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At least 415 records · Page 23

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NASA NTRS2015

Approach for Structurally Clearing an Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flap for Flight

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flap was flown on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Gulfstream GIII testbed at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. This smoothly curving flap replaced the existing Fowler flaps creating a seamless control surface. This compliant structure, developed by FlexSys Inc. in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, supported NASA objectives for airframe structural noise reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, and wing weight reduction through gust load alleviation. A thorough structures airworthiness approach was developed to move this project safely to flight. A combination of industry and NASA standard practice require various structural analyses, ground testing, and health monitoring techniques for showing an airworthy structure. This paper provides an overview of compliant structures design, the structural ground testing leading up to flight, and the flight envelope expansion and monitoring strategy. Flight data will be presented, and lessons learned along the way will be highlighted.

flight test↗

NASA NTRS2015

Approach for Structurally Clearing an Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flap for Flight

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flap was flown on the NASA Gulfstream GIII test bed at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. This smoothly curving flap replaced the existing Fowler flaps creating a seamless control surface. This compliant structure, developed by FlexSys Inc. in partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory, supported NASA objectives for airframe structural noise reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, and wing weight reduction through gust load alleviation. A thorough structures airworthiness approach was developed to move this project safely to flight.

complaint trailing edge flap↗

NASA NTRS1946

The Development of a Lateral-control System for Use with Large-span Flaps

A spoiler-type lateral-control system has been developed for use on the Northrop P-61 airplane. The lateral-control system is to be used with large-span flaps and consists of a thin circular arc spoiler, linked with a short-span plain aileron located just outboard of the spoiler. This unconventional lateral-control system has been accepted with enthusiasm by the pilots who have flown the airplane. The particularly appreciate its characteristic at high speed. The combination of light forges, favorable yawing moment, and low wing torsional moments, make it a very effective, easily applied control. The control available at and through the stall is also remarkably good, although this characteristic may be attributed, in part, to an exceptionally good wing stalling pattern rather than entirely to the use of the spoiler-type aileron. In the landing configuration, the lateral-control effectiveness increases automatically with the extension of wing flaps so that powerful control is available during the approach. There is, however, a decrease in effectiveness for the first 5 percent of the wheel travel with a resultant tendency for inexperienced pilots to overcontrol slightly at low speeds. The fact that the aileron can be fully used at the stall, however, more than compensates for this loss of effectiveness with flaps down and greatly enhances the airplane's landing performance.

AIRPLANES - NORTHROP P-61 FLIGHT TESTS (AMER )↗

NASA NTRS1951

Comparisons of the effectiveness and hinge moments of all-movable delta and flap-type controls on various wings

A comparative evaluation was made for all-movable delta and flap-type controls on several wing plan forms. Comparison of these experimental results from various test facilities shows the effectiveness on various wing plan forms and an evaluation of hinge-moment characteristics of all-movable delta controls, swept trailing-edge flap, and straight trailing-edge flap-type controls.

MACH NUMBER EFFECTS - COMPLETE WINGS↗

NASA NTRS1944

Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Control-Surface Characteristics XX : Plain and Balanced Flaps on an NACA 0009 Rectangular Semispan Tail Surface

Correlation is established between aerodynamic characteristics of control surfaces in two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow. Slope of lift curve was affected little by overhang and balance-nose shape, but increased by sealing flap-nose gap. Effectiveness of balancing tab was same for sealed plain flap and unsealed overhang flap. Changes in hinge-moment coefficient were diminished by sealing gap. Values measured by three-dimensional flow disagreed with two-dimensional flow values until aspect ratio corrections were made.

CONTROL SURFACES, BALANCED↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Aeroelastic Simulation of Wind Tunnel Scale Aspect Ratio 13.5 Common Research Model with Trailing Edge Mini-Flaps

This paper presents a computation study of an aspect ratio 13.5 wind tunnel scale Common Research Model (CRM) with trailing edge mini-flaps using FUN3D. The aeroelastic simulations are conducted under free-air and inside wind tunnel conditions. The NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamic Tunnel (TDT) is a closed circuit and slotted-test-section with a 16 ft ×16 ft test section. The structure mode shapes are extracted from the latest updated NASTRAN Finite-Element Model (FEM) model. A dynamic pressure sweep is performed to determine the control reversal boundary of the trailing edge mini-flaps. The wind tunnel wall interference effects on the mini-flap control derivatives are analyzed based on the simulations.

