Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Rotor Performance Testing”

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.

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

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Comparison Between Simulated and Experimentally Measured Performance of a Four Port Wave Rotor

Performance and operability testing has been completed on a laboratory-scale, four-port wave rotor, of the type suitable for use as a topping cycle on a gas turbine engine. Many design aspects, and performance estimates for the wave rotor were determined using a time-accurate, one-dimensional, computational fluid dynamics-based simulation code developed specifically for wave rotors. The code follows a single rotor passage as it moves past the various ports, which in this reference frame become boundary conditions. This paper compares wave rotor performance predicted with the code to that measured during laboratory testing. Both on and off-design operating conditions were examined. Overall, the match between code and rig was found to be quite good. At operating points where there were disparities, the assumption of larger than expected internal leakage rates successfully realigned code predictions and laboratory measurements. Possible mechanisms for such leakage rates are discussed.

Paxson, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Isolated Rotor Forward Flight Testing at Martian Atmospheric Density Data Report

With the recent interest in Martian exploration using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), an experimental study was conducted to investigate rotor performance at Martian atmospheric conditions. Both simulation and testing of rotors is vital for evaluating rotor performance and behavior, especially for operations at Martian atmospheric densities and pressures. One critical test that has not been performed to date is helicopter forward flight testing at Martian atmospheric densities. To achieve this, a test was conducted in a tunnel facility that could be evacuated to the atmospheric pressure and density of Mars. A 40-inch-diameter rotor, roughly approximating the scale of the proposed Mars Helicopter (MH) design by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was tested in forward flight at Mars’ atmospheric pressure at the NASA Ames Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (PAL). In this forward flight testing, the drive system of the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel (MARSWIT) was never turned on; all wind speeds read were generated either through the rotor spinning or from facility effects. The goal of this experiment was to collect rotor thrust, rotational speed, power, torque, and acoustics measurements. Subsequently, these results can be used for correlation with simulated cases using a mid-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. As expected, rotor thrust and power are drastically reduced at air densities 100 times lower than at sea level on Earth. In addition, Reynolds number effects seem to play a vital role at reduced pressure that cannot be neglected in the simulation.

One Atmosphere↗
NASA NTRS1960

Hovering Measurements for Twin-Rotor Configurations with and Without Overlap

Results of an investigation in the Langley full-scale tunnel of the hovering performance of large-scale twin-rotor-helicopter models are presented. Measurements of thrust, torque, and rotor flapping are given for overlapped (approximately 76 percent of blade radius) and nonoverlapped configurations and for two different rotor solidities. The measured performance is compared with single-rotor measurements and with available rotor theory. These tests show that the hovering performance of a single rotor and of two rotors without overlap or vertical offset are the same and hence may be calculated by single-rotor theory. These tests in conjunction with results of previous coaxial-rotor tests show that the performance of highly overlapped rotors can be reasonably predicted by available rotor theory.

Sweet, George E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Effects of aerodynamic interaction between main and tail rotors on helicopter hover performance and noise

A model test was conducted to determine the effects of aerodynamic interaction between main rotor, tail rotor, and vertical fin on helicopter performance and noise in hover out of ground effect. The experimental data were obtained from hover tests performed with a .151 scale Model 222 main rotor, tail rotor and vertical fin. Of primary interest was the effect of location of the tail rotor with respect to the main rotor. Penalties on main rotor power due to interaction with the tail rotor ranged up to 3% depending upon tail rotor location and orientation. Penalties on tail rotor power due to fin blockage alone ranged up to 10% for pusher tail rotors and up to 50% for tractor tail rotors. The main rotor wake had only a second order effect on these tail rotor/fin interactions. Design charts are presented showing the penalties on main rotor power as a function of the relative location of the tail rotor.

Menger, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Effect of several porous casing treatments on stall limit and on overall performance of an axial flow compressor rotor

Several geometrically different porous casings were tested with an axial-flow compressor rotor to determine their effects upon the rotor stall-limit line and overall performance. The tests were conducted using both uniform and nonuniform inlet-flow conditions. The rotor performance with the various casing treatments is compared with that obtained with a solid casing. The ability of the various casing treatments to displace the rotor stall-limit line to lower weight flows was observed. Significant stall-margin increases were obtained with several of the porous casings. Peak efficiencies with two of the porous casings were as high as or slightly higher than that obtained with solid casing.

