Velocity Distributions Measured in the Slipstream of Eight-blade and Six-blade Dual-rotating Propellers at Zero Advance
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Numerical analysis of propeller-wing flow interaction with slipstreams
The installation of advanced (M = 0.8) turboprop propulsion systems on transport aircraft represents a challenging task to design engineers. The installation aerodynamics of wing-mounted, single-rotation, tractor turboprop systems have been extensively investigated by NASA Ames using a large powered semispan wind tunnel model. Two configurations have been studied: a straight under-the-wing (UTW) nacelle and a contoured over-the-wing (OTW) configuration. The installation characteristics of these two configurations are presented in terms of installed drag, wing pressure distributions, and surface oil flows. Through the use of wing leading-edge modifications, the installed drag of the UTW nacelle was reduced to less than isolated nacelle drag at the cruise condition of M = 0.8 with a wing C(L) of 0.5. At this condition, the favorable interference is attributed to the recovery of a portion of the swirl in the slipstream generated by the single rotation propeller. The OTW installation represented a much more difficult task. For the configuration tested, the installed drag was unacceptably high and demonstrated the sensitive nature of installing a nacelle/slipstream combination in the transonic flow regime.
Over the years aerodynamicists have learned to rely heavily on wind-tunnel-model results in predicting the aerodynamic characteristics of conventional aircraft configurations. With the development of V/STOL configurations which have high slipstream deflection angles. such as the four-propeller tilt-wing XC-142A V/STOL aircraft, the reliability of small-scale wind-tunnel-model results in predicting full-scale airplane characteristics needs to be reexamined. Extensive tests have been made by NASA on several sizes of wind-tunnel models of the XC-142A V/STOL configuration and by Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., on the airplane. These results show that models predict the slow-speed level-flight characteristics very well but that small models underpredict the descent capability of the airplane. Larger scale wind-tunnel models of approximately half size show better agreement with the airplane descent characteristics. It was found from smoke flow studies that small models can also predict the region in which self-generated disturbances will be encountered by tilt-wing configurations in ground proximity.
Report presents the results of an investigation conducted in the NACA 20-foot tunnel to determine the slipstream drag, the body interference, and the cooling characteristics of nacelle-propeller diameter. Four combinations of geometrically similar propellers and nacelles, mounted on standard wing supports, were tested with values of the ratio of nacelle diameter to propeller diameter of 0.25, 0.33, and 0.44.
Data from wind tunnel tests of a powered propeller and nacelle mounted on a supercritical wing are analyzed. Installation of the nacelle significantly affected the wing flow and the flow on the upper surface of the wing is separated near the leading edge under powered conditions. Comparisons of various theories with the data indicated that the Neumann surface panel solution and the Jameson transonic solution gave results adequate for design purposes. A modified wing design was developed (Mod 3) which reduces the wing upper surface pressure coefficients and section lift coefficients at powered conditions to levels below those of the original wing without nacelle or power. A contoured over the wing nacelle that can be installed on the original wing without any appreciable interference to the wing upper surface pressure is described.
A low-speed investigation was made of a 1/6-scale model of the Republic XF-84H airplane. The model had a single tractor propeller and a 40deg swept wing of aspect ratio 3.45. This investigation was undertaken to provide information on the effects of propeller operation on longitudinal stability characteristics for the XF -84H airplane and to provide an indication of slipstream effects that might be encountered on similar swept-wing configurations. Effects of propeller operation were generally destabilizing for all conditions investigated; however, the over-all stability characteristics with power on were greatly dependent on the power-off characteristics. With flaps and slats retracted, longitudinal instability was present at moderate angles of attack both with the propeller off and with power on. The longitudinal stability with flaps and slats deflected, which was satisfactory without power, was decreased by propeller operation, but no marked pitch-up tendency was indicated. Significant improvement in the power-on stability with flaps retracted was achieved by use of either a wing fence at 75 percent semispan, a leading-edge chord-extension from 65 to 94 percent semispan, or a raised horizontal tail located 65 percent semispan above the thrust line.
A recent low-speed wind-tunnel investigation of a three-surface regional transport configuration has shown large favorable power effects on longitudinal and lateral stability and marginal engine-out trim characteristics for some aft engine and empennage configurations. The present paper discusses these results in terms of static force test information obtained for power-off and power-on conditions. Also discussed in this paper are wind-tunnel results which indicate that mounting propellers over the wing can introduce large favorable slipstream interference effects which significantly reduce the wing drag at climb power conditions.
A two-component LV system was used to make detailed measurements of the flow field around both a single-rotation and a counter-rotation propeller/nacelle. The conditions measured for the single-rotation tractor configuration include two different blade angles and two propeller advance ratios, and for the counter-rotation propeller configuration include both pusher and tractor mounts. The measurements show the increasing slipstream velocities and contraction with increasing blade angle and with decreasing advance ratios. Data for the counter-rotation system show that the aft propeller turns the flow in the opposite direction from the front propeller. Additionally, the LV system was used as a diagnostic tool to provide data to explain the large side force measured on the propeller/nacelle at angle-of-attack.
