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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 361 records · Page 20

Acoustic characteristics of a large-scale augmentor wing model at forward speed

The augmentor wing concept is being studied as one means of attaining short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance in turbofan powered aircraft. Because of the stringent noise requirements for STOL operation, the acoustics of the augmentor wing are undergoing extensive research. The results of a wind tunnel investigation of a large-scale swept augmentor model at forward speed are presented. The augmentor was not acoustically treated, although the compressor supplying the high pressure primary air was treated to allow the measurement of only the augmentor noise. Installing the augmentor flap and shroud on the slot primary nozzle caused the acoustic dependence on jet velocity to change from eighth power to sixth power. Deflecting the augmentor at constant power increased the perceived noise level in the forward quadrant. The effect of airspeed was small. A small aft shift in perceived noise directivity was experienced with no significant change in sound power. Sealing the lower augmentor slot at a flap deflection of 70 deg reduced the perceived noise level in the aft quadrant. The seal prevented noise from propagating through the slot.

Falarski, M. D.↗

Unsteady aerodynamic analysis of space shuttle vehicles. Part 3: Booster interference effects

An investigation of the interference flow field on the space-shuttle boost configuration has been made. The results show that the interference effects can dominate the shuttle aerodynamics. Vortices shed from shock-induced flow separations on the forward portion of the vehicle affect the aerodynamic loads on the aft portion of the booster. Thus, the forebody and aft-body flow fields are coupled. This coupling and the associated time lag due to the finite convection speed of the vortices furnish a mechanism whereby the unsteady aerodynamics can cause undamping of certain low frequency elastic modes of the booster. A preliminary order-of-magnitude analysis of the aeroelastic stability of the shuttle booster indicates that negative aerodynamic damping could occur for at least one bending mode and be of sufficient magnitude to dominate the structural damping. The implication of these results, (with the possibility of undamped oscillations leading to structural failure), is serious enough to warrant further, more detailed analysis.

Reding, J. P.↗

Interference between exhaust system and afterbody of twin-engine fuselage configurations

Some of the mutual aircraft afterbody and engine nozzle interferences that can exist on aircraft complex aft-ends and on simplified twin-jet afterbodies are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on studies of twin-engine fuselage configurations with nozzles installed near the terminus of the afterbody where the interactions of the nozzle exhausts and external stream produce a complex flow-field environment. The magnitude of the aft-end problem for real aircraft configurations is illustrated, and some theoretical and empirical considerations of afterbody drag on simple bodies are treated. Many of the factors regarding airframe-installation effects on nozzle performance are discussed, as well as nozzle-installation effects on aircraft performance.

Runckel, J. F.↗

Highly noise suppressed bypass 6 engine for STOL application

A TF-34 engine with an acoustically treated ground test nacelle was built and tested to determine the feasibility of suppressing fan and core engine noise to the stringent levels required for STOL or short-haul commercial aircraft. The design incorporates wall treatment for the fan and core plus three treated splitter rings in the inlet and two treated splitters in the aft fan duct. Maximum suppression of fan tone noise of 40-45 dB was obtained from both the inlet and aft fan treatment. At rated fan speed, overall noise was reduced by 21 PNdB to a value of 94 PNdB on a 500-foot sideline. The overall noise reduction value was limited by the jet noise floor. Thrust losses due to the acoustic treatment are also discussed.

Jones, W. L.↗

Aerodynamic roll damping of a T-tail transport configuration

The aerodynamic roll damping and the yawing moment due to roll rate for a model of a T-tail transport with aft-mounted engines were measured by means of a small-amplitude forced-oscillation mechanism. The tests were made for Mach numbers between 0.21 and 0.80 over a range of angles of attack from about minus 4 deg to 22 deg. The basic configuration had positive damping in roll at low angles of attack with regions of low positive and negative damping for angles of attack above 8 deg to 10 deg. There was good agreement between the theoretical estimates of the roll damping for the wing alone and the experimental results at an angle of attack of 0 deg for Mach numbers of 0.60 and less. The T-tail configuration and the engine nacelles mounted aft on the fuselage did not significantly affect either the damping in roll or the yawing moment due to roll rate.

