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At least 397 records · Page 22

Applications of higher harmonic control to hingeless rotor systems

A comprehensive analytical formulation was developed to predict the vibratory hub loads of a helicopter rotor system in forward flight. This analysis is used to calculate the optimal higher harmonic control inputs and associated actuator power required to minimize these hub loads. The present formulation is based on a finite element method in space and time. A nonlinear time domain, unsteady aerodynamic model is used to obtain the airloads, and the rotor induced inflow is calculated using a nonuniform inflow model. Predicted vibratory hub loads are correlated with experimental data from a scale model rotor. Results of a parametric study on a hindgeless rotor show that blade flap, lag and torsion vibration characteristics, offset of blade center of mass from elastic axis, offset of elastic axis from quarter-chord axis, and blade thrust greatly affect the higher harmonic control actuator power requirement.

Nguyen, Khanh↗

Vibration analysis of the SA349/2 helicopter

Helicopter airframe vibration is examined using calculations and measurements for the SA349/2 research helicopter. The hub loads, which transmit excitations to the fuselage, are predicted using a comprehensive rotorcraft analysis and correlated with measuring hub loads. The predicted and measured hub loads are then coupled with finite element models representing the SA349/2 fuselage. The resulting vertical acceleration at the pilot seat is examined. Adjustments are made to the airframe structural models to examine the sensitivity of predicted vertical acceleration to the model. Changes of a few percent to the damping and frequency of specific models lead to large reductions in predicted vibration, and to major improvements in the correlations with measured pilot-seat vertical acceleration.

Heffernan, Ruth↗

Application of higher harmonic control to hingeless rotor systems

A comprehensive analytical formulation has been dveloped to predict the vibratory hub loads of a helicopter rotor system in forward flight. The analysis is used to calculate the optimal higher harmonic control inputs and associated actuator power required to minimize these hub loads. The present formulation is based on a finite element method in space and time. A nonlinear time domain, unsteady aerodynamic model is used to obtain the airloads, and the rotor induced inflow is calculated using a nonuniform inflow model. Predicted vibratory hub loads are correlated with experimental data obtained from a scaled model rotor. Results of a parametric study on a hingeless rotor show that blade flap, lag and torsion vibration characteristics, offset of blade center of mass from elastic axis, offset of elastic axis from quarter-chord axis, and blade thrust greatly affect the higher harmonic control actuator power requirement.

Nguyen, Khanh↗

Analysis and correlation of SA349/2 helicopter vibration

Helicopter airframe vibration is examined using calculation and measurements for the SA349/2 research helicopter. The hub loads, which transmit excitation to the fuselage, are predicted using a comprehensive rotorcraft analysis and correlated with measured hub loads. The predicted and measured hub loads are then coupled with finite element models representing the SA349/2 fuselage. The resulting vertical acceleration at the pilot seat is examined. Adjustments are made to the airframe structural models to examine the sensitivity of predicted vertical acceleration to the model. Changes of a few percent to the damping and frequency of specific modes lead to large reductions in predicted vibration and to major improvements in the correlations with measured pilot seat vertical acceleration.

Heffernan, Ruth↗

Optimizing tuning masses for helicopter rotor blade vibration reduction including computed airloads and comparison with test data

The development and validation of an optimization procedure to systematically place tuning masses along a rotor blade span to minimize vibratory loads are described. The masses and their corresponding locations are the design variables that are manipulated to reduce the harmonics of hub shear for a four-bladed rotor system without adding a large mass penalty. The procedure incorporates a comprehensive helicopter analysis to calculate the airloads. Predicting changes in airloads due to changes in design variables is an important feature of this research. The procedure was applied to a one-sixth, Mach-scaled rotor blade model to place three masses and then again to place six masses. In both cases the added mass was able to achieve significant reductions in the hub shear. In addition, the procedure was applied to place a single mass of fixed value on a blade model to reduce the hub shear for three flight conditions. The analytical results were compared to experimental data from a wind tunnel test performed in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The correlation of the mass location was good and the trend of the mass location with respect to flight speed was predicted fairly well. However, it was noted that the analysis was not entirely successful at predicting the absolute magnitudes of the fixed system loads.

