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At least 19 records

Validation of a Compact Isokinetic Total Water Content Probe for Wind Tunnel Characterization at NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel and at NRC Ice Crystal Tunnel

A new compact isokinetic probe to measure total water content in a wind tunnel environment has been developed. The probe has been previously tested under altitude conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive validation of the probe under a range of liquid water conditions at sea level in the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel and with ice crystals at sea level at the NRC wind tunnel. The compact isokinetic probe is compared to tunnel calibrations and other probes.

meterological instruments↗

Comparison of propeller cruise noise data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel with other tunnel and flight data

The noise of advanced high speed propeller models measured in the NASA 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel has been compared with model propeller noise measured in another tunnel and with full-scale propeller noise measured in flight. Good agreement was obtained for the noise of a model counterrotation propeller tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel and in the acoustically treated test section of the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel. This good agreement indicates the relative validity of taking cruise noise data on a plate in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel compared with the free-field method in the Boeing tunnel. Good agreement was also obtained for both single rotation and counter-rotation model noise comparisons with full-scale propeller noise in flight. The good scale model to full-scale comparisons indicate both the validity of the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel data and the ability to scale to full size. Boundary layer refraction on the plate provides a limitation to the measurement of forward arc noise in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel at the higher harmonics of the blade passing tone. The use of a validated boundary layer refraction model to adjust the data could remove this limitation.

Dittmar, James H.↗

Comparison of propeller cruise noise data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel with other tunnel and flight data

The noise of advanced high speed propeller models measured in the NASA 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel has been compared with model propeller noise measured in another tunnel and with full-scale propeller noise measured in flight. Good agreement was obtained for the noise of a model counterrotation propeller tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel and in the acoustically treated test section of the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel. This good agreement indicates the relative validity of taking cruise noise data on a plate in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel compared with the free-field method in the Boeing tunnel. Good agreement was also obtained for both single rotation and counter-rotation model noise comparisons with full-scale propeller noise in flight. The good scale model to full-scale comparisons indicate both the validity of the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel data and the ability to scale to full size. Boundary layer refraction on the plate provides a limitation to the measurement of forward arc noise in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel at the higher harmonics of the blade passing tone. The sue of a validated boundary layer refraction model to adjust the data could remove this limitation.

Dittmar, James↗

NASA 5.2%-Scale Semispan High Lift Common Research Model Wind Tunnel Test at the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel

A wind tunnel test of the NASA 5.2%-scale Semispan High Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was conducted at the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) in the fall of 2022. The main purpose of the test was a model checkout before shipping it overseas. The model was shipped to Germany in the spring of 2023, and the team wanted to be sure that instrumentation in the model was working, all of the model parts fit together well, and model changes could be done smoothly, as designed while installed in a wind tunnel. Force and moment and pressure data were collected during the test, and while these data were a secondary objective, they can be used for for tunnel-to-tunnel verification of the model, and for database supplementation for the NASA CRM-HL ecosystem. The test was run from August 15, 2022 through September 8, 2022. Eight configurations were tested at Mach 0.2 and 0.26, over an alpha range from -4deg to +24deg. All of the configurations that were tested accomplished testing of all model parts. This test campaign was a unique opportunity to test a complicated model design in a wind tunnel that is less expensive to test in and has easier model access than the tunnel that it was designed to run in. The test was invaluable in providing lessons learned about building up and running the model, and the model was returned to the model manufacturer from December 2022 to February 2023 for updates to make model changes easier, to make design fixes on the model, and to do clean up work on the model.

CRM-HL↗

NASA 5.2%-Scale Semispan High Lift Common Research Model Wind Tunnel Test at the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel

A wind tunnel test of the NASA 5.2%-scale Semispan High Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) was conducted at the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22) in the fall of 2022. The main purpose of the test was a model checkout before shipping it overseas. The model was shipped to Germany in the spring of 2023, and the team wanted to be sure that instrumentation in the model was working, all of the model parts fit together well, and model changes could be done smoothly, as designed while installed in a wind tunnel. Force and moment and pressure data were collected during the test, and while these data were a secondary objective, they can be used for for tunnel-to-tunnel verification of the model, and for database supplementation for the NASA CRM-HL ecosystem. The test was run from August 15, 2022 through September 8, 2022. Eight configurations were tested at Mach 0.2 and 0.26, over an alpha range from -4deg to +24deg. All of the configurations that were tested accomplished testing of all model parts. This test campaign was a unique opportunity to test a complicated model design in a wind tunnel that is less expensive to test in and has easier model access than the tunnel that it was designed to run in. The test was invaluable in providing lessons learned about building up and running the model, and the model was returned to the model manufacturer from December 2022 to February 2023 for updates to make model changes easier, to make design fixes on the model, and to do clean up work on the model.

