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At least 541 records · Page 30

Dynamic stall effects and applications to high performance aircraft

Recent research conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center on the effects of large amplitude pitching motions on the aerodynamic characteristics of modern fighter aircraft configurations is highlighted. Wind tunnel tests were conducted on simple flat-plate wings to gain understanding of the complex flow phenomena during unsteady motions at high angles of attack. Studies then progressed to a representative modern fighter configuration. Using a computer controlled dynamic apparatus, tests were conducted to investigate effects of pitch rate and motion time history and to determine the persistence of unsteady effects. Data were also obtained in sideslip and with control surface deflections to investigate dynamic effects on lateral stability and available control power. Force and moment data were obtained using a 6-component internal strain-gage balance. To aid in the interpretation of the results, flow visualization using a laser light-sheet system was also obtained. Results of these tests are discussed, along with their implications on the maneuverability of future advanced airplanes designed to operate in the highly dynamic, high angle-of-attack environment.

Brandon, Jay M.↗

Numerical simulation of high-incidence flow over the F-18 aircraft

Navier-Stokes solutions have been obtained using the Chimera overset grid scheme for flow over the wing, fuselage, and wing leading-edge extension (LEX) of the F-18 aircraft at high incidence. Solutions are also presented for flow over the fuselage forebody at high angles of attack. The solutions are for turbulent flows at high-Reynolds number flight-test conditions, and are compared with available qualitative and quantitative experimental data. Comparisons of predicted surface flow patterns, off-surface flow visualizations, and surface-pressure distributions are in good agreement with flight-test data. The ability of the numerical method to predict the bursting of the LEX vortex as it encounters the adverse pressure gradient field of the wing is demonstrated.

Cummings, Russell M.↗

Failure detection and fault management techniques for flush airdata sensing systems

A high-angle-of-attack flush airdata sensing system was installed and flight tested on the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle at NASA-Dryden. This system uses a matrix of pressure orifices arranged in concentric circles on the nose of the vehicle to determine angles of attack, angles of sideslip, dynamic pressure, and static pressure as well as other airdata parameters. Results presented use an arrangement of 11 symmetrically distributed ports on the aircraft nose. Experience with this sensing system data indicates that the primary concern for real-time implementation is the detection and management of overall system and individual pressure sensor failures. The multiple port sensing system is more tolerant to small disturbances in the measured pressure data than conventional probe-based intrusive airdata systems. However, under adverse circumstances, large undetected failures in individual pressure ports can result in algorithm divergence and catastrophic failure of the entire system. How system and individual port failures may be detected using chi sq. analysis is shown. Once identified, the effects of failures are eliminated using weighted least squares.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

Aerodynamic Effects Caused by Icing of an Unswept NACA 65A004 Airfoil

The effects of ice formations on the section lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients of an unswept NACA 65A004 airfoil section of 6-foot chord were studied.. The magnitude of the aerodynamic penalties was primarily a function of the shape and size of the ice formation near the leading edge of the airfoil. The exact size and shape of the ice formations were determined photographically and found to be complex functions of the operating and icing conditions. In general, icing of the airfoil at angles of attack less than 40 caused large increases in section drag coefficients (as much as 350 percent in 8 minutes of heavy glaze icing), reductions in section lift coefficients (up to 13 percent), and changes in the pitching-moment coefficient from diving toward climbing moments. At angles of attack greater than 40 the aerodynamic characteristics depended mainly on the ice type. The section drag coefficients generally were reduced by the addition of rime ice (by as much as 45 percent in 8 minutes of icing). In glaze icing, however, the drag increased at these angles of attack. The section lift coefficients were variably affected by rime-ice formations; however, in glaze icing, lift increases at high angles of attack amounted to as much as 9 percent for an icing time of 8 minutes. Pitching-moment-coefficient changes in icing conditions were somewhat erratic and depended on the icing condition. Rotation of the iced airfoil to angles of attack other than that at which icing occurred caused sufficiently large changes in the pitching-moment coefficient that, in flight, rapid corrections in trim might be required in order to avoid a hazardous situation.

