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At least 73 records · Page 4

NASA 5.2%-Scale High Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) Test in the National Transonic Facility (NTF)

Problem: Predicting CL,max and assessing transition, turbulence models, and Reynolds number effect predictions in CFD requires wind tunnel data for comparison. Objective: Expand the CFD validation database by running multiple models designed using the same reference geometry in various wind tunnels around the world. The wind tunnel data and model geometry will be open source to allow for CFD validation use. Approach: Run the NASA 5.2%-scale High Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) semi-span model at the National Transonic Facility (NTF). Test the model at chord Reynolds numbers (Rec) between 1.6 million and 30 million and at varying Q/Es to assess Reynolds number effects and aeroelasticity affects on the model, while collecting force and moment, pressure and wing deformation data. Test the model with ice shapes installed on the leading edges. Results: Ran eight model configurations, including four landing, two landing with ice shapes installed, and two takeoff configurations. Ran in air (120°F) and nitrogen operations (-50°F, -180°F and -250°F) at 7 different chord Reynolds numbers. The data compare well with previous tests of the same model at DLR (The Germany Aerospace Center) and the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22). Significance: Provided valuable high Reynolds number data on a high lift configuration to the worldwide research community. Provide icing data at flight Reynolds number to the research community.

CRM-HL↗

A Hybrid RANS-LES Perspective for the High Lift Common Research Model Using LAVA

An assessment of a Hybrid RANS/LES (HRLES) approach for𝐶𝐿,max prediction is presented for the NASA High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL). Both the free air and the wind tunnel configuration of the CRM-HL are investigated and the results are compared to the QinetiQ wind tunnel experiments and to two other numerical approaches: Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Wall-Modeled Large Eddy Simulations (WMLES). For the free-air configuration, HRLES was shown to address some of the known shortcomings in RANS methods and prevent inboard and outboard flow separation particularly in the region of𝐶𝐿,max and post-stall. To achieve these improvements over RANS, LES-appropriate grids and numerical discretizations are required. HRLES predicts a weak pitch break at the highest angle-of-attack due to onset of wing-root corner flow separation whereas the free-air corrected experiment values indicate an occurrence of a much stronger pitch break. The improvements of HRLES over a URANS approach has been objectively shown by computing a set of solutions with the same grid, same numerics and time-step size and comparing the solutions. It was also found that when applying HRLES to a RANS best practice grid and numerics that the HRLES method significantly under performed RANS. For the in tunnel configuration, HRLES showed good agreement with the loads, surface pressure and oil-flow photographs obtained in the experiment. HRLES was able to improve upon the RANS simulations, which showed a sharp loss of lift at the two highest angles-of-attack due to large scale inboard and outboard separation on the wing, by correctly predicting the corner flow separation and showing remarkably close agreement in the flow topologies with the experiment.

TTT↗

Numerical Investigation of C L,max Prediction on the NASA High-Lift Common Research Model

An assessment of a Hybrid RANS/LES (HRLES) approach for C L,max prediction is presented for the NASA High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL). Both free air and wind tunnel configurations of the CRM-HL are investigated and the results are compared to the QinetiQ wind tunnel experiments and two other numerical approaches: Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Wall-Modeled Large Eddy Simulations (WMLES). For the free-air configuration, HRLES is shown to address some of the known shortcomings with RANS and prevent inboard and outboard flow separation particularly in the region of C L,max and post-stall. To achieve these improvements over RANS, LES-appropriate grids and numerical discretizations are required. It was also found that when applying HRLES to a RANS best practice grid and numerics that the HRLES method significantly underperformed RANS. For the in-tunnel configuration, HRLES showed good agreement with the loads, surface pressure and oil-flow photographs obtained in the experiment. HRLES was able to improve upon the RANS simulations, which showed a sharp loss of lift at the two highest angles-of-attack due to large scale inboard and outboard separation on the wing, by correctly predicting the corner flow separation and showing remarkably close agreement in the flow topologies with the experiment.