Pritchard, Jocelyn I.↗

Vibration reduction in helicopter rotors using an active control surface located on the blade

A feasibility study of vibration reduction in a four-bladed helicopter rotor using individual blade control (IBC), which is implemented by an individually controlled aerodynamic surface located on each blade, is presented. For this exploratory study, a simple offset-hinged spring restrained model of the blade is used with fully coupled flap-lag-torsional dynamics for each blade. Deterministic controllers based on local and global system models are implemented to reduce 4/rev hub loads using both an actively controlled aerodynamic surface on each blade as well as conventional IBC, where the complete blade undergoes cyclic pitch change. The effectiveness of the two approaches for simultaneous reduction of the 4/rev hub shears and hub moments is compared. Conventional IBC requires considerably more power to achieve approximately the same level of vibration reduction as that obtained by implementing IBC using an active control surface located on the outboard segment of the blade. The effect of blade torsional flexibility on the vibration reduction effectiveness of the actively controlled surface was also considered and it was found that this parameter has a very substantial influence.

Millott, T. A.↗

Aeroelastic response and blade loads of a composite rotor in forward flight

The aeroelastic response, blade and hub loads, and shaft-fixed aeroelastic stability is investigated for a helicopter with elastically tailored composite rotor blades. A new finite element based structural analysis including nonclassical effects such as transverse shear, torsion related warping and inplane elasticity is integrated with the University of Maryland Advanced Rotorcraft Code. The structural dynamics analysis is correlated against both experimental data and detailed finite element results. Correlation of rotating natural frequencies of coupled composite box-beams is generally within 5-10 percent. The analysis is applied to a soft-inplane hingeless rotor helicopter in free flight propulsive trim. For example, lag mode damping can be increased 300 percent over a range of thrust conditions and forward speeds. The influence of unsteady aerodynamics on the blade response and vibratory hub loads is also investigated. The magnitude and phase of the flap response is substantially altered by the unsteady aerodynamic effects. Vibratory hub loads increase up to 30 percent due to unsteady aerodynamic effects.

Smith, Edward C.↗

Data communication network at the ASRM facility

This report describes the simulation of the overall communication network structure for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) facility being built at Yellow Creek near Iuka, Mississippi as of today. The report is compiled using information received from NASA/MSFC, LMSC, AAD, and RUST Inc. As per the information gathered, the overall network structure will have one logical FDDI ring acting as a backbone for the whole complex. The buildings will be grouped into two categories viz. manufacturing intensive and manufacturing non-intensive. The manufacturing intensive buildings will be connected via FDDI to the Operational Information System (OIS) in the main computing center in B_1000. The manufacturing non-intensive buildings will be connected by 10BASE-FL to the OIS through the Business Information System (BIS) hub in the main computing center. All the devices inside B_1000 will communicate with the BIS. The workcells will be connected to the Area Supervisory Computers (ASCs) through the nearest manufacturing intensive hub and one of the OIS hubs. Comdisco's Block Oriented Network Simulator (BONeS) has been used to simulate the performance of the network. BONeS models a network topology, traffic, data structures, and protocol functions using a graphical interface. The main aim of the simulations was to evaluate the loading of the OIS, the BIS, and the ASCs, and the network links by the traffic generated by the workstations and workcells throughout the site.

Moorhead, Robert J., II↗

An experimental study of heat transfer in a large-scale turbine rotor passage

An experimental study of the heat transfer distribution in a turbine rotor passage was conducted in a large-scale, ambient temperature, rotating turbine model. Heat transfer was measured for both the full-span suction and pressure surfaces of the airfoil as well as for the hub endwall surface. The objective of this program was to document the effects of flow three-dimensionality on the heat transfer in a rotating blade row (vs a stationary cascade). Of particular interest were the effects of the hub and tip secondary flows, tip leakage and the leading-edge horseshoe vortex system. The effect of surface roughness on the passage heat transfer was also investigated. Midspan results are compared with both smooth-wall and rough-wall finite-difference two-dimensional heat transfer predictions. Contour maps of Stanton number for both the rotor airfoil and endwall surfaces revealed numerous regions of high heat transfer produced by the three-dimensional flows within the rotor passage. Of particular importance are regions of local enhancement (as much as 100 percent over midspan values) produced on the airfoil suction surface by the secondary flows and tip-leakage vortices and on the hub endwall by the leading-edge horseshoe vortex system.