Boyden, R. P.↗

A wind-tunnel investigation of parameters affecting helicopter directional control at low speeds in ground effect

An investigation was conducted in the Langley full-scale tunnel to measure the performance of several helicopter tail-rotor/fin configurations with regard to directional control problems encountered at low speeds in ground effect. Tests were conducted at wind azimuths of 0 deg to 360 deg in increments of 30 deg and 60 deg and at wind speeds from 0 to 35 knots. The results indicate that at certain combinations of wind speed and wind azimuth, large increases in adverse fin force require correspondingly large increases in the tail-rotor thrust, collective pitch, and power required to maintain yaw trim. Changing the tail-rotor direction of rotation to top blade aft for either a pusher tail rotor (tail-rotor wake blowing away from fin) or a tractor tail rotor (tail-rotor wake blowing against fin) will alleviate this problem. For a pusher tail rotor at 180 deg wind azimuth, increases in the fin/tail-rotor gap were not found to have any significant influence on the overall vehicle directional control capability. Changing the tail rotor to a higher position was found to improve tail-rotor performance for a fin-off configuration at a wind azimuth of 180 deg. A V-tail configuration with a pusher tail rotor with top blade aft direction of rotation was found to be the best configuration with regard to overall directional control capability.

Yeager, W. T., Jr.↗

Description of the Space Shuttle Reaction Control System

The Space Shuttle RCS (reaction control system) is required to provide propulsion thrust for precise attitude control and three-axis translation. This capability must be provided for external tank separation, on-orbit operation, deorbit, and reentry. In order to meet these requirements a bipropellant, pressure-fed system utilizing monomethylhydrazine as fuel, and nitrogen tetroxide as oxidizer has been selected. The RCS engines include 38 primary thrusters rated at 870 lbf thrust and 6 vernier thrusters rated at 25 lbf thrust. The system is divided into three removable modules (one forward and two aft) to achieve maintenance and turnaround requirements. In order to provide additional mission flexibility, the aft modules can be connected together or interconnected with the OMS (orbital maneuvering system).

Blevins, D. R.↗

Space shuttle orbiter reaction control system jet interaction study

The space shuttle orbiter has forward mounted and rear mounted Reaction Control Systems (RCS) which are used for orbital maneuvering and also provide control during entry and abort maneuvers in the atmosphere. The effects of interaction between the RCS jets and the flow over the vehicle in the atmosphere are studied. Test data obtained in the NASA Langley Research Center 31 inch continuous flow hypersonic tunnel at a nominal Mach number of 10.3 is analyzed. The data were obtained with a 0.01 scale force model with aft mounted RCS nozzles mounted on the sting off of the force model balance. The plume simulations were accomplished primarily using air in a cold gas simulation through scaled nozzles, however, various cold gas mixtures of Helium and Argon were also tested. The effect of number of nozzles was tested as were limited tests of combined controls. The data show that RCS nozzle exit momentum ratio is the primary correlating parameter for effects where the plume impinges on an adjacent surface and mass flow ratio is the parameter where the plume interaction is primarily with the external stream. An analytic model of aft mounted RCS units was developed in which the total reaction control moments are the sum of thrust, impingement, interaction, and cross-coupling terms.

Rausch, J. R.↗

The design and implementation of CRT displays in the TCV real-time simulation

The design and application of computer graphics to the Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV) program were described. A Boeing 737-100 series aircraft was modified with a second flight deck and several computers installed in the passenger cabin. One of the elements in support of the TCV program is a sophisticated simulation system developed to duplicate the operation of the aft flight deck. This facility consists of an aft flight deck simulator, equipped with realistic flight instrumentation, a CDC 6600 computer, and an Adage graphics terminal; this terminal presents to the simulator pilot displays similar to those used on the aircraft with equivalent man-machine interactions. These two displays form the primary flight instrumentation for the pilot and are dynamic images depicting critical flight information. The graphics terminal is a high speed interactive refresh-type graphics system. To support the cockpit display, two remote CRT's were wired in parallel with two of the Adage scopes.

