SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Yaw”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1990

Flight investigation of the effect of tail boom strakes on helicopter directional control

A joint U.S. Army/NASA flight investigation was conducted utilizing an instrumented Bell 240B single-rotor helicopter to determine the effectiveness of horizontally-mounted tail boom strakes on directional controllability and tail rotor power required during low-speed, crosswind operating conditions. The purpose of the strakes was to separate airflow over the tail boom and change fuselage yawing moments in a direction to improve the yaw control margin and reduce tail rotor power required. Low-speed crosswind data were obtained in 5-knot increments at airspeeds of 0 knots to 35 knots and for 30 deg increments in wind azimuth from 0 to 330 deg. In right sideward flight at the most critical wind azimuth and airspeed (60 deg azimuth measured from the nose of the aircraft and 20 knots airspeed), the strakes improved the pedal margin by about 6 percent of total travel and reduced the tail rotor power required by 17 percent. The increase in yaw control and reduction in tail rotor power offered by the strakes can expand the operating envelope in terms of gross weight and altitude capability. No effects in forward flight were noted.

Kelley, Henry L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Static performance of a multiaxis thrust vectoring cruciform nozzle

A multiaxis thrust vectoring nozzle designed to have equal flow turning capability in pitch and yaw is investigated, and methods for obtaining large multiaxis thrust vector angles without physical vectoring flap interference are studied. These methods include restricting the pitch flaps from the path of the yaw flaps, and shifting the flow path at the throat off the nozzle centerline in order to permit larger pitch flap deflections without interfering with operation of the yaw flaps. The results obtained show that unvectored performance of the cruciform nozzle is only slightly lower (0.5 to 1.0 percent) than that of previously tested axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric nozzles, despite the complex internal geometry. The shifted-throat nozzle design has larger thrust vector angles at the nozzle pressure ratio of peak resultant thrust efficiency, but has 1 to 2 percent lower peak thrust performance than the restricted-flap nozzle design.

Wing, David J.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Pinhole cameras as sensors for atomic oxygen in orbit; application to attitude determination of the LDEF

Images produced by pinhole cameras using film sensitive to atomic oxygen provide information on the ratio of spacecraft orbital velocity to the most probable thermal speed of oxygen atoms, provided the spacecraft orientation is maintained stable relative to the orbital direction. Alternatively, as it is described, information on the spacecraft attitude relative to the orbital velocity can be obtained, provided that corrections are properly made for thermal spreading and a co-rotating atmosphere. The LDEF orientation, uncorrected for a co-rotating atmosphere, was determined to be yawed 8.0 minus/plus 0.4 deg from its nominal attitude, with an estimated minus/plus 0.35 deg oscillation in yaw. The integrated effect of inclined orbit and co-rotating atmosphere produces an apparent oscillation in the observed yaw direction, suggesting that the LDEF attitude measurement will indicate even better stability when corrected for a co-rotating atmosphere. The measured thermal spreading is consistent with major exposure occurring during high solar activity, which occurred late during the LDEF mission.

Peters, Palmer N.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Pinhole cameras as sensors for atomic oxygen in orbit: Application to attitude determination of the LDEF

Images produced by pinhole cameras using film sensitive to atomic oxygen provide information on the ratio of spacecraft orbital velocity to the most probable thermal speed of oxygen atoms, provided the spacecraft orientation is maintained stable relative to the orbital direction. Alternatively, information on the spacecraft attitude relative to the orbital velocity can be obtained, provided that corrections are properly made for thermal spreading and a corotating atmosphere. The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) orientation, uncorrected for a corotating atmosphere, was determined to be yawed 8.0 +/- 0.4 degrees from its nominal attitude, with an estimated +/- 0.35 degree oscillation in yaw. The integrated effect of inclined orbit and corotating atmosphere produces an apparent oscillation in the observed yaw direction, suggesting that the LDEF attitude measurement will indicate even better stability when corrected for a corotating atmosphere. The measured thermal spreading is consistent with major exposure occurring during high solar activity, which occurred late during the LDEF mission.

Peters, Palmer N.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Forebody flow control on a full-scale F/A-18 aircraft

A full-scale F/A-18 was tested in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center to measure the effectiveness of pneumatic forebody vortex control devices. By altering the forebody vortex flow, yaw control can be maintained to angles of attack greater than 50 deg. Two forebody vortex control devices were tested: a discrete circular jet and a tangential slot. The tests were conducted for angles of attack between 25 and 50 deg, and angles of sideslip from 0 to +/- 15 deg. The Reynolds number based on wing mean aerodynamic chord ranged from 4.5 x 10 exp 6 to 12.0 x 10 exp 6. The time-averaged side forces and yawing moments, along with both time-averaged and time-dependent pressures on the forebody of the aircraft are presented here for various configurations. Of particular interest was the results that the tangential slot blowing had a greater effect on the yawing moment than the discrete circular jet. Additionally, it was found that blowing very close to the radome apex was not as effective as blowing slightly farther aft on the radome, and that a 16-inch slot was more effective than either an 8- or 48-inch long slot.