Aeroelastic↗

NASA NTRS1944

The Effects of a Highly Cambered Low-Drag Wing and of Auxiliary Flaps on the High-Speed Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Twin-Engine Pursuit Airplane Model

Results are presented for tests of two wings, an NACA 230-series wing and a highly-cambered NACA 66-series wing on a twin-engine pursuit airplane. Auxiliary control flaps were tested in combinations with each wing. Data showing comparison of high-speed aerodynamic characteristics of the model when equipped with each wing, the effect of the auxiliary control flaps on aerodynamic characteristics, and elevator effectiveness for the model with the 66-series wing are presented. High-speed aerodynamic characteristics of the model were improved with the 66-series wing.

AIRFOILS - NACA 66,2-416-66,2-616 - CHAR & MOMENTS↗

NASA NTRS1958

Aerodynamic Characteristics at a Mach Number of 6.8 of Two Hypersonic Missile Configurations, One with Low-Aspect-Ratio Cruciform Fins and Trailing-Edge Flaps and One with a Flared Afterbody and All-Movable Controls

An investigation has been made to determine the aerodynamic characteristics in pitch at a Mach number of 6.8 of hypersonic missile configurations with cruciform trailing-edge flaps and with all-movable control surfaces. The flaps were tested on a configuration having low-aspect-ratio cruciform fins with an apex angle of 5 degrees; the all-movable controls were mounted at the 46.7-percent body station on a configuration having a 10 degrees flared afterbody. The tests were made through an angle-of-attack range of -2 degrees to 20 degrees at zero sideslip in the Langley 11-inch hypersonic tunnel. The results indicated that the all-movable controls on the flared-afterbody model should be capable of producing much larger values of trim lift and of normal acceleration than the trailing-edge-flap configuration. The flared-afterbody configuration had considerably higher drag than the cruciform-fin model but only slightly lower values of lift-drag ratio.

Bernot, P. T.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Noise produced by a small-scale, externally blown flap

Noise data were obtained with a model of an externally blown flap of the type that is currently being considered for STOL aircraft. The noise caused by impingement of the jet on the flap is much louder than the nozzle jet noise. It is especially so directly below the wing. The noise level increases as the jet velocity and flap angle are increased. The sound power level increased with the sixth power of velocity. Several physical variations to the STOL model configuration were also tested. Two such variations, a large board and a slotless curved plate wing, had the same power spectra density (Strouhal number curve) as the model.

Olsen, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Forward flight effects on mixer nozzle design and noise considerations for STOL externally blown flap systems

Experimental data of the peak axial-velocity decay in a moving airstream are presented for several types of nozzles. The nozzles include a six-tube mixer nozzle of a type considered for reduction of jet-flap interaction noise for externally-blown-flap STOL aircraft. The effect of secondary flow on the core flow velocity decay of a bypass nozzle is also discussed. Tentative correlation equations are suggested for the configurations evaluated. Recommendations for minimizing forward velocity effects on velocity decay and jet-flap interaction noise are made.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Concepts for a theoretical and experimental study of lifting rotor random loads and vibrations. Phase 6-A: Effects of blade torsion, of blade flap bending flexibility and of rotor support flexibility on rotor stability and random response

The effects of lifting rotor blade torsion, blade flap bending flexibility and rotor support flexibility on rotor stability and random response are described. The subjects discussed are: (1) blade representation and method of analysis, (2) random gust response statistics for coupled torsion-flapping rotor blade vibrations, (3) flap bending corrections to the rigid blade analysis of lifting rotors, and (4) effects of rotor support flexibility. The response of linear periodically time varying systems to random excitation is examined.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Forward flight effects on mixer nozzle design and noise considerations for STOL externally blown flap systems.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Wind tunnel investigation of an unswept airfoil with a 0.098-chord blowing flap