Gray, Vernon H.↗

An experimental investigation of apex fence flaps on delta wings

The effects on leading edge vortex formation produced by apex fences mounted on two delta wings were examined in a subsonic wind tunnel. Pressure data were collected on the upper surface of the test wings and oil flow and bubble flow visualizations were performed. The deflections studied were 74, 90 and 65 deg in one-sided and two-sided configurations. Full span and semi-span delta wing planforms were used. Relatively small, symmetrically deployed apex fences provided enhanced upper surface suction which, in some angle-of-attack situations, could lead to a pitch-up force. Asymmetrically-deployed fences showed promise for yaw control at high angles of attack, althouh the force effectiveness has yet to be quantified.

Vess, R. J.↗

Flight determination of the aerodynamic stability and control characteristics of the NASA SGS 1-36 sailplane in the conventional and deep stall angles-of-attack of between -5 and 75 degrees

The flight test procedure and the preliminary analysis of the results obtained from twenty manned flights of the SGS 1-36 in the high angles of attack Deep Stall region are discussed. A comparison of the flight determined stability and control derivatives, those of the wind tunnel, and the estimated aerodynamic data is also presented. Furthermore, deep stall dynamics response of the SGS 1-36 is discussed briefly to explain some of the unexpected flight observations.

Mahdavi, F. A.↗

Unsteady flows

The development status of tactical missile dynamic behavior prediction is evaluated, with a view to the formulation of guidelines for high angle-of-attack tests where highly nonlinear aerodynamics are encountered and strong cross-coupling arises between lateral and longitudinal degrees of freedom. Attention is given to the Ericsson (1979) inviscid computer code, which is entirely general within the geometric constraints of axisymmetry and low aspect ratio lifting surfaces. A serious problem in the prediction of full-scale high-alpha dynamics is the almost total dependence on subscale experimental data, whose use is severely restricted by Reynolds number scaling as well as by model support and wind tunnel wall interference.

Ericsson, L. E.↗

Computational analysis of forebody tangential slot blowing

An overview of the computational effort to analyze forebody tangential slot blowing is presented. Tangential slot blowing generates side force and yawing moment which may be used to control an aircraft flying at high-angle-of-attack. Two different geometries are used in the analysis: (1) The High Alpha Research Vehicle; and (2) a generic chined forebody. Computations using the isolated F/A-18 forebody are obtained at full-scale wind tunnel test conditions for direct comparison with available experimental data. The effects of over- and under-blowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Time-accurate solutions using the isolated forebody are obtained to study the force onset timelag of tangential slot blowing. Computations using the generic chined forebody are obtained at experimental wind tunnel conditions, and the results compared with available experimental data. This computational analysis compliments the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flow field about simple and complex geometries.

Gee, Ken↗

An aerodynamic design study of a series of lifting bodies at angles of attack from 10 to 53 degrees at Mach numbers from 2.30 to 4.62

The aerodynamic characteristics in the transition from high to low angles of attack at supersonic speeds have been experimentally and theoretically studied for a series of lifting bodies with various upper and lower surface camber designs. The configurations under consideration have a 75-degree swept delta planform with a rounded nose. Data obtained indicate that changes in the camber design cause some distinct changes in the aerodynamic characteristics that shoud be taken into account in the selection of a lifting body shape. The flat bottom designs with upper surface camber are found to provide greater drag for retardation at high angles of attack but are considerably out of trim longitudinally. The flat top designs with lower surface camber provide less drag at high angles of attack but can be more easily trimmed. Calculated results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.

