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At least 163 records · Page 9

Effects of wing leading-edge radius and Reynolds number on longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of highly swept wing-body configurations at subsonic speeds

An investigation was conducted in the Langley low turbulence pressure tunnel to determine the effects of wing leading edge radius and Reynolds number on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a series of highly swept wing-body configurations. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers below 0.30, angles of attack up to 16 deg, and Reynolds numbers per meter from 6.57 million to 43.27 million. The wings under study in this investigation had leading edge sweep angles of 61.7 deg, 64.61 deg, and 67.01 deg in combination with trailing edge sweep angles of 0 deg and 40.6 deg. The leading edge radii of each wing planform could be varied from sharp to nearly round.

Henderson, W. P.↗

Computational wing optimization and comparisons with experiment for a semi-span wing model

A computational wing optimization procedure was developed and verified by an experimental investigation of a semi-span variable camber wing model in the NASA Ames Research Center 14 foot transonic wind tunnel. The Bailey-Ballhaus transonic potential flow analysis and Woodward-Carmichael linear theory codes were linked to Vanderplaats constrained minimization routine to optimize model configurations at several subsonic and transonic design points. The 35 deg swept wing is characterized by multi-segmented leading and trailing edge flaps whose hinge lines are swept relative to the leading and trailing edges of the wing. By varying deflection angles of the flap segments, camber and twist distribution can be optimized for different design conditions. Results indicate that numerical optimization can be both an effective and efficient design tool. The optimized configurations had as good or better lift to drag ratios at the design points as the best designs previously tested during an extensive parametric study.

Waggoner, E. G.↗

Exploratory study of the influence of wing leading-edge modifications on the spin characteristics of a low-wing single-engine general aviation airplane

A wide variety of model and airplane tests were conducted to explore the effects of wing leading-edge modifications on the stalling and spinning characteristics of a low-wing general aviation research airplane configuration. The results presented herein discuss the effects of leading-edge airfoil modifications applied to the full wing span and to partial-span locations. The results obtained in the study indicate that the wing modifications can produce large effects (both favorable or unfavorable) on spin resistance, developed spin characteristics, and spin recovery.

Dicarlo, D. J.↗

Wing flap-type control effectiveness and effects of control hinge gap seals for a supercritical wing

Wind-tunnel tests were made to investigate the control effectiveness of wing trailing-edge flap-type aerodynamic controls for a supercritical wing. The tests determined the effects of spanwise flap control location, two different wing transition grit location patterns, magnitude of angular control deflection, control hinge moments and control hinge gap seals. Results show that the inboard flap position deflections caused interference rearward at the vertical tail, and that all flap positions for deflections in one direction only caused interference at the horizontal tail at a higher than design Mach number. Changes in wing transition grit pattern caused significant changes to static longitudinal characteristics and longitudinal control effectiveness.

Anglin, E. L.↗

Numerical simulation of the leading-edge separation vortex for a wing and strake-wing configuration

In the present investigation, the 'thin layer' Navier-Stokes equations are used to compute the flow about a delta wing and a strake-delta wing configuration. Both configurations possess blunt noses and rounded leading edges. The computational grid about these configurations is generated using a newly developed three-dimensional grid-generation code which solves a set of Poisson equations with spherical coordinate variables using an alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme. Computational results are obtained for an isolated wing with 60 deg sweep and a strake-wing configuration with 80-60 deg sweep. Computations for angles of attack in the range from 6 to 30 deg are presented. Attention is given to the effect of the angle of attack, the Mach number, and the Reynolds number. Theoretical results are compared with experimental data.

Fujii, K.↗

Wing loading on a 60 degree delta wing with vortex flaps

Wind tunnel tests were conducted on a 60 deg delta wing with three vortex flap designs to determine pressure distributions over the wing and flap. The results showed that an optimum vortex flap design depends on proper definition of the vortex flap deflection angle. They also revealed that flap thickness plays an important role in the behavior of the vortex flow over the flap and wing and can have a substantial effect on wing and flap pressure loading. Design codes which fail to account for thickness may result in a much less than optimum flap and deprive the designer of an important tool in designing an effective flap with optimum loading.

