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At least 523 records · Page 29

Wind tunnel test results of a new leading edge flap design for highly swept wings, a vortex flap

A leading edge flap design for highly swept wings, called a vortex flap, was tested on an arrow wing model in a low speed wind tunnel. A vortex flap differs from a conventional plain flap in that it has a leading edge tab which is counterdeflected from the main portion of the flap. This results in intentional separation at the flap leading edge, causing a vortex to form and lie on the flap. By trapping this vortex, the vortex flap can result in significantly improved wing flow characteristics relative to conventional flaps at moderate to high angles of attack, as demonstrated by the flow visualization results of this tests.

Runyan, L. J.↗

Wind-Tunnel Tests of 1/6-Scale Model of Republic P-47C Airplane with External Wing Tank

In order to increase the range of the Republic P-47C airplane for ferrying purposes it has been proposed that the airplane be equipped with streamlined external wing tanks. This report presents the aerodynamic effect of such wing tanks as determined from tests of a l/6-scale model in the 7- by 10-foot tunnel of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory.

Marvin J Schuldenfrei↗

Subspace-based Background Subtraction Applied to Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing

A subspace-based form of background subtraction is presented and applied to aeroacoustic wind tunnel data. A variant of this method has seen use in other fields such as climatology and medical imaging. The technique is based on an eigenvalue decomposition of the background noise cross-spectral matrix. Simulated results indicate similar performance to conventional background subtraction when the subtracted spectra are weaker than the true contaminating background levels. Superior performance is observed when the subtracted spectra are stronger than the true contaminating background levels, and when background data do not match between measurements. Experimental results show limited success in recovering signal behavior for data in which conventional background subtraction fails. The results also demonstrate the subspace subtraction technique's ability to maintain a physical coherence relationship in the modified cross-spectral matrix. Deconvolution results from microphone phased array data indicate that array integration methods are largely insensitive to subtraction type, and that background subtraction with appropriate background data is an effective alternative to diagonal removal.

deconvolution↗

Vibratory Loads Data from a Wind-Tunnel Test of Structurally Tailored Model Helicopter Rotors

An experimental study was conducted in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel to investigate the use of a Bell Helicopter Textron (BHT) rotor structural tailoring concept, known as rotor nodalization, in conjunction with advanced blade aerodynamics as well as to evaluate rotor blade aerodynamic design methodologies. A 1/5-size, four-bladed bearingless hub, three sets of Mach-scaled model rotor blades were tested in forward flight from transition up to an advance ratio of 0.35. The data presented pertain only to the evaluation of the structural tailoring concept and consist of fixed-system and rotating system vibratory loads. These data will be useful for evaluating the effects of tailoring blade structural properties on fixed-system vibratory loads, as well as validating analyses used in the design of advanced rotor systems.

Yeager, William T., Jr.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/18-Scale Model of the Fairchild XNQ-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA 2398

Spin tests have been performed in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/18-scale model of the Fairchild XNQ-1 airplane. The spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for the normal gross-weight loading and for two variations from this loading - center of gravity moved rearward and relative mass distribution increased along the fuselage. These tests were performed for two vertical-tail plan forms. The investigation also included simulated pilot-escape tests and rudder-force tests. The recovery characteristics of the model were satisfactory for all conditions tested by full reversal of the rudder and by simultaneous neutralization of the rudder and elevator. It was indicated that if necessary to escape from the spinning airplane, the pilot should jump from the outboard side of the fuselage and as far rearward as possible. Aa determined from spin model tests, the rudder pedal force required to reverse the rudder for recovery from the spin will be light.

Daughtridge, Lee T., Jr.↗

Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel: Testing Capabilities and Recent Modernization Activities

Description, capabilities, initiatives, and utilization of the NASA Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel are presented. A brief overview of the facility's operational capabilities and testing techniques is provided. A recent Construction of Facilities (Car) project to improve facility productivity and efficiency through facility automation has been completed and is discussed. Several new and maturing thrusts are underway that include systematic efforts to provide credible assessment for data quality, modifications to the new automation control system for increased compatibility with the Modern Design of Experiments (MDOE) testing methodology, and process improvements for better test coordination, planning, and execution.

