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At least 127 records · Page 7

Acoustics and Performance of a Scaled Spacecraft Cabin Ventilation Fan

An axial fan was designed at NASA Glenn Research Center using tools developed for aircraft turbine engines. The fan unit design size, flow rate and pressure rise were chosen to be broadly in the range of the Orion cabin fan. A ground test prototype was built and tested, confirming design predictions. Pressure rise and flow rate measurements were conducted over a range of fan speeds while in-duct and radiated acoustic measurements were collected. Unsteady flow measurements were acquired between the rotor and stator. These methods are a hybrid of the techniques used for small fans and those used for aircraft engine component tests. A larger version of the fan was recently designed, based on the original fan, using aerodynamic scaling laws resulting in a design with approximately twice the flow rate and twice the pressure-rise compared to the original fan. The mechanical structure was optimized using generative design for low weight. The paper discusses this larger fan design including the scaling laws, the predicted performance and acoustics.

ventilation↗

Acoustic Measurements of an Uninstalled Spacecraft Cabin Ventilation Fan Prototype

Sound pressure measurements were recorded for a prototype of a spacecraft cabin ventilation fan in a test in the NASA Glenn Acoustical Testing Laboratory. The axial fan is approximately 0.089 m (3.50 in.) in diameter and 0.223 m (9.00 in.) long and has nine rotor blades and eleven stator vanes. At design point of 12,000 rpm, the fan was predicted to produce a flow rate of 0.709 cu m/s (150 cfm) and a total pressure rise of 925 Pa (3.72 in. of water) at 12,000 rpm. While the fan was designed to be part of a ducted atmospheric revitalization system, no attempt was made to throttle the flow or simulate the installed configuration during this test. The fan was operated at six speeds from 6,000 to 13,500 rpm. A 13-microphone traversing array was used to collect sound pressure measurements along two horizontal planes parallel to the flow direction, two vertical planes upstream of the fan inlet and two vertical planes downstream of the fan exhaust. Measurements indicate that sound at blade passing frequency harmonics contribute significantly to the overall audible noise produced by the fan at free delivery conditions.

Fans↗

A Study of Preliminary Design Methods for Low Noise Fans

Engineers need theory and computer codes to help them design quiet and efficient fans. A fast method to identify low-noise stator vane counts that might minimize tone noise for axial ducted fans has been developed. The analysis begins with a preliminary aerodynamic fan design. Duct acoustic and rotor-stator interaction theories are combined to predict the set of cut-on circumferential modes that are expected to be generated and propagate through the fan duct. By predicting the number of cut-on circumferential modes for each vane count, a set of low-noise vane counts for a given rotor and duct design can be identified. This method was used to design the stator set for NASA’s spacecraft cabin ventilation fan, in order to minimize tone noise generated by rotor-stator interaction at the first three blade passing frequency harmonics. This method was also applied to three other research fans that NASA uses for aeroacoustics research for comparison. This technique can be used to include acoustic design criteria early in the design of an axial fan and provide valuable information to guide the final design of quiet fans.

Fan↗

Acoustic Measurements of an Uninstalled Spacecraft Cabin Ventilation Fan Prototype

Sound pressure measurements were recorded for a prototype of a spacecraft cabin ventilation fan in a test in the NASA Glenn Acoustical Testing Laboratory. The axial fan is approximately 0.089 m (3.50 in) in diameter and 0.223 m (9.00 in) long and has nine rotor blades and eleven stator vanes. At design point of 12,000 rpm, the fan was predicted to produce a flow rate of 0.0709 m3/s (150 cfm) and a total pressure rise of 925 Pa (3.72 in. of water) at 12,000 rpm. While the fan was designed to be part of a ducted atmospheric revitalization system, no attempt was made to throttle the flow or simulate the installed configuration during this test. The fan was operated at six speeds from 6,000 rpm to 13,500 rpm. A 13-microphone traversing array was used to collect sound pressure measurements along two horizontal planes parallel to the flow direction, two vertical planes upstream of the fan inlet and two vertical planes downstream of the fan exhaust. Measurements indicate that sound at blade passing frequency harmonics contribute significantly to the overall audible noise produced by the fan at free delivery conditions.

fan↗

Qualification of ANSI/HPS N13.1-2011 Mixing Criteria by Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling for the 3430 Building Fan Addition and Increased Ventilation Capacity

