Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “WINGS - SWEEPBACK”

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 955 records · Page 53
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

A mathematical model of a tilt-wing aircraft for piloted simulation

A mathematical model of a tilt-wing aircraft that was used in a piloted, six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation application is described. Two types of control systems developed for the math model are discussed: a conventional, programmed-flap wing-tilt control system and a geared-flap wing-tilt control system. The primary objective was to develop the capability to study tilt-wing aircraft. Experienced Tilt-wing pilots subjectively evaluated the model using programmed-flap control to assess the quality of the simulation. The math model was then applied to study geared-flap control to investigate the possibility of eliminating the need for auxilary pitch-control devices (such as the horizontal tail rotor or tail jet used in earlier tilt-wing designs). This investigation was performed in the moving-base simulation environment, and the vehicle responses with programmed-flap and geared-flap control were compared. The results of the evaluation of the math model are discussed.

Totah, Joseph J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Nonlinear aerodynamics and the design of wing tips

This report describes results of research conducted from April 1991 through March 1992. The general objective was to improve an existing wing optimization method, and apply the method to specific problems of interest. The method, while a valuable tool for wing tip design studies, can be applied to more general problems, and has been applied to some of these other problems during its development. Specific goals that were accomplished are listed and explained in more detail in the report. First, improvements were made to the portability and control flow of the existing code. The major iteration loop dealing with structural design was sped up and an alternate approach, using the optimizer to do structural sizing, was studied. Second, analysis methods were improved in the areas of structural and high lift modeling. The structural method was revised to give total wing weight and verified against data for particular commercial aircraft. The high lift analysis was improved to provide reasonable estimates of C(sub L max) in the flaps down condition. These improvements enabled making wing area a design variable, where it had been a fixed variable in the original method. Third, the method was applied to the design of wings for a Learjet. Rough studies were done to determine the effects of laminar flow design on wing shape. Finally, studies on wingtip shape were begun.

Kroo, Ilan↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of iced wings

A method for computing ice shapes along the leading edge of a wing and a method for predicting its aerodynamic performance degradation due to icing is described. Ice shapes are computed using an extension of the LEWICE code which was developed for airfoils. The aerodynamic properties of the iced wing are determined with an interactive scheme in which the solutions of the inviscid flow equations are obtained from a panel method and the solutions of the viscous flow equations are obtained from an inverse three-dimensional finite-difference boundary-layer method. A new interaction law is used to couple the inviscid and viscous flow solutions. The application of the LEWICE wing code to the calculation of ice shapes on a MS-317 swept wing shows good agreement with measurements. The interactive boundary-layer method is applied to a tapered ice wing in order to study the effect of icing on the aerodynamic properties of the wing at several angles of attack.

Cebeci, T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of iced wings

A method for computing ice shapes along the leading edge of a wing and a method for predicting its aerodynamic performance degradation due to icing is described. Ice shapes are computed using an extension of the LEWICE code which was developed for airfoils. The aerodynamic properties of the iced wing are determined with an interactive scheme in which the solutions of the inviscid flow equations are obtained from a panel method and the solutions of the viscous flow equations are obtained from an inverse three-dimensional finite-difference boundary-layer method. A new interaction law is used to couple the inviscid and viscous flow solutions. The application of the LEWICE wing code to the calculation of ice shapes on a MS-317 swept wing show good agreement with measurements. The interactive boundary layer method is applied to a tapered iced wing in order to study the effect of icing on the aerodynamic properties of the wing at several angles of attack.

Cebeci, Tuncer↗
NASA NTRS1992

Computation of vortex wake flows and control of their effects on trailing wings

The near-vortex-wake flow of a large aspect-ratio rectangular wing is accurately computed by using the thin-layer and full Navier-Stokes (NS) equations. The chordwise section of the wing is a NACA-0012 airfoil and its tip is round. The computations have been carried out on a fine C-O grid using an implicit, upwind, flux-difference splitting, finite-volume scheme. The thin-layer NS results have been obtained with and without flux limiters, and the full NS results have been obtained without flux limiters. Flow transition from laminar to turbulent is mimicked by turning-on the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model at an experimentally prescribed chord-station location of 0.05. Comparison of computed results and experimental data shows that the full NS results give the best resolution of the near-vortex-wake flow. Next, the strength of the wing-tip vortex has been reduced substantially without reducing the lift coefficient by using flow-injection from a slot along a portion of the wing tip. The flow injection is directed in the wing plane at 45 deg with the wing-tip chord.

