Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Reduction Potential”

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 361 records · Page 20

Aircraft community noise impact studies

The objectives of the study are to: (1) conduct a program to determine the community noise impact of advanced technology engines when installed in a supersonic aircraft, (2) determine the potential reduction of community noise by flight operational techniques for the study aircraft, (3) estimate the community noise impact of the study aircraft powered by suppressed turbojet engines and by advanced duct heating turbofan engines, and (4) compare the impact of the two supersonic designs with that of conventional commercial DC-8 aircraft.

Source record↗

Fixed pitch wind turbines

Wind turbines designed for fixed pitch operation offer potential reductions in the cost of the machine by eliminating many costly components. It was shown that a rotor can be designed which produces the same energy annually as Mod-0 but which regulates its power automatically by progressively stalling the blades as wind speed increases. Effects of blade twist, taper, root cutout, and airfoil shape on performance are discussed as well as various starting technqiues.

Fenn, D. B.↗

A demonstration of dual spacecraft tracking conducted with the Viking spacecraft during the approach phase

The potential improvements in navigation capability of dual spacecraft tracking were demonstrated using Viking approach data. Under unfavorable conditions of large plasma noise, low spacecraft declination and large earth-spacecraft distance, the dual spacecraft tracking technique improved the Viking B approach accuracy based on short-arc radio metric data, by a factor of 7, to less than 200 km at Mars orbit insertion minus 3 days. From the results of an analytical expansion and the Viking demonstration with a large intentional error in Mars ephemeris, that dual spacecraft data types are shown to be insensitive to ephemeris error. Results also reveal the potential reduction of tracking time requirements during planet approach.

Chao, C. C.↗

Winglet and long duct nacelle aerodynamic development for DC-10 derivatives

Advanced technology for application to the Douglas DC-10 transport is discussed. Results of wind tunnel tests indicate that the winglet offers substantial cruise drag reduction with less wing root bending moment penalty than a wing-tip extension of the same effectiveness and that the long duct nacelle offers substantial drag reduction potential as a result of aerodynamic and propulsion improvements. The aerodynamic design and test of the nacelle and pylon installation are described.

Taylor, A. B.↗

Subsonic wind-tunnel investigation of leading-edge devices on delta wings (data report)

The drag reduction potential of leading edge devices on delta wings at high lift is presented. Fences, pylon type vortex generators, chordwise slots, and sharp plate extensions were tested on wing models with 60 and 74 degree swept blunt leading edges at angles of attack to 32 degrees. Six component balance and leading edge surface pressure measurements were taken with various geometry and spanwise arrangements of the devices. Tables listing the data, without analysis, are presented.

Dhanvada, M. R.↗

Status of the DOE/NASA critical gas turbine R & T Project

The purpose of the DOE/NASA CRT (Critical Research and Technology) Project at the Lewis Research Center is to provide an R&T data base for utility gas turbine systems burning coal-derived fuels. Coal-derived fuels present difficult problems in combustion (because of the high organically-bound nitrogen in the fuel), and materials (because of the trace metal contaminant levels in the fuels, leading to corrosion and deposition in the turbine hot section). The combustion task includes (1) an effort to model the rich-lean combustion process, to predict NOx emissions; (2) a two-stage flame tube experiment to study the effects of combustion operating conditions and fuel properties on NOx conversion; and (3) scaled combustor tests to evaluate the NOx-reduction potential of several staged-combustion concepts. The materials-corrosion resistance effort attacks the problem on three sides.

Clark, J. S.↗

Advanced materials and fabrication processes for supersonic cruise aircraft

Research and development programs to develop high-strength aluminum alloys and low-cost materials and fabrication techniques for titanium alloys are being conducted. Thirteen aluminum alloy compositions are being evaluated. A section of a production component was fabricated using superplastic forming and diffusion bonding (SPF/DB) and fabrication studies are being conducted on three low temperature forming beta titanium alloys. Cost studies indicate substantial structural cost reduction potentials resulting from the use of both aluminum alloys and low-cost titanium fabrication techniques. Lowest overall costs are indicated for a composite/aluminum or composite titanium structure.