Semispan↗

Investigations of detail design issues for the high speed acoustic wind tunnel using a 60th scale model tunnel. Part 2: Tests with the closed circuit

This report summarizes the tests on the 1:60 scale model of the High Speed Acoustic Wind Tunnel (HSAWT) performed during the period June - August 1991. Throughout the testing the tunnel was operated in the 'closed circuit mode,' that is when the airflow was set up by an axial flow fan, which was located inside the tunnel circuit and was directly driven by a motor. The tests were first performed with the closed test section and were subsequently repeated with the open test section, the latter operating with the nozzle-diffuser at its optimum setting. On this subject, reference is made to the report (1) issued January 1991, under contract 17-GFY900125, which summarizes the result obtained with the tunnel operating in the 'open circuit mode.' The tests confirmed the viability of the tunnel design, and the flow distributions in most of the tunnel components were considered acceptable. There were found, however, some locations where the flow distribution requires improvement. This applies to the flow upstream of the fan where the flow was found skewed, thus affecting the flow downstream. As a result of this, the flow appeared separated at the end of the large diffuser at the outer side. All tests were performed at NASA LaRC.

Barna, P. Stephen↗

Investigations of detail design issues for the high speed acoustic wind tunnel using a 60th scale model tunnel. Part 1: Tests with open circuits

This report summarizes the tests on the 1:60 scale model of the High Speed Acoustic Wind Tunnel (HSAWT) performed during the period of November 1989 to December 1990. Throughout the testing the tunnel was operated in the 'open circuit mode', that is when the airflow was induced by a powerful exhaust fan located outside the tunnel circuit. The tests were first performed with the closed test section and were subsequently repeated with the open test section. While operating with the open test section, a novel device, called the 'nozzle-diffuser,' was also tested in order to establish its usefulness of increasing pressure recovery in the first diffuser. The tests established the viability of the tunnel design. The flow distribution in each tunnel component was found acceptable and pressure recovery in the diffusers were found satisfactory. The diffusers appeared to operate without flow separation. All tests were performed at NASA LaRC.

Barna, P. Stephen↗

Wind-tunnel/flight correlation study of aerodynamic characteristics of a large flexible supersonic cruise airplane (XB-701) 2: Extrapolation of wind-tunnel data to full-scale conditions

The results of calculations necessary to extrapolate performance data on an XB-70-1 wind tunnel model to full scale at Mach numbers from 0.76 to 2.53 are presented. The extrapolation was part of a joint program to evaluate performance prediction techniques for large flexible supersonic airplanes similar to a supersonic transport. The extrapolation procedure included: interpolation of the wind tunnel data at the specific conditions of the flight test points; determination of the drag increments to be applied to the wind tunnel data, such as spillage drag, boundary layer trip drag, and skin friction increments; and estimates of the drag items not represented on the wind tunnel model, such as bypass doors, roughness, protuberances, and leakage drag. In addition, estimates of the effects of flexibility of the airplane were determined.

Peterson, J. B., Jr.↗

Water tunnel flow visualization and wind tunnel data analysis of the F/A-18

Six degree of freedom studies were utilized to extract a band of yawing and rolling moment coefficients from the F/A-18 aircraft flight records. These were compared with 0.06 scale model data obtained in a 16T wind tunnel facility. The results, indicate the flight test yawing moment data exhibit an improvement over the wind tunnel data to near neutral stability and a significant reduction in lateral stability (again to anear neutral level). These data are consistent with the flight test results since the motion was characterized by a relatively slo departure. Flight tests repeated the slow yaw departure at M 0.3. Only 0.16 scale model wind tunnel data showed levels of lateral stability similar to the flight test results. Accordingly, geometric modifications were investigated on the 0.16 scale model in the 30x60 foot wind tunnel to improve high angle of attack lateral stability.

Erickson, G. E.↗

The application of cryogenics to high Reynolds number testing in wind tunnels. II - Development and application of the cryogenic wind tunnel concept

The development and application of the cryogenic wind tunnel concept at the Langley Research Center are described. Particular attention is given to the low-speed cryogenic tunnel and the pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel. The major conclusions with respect to the operation and performance of the pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel after almost 4000 h of operation at cryogenic temperatures are that: (1) purging, cooldown, and warm-up times are acceptable and can be predicted with good accuracy, and that (2) the quantity of liquid nitrogen required for cooldown and running can be predicted with good accuracy. The U.S. National Transonic Facility is described in detail.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

Wind tunnel wall interference investigations in NAE/NRC High Reynolds Number 2D Facility and NASA Langley 0.3m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

Results are reported from a NAE/NRC and NASA cooperative program on two-dimensional wind-tunnel wall-interference research, aimed at developing the technology for correcting or eliminating wall interference effects in two-dimensional transonic wind-tunnel investigations. Both NASA Langley and NAE facilities are described, along with a NASA-designed and fabricated airfoil model. It is shown that data from the NAE facility, corrected for wall interference, agree with those obtained from the NASA tunnel, which has adaptive walls; the comparison of surface pressure data shows that the flowfield conditions in which the model is investigated appear to be nearly identical under most conditions. It is concluded that both approaches, posttest correction and an adaptive wall, adequately eliminate the tunnel-wall interference effects.