Leavitt, J. B.↗

Single stage, low noise advanced technology fan. Volume 3: Acoustic design

The acoustic design for a half-scale fan vehicle, which would have application on an advanced transport aircraft, is described. The single stage advanced technology fan was designed to a pressure ratio of 1.8 at a tip speed of 503 m/sec (1,650 ft/sec). The two basic approaches taken in the acoustic design were: (1) minimization of noise at the source, and (2) suppression of the generated noise in the inlet and bypass exhaust duct. Suppression of the generated noise is accomplished in the inlet through use of the hybrid concept (wall acoustic treatment plus airflow acceleration suppression) and in the exhaust duct with extensive acoustic treatment including a splitter. The goal of the design was attainment of twenty effective perceived noise decibels (20 EPNdB) below current Federal Air Regulation noise standards for a full-scale fan at the takeoff, cutback, and approach conditions. Predicted unsuppressed and suppressed fore and aft maximum perceived noise levels indicate that the cutback condition is the most critical with respect to the goal, which is probably unattainable for that condition. This is also true for aft radiated noise in the approach condition.

Kazin, S. B.↗

Centaur D-1A nose fairing jettison test

An experimental investigation was conducted to verify the functional and structural capability of the Centaur D-1A nose fairing. A full-scale flight-type nose fairing was jettisoned at the Lewis Research Center Space Power Chamber at simulated altitude. Two complete jettisons of the nose fairing were performed, one without aft helper springs and one with aft helper springs. A ''static'' rotation test was also performed to verify capability of the helper springs and to allow clearance measurements between the nose fairing and spacecraft envelope mock-up at certain discrete nose fairing rotation angles. Nose fairing trajectories, structural deflections, clearances, and hinge forces during jettison are presented. Data from subsequent Centaur D-1A flights, relative to nose fairing jettisons, are compared with the experimental results.

Prati, W. M.↗

A study of moving base simulation motion cues utilizing washout technique

The present study was conducted to derive data on non-visual motion thresholds utilizing washout technique, and to develop specific threshold values for use as washout parameters. It describes the results of acceleration detection studies carried out using the NASA MSFC General Purpose Simulator which provides six degree-of-freedom cab motion. A series of experiments was performed to test the hypothesis that constant velocity visual cues might suppress non-visual deceleration sensitivity. The psychophysical method employed was the forced-choice procedure which theoretically yields a pure sensitivity measure. The MSFC General Purpose Simulator was programmed to provide velocity ramps in three axes - pitch, fore-aft translation, and vertical translation. Data were collected with and without a constant velocity visual input. Comparison of the current results with classical data suggested significantly greater sensitivity of the human observer to fore-aft accelerations than has generally been reported, sensitivity tending to depend on motion direction and sign of velocity change.

Kirkpatrick, M., III↗

Noise comparisons of single and two stage demonstrator fans for advanced technology aircraft

A high-speed single-stage and a low-speed two-stage fan were designed, fabricated and tested to demonstrate their predicted low noise performance for an advanced 0.85-0.90 cruise Mach number aircraft requiring a 1.8-1.9 pressure ratio fan. Acoustic tests were made with both unsuppressed and suppressed configurations. The two-stage fan demonstrated that quiet fan technology developed for low-speed single-stage fan is applicable to two-stage designs. The unsuppressed two-stage fan was 3-5 dB quieter than the high-speed single-stage fan at the same pressure ratio. The unsuppressed high-speed single-stage fan demonstrated that significant reductions in inlet noise can be achieved from the sonic blockage caused by supersonic flow in the rotor blading. Both fans demonstrated suppressed inlet noise levels with treated sonic inlets that met advanced technology goals. Suppressed aft noise levels did not meet expectations for either fan. The aft noise problem is attributed to both excessive source noise and ineffective treatment performance.