TTT↗

Details of Adhering and Testing Artificial Ice Shapes to the High Lift Common Research Model in the National Transonic Facility

There is currently interest in conducting flight Reynolds number aerodynamic performance testing for iced airplane configurations. There has only been limited testing in the past, none of which has resulted in publicly available data. Consequently, there is virtually no documented knowledge for conducting icing related testing at flight Reynolds number where testing in cryogenic conditions is required. The National Transonic Facility (NTF) is a cryogenic wind tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center that is capable of achieving flight Reynolds numbers on subscale models. A large number of aerodynamic tests have been performed in this facility for uniced subscale model configurations. Through the collaborations associated with the High Lift Common Research Model, a test campaign was conducted to fill the existing research gaps with publicly available data. This resulted in a requirement that NASA develop a suitable level of competency for performing icing related tests in cryogenic environments. This document provides information about the challenges faced during the test campaign, how the issues were mitigated, and preserves the institutional knowledge gained by providing recommendations that will be used to reduce risk for future testing.

Iced Aerodynamics↗

Experimental Investigations of the NASA Common Research Model in the NASA Langley National Transonic Facility and NASA Ames 11-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnel (Invited)

Experimental aerodynamic investigations of the NASA Common Research Model have been conducted in the NASA Langley National Transonic Facility and the NASA Ames 11-ft wind tunnel. Data have been obtained at chord Reynolds numbers of 5 million for five different configurations at both wind tunnels. Force and moment, surface pressure and surface flow visualization data were obtained in both facilities but only the force and moment data are presented herein. Nacelle/pylon, tail effects and tunnel to tunnel variations have been assessed. The data from both wind tunnels show that an addition of a nacelle/pylon gave an increase in drag, decrease in lift and a less nose down pitching moment around the design lift condition of 0.5 and that the tail effects also follow the expected trends. Also, all of the data shown fall within the 2-sigma limits for repeatability. The tunnel to tunnel differences are negligible for lift and pitching moment, while the drag shows a difference of less than ten counts for all of the configurations. These differences in drag may be due to the variation in the sting mounting systems at the two tunnels.

Rivers, S. M.↗

Computational Fluid Dynamic Analyses for the High-Lift Common Research Model Using the USM3D and FUN3D Flow Solvers

Two Navier-Stokes codes were used to compute flow over the High-Lift Common Research Model (HL-CRM) in preparation for a wind tunnel test to be performed at the NASA Langley Research Center 14-by-22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel in fiscal year 2018. Both flight and wind tunnel conditions were simulated by the two codes at set Mach numbers and Reynolds numbers over a full angle-of-attack range for three configurations: cruise, landing and takeoff. Force curves, drag polars and surface pressure contour comparisons are shown for the two codes. The lift and drag curves compare well for the cruise configuration up to 10deg angle of attack but not as well for the other two configurations. The drag polars compare reasonably well for all three configurations. The surface pressure contours compare well for some of the conditions modeled but not as well for others.

Rivers, Melissa↗

FLEET Velocimetry in the Common Research Model’s Wing Wake

Femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging was used to make velocity measurements in the wake of the wing of the Common Research Model (CRM). Experiments were performed in the NASA Langley Research Center’s National Transonic Facility over a range of tunnel operating conditions. Pressures ranged from 205 to 411 kPa, temperatures from 278 to 323 K, and Mach from 0.1 to 0.9. Velocity was also determined over a range of model angles of attack. Time-averaged velocity results were obtained in both air and nitrogen, while single-shot velocity was obtained under certain tunnel operating conditions. Spatially-resolved, two dimensional, single component velocity measurements were achieved using a newly-developed laser scanning technique, which proved sufficiently sensitive to measure an approximately 5% velocity deficit in the wing wake region of the CRM.

Daniel T Reese↗

Overview of Aeroacoustic Testing of the High-Lift Common Research Model

This paper presents an overview of the experimental data obtained in a 2020/2021 aeroacoustic test of the high-lift variant of the common research model. The breadth of the aerodynamic and acoustic measurements is highlighted along with some key results. Aerodynamic data were observed to be consistent with previous observations, and the acoustic measurements were repeatable once some background noise and shear layer issues were resolved. The primary purpose of the test was to evaluate the noise reduction potential of slat noise reduction devices, and a slat-gap filler was found to produce substantial noise reduction over a broad frequency range. The gap filler was designed to meet practical implementation considerations at full scale and constructed out of shape-memory alloys that would allow the slat to be articulated. However, additional structural testing will be required to demonstrate the performance of the gap filler during slat deployment and retraction. Over 3,500 test points were collected during the test, and only a small fraction of the experimental data has been processed in a preliminary manner. Nonetheless, the results presented demonstrate the quality of the dataset and reveal some insights about slat noise.

