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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.

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At least 127 records · Page 7

Effect of winglets on a first-generation jet transport wing. 6: Stability characteristics for a full-span model at subsonic speeds

A wind tunnel investigation to identify changes in stability and control characteristics of a model KC-135A due to the addition of winglets is presented. Static longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics were determined for the model with and without winglets. Variations in the aerodynamic characteristics at various Mach numbers, angles of attack, and angles of slidslip are discussed. The effect of the winglets on the drag and lift coefficients are evaluated and the low speed and high speed characteristics of the model are reported.

Flechner, S. G.↗

Turbulence characteristics in the annulus-wall boundary layer and wake mixing region of a compressor rotor exit

The flow at the exit of a turbomachinery rotor near the annulus wall is three-dimensional with a varying degree of turbulence and nonisotropic characteristics. The characteristics of the turbulence vary considerably with radial and axial location, blade loading, Reynolds number, free-stream turbulence, and the rotor blade geometry. This paper is concerned with the turbulence properties near the annulus wall region of a moderately loaded compressor blade. The variation of the streamwise, normal, and radial intensities as well as the stresses across the wake, its profile and decay characteristics, were determined with a tri-axial hot-wire probe in the stationary frame of reference. The turbulence characteristics in the annulus-wall region of the rotor exit were found to be highly complex due to the interaction of the blade wake and the annulus wall.

Davino, R.↗

Cornering characteristics of the nose-gear tire of the space shuttle orbiter

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate cornering characteristics of the 32 x 8.8 nose gear tire of the space shuttle orbiter. Data were obtained on a dry concrete runway at nominal ground speeds ranging from 50 to 100 knots and over a range of tire vertical loads and yaw angles which span the expected envelope of loads and yaw angles to be encountered during space shuttle landing operations. The cornering characteristics investigated included side and drag forces and friction coefficients, aligning and overturning torques, friction force moment arm, and the lateral center of pressure shift. Results of this investigation indicate that the cornering characteristics of the space shuttle nose gear tire are insensitive to variations in ground speed over the range tested. The effects on cornering characteristics of variations in the tire vertical load and yaw angle are as expected. Trends observed are consistent with trends observed during previous cornering tests involving other tire sizes.

Vogler, W. A.↗

Characteristics of rain and rain systems

The description and measurement of the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of rain and rain systems are discussed. The statistical relationships of these characteristics and their effect on polarization and attenuation are considered. Macroscopic characteristics include the size, distribution, and movements of rain cells, the height of melting layers, and the presence of ice crystals. Microscopic characteristics include the size distribution, density, and oblateness of rain drops and ice crystals. The estimation of a major propagation effect, specific attenuation, is described.

Source record↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of the 10-percent-thick NASA supercritical airfoil 33 designed for a normal-force coefficient of 0.7

A 10-percent-thick supercritical airfoil based on an off-design sonic-pressure plateau criterion was developed and experimental aerodynamic characteristics measured. The airfoil had a design normal-force coefficient of 0.7 and was identified as supercritical airfoil 33. Results show the airfoil to have good drag rise characteristics over a wide range of normal-force coefficients with no measurable shock losses up to the Mach numbers at which drag divergence occurred for normal-force coefficients up to 0.7. Comparisons of experimental and theoretical characteristics were made and composite drag rise characteristics were derived for normal-force coefficients of 0.5 and 0.7 and a Reynolds number of 40 million.

Harris, C. D.↗

Effect of tail-fin span on stability and control characteristics of a Canard-controlled missile at supersonic Mach numbers

An experimental wind-tunnel investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 1.60 to 3.50 to obtain the longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics of a circular, cruciform, canard-controlled missile with variations in tail-fin span. In addition, comparisons were made with the experimental aerodynamic characteristics using three missile aeroprediction programs: MISSILE1, MISSILE2, and NSWCDM. The results of the investigation indicate that for the test Mach number range, canard roll control at low angles of attack is feasible on tail-fin configurations with tail-to-canard span ratios of less than or equal to 0.75. The conards are effective pitch and yaw control devices on each tail-fin span configuration tested. Programs MISSILE1 and MISSILE2 provide very good predictions of longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics and fair predictions of lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics at low angles of attack, with MISSILE2 predictions generally in better agreement with test data. Program NSWCDM provides good longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic predictions that improve with increases in tail-tin span.