Micol, John R.↗

Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel: Testing Capabilities and Recent Modernization Activities

Description, capabilities, initiatives, and utilization of the NASA Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel are presented. A brief overview of the facility's operational capabilities and testing techniques is provided. A recent Construction of Facilities (CoF) project to improve facility productivity and efficiency through facility automation has been completed and is discussed. Several new and maturing thrusts are underway that include systematic efforts to provide credible assessment for data quality, modifications to the new automation control system for increased compatibility with the Modern Design Of Experiments (MDOE) testing methodology, and process improvements for better test coordination, planning, and execution.

Micol, John R.↗

Wind-tunnel tests of a 1/4 scale model of the Bell XS-1 transonic airplane. 1: Longitudinal stability and control characteristics

A 1/4 scale model of the Bell XS-1 transonic aircraft was tested in the Langley 300 mile-per-hour 7 by 10 foot tunnel to determine its low speed longitudinal stability and control characteristics. Pertinent longitudinal flying qualities expected of the XS-1 research airplane were estimated from the results of these tests including the effects of compressibility likely to be encountered at speeds below the force break. It appears that the static longitudinal stability and elevator control power will be adequate, but that the elevator control force gradient in steady flight will be undesirably low for all configurations. It is suggested that a centering spring be incorporated in the elevator control system of the airplane in order to increase the control force gradient in steady flight and in maneuvers.

Donlan, C. J.↗

A computer-controlled, on-board data acquisition system for wind-tunnel testing

A computer-controlled data acquisition system has been developed for the 40x80-foot wind tunnel at Ames Research Center. The system, consisting of several small onboard units installed in the model and a data-managing, data-displaying ground station, is capable of sampling up to 256 channels of raw data at a total sample rate of 128,000 samples/sec. Complete signal conditioning is contained within the on-board units. The sampling sequence and channel gain selection is completely random and under total control of the ground station. Outputs include a bar-graph display, digital-to-analog converters, and digital interface to the tunnel's central computer, an SEL 840MP. The system can be run stand-alone or under the control of the SEL 840MP.

Finger, H. J.↗

Loads and Performance Data from a Wind-Tunnel Test of Generic Model Helicopter Rotor Blades

An investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel to acquire data for use in assessing the ability of current and future comprehensive analyses to predict helicopter rotating-system and fixed-system vibratory loads. The investigation was conducted with a generic model helicopter rotor system using blades with rectangular planform, no built-in twist, uniform radial distribution of mass and stiffnesses, and a NACA 0012 airfoil section. Rotor performance data, as well as mean and vibratory components of blade bending and torsion moments, fixed-system forces and moments, and pitch link loads were obtained at advance ratios up to 0.35 for various combinations of rotor shaft angle-of-attack and collective pitch. The data are presented without analysis.

Yeager, William T., Jr.↗

Evaluation of pressure and thermal data from a wind tunnel test of a large-scale, powered, STOL fighter model

A STOL fighter model employing the vectored-engine-over wing concept was tested at low speeds in the NASA/Ames 40 by 80-foot wind tunnel. The model, approximately 0.75 scale of an operational fighter, was powered by two General Electric J-97 turbojet engines. Limited pressure and thermal instrumentation were provided to measure power effects (chordwise and spanwise blowing) and control-surface-deflection effects. An indepth study of the pressure and temperature data revealed many flow field features - the foremost being wing and canard leading-edge vortices. These vortices delineated regions of attached and separated flow, and their movements were often keys to an understanding of flow field changes caused by power and control-surface variations. Chordwise blowing increased wing lift and caused a modest aft shift in the center of pressure. The induced effects of chordwise blowing extended forward to the canard and significantly increased the canard lift when the surface was stalled. Spanwise blowing effectively enhanced the wing leading-edge vortex, thereby increasing lift and causing a forward shift in the center of pressure.

Howell, G. A.↗

Large-scale wind tunnel tests of a sting-supported V/STOL fighter model at high angles of attack

A new sting model support has been developed for the NASA/Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. This addition to the facility permits testing of relatively large models to large angles of attack or angles of yaw depending on model orientation. An initial test on the sting is described. This test used a 0.4-scale powered V/STOL model designed for testing at angles of attack to 90 deg and greater. A method for correcting wake blockage was developed and applied to the force and moment data. Samples of this data and results of surface-pressure measurements are presented.

