Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “tiltrotor”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

Preliminary Investigation of Civil Tiltrotor in NextGen Airspace

Presentation intro: Tiltrotor aircraft have long been envisioned as being a potentially viable means of commercial aviation transport. Preliminary results from an ongoing study into the operational and technological considerations of Civil Tiltrotor (CTR) operation in the Next Generation airspace, circa the 2025 time-frame, are presented and discussed. In particular, a fleet of CTR aircraft has been conceptually designed. The performance characteristics of this CTR fleet was subsequently translated into BADA (Base of Aircraft DAta) models that could be used as input to emulate CTR aircraft operations in the ACES and AvTerminal airspace and terminal area simulation tools. A network of nine North-Eastern corridor airports is the focus of the airspace simulation effort; the results from this airport network viII then be extrapolated to provide insights into systemic impact of CTRs on the National Airspace System (NAS). Future work will also be detailed as to attempts to model the systemic effects of noise and emissions from this fleet of new aircraft as well as assess their leveraged impact on public service missions, in time of need, such as major regional/national disaster relief efforts. The ideal outcome of this study is a set of results whereby Next Gen airspace CONOPs can be refined to reflect potential CTR capabilities and, conversely, CTR technology development efforts can be better informed as to key performance requirement thresholds needed to be met in order to successfully introduce these aircraft into civilian aviation operation.

Young, Larry A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Preliminary Assessment of Variable Speed Power Turbine Technology on Civil Tiltrotor Size and Performance

A Large Civil Tiltrotor (LCTR) conceptual design was developed as part of the NASA Heavy Lift Rotorcraft Systems Investigation in order to establish a consistent basis for evaluating the benefits of advanced technology for large tiltrotors. The concept has since evolved into the second-generation LCTR2, designed to carry 90 passengers for 1,000 nm at 300 knots, with vertical takeoff and landing capability. This paper performs a preliminary assessment of variable-speed power turbine technology on LCTR2 sizing, while maintaining the same, advanced technology engine core. Six concepts were studied; an advanced, single-speed engine with a conventional power turbine layout (Advanced Conventional Engine, or ACE) using a multi-speed (shifting) gearbox. There were five variable-speed power turbine (VSPT) engine concepts, comprising a matrix of either three or four turbine stages, and fixed or variable guide vanes; plus a minimum weight, twostage, fixed-geometry VSPT. The ACE is the lightest engine, but requires a multi-speed (shifting) gearbox to maximize its fuel efficiency, whereas the VSPT concepts use a lighter, fixed-ratio gearbox. The NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC) design code was used to study the trades between rotor and engine efficiency and weight. Rotor performance was determined by Comprehensive Analytical Model of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics and Dynamics (CAMRAD II), and engine performance was estimated with the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS). Design trades for the ACE vs. VSPT are presented in terms of vehicle gross and empty weight, propulsion system weight and mission fuel burn for the civil mission. Because of its strong effect on gearbox weight and on both rotor and engine efficiency, rotor speed was chosen as the reference design variable for comparing design trades. Major study assumptions are presented and discussed. Impressive engine power-to-weight and fuel efficiency reduced vehicle sensitivity to propulsion system choice. The 10% weight penalty for multi-speed gearbox was more significant than most engine technology weight penalties to the vehicle design because drive system weight is more than two times engine weight. Based on study assumptions, fixed-geometry VSPT concept options performed better than their variable-geometry counterparts. Optimum design gross weights varied 1% or less and empty weights less than 2% among the concepts studied, while optimum fuel burns varied up to 5%. The outcome for some optimum configurations was so unexpected as to recommend a deeper look at the underlying technology assumptions.

Snyder, Christopher A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Effect of Rotor Cruise Tip Speed, Engine Technology and Engine/Drive System RPM on the NASA Large Civil Tiltrotor (LCTR2) Size and Performance

A multi-year study was conducted under NASA NNA06BC41C Task Order 10 and NASA NNA09DA56C task orders 2, 4, and 5 to identify the most promising propulsion system concepts that enable rotor cruise tip speeds down to 54% of the hover tip speed for a civil tiltrotor aircraft. Combinations of engine RPM reduction and 2-speed drive systems were evaluated. Three levels of engine and the drive system advanced technology were assessed; 2015, 2025 and 2035. Propulsion and drive system configurations that resulted in minimum vehicle gross weight were identified. Design variables included engine speed reduction, drive system speed reduction, technology, and rotor cruise propulsion efficiency. The NASA Large Civil Tiltrotor, LCTR, aircraft served as the base vehicle concept for this study and was resized for over thirty combinations of operating cruise RPM and technology level, quantifying LCTR2 Gross Weight, size, and mission fuel. Additional studies show design sensitivity to other mission ranges and design airspeeds, with corresponding relative estimated operational cost. The lightest vehicle gross weight solution consistently came from rotor cruise tip speeds between 422 fps and 500 fps. Nearly equivalent results were achieved with operating at reduced engine RPM with a single-speed drive system or with a two-speed drive system and 100% engine RPM. Projected performance for a 2025 engine technology provided improved fuel flow over a wide range of operating speeds relative to the 2015 technology, but increased engine weight nullified the improved fuel flow resulting in increased aircraft gross weights. The 2035 engine technology provided further fuel flow reduction and 25% lower engine weight, and the 2035 drive system technology provided a 12% reduction in drive system weight. In combination, the 2035 technologies reduced aircraft takeoff gross weight by 14% relative to the 2015 technologies.