Blair, Michael F.↗

Three-dimensional flow field in a turbine nozzle passage

Detailed measurements were taken in the nozzle of a low speed single stage axial flow turbine at two axial planes inside the nozzle and on the nozzle and endwall surfaces. Velocity, turbulence and angle measurements were taken at midchord with an LDV while a five hole probe was used to measure the pressure, velocities and angles just upstream of the trailing edge. Nozzle surface and endwall static pressures were also measured. These measurements were compared to measurements previously completed at two axial planes downstream of the nozzle. The results show that at midchord, the secondary flow seems to be weak and it is in the early stages of development. Just upstream of the trailing edge, the secondary flow is clearly visible. The radially inward flow near the suction surface augments the casing passage vortex, while counteracting the hub passage vortex. Traveling downstream, the casing passage vortex remains strong while at the hub, the radially inward flow of the suction surface boundary layer has reversed direction due to the rotating hub. The blade static pressures and the passage averaged velocities compare well with Katsanis' quasi-three-dimensional code. These and other data are presented, interpreted and synthesized to understand the nozzle flow field.

Zaccaria, M.↗

Preliminary Investigation of Flow Fluctuations During Surge and Blade Row Stall in Axial-flow Compressors / c Merle C. Huppert

A preliminary investigation of the flow fluctuations of surge and blade row stall was conducted with three single-stage axial-flow compressors with hub-tip ratios of 0.9,0.8, and 0.5 and with a multistage axial-flow compressor. Flow fluctuations of large amplitude associated with stall were detected in all compressors investigated. The fluctuations were caused by low flow regions affecting 25 to 40 percent of the annulus area and propagating in the direction of compressor rotation, but at a lower speed. Mild audible surge was obtained with the single-stage compressors with hub-tip ratios of 0.9 and 0.8. No audible surge was detected with the 0.5 hub-tip ratio stage. A severe audible surge was obtained with the multistage axial-flow compressor. The surge point was coincident with the sharp drop in pressure ratio due to stall.

ENGINES, TURBO-JET↗

Design and Test of Mixed-flow Impellers III : Design and Experimental Results for Impeller Model MFI-2A and Comparison with Impeller Model MFI-1A

A mixed-flow impeller was designed to give a prescribed blade-surface velocity distribution at mean blade height for a given hub-shroud profile. The blade shape at mean blade height, which was produced by the prescribed velocity distribution, was extended by means of radial lines to form the composite blade shape from hub to shroud. The resulting blade was relatively thick; therefore, it was necessary to retain the inverse blade taper which resulted from extension of the radial lines in order to prevent merging or near merging of the separate blades near the hub. For the first test version of the impeller, designated the MFI-2A, the blade height was arbitrarily made greater than that for the basic impeller (the MFI-2) to allow for viscous effects. At design equivalent speed of 1400 feet per second the peak pressure ratio and maximum adiabatic efficiency were 3.95 and 79 percent, respectively. The adiabatic efficiency of the MFI-2A is four points lower than that for impeller model MFI-1A, but because of the higher slip factor for the MFI-2A, the pressure ratios are approximately equal. The procedures followed in the design of the MFI-1A and MFI-2A were, in general, the same; and, although the prescribed initial condition resulted in geometrical configurations that were quite dissimilar, the resulting performance characteristics compare favorably with designs for which considerable development work has been necessary.

COMPRESSION AND COMPRESSORS↗

Single-input/single-output transfer functions for a flexible slewing link

Truncated linear models based on constrained and unconstrained mode expansions for a flexible link with torque actuation at its hub led us to examine the behavior of the open-loop-zeros of five commonly used SISO transfer functions. We arrive at new conclusions with regard to minimum- and non-minimum-phase zeros, and passivity of the transfer functions. The flexible-to-rigid inertia (FRI) ratio plays an important role in the determination of these characteristics. This paper illustrates how the zero locations of some of the transfer functions are dramatically affected by the FRI ratio. We also investigate the performance of a hub angle, hub rate, and relative tip position static feedback controller based on a reduced-order constrained mode model when applied to both unconstrained and constrained mode models of the same dimension. Simulations indicate that the constrained model can be stable while the unconstrained model is not for high FRI ratios. Our findings can provide useful information to designers in cases where the controller is sensitive to the 1ocation of the plant's zeros.

Barbieri, Enrique↗

Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Investigation of the Drag Characteristics of an HU2K Helicopter Fuselage

An investigation was conducted in the Langley full-scale tunnel to determine the drag characteristics of the HU2K helicopter fuselage. The effects of body shape, engine operation, appendages, and leakage on the model drag were determined. The results of the tests showed that the largest single contribution to the parasite drag was that of the rotor hub installation which produced about 80 percent of the drag of the sealed and faired production body. Fairings on the rotor hub and blade retentions, or a cleaned-up hub and retentions, appeared to be the most effective single modifications tested. The total drag of all protuberances and air leakage also contributed a major part of the drag - an 83-percent increase over the drag of the sealed and faired production body. An additional increment of drag was caused by the basic shape of the fuselage - 19 percent more than the drag obtained when the fuselage shape was extensively refaired. Another sizable increment of drag was caused by the engine oil-cooler exit which gave a drag of 8 percent of that of the sealed and faired production body.

