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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

Effects of vortex breakdown on longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamics of slender wings by the suction analogy

A semi-empirical method based on the suction analogy is developed to predict longitudinal aerodynamics and lateral-directional characteristics of slender wings at high angles of attack, including effects of vortex breakdown. The latter is based on a correlation parameter derived from the predicted leading-edge suction distribution in the attached flow. Empirical formulas, derived from a least-square analysis of data, for the vortex-breakdown angle of attack at the trailing edge, the progression rate of breakdown points and the vortex lift recovery factor in the breakdown region are given. Comparison of predicted results with data in longitudinal aerodynamics and lateral-directional characteristics for wings exhibiting strong vortex flow shows that the present method is reasonably accurate. Explanation for peculiar lateral-directional characteristics is given.

Lan, C. E.↗

Static longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a model with a modified 17 percent thick supercritical wing

The static longitudinal stability characteristics of a 0.09 scale model of an airplane with a modified 17 percent thick supercritical wing were investigated. Modifications were made to the wing to reduce a gradual buildup of boundary layer shock loss preceding drag divergence (drag creep) noted in an earlier investigation. The longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics were determined over a Mach number range from 0.30 to 0.76 at angles of attack that generally provided a lift coefficient range from 0 to buffet onset. Results indicate that the modifications to the airfoil essentially eliminated the drag creep associated with the airfoil that occurs between the critical Mach number and the drag divergence Mach number.

Ferris, J. C.↗

Wind-tunnel investigation of longitudinal and lateral-directional stability and control characteristics of a 0.237-scale model of a remotely piloted research vehicle with a thick, high-aspect-ratio supercritical wing

A 0.237-scale model of a remotely piloted research vehicle equipped with a thick, high-aspect-ratio supercritical wing was tested in the Langley 8-foot transonic tunnel to provide experimental data for a prediction of the static stability and control characteristics of the research vehicle as well as to provide an estimate of vehicle flight characteristics for a computer simulation program used in the planning and execution of specific flight-research mission. Data were obtained at a Reynolds number of 16.5 x 10 to the 6th power per meter for Mach numbers up to 0.92. The results indicate regions of longitudinal instability; however, an adequate margin of longitudinal stability exists at a selected cruise condition. Satisfactory effectiveness of pitch, roll, and yaw control was also demonstrated.

Byrdsong, T. A.↗

Nonlinear longitudinal resonance interaction of energetic charged particles and VLF waves in the magnetosphere

The longitudinal resonance of waves and energetic electrons in the Earth's magnetosphere, and the possible role this resonance may play in generating various magnetospheric phenomena are studied. The derivation of time-averaged nonlinear equations of motion for energetic particles longitudinally resonant with a whistler mode wave propagating with nonzero wave normal is considered. It is shown that the wave magnetic forces can be neglected at lower particle pitch angles, while they become equal to or larger than the wave electric forces for alpha 20 deg. The time-averaged equations of motion were used in test particle simulation which were done for a wide range of wave amplitudes, wave normals, particle pitch angles, particle parallel velocities, and in an inhomogeneous medium such as the magnetosphere. It was found that there are two classes of particles, trapped and untrapped, and that the scattering and energy exchange for those two groups exhibit significantly different behavior.

Tkalcevic, S.↗

Observations of the longitudinal magnetic field in the transition region and photosphere of a sunspot

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission spacraft has observed for the first time the longitudinal component of the magnetic field by means of the Zeeman effect in the transition region above a sunspot. The data presented here were obtained on three days in one sunspot, have spatial resolutions of 10 arcsec and 3 arcsec, and yield maximum field strengths greater than 1000 G above the umbrae in the spot. The method of analysis, including a line-width calibration feature used during some of the observations, is described in some detail in an appendix; the line width is required for the determination of the longitudinal magnetic field from the observed circular polarization. The transition region data for one day are compared with photospheric magnetograms from the Marshall Space Flight Center. Vertical gradients of the magnetic field are compared from the two sets of data; the maximum gradients of 0.41 to 0.62 G/km occur above the umbra and agree with or are smaller than values observed previously in the photosphere and low chromosphere.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

Longitudinal asymmetry of the Io plasma torus

Remote observations of the Io plasma torus have revealed a persistent longitudinal asymmetry in the brightness of optical S(+) emission lines but not of ultraviolet S(2+) emission lines. The S(+) asymmetry (with respect to the corotating System III coordinates) has been attributed to an asymmetric plasma source; the question then arises, why do the higher ionization states of sulfur not reflect a similar asymmetry? The explanation proposed here is based on the fact that torus ions do not quite corotate at the System III rate because of mass loading. If the resulting System III drift period of the ions is intermediate between the ionization lifetimes of S(+) and S(2+), then the asymmetry of the source will be obscured by longitudinal drift for the relatively long-lived multiply-ionized sulfur ions, but not for short-lived S(+).