Heidmann, M. F.↗

Tailcone on orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed

A preflight analysis performed for verification of the ALT mated vehicle incidence angle which maximizes the post separation altitude attainment by the orbiter at the maximum approach and landing test (ALT) interface airspeed (300 KEAS) is discussed. In the analysis, altitude versus airspeed profiles are generated for each of the three incidence angles that include and bound the recommended incidence angle for both the forward and the aft cg tailcone on orbiter configurations. Results show that the recommended incidence angles maximize the orbiter post separation altitude attainable within an acceptable tradeoff between separation clearance capability and orbiter structural constraints. Within constraints, the incidence angle that maximizes the orbiter altitude at the maximum ALT interface airspeed for both the forward and aft cg orbiter tailcone on configurations is 6.0 deg. The requirement for a parametric analysis of orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed is stated along with the specifications, assumptions, and analytical approach used to determine orbiter altitude attainable at the maximum ALT interface airspeed.

Glenn, G. M.↗

Space shuttle orbiter rear mounted reaction control system jet interaction study

The effect of interaction between the reaction control system (RCS) jets and the flow over the space shuttle orbiter in the atmosphere was investigated in the NASA Langley 31-inch continuous flow hypersonic tunnel at a nominal Mach number of 10.3 and in the AEDC continuous flow hypersonic tunnel B at a nominal Mach number of 6, using 0.01 and .0125 scale force models with aft RCS nozzles mounted both on the model and on the sting of the force model balance. The data show that RCS nozzle exit momentum ratio is the primary correlating parameter for effects where the plume impinges on an adjacent surface and mass flow ratio is the parameter when the plume interaction is primarily with the external stream. An analytic model of aft mounted RCS units was developed in which the total reaction control moments are the sum of thrust, impingement, interaction, and cross-coupling terms.

Rausch, J. R.↗

Spacelab Mission Simulation-II

The NASA Johnson Space Center conducted the second in a series of Spacelab mission simulations during the week of January 26-February 1, 1976. The facilities that supported the Spacelab Mission Simulation-II (SMS-II) included mock-ups of Spacelab, the Orbiter mid-deck and aft flight deck areas, and support areas simulating a mission control area and a payload operation control area. The SMS-II encompassed presently identified Spacelab mission requirements including experiment solicitation, evaluation, selection, and prioritization; crew selection and training; experiment hardware development, integration, and evaluation. The payload chosen included a cosmic ray physics experiment which was located on a pallet aft of the Spacelab and 20 biomedical experiments which were performed in the Spacelab. This paper will summarize simulation experience to date and list areas requiring substantial evaluation in the future.

Sawin, C. F.↗

Technology of civil usage of composites

The paper deals with the use of advanced composites in structural components of commercial aircraft. The need for testing the response of a material system to service environment is discussed along with methods for evaluating design and manufacturing aspects of a built-up structure under environmental conditions and fail-safe (damage-tolerance) evaluation of structures. Crashworthiness aspects, the fire-hazard potential, and electrical damage of composite structures are considered. Practical operational experience with commercial aircraft is reviewed for boron/epoxy foreflaps, Kevlar/epoxy fillets and fairings, graphite/epoxy spoilers, graphite/polysulfone spoilers, graphite/epoxy floor posts, boron/aluminum aft pylon skin panels, graphite/epoxy engine nose cowl outer barrels, and graphite/epoxy upper aft rudder segments.

Kemp, D. E.↗

Computation of viscous transonic flow about a lifting airfoil

The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically for the viscous transonic flow about a stationary NACA 64A010 airfoil in free air. This paper presents descriptions of the numerical method, turbulence models employed, and boundary conditions appropriate to simulation of free-air flight. Computed results are presented for the airfoil at a free-stream Mach number of 0.8, angles of attack of 0 and 2 deg, and a Reynolds number based on a chord of 4 x 10 to the 6th. For the lifting case, unsteady periodic motion was calculated along the aft portion of the airfoil and in its wake. Recent experimental results obtained by Johnson indicate periodicity aft of the shock closely approximates the computed frequency, but the amplitude of the disturbances was significantly less than the calculated amplitude.

Walitt, L.↗