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At least 613 records · Page 34

Wing pressure distributions from subsonic tests of a high-wing transport model

A wind tunnel investigation was conducted on a generic, high-wing transport model in the Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel. This report contains pressure data that document effects of various model configurations and free-stream conditions on wing pressure distributions. The untwisted wing incorporated a full-span, leading-edge Krueger flap and a part-span, double-slotted trailing-edge flap system. The trailing-edge flap was tested at four different deflection angles (20 deg, 30 deg, 40 deg, and 60 deg). Four wing configurations were tested: cruise, flaps only, Krueger flap only, and high lift (Krueger flap and flaps deployed). Tests were conducted at free-stream dynamic pressures of 20 psf to 60 psf with corresponding chord Reynolds numbers of 1.22 x 10(exp 6) to 2.11 x 10(exp 6) and Mach numbers of 0.12 to 0.20. The angles of attack presented range from 0 deg to 20 deg and were determined by wing configuration. The angle of sideslip ranged from minus 20 deg to 20 deg. In general, pressure distributions were relatively insensitive to free-stream speed with exceptions primarily at high angles of attack or high flap deflections. Increasing trailing-edge Krueger flap significantly reduced peak suction pressures and steep gradients on the wing at high angles of attack. Installation of the empennage had no effect on wing pressure distributions. Unpowered engine nacelles reduced suction pressures on the wing and the flaps.

Applin, Zachary T.↗

Nonclassical aileron buzz in transonic flow

A computational study of inviscid, transonic aileron and trailing-edge buzz instabilities is presented. A mixed Eulerian-Lagrangian formulation is used to model the fluid-structure system and to obtain a system of space-discretized equations that is time-marched to simulate the aeroelastic behavior of the wing-aileron system. Results obtained suggest that shock-induced separation may not be an essential driving force behind all buzz phenomena. Several examples are shown where the shock motion interacts with the aileron motion to extract energy from the flow. If the trailing-edge region is sufficiently flexible and the shocks are at the trailing edge, a trailing-edge buzz instability appears possible.

Bendiksen, Oddvar O.↗

Evaluation of Alternate Control Surface Concepts

Although several viable concepts have been investigated during recent years, time constraints do not allow for a detailed discussion of each. Therefore, only a small segment of these concepts will be discussed during this workshop. Emphasis will be placed on canards, forebody chimes and wing fins. The majority of the data presented were obtained using a 0.01542 scale representation of the HSR Reference-H model. This model was similar in planform, and incorporated fullspan leading-edge flaps and segmented trailing-edge flaps. The high-lift configuration of leading-edges at 30 degrees, and trailing-edges at 10 degrees are shown. The wing had no twist or camber. The forebody and fuselage were simple bodies of revolution. A detachable aft fuselage, complete with empennage, was incorporated during the chine study, and removed during the canard tests. The overall length (including aft fuselage) was approximately 58 inches; and the span was 24 inches.

Campbell, Bryan↗

Prediction of broadband noise from large horizontal axis wind turbine generators

A method is presented for predicting the broadband noise spectra of large horizontal axis wind turbine generators. It includes contributions from such noise sources as the inflow turbulence to the rotor, the interactions between the turbulent boundary layers on the blade surfaces with their trailing edges and the wake due to a blunt trailing edge. The method is partly empirical and is based on acoustic measurements of large wind turbines and airfoil models. The predicted frequency spectra are compared with measured data from several machines including the MOD-OA, the MOD-2, the WTS-4 and the U.S. Wind-power Inc. machine. Also included is a broadband noise prediction for the proposed MOD-5B. The significance of the effects of machine size, power output, trailing edge bluntness and distance to the receiver is illustrated. Good agreement is obtained between the predicted and measured far field noise spectra.

Grosveld, F. W.↗

Analyses of broadband noise mechanisms of rotors

The various source mechanisms which generate broadband noise on a range of rotors are reviewed. Analyses of these mechanisms are presented and compared to existing experimental data. The sources considered are load fluctuations due to inflow turbulence, due to turbulent blade boundary layers passing the trailing edge, and due to tip vortex formation turbulence. Vortex shedding noise due to laminar boundary layers and blunt trailing edges is not considered in detail as it can be avoided in most cases. Present analyses are adequate to predict the spectra from a wide variety of experiments on fans, helicopter rotors, and wind turbines to within about 5 to 10 dB. Better knowledge of the inflow turbulence improves the accuracy of the predictions. Inflow turbulence noise depends strongly on ambient conditions and dominates at low frequencies. Trailing edge and tip vortex noise are important at higher frequencies if inflow turbulence is weak. Boundary layer trailing edge noise increases slowly with angle of attack but not as rapidly as tip vortex formation noise. Tip noise can be important at high angles of attack for wide chord, square edge tips.