Additional ventilation capacity has been designed for the 3430 Building filtered exhaust stack system. The updated system will increase the number of fans from two to three and include new ductwork with a larger diameter to integrate the new fan into the existing stack. Stack operations will involve running various fan combinations at any given time. The air monitoring system of the existing two-fan stack previously was found to comply with the American National Standards Institute/Health Physics Society (ANSI/HPS) N13.1-1999 standard. Full-scale, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was used to evaluate the modified three-fan system for compliance with the ANSI/HPS N13.1-2011 standard, which essentially is equivalent to the ANSI/HPS N13.1-1999 standard. The four mixing criteria evaluated are 1) flow angle, 2) velocity, 3) gas tracer, and 4) particle tracer. Benchmarking of the CFD modeling methodology showed good agreement with previous testing used to qualify the stack, and modeling of the existing two-fan system showed good agreement with test data collected from the 3430 Building stack. Modeling was performed to develop a suitable three-fan design. Initial modeling of the three-fan design and basic ductwork showed that flow angles and velocity uniformity were acceptable; however, the gas tracer and particle tracer mixing results were not acceptable. To meet ANSI/HPS N13.1-2011 criteria, an air blender was added to the stack design.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Large-scale wind-tunnel investigation of a V/STOL transport model with podded lift fans forward and aft of a low mounted wing

A configuration with outboard pod mounted front fans and rear fans located in the wing trailing-edge and fuselage juncture might have superior induced lift and variation of moment with airspeed. A large scale investigation of this type of configuration was conducted in 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. The model used was a low wing transport representative of currently operating aircraft. Two lift fans were placed in pods forward of and below the wing with the fan centerline near mid semi-span. Two rear fans were mounted at the wing trailing-edge close to the fuselage with the fan rotor in the wing chord plane. Fan performance was measured statically and with forward speed, and longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics were obtained with the fans operating at various tip-speed ratios.

Hall, L. P.↗

Low speed wind tunnel investigation of a large scale lift fan STOL transport model

The low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of large scale V/STOL transport models with lift fan and lift-cruise fan propulsion systems are discussed. The model of this investigation had two fans mounted side by side in the nose section of the fuselage. This permitted a reasonably deep inlet on the inboard side of each fan while the outboard side had a fairly shallow inlet. Lift-cruise fans were installed on the aft section of the fuselage. Hood-type deflection ducts were used to turn the fan flow from the cruise direction to the lift direction for STOL performance. Fan performance is shown for all four fans both statically and with crossflow. Longitudinal force and moment results are shown for a representative tip speed (forward speed) range through wing supported flight. Lateral-directional characteristics are also presented. The results are presented without analysis.

Atencio, A., Jr.↗

Effect of crossflow velocity on VTOL lift fan blade passing frequency noise generation

Analysis of noise measurements taken during tests of a remote lift fan wing installation, a V/STOL model transport with both lift and lift/cruise fans, and XV5B research aircraft flight tests has indicated a definite increase in pure tone sound pressure level due to crossflow over the face of the life fans. The fan-in-wing and V/STOL model transport tests were conducted in the NASA Ames 40 ft. by 80 ft. wing tunnel and the XV5B flight tests at Moffett Field. Increases up to 10 db were observed for the lift fan installation tested at crossflow to fan tip velocity ratios up to 0.25. Cruise fan noise levels were found to be unaffected by the external flow. The noise level increase was shown to be related to an increase in fan distortion levels.

Stimpert, D. L.↗

Noise comparison of two 1.2-pressure-ratio fans with 15 and 42 rotor blades

Two 1.829-m-(6-ft-) diameter fans suitable for a quiet engine for future short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft were compared. Both fans were designed for a 1.2 pressure ratio with similar weight flows, thrusts, and tip speeds. The first fan, designated QF-9, had 15 rotor blades and 11 stator blades. The rotor was highly loaded and the tip solidity was less than 1. The QF-9 rotor blades had an adjustable pitch feature which can be used for thrust reversal. The second fan, designated QF-6, operated at a moderate loading with a rotor tip solidity greater than 1. Fan QF-6 had 42 rotor blades and 50 stator blades. The low number of rotor blades for QF-9 reduced the frequency of the blade-passage tone below the range of maximum annoyance. In addition to this difference, the QF-9 fan had a somewhat smaller rotor-stator separation than the QF-6 fan. In terms of sound pressure level and sound power level, QF-9 was the noisier fan, with the power level results for QF-9 being about 1 db above those for QF-6 at equivalent operating points as determined by similar stage pressure ratios. At the same equivalent operating points, the maximum perceived noise along a 152.5-m (500-ft) sideline for QF-9 was about 2.5 PNdb below that for QF-6, which indicated that QF-9 was less objectionable to human hearing.

