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At least 127 records · Page 7

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NASA NTRS1977

Calibration of transonic and supersonic wind tunnels

State-of-the art instrumentation and procedures for calibrating transonic (0.6 less than M less than 1.4) and supersonic (M less than or equal to 3.5) wind tunnels were reviewed and evaluated. Major emphasis was given to transonic tunnels. Continuous, blowdown and intermittent tunnels were considered. The required measurements of pressure, temperature, flow angularity, noise and humidity were discussed, and the effects of measurement uncertainties were summarized. A comprehensive review of instrumentation currently used to calibrate empty tunnel flow conditions was included. The recent results of relevant research are noted and recommendations for achieving improved data accuracy are made where appropriate. It is concluded, for general testing purposes, that satisfactory calibration measurements can be achieved in both transonic and supersonic tunnels. The goal of calibrating transonic tunnels to within 0.001 in centerline Mach number appears to be feasible with existing instrumentation, provided correct calibration procedures are carefully followed. A comparable accuracy can be achieved off-centerline with carefully designed, conventional probes, except near Mach 1. In the range 0.95 less than M less than 1.05, the laser Doppler velocimeter appears to offer the most promise for improved calibration accuracy off-centerline.

Reed, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Lifting line theory for transonic flow

Lifting line theory is applied to describe the flow about a lifting wing at transonic speeds. The method extends that of Van Dyke (1975), in which lifting line theory is viewed as a singular perturbation problem, to transonic flows. Inner and outer expansions as the aspect ratio approaches infinity of the transonic small disturbance equations are found. It is shown that the solutions match asymptotically. A boundary value problem is formulated which describes the first aspect ratio correction to the two dimensional cross sectional transonic flow. The theory is especially applicable to wings of similar cross-sections.

Cook, L. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Analysis of nonlifting and lifting airfoils in transonic flow by parametric differentiation

A method is presented which allows one to solve nonlinear transonic flow problems by analyzing a sequence of linear equations. The small disturbance formulation of steady transonic flow over airfoils is linearized by considering the perturbations due to small changes in airfoil thickness ratio and angle of attack. Repeatedly incrementing those parameters results in a series of nonlinear solutions and cumulatively determines the effects of large changes in airfoil geometry. Successive line overrelaxation is used to solve the associated linear equations and is coupled with predictor-corrector methods to yield series of nonlinear solutions. Computed pressure distributions on biconvex airfoils show good agreement with experimental data and other transonic prediction methods. Possible extensions to unsteady and/or three-dimensional transonic flow problems are briefly discussed.

Whitlow, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An assessment of theoretical models for viscous and transonic flow

Topics discussed include shear flow models, simplified models for treating separation, classical linear theory, a local linearization theory, a transonic linear theory, a transonic nonlinear theory, the experiment of Davis, and the experiment of Tijdeman. It is concluded that shear flow models, which have proven very accurate in taking into account boundary layer effects for panel flutter, are likely to be less so for lifting surface flutter. For many applications in transonic flow, transonic linear theory will be adequate.

Dowell, E. H.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Measured and calculated effects of angle of attack on the transonic flutter of a supercritical wing

The effects of angle of attack between 0 and 4 degrees were studied. The results indicate that increasing angle of attack from zero can produce substantial changes in the transonic flutter characteristics that are favorable or unfavorable depending on Mach number and angle of attack. The bottom of the transonic flutter-boundary 'bucket' is shown to occur at lower Mach number as angle of attack increases. These flutter results correlate well with the effects of Mach number and angle of attack on aerodynamic behavior, especially on the development of transonic flow phenomena. The calculated flutter characteristics are in good agreement with the experimental data at zero angle of attack, but at nonzero angles of attack the experiments show sharply declining and backward-turning transonic flutter boundaries that are not indicated by the calculations. These may be caused by variations in static aeroelastic deformation.

Yates, E. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Implicit unsteady transonic airfoil calculations at supersonic freestreams

The computer code LTRAN2 has been extended to compute unsteady transonic flows about oscillating airfoils with supersonic freestreams. The LTRAN2 code uses an alternating direction implicit (ADI) algorithm to solve the two-dimensional, nonlinear, low-frequency, transonic small-disturbance (LF-TSD) equation. The modified code, LTRAN2-SS, includes a 'high-frequency' option. Steady solutions are checked against those computed by the steady TSD code, TSFOIL; unsteady computations of the linear LF-TSD equation are compared with known linear theory solutions; and new unsteady nonlinear solutions are presented. These cases include standard AGARD test cases for the NLR 7301, MBB-A3, and DO Al supercritical airfoils, as well as several NACA airfoils. The modified code enables aerodynamicists to quickly and efficiently compute transonic flows for both subsonic and supersonic freestreams, and thus resolve flutter boundaries through the full extent of the transonic dip phenomenon.