Hill, T. W.↗

Vortex flap flow reattachment line and subsonic longitudinal aerodynamic data on 50 deg to 74 deg Delta wings on common fuselage

Positions of the primary vortex flow reattachment line and longitudinal aerodynamic data were obtained at Mach number 0.3 for a systematic series of vortex flaps on delta wing body configurations with leading edge sweeps of 50, 58, 66, and 74 deg. The investigation was performed to study the parametric effects of wing sweep, vortex flap geometry and deflection, canards, and trailing edge flaps on the location of the primary vortex reattachment line relative to the flap hinge line. The vortex reattachment line was located via surface oil flow photographs taken at selected angles of attack. Force and moment measurements were taken over an angle of attack range of -1 deg to 22 deg at zero sideslip angle for many configurations to further establish the data base and to assess the aforementioned parametric effects on longitudinal aerodynamics. Both the flow reattachment and aerodynamic data are presented.

Frink, N. T.↗

A flight-test and simulation evaluation of the longitudinal final approach and landing performance of an automatic system for a light wing loading STOL aircraft equipped with wing spoilers

As part of a comprehensive flight-test investigation of short takeoff and landing (STOL) operating systems for the terminal systems for the terminal area, an automatic landing system has been developed and evaluated for a light wing-loading turboprop-powered aircraft. An advanced digital avionics system performed display, navigation, guidance, and control functions for the test aircraft. Control signals were generated in order to command powered actuators for all conventional controls and for a set of symmetrically driven wing spoilers. This report describes effects of the spoiler control on longitudinal autoland (automatic landing) performance. Flight-test results, with and without spoiler control, are presented and compared with available (basically, conventional takeoff and landing) performance criteria. These comparisons are augmented by results from a comprehensive simulation of the controlled aircraft that included representations of the microwave landing system navigation errors that were encountered in flight as well as expected variations in atmospheric turbulence and wind shear. Flight-test results show that the addition of spoiler control improves the touchdown performance of the automatic landing system. Spoilers improve longitudinal touchdown and landing pitch-attitude performance, particularly in tailwind conditions. Furthermore, simulation results indicate that performance would probably be satisfactory for a wider range of atmospheric disturbances than those encountered in flight. Flight results also indicate that the addition of spoiler control during the final approach does not result in any measurable change in glidepath track performance, and results in a very small deterioration in airspeed tracking. This difference contrasts with simulations results, which indicate some improvement in glidepath tracking and no appreciable change in airspeed tracking. The modeling problem in the simulation that contributed to this discrepancy with flight was not resolved.

Brown, S. C.↗

Low-speed longitudinal orbiter qualities

The shuttle program took on the challenge of providing a manual landing capability for an operational vehicle returning from orbit. Some complex challenges were encountered in developing the longitudinal flying qualities required to land the orbiter manually in an operational environment. Approach and landing test flights indicated a tendency for pilot-induced oscillation near landing. Changes in the operational procedures reduced the difficulty of the landing task, and an adaptive stick filter was incorporated to reduce the severity of any pilot-induced oscillatory motions. Fixed-base, movingbase, and in-flight simulations were used for the evaluations, and in general, flight simulation was the only reliable means of assessing the low-speed longitudinal flying qualities problems. Overall, the orbiter control system and operational procedures have produced a good capability to routinely perform precise landings with a large, unpowered vehicle with a low lift-to-drag ratio.

Powers, B. G.↗

Contributions on the Subject of Longitudinal Movements of Aircraft in Wind Shears

The effect of downburst-type wind shears on the longitudinal dynamic behavior of an unguided aircraft is simulated numerically on the basis of published meteorological data and the flight characteristics of an A300-B passenger jet. The nonlinear differential equations of the aircraft motion are linearized by conventional methods, and the wind effects are introduced via the linear derivatives of the wind components referred to the wind gradients to obtain simplified technical models of the longitudinal response to all possible types of constant-gradient wind shears during the first 20-60 sec. Graphs, maps, and diagrams are provided, and a number of accidents presumed to have involved wind shears are analyzed in detail.

Krauspe, P.↗

Longitudinal development of muons in large air showers studies from the arrival time distributions measured at 900m above sea level

The arrival time distributions of muons with energies above 1.0GeV and 0.5GeV have been measured in the Akeno air-shower array to study the longitudinal development of muons in air showers with primary energies in the range 10 to the 17th power to 10 to the 18th power ev. The average rise times of muons with energies above 1.0GeV at large core distances are consistent with those expected from very high multiplicity models and, on the contrary, with those expected from the low multiplicity models at small core distances. This implies that the longitudinal development at atmospheric depth smaller than 500 cm square is very fast and that at larger atmospheric depths is rather slow.