Lanser, Wendy R.↗

NASA NTRS1949

Investigation at low speeds of the effect of aspect ratio and sweep on rolling stability derivatives of untapered wings

A low scale wind tunnel investigation was conducted in rolling flow to determine the effects of aspect ratio and sweep (when varied independently) on the rolling stability derivatives for a series of untapered wings. Test results indicate that when the aspect ratio was held constant, an increase in the sweepback angle caused a significant reduction in the damping in roll at low lift coefficients for only the higher aspect ratios that were tested. This result was in agreement with available swept wing theory which indicated no effect of sweep for aspect ratios near zero. The result of the linear theory that the damping in roll is independent of lift coefficient and that the yawing moment and lateral force due to rolling are directly proportional to the lift coefficient was found to be valid for only a very limited lift coefficient range when the wings were highly swept. For such wings, the damping was found to increase in magnitude and the yawing moment due to rolling, to change from negative to positive at moderate lift coefficients. The effect of wing tip suction, not acounted for by present theory, was found to be very important with regard to the yawing moment due to rolling, particularly for low aspect ratio swept wings. An empirical means of correcting present theory for the effect of tip suction is suggested.

Goodman, Alex↗

NASA NTRS1992

In-flight flow visualization results from the X-29A aircraft at high angles of attack

Flow visualization techniques were used on the X-29A aircraft at high angles of attack to study the vortical flow off the forebody and the surface flow on the wing and tail. The forebody vortex system was studied because asymmetries in the vortex system were suspected of inducing uncommanded yawing moments at zero sideslip. Smoke enabled visualization of the vortex system and correlation of its orientation with flight yawing moment data. Good agreement was found between vortex system asymmetries and the occurrence of yawing moments. Surface flow on the forward-swept wing of the X-29A was studied using tufts and flow cones. As angle of attack increased, separated flow initiated at the root and spread outboard encompassing the full wing by 30 deg angle of attack. In general, the progression of the separated flow correlated well with subscale model lift data. Surface flow on the vertical tail was also studied using tufts and flow cones. As angle of attack increased, separated flow initiated at the root and spread upward. The area of separated flow on the vertical tail at angles of attack greater than 20 deg correlated well with the marked decrease in aircraft directional stability.

Delfrate, John H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Flight investigation of the effect of tail boom strakes on helicopter directional control

A joint U.S. Army/NASA flight investigation was conducted utilizing a single-rotor helicopter to determine the effectiveness of horizontally mounted tail boom strakes on directional controllability and tail rotor power during low-speed, crosswind operating conditions. Three configurations were investigated: (1) baseline (strakes off), (2) single strake (strake at upper shoulder on port side of boom), and (3) double strake (upper strake plus a lower strake on same side of boom). The strakes were employed as a means to separate airflow over the tail boom and change fuselage yawing moments in a direction to improve the yaw control margin and reduce tail rotor power. Crosswind data were obtained in 5-knot increments of airspeed from 0 to 35 knots and in 30 deg increments of wind azimuth from 0 deg to 330 deg. At the most critical wind azimuth and airspeed in terms of tail rotor power, the strakes improved the pedal margin by 6 percent of total travel and reduced tail rotor power required by 17 percent. The increase in yaw control and reduction in tail rotor power offered by the strakes can expand the helicopter operating envelope in terms of gross weight and altitude capability. The strakes did not affect the flying qualities of the vehicle at airspeeds between 35 and 100 knots.

Kelly, Henry L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Characterization of cavity flow fields using pressure data obtained in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

Static and fluctuating pressure distributions were obtained along the floor of a rectangular-box cavity in an experiment performed in the LaRC 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. The cavity studied was 11.25 in. long and 2.50 in. wide with a variable height to obtain length-to-height ratios of 4.4, 6.7, 12.67, and 20.0. The data presented herein were obtained for yaw angles of 0 deg and 15 deg over a Mach number range from 0.2 to 0.9 at a Reynolds number of 30 x 10(exp 6) per ft with a boundary-layer thickness of approximately 0.5 in. The results indicated that open and transitional-open cavity flow supports tone generation at subsonic and transonic speeds at Mach numbers of 0.6 and above. Further, pressure fluctuations associated with acoustic tone generation can be sustained when static pressure distributions indicate that transitional-closed and closed flow fields exist in the cavity. Cavities that support tone generation at 0 deg yaw also supported tone generation at 15 deg yaw when the flow became transitional-closed. For the latter cases, a reduction in tone amplitude was observed. Both static and fluctuating pressure data must be considered when defining cavity flow fields, and the flow models need to be refined to accommodate steady and unsteady flows.

