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At least 37 records · Page 2

Analytical flutter investigation of a composite propfan model

A theoretical model and an associated computer program for predicting subsonic bending-torsion flutter in propfans are presented. The model is based on two-dimensional unsteady cascade strip theory and three-dimensional steady and unsteady lifting surface aerodynamic theory in conjunction with a finite element structural model for the blade. The analytical results compare well with published experimental data. Additional parametric studies are also presented illustrating the effects on flutter speed of steady aeroelastic deformations, blade setting angle, rotational speed, number of blades, structural damping, and number of modes.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗

Validations of Coupled CSD/CFD and Particle Vortex Transport Method for Rotorcraft Applications: Hover, Transition, and High Speed Flights

This paper presents validations of a novel rotorcraft analysis that coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and Particle Vortex Transport Method (PVTM) methodologies. The CSD with associated vehicle trim analysis is used to calculate blade deformations and trim parameters. The near body CFD analysis is employed to provide detailed near body flow field information which is used to obtain high-fidelity blade aerodynamic loadings. The far field wake dominated region is simulated using the PVTM analysis which provides accurate prediction of the evolution of the rotor wake released from the near body CFD domains. A loose coupling methodology between the CSD and CFD/PVTM modules are used with appropriate information exchange amongst the CSD/CFD/PVTM modules. The coupled CSD/CFD/PVTM methodology is used to simulate various rotorcraft flight conditions (i.e. hover, transition, and high speed flights), and the results are compared with several sets of experimental data. For the hover condition, the results are compared with hover data for the HART II rotor tested at DLR Institute of Flight Systems, Germany. For the forward flight conditions, the results are validated with the UH-60A flight test data.

Anusonti-Inthra, Phuriwat↗

Instantaneous Doppler Global Velocimetry Measurements of a Rotor Wake: Lessons Learned

A combined Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) and Projection Moir Interferometry (PMI) investigation of a helicopter rotor wake flow field and rotor blade deformation is presented. The three-component DGV system uses a single-frequency, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser to obtain instantaneous velocity measurements in the flow. The PMI system uses a pulsed laser-diode bar to obtain blade bending and twist measurements at the same instant that DGV measured the flow. The application of pulse lasers to DGV and PMI in large-scale wind tunnel applications represents a major step forward in the development of these technologies. As such, a great deal was learned about the difficulties of using these instruments to obtain instantaneous measurements in large facilities. Laser speckle and other image noise in the DGV data images were found to be traceable to the Nd:YAG laser. Although image processing techniques were used to virtually eliminate laser speckle noise, the source of low-frequency image noise is still under investigation. The PMI results agreed well with theoretical predictions of blade bending and twist.

Meyers, James↗

Structural tailoring of aircraft engine blade subject to ice impact constraints

Results are presented for the minimum weight design of SR2 unswept blade made of (titanium/graphite-epoxy/titanium) sub s fiber composite. The blade which is rotating at high RPM is subject to ice impact. The root chord length, blade thicknesses at five stations, and graphite-epoxy ply orientation are chosen as design variables. Design constraints are placed on the behavior variables: local leading edge strain and root damage parameter (combined stress failure criteria) as a function due to ice impact, maximum spanwise centrifugal stress at the root of the deformed blade due to local damage, first three natural frequencies, and resonance margin after impact. The method of feasible directions is employed to solve the inequality constrained minimization problem. The effect of ice speed and the ice impact location on the final design are discussed.

Reddy, E. S.↗

Wind Tunnel Measurements of the Wake of a Full-Scale UH-60A Rotor in Forward Flight

