Search NASASearch

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “coordinated attacks”

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

Simple turbulence models and their application to boundary layer separation

Measurements in the boundary layer and wake of a stalled airfoil are presented in two coordinate systems, one aligned with the airfoil chord, the other being conventional boundary layer coordinates. The NACA 4412 airfoil is studied at a single angle of attack corresponding to maximum lift, the Reynolds number based on chord being 1.5 x 10 to the 6th power. Turbulent boundary layer separation occurred at the 85 percent chord position. The two-dimensionality of the flow was documented and the momentum integral equation studied to illustrate the importance of turbulence contributions as separation is approached. The assumptions of simple eddy-viscosity and mixing-length turbulence models are checked directly against experiment. Curvature effects are found to be important as separation is approached.

Wadcock, A. J.

Tables for Supersonic Flow Around Right Circular Cones at Small Angle of Attack

The solution of supersonic flow fields by the method of characteristics requires that starting conditions be known. Ferri, in reference 1, developed a method-of-characteristics solution for axially symmetric bodies of revolution at small angles of attack. With computing machinery that is now available, this has become a feasible method for computing the aerodynamic characteristics of bodies near zero angle of attack. For sharp-nosed bodies of revolution, the required starting line may be obtained by computing the flow field about a cone at a small angle of attack. This calculation is readily performed using Stone's theory in reference 2. Some solutions of this theory are available in reference 3. However, the manner in which these results are presented, namely in a wind-fixed coordinate system, makes their use somewhat cumbersome. Additionally, as pointed out in reference 4, the flow component perpendicular to the meridian planes was computed incorrectly. The results contained herein have been computed in the same basic manner as those of reference 3 with the correct velocity normal to the meridian planes. Also, all results have been transferred into the body-fixed coordinate system. Therefore, the values tabulated herein may be used, in conjunction with the respective zero-angle-of-attack results of reference 5, as starting conditions for the method-of-characteristics solution of the flow field about axially symmetric bodies of revolution at small angles of attack. As in the zero-angle-of-attack case (ref. 5) the present results have been computed using the ideal gas value of 1.4 for the ratio of the specific heats of air. Solutions are given for cone angles from 2.5 deg to 30 deg in increments of 2.5 deg. For each cone angle, results were computed for a constant series of free-stream Mach numbers from 1.5 to 20. In addition, a solution was computed which yielded the minimum free-stream Mach number for a completely supersonic conical flow field. For cone angles of 27.5 deg and 30 deg, this minimum free-stream Mach number was above 1.5. Consequently, solutions at this Mach number were not computed for these two cone angles.

SUPERSONIC FLOW

LASTRAC.3d: Transition Prediction in 3D Boundary Layers

Langley Stability and Transition Analysis Code (LASTRAC) is a general-purpose, physics-based transition prediction code released by NASA for laminar flow control studies and transition research. This paper describes the LASTRAC extension to general three-dimensional (3D) boundary layers such as finite swept wings, cones, or bodies at an angle of attack. The stability problem is formulated by using a body-fitted nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinate system constructed on the body surface. The nonorthogonal coordinate system offers a variety of marching paths and spanwise waveforms. In the extreme case of an infinite swept wing boundary layer, marching with a nonorthogonal coordinate produces identical solutions to those obtained with an orthogonal coordinate system using the earlier release of LASTRAC. Several methods to formulate the 3D parabolized stability equations (PSE) are discussed. A surface-marching procedure akin to that for 3D boundary layer equations may be used to solve the 3D parabolized disturbance equations. On the other hand, the local line-marching PSE method, formulated as an easy extension from its 2D counterpart and capable of handling the spanwise mean flow and disturbance variation, offers an alternative. A linear stability theory or parabolized stability equations based N-factor analysis carried out along the streamline direction with a fixed wavelength and downstream-varying spanwise direction constitutes an efficient engineering approach to study instability wave evolution in a 3D boundary layer. The surface-marching PSE method enables a consistent treatment of the disturbance evolution along both streamwise and spanwise directions but requires more stringent initial conditions. Both PSE methods and the traditional LST approach are implemented in the LASTRAC.3d code. Several test cases for tapered or finite swept wings and cones at an angle of attack are discussed.

Chang, Chau-Lyan

Application of a patched-grid algorithm to the F/A-18 forebody-leading-edge extension configuration

A patched-grid algorithm for the analysis of complex configurations with an implicit, upwind-biased Navier-Stokes solver is presented. Results from both a spatial-flux and a time-flux conservation approach to patching across zonal boundaries are presented. A generalized coordinate transformation with a biquadratic geometric element is used at the zonal interface in order to treat highly stretched viscous grids and arbitrarily shaped zonal boundaries. Applications are made to the F/A-18 forebody-Ieading-edge extension configuration at subsonic, high-alpha conditions. Computed surface flow patterns compare well with ground-based and flight-test results; the large effect of Reynolds number on the forebody flowfield is shown.