Aeroacoustics↗

Aerodynamic Assessment of Surface-Normal Active Flow Control for Lift Enhancement on the High-Lift Common Research Model

This study explores aerodynamic feasibility of small surface-normal pneumatic jets (micro-jets) for lift enhancement on the high-lift Common Research Model. To date, lift enhancement studies using microjets have been conducted at wind tunnel Reynolds numbers less than three and half million. This paper computationally investigates microjet effects at a flight Reynolds number of24.6million. Prior to microjet activation, it is shown that flow features such as trailing edge (TE) flow separation on both inboard and outboard flaps have noticeable sensitivity to Reynolds number. At the flight Reynolds number, the onset of TE flow separation shifts downstream resulting in less flow separation compared to at the wind tunnel Reynolds numberof3.26million. The effects are insignificant for lift enhancement due to microjet on the inboard flap. However, the effects are significant for lift enhancement on the outboard flap. Microjets are shown to be more effective in circulation control on the outboard flap at the higher Reynolds number. For a microjet with velocity ratio of one, lift enhancement is increased by17%at the flight Reynolds number. This highlights the sensitivity of microjet performance to the flow features of the configuration it is implemented on. Microjet lift enhancement trends at both Reynolds numbers are found to be consistent in their ability to move the lift curve upwards in the linear regime, with the lift enhancement related to microjet momentum coefficient throughΔ𝐶𝐿=𝐾√︁𝐶𝜇. Analysis of the impact microjets have on drag shows that microjets improve the configuration’s Oswald efficiency by5.4%and2.5%at the wind tunnel and flight Reynolds numbers respectively, while providing lift enhancement. Microjet effects on the trim drag are found to be less than one percent of the total drag. The results of this study highlight the potential of small surface-normal pneumatic jets for improved performance at high-lift conditions.

ARMD↗

High-Lift Common Research Model: RANS, HRLES and WMLES Perspectives for CLmax Prediction Using LAVA

A unified assessment of three turbulence treatments: Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes(RANS), Hybrid RANS/LES (HRLES) and Equilibrium Wall-Modelled Large Eddy Simulation(WMLES) is presented for the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL). For the free-air configuration, steady-state RANS simulations show very accurate drag polar predictions in the low-𝛼linear regime. However, strong grid sensitivity is reported near the maximum lift-state(𝐶𝐿max), with finer-grids showing larger errors and predicting erroneous flow topologies on the wing. Our RANS simulations show that several corrections for the Spalart-Allmaras (SA)turbulence model widely used in the community lead to more erroneous results compared to the baseline closure, without exception. Both scale-resolving methods (HRLES and WMLES)address these drawbacks and predict an outboard separation pattern on the main element that is in good agreement with the oil flow photographs taken from the QinetiQ wind tunnel experiments, when LES-appropriate grids and numerical discretizations are used. While RANS simulations with the baseline SA closure do not show any wing-root separation post𝐶𝐿max, both HRLES and WMLES show onset of corner flow separation with varying degrees of progression, along with a weak pitch break in the wing-contribution of the overall pitching moment. This post-𝐶𝐿max pitch break seen in the free-air simulations is weaker than the break observed in experiments, with a weaker break reported in WMLES for each iteration of grid-refinement. In-tunnel simulations using both SA-baseline RANS and WMLES show a much stronger post-𝐶𝐿max break with the WMLES predictions showing excellent agreement with the experiment in terms of both the flow-topology observed and the pressure-coefficients at various spanwise stations. Sensitivity to the tunnel wall boundary layer is characterized via comparisons between viscous and inviscid treatments for the tunnel walls. WMLES predictions show moderate sensitivity at the predicted inboard flow-state at 𝐶𝐿max along with the progression towards a post-𝐶𝐿max stall; however, this stalled state at 𝛼≈20◦(inside the tunnel) obtained with both tunnel wall treatments appears to be largely identical.

TTT↗

Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements on the NASA Common Research Model in the NASA 11-ft Transonic Wind Tunnel

The luminescence lifetime technique was used to make pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) measurements on a 2.7% Common Research Model in the NASA Ames 11ft Transonic Wind Tunnel. PSP data were obtained on the upper and lower surfaces of the wing and horizontal tail, as well as one side of the fuselage. Data were taken for several model attitudes of interest at Mach numbers between 0.70 and 0.87. Image data were mapped onto a three-dimensional surface grid suitable both for comparison with CFD and for integration of pressures to determine loads. Luminescence lifetime measurements were made using strobed LED (light-emitting diode) lamps to illuminate the PSP and fast-framing interline transfer cameras to acquire the PSP emission.