Osborn, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Isolated Rotor Forward Flight Testing from One Atmosphere down to Martian Atmospheric Densities

With the recent interest in Martian exploration using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), an experimental study was conducted to investigate rotor performance at Martian atmospheric conditions. Both simulation and testing of rotors is vital for the evaluation of performance and behavior of a rotor, especially when subjected to a Marian atmosphere. One critical test that has not been performed to date is simulated helicopter forward flight in a Martian atmosphere. To achieve this, the test must be conducted in a facility which can be evacuated to the atmospheric pressure and density of Mars. A unique 40-in diameter rotor, roughly approximating a proposed design for a Mars Helicopter (MH), was tested in forward flight at Mars atmospheric pressure at the NASA Ames Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (PAL). The goal of this experiment was to collect rotor thrust, RPM, power, torque, and acoustics measurements. Subsequently, these results are compared with simulated cases using a mid-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach. As expected, rotor thrust and power results are drastically reduced when under low atmospheric conditions. In addition, Reynolds number effects seem to play a vital role that cannot be neglected.

Ament, Geoffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Documentation of the Recirculation in a Closed-Chamber Rotor Hover Test

A rotor hover test was performed inside the JPL 25-foot-diameter Space Simulator. The 40-inch-diameter rotor was tested at two locations in the chamber-on the chamber centerline and 2m off-axis. The rotor was tested in both upright and inverted configurations for 500 < RPM < 2000. Fluorescent tufts were used to identify regions of recirculation. Velocities on the entrainment side of the rotor were measured. Tabulated values for the mean entrainment velocity components and the corresponding root mean square velocity fluctuations are provided. Unsteady velocity measurements provide a description of the turbulence ingested into the rotor plane and quantify the unsteady velocity field that the Mars Scout Helicopter can expect to encounter during free flight inside the Space Simulator.

Rotor Hover Test↗
NASA NTRS2013

Aeroacoustic and Performance Simulations of a Test Scale Open Rotor

This paper explores a comparison between experimental data and numerical simulations of the historical baseline F31/A31 open rotor geometry. The experimental data were obtained at the NASA Glenn Research Center s Aeroacoustic facility and include performance and noise information for a variety of flow speeds (matching take-off and cruise). The numerical simulations provide both performance and aeroacoustic results using the NUMECA s Fine-Turbo analysis code. A non-linear harmonic method is used to capture the rotor/rotor interaction.

Claus, Russell W.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Results from a test of a 2/3-scale V-22 rotor and wing in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel

A test of a 0.658-scale V-22 rotor and wing was conducted in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. The principal objectives of the test were to measure the wing download in hover for a variety of test configurations, and rotor performance in forward flight. Also, a limited amount of data on rotor performance in vertical climb were acquired. This paper presents the results from the test with predictions from appropriate analytical methods. A new method for presenting and interpreting wing surface pressure data in hover is described, and this method shows that the wing flap can produce substantial lift loads in hover. The rotor performance in vertical climb was underpredicted by CAMRAD/JA and by the free wake analysis EHPIC. A simple momentum theory is presented which provides good predictions of rotor performance in forward flight.

Felker, Fort F.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measured performance of a tip-controlled, teetered rotor with an NACA 64 sub 3-618 tip airfoil

Tests were conducted on the Mod-O 100 kW Wind Turbine to determine the performance of a tip-controlled rotor having an NACA 64 sub-618 airfoil over the moveable outboard 30% of the blade, while operating at nominal rotor speeds of 21 and 31 rpm. Tests were conducted at two rotor speeds to assess the performance improvement which could be realized with 2-speed operation. Test data are compared with analytical predictions and concluding remarks are presented. The results indicate a clear performance improvement for the 2-speed operation.

Corrigan, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Full scale hover test of a 25 foot tilt rotor

The tilt rotor underwent a hover performance test on the Aero Propulsion Laboratory whirl stand at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The maximum thrust over density ratio measured at the design tip speed of 740 feet per second was 10,016 pounds. This occurred when the power over density ratio was 1721 horsepower. At the hover overspeed rpm, the thrust and power, over density ratio, were 11,008 pounds and 1866 horsepower. During the test, the maximum measured thrust coefficient was 0.177, and the rotor figure of merit exceeded 0.81. Measured lifting efficiency was 8.35 pounds per horsepower at the thrust a 13,000-pound aircraft would require for hover at sea level on a standard day. No effect of compressibility on performance is discernible in the test results (the range of tip Mach numbers tested was 0.55 to 0.71).

Helf, S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Performance results from a test of an S-76 rotor in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel

A full-scale helicopter rotor wind tunnel test has been conducted which covers a wide range of rotor-shaft angles-of-attack and 0-100 kt thrust conditions. The hover performance data thus obtained were compared with the results of momentum theory calculations; forward flight rotor-performance data were compared with calculations from a comprehensive rotorcraft analysis. These comparisons suggest that hover testing at an outdoor facility in the absence of ground effect is required to make a final determination of the absolute accuracy of the wind tunnel hover data.

