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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Aeroelastic tailoring of composite wings with external stores

The use of an integrating matrix solution procedure allows the aeroelastic stability of a large number of wing/store combinations to be studied with relative speed and accuracy. Results are presented which show the effects of tailoring the orientation of the plies of laminated composite wings when external stores are present. The stores utilized take the form of concentrated masses that are varied in terms of size and location, and combinations of stores are also studied. It is seen that there are cases for which small changes in the laminate can produce large changes in the aeroelastic stability boundary, and for such situations care should be used in tailoring a wing. For a given wing, the choice fiber angle to optimize the aeroelastic performance is quite sensitive to both the size and location of the store.

Green, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis of redundant load path bearingless rotor systems

The goal of this research is to develop the transfer matrix method to treat nonlinear autonomous boundary value problems with multiple branches. The application is the complete nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of multiple-branched rotor blades. Once the development is complete, it can be incorporated into the existing transfer matrix analyses. There are several difficulties to be overcome in reaching this objective. The conventional transfer matrix method is limited in that it is applicable only to linear branch chain-like structures, but consideration of multiple branch modeling is important for bearingless rotors. Also, hingeless and bearingless rotor blade dynamic characteristics (particularly their aeroelasticity problems) are inherently nonlinear. The nonlinear equations of motion and the multiple-branched boundary value problem are treated together using a direct transfer matrix method. First, the formulation is applied to a nonlinear single-branch blade to validate the nonlinear portion of the formulation. The nonlinear system of equations is iteratively solved using a form of Newton-Raphson iteration scheme developed for differential equations of continuous systems. The formulation is then applied to determine the nonlinear steady state trim and aeroelastic stability of a rotor blade in hover with two branches at the root. A comprehensive computer program is developed and is used to obtain numerical results for the (1) free vibration, (2) nonlinearly deformed steady state, (3) free vibration about the nonlinearly deformed steady state, and (4) aeroelastic stability tasks. The numerical results obtained by the present method agree with results from other methods.

Murthy, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Finite element calculations of transonic flutter in cascades

Aeroelastic stability and response of turbomachinery cascades operating in the transonic regime are explored using a new computational approach. The two-dimensional unsteady Euler equations are used to model the transonic cascade flows, and the cascade blades are modeled as thin plates. To minimize the discretization incompatibility, both the fluid and the solid domains are discretized using finite element procedures. The fluid and the structural models are coupled at the element level by introducing a channel theory, which is analogous to a strip theory in the classical sense. The system of space-discretized equations is marched forward in time using an explicit four-stage Runge-Kutta scheme. Results of free vibration analyses of typical blades are presented and compared to published finite element and Rayleigh-Ritz results. Aeroelastic stability and response characteristics of several transonic cascades are investigated using the new quasi-3D model. These results demonstrate the present 3D finite element blade model is capable of capturing aeroelastic instabilities involving higher modes, including (plate-type) camber bending modes.

Hsiao, Chingteng↗
NASA NTRS1981

A full-scale wind tunnel investigation of a helicopter bearingless main rotor

A helicopter bearingless main rotor was tested. Areas of investigation included aeroelastic stability, aerodynamic performance, and rotor loads as a function of collective pitch setting, RPM, airspeed and shaft angle. The rotor/support system was tested with the wind tunnel balance dampers installed and, subsequently, removed. Modifications to the rotor hub were tested. These included a reduction in the rotor control system stiffness and increased flexbeam structural damping. The primary objective of the test was to determine aeroelastic stability of the fundamental flexbeam/blade chordwise bending mode. The rotor was stable for all conditions. Damping of the rotor chordwise bending mode increases with increased collective pitch angle at constant operating conditions. No significant decrease in rotor damping occured due to frequency coalescence between the blade chordwise fundamental bending mode and the support system.

Warmbrodt, W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A comparison of the various helicopter mathematical models used in the methodology assessment

Various features of the computer codes used in the helicopter industry and by government agencies for rotorcraft aeroelastic stability analysis are compared. Mathematical rigor in modeling rotorcraft is given primarily to the rotor-system dynamic behavior; the aerodynamic modeling is still limited to strip theory and to uneven application of corrections for stall, reversed flow, yawed flow, radial flow, and unsteady aerodynamic effects. The forward-flight regime analysis is included in five of the 11 codes surveyed. However, only two of these codes are capable of a Floquet analysis for aeroelastic stability. For the hover regime, nine of the 11 codes use eigen-analysis approach. The remaining codes perform a harmonic analysis of the transient response of system.

Stephens, Wendell B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

ASTROP3 user's guide

ASTROP3 (Aeroelastic Stability and Response of Propulsion Systems) is a FORTRAN computer code developed for calculating the performance and dynamic stability (classical flutter) of single rotation propfans. Three-dimensional, subsonic aerodynamics with constant pressure panel discretization and MSC/NASTRAN finite element analysis of the blade are used to calculate the steady and unsteady aerodynamic forces. The flutter analysis is a modal based technique using motion dependent aerodynamic forces based on in-vacuum frequencies and normal modes of the individual propfan blades. The execution of ASTROP3 is illustrated through the calculation of blade performance and blade aeroelastic stability for the SR7L rotor. These calculations are representative of applications for ASTROP3. All input and output files necessary for program execution are discussed, as well as other appropriate information to aid the user in applying the program.

August, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1990

Time domain flutter analysis of cascades using a full-potential solver

A time domain approach is used to determine the dynamic aeroelastic stability of a cascade of blades. The structural model for each blade is a typical section with two degrees of freedom. The aerodynamic model is the unsteady, two-dimensional, full-potential flow through the cascade of airfoils. The unsteady equations of motion for the structure and the fluid are integrated simultaneously in time starting with the steady flowfield and a small initial disturbance applied to the airfoils. The motion of each blade is analyzed to determine the aeroelastic stability of the cascade. The effect of interblade phase angle is included in the analysis by allowing each blade to have an independent motion and considering a number of blade passages. Calculations are made using an airfoil section and structural parameters that are representative of a propfan. The results are compared with those from a separate frequency domain analysis. Good agreement between the results is observed. With the time domain approach, it is possible to consider nonlinear structural models and nonlinear force-displacement relations. The method allows a realistic simulation of the motion of the fluid and the cascade blades for a better physical understanding and it also has the potential for saving computational time when compared to the frequency domain approach for the flutter analysis of cascades.

Bakhle, Milind A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Aeroelastic analysis of launch vehicles in transonic flight

A numerical study of the aeroelastic stability of launch vehicles in transonic flight is performed. The unsteady aerodynanic flowfield about the vehicle is simulated using the three dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the account for turbulent mixing done by a two-layer algebraic eddy viscosity model. The structural-dynamic formulation considers free-free flexural vibration of an elongated beam with variable properties and the equations are cast in modal form. The two sets of equations are integrated simultaneously in time, after a initial perturbation, to ascertain the aeroelastic stability of a given configuration. The method propossed is described in detail, and results that illustrate its application are presented.

Azevedo, Joao Luiz F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Transonic aeroelastic analysis of launch vehicle configurations

A numerical study of the aeroelastic stability of typical launch vehicle configurations in transonic flight is performed. Recent computational fluid dynamics techniques are used to simulate the transonic aerodynamic flow fields, as opposed to relying on experimental data for the unsteady aerodynamic pressures. The flow solver is coupled to an appropriate structural representation of the vehicle. The aerodynamic formulation is based on the thin layer approximation to the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations, where the account for turbulent mixing is done by the two-layer Baldwin and Lomax algebraic eddy viscosity model. The structural-dynamic equations are developed considering free-free flexural vibration of an elongated beam with variable properties and are cast in modal form. Aeroelastic analyses are performed by integrating simultaneously in the two sets of equations. By tracing the growth or decay of a perturbed oscillation, the aeroelastic stability of a given constant configuration can be ascertained. The method is described in detail, and results that indicate its application are presented. Applications include some validation cases for the algorithm developed, as well as the study of configurations known to have presented flutter programs in the past.

Filgueirasdeazevedo, Joao Luiz↗
NASA NTRS2001

Application of Aeroelastic Solvers Based on Navier Stokes Equations

The propulsion element of the NASA Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) initiative is directed towards increasing the overall efficiency of current aircraft engines. This effort requires an increase in the efficiency of various components, such as fans, compressors, turbines etc. Improvement in engine efficiency can be accomplished through the use of lighter materials, larger diameter fans and/or higher-pressure ratio compressors. However, each of these has the potential to result in aeroelastic problems such as flutter or forced response. To address the aeroelastic problems, the Structural Dynamics Branch of NASA Glenn has been involved in the development of numerical capabilities for analyzing the aeroelastic stability characteristics and forced response of wide chord fans, multi-stage compressors and turbines. In order to design an engine to safely perform a set of desired tasks, accurate information of the stresses on the blade during the entire cycle of blade motion is required. This requirement in turn demands that accurate knowledge of steady and unsteady blade loading is available. To obtain the steady and unsteady aerodynamic forces for the complex flows around the engine components, for the flow regimes encountered by the rotor, an advanced compressible Navier-Stokes solver is required. A finite volume based Navier-Stokes solver has been developed at Mississippi State University (MSU) for solving the flow field around multistage rotors. The focus of the current research effort, under NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC3- 596 was on developing an aeroelastic analysis code (entitled TURBO-AE) based on the Navier-Stokes solver developed by MSU. The TURBO-AE code has been developed for flutter analysis of turbomachine components and delivered to NASA and its industry partners. The code has been verified. validated and is being applied by NASA Glenn and by aircraft engine manufacturers to analyze the aeroelastic stability characteristics of modem fans, compressors and turbines.