The stipulation of best thrust distribution is applied to the annular elements of the screw propeller with infinitely many blades in frictionless, incompressible flow and an ideal jet propulsion system derived possessing hyperbolic angular velocity distribution along the blade radius and combining the advantage of uniform thrust distribution over the section with minimum slipstream and rotation losses. This system is then compared with a propeller possessing the same angular velocity at all blade elements and the best possible thrust distribution secured by means of an induced efficiency varying uniformly over the radius. Lastly, the case of the lightly loaded propeller also is discussed.
The best distribution of the thrust over the length of the propeller blade is investigated, taking into account chiefly the slipstream loss and the friction between the blades and the air.
Results of measurements on a shrouded propeller are given. The propeller is designed for the high ratio of advance and high thrust loading. The effect of the shape of propeller and shroud upon the aerodynamic coefficients of the propulsion unit can be seen from the results. The highest efficiency measured is 0.71. The measurements permit the conclusion that the maximum efficiency can be essentially improved by shroud profiles of small chord and thickness. The largest static thrust factor of merit measured reaches according to Bendemann, a value of about zeta = 1.1. By the use of a nose split flap the static thrust for thin shroud profiles with small nose radius can be about doubled. In a separate section numerical investigations of the behavior of shrouded propellers for the ideal case and for the case with energy losses are carried out. The calculations are based on the assumption that the slipstream cross section depends solely on the shape of the shroud and not on the propeller loading. The reliability of this hypothesis is confirmed experimentally and by flow photographs for a shroud with small circulation. Calculation and test are also in good agreement concerning efficiency and static thrust factor of merit. The prospects of applicability for shrouded propellers and their essential advantages are discussed.
The fuel saving and economic potentials of the prop-fan high-speed propeller concept were evaluated for twin-engine commercial transport airplanes designed for 3333.6 km range, 180 passengers, and Mach 0.8 cruise. A fuel saving of 9.7% at the design range was estimated for a prop-fan airplane having wing-mounted engines, while a 5.8% saving was estimated for a design having the engines mounted on the aft body. The fuel savings and cost were found to be sensitive to the propeller noise level and to aerodynamic drag effects due to wing-slipstream interaction. Uncertainties in these effects could change the fuel savings as much as + or - 50%. A modest improvement in direct operating cost (DOC) was estimated for the wing-mounted prop-fan at current fuel prices. This improvement could become substantial in the event of further relative increases in the price of oil. The improvement in DOC requires the achievement of the nominal fuel saving and reductions in propeller and gearbox maintenance costs relative to current experience.
Dynamic-pressure measurement, in ground effect, have been obtained about a single-rotor helicopter and a dual-propeller VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. The results indicate that the slipstream dynamic pressure along the ground, some distance from the center of rotation, is not a function of disk loading but merely a function of the gross weight or thrust of the aircraft. Furthermore, for a given gross weight the thickness of this outward flowing sheet of air is less for a small-diameter propeller (higher disk loading propeller). The variation of the dynamic-pressure flow field for single and dual propellers or rotors is significantly different in the plane of symmetry between the two rotors than in a direction normal to this plane. The interaction of the two flows produces a region of upflow in this plane where the fuselage is located, and the decay of the maximum dynamic pressure with distance ahead of the fuselage is slower.
Tests were made of a large-scale tilt-wing deflected-slipstream VTOL airplane with blowing-type BLC trailing-edge flaps. The model was tested with flap deflections of 0 deg. without BLC, 50 deg. with and without BLC, and 80 deg. with BLC for wing-tilt angles of 0, 30, and 50 deg. Included are results of tests of the model equipped with a leading-edge flap and the results of tests of the model in the presence of a ground plane.
The fuel saving and economic potentials of the prop-fan high-speed propeller concept have been evaluated for twin-engine commercial transport airplanes designed for 3333.6 km range, 180 passengers, and Mach 0.8 cruise. A fuel saving of 9.7% at the design range was estimated for a prop-fan aircraft having wing-mounted engines, while a 5.8% saving was estimated for a design having the engines mounted on the aft body. The fuel savings and cost were found to be sensitive to the propeller noise level and to aerodynamic drag effects due to wing-slipstream interaction. Uncertainties in these effects could change the fuel savings as much as plus or minus 50%. A modest improvement in direct operating cost was estimated for the wing-mounted prop-fan at current fuel prices.
NASA is developing Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concepts to (1) create first-generation reference vehicles that can be used for technology, system, and market studies, and (2) hypothesize second-generation UAM aircraft to determine high-payoff technology targets and future research areas that reach far beyond initial UAM vehicle capabilities. This report discusses the vehicle-level technology assumptions for NASA’s UAM reference vehicles, and highlights future research areas for second-generation UAM aircraft that includes deflected slipstream concepts, low-noise rotors for edgewise flight, stacked rotors/propellers, ducted propellers, solid oxide fuel cells with liquefied natural gas, and improved turbo shaft and reciprocating engine technology. The report also highlights a transportation network-scale model that is being developed to understand the impact of these and other technologies on future UAM solutions.
This paper summarizes the significant results of recent full-scale wind tunnel tests at the NASA-Langley Research Center of the Ayres S2R-800 Thrush Agricultural Aircraft. The purpose of the tests was to provide fundamental aerodynamic, performance, and stability and control information of the airplane and dispersal equipment; and to study near-field wake interaction characteristics behind the aircraft. The aerodynamic tests included the use of a propeller thrust-torque balance to measure the efficiency of the propeller in the presence of the engine and to provide data for determining slipstream interference effects and slip-stream drag.