Leading edge extension

A Patched-Grid Algorithm for Complex Configurations Directed Towards the F/A-18 Aircraft

A patched-grid algorithm for the analysis of complex configurations with an implicit, upwind-biased Navier-Stokes solver is presented. Results from both a spatial-flux and a time-flux conservation approach to patching across zonal boundaries are presented. A generalized coordinate transformation with a biquadratic geometric element is used at the zonal interface in order to treat highly stretched viscous grids and arbitrarily-shaped zonal boundaries. Applications are made to the F-18 forebody-strake configuration at subsonic, high-alpha conditions. Computed surface flow patterns compare well with ground-based and flight-test results; the large effect of Reynolds number on the forebody flow-field is shown.

High alpha research vehicle

A Method for Integrating Thrust-Vectoring and Actuated Forebody Strakes with Conventional Aerodynamic Controls on a High-Performance Fighter Airplane

A method, called pseudo controls, of integrating several airplane controls to achieve cooperative operation is presented. The method eliminates conflicting control motions, minimizes the number of feedback control gains, and reduces the complication of feedback gain schedules. The method is applied to the lateral/directional controls of a modified high-performance airplane. The airplane has a conventional set of aerodynamic controls, an experimental set of thrust-vectoring controls, and an experimental set of actuated forebody strakes. The experimental controls give the airplane additional control power for enhanced stability and maneuvering capabilities while flying over an expanded envelope, especially at high angles of attack. The flight controls are scheduled to generate independent body-axis control moments. These control moments are coordinated to produce stability-axis angular accelerations. Inertial coupling moments are compensated. Thrust-vectoring controls are engaged according to their effectiveness relative to that of the aerodynamic controls. Vane-relief logic removes steady and slowly varying commands from the thrust-vectoring controls to alleviate heating of the thrust turning devices. The actuated forebody strakes are engaged at high angles of attack. This report presents the forward-loop elements of a flight control system that positions the flight controls according to the desired stability-axis accelerations. This report does not include the generation of the required angular acceleration commands by means of pilot controls or the feedback of sensed airplane motions.

Lallman, Frederick J.

Estimating Aeroheating of a 3D Body Using a 2D Flow Solver

A method for rapidly estimating the aeroheating, shear stress, and other properties of hypersonic flow about a three-dimensional (3D) blunt body has been devised. First, the geometry of the body is specified in Cartesian coordinates. The surface of the body is then described by its derivatives, coordinates, and principal curvatures. Next, previously relatively simple equations are used to find, for each desired combination of angle of attack and meridional angle, a scaling factor and the shape of an equivalent axisymmetric body. These factors and equivalent shapes are entered as inputs into a previously developed computer program that solves the two-dimensional (2D) equations of flow in a non-equilibrium viscous shock layer (VSL) about an axisymmetric body. The coordinates in the output of the VSL code are transformed back to the Cartesian coordinates of the 3D body, so that computed flow quantities can be registered with locations in the 3D flow field of interest. In tests in which the 3D bodies were elliptic paraboloids, the estimates obtained by use of this method were found to agree well with solutions of 3D, finite-rate-chemistry, thin-VSL equations for a catalytic body.

Scott, Carl D.

Numerical calculation of transonic flow about swept wings.

Description of a mixed elliptic-hyperbolic relaxation algorithm which calculates solutions to the three-dimensional, nonlinear transonic small disturbance potential equation for flows about thin swept lifting wings with free-stream Mach number less than 1. The algorithm is designed to treat supercritical flows, including cases with embedded shock waves. Nonrectangular planform shapes, including sweep and taper, are treated by a coordinate transformation which maps the wing planform into a rectangle. Computed results at angles of attack of 0 and 2 deg for a AR = 4, constant chord, 23.75 deg sweptback planform model with a Lockheed C141 airfoil section are compared with data obtained experimentally for both subcritical and supercritical flows. Subcritical results are also compared with those obtained by a subsonic 'panel' method.

Ballhaus, W. F.