Blair, A. B., Jr.↗

Determination of compressor in-stall characteristics from engine surge transients

A technique for extracting the in-stall pumping characteristics for an axial flow compressor operating in an engine system environment is developed. The technique utilzes a Hybrid computer simulation of the compressor momentum equation in which actual transient data are used to provide all terms but the desired compressor characteristic. The compressor force characteristic as a function of corrected flow and speed results from the computation. The critical problem of data filtering is addressed. Results for a compressor operating in a turbofan engine are presented and comparison is made with the conventional compressor map. The relationship of the compressor surge charcteristic with its rotating stall characteristic is explored. Initial interpretation of the measured results is presented. Previously announced in STAR as N84-22566

Lorenzo, C. F.↗

Simulator study of flight characteristics of several large, dissimilar, cargo transport airplanes during approach and landing

A six-degree-of-freedom, ground based simulator study is conducted to evaluate the low-speed flight characteristics of four dissimilar cargo transport airplanes. These characteristics are compared with those of a large, present-day (reference) transport configuration similar to the Lockheed C-5A airplane. The four very large transport concepts evaluated consist of single-fuselage, twin-fuselage, triple-fuselage, and span-loader configurations. The primary piloting task is the approach and landing operation. The results of his study indicate that all four concepts evaluated have unsatisfactory longitudinal and lateral directional low speed flight characteristics and that considerable stability and control augmentation would be required to improve these characteristics (handling qualities) to a satisfactory level. Through the use of rate command/attitude hold augmentation in the pitch and roll axes, and the use of several turn-coordination features, the handling qualities of all four large transports simulated are improved appreciably.

Grantham, W. D.↗

Ground-based and in-flight simulator studies of flight characteristics of a twin-fuselage passenger transport airplane during approach and landing

Six-degree-of-freedom ground-based and in-flight simulator studies were conducted to evaluate the low-speed flight characteristics of a twin-fuselage passenger transport airplane and to compare these characteristics with those of a large, single-fuselage (reference) transport configuration similar to the Lockheed C-5A airplane. The primary piloting task was the approach and landing task. The results of this study indicated that the twin-fuselage transport concept had acceptable but unsatisfactory longitudinal and lateral-directional low-speed flight characteristics, and that stability and control augmentation would be required in order to improve the handling qualities. Through the use of rate-command/attitude-hold augmentation in the pitch and roll axes, and the use of several turn coordination features, the handling qualities of the simulated transport were improved appreciably. The in-flight test results showed excellent agreement with those of the six-degree-of-freedom ground-based simulator handling qualities tests. As a result of the in-flight simulation study, a roll-control-induced normal-acceleration criterion was developed. The handling qualities of the augmented twin-fuselage passenger transport airplane exhibited an improvement over the handling characteristics of the reference (single-fuselage) transport.

Grantham, W. D.↗

Prediction of wing aeroelastic effects on aircraft lift and pitching moment characteristics

The distribution of flight loads on an aircraft structure determines the lift and pitching moment characteristics of the aircraft. When the load distribution changes due to the aeroelastic response of the structure, the lift and pitching moment characteristics also change. Some estimate of the effect of aeroelasticity on stability and control characteristics, particularly lift and pitching moment, is required for use in aircraft simulation models for evaluation of flight characteristics. This presentation outlines a procedure to incorporate aeroelastic effects into lift and pitching moment data from wind tunnel tests. Results are presented which were obtained from applying this procedure to an aircraft with a very flexible transport-type research wing. The procedure described is generally applicable to all types of aircraft.

Eckstrom, C. V.↗

Low-speed stability and control characteristics of a transport model with aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprops

A limited experimental investigation was conducted in the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel to explore the effects of aft-fuselage-mounted advanced turboprop installations on the low-speed stability and control characteristics of a representative transport aircraft in a landing configuration. In general, the experimental results indicate that the longitudinal and lateral-directional stability characteristics for the aft-fuselage-mounted single-rotation tractor and counter-rotation pusher propeller configurations tested during this investigation are acceptable aerodynamically. For the single-rotation tractor configuration, the propeller-induced aerodynamics are significantly influenced by the interaction of the propeller slipstream with the pylon and nacelle. The stability characteristics for the counter-rotation pusher configuration are strongly influenced by propeller normal forces. The longitudinal and directional control effectiveness, engine-out characteristics, and ground effects are also presented. In addition, a tabulated presentation of all aerodynamic data presented in this report is included as an appendix.

Applin, Z. T.↗

Centaur engine gimbal friction characteristics under simulated thrust load

An investigation was performed to determine the friction characteristics of the engine gimbal system of the Centaur upper stage rocket. Because the Centaur requires low-gain autopilots in order to meet all stability requirements for some configurations, control performance (response to transients and limit-cycle amplitudes) depends highly on these friction characteristics. Forces required to rotate the Centaur engine gimbal system were measured under a simulated thrust load of 66,723 N (15,000 lb) and in an altitude/thermal environment. A series of tests was performed at three test conditions; ambient temperature and pressure, ambient temperature and vacuum, and cryogenic temperature and vacuum. Gimbal rotation was controlled, and tests were performed in which rotation amplitude and frequency were varied by using triangular and sinusoidal waveforms. Test data revealed an elastic characteristic of the gimbal, independent of the input signal, which was evident prior to true gimbal sliding. The torque required to initiate gimbal sliding was found to decrease when both pressure and temperature decreased. Results from the low amplitude and low frequency data are currently being used in mathematically modeling the gimbal friction characteristics for Centaur autopilot performance studies.

