Engineering topics

Welge, H. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Welge, H. R..

11 records

NASA NTRS1987

Design Improvement for Airplane-Engine Nacelles

Advanced three-dimensional transonic design routine for wingmounted engine nacelles modified to include effects of propellers and wing sweep. Resulting new nacelle shapes introduce less airflow disturbance and less drag. Improvement consists of introduction of boundary conditions in form of nonuniform onset flow in area of wing washed by propeller slipstream. Routine generates nacelle shape as series of cross sections swept, relatively to unperturbed flow, as function of wing shape.

Vernon, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Low-speed aerodynamic test of an axisymmetric supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot

The experimental low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of an axisymmetric mixed-compression supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot are described. The model consisted of the NASA P-inlet centerbody and redesigned cowl with variable cowl slot powered by the JT8D single-stage fan simulator and driven by an air turbine. The model was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9- by 15-foot low-speed tunnel at Mach numbers of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 over a range of flows, cowl slot openings, centerbody positions, and angles of attack. The variable cowl slot was effective in minimizing lip separation at high velocity ratios, showed good steady-state and dynamic distortion characteristics, and had good angle-of-attack tolerance.

Powell, A. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Low-speed aerodynamic test of an axisymmetric supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot

Powell, A. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Aerodynamic test results for a wing-mounted turboprop propulsion installation

The paper provides an overview of the renewed interest in turboprop propulsion systems for future commercial transport designs. The potential operating cost advantage of advanced turbofan designs. Critical technology items for the aerodynamic installation of turboprop propulsion systems are presented, along with experimental results addressing the main technology issue for wing-mounted turboprop installations. Nacelle installation effects are presented for overwing and underwing nacelles. The drag reduction for nacelle contouring is also shown. Wing/nacelle/power data are presented for the baseline wing geometry and for a wing modified to reduce the propeller power effects.

Page, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of Mach number 0.8 turboprop slipstream wing/nacelle interactions

Data from wind tunnel tests of a powered propeller and nacelle mounted on a supercritical wing are analyzed. Installation of the nacelle significantly affected the wing flow and the flow on the upper surface of the wing is separated near the leading edge under powered conditions. Comparisons of various theories with the data indicated that the Neumann surface panel solution and the Jameson transonic solution gave results adequate for design purposes. A modified wing design was developed (Mod 3) which reduces the wing upper surface pressure coefficients and section lift coefficients at powered conditions to levels below those of the original wing without nacelle or power. A contoured over the wing nacelle that can be installed on the original wing without any appreciable interference to the wing upper surface pressure is described.

Welge, H. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Advanced supersonic transport propulsion and configuration technology improvements

This paper presents the results of recent Douglas Aircraft Company integration studies for an advanced supersonic transport. The studies include technology improvements such as superplastic formed and diffusion-bonded titanium sandwich primary structure, composite secondary structure, bicone engine inlet, improved mechanical suppressors based on flight test data, improved aerodynamic efficiency based on wind tunnel test data, and updated performance for both variable-cycle and low-bypass-ratio engines. Technology development requirements for an economically viable and environmentally acceptable advanced supersonic transport are defined through these studies. A new Douglas Aircraft Company baseline supersonic transport designed to carry 350 passengers is defined for cost comparisons.

Rowe, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Results of a low-speed wind tunnel test of the MDC 2.2M supersonic cruise aircraft configuration

Results of a low speed test conducted in the Full Scale Tunnel at NASA Langley using an advanced supersonic cruise vehicle configuration are presented. These tests used a 10 percent scale model of a configuration that had demonstrated high aerodynamic performance at Mach 2.2 during a previous test program. The low speed model has leading and trailing edge flaps designed to improve low speed lift to drag ratios at high lift and includes devices for longitudinal and lateral/directional control. The results obtained during the low speed test program have shown that full span leading edge flaps are required for maximum performance. The amount of deflection of the leading edge flap must increase with C sub L to obtain the maximum benefit. Over 80 percent of full leading edge suction was obtained up to lift off C sub L's of 0.65. A mild pitch up occurred at about 6 deg angle of attack with and without the leading edge flap deflected. The pitch up is controllable with the horizontal tail. Spoilers were found to be preferable to spoiler/deflectors at low speeds. The vertical tail maintained effectiveness up to the highest angle of attack tested but the tail on directional stability deteriorated at high angles of attack. Lateral control was adequate for landing at 72 m/sec in a 15.4 m/sec crosswind.