An investigation of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of an aspect ratio 4.735 airfoil having a 9.8 percent chord blowing flap has been made in an out of ground influence over the endless moving belt ground plane in the 5.18 meter test section of the former Langley 300 MPH 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel. For flap deflections of 30 deg or less, at a height of 0.25 span, ground effect was negligible; but at this ground height, at a flap deflection of 60 deg and a lift coefficient of 8.0, the lift loss was 27 percent. The lift loss for this same condition becomes negligible at a height of one span.

Turner, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Excitation, response, and fatigue life estimation methods for the structural design of externally blown flaps

Means for predicting the fluctuating pressures acting on externally blown flap surfaces are developed on the basis of generalizations derived from non-dimensionalized empirical data. Approaches for estimation of the fatigue lives of skin-stringer and honeycomb-core sandwich flap structures are derived from vibration response analyses and panel fatigue data. Approximate expressions for fluctuating pressures, structural response, and fatigue life are combined to reveal the important parametric dependences. The two-dimensional equations of motion of multi-element flap systems are derived in general form, so that they can be specialized readily for any particular system. An introduction is presented of an approach to characterizing the excitation pressures and structural responses which makes use of space-time spectral concepts and promises to provide useful insights, as well as experimental and analytical savings.

Ungar, E. E.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Externally blown flap trailing edge noise reduction by slot blowing: A preliminary study

Short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft using externally blown flaps (EBF) for lift augmentation develop considerable jet-flap interaction noise. A proposed method to reduce the EBF trailing edge noise is to locate a slot near the trailing edge of a flap through which low velocity secondary air is blown. Limited OASPL noise data were obtained from the interaction of the jet exhaust from a 5.08 cm diameter convergent nozzle with the trailing edge of a plate, and are presented for five slot configurations located near or at the trailing edge of the plate. Also presented are some significant jet trailing edge interaction data using a mixer nozzle with one of the slot configurations.

Mckinzie, D. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

A preliminary evaluation of noise reduction potential for the upper surface blown flap

An assessment of the basic acoustic characteristics and noise reduction potential of an upper surface blown flap consisting of a rectangular nozzle and a single turning flap which was designed to approximate a typical takeoff setting is presented. The noise reduction concepts studied were: (1) replacing a section of the flap trailing edge with a porous material and (2) active modification of the flow field using blowing near the trailing edge. Diagrams of the airfoil section and test equipment are provided. Photographs of airflow conditions across the aerodynamic surface are included.

Hayden, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Results of Full-Scale Wind Tunnel Tests on the H.126 Jet Flap Aircraft

The aerodynamic characteristics of the full-scale H.126 jet flap aircraft were studied in a 40- by 80 foot wind tunnel. The H.126 aircraft is designed for research on flight characteristics of an aircraft using the jet flap principle. Static longitudinal, lateral, and directional characteristics were measured at a Reynolds number of 2.5 to 2.7 million. The jet control power as well as the aerodynamic characteristics were measured and are presented herein with limited discussion. The primary configuration variables were flap and aileron deflection.

Aiken, T. N.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Low-speed wind tunnel investigation of a semispan STOL jet transport wing body with an upper surface blown jet flap

An investigation of the static longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a semispan STOL jet transport wing-body with an upper-surface blown jet flap for lift augmentation was conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel having a 12-ft octagonal test section. The semispan swept wing had an aspect ratio of 3.92 (7.84 for the full span) and had two simulated turbofan engines mounted ahead of and above the wing in a siamese pod equipped with an exhaust deflector. The purpose of the deflector was to spread the engine exhaust into a jet sheet attached to the upper surface of the wing so that it would turn downward over the flap and provide lift augmentation. The wing also had optional boundary-layer control provided by air blowing through a thin slot over a full-span plain trailing-edge flap.

Phelps, A. E., III↗