Kakimoto, F.↗

Comparison of ozone data derived from SBUV and SAGE with emphasis on longitudinal variations

Stratospheric ozone observations performed by the SBAV and SAGE satellite instruments in March and April 1979 are analyzed and compared to other data, where available; in the absence of ground-truth data the experimental uncertainties are modeled by intercomparison of the measurements. The signal-to-noise ratios for the detectability of longitudinal variation in ozone are estimated for both SBUV and SAGE instruments. The analysis of longitudinal variation data reveals significant differences in amplitudes obtained in individual events in which rapid amplitude changes with height were present. Finally, a systematic overestimation of ozone by 20 percent by the SAGE instrument and underestimation by SBUV by about 15 percent at 50-70 latitudes at 10 mb is noted.

Cunnold, D.↗

Measurements of turbulent correlations in supersonic flows with longitudinal surface curvature

The effect of longitudinal surface curvature on the turbulent correlations of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer was studied experimentally in an axisymmetric channel. Upstream of the interaction, the nominal freestream Mach number was 3.78, the Reynolds number based on boundary layer momentum thickness was 5778, and the boundary layer thickness was 0.9 cm. For the flow with the longitudinal surface curvature, the overall turning angle was approximately 10.2 degrees, and maximum delta-j/kappa approximately 0.09. The shear stresses, measured by a hot wire anemometry, reached the peak values quite rapidly for the flow with surface curvature as compared to the corresponding flow without surface curvature.

Chou, J. H.↗

An experimental study of the lift, drag and static longitudinal stability for a three lifting surface configuration

The experimental procedure and aerodynamic force and moment measurements for wind tunnel testing of the three lifting surface configuration (TLC) are described. The influence of nonelliptical lift distributions on lift, drag, and static longitudinal stability are examined; graphs of the lift coefficient versus angle of attack, the pitching moment coefficient, drag coefficient, and lift to drag ratio versus lift coefficient are provided. The TLC data are compared with the conventional tail-aft configuration and the canard-wing configuration; it is concluded that the TLC has better lift and high-lift drag characteristics, lift to drag ratio, and zero-lift moments than the other two configurations. The effects of variations in forward and tail wind incidence angles, gap, stagger, and forward wind span on the drag, lift, longitudinal stability, and zero-lift moments of the configuration are studied.

Ostowari, C.↗

Proposed input for determining longitudinal aerodynamic parameters for the space shuttle

A control input form to improve the identification of longitudinal aerodynamic parameters for the Space Shuttle, especially at low Mach numbers, has been proposed. This input combines features of several inputs currently used with the Shuttle to improve the response in angle-of-attack without exceeding pitch rate limits. The responses of the proposed input were generated using a simple three-degree-of-freedom simulation. An examination of the power spectral densities of these responses showed them to have more power near the vehicle natural frequency than doublet inputs previously used with the Shuttle. When the responses to the proposed input were corrupted with noise and processed using a maximum likelihood parameter extraction program, the identifiability of the parameters was improved over the identifiability of the same parameters using actual Shuttle responses from doublet input of a similar magnitude. This preliminary study indicates that the proposed input form should result in improved identifiability of longitudinal static and control parameters for the Shuttle vehicle.

Suit, W. T.↗

Single longitudinal mode operation of semiconductor laser arrays with etalon control

A simple method is devised to obtain a single longitudinal output beam from high-power multilongitudinal mode diode laser arrays. Mode control is achieved by simply placing a thin etalon in front of the laser. The three-cavity laser formed by addition of the etalon favors a single longitudinal mode. This technique is applicable to both continuous wave and pulsed laser modes of operation. Experimental results demonstrating the technique along with future work and possible applications are discussed.

Hemmati, H.↗

Atmospheric lateral and longitudinal turbulent length scales (measured at 600 to 800 meters above grade level)

NASA's Airborne Doppler Lidar System has been used to obtain a detailed 'instantaneous' mapping of horizontal spatial wind fields at 600-800 m elevations on the east side of the San Gorgonio Pass in California, in the form of checkerboard-fashion horizontal wind vectors spaced at 300 m intervals along and normal to the flight path. Spatial autocorrelations for the lateral and longitudinal components are ensemble-averaged, and integral turbulent length scales are computed for the wind fields' longitudinal and lateral directions. The flow in the region studied does not appear to be isotropic.

Cliff, W. C.↗

Linear optimum trim solution for aircraft with three longitudinal control effectors

A simple and fast linear optimum method for trimming aircraft with a combination of three longitudinal aerodynamic or propulsive control effectors is developed, with application to preliminary design or in-flight scheduling. A Lagrangian formulation is used to determine the longitudinal load distribution which minimizes trim drag. Trim drag results obtained with the linear optimum method are similar to those obtained with a nonlinear optimum method, and significant trim drag reductions are found using either optimum method, in comparison with results obtained using various ad hoc methods.

Goodrich, Kenneth H.↗