A full-scale UH-60A rotor was tested in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel in May 2010. The test was designed to acquire a suite of measurements to validate state-of-the-art modeling tools. Measurements include blade airloads (from a single pressure-instrumented blade), blade structural loads (strain gages), rotor performance (rotor balance and torque measurements), blade deformation (stereo-photogrammetry), and rotor wake measurements (Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Retro-reflective Backward Oriented Schlieren (RBOS)). During the test, PIV measurements of flow field velocities were acquired in a stationary cross-flow plane located on the advancing side of the rotor disk at approximately 90 deg rotor azimuth. At each test condition, blade position relative to the measurement plane was varied. The region of interest (ROI) was 4-ft high by 14-ft wide and covered the outer half of the blade radius. Although PIV measurements were acquired in only one plane, much information can be gleaned by studying the rotor wake trajectory in this plane, especially when such measurements are augmented by blade airloads and RBOS data. This paper will provide a comparison between PIV and RBOS measurements of tip vortex position and vortex filament orientation for multiple rotor test conditions. Blade displacement measurements over the complete rotor disk will also be presented documenting blade-to-blade differences in tip-path-plane and providing additional information for correlation with PIV and RBOS measurements of tip vortex location. In addition, PIV measurements of tip vortex core diameter and strength will be presented. Vortex strength will be compared with measurements of maximum bound circulation on the rotor blade determined from pressure distributions obtained from 235 pressure sensors distributed over 9 radial stations.

Wadcock, Alan J.↗

Simultaneous Optical Measurements of Axial and Tangential Steady-State Blade Deflections

Currently, the majority of fiber-optic blade instrumentation is being designed and manufactured by aircraft-engine companies for their own use. The most commonly employed probe for optical blade deflection measurements is the spot probe. One of its characteristics is that the incident spot on a blade is not fixed relative to the blade, but changes depending on the blade deformation associated with centrifugal and aerodynamic loading. While there are geometrically more complicated optical probe designs in use by different engine companies, this paper offers an alternate solution derived from a probe-mount design feature that allows one to change the probe axial position until the incident spot contacts either a leading or a trailing edge. By tracing the axial position of either blade edge one is essentially extending the deflection measurement to two dimensions, axial and tangential. The blade deflection measurements were obtained during a wind tunnel test of a fan prototype.

Kurkov, Anatole P.↗

Vibration Based Crack Detection in a Rotating Disk: Experimental Results - Part 2

This paper describes the experimental results concerning the detection of a crack in a rotating disk. The goal was to utilize blade tip clearance and shaft vibration measurements to monitor changes in the system's center of mass and/or blade deformation behaviors. The concept of the approach is based on the fact that the development of a disk crack results in a distorted strain field within the component. As a result, a minute deformation in the disk's geometry as well as a change in the system's center of mass occurs. Here, a notch was used to simulate an actual crack. The vibration based experimental results failed to identify the existence of a notch when utilizing the approach described above, even with a rather large, circumferential notch (l.2 in.) located approximately mid-span on the disk (disk radius = 4.63 in. with notch at r = 2.12 in.). This was somewhat expected, since the finite element based results in Part 1 of this study predicted changes in blade tip clearance as well as center of mass shifts due to a notch to be less than 0.001 in. Therefore, the small changes incurred by the notch could not be differentiated from the mechanical and electrical noise of the rotor system. Although the crack detection technique of interest failed to identify the existence ofthe notch, the vibration data produced and captured here will be utilized in upcoming studies that will focus on different data mining techniques concerning damage detection in a disk.

Gyekenyesi, Andrew L.↗

Flapping response characteristics of hingeless rotor blades by a gereralized harmonic balance method

Linearized equations of motion for the flapping response of flexible rotor blades in forward flight are derived in terms of generalized coordinates. The equations are solved using a matrix form of the method of linear harmonic balance, yielding response derivatives for each harmonic of the blade deformations and of the hub forces and moments. Numerical results and approximate closed-form expressions for rotor derivatives are used to illustrate the relationships between rotor parameters, modeling assumptions, and rotor response characteristics. Finally, basic hingeless rotor response derivatives are presented in tabular and graphical form for a wide range of configuration parameters and operating conditions.

Peters, D. A.↗

Subsonic/transonic stall flutter investigation of a rotating rig

Stall flutter is investigated by obtaining detailed quantitative steady and aerodynamic and aeromechanical measurements in a typical fan rotor. The experimental investigation is made with a 31.3 percent scale model of the Quiet Engine Program Fan C rotor system. Both subsonic/transonic (torsional mode) flutter and supersonic (flexural) flutter are investigated. Extensive steady and unsteady data on the blade deformations and aerodynamic properties surrounding the rotor are acquired while operating in both the steady and flutter modes. Analysis of this data shows that while there may be more than one traveling wave present during flutter, they are all forward traveling waves.

