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At least 613 records · Page 34

A parametric study of mean loading effects on airfoil gust interaction noise

The influence of airfoil mean loading parameters on the sound generated by interaction with short wavelength vorticity and entropy gusts is examined. It is found that there are two mean flow parameters of importance, the effective leading edge incidence angle and the airfoil lift coefficient. The former controls the total sound power level, while the latter has an important effect on the directivity pattern. For vorticity gusts, positive gust angles result in noise levels which increase with leading edge loading (LEL), while for negative gust angles an increase in LEL may actually reduce the noise level. For low levels of LEL, entropy gusts generate less sound than vorticity gusts, while for larger values of LEL, entropy gusts are at least as important as vorticity gusts.

Kerschen, E. J.↗

A full-potential theory analysis of the supersonic aerodynamics of a 60-deg delta wing-body configuration

Experimental spanwise pressure distributions for a 60-deg delta wing/body of approximate fineness ratio 7.6 have been obtained and compared to predictions using full-potential theory. Analysis was performed at Mach 1.6 for angles of attack in the range 0.8 to 10 deg, and for Mach numbers ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 at lift coefficients 0.3 and 0.4. The intent of the study was to examine an attached flow approach for maneuver wing design in the presence of a fuselage. For the Mach number, angle-of-attack conditions considered, the full-potential theory accurately modeled the pressure distributions provided the flow remained attached. By combining the full-potential theory results with an empirical shock-induced separation criterion, it was found that the onset of shock-induced separation can be predicted. The investigation showed that, if an attached-flow approach is used with an empirical method of indicating shock-induced separation, the full-potential method is capable of being used as an effective tool for designing maneuver wings.

Rose, O. C.↗

The effects of canard-wing flow-field interactions on longitudinal stability, effective dihedral and potential deep-stall trim

The literature available on high aspect ratio canard configurations shows them to have some unique stability characteristics. Using a generic canard-wing model, the effects of canard-wing flow-field interactions on stability were investigated in the NASA Langley Twelve-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Results for the attached flow regime indicate linear interactions shift the neutral point of a canard configuration forward, but the effect of a canard on a wing can change significantly when the flow over the surface begins to separate, even several degrees below stall. The asymmetry of the canard downwash in a sideslip condition can result in an increment in effective dihedral roughly proportional to canard lift coefficient. At very high angles of attack the presence of a wing can cause an incremental normal force on a canard, contributing to the possibility of a deep-stall trim point. This effect is greater for a high canard and less for a low one.

Muchmore, C. B., Jr.↗

Navier-Stokes computation of flow around a round-edged double-delta wing

Computations of three-dimensional vortical flows over a thin round-edged double-delta wing with an aspect ratio of 2.05 are performed using an implicit upwind-relaxation finite-difference scheme. The effects of grid and angle of attack on the Navier-Stokes computations are studied. Coarse-grid calculations can not predict the detailed structures of the vortical flowfields for lack of grid resolution. On the contrary, fine-grid computations show that key features of vortex formation, interaction, and breakdown are simulated. Furthermore, computed lift coefficients and spanswise surface static pressure distributions are in good agreement with the experimental data up to alpha = 25 deg.

Hsu, C.-H.↗

Viscous induced drag

A fundamentally new approach to the aircraft minimum induced drag problem is presented. The method, a 'viscous lifting line', is based on the minimum entropy production principle and does not require the planar wake assumption. An approximate, closed form solution is obtained and compared with several classical results. In addition, the problem of optimizing in-plane wing sweep with constant wing root bending moment is considered. Like the classical lifting line theory, this theory predicts that induced drag is proportional to the square of the lift coefficient and inversely proportional to the wing aspect ratio. Unlike the classical theory, it predicts that in-plane wing sweep may significantly reduce induced drag, that induced drag is Reynolds number dependent, and that the optimum spanwise circulation distribution is non-elliptic.

Greene, George C.↗

Computational aeroelasticity challenges and resources

In the past decade, there has been much activity in the development of computational methods for the analysis of unsteady transonic aerodynamics about airfoils and wings. Significant features are illustrated which must be addressed in the treatment of computational transonic unsteady aerodynamics. The flow regimes for an aircraft on a plot of lift coefficient vs. Mach number are indicated. The sequence of events occurring in air combat maneuvers are illustrated. And further features of transonic flutter are illustrated. Also illustrated are several types of aeroelastic response which were encountered and which offer challenges for computational methods. The four cases illustrate problem areas encountered near the boundaries of aircraft envelopes, as operating condition change from high speed, low angle conditions to lower speed, higher angle conditions.