Bell, James H.↗

Design Exploration of a Slotted-Wing Common Research Model

A knowledge-based aerodynamic design method, Constrained Direct Iterative Surface Cur-vature (CDISC), has been leveraged for the computational design exploration of a Common Research Model with Reduced-Sweep and Slotted Wings (CRMRS-SW). Cruise-slotted-wing airfoils include a slot near the trailing edge of a main airfoil component to introduce stream air to the low-momentum, upper-surface boundary layer on a flap airfoil component with the goal of allowing for a more aft loading, relative to supercritical airfoils, without shock-induced separation. Ultimately, the cruise slotted wing is a passive technology that allows for an in-crease in the drag divergence Mach number and/or an increase in aerodynamic efficiency at agiven cruise condition. These aerodynamic benefits may be realized at the vehicle level through a trade space that includes the following design options: increasing cruise Mach number, in-creasing wing thickness, decreasing wing sweep, increasing lift coefficient and/or decreasing drag coefficient. The present study aimed to evaluate the slotted-wing concept’s potential as adrag-saving technology in application to a single-aisle transonic transport aircraft at a given cruise condition. The CDISC design method was used to develop a better understanding of the slotted-wing design variables that have a significant impact on the variability in aircraft drag and leverage this newly-developed knowledge to quantify the aerodynamic performance benefits enabled by the cruise slotted wing.

Brett R. Hiller↗

Internal Structural Design of the Common Research Model Wing Box for Aeroelastic Tailoring

This work explores the use of alternative internal structural designs within a full-scale wing box structure for aeroelastic tailoring, with a focus on curvilinear spars, ribs, and stringers. The baseline wing model is a fully-populated, cantilevered wing box structure of the Common Research Model (CRM). Metrics of interest include the wing weight, the onset of dynamic flutter, and the static aeroelastic stresses. Twelve parametric studies alter the number of internal structural members along with their location, orientation, and curvature. Additional evaluation metrics are considered to identify design trends that lead to lighter-weight, aeroelastically stable wing designs. The best designs of the individual studies are compared and discussed, with a focus on weight reduction and flutter resistance. The largest weight reductions were obtained by removing the inner spar, and performance was maintained by shifting stringers forward and/or using curvilinear ribs: 5.6% weight reduction, a 13.9% improvement in flutter speed, but a 3.0% increase in stress levels. Flutter resistance was also maintained using straight-rotated ribs although the design had a 4.2% lower flutter speed than the curved ribs of similar weight and stress levels were higher. For some configurations, the differences between curved and straight ribs were smaller, which provides motivation for future optimization-based studies to fully exploit the trade-offs.

Jutte, Christine V.↗

Aerostructural Level Set Topology Optimization for a Common Research Model Wing

The purpose of this work is to use level set topology optimization to improve the design of a representative wing box structure for the NASA common research model. The objective is to minimize the total compliance of the structure under aerodynamic and body force loading, where the aerodynamic loading is coupled to the structural deformation. A taxi bump case was also considered, where only body force loads were applied. The trim condition that aerodynamic lift must balance the total weight of the aircraft is enforced by allowing the root angle of attack to change. The level set optimization method is implemented on an unstructured three-dimensional grid, so that the method can optimize a wing box with arbitrary geometry. Fast matching and upwind schemes are developed for an unstructured grid, which make the level set method robust and efficient. The adjoint method is used to obtain the coupled shape sensitivities required to perform aerostructural optimization of the wing box structure.