Woodward, R. P.↗

Effect on fan flow characteristics of length and axial location of a cascade thrust reverser

A series of static tests were conducted on a model fan with a diameter of 14.0 cm to determine the fan operating characteristics, the inlet static pressure contours, the fan-exit total and static pressure contours, and the fan-exit pressure distortion parameters associated with the installation of a partial-circumferential-emission cascade thrust reverser. The tests variables included the cascade axial length, the axial location of the reverser, and the type of fan inlet. It was shown that significant total and static pressure distortions were produced in the fan aft duct, and that some configurations induced a static pressure distortion at the fan face. The amount of flow passed by the fan and the level of the flow distortions were dependent upon all the variables tested.

Dietrich, D. A.↗

Two-stage, low noise advanced technology fan. 5: Acoustic final report

The NASA Q2S(quiet two-stage) fan is a 0.836m (32.9 in.) diameter model of the STF 433 engine fan, selected in a 1972 study for an Advanced Technology Transport (ATT) airplane. Noise-control features include: low tip speed, moderate stage pressure rise, large blade-vane spacings, no inlet guide vanes, and optimum blade and vane numbers. Tests were run on the baseline Q2S fan with standard inlet and discharge ducts. Further tests were made of a translating centerbody sonic inlet device and treated discharge ducts. Results were scaled to JT8D and JT3D engine fan size for comparison with current two-stage fans, and were also scaled to STF 433 fan size to compare calculated ATT flyover noise with FAR 36 limits. Baseline Q2S results scaled to JT8D and JT3D engine fan sizes showed substantial noise reductions. Calculated unsuppressed baseline ATT flyovers averaged about 2.5 EPNdB below FAR 36 limits. Using measured sonic inlet results, scaled baseline Q2S fan results, and calculated attenuations for a 1975 technology duct liner, projected flyover noise calculations for the ATT averaged about FAR 36 limits minus 10 EPNdB. Advances in suppression technology required to meet the 1985 goal of FAR 36 limits minus 20 EPNdB are discussed.

Sofrin, T. G.↗

Simulation test results for lift/cruise fan research and technology aircraft

A flight simulation program was conducted on the flight simulator for advanced aircraft (FSAA). The flight simulation was a part of a contracted effort to provide a lift/cruise fan V/STOL aircraft mathematical model for flight simulation. The simulated aircraft is a configuration of the Lift/Cruise Fan V/STOL research technology aircraft (RTA). The aircraft was powered by three gas generators driving three fans. One lift fan was installed in the nose of the aircraft, and two lift/cruise fans at the wing root. The thrust of these fans was modulated to provide pitch and roll control, and vectored to provide yaw, side force control, and longitudinal translation. Two versions of the RTA were defined. One was powered by the GE J97/LF460 propulsion system which was gas-coupled for power transfer between fans for control. The other version was powered by DDA XT701 gas generators driving 62 inch variable pitch fans. The flight control system in both versions of the RTA was the same.

Bland, M. P.↗

Variable pitch fan system for NASA/Navy research and technology aircraft

Preliminary design of a shaft driven, variable-pitch lift fan and lift-cruise fan was conducted for a V/STOL Research and Technology Aircraft. The lift fan and lift-cruise fan employed a common rotor of 157.5 cm diameter, 1.18 pressure ratio variable-pitch fan designed to operate at a rotor-tip speed of 284 mps. Fan performance maps were prepared and detailed aerodynamic characteristics were established. Cost/weight/risk trade studies were conducted for the blade and fan case. Structural sizing was conducted for major components and weights determined for both the lift and lift-cruise fans.