Chan, Y. Y.↗

An analysis of combustion studies in shock expansion tunnels and reflected shock tunnels

The effect of initial nonequilibrium dissociated air constituents on the combustion of hydrogen in high-speed flows for a simulated Mach 17 flight condition was investigated by analyzing the results of comparative combustion experiments performed in a reflected shock tunnel test gas and in a shock expansion tunnel test gas. The results were analyzed and interpreted with a one-dimensional quasi-three-stream combustor code that includes finite rate combustion chemistry. The results of this study indicate that the combustion process is kinetically controlled in the experiments in both tunnels and the presence of the nonequilibrium partially dissociated oxygen in the reflected shock tunnel enhances the combustion. Methods of compensating for the effect of dissociated oxygen are discussed.

Jachimowski, Casimir J.↗

A combustion driven shock tunnel to complement the free piston shock tunnel T5 at GALCIT

A combustion driven shock tunnel was designed and built at GALCIT to supply the hypersonic facility T5 with 'hot' hydrogen for mixing and combustion experiments. This system was chosen over other options for better flexibility and for safety reasons. The shock tunnel is described and the overall efficiency of the system is discussed. The biggest challenge in the design was to synchronize the combustion driven shock tunnel with T5. To do so, the main diaphragm of the combustion driven shock tunnel is locally melted by an electrical discharge. This local melting is rapidly followed by the complete collapse of the diaphragm in a very repeatable way. A first set of experiments on supersonic hydrogen transverse jets over a flat plate have just been completed with the system and some of the preliminary results are presented.

Belanger, Jacques↗

Comparison of RTA Vibratory Loading in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel and 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex

This paper presents data taken in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel in 1992 to data taken in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel in 2016 at the NFAC. In both sets of data, the RTA was equipped with an identical set of S-76 helicopter blades. These data sets were compared to determine the repeatability of the RTA as a testing device, and to quantify differences in 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel vs. 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel results. The contents include an overview of the RTA and test facility, as well as a discussion of the methodology used. Vibratory load data is presented for a variety of wind and RPM conditions in various test section configurations. Data presented in this report quantifies the repeatability of the RTA.

NFAC↗

Wind-tunnel corrections at high subsonic speeds particularly for an enclosed circular tunnel

A review of existing publications on wind-tunnel corrections is followed by an approximate method for determining the corrections due to model and wake displacement and to lift. Relations are investigated for fuselages and wings of various spans in closed circular tunnels. A comparison is made between the computations and the tests in the DVL high-speed wind tunnel.

WIND TUNNELS↗

Wind tunnel interference factors for high-lift wings in closed wind tunnels

A problem associated with the wind tunnel testing of very slow flying aircraft is the correction of observed pitching moments to free air conditions. The most significant effects of such corrections are to be found at moderate downwash angles typical of the landing approach. The wind tunnel walls induce interference velocities at the tail different from those induced at the wing, and these induced velocities also alter the trajectory of the trailing vortex system. The relocated vortex system induces different velocities at the tail from those experienced in free air. The effect of the relocated vortex and the walls is to cause important changes in the measured pitching moments in the wind tunnel.

Joppa, R. G.↗

Correaltion of full-scale drag predictions with flight measurements on the C-141A aircraft. Phase 2: Wind tunnel test, analysis, and prediction techniques. Volume 1: Drag predictions, wind tunnel data analysis and correlation

The degree of cruise drag correlation on the C-141A aircraft is determined between predictions based on wind tunnel test data, and flight test results. An analysis of wind tunnel tests on a 0.0275 scale model at Reynolds number up to 3.05 x 1 million/MAC is reported. Model support interference corrections are evaluated through a series of tests, and fully corrected model data are analyzed to provide details on model component interference factors. It is shown that predicted minimum profile drag for the complete configuration agrees within 0.75% of flight test data, using a wind tunnel extrapolation method based on flat plate skin friction and component shape factors. An alternative method of extrapolation, based on computed profile drag from a subsonic viscous theory, results in a prediction four percent lower than flight test data.

Macwilkinson, D. G.↗

Correlation of full-scale drag predictions with flight measurements on the C-141A aircraft : Phase 2: Wind tunnel tests, analysis, and prediction techniques. Volume 2: Wind tunnel test and basic data

A research program has been conducted to determine the degree of cruise drag correlation on the C-141A aircraft between predictions based on wind tunnel test data, and flight test results. Information is presented on the wind tunnel test program and basic aerodynamic data on the C-141A wind-tunnel model used in the correlation studies.

Macwilkinson, D. G.↗