Chow, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Numerical computation of transonic flow governed by the full-potential equation

Numerical solution techniques for solving transonic flow fields governed by the full potential equation are discussed. In a general sense relaxation schemes suitable for the numerical solution of elliptic partial differential equations are presented and discussed with emphasis on transonic flow applications. The presentation can be divided into two general categories: An introductory treatment of the basic concepts associated with the numerical solution of elliptic partial differential equations and a more advanced treatment of current procedures used to solve the full potential equation for transonic flow fields. The introductory material is presented for completeness and includes a brief introduction (Chapter 1), governing equations (Chapter 2), classical relaxation schemes (Chapter 3), and early concepts regarding transonic full potential equation algorithms (Chapter 4).

Holst, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Multiple transonic solutions with a new class of shock transitions in steady isothermal solar and stellar winds

It is shown that a new class of shock transitions arises in the transonic solutions of the steady isothermal solar wind equations when momentum deposition and/or nonradial flow tube divergence give rise to multiple critical points in the flow. These shock transitions between critical solutions occur for a certain range of the parameters which characterize the momentum deposition function. The isothermal wind equations allow multiple transonic solutions in the presence of such shock transitions, yielding a continuous solution passing through an inner critical point and solutions involving a shock transition between critical solutions. It is determined that these multiple transonic solutions have the same flow speed at the base but different supersonic flow speeds at infinity. It is found that the nonradial flow tube divergence and momentum addition are equivalent, which gives rise to multiple critical points and hence to multiple transonic solutions with shock transitions. In addition, the physical relevance of these properties are examined for astrophysical systems such as the inner solar wind, flows in extragalactic jets, and accretion discs.

Habbal, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Aerodynamic design for improved maneuverability by the use of three-dimensional transonic theory

This study has examined the level of transonic maneuver performance that can be achieved by the use of three-dimensional transonic theory. The FLO-27 code of Jameson and Caughey (1977) was used to lower maneuver drag by the reduction of shock strength on the wing upper surface. A design procedure was used to provide a set of guidelines for the iterative application of FLO-27 during the wing design process. The fighter configuration utilized had a leading-edge sweep of 45 deg and an aspect ratio of 3.28. Tests were conducted at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 0.95 and angles of attack from -5 to 18 deg. The accurate prediction of wing shock systems required the inclusion of fuselage effects in the theory. The FLO-27 code gave a reasonable estimate of the experimental wing pressure distributions at transonic maneuver conditions in the region of the wing where the flow was attached. For Mach numbers between 0.60 and 0.95 and lift coefficients near 0.9, a wing designed by the use of FLO-27 showed substantially lower drag than an empirically developed, supercritical maneuver wing and a maneuver wing designed primarily by two-dimensional transonic theory. For some maneuver conditions, the drag of the two-dimensional design was somewhat lower.

Mann, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for two-dimensional canard-wing configurations with aeroelastic applications

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for aerodynamically interfering airfoil configurations are performed as a first step toward solving the three dimensional canard wing interaction problem. These calculations are performed by extending the XTRAN2L two dimensional unsteady transonic small disturbance code to include an additional airfoil. Unsteady transonic forces due to plunge and pitch motions of a two dimensional canard and wing are presented. Results for a variety of canard wing separation distances reveal the effects of aerodynamic interference on unsteady transonic airloads. Aeroelastic analyses employing these unsteady airloads demonstrate the effects of aerodynamic interference on aeroelastic stability and flutter. For the configurations studied, increases in wing flutter speed result with the inclusion of the aerodynamically interfering canard.

Batina, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for interfering lifting surface configurations

Unsteady transonic flow calculations are presented for aerodynamically interfering lifting surface configurations. Calculations are performed by extending the XTRAN3S (Version 1.5) unsteady transonic small-disturbance code to allow the treatment of an additional lifting surface. The research was conducted as a first-step toward developing the capability to treat a complete flight vehicle. Grid generation procedures for swept tapered interfering lifting surface applications of XTRAN3S are described. Transonic calculations are presented for wing-tail and canard-wing configurations for several values of mean angle of attack. The effects of aerodynamic interference on transonic steady pressure distributions and steady and oscillatory spanwise lift distributions are demonstrated. Results due to wing, tail, or canard pitching motions are presented and discussed in detail.