Ryan, W. P.↗

An aerodynamic investigation of two 1.83-meter-diameter fan systems designed to drive a subsonic wind tunnel

An experimental, aerodynamic investigation was made of two 1.83 m diameter fan systems which are being considered for the repowered drive section of the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. One system was low speed, the other was high speed. The low speed fan was tested at various stagger angles from 32.9 deg to 62.9 deg. At a fan blade stagger angle of 40.8 deg and operating at a tip speed of 1155 m/sec, the low speed fan developed 207.3 m of head. The high speed fan had a design blade stagger angle of 56.2 deg and was tested at this stagger angle only. The high speed fan operating at 191.5 m/sec developed 207.3 m of head. Radial distributions of static pressure coefficients, total pressure coefficients, and angles of swirl are presented. Radial surveys were conducted at four azimuth locations in front of the fan, and repeated downstream of the fan. Data were taken for various flow control devices and for two inlet contraction lengths.

Page, V. R.↗

Low-speed wind-tunnel investigation of a large-scale VTOL lift-fan transport model

An investigation was conducted in the NASA-Ames 40 by 80 Foot Wind Tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of a large scale, VTOL, lift fan, jet transport model. The model had two lift fans at the forward portion of the fuselage, a lift fan at each wing tip, and two lift/cruise fans at the aft portion of the fuselage. All fans were driven by tip turbines using T-58 gas generators. Results were obtained for several lift fan, exit vane deflections and lift/cruise fan thrust deflections are zero sideslip. Three component longitudinal data are presented at several fan tip speed ratios. A limited amount of six component data were obtained with asymmetric vane settings. All of the data were obtained without a horizontal tail. Downwash angles at a typical tail location are also presented.

Aoyagi, K.↗

Design study and performance analysis of a high-speed multistage variable-geometry fan for a variable cycle engine

A design technology study was performed to identify a high speed, multistage, variable geometry fan configuration capable of achieving wide flow modulation with near optimum efficiency at the important operating condition. A parametric screening study of the front and rear block fans was conducted in which the influence of major fan design features on weight and efficiency was determined. Key design parameters were varied systematically to determine the fan configuration most suited for a double bypass, variable cycle engine. Two and three stage fans were considered for the front block. A single stage, core driven fan was studied for the rear block. Variable geometry concepts were evaluated to provide near optimum off design performance. A detailed aerodynamic design and a preliminary mechanical design were carried out for the selected fan configuration. Performance predictions were made for the front and rear block fans.

Sullivan, T. J.↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE). Aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance of a 50.8 cm (20 inch) diameter 1.34 PR variable pitch fan with core flow

The fan aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance tests of the quiet clean short haul experimental engine under the wing fan and inlet with a simulated core flow are described. Overall forward mode fan performance is presented at each rotor pitch angle setting with conventional flow pressure ratio efficiency fan maps, distinguishing the performance characteristics of the fan bypass and fan core regions. Effects of off design bypass ratio, hybrid inlet geometry, and tip radial inlet distortion on fan performance are determined. The nonaxisymmetric bypass OGV and pylon configuration is assessed relative to both total pressure loss and induced circumferential flow distortion. Reverse mode performance, obtained by resetting the rotor blades through both the stall pitch and flat pitch directions, is discussed in terms of the conventional flow pressure ratio relationship and its implications upon achievable reverse thrust. Core performance in reverse mode operation is presented in terms of overall recovery levels and radial profiles existing at the simulated core inlet plane. Observations of the starting phenomena associated with the initiation of stable rotor flow during acceleration in the reverse mode are briefly discussed. Aeromechanical response characteristics of the fan blades are presented as a separate appendix, along with a description of the vehicle instrumentation and method of data reduction.

Giffin, R. G.↗

Performance and noise of a low pressure ratio variable pitch fan designed for general aviation applications

A limited study has been conducted to establish the performance and noise characteristics of a low design tip speed (168 m/s, 550 ft/sec) low pressure ratio (1.04) variable pitch fan which was tested in the Langley 30 X 60 tunnel. This fan was designed for minimum noise when installed in the tail mount location of a twin engine aircraft which normally has both nose and tail mounted propulsors. Measurements showed the fan noise to be very close to predictions made during the design of the fan and extremely low in level (65 dBA at 1000 ft) with no acoustic treatment. This is about 8 dB lower than the unshrouded 2 blade propeller normally used in this installation. On the basis of tests conducted during this program, it appears that this level could be further reduced by 2 dBA if optimized acoustic treatments were installed in the fan duct. Even the best of the shrouded propellers tested previously were 7 dB higher in level than the Q-Fan without acoustic treatment. It was found that the cruise performance of this fan was within 5% of the predicted efficiency of 72%. Evaluation of the performance data indicated that disturbances in the inflow to the fan were the probable cause of the reduced performance.

Metzger, F. B.↗