Yip, L. P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Inlet design studies for a Mach 2.2 advanced supersonic cruise vehicle

Various inlet-engine combinations have been studied to find a preferred inlet concept for integration with an advanced technology Mach 2.2 cruise vehicle having a cruise lift-to-drag ratio of 9.6. For the purposes of this study, the range capability for a fixed takeoff gross weight was used to assess the various inlet-engine combinations. Inlet concept selection studies are described which indicated that an axisymmetric, mixed compression inlet was preferred. This study considered four inlet and three engine cycle combinations where the engine airflow was tailored to the inlet airflow delivery capability. Detailed design studies of two mixed compression inlet types are discussed. These were a translating centerbody inlet and a collapsing centerbody bicone inlet. The aerodynamic and mechanical design of each inlet is described. These inlets were also matched to different engine cycles tailored to the inlet airflow capability. The range increments favored the bicone inlet concept primarily because of lighter weight, reduced bleed air, and greater transonic airflow/thrust capability.

Shimabukuro, K. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Propeller slipstream wing interactions at Mach no. 0.8

Configuration and results of a wind tunnel test of the aerodynamic interactions between propeller slipstream and a supercritical wing at transonic Mach numbers are discussed. The test was conducted over a free-stream Mach number range from 0.7 to 0.84, with the slipstream simulator and the wing-body model installed in the tunnel. The angle of attack and the spanning lift coefficients were varied from 1 to 3 deg and from 0.4 to 0.7 deg respectively, while the slipstream swirl angle was varied from 0 to 11 deg with an upwash on the inboard side of the wing. It was found that at a free-stream Mach number of 0.8 and a lift coefficient of 0.5, incremental drag results for 7 deg of swirl and a slipstream Mach number of 0.87 indicated a penalty equivalent to a 0.024 loss in propeller efficiency, whereas at 11 deg the drag increment was favorable. Swirl had significant effects on the chordwise pressure distributions of the inboard section of the wing within the slipstream. Neither surface nor wake pressures showed signs of significant flow separation induced by the slipstream.

Bencze, D. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Simulated propeller slipstream effects on a supercritical wing

To quantify the installed performance of high speed (M = 0.8) turboprop propulsion systems, an experimental program designed to assess the magnitude of the aerodynamic interference of a propeller slipstream on a supercritical wing has been conducted. The test was conducted in the NASA Ames 14-foot wind tunnel. An ejector-nacelle propeller slipstream simulator was used to produce a slipstream with characteristics typical of advanced propellers presently being investigated. A supercritical wing-body configuration was used to evaluate the interference effects. A traversing total pressure rake was used to make flow field measurements behind the wing and to calibrate the slipstream simulator. The force results indicated that the interference drag amounted to an increase of ten counts or about 3% of the wing-body drag for a two engine configuration at the nominal propeller operating conditions. However, at the higher swirl angles (11 deg vs. 7 deg nominally) the interference drag was favorable by about the same magnitude.

Welge, H. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Wind tunnel and analytical investigation of over-the-wing propulsion/air frame interferences for a short-haul aircraft at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.78

Results of analytical calculations and wind tunnel tests at cruise speeds of a representative four engine short haul aircraft employing upper surface blowing (USB) with a supercritical wing are discussed. Wind tunnel tests covered a range of Mach number M from 0.6 to 0.78. Tests explored the use of three USB nozzle configurations. Results are shown for the isolated wing body and for each of the three nozzle types installed. Experimental results indicate that a low angle nacelle and streamline contoured nacelle yielded the same interference drag at the design Mach number. A high angle powered lift nacelle had higher interference drag primarily because of nacelle boattail low pressures and flow separation. Results of varying the spacing between the nacelles and the use of trailing edge flap deflections, wing upper surface contouring, and a convergent-divergent nozzle to reduce potential adverse jet effects were also discussed. Analytical comparisons with experimental data, made for selected cases, indicate favorable agreement.

Wells, O. D.↗