Tracy, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS1990

NASA supporting studies for microgravity research on eye movements

The purpose of the work on this project was to provide support for ground-based studies on the effects of gravity on eye movements. The effects of microgravity on the optokinetic eye movements of humans are investigated. OKN was induced by having subjects watch 3.3 deg stripes moving at 35 deg/s for 45 s in a binocular, head-fixed apparatus. The field (hor., 88 deg; vert., 72 deg), was rotated about axes that were upright or tilted 45 deg or 90 deg. The head was upright or tilted 45 deg on the body. Head-horizontal (yaw axis) and head-vertical (pitch axis) components of OKN were recorded with electro-oculography (EOG). Slow phase velocity vectors were determined relative to gravity. With the head upright, the axis of eye rotation during yaw axis OKN was coincident with the stimulus axis and the spatial vertical. With the head tilted 45 deg on the body, a persistent vertical component of eye velocity developed during yaw axis stimulation, and there was an average shift of the axis of eye rotation toward the spatial vertical of approximately 18 deg in six subjects. During oblique optokinetic stimulation with the head upright, the axis of eye rotation shifted 12 deg toward the spatial vertical. When the head was tilted, the axis of eye rotation rotated to the other side of the spatial vertical by 5.4 deg during the same oblique stimulation. This counter-rotation of the axis of eye rotation is similar to the 'Muller (E) effect', in which the perception of the upright counter-rotates to the opposite side of the spatial vertical when subjects are tilted in darkness. The data were simulated by a model of OKN. Despite the short OKAN time constants, strong horizontal to vertical cross-coupling was produced if the horizontal and vertical time constants were in proper ratio, and there was no suppression of nystagmus orthogonal to the stimulus direction. This shows that the spatial orientation of OKN can be due to a restructuring of the system matrix of velocity storage as a function of gravity. It is concluded that although human OKAN is weak, velocity storage orients the slow phase velocity of OKN towards the spatial vertical.

Cohen, Bernard↗

NASA NTRS1992

In-Flight Flow Visualization Results From the X-29A Aircraft at High Angles of Attack

Flow visualization techniques were used on the X-29A aircraft at high angles of attack to study the vortical flow off the forebody and the surface flow on the wing and tail. The forebody vortex system was studied because asymmetries in the vortex system were suspected of inducing uncommanded yawing moments at zero sideslip. Smoke enabled visualization of the vortex system and correlation of its orientation with flight yawing moment data. Good agreement was found between vortex system asymmetries and the occurrence of yawing moments. Surface flow on the forward-swept wing of the X-29A was studied using tufts and flow cones. As angle of attack increased, separated flow initiated at the root and spread outboard encompassing the full wing by 30° angle of attack. In general, the progression of the separated flow correlated well with subscale model lift data. Surface flow on the vertical tail was also studied using tufts and flow cones. As angle of attack increased, separated flow initiated at the root and spread upward. The area of separated flow on the vertical tail at angles of attack ≥ 20° correlated well with the marked decrease in aircraft directional stability.

Flight Testing↗

NASA NTRS1993

A sensitivity study for pneumatic vortex control on a chined forebody

A study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of yaw control on a chined forebody to the longitudinal location of a blowing slot at the chine edge. In addition, the effects of port blowing were also studied. NASA Langley's thin-layer Navier-Stokes code CFL3D was used to compare flow field characteristics and total yawing moment coefficients for the blowing configurations. Based upon equivalent blowing momentum coefficients, a significant increase in yaw control effectiveness was attained from the forward slot, relative to the aft slot, and port blowing was less effective than either slot blowing configuration.

Boalbey, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Forebody vortex control with jet and slot blowing on an F/A-18

A wind tunnel test program was conducted in October, 1992, on a 6-percent F/A-18 model, to determine the most effective methods of forebody vortex control for providing increased yaw control at high angles of attack. A series of circular jet blowing configurations were investigated with variations in blowing rate, fuselage station, circumferential position, and blowing angle. Slot configurations were also tested and included variations in blowing rate, forward fuselage station, and length. The optimum jet and slot configurations were then also tested at -10 deg of sideslip. Yawing moments from both the jet and slot blowing configurations were found to have very good trends with increasing blowing rates and the maximum yaw control available at 50-deg angle of attack (where rudder power had dropped to near zero) was found to be 40 percent greater than the level provided by the rudder at 0-deg angle of attack.