Marchman, J. F., III↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of a high-wing transport configuration with a over-the-wing nacelle-pylon arrangement

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of a high-wing transport configuration of installing an over-the-wing nacelle-pylon arrangement. The tests are conducted at Mach numbers from 0.70 to 0.82 and at angles of attack from -2 deg to 4 deg. The configurational variables under study include symmetrical and contoured nacelles and pylons, pylon size, and wing leading-edge extensions. The symmetrical nacelles and pylons reduce the lift coefficient, increase the drag coefficient, and cause a nose-up pitching-moment coefficient. The contoured nacelles significantly reduce the interference drag, though it is still excessive. Increasing the pylon size reduces the drag, whereas adding wing leading-edge extension does not affect the aerodynamic characteristics significantly.

Henderson, W. P.↗

Non-linear unsteady wing theory, part 1. Quasi two-dimensional behavior: Airfoils and slender wings

The initial phases of a study of the large-amplitude unsteady aerodynamics of wings in severe maneuver are reported. The research centers on vortex flows, their initiation at wing surfaces, their subsequent convection, and interaction dynamically with wings and control surfaces. The focus is on 2D and quasi-2D aspects of the problem and features the development of an exact nonlinear unsteady airfoil theory as well as an approach to the crossflow problem for slender wing applications including leading-edge separation. The effective use of interactive on-line computing in quantifying and visualizing the nonsteady effects of severe maneuver is demonstrated. Interactive computational work is now possible, in which a maneuver can be initiated and its effects observed and analyzed immediately.

Mccune, J. E.↗

Conical Euler solution for a highly-swept delta wing undergoing wing-rock motion

Modifications to an unsteady conical Euler code for the free-to-roll analysis of highly-swept delta wings are described. The modifications involve the addition of the rolling rigid-body equation of motion for its simultaneous time-integration with the governing flow equations. The flow solver utilized in the Euler code includes a multistage Runge-Kutta time-stepping scheme which uses a finite-volume spatial discretization on an unstructured mesh made up of triangles. Steady and unsteady results are presented for a 75 deg swept delta wing at a freestream Mach number of 1.2 and an angle of attack of 30 deg. The unsteady results consist of forced harmonic and free-to-roll calculations. The free-to-roll case exhibits a wing rock response produced by unsteady aerodynamics consistent with the aerodynamics of the forced harmonic results. Similarities are shown with a wing-rock time history from a low-speed wind tunnel test.

Lee, Elizabeth M.↗

Unsteady surface pressure measurements on a slender delta wing undergoing limit cycle wing rock

An experimental investigation of slender wing limit cycle motion known as wing rock was investigated using two unique experimental systems. Dynamic roll moment measurements and visualization data on the leading edge vortices were obtained using a free to roll apparatus that incorporates an airbearing spindle. In addition, both static and unsteady surface pressure data was measured on the top and bottom surfaces of the model. To obtain the unsteady surface pressure data a new computer controller drive system was developed to accurately reproduce the free to roll time history motions. The data from these experiments include, roll angle time histories, vortex trajectory data on the position of the vortices relative to the model's surface, and surface pressure measurements as a function of roll angle when the model is stationary or undergoing a wing rock motion. The roll time history data was numerically differentiated to determine the dynamic roll moment coefficient. An analysis of these data revealed that the primary mechanism for the limit cycle behavior was a time lag in the position of the vortices normal to the wing surface.

Arena, Andrew S., Jr.↗

Transition-flight Tests of a Model of a Low-wing Transport Vertical-take-off Airplane with Tilting Wing and Propellers

An investigation of the stability and control of a low-wing four-engine transport vertical-take-off airplane during the transition from hovering to normal forward flight has been conducted with a remotely controlled free-flight model. The model had four propellers distributed along the wing with the thrust axes in the wing-chord plane. The wing could be rotated to 90 degrees incidence so that the propeller thrust axes were vertical for hovering flight.

CONTROL, LONGITUDINAL↗

Flight Tests of a Model of a High-wing Transport Vertical-take-off Airplane with Tilting Wing and Propellers and with Jet Controls at the Rear of the Fuselage for Pitch and Yaw Control

An investigation of the stability and control of a high-wing transport vertical-take-off airplane with four engines during constant-altitude transitions from hovering to normal forward flight was conducted with a remotely controlled free-flight model. The model had four propellers distributed along the wing with the thrust axes in the wing chord plane. The wing could be rotated to 90 degrees incidence so that the propeller thrust axes were vertical for hovering flight. An air jet at the rear of the fuselage provided pitch and yaw control for hovering and low-speed flight.