Guess, M. K.↗

Wind-tunnel studies of advanced cargo aircraft concepts

Accomplishments in vortex flap research are summarized. A singular feature of the vortex flap is that, throughout the range of angle of attack range, the flow type remains qualitatively unchanged. Accordingly, no large or sudden change in the aerodynamic characteristics, as happens when forcibly maintained attached flow suddenly reverts to separation, will occur with the vortex flap. Typical wind tunnel test data are presented which show the drag reduction potential of the vortex flap concept applied to a supersonic cruise airplane configuration. The new technology offers a means of aerodynamically augmenting roll-control effectiveness on slender wings at higher angles of attack by manipulating the vortex flow generated from leading edge separation. The proposed manipulator takes the form of a flap hinged at or close to the leading edge, normally retracted flush with the wing upper surface to conform to the airfoil shape.

Rao, D. M.↗

Subsonic balance and pressure investigation of a 60-deg delta wing with leading-edge devices (data report)

The drag reduction potential of leading edge devices on a 60 degree delta wing at high lift was examined. Geometric variations of fences, chordwise slots, pylon type vortex generators, leading edge vortex flaps, and sharp leading edge extensions were tested individually and in specific combinations to improve high-alpha drag performance with a minimum of low-alpha drag penalty. The force, moment, and surface static pressure data for angles of attack up to 23 degrees, at Mach and Reynolds numbers of 0.16 and 3.85 x 10 to the 6th power per meter are documented.

Rao, D. M.↗

Feasibility study for long lifetime helium dewar

A feasible concept for a launchable three year lifetime helium dewar was investigted. Current helium dewar designs were examined to see where the largest potential reductions in parasitic heat loads can be made. The study was also devoted to examining support concepts. The support concept chosen, a passive orbital disconnect strut (PODS), has an orbital support conductance that is lower by more than an order of magnitude over current tension band supports. This lower support conductance cuts the total dewar weight in half for the same three year life time requirements. Effort was also concentrated on efficient wire feed through designs and vapor cooling of the multilayer insulation, supports, wire feed throughs and plumbing penetrations. A single stage helium dewar vs. dual stage dewars with a guard cryogen of nitrogen or neon was examined. The single stage dewar concept was selected. Different support concepts were analyzed from which the PODS support concepts was chosen. A preliminary design of the dewar was thermally and structurally analyzed and laid out including system weights, thermal performance and performance sensitivities.

Parmley, R. T.↗

Selected winglet and mixed flow long duct nacelle development for DC-10 derivative aircraft

The high speed cruise drag effects of the installation of winglets and a wing tip extension and a mixed flow long duct nacelle are investigated. The winglet program utilized a 4.7 percent semispan model in an eight foot transonic wind tunnel. Winglets provided approximately twice the cruise drag reduction of wing tip extensions for about the same increase in bending moment at the wing-fuselage juncture. The long duct nacelle interference drag program utilized the same model, without the winglets, in the 11 foot transonic wind tunnel. The long duct nacelle, installed in the same position as the current short duct nacelle and with the current production symmetric pylon, was a relatively low risk installation. A pylon with an addition small rearward fairing was also tested and showed some drag reduction potential over the current pylon.

Taylor, A. B.↗

An investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of a new general aviation airfoil in flight

A low speed airfoil, the GA(W)-2, - a 13% thickness to chord ratio airfoil was evaluated. The wing of a Beech Sundowner was modified at by adding balsa ribs and covered with aluminum skin, to alter the existing airfoil shape to that of the GA(W)-2 airfoil. The aircraft was flown in a flight test program that gathered wing surface pressures and wake data from which the lift drag, and pitching moment of the airfoil could be determined. After the base line performance of the airfoil was measured, the drag due to surface irregularities such as steps, rivets and surface waviness was determined. The potential reduction of drag through the use of surface coatings such as KAPTON was also investigated.

Gregorek, G. M.↗

Flight test evaluation of drag effects on surface coatings on the NASA Boeing 737 TCV airplane

A flight test program was conducted in which the effects of various surface coatings on aerodynamic drag were investigated; results of this program are described in this report. The tests were conducted at NASA-Langley Research Center on the terminal configured vehicle (TCV) Boeing 737 research airplane. The Boeing Company, as contractor with NASA under the Energy Efficient Transport (EET) program, planned and evaluated the experiment. The NASA-TCV Program Office coordinated the experiment and performed the flight tests. The principal objective of the test was to evaluate the drag reduction potential of an elastomeric polyurethane surface coating, CAAPCO B-274, which also has been considered for application on transport airplanes to protect leading edges from erosion. The smooth surface achievable with this type of coating held some promise of reducing the skin friction drag as compared to conventional production type aircraft surfaces, which are usually anodized bare metal or coated with corrosion protective paint. Requirements for high precision measurements were the principal considerations in the experiment.