Jutras, R. R.↗

Effect of higher harmonic control on helicopter rotor blade-vortex interaction noise: Prediction and initial validation

The paper presents a status of theoretical tools of AFDD, DLR, NASA and ONERA for prediction of the effect of HHC on helicopter main rotor BVI noise. Aeroacoustic predictions from the four research centers, concerning a wind tunnel simulation of a typical descent flight case without and with HHC are presented and compared. The results include blade deformation, geometry of interacting vortices, sectional loads and noise. Acoustic predictions are compared to experimental data. An analysis of the results provides a first insight of the mechanisms by which HHC may affect BVI noise.

Beaumier, P.↗

Introductory Remarks for ISROMAC-9 Panel on Inducer Design Criteria

The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump (HPOTP) inducer cavitation study was initiated in the mid 1990s to support high synchronous vibrations. A Fastrac 60K Engine Oxygen Turbopump inducer cavitation study was started around the same time to support a blade deformation investigation. Super-synchronous rotating, attached synchronous, and pronounced subsynchronous flow oscillations were evident. Current thrusts in experimental work include characterization of loads induced by the various forms of cavitation inducted stabilities and measurements of cavitating turbopump dynamic transfer functions.

Zoladz, Tom↗

Nonlinear Equations of Equilibrium for Elastic Helicopter or Wind Turbine Blades Undergoing Moderate Deformation

A set of nonlinear equations of equilibrium for an elastic wind turbine or helicopter blades are presented. These equations are derived for the case of small strains and moderate rotations (slopes). The derivation includes several assumptions which are carefully stated. For the convenience of potential users the equations are developed with respect to two different systems of coordinates, the undeformed and the deformed coordinates of the blade. Furthermore, the loads acting on the blade are given in a general form so as to make them suitable for a variety of applications. The equations obtained in the study are compared with those obtained in previous studies.

Rosen, A.↗

Micromechanics of cyclic deformation in SSME turbopump blade materials

Current and candidate Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) turbopump blade materials are anisotropic, both in their elastic and plastic response. The major objective is to characterize the plastic deformation behavior of a typical single crystal nickel-base superalloy, PWA 1480, and to use this information to help guide the development of anisotropic constitutive models.

Milligan, Walter W.↗

Impact of control blade insertion on the deformation behavior of SiC-SiC channel boxes in BWRs

This article describes the analysis of distortion of a silicon carbide fiber-reinforced, silicon carbide matrix (SiC-SiC) composite channel box under in-reactor conditions of a boiling water reactor (BWR). The BWR core has significant gradients in the fast neutron flux across the channel box due to the presence of water rods within the fuel assemblies, and these gradients increase further with the insertion of control blades. As a result of the temperature and neutron flux dependent irradiation-induced swelling of SiC, the SiC-SiC composite channel box can undergo distortion. In this work, we evaluate the SiC-SiC channel box distortion for three different control blade positions. This analysis is based on the neutron flux and temperature distributions in the BWR core calculated using the neutronics code MPACT and thermal-hydraulics code CTF. This calculation is coupled through temperature feedback. Subsequently, we have performed structural analysis based on the calculated neutron flux and temperature distributions to determine the deformation and stress development in the channel box. The structural analysis was performed using the fuel performance modeling code BISON and the commercial finite element analysis software Abaqus. The results indicate that large gradients in fast neutron flux (up to 35–40% across a single axial level) will develop across the channel box. Due to these gradients, the channel box will undergo time-dependent bending for all the control blade positions in the assembly. The time-dependent bowing behavior is dominated by the transient swelling of SiC-SiC material under non-uniform neutron flux, and changes with variation in the control blade position. The bending will cause temporary interference between the channel box and control blade, and the interference is expected to be most severe for the fully inserted control blade position. The developed stresses due to differential swelling in the channel box exceed the proportional limit stress of the material, which may cause matrix microcracking in the channel box. However, the stresses remain below the tensile strength of the material, and therefore, development of a full, through-thickness crack in the channel box is not expected. Finally, further work is recommended to explore and evaluate the mitigation strategies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Jet Engine Fan Blade Containment Using an Alternate Geometry