Robuck, Mark↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Initial Whirl-Flutter Characterization of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed

This paper discusses the initial wind tunnel test of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed (TRAST). TRAST is a generic tiltrotor testbed developed in collaboration between NASA and the Army. Ultimately, this test was a checkout of the model systems, functionality and familiarization, but also obtained subcritical whirl-flutter data in the terms of frequency and damping. Flutter data include two main configurations with different pitch spring stiffness, referred to as 4k and 8k, that were tested at various rotor speeds and airspeeds at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The test included two modes of drivetrain operation: powered and windmilling. However, powered mode of operation was only conducted with the 8k pitch spring. This test reinforced the traditional knowledge of whirl-flutter trends such as flutter speed would decrease with an increase in rotor speed. The critical mode consistently being the wing vertical bending mode. The chord mode as expected was not affected by the pitch spring and was likely to go unstable at a tunnel airspeed slightly beyond the wing vertical bending mode. There were also test specific challenges such as the TRAST modal damping was more sensitive to temperature and amplitude motor than was expected. This test gathered valuable data on the baseline characterization of TRAST, how to improve the model and test practices for future wind tunnel testing. Additionally, a new more automated method for experimental subcritical damping determination based on the Stockwell transform has been demonstrated that may lead to more consistent whirl-flutter stability boundaries.

whirl flutter↗
NASA NTRS2023

Initial Characterization of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed

This paper discusses the initial wind tunnel test of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed (TRAST). TRAST is a generic tiltrotor testbed developed in collaboration between NASA and the Army. Ultimately, this test was a checkout of the model systems, functionality and familiarization, but also obtained subcritical whirl-flutter data in the terms of frequency and damping. Flutter data include two main configurations with different pitch spring stiffness, referred to as 4k and 8k, that were tested at various rotor speeds and airspeeds at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The test included two modes of drivetrain operation: powered and windmilling. However, powered mode of operation was only conducted with the 8k pitch spring. This test reinforced the traditional knowledge of whirl-flutter trends such as flutter speed would decrease with an increase in rotor speed. The critical mode consistently being the wing vertical bending mode. The chord mode as expected was not affected by the pitch spring and was likely to go unstable at a tunnel airspeed slightly beyond the wing vertical bending mode. There were also test specific challenges such as the TRAST modal damping was more sensitive to temperature and amplitude motor than was expected. This test gathered valuable data on the baseline characterization of TRAST, how to improve the model and test practices for future wind tunnel testing. Additionally, a new more automated method for experimental subcritical damping determination based on the Stockwell transform has been demonstrated that may lead to more consistent whirl-flutter stability boundaries.

whirl flutter↗
NASA NTRS2024

Ground Vibration Testing of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed

This report is a summary of the ground vibration testing of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed (TRAST). The U.S. Army has developed this new tiltrotor model system to validate whirl flutter stability analysis, a critical instability mechanism in this type of aircraft. As such, component-level vibration testing is critical to creating and validating analytical models. This report includes experimental vibration testing results from component level to the full model system. In addition, experimentally measured stiffness values are reported for key components of the model.

wind tunnel testing↗
NASA NTRS2014

Aerodynamic Limits on Large Civil Tiltrotor Sizing and Efficiency

The NASA Large Civil Tiltrotor (2nd generation, or LCTR2) has been the reference design for avariety of NASA studies of design optimization, engine and gearbox technology, handling qualities, andother areas, with contributions from NASA Ames, Glenn and Langley Centers, plus academic and industrystudies. Ongoing work includes airfoil design, 3D blade optimization, engine technology studies, andwingrotor aerodynamic interference. The proposed paper will bring the design up to date with the latestresults of such studies, then explore the limits of what aerodynamic improvements might hope toaccomplish. The purpose is two-fold: 1) determine where future technology studies might have the greatestpayoff, and 2) establish a stronger basis of comparison for studies of other vehicle configurations andmissions.