CONTROL, LONGITUDINAL↗

Tests of Nacelle-Propeller Combinations in Various Positions with Reference to Wings III : Clark Y Wing - Various Radial-engine Cowlings - Tractor Propeller

This report is the third of a series giving the results obtained in the 20-foot wind tunnel on the interference drag, and propulsive efficiency of nacelle-propeller-wing combinations. The first report gave the results of the tests of an NACA cowled air-cooled engine nacelle with tractor propeller located in 21 positions with reference to a thick wing. The second report gave the results for several engine cowlings and nacelles with tractor propeller located in four positions with reference to same wing. The present report gives results of tests of the same nacelles and cowlings in the same positions with reference to a smaller wing of Clark y section. The lift, drag, and propulsive efficiency were determined at several angles of attack for each cowling and in each nacelle location.

Wood, Donald H↗

Wing-Fuselage Interference, Tail Buffeting, and Air Flow About the Tail of a Low-Wing Monoplane

This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests on a Mcdonnell Douglas airplane to determine the wing-fuselage interference of a low-wing monoplane. The tests included a study of tail buffeting and the air flow in the region of the tail. The airplane was tested with and without the propeller slipstream, both in the original condition and with several devices designed to reduce or eliminate tail buffeting. The devices used were wing-fuselage fillets, a NACA cowling, reflexed trailing edge of the wing, and stub auxiliary airfoils.

White, James A↗

Free-Spinning Wind-Tunnel Tests of a Low-Wing Monoplane with Systematic Changes in Wings and Tails IV : Effect of Center-of-Gravity Location

Eight wings and three tails, covering a wide range of aerodynamic characteristics, were independently ballasted so as to be interchangeable with no change in mass distribution. For each of the 24 resulting wing-tail combinations, observations were made of the steady spin for four control settings and of recoveries for five control manipulations. The results are presented in the form of charts comparing the spin characteristics. The tests are part of a general investigation being made in the NACA free-spinning tunnel to determine the effects of systematic changes in wing and tail arrangement upon the steady-spin and the recovery characteristics of a conventional low-wing monoplane for various load distributions.

Seidman, Oscar↗

Effects of wing flexibility and variable air lift upon wing bending moment during landing impacts of a small seaplane

A smooth-water-landing investigation was conducted with a small seaplane to obtain experimental wing-bending-moment time histories together with time histories of the various parameters necessary for the prediction of wing bending moments during hydrodynamic forcing functions. The experimental results were compared with calculated results which include inertia-load effects and the effects of air-load variation during impact. The responses of the fundamental mode were calculated with the use of the measured hydrodynamic forcing functions. From these responses, the wing bending moments due to the hydrodynamic load were calculated according to the procedure given in R.M. No. 2221. The comparison of the time histories of the experimental and calculated wing bending moments showed good agreement both in phase relationship of the oscillations and in numerical values.

Merten, Kenneth F↗

Transonic Drag Characteristics of a Wing-body Combination Showing the Effect of a Large Wing Fillet

Results of an investigation by the free-fall method are presented herein for a configuration having a body of revolution of fineness ratio 12 and 45 degrees sweptback wing mounted aft of the maximum diameter of the body. The fillets were designed to provide large increases in the sweep oof the leading edge and the line of maximum thickness as the wing root was approached. Comparison of these results with those for the same configuration without fillets shows that the addition of wing fillets increased the total drag of the configuration by about 35 percent at Mach numbers near 1.0 and about 15 percent at Mach numbers near 1.2. Results indicate that the fillets produced no appreciable change in the wing and tail drags but produced a large increase in body drag due to interference.

Cheatham, Donald C↗

Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Wing-Body-Tail Model Having a Highly Tapered, Cambered 45 degree Swept Wing of Aspect Ratio 4 at Transonic Speeds

The longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-body-horizontal-tail configuration designed for efficient performance at transonic speeds has been investigated at Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.03 in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel. The effect of adding an outboard leading-edge chord-extension to the highly tapered 45 deg. swept wing was also obtained. The average Reynolds number for this investigation was 6.7 x 10(exp 6) based on the wing mean aerodynamic chord. The relatively low tail placement as well as the addition of a chord-extension achieved some alleviation of the pitchup tendencies of the wing-fuselage configuration. The maximum trimmed lift-drag ratio was 16.5 up to a Mach number of 0.9, with the moment center located at the quarter-chord point of the mean aerodynamic chord. For the untrimmed case, the maximum lift-drag ratio was approximately 19.5 up to a Mach number of 0.9.

West, F. E., Jr.↗