Shinoda, Patrick M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Hover performance tests of baseline metal and Advanced Technology Blade (ATB) rotor systems for the XV-15 tilt rotor aircraft

Rotor hover performance data were obtained for two full-scale rotor systems designed for the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft. One rotor employed the rectangular planform metal blades (rotor solidity = 0.089) which were used on the initial flight configuration of the XV-15. The second rotor configuration examined the nonlinear taper, composite-construction, Advanced Technology Blade (ATB), (rotor solidity = 0.10) designed to replace the metal blades on the XV-15. Variations of the baseline ATB tip and cuff shapes were also tested. A new six-component rotor force and moment balance designed to obtain highly accurate data over a broad range of thrust and torque conditions is described. The test data are presented in nondimensional coefficient form for the performance results, and in dimensional form for the steady and alternating loads. Some wake and acoustic data are also shown.

Bartie, K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Performance and loads data from a hover test of a full-scale advanced technology XV-15 rotor

A hover test of a full-scale, composite, advanced technology XV-15 rotor was conducted at the Outdoor Aerodynamic Research Facility at Ames Research Center. The primary objective of the test was to obtain accurate measurements of the hover performance of this rotor system. Data were acquired for rotor tip Mach numbers ranging from 0.35 to 0.73. The rotor was tested with several alternate blade root and blade-tip configurations. Data are presented on rotor performance, rotor-wake downwash velocities, and rotor system loads.

Felker, Fort F.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Performance Analysis and Data Processing for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 25-ft Space Simulator

On April 19, 2021, Ingenuity became the first helicopter to fly on Mars at Jezero Crater, completing a total of 72 flights by the end of its mission. The success of Ingenuity resulted in various research efforts to further explore Mars via vertical flight, including two optimized Ingenuity-sized helicopters proposed to retrieve samples for the 2028 Mars Sample Return mission. To aid in the design process for the two proposed Sample Retrieval Helicopters, both heritage and optimized, increased diameter rotors were tested at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 25-ft Space Simulator. Three test campaigns were performed using the Ingenuity rotors and optimized Sample Retrieval Helicopter (SRH) rotors for several rotor speeds, densities, configurations, and collectives to identify performance limitations. These three test campaigns included the Ingenuity Engineering Design Model 1 (EDM-1) with and without a cruciform box, Transonic Rotor Test (TRT) rig, and SRH Dual Rotor Test (DRT). Experimental setup, test matrix, data processing, data quality, and performance results for EDM-1, TRT, and DRT campaigns are presented and discussed. Experimental results from the test campaigns will aid in future experimental methods and validation efforts for planetary rotorcraft exploration.

Data Processing↗
NASA NTRS1986

Rotor performance characteristics from an aeroacoustic helicopter wind-tunnel test program

An investigation of helicopter rotor noise at model scale was conducted in the Langley 4 by 7 meter tunnel. The program described was the first of a planned three-phase project whose purpose was to examine the characteristic noise mechanism involved in main rotor/tail rotor interaction noise. This first phase was conducted with a main rotor only, in order to identify the characteristic noise generated by only the main rotor. The aerodynamic operating conditions of the rotor system were defined during the test. The acoustic data were properly referenced.

Hoad, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A higher harmonic control test in the DNW to reduce impulsive BVI noise

A model rotor acoustic test was performed to examine the benefit of higher control (HHC) of blade pitch to reduce blade-vortex interaction (BVI) impulse noise. A 40-percent dynamically scaled, four-bladed model of a BO-105 main rotor was tested in the German-Dutch Wind Tunnel (DNW). Acoustic measurements were made in a large plane underneath the rotor employing a traversing in-flow microphone array in the anechoic environment of the open test section. Noise characteristics and noise directivity patterns as well as vibratory loads were measured and used to demonstrate the changes when different HHC schedules (different modes, amplitudes, phases) were applied. Dramatic changes of the acoustic signatures and the noise radiation directivity with HHC phase variations are found. Compared to the baseline conditions (without HHD), significant mid-frequency noise reductions of as much as 6 dB are obtained for low speed descent conditions where BVI is most intensive. For other rotor operating conditions with less intense BVI there is less or no benefit from the use of HHC. Low frequency loading noise and vibratory loads, especially at optimum noise reduction control settings, are found to increase.

Splettstoesser, Wolf R.↗