George, A. R.↗

Wind-tunnel Investigation of High-lift and Stall-control Devices on a 37 Degree Sweptback Wing of Aspect Ratio 6 at High Reynolds Numbers

Results are presented of an investigation in the Langley 19-foot pressure tunnel of the longitudinal characteristics of a semispan model wing having 37 degrees sweepback of the leading edge, an aspect ratio of 6, and NACA 641-212 airfoil section perpendicular to the 27-percent-chord line. Several types of stall-control devices including extensible round-nose leading-edge flaps, a leading-edge slat, and a drooped leading edge were investigated; partial- and full-span trailing-edge split and double slotted flaps were also tested. In addition, various combinations of the aforementioned leading- and trailing-edge flaps were investigated. The tests covered a range of Reynolds numbers between 2.00 x 10(6) and 9.35 x 10(6). The wing with or without trailing-edge splity of double slotted flap was longitudinally unstable near maximum lift due to tip stalling. The addition of an outboard half-span leading-edge flap or a leading-edge slat to the plain wing or wing with inboard half-span split flaps eliminated tip stalling and resulted in stable moment variations at the stall. The drooped leading edge, on the other hand, was only effective when used in conjunction with an upper-surface fence. The combination of an outboard leading-edge device and inboard half-span double slotted flap resulted in an undesirable loop in the pitching-moment curve near maximum lift in spite of an inboard stall. The loop is attributed to the section characteristics of the double slotted flap. Air-flow surveys behind the wing indicated that a suitably placed horizontal tail would eliminate the loop in the moment curve.

Koven, William↗

Broadband Predictions of Optimized Proprotors in Axial Forward Flight

A low-fidelity toolchain was used to predict broadband self-noise trends for three proprotors in axial flight: a baseline (C24ND) and two acoustically constrained proprotors (OPT-III and COPR-3). Rotor loads were predicted with the ANOPP Propeller Analysis System (PAS) and self-noise was predicted with the semiempirical method of Brooks, Pope, and Marcolini (BPM) implemented in the ANOPP2 Self-Noise Internal Functional Module (ASNIFM). Comparisons to experimental data revealed that trends for turbulent boundary layer trailing edge (TBL-TE) noise could be modeled across several flight conditions by increasing the boundary layer thicknesses via the trip setting. Since the Mach number range of the BPM method is exceeded in these predictions, a dependence of boundary layer displacement thickness on blade station Mach number was suggested as a possible reason for needing to model thicker boundary layers, suggesting that the TBL-TE model needs to be developed further. Bluntness vortex shedding noise (BVS) predictions required tuning the trailing edge thickness and trailing edge closure angle for each flight condition to match experimental trends, demonstrating that the BVS noise model is incomplete and that BVS noise may vary with the angle of attack. This study indicates that the BPM self-noise method needs to be improved, which will lead to more accurate broadband predictions.

Broadband self-noise↗

Broadband Predictions of Optimized Proprotors in Axial Forward Flight

A low-fidelity toolchain was used to predict broadband self-noise trends for three proprotors in axial flight: a baseline (C24ND) and two acoustically constrained proprotors (OPT-III and COPR-3). Rotor loads were predicted with the ANOPP Propeller Analysis System (PAS) and self-noise was predicted with the semiempirical method of Brooks, Pope, and Marcolini (BPM) implemented in the ANOPP2 Self-Noise Internal Functional Module (ASNIFM). Comparisons to experimental data revealed that trends for turbulent boundary layer trailing edge (TBL-TE) noise could be modeled across several flight conditions by increasing the boundary layer thicknesses via the trip setting. Since the Mach number range of the BPM method is exceeded in these predictions, a dependence of boundary layer displacement thickness on blade station Mach number was suggested as a possible reason for needing to model thicker boundary layers, suggesting that the TBL-TE model needs to be developed further. Bluntness vortex shedding noise (BVS) predictions required tuning the trailing edge thickness and trailing edge closure angle for each flight condition to match experimental trends, demonstrating that the BVS noise model is incomplete and that BVS noise may vary with the angle of attack. This study indicates that the BPM self-noise method needs to be improved, which will lead to more accurate broadband predictions.