Wildfire-fighting Use Case Requirements to Monitor

In this technical report, we provide requirements for a wildfire-fighting use-case, towards the Safety Demonstrator 1. The use case will incorporate ground and airborne assets operating in a coordinated fashion, and will comprise five activities, from detection to the execution of the initial attack. Depending on the activity and the data involved, the requirements identified may be non-probabilistic or probabilistic. In both cases, we first identify some of the requirements we wish to monitor, and then present a formalization using the language of requirements of the NASA requirements elicitation tool FRET. To formalize probabilistic requirements, we use a novel extension to FRET’s requirements language that incorporates notions of probability, and discuss how requirements can be translated into existing probabilistic temporal logics like PCTL. We exemplify how some of the requirements presented can be monitored using the existing tools Ogma and Copilot. We close with a summary and future directions.

Requirements

Prediction of airfoil stall using Navier-Stokes equations in streamline coordinates

A Navier-Stokes procedure to calculate the flow about an airfoil at incidence was developed. The parabolized equations are solved in the streamline coordinates generated for an arbitrary airfoil shape using conformal mapping. A modified k-epsilon turbulence model is applied in the entire domain, but the eddy viscosity in the laminar region is suppressed artificially to simulate the region correctly. The procedure was applied to airfoils at various angles of attack, and the results are quite satisfactory for both laminar and turbulent flows. It is shown that the present choice of the coordinate system reduces the error due to numerical diffusion, and that the lift is accurately predicted for a wide range of incidence.

Choi, D. H.

A numerical simulation of hypersonic viscous flow over arbitrary geometries at angle of attack

An implicit conservative, noniterative, finite-difference algorithm that predicts the supersonic, laminar or turbulent viscous flow about arbitrary geometries at large angles of attack is presented. The three-dimensional parabolized form of the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations are written in generalized coordinates. These equations are solved using the delta form of the Beam-Warming implicit algorithm. Flow field simulations have been obtained for a blunt biconic with windward and leeward cuts and an X-24C lifting body for both laminar and turbulent flow at various Mach numbers and angles of attack. When compared with experiment or with previous theories, these computational predictions show good agreement.

Chaussee, D. S.

Numerical simulation of supersonic cone flow at high angle of attack

A conical symmetry assumption is applied to the full Navier-Stokes equations resulting in an equation set containing time and two coordinate directions as independent variables. The set is integrated by use of a finite difference technique for the particular case of sharp cones at incidence. Solutions are obtained and compared with experiment for auxiliary conditions corresponding to both laminar and turbulent flows. Closure for the turbulent flow case is provided by use of a scalor eddy viscosity model based on the mixing length hypothesis. Modifications to the eddy viscosity model were found which led to excellent surface pressure and surface flow direction agreement for turbulent flow at low supersonic Mach numbers. It is apparent that further work on the turbulence model is necessary for agreement at higher supersonic Mach numbers.

Mcrae, D. S.

A comparative study of the parabolized Navier-Stokes code using various grid-generation techniques

The parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations are used to calculate the flow-field characteristics about the hypersonic research aircraft X-24C. A comparison of the results obtained using elliptic, hyperbolic, and algebraic grid generators is presented. The outer bow shock is treated as a sharp discontinuity, and the discontinuities within the shock layer are captured. Surface pressures and heat-transfer results at angles of attack of 6 deg and 20 deg, obtained using the three grid generators, are compared. The PNS equations are marched downstream over the body in both Cartesian and cylindrical base coordinate systems, and the results are compared. A robust marching procedure is demonstrated by successfully using large marching step sizes with the implicit shock fitting procedure. A correlation is found between the marching step size, Reynolds number, and the angle of attack at fixed values of smoothing and stability coefficients for the marching scheme.

Kaul, U. K.

A comparative study of the parabolized Navier-Stokes code using various grid-generation techniques

The parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations are used to calculate the flow-field characteristics about the hypersonic research aircraft X-24C. A comparison of the results obtained using elliptic, hyperbolic and algebraic grid generators is presented. The outer bow shock is treated as a sharp discontinuity, and the discontinuities within the shock layer are captured. Surface pressures and heat-transfer results at angles of attack of 6 deg and 20 deg, obtained using the three grid generators, are compared. The PNS equations are marched downstream over the body in both Cartesian and cylindrical base coordinate systems, and the results are compared. A robust marching procedure is demonstrated by successfully using large marching-step sizes with the implicit shock fitting procedure. A correlation is found between the marching-step size, Reynolds number and the angle of attack at fixed values of smoothing and stability coefficients for the marching scheme.

Kaul, U. K.