Edwards, John W.↗

Two experimental supercritical laminar-flow-control swept-wing airfoils

Two supercritical laminar-flow-control airfoils were designed for a large-chord swept-wing experiment in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel where suction was provided through most of the model surface for boundary-layer control. The first airfoil was derived from an existing full-chord laminar airfoil by extending the trailing edge and making changes in the two lower-surface concave regions. The second airfoil differed from the first one in that it was designed for testing without suction in the forward concave region of the lower surface. Differences between the first airfoil and the one from which it was derived as well as between the first and second airfoils are discussed. Airfoil coordinates and predicted pressure distributions for the design normal Mach number of 0.755 and section lift coefficient of 0.55 are given for the three airfoils.

Allison, Dennis O.↗

Tailless aircraft performance improvements with relaxed static stability

The purpose is to determine the tailless aircraft performance improvements gained from relaxed static stability, to quantify this potential in terms of range-payload improvements, and to identify other possible operational and handling benefits or problems. Two configurations were chosen for the study: a modern high aspect ratio, short-chord wing proposed as a high-altitude long endurance (HALE) remotely piloted vehicle; a wider, lower aspect ratio, high volume wing suitable for internal stowage of all fuel and payload required for a manned long-range reconnaissance mission. Flying at best cruise altitude, both unstable configurations were found to have a 14 percent improvement in range and a 7 to 9 percent improvement in maximum endurance compared to the stable configurations. The unstable manned configuration also shows a 15 percent improvement in the 50 ft takeoff obstacle distance and an improved height response to elevator control. However, it is generally more deficient in control power due to its larger adverse aileron yaw and its higher takeoff and landing lift coefficient C(sub L), both due to the downward trimmed (vs. upward trimmed for stable configurations) trailing edge surfaces.

Ashkenas, Irving L.↗

Low-speed static and dynamic force tests of a generic supersonic cruise fighter configuration

Static and dynamic force tests of a generic fighter configuration designed for sustained supersonic flight were conducted in the Langley 30- by 60-foot tunnel. The baseline configuration had a 65 deg arrow wing, twin wing mounted vertical tails and a canard. Results showed that control was available up to C sub L,max (maximum lift coefficient) from aerodynamic controls about all axes but control in the pitch and yaw axes decreased rapidly in the post-stall angle-of-attack region. The baseline configuration showed stable lateral-directional characteristics at low angles of attack but directional stability occurred near alpha = 25 deg as the wing shielded the vertical tails. The configuration showed positive effective dihedral throughout the test angle-of-attack range. Forced oscillation tests indicated that the baseline configuration had stable damping characteristics about the lateral-directional axes.

Hahne, David E.↗

Numerical simulation of the vortical flow over a round-edged double-delta wing

Simulations of three-dimensional vortical flows over a thin double-delta wing with an aspect ratio of 2.05 have been performed. Steady-state solutions to the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are obtained using a new implicit upwind-relaxation finite-difference scheme. The method is second-order accurate spatially and naturally dissipative. Numerical results indicate that key features of both vortical interaction and vortex breakdown are successfully simulated. The computed lift coefficients and lateral trajectories of the vortical cores are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Hsu, C.-H.↗

An interactive boundary-layer procedure for oscillating airfoils including transition effects

An interactive boundary-layer method previously developed and tested for steady flows is used here in a quasi-steady manner to examine the evolution of the flow behavior around oscillating airfoils operating inlight stall conditions. The calculations encompass the airfoil and wake flows at angles of attack which lead to flow separation. The location of the onset of transition is represented by a correlation based on steady flows. The results show the large effects of the viscous layer on the variation of lift coefficient with angle of attack and reduced frequency.

Cebeci, Tuncer↗

Sheared wing-tip aerodynamics - Wind-tunnel and computational investigation

Computational and experimental performance benefits are presented for a high-aspect-ratio unswept wing configuration with sheared tips. The sheared tip is a highly swept and highly tapered surface located in the same plane as the inboard wing panel to which it is attached. The compuational results were obtained with an inviscid surface panel method that models the nonlinear influence of the trailing wake. Both wind-tunnel and calculated results were obtained for a 12-ft span wing model with various wing-tip configurations. The computational and experimental data are in fair agreement and demonstrate that sheared wing tips can reduce induced drag at cruise and climb lift coefficients. The drag reduction is the result of wake deformation effects and changes in spanwise load distribution. Wind-tunnel measured longitudinal and lateral directional stability characteristics are also presented for the various wing-tip layouts.