Broadband self-noise↗

Constrained Aeroacoustic Shape Optimization Using the Surrogate Management Framework

Reduction of noise generated by turbulent flow past the trailing-edge of a lifting surface is a challenge in many aeronautical and naval applications. Numerical predictions of trailing-edge noise necessitate the use of advanced simulation techniques such as large-eddy simulation (LES) in order to capture a wide range of turbulence scales which are the source of broadband noise. Aeroacoustic calculations of the flow over a model airfoil trailing edge using LES and aeroacoustic theory have been presented in Wang and Moin and were shown to agree favorably with experiments. The goal of the present work is to apply shape optimization to the trailing edge flow previously studied, in order to control aerodynamic noise.

Marsden, Alison L.↗

Flight measurements of buffet characteristics of the F-104 airplane for selected wing-flap deflections

A flight program was conducted on the F-104 airplane to investigate the effects of moderate deflections of wing leading- and trailing-edge flaps on the buffet characteristics at subsonic and transonic Mach numbers. Selected deflections of the wing leading and trailing-edge flaps, individually and in combination, were used to assess buffet onset, intensity, and frequency; lift curves; and wing-rock characteristics for each configuration. Increased deflection of the trailing-edge flap delayed the buffet onset and buffet intensity rise to a significantly higher airplane normal-force coefficient. Deflection of the leading-edge flap produced some delay in buffet onset and the resulting intensity rise at low subsonic speeds. Increased deflection of the trailing-edge flap provided appreciable lift increments in the angle-of-attack range covered, whereas the leading-edge flap provided lift increments only at high angles-of-attack. The pilots appreciated the increased maneuvering envelope provided by the flaps because of the improved turn capability.

Friend, E. L.↗

A test of a vortex method for the computation of flap side edge noise

Upon approach to landing, a major source location of airframe noise occurs at the side edges of the part span, trailing edge flaps. In the vicinity of these flaps, a complex arrangement of spanwise flow with primary and secondary tip vortices may form. Each of these vortices is observed to become fully three-dimensional. In the present study, a numerical model is developed to investigate the noise radiated from the side edge of a flap. The inherent three-dimensionality of this flow forces us to carefully consider a numerical scheme which will be both accurate in its prediction of the flow acoustics and also computationally efficient. Vortex methods have offered a fast and efficient means of simulating many two and three-dimensional, vortex dominated flows. In vortex methods, the time development of the flow is tracked by following exclusively the vorticity containing regions. Through the Biot-Savart law, knowledge of the vorticity field enables one to obtain flow quantities at any desired location during the flow evolution. In the present study, a numerical procedure has been developed which incorporates the Lagrangian approach of vortex methods into a calculation for the noise radiated by a flow-surface interaction. In particular, the noise generated by a vortex in the presence of a flat half plane is considered. This problem serves as a basic model of flap edge flow. It also permits the direct comparison between our computed results and previous acoustic analyses performed for this problem. In our numerical simulations, the mean flow is represented by the complex potential W(z) = Aiz(exp l/2), which is obtained through conformal mapping techniques. The magnitude of the mean flow is controlled by the parameter A. This mean flow has been used in the acoustic analysis by Hardin and is considered a reasonable model of the flow field in the vicinity of the edge and away from the leading and trailing edges of the flap. To represent the primary vortex which occurs near the flap, a point vortex is introduced just below the flat half plane. Using a technique from panel methods, boundary conditions on the flap surface are satisfied by the introduction of a row of stationary point vortices along the extent of the flap. At each time step in the calculation, the strength of these vortices is chosen to eliminate the normal velocity at intermediary collocation points. The time development of the overall flow field is then tracked using standard techniques from vortex methods. Vortex trajectories obtained through this computation are in good agreement with those predicted by the analytical solution given by Hardin, thus verifying the viability of this procedure for more complex flow arrangements. For the flow acoustics, the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation is numerically integrated. This equation supplies the far field acoustic pressure based upon pressures occurring along the flap surface. With our vortex method solution, surface pressures may be obtained with exceptional resolution. The Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation is integrated using a spatially fourth order accurate Simpson's rule. Rational function interpolation is used to obtain the surface pressures at the appropriate retarded times. Comparisons between our numerical results for the acoustic pressure and those predicted by the Hardin analysis have been made. Preliminary results indicate the need for an improved integration technique. In the future, the numerical procedure developed in this study will be applied to the case of a rectangular flap of finite thickness and ultimately modified for application to the fully three-dimensional problem.