Stoll, F.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/35-Scale Model of the Douglas XB-43 Airplane

Spin tests have been performed in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/35-scale model of the Douglas XB-43 airplane. The spin and recovery characteristics were determined for several loading conditions of the airplane. The effects of installing a dorsal fin and of installing a ventral fin were investigated. Emergency escape of the crew was simulated and the stick and rudder pedal forces necessary to effect recoveries on the airplane were determined.

Snyder, Thomas L.↗

Investigation of rotor blade element airloads for a teetering rotor in the blade stall regime (second wind tunnel test)

A test was conducted in the NASA-Ames 7 x 10 ft low speed wind tunnel on a seven-foot diameter model of a teetering rotor. The objectives of the test were: (1) acquire pressure data for correlation with laser and flow visualization measurements; (2) explore rotor propulsive force limits by varying the advance ratio at constant lift and propulsive force coefficients; (3) obtain additional data to define the differences between teetering and articulated rotors; and (4) verify the acceleration sensitivity of experimental transducers. Results are presented.

Dadone, L. U.↗

Wind-tunnel testing with a rotary-balance apparatus to simulate aircraft spin motions

Experiments have been conducted in the Ames 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel on a simple airplane-like model using a rotary-balance apparatus to simulate a steady spin motion at high angles of attack. Tests were run at Mach numbers of 0.1 and 0.25 over a wide Reynolds number range with the angle of attack varying from 45 to 90 deg. During previous tests of the same research model, some difficulties were experienced with measurement accuracy in the low-to-medium range of Reynolds number because of limitations in the sensitivity of selected force balances. For the present tests, special balances were built to provide accurate measurements of the nose and tail contributions to spin motions and improvements were made to the overall test apparatus. The results of this test, including some interesting hysteresis effects with spin rate, are described. Some of the problems associated with rotary-balance tests at high Reynolds numbers are discussed. A new large-scale rotary apparatus now nearing completion for use in the Ames 12-Foot and 11- by 11-Foot Wind Tunnels is described briefly.

Malcolm, G. N.↗

Low-speed wind-tunnel tests of single- and counter-rotation propellers

A low-speed (Mach 0 to 0.3) wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the basic performance, force and moment characteristics, and flow-field velocities of single- and counter-rotation propellers. Compared with the eight-blade single-rotation propeller, a four- by four- (4 x 4) blade counter-rotation propeller with the same blade design produced substantially higher thrust coefficients for the same blade angles and advance ratios. The results further indicated that ingestion of the wake from a supporting pylon for a pusher configuration produced no significant change in the propeller thrust performance for either the single- or counter-rotation propellers. A two-component laser velocimeter (LV) system was used to make detailed measurements of the propeller flow fields. Results show increasing slipstream velocities with increasing blade angle and decreasing advance ratio. Flow-field measurements for the counter-rotation propeller show that the rear propeller turned the flow in the opposite direction from the front propeller and, therefore, could eliminate the swirl component of velocity, as would be expected.

Dunham, D. M.↗

Boeing Smart Rotor Full-scale Wind Tunnel Test Data Report

A full-scale helicopter smart material actuated rotor technology (SMART) rotor test was conducted in the USAF National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames. The SMART rotor system is a five-bladed MD 902 bearingless rotor with active trailing-edge flaps. The flaps are actuated using piezoelectric actuators. Rotor performance, structural loads, and acoustic data were obtained over a wide range of rotor shaft angles of attack, thrust, and airspeeds. The primary test objective was to acquire unique validation data for the high-performance computing analyses developed under the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) Helicopter Quieting Program (HQP). Other research objectives included quantifying the ability of the on-blade flaps to achieve vibration reduction, rotor smoothing, and performance improvements. This data set of rotor performance and structural loads can be used for analytical and experimental comparison studies with other full-scale rotor systems and for analytical validation of computer simulation models. The purpose of this final data report is to document a comprehensive, highquality data set that includes only data points where the flap was actively controlled and each of the five flaps behaved in a similar manner.

Full-Scale Wind Tunnel↗