Batina, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for two-dimensional canard-wing configurations with aeroelastic applications

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for aerodynamically interfering airfoil configurations are performed as a first-step toward solving the three-dimensional canard-wing interaction problem. These calculations are performed by extending the XTRAN2L two-dimensional unsteady transonic small-disturbance code to include an additional airfoil. Unsteady transonic forces due to plunge and pitch motions of a two-dimensional canard and wing are presented. Results for a variety of canard-wing separation distances reveal the effects of aerodynamic interference on unsteady transonic airloads. Aeroelastic analyses employing these unsteady airloads demonstrate the effects of aerodynamic interference on aeroelastic stability and flutter. For the configurations studied, increases in wing flutter speed result with the inclusion of the aerodynamically interfering canard.

Batina, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Viscous effects on transonic airfoil stability and response

An integral boundary layer model coupled to the inviscid XTRAN2L transonic small disturbance code is used to investigate viscous effects on transonic airfoil stability and response. A pulse transfer function analysis is employed for the computation of unsteady transonic airloads which yields forces for a wide range of reduced frequencies in a single flowfield computation. Nonlinear, time-marching aeroelastic solutions are obtained which exhibit the effects of viscosity on airfoil response behavior and flutter. A state-space aeroelastic model using Pade approximants to describe unsteady airloads is used to study viscosity effects on transonic airfoil stability. The state-space dynamic pressure root loci are in good general agreement with time marching damping and frequency estimates.

Berry, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for interfering lifting surface configurations

Batina, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Unsteady transonic flow calculations for wing-fuselage configurations

The development of the XTRAN3S wing fuselage capability for predicting transonic unsteady aerodynamic loads for aeroplastic applications is described. The modifications of the XTRAN3S code, and XTRAN3S fuselage modeling based on an alternating-direction implicit finite-difference algorithm for solving a modified transonic small-disturbance equation, are analyzed. The XTRAN3S transonic code is applied to the steady and unsteady calculations for three wing-fuselage configurations and a transport-type wing-fuselage model. The effects of fuselage aerodynamic interference on the transonic unsteady air load and flutter characteristics of wings are investigated. Good correlation is detected for the calculated and experimental pressure distributions of the models confirming the validity of the code.

Batina, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Transonic aeroelasticity of wings with tip stores

The presence of tip stores influences both aerodynamic and aeroelastic performances of wings. Such effects are more pronounced in the transonic regime. In this study, transonic aeroelasticity of wings with tip stores is studied for the first time by a theoretical method using the unsteady-small disturbance transonic aerodynamic equations coupled with modal structural equations of motion. The aerodynamic and structural equations of motion are simultaneously integrated by a time-accurate numerical scheme. To validate the tip store simulation, aeroelastic computations are made for a typical rectangular wing with a tip store and results are correlated with available wind tunnel data for the corresponding wing without a tip store at various flight conditions. Aeroelastic computations are also made for a typical fighter wing with a tip store. Present computations show that it is important to account for the aerodynamics of the tip store, particularly in the transonic regime where the tip store can make the wing aeroelastically unstable.

Guruswamy, G. P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Calculated effects of varying Reynolds Number and dynamic pressure on flexible wings at transonic speeds

A computational method is described that includes the effects of static aeroelastic wing deflections in steady transonic aerodynamic calculations. This method, known as the Transonic Aero-elastic Program System (TAPS), interacts a 3D transonic computer code with boundary layer and a linear finite element structural analysis codes to calculate wing pressures and deflections. The nonlinear nature of the transonic flow makes it necessary to couple the aerodynamic and structures codes in an iterative manner. TAPS has been arranged in a modular fashion so that different aerodynamic or structures programs may be used with a minimum of coding changes required. Results obtained using two different aerodynamic codes in TAPS are given, and those results are correlated with experimental data.

Campbell, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Calculation of steady and unsteady pressures on wings at supersonic speeds with a transonic small disturbance code

A transonic unsteady aerodynamic and aeroelasticity code has been developed for application to realistic aircraft configurations. The new code is called CAP-TSD which is an acronym for Computational Aeroelasticity Program - Transonic Small Disturbance. The CAP-TSD code uses a time-accurate approximate factorization algorithm for solution of the unsteady transonic small-disturbance equation that is efficient for solution of steady and unsteady transonic flow problems including supersonic freestream flows. The new code can treat complete aircraft geometries with multiple lifting surfaces and bodies. Applications to wings in supersonic freestream flow are presented. Comparisons with selected exact solutions from linear theory are presented showing generally favorable results. Calculations for both steady and oscillatory cases for the F-5 and RAE tailplane models are compared with experimental data and also show good overall agreement. Selected steady calculations are further compared with a steady flow Euler code.

Bennett, Robert M.↗