Keith, Theo G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Transonic calculation of airfoil stability and response with active controls

Transonic aeroelastic stability and response analyses are performed for the MBB A-3 supercritical airfoil. Three degrees of freedom are considered: plunge, pitch, and aileron pitch. The control of airfoil stability and response in transonic flow are studied. Stability analyses are performed using a Pade aeroelastic model based on the use of LTRAN2-NLR transonic small disturbance finite difference computer code. Response analyses are performed by coupling the structural equations of motion to the unsteady aerodynamic forces of LTRAN2-NLR. The focus is on transonic time marching transient response solutions using modal identification to determine stability. Frequency and damping of these modes are directly compared in the complex s-plane with Pade model eigenvalues. Transonic stability and response characteristics of 2-D airfoils are discussed and comparisons are made. Application of the Pade aeroelastic model and time marching analyses to flutter suppression using active controls is demonstrated.

Batina, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Analysis and testing of aeroelastic model stability augmentation systems

Testing and evaluation of a stability augmentation system for aircraft flight control were performed. The flutter suppression system and synthesis conducted on a scale model of a supersonic wing for a transport aircraft are discussed. Mechanization and testing of the leading and trailing edge surface actuation systems are described. The ride control system analyses for a 375,000 pound gross weight B-52E aircraft are presented. Analyses of the B-52E aircraft maneuver load control system are included.

Sevart, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Analysis of aeroelastic model stability augmentation systems

An analytical and mechanization study was conducted for two flutter stability augmentation systems. One concept uses only the wing trailing edge control surface. Another concept uses leading and trailing edge control surfaces operating simultaneously. The combined use of leading and trailing edge control surfaces should improve the surface coupling (controllability) with vertical bending and torsional structural modes and decrease the coupling between bending and torsional modes. The study was directed toward stability augmentation systems characteristics for the supersonic transport aircraft.

Sevart, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, and stability of hang gliders. Experimental results

One-fifth-scale models of three basic ultralight glider designs were constructed to simulate the elastic properties of full scale gliders and were tested at Reynolds numbers close to full scale values. Twenty-four minor modifications were made to the basic configurations in order to evaluate the effects of twist, reflex, dihedral, and various stability enhancement devices. Longitudinal and lateral data were obtained at several speeds through an angle of attack range of -30 deg to +45 deg with sideslip angles of up to 20 deg. The importance of vertical center of gravity displacement is discussed. Lateral data indicate that effective dihedral is lost at low angles of attack for nearly all of the configurations tested. Drag data suggest that lift-dependent viscous drag is a large part of the glider's total drag as is expected for thin, cambered sections at these relatively low Reynolds numbers.

Kroo, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Nonlinear flexure and torsion of rotating beams, with application to helicopter rotor blades. I - Formulation. II - Response and stability results

The dynamic response and aeroelastic stability of rotating beams such as helicopter blades is investigated analytically. The Hamilton principle is used to formulate the equations of motion for extensional and inextensional beams with precone angles and variable pitch angles, taking higher-order nonlinearities into account. The derivation of the equations and their approximate solution by a Galerkin procedure are explained in detail, and numerical results of equilibrium solutions and stability analyses are presented graphically.

Crespo Da Silva, M. R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Transonic calculation of airfoil stability and response with active controls

Transonic aeroelastic stability and response analyses are performed for the MBB A-3 supercritical airfoil. Three degrees of freedom are considered: plunge, pitch, and aileron pitch. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the control of airfoil stability and response in transonic flow. Stability analyses are performed using a Padeaeroelastic model based on the use of the LTRAN2-NLR transonic small-disturbance finite-difference computer code. Response analyses are performed by coupling the structural equations of motion to the unsteady aerodynamic forces of LTRAN2-NLR. The focus of the present effort is on transonic time-marching transient response solutions using modal identification to determine stability. Frequency and damping of these modes are directly compared in the complex s-plane with Pademodel eigenvalues. Transonic stability and response characteristics of two-dimensional airfoils are discussed and comparisons are made. Application of the Padeaeroelastic model and time-marching analyses to flutter suppression using active controls is demonstrated.

Batina, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Aeroelastic Tailoring for Stability Augmentation and Performance Enhancements of Tiltrotor Aircraft

The requirements for increased speed and productivity for tiltrotors has spawned several investigations associated with proprotor aeroelastic stability augmentation and aerodynamic performance enhancements. Included among these investigations is a focus on passive aeroelastic tailoring concepts which exploit the anisotropic capabilities of fiber composite materials. Researchers at Langley Research Center and Bell Helicopter have devoted considerable effort to assess the potential for using these materials to obtain aeroelastic responses which are beneficial to the important stability and performance considerations of tiltrotors. Both experimental and analytical studies have been completed to examine aeroelastic tailoring concepts for the tiltrotor, applied either to the wing or to the rotor blades. This paper reviews some of the results obtained in these aeroelastic tailoring investigations and discusses the relative merits associated with these approaches.

Nixon, Mark W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Use of an implicit formulation based on quasilinearization for the aeroelastic response and stability of rotor blades in forward flight

This paper describes a new methodology for the formulation of the aeroelastic stability and response problem for helicopter rotor blades. The mathematical expressions for the aerodynamic loads need not be explicit functions of the blade displacement quantities. This methodology is combined with a finite element model of the blade, and a quasilinearization solution technique. The resulting computer program is used to study the behavior of blades with noncoincident elastic axis, aerodynamic centers, and centers of mass.

Celi, R.↗