Engineering topics

Ladson, Charles L.

Publications and source records attributed to Ladson, Charles L..

9 records

NASA NTRS1996

Computer Program to Obtain Ordinates for NACA Airfoils

Computer programs to produce the ordinates for airfoils of any thickness, thickness distribution, or camber in the NACA airfoil series were developed in the early 1970's and are published as NASA TM X-3069 and TM X-3284. For analytic airfoils, the ordinates are exact. For the 6-series and all but the leading edge of the 6A-series airfoils, agreement between the ordinates obtained from the program and previously published ordinates is generally within 5 x 10(exp -5) chord. Since the publication of these programs, the use of personal computers and individual workstations has proliferated. This report describes a computer program that combines the capabilities of the previously published versions. This program is written in ANSI FORTRAN 77 and can be compiled to run on DOS, UNIX, and VMS based personal computers and workstations as well as mainframes. An effort was made to make all inputs to the program as simple as possible to use and to lead the user through the process by means of a menu.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Facilities involved in adaptive wall research

During the first meeting of the Working Group, it was apparent that the assessment and interpretation of the current level of the technology could be achieved most easily provided the information in a common format. This would also minimize any danger of misinterpretation by third parties of existing published information. As a result, the Group developed a questionnaire and distributed it to all involved in adaptive wall research. The questionnaire solicited information on the mechanical details of the facilities as well as details of the adaptation strategy itself. The scope of testing accomplished and future plans were included. The information contained in the responses is summarized. This information was the source for much of the data. Because some of the data contained in these questionnaires is not discussed elsewhere, they are reproduced in their entirety as an Appendix. The questionnaire is also presented to serve as a guide to the written responses.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Testing of 3-D models in 2-D adaptive wall test sections

Considerable effort was devoted to the development of two-dimensional adaptive wall test sections. The development of fully three-dimensional test sections, however, has not had this same level of effort expended. The limitations on three-dimensional research are the result of the complexity of both the mechanical design and operational aspects. Typical of the mechanical complexities are lack of readily available model and flow visualization access, and problems of sealing between adjacent walls for multi-wall types of test sections. The operational aspects are complicated by the necessity for many measurements of the boundary conditions which can be very time consuming. In three-dimensional testing, it is impossible to remove all of the boundary interference. It will be necessary, therefore, to apply residual corrections to the data. The more complex the test section shape, the more complex the calculation of the residual corrections becomes. From both the viewpoint of test section complexity and of ease of residual corrections, a simplified test section geometry is desirable. To aid in the design of simplified test sections, several researchers investigated the capability of using two-dimensional adaptive wall test sections to perform three-dimensional testing. By use of this type of design, the inherent complications and limitations of the fully three-dimensional design are avoided. Strategies of adaptation used for this application are described, as well as, sample results and a discussion of some limitations of the technique.

Wedemeyer, Erich H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Effects of independent variation of Mach and Reynolds numbers on the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 0012 airfoil section

A comprehensive data base is given for the low speed aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 0012 airfoil section. The Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel is the facility used to obtain the data. Included in the report are the effects of Mach number and Reynolds number and transition fixing on the aerodynamic characteristics. Presented are also comparisons of some of the results with previously published data and with theoretical estimates. The Mach number varied from 0.05 to 0.36. The Reynolds number, based on model chord, varied from 3 x 10 to the 6th to 12 x 10 to the 6th power.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Pressure distributions from high Reynolds number transonic tests of an NACA 0012 airfoil in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Tests were conducted in the 2-D test section of the Langley 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel on a NACA 0012 airfoil to obtain aerodynamic data as a part of the Advanced Technology Airfoil Test (ATAT) program. The test program covered a Mach number range of 0.30 to 0.82 and a Reynolds number range of 3.0 to 45.0 x 10 to the 6th power. The stagnation pressure was varied between 1.2 and 6.0 atmospheres and the stagnation temperature was varied between 300 K and 90 K to obtain these test conditions. Tabulated pressure distributions and integrated force and moment coefficients are presented as well as plots of the surface pressure distributions. The data are presented uncorrected for wall interference effects and without analysis.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

High Reynolds number transonic tests on a NACA 0012 airfoil in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Tests were conducted in the two-dimensional test section of the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel on a NACA 0012 airfoil to obtain aerodynamic data as a part of the Advanced Technology Airfoil Test (ATAT) program. The test program covered a Mach number range of 0.30 to 0.82 and a Reynolds number range of 3.0 to 45.0 x 10 to the 6th. The stagnation pressure was varied between 1.2 and 6.0 atmospheres and the stagnation temperature was varied between 300 K and 90 K to obtain these test conditions. Plots of the spanwise variation of drag coefficient as a function of normal force coefficient and the variation of the basic aerodynamic characteristics with angle of attack are shown. The data are presented uncorrected for wall interference effects and without analysis.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Evolution, calibration, and operational characteristics of the two-dimensional test section of the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Presented is a review of the development of the world's first cryogenic pressure tunnel, the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (0.3-m TCT). Descriptions of the instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and physical features of the two-dimensional 8- by 24-in, (20.32 by 60.96 cm) and advanced 13- by 13-in (33.02 by 33.02 cm) adaptive-wall test-section inserts of the 0.3-m TCT are included. Basic tunnel-empty Mach number distributions, stagnation temperature distributions, and power requirements are included. The Mach number capability of the facility is from about 0.20 to 0.90. Stagnation pressure can be varied from about 80 to 327 K.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1962

Effects of Booster Transition Section and Rudder Deflection on the Low-Angle-of-Attack Static Stability of a Winged Reentry Vehicle at Mach Numbers of 10.8 and 17.8 in Helium

An investigation has been carried out to obtain aerodynamic stability and control data on a model of a winged reentry vehicle at Mach numbers of 10.8 and 17.8 in helium. The effects of a booster transition section on the static stability were obtained at angles of attack from -5 deg to 15 deg and at angles of sideslip from -5 deg to 10 deg at an angle of attack of 0 deg. Directional control data were also obtained at an angle of attack of 0 deg for sideslip angles from -5 deg to 10 deg. No detailed analysis of the data has been made.

Ladson, Charles L.↗

NASA NTRS1959

Chordwise Pressure Distributions over Several NACA 16-Series Airfoils at Transonic Mach Numbers up to 1.25

A two-dimensional wind-tunnel investigation of the pressure distributions over several NACA 16-series airfoils with thicknesses of 4, 6, 9, and 12 percent of the chord and design lift coefficients of 0, 0.2, 1 and 0.5 has been conducted in the Langley airfoil test apparatus at transonic Mach numbers from 0.7 to 1.25. The tests ranged in Reynolds number from 2.4 x 10 (exp 6) to 2.8 x 10 (exp 6) and in angle of attack from -10 to 12 degrees. Chordwise pressure distributions and schlieren flow photographs are presented without analysis.

Ladson, Charles L.↗