Spearman, M. L.↗

Low speed tests of a fixed geometry inlet for a tilt nacelle V/STOL airplane

Test data were obtained with a 1/4 scale cold flow model of the inlet at freestream velocities from 0 to 77 m/s (150 knots) and angles of attack from 45 deg to 120 deg. A large scale model was tested with a high bypass ratio turbofan in the NASA/ARC wind tunnel. A fixed geometry inlet is a viable concept for a tilt nacelle V/STOL application. Comparison of data obtained with the two models indicates that flow separation at high angles of attack and low airflow rates is strongly sensitive to Reynolds number and that the large scale model has a significantly improved range of separation-free operation.

Syberg, J.↗

PAN AIR prediction of NASA Ames 12-foot pressure wind-tunnel interference on a fighter configuration

Models tested in the NASA Ames 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel over an angle of attack range from 0 deg to 90 deg are mounted on a floor strut that protrudes from a fairly large support bump. In high-angle-of-attack tests (angle of attack = 40 deg to 90 deg), for which the floor support was originally designed, the effects of the flow angularities produced by the bump are often negligible. This is not so for low-angle-of-attack tests (0 deg to 40 deg). Since there are no standard means for correcting test data for this bump effect, low-angle-of-attack testing with the bump is not recommended by the Ames wind-tunnel staff. This paper presents an exploratory study of a technique for correcting balance forces and experimental pressures for combined wall and bump effects. This is done by modeling the aircraft, wind-tunngl walls, and bump, with PAN AIR. The wall-and-bump-induced increments in the lift coefficient and pitching-moment coefficient predicted by PAN AIR are compared with increments obtained from the Ames 12-foot tunnel with the bump and an 8 x 12 low speed wind tunnel which has no bump.

Snyder, L. D.↗

Origin And Behavior Of Asymmetric Vortices

Report presents theoretical study of vortices shed by ogive/cylinder body of revolution facing oncoming flow at various angles of attack. Study focuses attention on two phenomena observed in prior computer numerical simulations of such flows: mean flow that is asymmetrical, at moderate to high angle of attack, about plane containing angle of attack; and fluctuations at higher angles of attack.

Tobak, Murray↗

Estimation of Static Longitudinal Stability of Aircraft Configurations at High Mach Numbers and at Angles of Attack Between 0 deg and +/-180 deg

The possibility of obtaining useful estimates of the static longitudinal stability of aircraft flying at high supersonic Mach numbers at angles of attack between 0 and +/-180 deg is explored. Existing theories, empirical formulas, and graphical procedures are employed to estimate the normal-force and pitching-moment characteristics of an example airplane configuration consisting of an ogive-cylinder body, trapezoidal wing, and cruciform trapezoidal tail. Existing wind-tunnel data for this configuration at a Mach number of 6.86 provide an evaluation of the estimates up to an angle of attack of 35 deg. Evaluation at higher angles of attack is afforded by data obtained from wind-tunnel tests made with the same configuration at angles of attack between 30 and 150 deg at five Mach numbers between 2.5 and 3.55. Over the ranges of Mach numbers and angles of attack investigated, predictions of normal force and center-of-pressure locations for the configuration considered agree well with those obtained experimentally, particularly at the higher Mach numbers.

Dugan, Duane W.↗

Pitot-pressure distributions of the flow field of a delta-wing orbiter

Pitot pressure distributions of the flow field of a 0.0075-scale model of a typical delta wing shuttle orbiter are presented. Results are given for the windward and leeward sides on centerline in the angle-of-attack plane from wind tunnel tests conducted in air. Distributions are shown for three axial stations X/L = .35, .60, and .98 and for angles of attack from 0 to 60 deg. The tests were made at a Mach number of 7.4 and for Reynolds numbers based on body length from 1,500,000 to 9,000,000. The windward distributions at the two survey stations forward of the body boat tail demonstrate the compressive aspects of the flow from the shock wave to the body. Conversely, the distributions at the aft station display an expansion of the flow that is attributed to body boat tail. On the lee side, results are given at low angles of attack that illustrate the complicating aspects of the canopy on the flow field, while results are given to show the effects of flow separation at high angles of attack.