Wong, Tin-Chee↗
NASA NTRS1992

Flight test results from a supercritical mission adaptive wing with smooth variable camber

The mission adaptive wing (MAW) consisted of leading- and trailing-edge variable-camber surfaces that could be deflected in flight to provide a near-ideal wing camber shape for any flight condition. These surfaces featured smooth, flexible upper surfaces and fully enclosed lower surfaces, distinguishing them from conventional flaps that have discontinuous surfaces and exposed or semiexposed mechanisms. Camber shape was controlled by either a manual or automatic flight control system. The wing and aircraft were extensively instrumented to evaluate the local flow characteristics and the total aircraft performance. This paper discusses the interrelationships between the wing pressure, buffet, boundary-layer and flight deflection measurement system analyses and describes the flight maneuvers used to obtain the data. The results are for a wing sweep of 26 deg, a Mach number of 0.85, leading and trailing-edge cambers (delta(sub LE/TE)) of 0/2 and 5/10, and angles of attack from 3.0 deg to 14.0 deg. For the well-behaved flow of the delta(sub LE/TE) = 0/2 camber, a typical cruise camber shape, the local and global data are in good agreement with respect to the flow properties of the wing. For the delta(sub LE/TE) = 5/10 camber, a maneuvering camber shape, the local and global data have similar trends and conclusions, but not the clear-cut agreement observed for cruise camber.

Powers, Sheryll Goecke↗
NASA NTRS1992

Navier-Stokes calculation of transonic flow past the NTF 65-deg delta wing

Viscous flow past a wind tunnel model of a 65-degree swept angle Delta wing at transonic speeds is being studied. The model was tested in the 8-foot cryogenic transonic wind tunnel at the National Transonic Facility. Aerodynamic forces and wing surface pressure data were obtained at various angles of attack, Mach numbers, and Reynold's numbers for four different leading edges of the wing. The objectives of the present investigation are: (1) to perform numerical modeling of the flow around the wing; (2) to validate the experimental data with a Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics code and vice versa; (3) to investigate the effects of the sting mount of the wing; (4) to evaluate the effects of leading edge radius on the flow; and (5) to explain the Reynold's number effect as indicated by the test data. Several computer programs were developed to define the surfaces of the wing, the four leading edges, and the sting mount. Based on these geometric databases, the surface grids of a single-block computational domain was generated interactively on the IRIS workstation using the GRIDGEN2D module of GRIDGEN. To refine the grids and to avoid excessive loss of grid points due to collapsed edges, a 9-block computational domain containing approximately 750,000 grid points was developed with the GRIDBLOCK module to replace the single-block grid.

Wu, Chivey↗
NASA NTRS1993

Construction, wind tunnel testing and data analysis for a 1/5 scale ultra-light wing model

This report documents the construction, wind tunnel testing, and data analysis of a 1/5 scale ultra-light wing section. Wind tunnel testing provided accurate and meaningful lift, drag, and pitching moment data. This data was processed and graphically presented as follows: C(sub L) vs. gamma; C(sub D) vs. gamma; C(sub M) vs. gamma; and C(sub L) vs. C(sub D). The wing fabric flexure was found to be significant and its possible effects on aerodynamic data was discussed. The fabric flexure is directly related to wing angle of attack and airspeed. Different wing section shapes created by fabric flexure are presented with explanations of the types of pressures that act upon the wing surface. This report provides conclusive aerodynamic data for ultra-light wings.

James, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Flight Test Results From a Supercritical Mission Adaptive Wing With Smooth Variable Camber

The mission adaptive wing (MAW) consisted of leading- and trailing-edge variable-camber surfaces that could be deflected in flight to provide a near-ideal wing camber shape for any flight condition. These surfaces featured smooth, flexible upper surfaces and fully enclosed lower surfaces, distinguishing them from conventional flaps that have discontinuous surfaces and exposed or semiexposed mechanisms. Camber shape was controlled by either a manual or automatic flight control system. The wing and aircraft were extensively instrumented to evaluate the local flow characteristics and the total aircraft performance. This paper discusses the interrelationships between the wing pressure, buffet, boundary-layer and flight deflection measurement system analyses and describes the flight maneuvers used to obtain the data. The results are for a wing sweep of 26°, a Mach number of 0.85, leading and trailing-edge cambers ( δ LE/TE ) of 0/2 and 5/10, and angles of attack from 3.0° to 14.0°. For the well-behaved flow of the δ LE/TE = 0/2 camber, a typical cruise camber shape, the local and global data are in good agreement with respect to the flow properties of the wing. For the δ LE/TE = 5/10 camber, a maneuvering camber shape, the local and global data have similar trends and conclusions, but not the clear-cut agreement observed for cruise camber.