Martin, James E.↗

Turbulent bursts and rings on a cone in helium at Me = 7.6.

Review of data obtained on turbulent burst geometry and growth characteristics for cone boundary-layer transition in a helium wind tunnel at a boundary-layer edge Mach number (Me) of 7.6. Detailed data concerning turbulent spot geometry and downstream propagation velocities were obtained using a spark schlieren system with sequential spark capability. In one particular test evidence of a symmetrical turbulent burst ring was obtained; all other bursts developed in a singular random manner. Profiles of the apparent outer edges of the bursts were obtained, and the velocities of the leading and trailing edges of the bursts relative to the local velocity were determined. The velocities of the leading and trailing edges were found to be fairly consistent for each observation, with the leading edge of the burst traveling at about local edge velocity, while the trailing edge moved supersonically relative to local speed.

Fischer, M. C.↗

Effects of nozzle exit location and shape propulsion-induced aerodynamic characteristics due to vectoring twin nozzles at Mach numbers from 0.40 to 1.2

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel to determine the induced lift characteristics of a vectored-thrust concept in which jet-exhaust nozzles were located in the fuselage at or near the wing trailing edge. The effects of moving twin rectangular nozzles rearward from the wing trailing edge and of round nozzles at the trailing edge only were studied at Mach numbers from 0.4 to 1.2, angles of attack up to 14 deg, and thrust coefficients up to 0.35. Nozzle deflection angle varied from 0 deg to 45 deg. Separate force balances were used to determine both total aerodynamic and thrust forces and thrust forces alone which allowed for a direct measurement of jet turning angle at forward speeds. The Reynolds number per meter varied from 8.20 x 1 million to 13.12 x 1 million.

Capone, F. J.↗

Novel Engineering and Fabrication Techniques Tested in Low-Noise- Research Fan Blades

A major source of fan noise in commercial turbofan engines is the interaction of the wake from the fan blades with the stationary vanes (stators) directly behind them. The Trailing Edge Blowing (TEB) project team at the NASA Glenn Research Center designed and fabricated new fan blades to study the effects of fan trailing edge blowing as a potential noise-reduction concept. The intent is to fill the rotor wake by supplying air to the rotor blade trailing edge at the proper conditions to minimize the wake deficit, and thus generate less noise. The TEB hardware is designed for the Active Noise Control Fan (ANCF) test rig in Glenn's Aeroacoustic Propulsion Laboratory. For this test, the air is fed from an external supply through the shaft of the rig. It is distributed to the base of each blade through an impeller, where it is forced into a plenum at the core of each blade. In actual engine configuration, air would most likely be bled from the compressor, but only at times when noise is an issue, such as takeoffs and landings. Glenn researchers designed and manufactured the blades in-house, using new techniques and concepts. The skins, which were designed for maximum strength in the directions of highest stress, were molded from multiple layers of carbon fiber. Considerable use was made of rapid prototyping techniques, such as laser sintering. The core was sintered from a lightweight polymer, and the retainer was CNC-machined (computer numerical control machined) from aluminum. All the components were joined with a cold-cure aerospace adhesive. These techniques and processes reduced the overall cost and allowed the new concept to be studied much sooner than would be possible using traditional fabrication methods. Since this test rig did not support the use of blade-monitoring techniques such as strain gauges, extensive bench testing was required to qualify the design. The blades were examined using a variety of methods including holography, pull tests (cyclic and failure), shake tests, rap tests, and nondestructive inspection. Acoustic testing of the ANCF fan using TEB has been ongoing since January of 2001. The fan has completed about 100 hr of testing with no structural, vibrational, or fatigue problems. Far-field acoustic measurements, in-duct mode measurements, precise hot wire surveys, and detailed performance measurements are providing data for evaluating the concept. The far-field noise data show that tone noise was reduced significantly with the initial ANCF TEB fan design. In addition, a significant reduction in unsteady stator loading has been measured, indicating the potential for stator broadband noise reduction. The acoustic benefits will be assessed and important design parameters identified to improve the ability to fully exploit any benefit provided by this technique. On the basis of the success of trailing edge blowing, Glenn plans to continue this research with a higher speed, higher pressure ratio fan operating in an acoustic wind tunnel to simulate flight conditions.