Cleary, J. W.↗

Space shuttle: Aerodynamic characteristics of cone-cylinder-flare-fin configurations at Mach numbers of 1.96, 2.74, and 4.96 and angles of attack from 50 to 90 degrees

A 0.00227-scale parametric model of an LMSC/MSFC water recoverable booster was tested in the MSFC 14 x 14-inch trisonic wind tunnel. The purpose of the test was to obtain high angle of attack force and static stability data which could be used by MSFC in preliminary design and aerodynamic trade studies. These data were obtained using six-component internal strain gauge balances. One hundred forty-four different geometrical combinations were possible as all model parts were interchangeable (three nose cones, three cylinder lengths, four flare sections and three sets of fins, plus a no-fin case in combination with the other components). However, due to tunnel occupancy limitations, only the most representative combinations were tested. All configurations investigated were tested at Mach 1.96, 2.74 and 4.96 with data obtained at angles of attack from 50 degrees to 90 degrees and at angles of sideslip from -10 degrees to +10 degrees (at an angle of attack of 60 degrees).

Bradley, D.↗

Numerical simulation of the effects of variation of angle of attack and sweep angle on vortex breakdown over delta wings

In the present investigation of the vortical flowfield structure over delta wings at high angles of attack, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes numerical simulations were conducted to predict the complex leeward flowfield characteristics; these encompass leading-edge separation, secondary separation, and vortex breakdown. Attention is given to the effect on solution accuracy of circumferential grid-resolution variations in the vicinity of the wing leading edge, and well as to the effect of turbulence modeling on the solutions. When a critical angle-of-attack was reached, bubble-type vortex breakdown was found. With further angle-of-attack increase, a change from bubble-type to spiral-type vortex breakdown was predicted by the numerical solution.

Ekaterinaris, J. A.↗

Experimental study of controlled tip disturbance effect on flow asymmetry

The effect on the asymmetric mean flow observed on pointed bodies of revolution at incidence of changing the size and location of a controlled disturbance as well as changes in angle of attack and flow conditions are evaluated experimentally. Flow visualization and side-force measurements are carried out for a generic ogive-cylinder body inclined at high angle of attack in a low-speed wind tunnel. For all angles of attack tested (30-60 deg), minute changes in the size or location of the controlled disturbance result in finite changes in the asymmetric flow field, even to the extent of reversing the sign of the side force or becoming almost symmetric. The process is reversible; returning the wire to an original position likewise restores the corresponding flow field and mean side force. The variation of side force with continuous variation of a perturbation's size or location remains continuous and single valued, even in the incidence range of 50 to 60 deg, where 'bistable' behavior of the asymmetric flow field is observed.

Degani, David↗

Effect of retractable-spoiler location on rolling- and yawing-moment coefficients

In this report are presented the results of wind-tunnel tests of retractable spoilers on the upper surface of a Clark Y wing, which have been made as part of an investigation of lateral control devices being conducted by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Spoilers with chords up to 15.0 percent of the wing chord were tested in several locations on a plain rectangular wing and in two locations on the same wing equipped with a 20.0 percent chord split flap down 60 degrees. Charts are given for four representative angles of attack from which values of rolling- and yawing-moment coefficients may be obtained for spoilers up to 15.0 percent chord located on the upper surface of a Clark Y wing. The tests showed that at low angles of attack practically the same rolling moments can be obtained with a given spoiler at any location back of 30.0 percent of the wing chord, while at high angles of attack there is a definite advantage in locating the spoiler at least as far forward as 30.0 percent of the chord. The yawing moments accompanying a given rolling moment increase positively as the spoiler location is moved forward from the trailing edge of the wing. It is concluded that the 30.0 percent chord location is probably the optimum provided that instantaneous response of the airplane to a control movement can be obtained.

Shortal, J A↗