is incorporated into the equations of motion of the system and used for the design of closed loop control laws that make the system stable. These laws are proven through dynamic experiments in the wind tunnel using blowing as the only actuator. It is shown that asymmetric blowing is a highly non-linear effector that can be linearized by superimposing symmetric blowing. The effects of forebody tangential blowing and roll and yaw angles on the flow structure are determined through flow visualization experiments. The transient response of roll and yaw moments to a step input blowing are determined. Differences on the roll and yaw moment dependence on blowing are explained based on the physics of the phenomena.

Pedreiro, N.↗

Roll-Yaw control at high angle of attack by forebody tangential blowing

The feasibility of using forebody tangential blowing to control the roll-yaw motion of a wind tunnel model is experimentally demonstrated. An unsteady model of the aerodynamics is developed based on the fundamental physics of the flow. Data from dynamic experiments is used to validate the aerodynamic model. A unique apparatus is designed and built that allows the wind tunnel model two degrees of freedom, roll and yaw. Dynamic experiments conducted at 45 degrees angle of attack reveal the system to be unstable. The natural motion is divergent. The aerodynamic model is incorporated into the equations of motion of the system and used for the design of closed loop control laws that make the system stable. These laws are proven through dynamic experiments in the wind tunnel using blowing as the only actuator. It is shown that asymmetric blowing is a highly non-linear effector that can be linearized by superimposing symmetric blowing. The effects of forebody tangential blowing and roll and yaw angles on the flow structure are determined through flow visualization experiments. The transient response of roll and yaw moments to a step input blowing are determined. Differences on the roll and yaw moment dependence on blowing are explained based on the physics of the phenomena.

Pedreiro, N.↗

Visual-Motion Cueing in Altitude and Yaw Control

Research conducted using the Vertical Motion Simulator at the NASA Ames Research Center examined the contributions of platform motion and visual level-of-detail (LOD) cueing to tasks that required altitude and/or yaw control in a simulated AH-64 Apache helicopter. Within the altitude control tasks the LOD manipulation caused optical density to change across altitudes by a small, moderate, or large amount; while platform motion was either present or absent. The results from these tasks showed that both constant optical density and platform motion improved altitude awareness in an altitude repositioning task, while the presence of platform motion also led to improved performance in a vertical rate control task. The yaw control tasks had pilots'sit 4.5 ft in front of the center of rotation, thus subjecting them to both rotational and lateral motions during a yaw. The pilots were required to regulate their yaw, while the platform motion was manipulated in order to present all combinations of the resulting rotational and lateral motion components. Ratings of simulation fidelity and sensed platform motion showed that the pilots were relatively insensitive to the rotational component, but highly aware of the lateral component. Together these findings show that: 1) platform motion cues are important when speed regulation is required during altitude change; 2) platform motion contributes to the perception of movement amplitude; 3) lateral, but not rotational, motion cues are essential to the perception of vehicle yaw; and 4) LOD management yielding constant optical density across altitudes improves altitude awareness.

Johnson, Walter W.↗

Engine Yaw Augmentation for Hybrid-Wing-Body Aircraft via Optimal Control Allocation Techniques

Asymmetric engine thrust was implemented in a hybrid-wing-body non-linear simulation to reduce the amount of aerodynamic surface deflection required for yaw stability and control. Hybrid-wing-body aircraft are especially susceptible to yaw surface deflection due to their decreased bare airframe yaw stability resulting from the lack of a large vertical tail aft of the center of gravity. Reduced surface deflection, especially for trim during cruise flight, could reduce the fuel consumption of future aircraft. Designed as an add-on, optimal control allocation techniques were used to create a control law that tracks total thrust and yaw moment commands with an emphasis on not degrading the baseline system. Implementation of engine yaw augmentation is shown and feasibility is demonstrated in simulation with a potential drag reduction of 2 to 4 percent. Future flight tests are planned to demonstrate feasibility in a flight environment.

Taylor, Brian R.↗