Kramer, Brian R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Forebody vortex control on an F/A-18 using small, rotatable 'tip-strakes'

A mechanical scheme for manipulating the forebody vortices of an F/A-18, therefore creating controlled yawing moments at moderate and high angles of attack, was investigated in a wind tunnel. The technique consists of rotating miniature strakes (single or dual) about the radome centerline very close to the tip of the model. Forces, moments, and pressures were measured for angles of attack up to 60 deg and sideslip angles up to -10 deg. Results indicate that single and dual strakes can produce changes in side force and yawing moment, with magnitudes comparable to, or in some cases higher than, the directional changes produced by a 30-deg rudder deflection at 0-deg angle of attack. According to its circumferential position, the strake alters the separation location, inducing different degrees of asymmetry in the forebody vortex flow field that are translated into changes in side force and yawing moment. In comparison, the dual strakes appear to provide more gradual and better behaved changes than the single strake. Excellent correlation was found between this test and water tunnel tests performed on a similar configuration.

Suarez, Carlos J.↗

NASA NTRS1937

Theoretical span loading and moments of tapered wings produced by aileron deflection

The effect of tapered ailerons on linearly tapered wings is theoretically determined. Four different aileron spans are considered for each of three wing aspect ratios and each of four wing taper ratios. The change in lift on one half of the wing, the rolling moment, the additional induced drag, and the yawing moment, due to aileron deflection, are represented by non dimensional coefficients. Similar coefficients are given for the damping and yawing moments, the additional drag, and the change in lift, due to rolling. It was found possible to effect a fairly close agreement between the theoretical and experimental rolling moments by introducing into the theoretical expression for the rolling moment an effective change in angle of attack obtained from an analysis of flap data. The theoretical curves show that the highly tapered wing with long ailerons has a lower ratio of yawing to rolling moment and a lower additional induced drag than wings with less taper.

Pearson, H A↗

NASA NTRS1938

Spinning Characteristics of Wings V : N.A.C.A. 0009, 23018, and 6718 Monoplane Wings

Three rectangular monoplane wings having rounded tips were tested on the N.A.C.A. spinning balance in the 5-foot vertical wind tunnel. The airfoil sections used were the N.A.C.A. 0009, 23018, and 6718. The aerodynamic characteristics of the models and a prediction of the angles of sideslip for steady spins are given. There is included an estimate of the yawing moment that must be furnished by parts of the airplane to balance the inertia couples and wing yawing moments for spinning equilibrium. The predicted angles of sideslip and yawing moments required for spinning equilibrium for a Clark Y wing with the same form are included for comparison.

Bamber, M J↗

NASA NTRS1939

Pressure-distribution Measurements on a Tapered Wing with a Full-span Split Flap in Curved Flight

Pressure-distribution tests were made on the 32-foot whirling arm of the Daniel Guggenheim Airship Institute of a tapered wing to determine the rolling and yawing moments due to an angular velocity in yaw. The model was tested at 0 degree and 5 degrees pitch, -1 degree and 5 degree yaw, and with a full-span flap deflected 60 degrees. The results are given in the form of span load distributions and in calculated moment coefficients. The rolling-moment coefficients are in fairly close agreement with those derived by means of a simple approximate theory even for high deflection of the full-span flap.

Troller, TH↗

NASA NTRS1939

Flight Tests of Retractable Ailerons on a Highly Tapered Wing

A flight investigation was conducted to determine the lateral-control characteristics of retractable ailerons installed on a highly tapered wing. The effectiveness of the ailerons in producing roll was measured at various air speeds with full-span plain flaps both neutral and deflected 45 degrees. The direction of the yawing moment created by the ailerons was also noted. The lateral control provided by the retractable ailerons used in this investigation was approximately the same as that obtained with the plain ailerons of equal span with which the airplane was previously equipped. The amount of control available was found to be somewhat inadequate, apparently because of the rather short span of the ailerons (0.327 of the wing span). It is likely that, with an aileron span of from 0.50 to 0.60 of the wing span, a satisfactory degree of control would be obtained. With the full-span flaps deflected 45 degrees, the rolling action of the ailerons was increased about 30 percent over that obtained with the flaps neutral at the same speed. The yawing moment produced by the ailerons was in the same sense as the rolling moment, i.e., right roll was accompanied by yaw. Lag in the response of the rolling action to control application was not large enough to be noticed by the pilots. No appreciable control force was apparent to the pilots, which was considered somewhat undesirable. Minor modifications in the design of the ailerons, however, would probably correct this fault.

Wetmore, J W↗