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At least 91 records · Page 5

Wind-tunnel/flight correlation study of aerodynamic characteristics of a large flexible supersonic cruise airplane CXB-70-1). 1: Wind-tunnel tests of a 0.03-scale model at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 2.53

The longitudinal and lateral forces and moments for a 0.03 scale deformed rigid, static force model of the XB-70-1 airplane were determined. Control effectiveness was determined for the elevon in pitch and roll, for the canard, and for the rudders. Component effects of the canard, deflected with tips, variable position canopy, bypass doors, and bleed dump fairing were measured. The effects of small variations in inlet mass flow ratio and small amounts of asymmetric deflection of the wing tips were assessed.

Daugherty, J. C.↗

Wind-tunnel/flight correlation program on XB-70-1

The XB-70-1 was selected for a wind-tunnel/flight correlation program as representative of a large, flexible supersonic airplane similar to a supersonic transport. Tests were made to determine the effects of control deflections, wing tip deflection, and variations in inlet mass flow (additive drag).

Peterson, J. B., Jr.↗

Stability and control of a supersonic transport airplane during landing approach

Modal control theory was applied to determine feedback gains that provide desirable stability characteristics and satisfactory transient response to aileron deflection input. However, the peak value of lateral acceleration at the pilot's station does not satisfy a proposed criterion during a rolling maneuver. Optimal regulator theory does not provide a significant reduction of the peak lateral acceleration. The weighting matrices in the performance index were given an extreme variation, but the effect on lateral acceleration remained insignificant. Open loop control provided the desired bank angle (30 deg) with the desired roll rate (10 deg/sec), and provided a satisfactory level of lateral acceleration. However, a large adverse sideslip angle was required. In addition, the yawing velocity was negative for about two seconds and lateral acceleration changed sign during the maneuver. The problem persists and perhaps relaxed criteria must be proposed. The criteria could allow any combination of a lower average rolling velocity, a larger adverse sideslip angle excursion, and a higher peak lateral acceleration at the pilot's station.

Oehman, W. I.↗

Design aspects of long range supersonic LFC airplanes with highly swept wings

The achievement of natural LFC in SST configurations featuring externally braced, very highly swept, high structural aspect ratio wing planforms results in outstandingly high cruise L/D ratios while maintaining low sonic-boom overpressures. A conceptual design study has been conducted with a view to range capability maximization in SSTs. A three-body configuration employing a highly swept, strut-braced planform, in which a central fuselage and two smaller outboard bodies alleviate structural wing bending and torsion, is noted to allow further increases in wingspan and aspect ratio which commensurately reduce lift-induced wave-plus-vortex drag and volume-induced wave drag.

Pfenninger, Werner↗

Integrated flight-propulsion control concepts for supersonic transport airplanes

Increased powerplant thrust and reduced fuel consumption are obtainable by controlling engine stall margins as a function of flight and engine operating conditions. An evaluation is presently conducted of the performance improvements obtainable by these means in SSTs. It is noted that inlet pressure recovery increases and inlet drag reductions are obtainable via inlet control system integration; the use of propulsion system forces and moments to augment the flight control and aircraft stabilization system can also reduce empennage areas, weights, and drag. Special control modes may be instituted for community noise minimization and emergency procedures.

Burcham, Frank W., Jr.↗

Sonic boom research

It is demonstrated that a supersonic airplane configuration weighing over half a million pounds while creating a maximum sonic boom of less than 1 p.s.f. can be designed. New experimental techniques are developed in the wind tunnel and experiments for the sonic boom measurements were carried out. Theoretical analyses were performed for the effects of sonic boom on structures and pollution problems associated with supersonic flights were investigated. Numerical programs were generated for the sonic boom propagations from the near field of an airplane in supersonic flight at high altitude to the ground, taking into account the nonlinear effects and the asymmetric effects due to lift and the spacewise distributions of lift and volume.

Ting, L.↗

Crack growth in Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V with real-time and accelerated flight-by-flight loading

Crack growth in Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V was measured and calculated for real-time and accelerated simulations of supersonic airplane loading and heating. Crack-growth rates calculated on the assumption that an entire flight could be represented by a single cycle predicted the experimental rates poorly. Calculated crack-growth rates were slower than the experimental rates for all tests with flight-by-flight loading. For room-temperature accelerated tests, the calculated rates agreed well with the experimental rates; but the calculations became progressively less accurate for progressively more complex test conditions (tests that included elevated temperature). Calculations of crack growth using the crack-closure concept can probably be improved through study of crack-opening stresses using finite-element models that account for variable-amplitude loading, residual stresses, and temperature effects. The calculations of crack growth could also be improved through detailed studies of material properties and interactions among stress, temperature, and time as appropriate for the real-time operating conditions of a supersonic transport airplane.