Cunningham, Cameron C.↗

Analysis of LDEF experiment AO187-2: Chemically and isotopic measurements of micrometeoroids by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Numerous 'extended impacts' found in both leading and trailing edge capture cells have been successfully analyzed for the chemical composition of projectile residues by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Most data have been obtained from the trailing edge cells where 45 of 58 impacts have been classified as 'probably natural' and the remainder as 'possibly man-made debris.' This is in striking contrast to leading edge cells where 9 of 11 impacts so far measured are definitely classified as orbital debris. Although all the leading edge cells had lost their plastic entrance foils during flight, the rate of foil failure was similar to that of the trailing edge cells, 10 percent of which were recovered intact. Ultra-violet embrittlement is suspected as the major cause of failure on both leading and trailing edges. The major impediment to the accurate determination of projectile chemistry is the fractionation of volatile and refractory elements in the hypervelocity impact and redeposition processes. This effect had been noticed in simulation experiment but is more pronounced in the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) capture cells, probably due to the higher average velocities of the space impacts. Surface contamination of the pure Ge surfaces with a substance rich in Si but also containing Mg and Al provides an additional problem for the accurate determination of impactor chemistry. The effect is variable, being much larger on surfaces that were exposed to space than in those cells that remained intact. Future work will concentrate on the analyses of more leading edge impacts and the development of new SIMS techniques for the measurement of elemental abundances in extended impacts.

Source record↗

Noise due to tip vortex formation on lifting rotors

The high frequency broadband noise radiated by the local separated flow at rotor blade tips is analyzed. The aeroacoustic model is based on the convection of the tip region's separated flow pressure fluctuations past the trailing edge of the blade. The tip vortex formation and separation are modeled from available experimental studies. The separated flow pressure fluctuations are estimated using available separated flow experimental data and correlations. The trailing edge noise was approximated using a point dipole model. The point dipole strengths were evaluated by a method based on the trailing edge noise theory of Amiet. The point dipole approach compares favorably to stationary airfoil trailing edge noise analyses and experiments except near the plane of the airfoil. The rotor tip separation noise results are compared to other noise mechanism calculations and to experiments. The tip noise mechanism is shown to be quite important in the high frequency range. It is likely to be the major contributor to high frequency broadband noise for heavily loaded rotors with low turbulence inflow.

George, A. R.↗

Airframe Noise

Current understanding of airframe noise was reviewed as represented by experiment at model and full scale, by theoretical modeling, and by empirical correlation models. The principal component sources are associated with the trailing edges of wing and tail, deflected trailing edge flaps, flap side edges, leading edge flaps or slats, undercarriage gear elements, gear wheel wells, fuselage and wing boundary layers, and panel vibration, together with many minor protrusions like radio antennas and air conditioning intakes which may contribute significantly to perceived noise. There are also possibilities for interactions between the various mechanisms. With current engine technology, the principal airframe noise mechanisms dominate only at low frequencies, typically less than 1 kHz and often much lower, but further reduction of turbomachinery noise in particular may make airframe noise the principal element of approach noise at frequencies in the sensitive range.

Trailing-Edge↗

Geometry effects on STOL engine-over-the-wing acoustics with 5:1 slot nozzles

The correspondence of far field acoustic trend with changes in the characteristics of the flow field at the wing trailing edge caused by alterations in the nozzle-wing geometry were determined at model scale with a 5:1 slot nozzle for several STOL-OTW configurations. Nozzle roof angles of 10 to 40 deg were tested with and without cutback of the nozzle sidewalls. With increasing wing size, representing several airframe/engine installations, the jet noise shielding benefits increased. With increasing nozzle roof angle, the jet velocity at the trailing edge was decreased, causing a decrease in trailing-edge and fluctuating lift noise. Cutback of the nozzle sides improved flow attachment and reduced far-field noise. The best flow attachment and least trailing-edge noise generally were obtained with a 40-deg external deflector configuration and a cutback nozzle with a 40-deg roof angle.

Von Glahn, U.↗