Flight Testing↗
NASA NTRS1993

Shock-dependent, thrust wings for supersonic flow

A new wing concept which lowers the inviscid drag of a wing in supersonic flow is described. The thrust-wing concept uses a secondary shock that occurs to the rear of the maximum thickness location to produce a significant aerodynamic thrust force from the rearward portion of the wing, thus reducing the inviscid drag. The evaluation of the thrust-wing concept is conducted on a delta-wing planform of differing sweep angles and thicknesses at Mach 1.60 over a wide range of lifting conditions.

Pittman, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Integrated Aerodynamic and Control System Design of Oblique Wing Aircraft

An efficient high speed aircraft design must achieve a high lift to drag ratio at transonic and supersonic speeds. In 1952 Dr. R. T. Jones proved that for any flight Mach number minimum drag at a fixed lift is achieved by an elliptic wing planform with an appropriate oblique sweep angle. Since then, wind tunnel tests and numerical flow models have confirmed that the compressibility drag of oblique wing aircraft is lower than similar symmetrical sweep designs. At oblique sweep angles above thirty degrees the highly asymmetric planform gives rise to aerodynamic and inertia couplings which affect stability and degrade the aircraft's handling qualities. In the case of the NASA-Rockwell Oblique Wing Research Aircraft, attempts to improve the handling qualities by implementing a stability augmentation system have produced unsatisfactory results because of an inherent lack of controllability in the proposed design. The present work focuses on improving the handling qualities of oblique wing aircraft by including aerodynamic configuration parameters as variables in the control system synthesis to provide additional degrees of freedom with which to further decouple the aircraft's response. Handling qualities are measured using a quadratic cost function identical to that considered in optimal control problems, but the controller architecture is not restricted to full state feedback. An optimization procedure is used to simultaneously solve for the aircraft configuration and control gains which maximize a handling qualities measure, while meeting imposed constraints on trim. In some designs wing flexibility is also modeled and reduced order controllers are implemented. Oblique wing aircraft synthesized by this integrated design method show significant improvement in handling qualities when compared to the originally proposed closed loop aircraft. The integrated design synthesis method is then extended to show how handling qualities may be traded for other types of mission performance (drag, weight, etc.). Examples are presented which show how performance can be maximized while maintaining a desired level of handling quality.

Morris, Stephen James↗
NASA NTRS1927

The Distribution of Loads Between the Wings of a Biplane Having Decalage

It is known that in a biplane the load is not distributed equally between the wings. The presence of one wing will affect the lift characteristics of the other wings. A designer must know the total load that each wing carries in order that he may design an adequate structure. The purpose here is to determine the distribution of loads between the wings of a biplane at various angles of decalage, when the gap/chord ratio is one, and there is no stagger. The effective lift of each wing was first investigated, using the vortex theory, and later by wind tunnel experiments. The results are given in tabular form.

Mock, Richard M↗
NASA NTRS1932

Wind-tunnel Tests of the Fowler Variable-area Wing

The lift, drag, and center of pressure characteristics of a model of the Fowler variable-area wing were measured in the NACA 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel. The Fowler wing consists of a combination of a main wing and an extension surface, also of airfoil section. The extension surface can be entirely retracted within the lower rear portion of the main wing or it can be moved to the rear and downward. The tests were made with the nose of the extension airfoil in various positions near the trailing edge of the main wing and with the surface at various angular deflections. The highest lift coefficient obtained was C(sub L) = 3.17 as compared with 1.27 for the main wing alone.

Weick, Fred E↗
NASA NTRS1937

Wind-tunnel tests of a Clark Y wing with 'Maxwell' leading-edge slots

Aerodynamic force tests of a Clark Y wing equipped with "Maxwell" type leading-edge slots were conducted in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot tunnel to ascertain the aerodynamic characteristics, which involved the determination of the best slot-gap opening, the effects of slat width, and the effect of a trailing-edge flap. The Maxwell wing with a wide-chord slat (0.30 c(sub w)) and with a 0.211 c(sub w) split flap deflected 60 degrees had a C(sub L sub max) of 2.53 or about twice that of the plain wing. The wing with the wide slat also had, in general, improved aerodynamic characteristics over those of the Maxwell wing with slat, and had about the same aerodynamic characteristics as a Handley Page slotted wing with approximately the same size of slat.