Imig, L. A.↗

Devices Relaminarize Turbulent Flows On Swept Wings

Drag reduced economically. Devices are small discontinuities built into surfaces of wings. Range from angled to straight, saw-toothed to square, and with and without concave steps. Saw-toothed configuration built into wings of future airplanes. Square devices machined separately and retrofitted to existing supersonic airplanes. Designed to reduce total airplane drag by changing high-drag turbulent wing-leading-edge flow to low-drag laminar wing-leading-edge flow. Used primarily on high-speed airplanes, but also useful in reducing drag in other applications.

Creel, Theodore R.↗

Air turbo-ramjet engine

A jet engine designed to power a supersonic airplane throughout a range of speeds from subsonic to high supersonic includes a housing which bounds an internal passage having in succession a fixed-area inlet section, a diverging passage section, a mixing section, a combustion section, and an outlet section. A fan rotor rotates in the inlet section and includes a plurality of rotor blade members. The housing includes a main body and at least one flap which is movable between one end position in which it externally bounds a portion of the diverging passage section and another end position in which it externally delimits a diverging discharge passage connecting the diverging passage section with the exterior of the housing. The cross-sectional area of the outlet section is adjustable. The rotor is driven in rotation by a fuel/oxygen powered turbine the outlet of which communicates with the mixing section, but the driving action of the turbine is discontinued at actual supersonic velocities exceeding a predetermined supersonic velocity. The pitch of at least one element of each of the rotor blade members is adjustable.

Kepler, Charles E.↗

High Speed Research (HSR) Multi-Year Summary Report for Calendar Years 1995-1999

The Aeroelasticity Task is intended to provide demonstrated technology readiness to predict and improve flutter characteristics of an HSCT configuration. This requires aerodynamic codes that are applicable to the wide range of flight regimes in which the HSCT will operate, and are suitable to provide the higher fidelity required for evaluation of aeroservoelastic coupling effects. Prediction of these characteristics will result in reduced airplane weight and risk associated with a highly flexible, low-aspect ratio supersonic airplane with narrow fuselage, relatively thin wings, and heavy engines. This Task is subdivided into three subtasks. The first subtask includes the design, fabrication, and testing of wind-tunnel models suitable to provide an experimental database relevant to HSCT configurations. The second subtask includes validation of candidate unsteady aerodynamic codes, applicable in the Mach and frequency ranges of interest for the HSCT, through analysis test correlation with the test data. The third subtask includes efforts to develop and enhance these codes for application to HSCT configurations. The wind tunnel models designed and constructed during this program furnished data which were useful for the analysis test correlation work but there were shortcomings. There was initial uncertainty in the proper tunnel configuration for testing, there was a need for higher quality measured model geometry, and there was a need for better measured model displacements in the test data. One of the models exhibited changes in its dynamic characteristics during testing. Model design efforts were hampered by a need for more and earlier analysis support and better knowledge of material properties. Success of the analysis test correlation work was somewhat muted by the uncertainties in the wind tunnel model data. The planned extent of the test data was not achieved, partly due to the delays in the model design and fabrication which could not be extended due to termination of the HSR program.

Baker, Myles↗

Preliminary Investigation of a New Type of Supersonic Inlet

A supersonic inlet with supersonic deceleration of the flow entirely outside of the inlet is considered. A particular arrangement with fixed geometry having a central body with a circular annular intake is analyzed, and it is shown theoretically that this arrangement gives high pressure recovery for a large range of Mach number and mass flow and therefore is practical for use on supersonic airplanes and missiles. For some Mach numbers the drag coefficient for this type of inlet is larger than the drag coefficient for the type of inlet with supersonic compression entirely inside, but the pressure recovery is larger for all flight conditions. The differences in drag can be eliminated for the design Mach number. Experimental results confirm the results of the theoretical analysis and show that pressure recoveries of 95 percent for Mach numbers of 1.33 and 1.52, 92 percent for a Mach number of 1.72, and 86 percent for a Mach number of 2.10 are possible, with the configurations considered. If the mass flow decreases, the total drag coefficient increases gradually and the pressure recovery does not change appreciably. The results of this work were first presented in a classified document issued in 1946.

DIFFUSERS, SUPERSONIC↗