Askew, J. W.↗

Prediction of wing aeroelastic effects on aircraft lift and pitching moment characteristics

The distribution of flight loads on an aircraft structure determine the lift and pitching moment characteristics of the aircraft. When the load distribution changes due to the aeroelastic response of the structure, the lift and pitching moment characteristics also change. An estimate of the effect of aeroelasticity on stability and control characteristics is often required for the development of aircraft simulation models of evaluation of flight characteristics. This presentation outlines a procedure for incorporating calculated linear aeroelastic effects into measured nonlinear lift and pitching moment data from wind tunnel tests. Results are presented which were obtained from applying this procedure to data for an aircraft with a very flexible transport type research wing. The procedure described is generally applicable to all types of aircraft.

Eckstrom, Clinton V.↗

Dynamic data acquisition, reduction, and analysis for the identification of high-speed compressor component post-stability characteristics

A compressor test was conducted in which transient data were obtained for the purpose of identifying the high-speed post-stability characteristics. The transient, surge-cycle nature of high-speed post-stability operation precludes the possibility of obtaining the characteristics in a steady-state manner, as is possible during low-speed poststability operation, which is characterized by quasi-steady rotating-stall behavior. Specialized compressor instrumentation was developed and was used to obtain the necessary surge-cycle performance data, which were then digitized, filtered, and analyzed. The high-speed post-stability characteristics were obtained through the use of a maximum likelihood-parameter estimation technique. The estimated characteristics were found to be insensitive to the presence of measurement noise and unmodelled system dynamics, but the compressor time-response constants, which were also estimated, were more sensitive to these same disturbances.

Dvorak, S. D.↗

Prediction of wing aeroelastic effects on aircraft life and pitching moment characteristics

The distribution of flight loads on an aircraft structure determine the lift and pitching moment characteristics of the aircraft. When the load distribution changes due to the aeroelastic response of the structure, the lift and pitching moment characteristics also change. An estimate of the effect of aeroelasticity on stability and control characteristics is often required for the development of aircraft simulation models of evaluation of flight characteristics. This presentation outlines a procedure for incorporating calculated linear aeroelastic effects into measured nonlinear lift and pitching moment data from wind tunnel tests. Results are presented which were obtained from applying this procedure to data for an aircraft with a very flexible transport type research wing. The procedure described is generally applicable to all types of aircraft.

Eckstrom, Clinton V.↗

Aeroelastic characteristics of the AH-64 bearingless tail rotor

The results of a wind tunnel test program to determine the performance loads and dynamic characteristics of the Composite Flexbeam Tail Rotor (CFTR) for the AH-64 Advanced Attack Helicopter are reported. The CFTR uses an elastomeric shear attachment of the flexbeam to the hub to provide soft-inplane S-mode and stiff-inplane C-mode configuration. The properties of the elastomer were selected for proper frequency placement and scale damping of the inplane S-mode. Kinematic pitch-lag coupling was introduced to provide the first cyclic inplane C-mode damping at high collective pitch. The CFTR was tested in a wind tunnel over the full slideslip envelop of the AH-64. It is found that the rotor was aeroelastically stable throughout the complete collective pitch range and up to rotor speeds of 1403 rpm. The dynamic characteristics of the rotor were found to be satisfactory at all pitch angles and rotor speeds of the tunnel tests. The design characteristics of the rotor which permit the high performance characteristics are discussed. Several schematic drawings and photographs of the rotor are provided.

Banerjee, D.↗

Total temperature effects on centerline Mach number characteristics of freejets

This paper describes a detailed experimental study of Mach number centerline characteristics of unheated and heated freejets. The jet characteristics were obtained at a range of jet Mach numbers from 0.1 to 0.9 and jet total temperatures up to 900 K. Previously published results showed that the jet total temperature significantly affects the nozzle-exit, boundary-layer characteristics. The results of this study indicate that a strong correlation exists between nozzle-exit, boundary-layer conditions and freejet development. It is clear from this investigation that experimental data on freejet development cannot be meaningfully compared from one facility to another without specific knowledge of nozzle-exit, boundary-layer conditions. It was concluded that direct effect of the jet operating conditions (elevated flow temperature) on freejet development is much less important than the indirect effect due to changed nozzle-exit, boundary-layer characteristics.

Lepicovsky, J.↗

Cornering and wear characteristics of the Space Shuttle Orbiter nose-gear tire

Tests of the Space Shuttle Orbiter nose-gear tire have been completed at NASA Langley's Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility. The purpose of these tests was to determine the cornering and wear characteristics of the Space Shuttle Orbiter nose-gear tire under realistic operating conditions. The tire was tested on a simulated Kennedy Space Center runway surface at speeds from 100 to 180 kts. The results of these tests defined the cornering characteristics which included side forces and associated side force friction coefficient over a range of yaw angles from 0 deg to 12 deg. Wear characteristics were defined by tire tread and cord wear over a yaw angle range of 0 deg to 4 deg under dry and wet runway conditions. Wear characteristics were also defined for a 15 kt crosswind landing with two blown right main-gear tires and nose-gear steering engaged.

Davis, Pamela A.↗