George-Falvy, D.↗

An electrochemical study of Ni/2+/, Co/2+/, and Zn/2+/ ions in melts of composition CaMgSi2O6

Results are reported for a study of the behavior of Ni(2+), Co(2+), and Zn(2+) in molten diopside, determined by cyclic voltametry, as a first step in adapting electrochemical methods for use in experimental geochemistry. The techniques used are described, the theory is briefly discussed, and it is demonstrated that Ni(2+), Co(2+), and Zn(2+) can be reduced, then reoxidized in an uncomplicated case of reversible charge transfer at the Pt electrode. This implies that the neutral metal atoms remain undissolved in the melt. The kinetics of the reduction process, the effects of concentration, the standard reduction potentials, and the diffusion coefficients are discussed in detail. The observations are consistent with the mechanism of Ni(2+) diffusion by transport from site to site. As the proportion of SiO2 in the melt increases, a higher activation energy is required for Ni(2+) to move, and the rate of diffusion is lowered.

Semkow, K. W.↗

Flight management systems - What are they and why are they being developed?

This paper presents the motivation for developing and using flight management systems. The architecture and theoretical basis of these systems is presented and their typical operation during a flight is described. Two computer programs developed to support flight management research are used to obtain numerical results which illustrate significant potential reductions in fuel used and/or airline operating costs which can be achieved through use of flight management systems. The specific levels of savings depend on the nature of the air traffic control system in which the aircraft operates. Accordingly, results are presented both for operations in the existing air traffic control system and in an air traffic control environment with reduced restrictions on airplane operations. The capability of airplanes equipped with suitable flight management systems to operate in a time-based (4-D) environment is also discussed. Programs of the Federal Aviation Administration which may influence the operation of flight management system equipped aircraft in the evolving National Airspace System are also briefly reviewed.

Creedon, J. F.↗

An electromotive force series in a borosilicate glass-forming melt

An electromotive force series for redox couples was defined as a function of oxygen fugacity in a borosilicate melt at 1150 C. The resulting order of relative reduction potentials can be used to estimate the amounts of redox species in glass during processing. The electromotive force series in this melt is comparable to those in other silicate glass-forming melts and in aqueous systems but differs in detail because of interaction of the solvents with individual redox couples.

Schreiber, H. D.↗

Results of aeroheating DFI and ET design-data test on a 0.0175-scale model 60-OTS conducted in the Von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF) 40" supersonic and the 50" hypersonic wind tunnels A and C

The 0.0175-scale thin-skin thermocouple Model 60-OTS was tested in the von Karman Gas Facility 40-inch continuous flow supersonic tunnel A and the VKF Tunnel C. Testing was conducted at Mach numbers 2.25 to 4.0, and Reynolds numbers from 0.4 x 10 to the 6th power/ft to 6.6 x 10 to the 6th power/ft. Angle of attack range was from -5.0 to +5.0 degrees, and angle of sideslip range was from -6 to +6 degrees. The primary objective of this test was to provide a valid base for the external tank (ET) and solid rocket booster (SRB) heating prediction methodology for ascent flight by taking heating data at Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) locations for flight conditions simulating STS-1 through -4. A second objective was to obtain additional aeroheating data to support potential reduction of the thermal protection system (TPS) on the ET. The third phase of the test was funded and conducted by NASA/MSFC for the purpose of establishing confidence in the data base from the lower temperature tunnel A.

Marroquin, J.↗

Reductions in ozone at high concentrations of stratospheric halogens

An increase in the concentration of inorganic chlorine to levels comparable to that of oxidized reactive nitrogen could cause a significant change in the chemistry of the lower stratosphere leading to a reduction potentially larger than 15 percent in the column density of ozone. This could occur, for example by the middle of the next century, if emissions of man-made chlorocarbons were to grow at a rate of 3 percent per year. Ozone could be further depressed by release of industrial bromocarbon.

Prather, M. J.↗