Dunning, Peter D.↗

Computational Investigation of a Boundary-Layer Ingestion Propulsion System for the Common Research Model

This thesis will examine potential propulsive and aerodynamic benefits of integrating a boundary-layer ingestion (BLI) propulsion system with a typical commercial aircraft using the Common Research Model geometry and the NASA Tetrahedral Unstructured Software System (TetrUSS). The Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) environment will be used to generate engine conditions for CFD analysis. Improvements to the BLI geometry will be made using the Constrained Direct Iterative Surface Curvature (CDISC) design method. Previous studies have shown reductions of up to 25% in terms of propulsive power required for cruise for other axisymmetric geometries using the BLI concept. An analysis of engine power requirements, drag, and lift coefficients using the baseline and BLI geometries coupled with the NPSS model are shown. Potential benefits of the BLI system relating to cruise propulsive power are quantified using a power balance method and a comparison to the baseline case is made. Iterations of the BLI geometric design are shown and any improvements between subsequent BLI designs presented. Simulations are conducted for a cruise flight condition of Mach 0.85 at an altitude of 38,500 feet and an angle of attack of 2deg for all geometries. A comparison between available wind tunnel data, previous computational results, and the original CRM model is presented for model verification purposes along with full results for BLI power savings. Results indicate a 14.3% reduction in engine power requirements at cruise for the BLI configuration over the baseline geometry. Minor shaping of the aft portion of the fuselage using CDISC has been shown to increase the benefit from boundary-layer ingestion further, resulting in a 15.6% reduction in power requirements for cruise as well as a drag reduction of eighteen counts over the baseline geometry.

Blumenthal, Brennan↗

Computational Investigation of a Boundary-Layer Ingesting Propulsion System for the Common Research Model

The present paper examines potential propulsive and aerodynamic benefits of integrating a Boundary-Layer Ingestion (BLI) propulsion system into a typical commercial aircraft using the Common Research Model (CRM) geometry and the NASA Tetrahedral Unstructured Software System (TetrUSS). The Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) environment is used to generate engine conditions for CFD analysis. Improvements to the BLI geometry are made using the Constrained Direct Iterative Surface Curvature (CDISC) design method. Previous studies have shown reductions of up to 25% in terms of propulsive power required for cruise for other axisymmetric geometries using the BLI concept. An analysis of engine power requirements, drag, and lift coefficients using the baseline and BLI geometries coupled with the NPSS model are shown. Potential benefits of the BLI system relating to cruise propulsive power are quantified using a power balance method, and a comparison to the baseline case is made. Iterations of the BLI geometric design are shown and any improvements between subsequent BLI designs presented. Simulations are conducted for a cruise flight condition of Mach 0.85 at an altitude of 38,500 feet and an angle of attack of 2 deg for all geometries. A comparison between available wind tunnel data, previous computational results, and the original CRM model is presented for model verification purposes along with full results for BLI power savings. Results indicate a 14.4% reduction in engine power requirements at cruise for the BLI configuration over the baseline geometry. Minor shaping of the aft portion of the fuselage using CDISC has been shown to increase the benefit from Boundary-Layer Ingestion further, resulting in a 15.6% reduction in power requirements for cruise as well as a drag reduction of eighteen counts over the baseline geometry.

Blumenthal, Brennan T.↗

Surface-Normal Active Flow Control for Lift Enhancement and Separation Mitigation for High-Lift Common Research Model

This study explores the feasibility of using small surface-normal jets near the flap trailing edge as active aerodynamic load control on the high-lift Common Research Model wing/-body configuration. Chimera Grid Tools are utilized to generate structured curvilinear overset grids, and the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver OVERFLOW is employed to solve for the flow-field around the geometry. The so-called microjet is initially employed across both the inboard and the outboard flaps on the pressure-side near the trailing edge. It is shown that implementing the microjet on the inboard flap is more effective compared to implementing it on the outboard flap. This is because, prior to microjet implementation, the flow on the outboard flap exhibits extensive separation, while the flow on the inboard flap exhibits moderate separation. For microjet implementation across the inboard flap only, the relationship between momentum coefficient of the microjet and lift-enhancement is found to be∆CL'1.66√Cμfor the rangeCμ= 0.00−0.012. We show that implementing a microjet with a jet velocity ratio of one, which corresponds toCμ= 0.003, can shift the linear region of the lift curve by ∆CL= 0.08. The linear shift in the lift curve is significant for enhancing airplane performance such as increasing its payload. Microjet implementation effects on the drag coefficient are also investigated through a drag decomposition analysis. Further, we employ an induced drag analysis based on the spanwise load distribution and show that the microjet-related increase in pressure drag coefficient is dominated by the increase in the induced drag while microjet implementation reduces the form drag. These preliminary results show that favorable changes in aerodynamic performance can be achieved by using the surface-normal jets presented in this study.

ARMD↗