With a goal of reducing jet engine weight, simulations of a fan blade containment system with an alternate geometry were tested and analyzed. A projectile simulating a fan blade was shot at two alternate geometry containment case configurations using a gas gun. The first configuration was a flat plate representing a standard case configuration. The second configuration was a flat plate with a radially convex curve section at the impact point. The curved surface was designed to force the blade to deform plastically, dissipating energy before the full impact of the blade is received by the plate. The curved case was able to tolerate a higher impact velocity before failure. The computational model was developed and correlated with the tests and a weight savings assessment was performed. For the particular test configuration used in this study the ballistic impact velocity of the curved plate was approximately 60 m/s (200 ft/s) greater than that of the flat plate. For the computational model to successfully duplicate the test, the very high strain rate behavior of the materials had to be incorporated.

Carney, K.S.↗

Blade Displacement Measurement Technique Applied to a Full-Scale Rotor Test

Blade displacement measurements using multi-camera photogrammetry were acquired during the full-scale wind tunnel test of the UH-60A Airloads rotor, conducted in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The objectives were to measure the blade displacement and deformation of the four rotor blades as they rotated through the entire rotor azimuth. These measurements are expected to provide a unique dataset to aid in the development and validation of rotorcraft prediction techniques. They are used to resolve the blade shape and position, including pitch, flap, lag and elastic deformation. Photogrammetric data encompass advance ratios from 0.15 to slowed rotor simulations of 1.0, thrust coefficient to rotor solidity ratios from 0.01 to 0.13, and rotor shaft angles from -10.0 to 8.0 degrees. An overview of the blade displacement measurement methodology and system development, descriptions of image processing, uncertainty considerations, preliminary results covering static and moderate advance ratio test conditions and future considerations are presented. Comparisons of experimental and computational results for a moderate advance ratio forward flight condition show good trend agreements, but also indicate significant mean discrepancies in lag and elastic twist. Blade displacement pitch measurements agree well with both the wind tunnel commanded and measured values.

Abrego, Anita I.↗

An investigation of the vibration characteristics of shrouded-bladed-disk rotor stages

Coupled differential equations of motion are given for application to a rotating, pretwisted and heated beam under the effects of thermal stresses and gas bending loads. The circumferential modes of the multi-blade vibration of a bladed-disk rotor stage were studied. A finite element method was developed for the dynamic and static deformation analysis of the blade. The deformations of a bladed disk and a shrouded-bladed disk were studied by introducing a special bladed-disk element and a special shrouded-blade element. Some features of the vibration of part-span-shrouded, bladed-disk rotor stages are discussed. The static deformation, thermal stress and gas bending effects on the blade vibration were presented previously.

Chen, L.-T.↗

Summary of Full-Scale Blade Displacement Measurements of the UH- 60A Airloads Rotor

Blade displacement measurements using multi-camera photogrammetry techniques were acquired for a full-scale UH-60A rotor, tested in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex 40-Foot by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The measurements, acquired over the full rotor azimuth, encompass a range of test conditions that include advance ratios from 0.15 to 1.0, thrust coefficient to rotor solidity ratios from 0.01 to 0.13, and rotor shaft angles from -10.0 to 8.0 degrees. The objective was to measure the blade displacements and deformations of the four rotor blades and provide a benchmark blade displacement database to be utilized in the development and validation of rotorcraft prediction techniques. An overview of the blade displacement measurement methodology, system development, and data analysis techniques are presented. Sample results based on the final set of camera calibrations, data reduction procedures and estimated corrections that account for registration errors due to blade elasticity are shown. Differences in blade root pitch, flap and lag between the previously reported results and the current results are small. However, even small changes in estimated root flap and pitch can lead to significant differences in the blade elasticity values.

Displacement↗