Vijgen, P. M. H. W.↗

Effect of 90 degree flap on the aerodynamics of a two-element airfoil

The aerodynamic performance of a two-element airfoil with a 90-deg trailing edge flap was experimentally investigated. The 5 percent-chord long flap, significantly increased the lift of the baseline airfoil, throughout a wide range of angles of attack. The maximum lift coefficient of the flapped wing increased too, whereas the lift/drag ratio decreased.

Katz, J.↗

Separation control on an airfoil by periodic forcing

The introduction of transverse velocity fluctuations into a separated shear layer on an airfoil at high angles of attack is presently demonstrated to be an effective separation-control technique. Airfoil aerodynamic characteristics, including poststall lift and drag as well as maximum lift coefficient and stall angle, all exhibited improvements controlled forcing at 20 deg angle of attack led to an increased spreading of the mean velocity profile, together with increased turbulence activity; separation moved from the leading edge to about 80 percent of chord.

Bar-Sever, A.↗

Acoustic design considerations: Review of rotor acoustic sources

It is not sufficient to optimize a rotor design in terms of a single noise level calculated for a single flight condition and a single measurement location. The various noise sources, their frequency content, amplitude, and directivity as a function of operating condition must be considered. A summary of the frequency ranges, directivity patterns and the most important operational and design parameters for major rotor noise sources is presented. It is difficult to generalize design requirements for rotor noise because the acoustic output varies so widely depending on the noise source, flight condition, measurement location, and frequency range. However, assuming the rotor must lift a fixed nominal payload and operate over a wide range of flight conditions, three general design guidelines can be stated: (1) minimize tip Mach number; (2) minimize blade thickness in the tip region; and (3) minimize gradients in the spanwise lift distribution in the tip region. Constraints on blade thickness, maximum values for hover tip Mach number, advancing tip Mach number and spanwise lift coefficient gradient will be specified during the aerodynamic, dynamic and structural optimization process. The rotor noise sources to be considered include the low frequency loading and thickness noise, and the higher frequency noise due to blade-vortex interactions (BVI). The analyses to be employed will include the comprehensive rotor analysis and design program CAMRAD and the rotor noise prediction program WOPWOP.

Martin, Ruth M.↗

Validation of a computer code for analysis of subsonic aerodynamic performance of wings with flaps in combination with a canard or horizontal tail and an application to optimization

Extensive correlations of computer code results with experimental data are employed to illustrate the use of a linearized theory, attached flow method for the estimation and optimization of the longitudinal aerodynamic performance of wing-canard and wing-horizontal tail configurations which may employ simple hinged flap systems. Use of an attached flow method is based on the premise that high levels of aerodynamic efficiency require a flow that is as nearly attached as circumstances permit. The results indicate that linearized theory, attached flow, computer code methods (modified to include estimated attainable leading-edge thrust and an approximate representation of vortex forces) provide a rational basis for the estimation and optimization of aerodynamic performance at subsonic speeds below the drag rise Mach number. Generally, good prediction of aerodynamic performance, as measured by the suction parameter, can be expected for near optimum combinations of canard or horizontal tail incidence and leading- and trailing-edge flap deflections at a given lift coefficient (conditions which tend to produce a predominantly attached flow).

Carlson, Harry W.↗

NASA supercritical airfoils: A matrix of family-related airfoils

The NASA supercritical airfoil development program is summarized in a chronological fashion. Some of the airfoil design guidelines are discussed, and coordinates of a matrix of family related supercritical airfoils ranging from thicknesses of 2 to 18 percent and over a design lift coefficient range from 0 to 1.0 are presented.

Harris, Charles D.↗

An aerodynamic tradeoff study of the scissor wing configuration

A scissor wing configuration, consisting of two independently sweeping wings was numerically studied. This configuration was also compared with an equivalent fixed wing baseline. Aerodynamic and stability and control characteristics of these geometries were investigated over a wide range of flight Mach numbers. It is demonstrated that in the purely subsonic flight regime, the scissor wing can achieve higher aerodynamic efficiency as the result of slightly higher aspect ratio. In the transonic regime, the lift to drag ratio of the scissor wing is shown to be higher than that of the baseline, for higer values of the lift coefficient. This tends to make the scissor wing more efficient during transonic cruise at high altitudes as well as during air combat at all altitudes. In supersonic flight, where the wings are maintained at maximum sweep angle, the scissor wing is shown to have a decided advantage in terms of reduced wave drag. From the view point of stability and control, the scissor wing is shown to have distinct advantages. It is shown that this geometry can maintain a constant static margin in supersonic as well as subsonic flight, by proper sweep scheduling. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that addition of wing mounted elevons can greatly enhance control authority in pitch and roll.

Selberg, Bruce P.↗