Large Civil Tiltrotor↗
NASA NTRS2012

Conceptual Design of a 150-Passenger Civil Tiltrotor

The conceptual design of a short-haul civil tiltrotor aircraft is presented. The concept vehicle is designed for runway-independent operations to increase the capacity of the National Airspace System without the need for increased infrastructure. This necessitates a vehicle that is capable of integrating with conventional air traffic without interfering with established flightpaths. The NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft software was used to size the concept vehicle based on the mission requirements of this market. The final configuration was selected based upon performance metrics such as acquisition and maintenance costs, fuel fraction, empty weight, and required engine power. The concept presented herein has a proposed initial operating capability date of 2035, and is intended to integrate with conventional air traffic as well as proposed future air transportation concepts.

150-Passenger↗
NASA NTRS2017

Parametric Investigation on the Use of Lateral and Logitudinal Rotor Trim Flapping for Tiltrotor Noise Reduction

This paper presents an acoustics parametric study of the effect of varying lateral and longitudinal rotor trim flapping angles (tip-path-plane tilt) on noise radiated by an isolated 26-ft diameter proprotor, similar to that of the AW609 tiltrotor, in edgewise flight. Three tip-path-plane angle of attack operating conditions of -9, 0 and 6 deg, at 80 knots, were investigated. Results showed that: 1) minimum noise was attained for the tip-path-plane angle of attack value of -9 deg, and 2) changing the cyclic trim state (i.e., controls) altered the airloads and produced noticeable changes to the low-frequency (LF) and blade-vortex interaction (BVI) radiated-noise magnitude and directionality. In particular, by trimming the rotor to a positive (inboard) lateral flapping angle of 4 deg, further reductions up to 3 dB in the low-frequency noise sound pressure level were attained without significantly impacting the BVI noise for longitudinal tip-path-plane angles of -9 and 6 deg.

Noise Reduction↗
NASA NTRS2018

Modal Test and Analysis of the NASA Tiltrotor Test Rig

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is being developed at the NASA Ames Research Center for testing full-scaleproprotors in the National Full-scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) wind tunnel. The TTR is currentlyundergoing checkout testing to ensure its proper functionality. Part of the checkout process is a groundvibration test, or shake test, to characterize the modal characteristics of the test rig once it is installed in the wind tunnel. This paper presents a summary of the shake test procedure and an overview of the test results. The results include frequency response functions for a number of different test configurations as well as visualizations of the major mode shapes. Excitation methods included random and swept sine shaking as well as hammer impacts. At the conclusion of this paper, some recommendations are given for future shake tests.

Tiltrotor Test Rig↗
NASA NTRS2019

Acoustic Testing of the Tiltrotor Test Rig in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) was tested in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel from 2017 to 2018. The rotor system can be configured in airplane mode, with the rotor plane perpendicular to the wind flow, and in helicopter mode, with the rotor plane parallel to the wind flow. Four microphones were placed around the TTR: two on the wind tunnel floor and two on struts. The primary goal of the test was to understand the operational capabilities of the TTR, while also acquiring research data as available. Limited measurements of the blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise of the TTR rotor were taken to not only understand the acoustic testing capabilities of the TTR in the NFAC 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel, but to also compare to previous tests and to be used for future validation studies. In particular, data will be compared to measurements of an XV-15 rotor previously acquired in the NFAC 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel.

Tiltrotor Test Rig↗
NASA NTRS2019

High-Speed Wind Tunnel Tests of a Full-Scale Proprotor on the Tiltrotor Test Rig

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a NASA project, joint with the U.S. Army and Air Force, to develop a new, large scale proprotor test system for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). The first wind-tunnel entry was completed in November 2018 with a modern, 26-ft diameter proprotor. The primary purpose was to complete the development of the TTR, including systems integration with the NFAC. The TTR and rotor were tested up to 273 knots in axial flow. This is the highest airspeed ever achieved by a full-scale proprotor in any wind tunnel. Extensive conversion-mode data were also acquired, and hover/climb conditions were explored. Additional testing included aerodynamic tares, motor tests, thermal tests, modal vibration tests, and other checkout activities. This paper summarizes the results of the test, including examples of the most significant data.

Wind Tunnel Tests↗
NASA NTRS2016

Photogrammetric Deflection Measurements for the Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) Multi-Component Rotor Balance Calibration

Calibrating the internal, multi-component balance mounted in the Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) required photogrammetric measurements to determine the location and orientation of forces applied to the balance. The TTR, with the balance and calibration hardware attached, was mounted in a custom calibration stand. Calibration loads were applied using eleven hydraulic actuators, operating in tension only, that were attached to the forward frame of the calibration stand and the TTR calibration hardware via linkages with in-line load cells. Before the linkages were installed, photogrammetry was used to determine the location of the linkage attachment points on the forward frame and on the TTR calibration hardware. Photogrammetric measurements were used to determine the displacement of the linkage attachment points on the TTR due to deflection of the hardware under applied loads. These measurements represent the first photogrammetric deflection measurements to be made to support 6-component rotor balance calibration. This paper describes the design of the TTR and the calibration hardware, and presents the development, set-up and use of the photogrammetry system, along with some selected measurement results.