Scallion, William I.↗

Blading System and Method For Controlling Structural Vibrations

A new blading system for controlling the structural vibrations in axial-flow compressors, turbines, or fans, as in aircraft engines and like turbomachines including a stator disc and a rotor disc is presented. The rotor disc defines several radial hubs that retain the rotor blading systems. Each blading system includes a blade formed of an airfoil, and a root attachment which is dimensioned to fit within, and to engage a corresponding hub. Viscoelastic dampers are selectively applied to the outer surfaces of the root attachment on which compressive or shear forces are likely to develop, intermediate the root attachment and the hub, for compression therebetween upon rotation of the rotor disc, in order to dampen structural vibrations. One advantage presented by the viscoelastic dampers lies in its simplicity, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and its ability to be retrofitted into existing turbomachines with minor surface treatment of the root attachments. Furthermore, since the dampers are not exposed to the inflowing airstream, they do not affect the aerodynamic performance of the turbomachine. Another feature of the damping system is that it provides a significant source of damping to minimize destructive structural vibrations, thereby increasing the durability of the turbomachine, and reducing acoustic noise accompanying high amplitude vibrations.

Nguyen, Nhan↗

Preliminary Planar Formation-Flight Dynamics Near Sun-Earth L2 Point

A few space agencies are planning missions to the vicinity of the Sun-Earth L(sub 2) point, some involving a distributed space system of telescope spacecraft, configured in a plane about a hub. An improved understanding is developed of the relative motion of such objects in formation flight. The telescope equations of motion are written relative to the hub, in terms of the hub s distance from L(sub 2), and an analytical solution is developed, useful for performing orbit control analysis. A halo telescope orbit is investigated, with initial conditions selected to avoid resonance excitation. An example case of the resulting solution is presented.

Segerman, Alan M.↗

The Temporal Configuration of Airline Networks

The deregulation of US aviation in 1978 resulted in the reconfiguration of airline networks into hub-and-spoke systems, spatially concentrated around a small number of central airports or 'hubs' through which an airline operates a number of daily waves of flights. A hub-and-spoke network requires a concentration of traffic in both space and time. In contrast to the U.S. airlines, European airlines had entered the phase of spatial network concentration long before deregulation. Bilateral negotiation of traffic fights between governments forced European airlines to focus their networks spatially on small number of 'national' airports. In general, these star-shaped networks were not coordinated in time. Transfer opportunities at central airports were mostly created 'by accident'. With the deregulation of the EU air transport market from 1988 on, a second phase of airline network concentration started. European airlines concentrated their networks in time by adopting or intensifying wave-system structures in their flight schedules. Temporal concentration may increase the competitive position of the network in a deregulated market because of certain cost and demand advantages.

Burghouwt, Guillaume↗

Lewis Investigates Frequency Sharing Between Future NASA Space Systems and Local Multipoint Distribution Systems in the 27-GHz Band

At the request of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the NASA Lewis Research Center undertook an intensive study to examine the feasibility of frequency sharing between future NASA space services and proposed Local Multipoint Distribution Systems (LMDS) in the 25.25- to 27.5-GHz band. This follows NASA's earlier involvement in the FCC's 1994 Negotiated Rule Making Committee which studied frequency sharing between Ka-band Fixed Satellite Services and LMDS in the 27.5- to 29.5-GHz band. LMDS is a terrestrial, cellular, wireless communication service primarily intended to provide television distribution from hub stations located within relatively small cells to fixed subscriber receivers. Some proposed systems, however, also plan to offer interactive services via subscriber-to-hub transmissions. LMDS providers anticipate that their systems will be a cost-effective alternative to cable television systems, especially in urban areas. LMDS proponents have expressed an interest in using frequencies below 27.5 GHz. NASA, however, plans to operate three types of space systems below 27.5 GHz. The H, I, and J follow-on satellites for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), which are planned for launch beginning in 1999, are designed to receive high-data-rate transmissions (up to 800 Mbps) from low-Earth orbiting "user" spacecraft in the 25.25- to 27.5-GHz band. In this case, the potential interference is the aggregate interference from LMDS transmitters (both hubs and subscribers) into the TDRSS tracking receive beams as they sweep over the Earth's surface while tracking lower altitude user spacecraft.

Source record↗