Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Heldenfels, R. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Heldenfels, R. R..

At least 19 records

Historical perspectives on thermostructural research at the NACA Langley Aeronautical Laboratory from 1948 to 1958

Research on structural problems associated with aerodynamic heating, conducted by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) during its last decade are described. The text of a special presentation given at the NASA Symposium on Computational Aspects of Heat Transfer in Structure is presented. Some early thermostructural research activities using charts is also discussed. The prinicipal message of the paper is that although vehicle oriented research programs speed development of new technology for specific missions, too much effort may be expended on developing technology which is never used because a vehicle is never built. A healthy research program must provide freedom to explore new ideas that have no obvious applications at the time to generate the technology that makes important, unanticipated flight or vehicle opportunities possible.

Heldenfels, R. R.

Historical perspectives on thermostructural research at the NACA Langley Aeronautical Laboratory from 1948 to 1958

Some of the early research on structural problems produced by aerodynamic heating, conducted at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics from 1948 to 1958 is described. That was the last decade of the NACA; in 1958 NACA became the nucleus of NASA. The NACA initially contracted for research but was aware that a well-equipped and suitably staffed laboratory was required to fulfill its obligations. Langley was established in 1920; the other listed were added during the NACA expansion in the World War II years. Some specific research activities are described, starting with calculation of the temperature of the structure.

Heldenfels, R. R.

The NASA structures and materials research program for supersonic cruise aircraft

The structures and materials part of the NASA Supersonic Cruise Aircraft Research (SCAR) program is reviewed. It is pointed out that in more than three years of work significant new technology has been generated. The aircraft configurations which are efficient aerodynamically have aeroelastic problems that must be alleviated by configuration changes, active controls, or additional structural mass. An approach involving the application of advanced composite materials has the highest potential for structural weight reduction. Attention is given to the structural concepts for an arrow-wing supersonic aircraft and the techniques used in the investigations. It is expected that continuing research in SCAR structures and materials should bring high payoffs in the late 1980s.

Cooper, P. A.

NASA research on structures and materials for supersonic cruise aircraft

The technology and data base necessary for sound technical decisions regarding long haul supersonic cruise aircraft transportation systems are considered. The objectives and status of the research elements in the structures and materials program phase of the program are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on reductions in structural mass by research on advanced structural concepts, light-weight materials, improved loads, aeroelastic predictive techniques, and by development of efficient structural design procedures.

Cooper, P. A.

Recent NASA progress in composites

The application of composites in aerospace vehicle structures is reviewed. Research and technology program results and specific applications to space vehicles, aircraft engines, and aircraft and helicopter structures are discussed in detail. Particular emphasis is given to flight service evaluation programs that are or will be accumulating substantial experience with secondary and primary structural components on military and commercial aircraft to increase confidence in their use.

Heldenfels, R. R.

Automation of the aircraft design process

The increasing use of the computer to automate the aerospace product development and engineering process is examined with emphasis on structural analysis and design. Examples of systems of computer programs in aerospace and other industries are reviewed and related to the characteristics of aircraft design in its conceptual, preliminary, and detailed phases. Problems with current procedures are identified, and potential improvements from optimum utilization of integrated disciplinary computer programs by a man/computer team are indicated.

Heldenfels, R. R.

Automating the design process - Progress, problems, prospects, potential.

The design process for large aerospace vehicles is discussed, with particular emphasis on structural design. Problems with current procedures are identified. Then, the contributions possible from automating the design process (defined as the best combination of men and computers) are considered. Progress toward automated design in the aerospace and other communities is reviewed, including NASA studies of the potential development of Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD). The need for and suggested directions of future research on the design process, both technical and social, are discussed. Although much progress has been made to exploit the computer in design, it is concluded that technology is available to begin using the computer to speed communications and management as well as calculations in the design process and thus build man-computer teams that can design better, faster and cheaper.

Heldenfels, R. R.