Calibration↗
NASA NTRS2022

Tiltrotor Test Rig Aerodynamic Tares

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a NASA facility designed to test full-scale proprotors in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Facility (NFAC). The first wind-tunnel entry included measurements of aerodynamic loads (tares) on the spinner without a rotor. The TTR has an onboard balance for direct measurement of rotor loads, so these tares comprise only spinner loads. Spinner tares also affect shaft loads measured independently of the balance. The results show that in axial flow, spinner drag is a linear function of dynamic pressure as expected, but at other flow angles, spinner loads include substantial lift and drag. Furthermore, there is a pronounced Magnus effect when the spinner is sideways to the flow. There is a sharp change in aerodynamic load at 90-deg yaw angle, indicating separation. Equations were developed to characterize the spinner tares at any arbitrary combination of yaw angle and airspeed.

TTR↗
NASA NTRS2022

Wind Tunnel Performance Tests of a Full-Scale Proprotor on the Tiltrotor Test Rig

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a new, large-scale proprotor test system for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). The TTR was jointly developed by NASA, the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force. The first wind-tunnel entry was completed in November 2018 with a modern, 26-ft diameter proprotor. The primary purpose was to complete the development of the TTR, including systems integration with the NFAC. The TTR and rotor were tested up to 273 knots in axial flow, which is the highest airspeed ever achieved by a full-scale proprotor in any wind tunnel. The entry constitutes the first full-scale wind-tunnel test of a gimballed, coning-flexure rotor. Extensive conversion-mode data were also acquired, and hover/climb conditions were explored. Additional testing included aerodynamic tares, motor tests, thermal tests, modal vibration tests, and other checkout activities. This report summarizes the results of the test, including examples of the most significant data.

Tiltrotor Test Rig↗
NASA NTRS2022

Vertical Climb Testing of the Model 699 Proprotor on the Tiltrotor Test Rig

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a new NASA asset for testing full-scale proprotors. The first test campaign in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Facility (NFAC) concluded in November 2018. The wind-tunnel test included vertical climb conditions simulated by axial flow at low airspeeds (true hover is not possible in the NFAC). The rotor tested was the Bell Model 699, an AW609 rotor modified specifically for wind-tunnel testing. The rotor was tested under a variety of NFAC configurations, some unprecedented and unique to vertical climb. This paper presents results for all test configurations applicable to vertical climb, including assessments of data quality. Comparisons with earlier tests of a similar rotor, the 0.656-scale Joint Vertical Experimental (JVX) rotor, are included to provide additional insights into rotor and wind tunnel behavior.

Vertical Climb↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental Testing of Advanced Generalized Predictive Control for Stability Augmentation and Vibration Reduction of Tiltrotor Aircraft

Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) is an advanced form of an adaptive control algorithm that uses experimentally acquired data to determine the input-output relationship of complex systems through a process called system identification (system ID). GPC has historically been applied to wind tunnel tests of dynamically-scaled tiltrotor aircraft for stability augmentation and vibration reduction since the complex nature of these dynamic systems does not lend itself well to traditional control theory. Advanced GPC (AGPC) improves upon traditional GPC by enabling self-adaptation as conditions change from those used to acquire the system ID and controller performance would normally erode. The present research expands upon previous analytical development and demonstration of AGPC with experimental demonstration. To support AGPC, this present work also identifies and describes figures of merit that define a good working controller and quantifies the uniqueness of the control inputs and quality of the system ID parameters. The present research demonstrates that AGPC consistently performs better than traditional GPC and can successfully adapt to changing conditions.

Active Controls↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental Testing of Advanced Generalized Predictive Control for Stability Augmentation and Vibration Reduction of Tiltrotor Aircraft

Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) is an advanced form of an adaptive control algorithm that uses experimentally acquired data to determine the input-output relationship of complex systems through a process called system identification (system ID). GPC has historically been applied to wind tunnel tests of dynamically-scaled tiltrotor aircraft for stability augmentation and vibration reduction since the complex nature of these dynamic systems does not lend itself well to traditional control theory. Advanced GPC (AGPC) improves upon traditional GPC by enabling self-adaptation as conditions change from those used to acquire the system ID and controller performance would normally erode. The present research expands upon previous analytical development and demonstration of AGPC with experimental demonstration. To support AGPC, this present work also identifies and describes figures of merit that define a good working controller and quantifies the uniqueness of the control inputs and quality of the system ID parameters. The present research demonstrates that AGPC consistently performs better than traditional GPC and can successfully adapt to changing conditions.

Active Controls↗