Gauvain, William E↗
NASA NTRS1937

Theoretical span loading and moments of tapered wings produced by aileron deflection

The effect of tapered ailerons on linearly tapered wings is theoretically determined. Four different aileron spans are considered for each of three wing aspect ratios and each of four wing taper ratios. The change in lift on one half of the wing, the rolling moment, the additional induced drag, and the yawing moment, due to aileron deflection, are represented by non dimensional coefficients. Similar coefficients are given for the damping and yawing moments, the additional drag, and the change in lift, due to rolling. It was found possible to effect a fairly close agreement between the theoretical and experimental rolling moments by introducing into the theoretical expression for the rolling moment an effective change in angle of attack obtained from an analysis of flap data. The theoretical curves show that the highly tapered wing with long ailerons has a lower ratio of yawing to rolling moment and a lower additional induced drag than wings with less taper.

Pearson, H A↗
NASA NTRS1956

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Subsonic-Flow Fields Beneath Swept and Unswept Wings with Tables of Vortex-Induced Velocities

The flow-field characteristics beneath swept and unswept wings as determined by potential-flow theory are compared with the experimentally determined flow fields beneath swept and unswept wing-fuselage combinations. The potential-flow theory utilized considered both spanwise and chordwise distributions of vorticity as well as the wing-thickness effects. The perturbation velocities induced by a unit horseshoe vortex are included in tabular form. The results indicated that significant chordwise flow gradients existed beneath both swept and unswept wings at zero lift and throughout the lift range. The theoretical predictions of the flow-field characteristics were qualitatively correct in all cases considered, although there were indications that the magnitudes of the downwash angles tended to be overpredicted as the tip of the swept wing was approached and that the sidewash angles ahead of the unswept wing were underpredicted. The calculated effects of compressibility indicated that significant increases in the chordwise variation of flow angles and dynamic-pressure ratios should be expected in going from low to high subsonic speeds.

Alford, William J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1953

A study of the use of leading-edge notches as a means for improving the low-speed pitching-moment characteristics of a thin 45-degree swept wing of aspect ratio 4

In an effort to develop a simple but effective means for controlling the stall progression of swept wings, a low-speed investigation has been undertaken primarily to determine the effectiveness of leading-edge notches. The investigation included consideration of notch size, location, and shape, as well as combined effects of notch—chord-extension and notch-fence arrangements. The wing used in the study had 45° quarter-chord sweep, aspect ratio 4, taper ratio 0.3, and NACA 65A006 airfoil sections streamwise. The results of the investigation indicated that although substantial improvements were obtained in the wing pitching-moment characteristics at moderate angles of attack, by use of outboard leading-edge notches, none of these notches produced desirable wing stability characteristics throughout the angle-of-attack range. The wing pitching-moment characteristics were relatively insensitive to notch size and to small changes in span-wise location. The use of a notch at the inboard end of a chord-extension increased the effectiveness of the chord-extension near stall and produced the same results as a chord-extension having an equivalent inboard overhang. Small localized notch—chord-extension combinations were found to produce the same pitching-moment characteristics as much larger chord-extension configurations. A leading-edge root cutout used in conjunction with a small outboard notch—chord-extension combination resulted in fairly desirable overall wing pitching-moment characteristics.

Joseph Weil↗
NASA NTRS1924

The Distribution of Lift Over Wing Tips and Ailerons

This investigation was carried out in the 5-foot wind tunnel of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory for the purpose of obtaining more complete information on the distribution of lift between the ends of wing spars, the stresses in ailerons, and the general subject of airflow near the tip of a wing. It includes one series of tests on four models without ailerons, having square, elliptical, and raked tips respectively, and a second series of positively and negatively raked wings with ailerons adjusted to different settings. The results show that negatively raked tips give a more uniform distribution of air pressure than any of the other three arrangements, because the tip vortex does not disturb the flow at the trailing edge. Aileron loads are found to be less severe on wings with negative application to the calculation of aileron and wing stresses and also to facilitate the proper distribution of load in sand testing. Contour charts show in great detail the complex distribution lift over the wing.

Bacon, David L↗