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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 505 records · Page 28

Some wake-related operational limitations of rotorcraft

Wind tunnel measurements show that the wake of a rotor, except at near hovering speeds, is not like that of a propeller. The wake is more like that of a wing except that, because of the slow speeds, the wake velocities may be much greater. The helicopter can produce a wake hazard to following light aircraft that is disproportionately great compared to an equivalent fixed wing aircraft. This hazard should be recognized by both pilots and airport controllers when operating in congested areas. Ground effect is generally counted as a blessing since it allows overloaded takeoffs; however, it also introduces additional operation problems. These problems include premature blade stall in hover, settling in forward transition, shuddering in approach to touchdown and complicatons with yaw control. Some of these problems were treated analytically in an approximate manner and reasonable experiment agreement was obtained. An awareness of these effects can prepare the user for their appearance and their consequences.

Heyson, H. H.↗

DEKFIS user's guide: Discrete Extended Kalman Filter/Smoother program for aircraft and rotorcraft data consistency

The computer program DEKFIS (discrete extended Kalman filter/smoother), formulated for aircraft and helicopter state estimation and data consistency, is described. DEKFIS is set up to pre-process raw test data by removing biases, correcting scale factor errors and providing consistency with the aircraft inertial kinematic equations. The program implements an extended Kalman filter/smoother using the Friedland-Duffy formulation.

Source record↗

Assessment of historical and projected segments of US and world civil and military rotorcraft markets, 1960 - 1990

The geographic climatic, political, economic and demographic environment of 75 countries was analyzed with respect to helicopter procurement history and usage. Key environmental indicators which are variables were projected into strengths and weaknesses of U.S. technology are reviewed. The civil market sensitivity to new technology is forecast with selected premises as to vehicle life, noise standards, fuel costs, GNP expansion and traffic growth. The forecast is based on a scenario of helicopter technology improvements resulting in increased size and performance.

Yates, W. J.↗

The use of frequency methods in rotorcraft system identification

A new approach to model structure determination is examined. Flight data from the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) are transformed into the frequency domain and truncated to provide band limiting. The stepwise regression technique is then used to identify a quasistatic state-space model from the transformed data. The data processing requirements for both time domain and frequency domain identification are discussed and the results of the two techniques are compared.

Duval, R. W.↗

Investigation of advanced navigation and guidance system concepts for all-weather rotorcraft operations

Results are presented of a survey conducted of active helicopter operators to determine the extent to which they wish to operate in IMC conditions, the visibility limits under which they would operate, the revenue benefits to be gained, and the percent of aircraft cost they would pay for such increased capability. Candidate systems were examined for capability to meet the requirements of a mission model constructed to represent the modes of flight normally encountered in low visibility conditions. Recommendations are made for development of high resolution radar, simulation of the control display system for steep approaches, and for development of an obstacle sensing system for detecting wires. A cost feasibility analysis is included.

Upton, H. W.↗

Emergency Medical Service (EMS): Rotorcraft Technology Workshop

A lead organization on the national level should be designated to establish concepts, locations, and the number of shock trauma air medical services. Medical specialists desire a vehicle which incorporates advances in medical technology trends in health care. Key technology needs for the emergency medical services helicopter of the future include the riding quality of fixed wing aircraft (reduced noise and vibration), no tail rotor, small rotor, small rotor diameter, improved visibility, crashworthy vehicle, IFR capability, more affordability high reliability, fuel efficient, and specialized cabins to hold medical/diagnostic and communications equipment. Approaches to a national emergency medical service are discussed.

Bauchspies, J. S.↗

Research opportunities for rotorcraft

The control of structural vibration is helicopters is discussed. Active control concepts, wind tunnel tests, rotor vibratory loads, systems integration, and engine control are among the topics discussed.

Blake, B. B.↗

Rotorcraft contingency power study

Twin helicopter engines are often sized by the power requirement of a safe mission completion after the failure of one of the two engines. This study was undertaken for NASA Lewis by General Electric Co. to evaluate the merits of special design features to provide a 2-1/2 Contingency Power rating, permitting an engine size reduction. The merits of water injection, turbine cooling airflow modulation, throttle push, and a propellant auxiliary power plant were evaluated using military Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and commercial helicopter Direct Operating Cost (DOC) merit factors in a rubber engine and a rubber aircraft scenario.

Hirschkron, R.↗

Two-dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of three rotorcraft airfoils at Mach numbers from 0.35 to 0.90

Three airfoils designed for helicopter rotor application were investigated in the Langley 6- by 28-inch Transonic Tunnel to determine the two dimensional aerodynamic characteristics at Mach numbers from 0.34 to 0.88 and respective Reynolds numbers from about 4.4 x 10(6) power to 9.5 x 10(6) power. The airfoils have thickness-to-chord ratios of 0.08, 0.10, and 0.12. Trailing-edge reflex was applied to minimize pitching moment. The maximum normal-force coefficient of the RC(3)-12 airfoil is from 0.1 to 0.2 higher, depending on Mach number M, than that of the NACA 0012 airfoil tested in the same facility. The maximum normal-force coefficient of the RC(3)-10 is about equal to that of the NACA 0012 at Mach numbers to 0.40 and is higher than that of the NACA 0012 at Mach numbers above 0.40. The maximum normal force coefficient of the RC(3)-08 is about 0.19 lower than that of the NACA 0012 at a Mach number of 0.35 and about 0.05 lower at a Mach number of 0.54. The drag divergence Mach number of the RC(3)-08 airfoil at normal-force coefficients below 0.1 was indicated to be greater than the maximum test Mach number of 0.88. At zero lift, the drag-divergence Mach numbers of the RC(3)-12 and the RC(3)-10 are about 0.77 and 0.82, respectively.

Bingham, G. J.↗

Rotorcraft noise

This report is a compilation of papers presented at the NASA/U.S. Helicopter Industry Workshop on Aerodynamic Noise Prediction/Noise Reduction held at Langley Research Center, March 29-31, 1982. Included in the topics presented are papers on noise reduction techniques, scaling laws, empirical noise prediction, and methods for developing and validating noise prediction methods. The results of the working sessions are presented as findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Helicopters↗

Rotorcraft flight-propulsion control integration

The parallel development of digital engine and flight controls for U.S. Army helicopters has made possible the future derivation of a fully integrated digital flight/propulsion control system. A NASA/Army research program has been undertaken to exploit these possibilities, ultimately yielding a generation of helicopters with exceptional agility and maneuverability in military roles and low pilot workloads in all-weather civil aviation missions. The program's three phases respectively address system modeling and analysis, flight hardware and software development, and flight evaluations aboard a research vehicle.

Mihaloew, J. R.↗