The spatially nonuniform convergence of the numerical solution of flows

The spatial distribution of the numerical disturbances that are generated during the numerical solution of a flow is examined. It is shown that the distribution of the disturbances is not uniform. In regions where the structure of a flow is simple, the magnitude of the generated disturbances is small and their decay is fast. However, in complex flow regions, as in separation and vortical areas, large magnitude disturbances appear and their decay may be very slow. The observed nonuniformity of the numerical disturbances makes possible the reduction of the calculation time by application of what may be called the partial-grid calculation technique, in which a major part of the calculation procedure is applied in selective subregions, where the velocity disturbances are large, and not within the whole grid. This technique is expected to prove beneficial in large-scale calculations such as the flow about complete aircraft configurations at high angle of attack. Also, it has been shown that if the Navier-Stokes equations are written in a generalized coordinate system, then in regions in which the grid is fine, such as near solid boundaries, the norms become infinitesimally small, because in these regions the Jacobian has very large values. Thus, the norms, unless they are unscaled by the Jacobians, reflect only the changes that happen at the outer boundaries of the computation domain, where the value of the Jacobian approaches unity, and not in the whole flow field.

Panaras, Argyris G.

The spatially non-uniform convergence of the numerical solutions of flows

The spatial distribution of the numerical disturbances that are generated during the numerical solution of a flow is examined. It is shown that the distribution of the disturbances is not uniform. In regions where the structure of a flow is simple, the magnitudes of the generated disturbances is small and their decay is fast. However, in complex flow regions, as in separation and vortical areas, large magnitude disturbances appear and their decay may be very slow. The observed nonuniformity of the numerical disturbances makes possible the reduction of the calculation time by application of what may be called the partial-grid calculation technique, in which a major part of the calculation procedure is applied in selective subregions, where the velocity disturbances are large, and not within the whole grid. This technique is expected to prove beneficial in large-scale calculations such as the flow about complete aircraft configurations at high angle of attack. Also, it has been shown that if the Navier-Stokes equations are written in a generalized coordinate system, then in regions in which the grid is fine, such as near solid boundaries, the norms become infinitesimally small, because in these regions the Jacobian has very large values. Thus, the norms, unless they are unscaled by the Jacobians, reflect only the changes that happen at the outer boundaries of the computation domain, where the value of the Jacobian approaches unity, and not in the whole flow field.

Panaras, Argyris G.

A Synthesis of Hybrid RANS/LES CFD Results for F-16XL Aircraft Aerodynamics

A synthesis is presented of recent numerical predictions for the F-16XL aircraft flow fields and aerodynamics. The computational results were all performed with hybrid RANS/LES formulations, with an emphasis on unsteady flows and subsequent aerodynamics, and results from five computational methods are included. The work was focused on one particular low-speed, high angle-of-attack flight test condition, and comparisons against flight-test data are included. This work represents the third coordinated effort using the F-16XL aircraft, and a unique flight-test data set, to advance our knowledge of slender airframe aerodynamics as well as our capability for predicting these aerodynamics with advanced CFD formulations. The prior efforts were identified as Cranked Arrow Wing Aerodynamics Project International, with the acronyms CAWAPI and CAWAPI-2. All information in this paper is in the public domain.

Luckring, James M.

Model Deformation Measurements of Sonic Boom Models in the NASA Ames 9- by 7-Ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The deformations of two sonic-boom models were measured by stereo photogrammetry during tests in the 9- by 7-Ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. The models were geometrically similar but one was 2.75 times as large as the other. Deformation measurements were made by simultaneously imaging the upper surfaces of the models from two directions by calibrated cameras that were mounted behind windows of the test section. Bending and twist were measured at discrete points using conventional circular targets that had been marked along the leading and trailing edges of the wings and tails. In addition, continuous distributions of bending and twist were measured from ink speckles that had been applied to the upper surfaces of the model. Measurements were made at wind-on (M = 1.6) and wind-off conditions over a range of angles of attack between 2.5 deg. and 5.0 deg. At each condition, model deformation was determined by comparing the wind-off and wind-on coordinates of each measurement point after transforming the coordinates to reference coordinates tied to the model. The necessary transformations were determined by measuring the positions of a set of targets on the rigid center-body of the models whose model-axes coordinates were known. Smoothly varying bending and twist measurements were obtained at all conditions. Bending displacements increased in proportion to the square of the distance to the centerline. Maximum deflection of the wingtip of the larger model was about 5 mm (2% of the semispan) and that of the smaller model was 0.9 mm (1% of the semispan). The change in wing twist due to bending increased in direct proportion to distance from the centerline and reached a (absolute) maximum of about -1 at the highest angle of attack for both models. The measurements easily resolved bending displacements as small as 0.05 mm and bending-induced changes in twist as small as 0.05 deg.

model deformation