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At least 181 records · Page 10

The effect of solidity on propeller normal force

Propeller normal force is a major contributor to pitch and yaw stability on propeller driven aircraft. While it is well known that propeller normal force is a function of the number of blades, there are no published data for the high numbers of blades that are used in the new designs such as the UDF. This paper presents the results of a test conducted in the NASA Langley 14- x 22-foot Subsonic Tunnel using a sting-mounted counter-rotation propeller and nacelle. The configurations tested were combinations of 0, 4, and 8 blades per hub. Tests were conducted for blade angle settings of 31.34, 36.34, and 41.34 deg over an angle-of-attack range from -10 to 90 deg and over a range of advance ratios from 0.8 to 1.4. The results show that propeller normal force varies with both solidity and angle of attack.

Dunham, Dana Morris↗

Human factors of flight-deck checklists: The normal checklist

Although the aircraft checklist has long been regarded as the foundation of pilot standardization and cockpit safety, it has escaped the scrutiny of the human factors profession. The improper use, or the non-use, of the normal checklist by flight crews is often cited as the probable cause or at least a contributing factor to aircraft accidents. An attempt is made to analyze the normal checklist, its functions, format, design, length, usage, and the limitations of the humans who must interact with it. The development of the checklist from the certification of a new model to its delivery and use by the customer are discussed. The influence of the government, particularly the FAA Principle Operations Inspector, the manufacturer's philosophy, the airline's culture, and the end user, the pilot, influence the ultimate design and usage of this device. The effects of airline mergers and acquisitions on checklist usage and design are noted. In addition, the interaction between production pressures and checklist usage and checklist management are addressed. Finally, a list of design guidelines for normal checklists is provided.

Degani, Asaf↗

Superfluid and normal fluid helium II in a rotating tank under low and microgravity environments

The physical behavior of superfluid and normal fluid helium II is discussed. It is shown that the centrifugal force due to a rotating container can never separate the superfluid from the normal fluid helium in a large rotating cylindrical spacecraft. A classical approach is appropriate for treating superfluid and normal fluid cryogenic helium as a mixture without separation in a large rotating cylinder in a spacecraft propellant systems.

Hung, R. J.↗

Composite fracture using the normal stress ratio theory

Experiments were performed on center-notched specimens of unidirectional AS4/3501-6 graphite-epoxy subjected to varied far-field loading conditions. Specimens tested include on-axis and off-axis tensile coupons and Iosipescu shear specimens, allowing the study of normal, shear, and combined far-field loading conditions. From the tests, the direction of initial crack extension and the far-field stresses at crack initiation and fracture are obtained. The normal stress ratio theory is subsequently applied within a macroscopic-level homogeneous anisotropic stress solution to predict the direction of crack extension, critical stresses, and other crack growth behavior for the experiments. Comparison between experimental results and theoretical predictions indicates that application of the normal stress ratio theory within a macroscopic-level stress analysis has significant potential as an approach to modeling composite crack growth.

Beuth, J. L., Jr.↗

Quaternion normalization in additive EKF for spacecraft attitude determination

This work introduces, examines and compares several quaternion normalization algorithms, which are shown to be an effective stage in the application of the additive extended Kalman filter to spacecraft attitude determination, which is based on vector measurements. Three new normalization schemes are introduced. They are compared with one another and with the known brute force normalization scheme, and their efficiency is examined. Simulated satellite data are used to demonstate the performance of all four schemes.

Bar-Itzhack, I. Y.↗

Quaternion normalization in additive EKF for spacecraft attitude determination

This work introduces, examines, and compares several quaternion normalization algorithms, which are shown to be an effective stage in the application of the additive extended Kalman filter (EKF) to spacecraft attitude determination, which is based on vector measurements. Two new normalization schemes are introduced. They are compared with one another and with the known brute force normalization scheme, and their efficiency is examined. Simulated satellite data are used to demonstrate the performance of all three schemes. A fourth scheme is suggested for future research. Although the schemes were tested for spacecraft attitude determination, the conclusions are general and hold for attitude determination of any three dimensional body when based on vector measurements, and use an additive EKF for estimation, and the quaternion for specifying the attitude.

Bar-Itzhack, I. Y.↗

Numerical investigations with a hybrid isentropic-sigma model. I - Normal-mode characteristics. II - The inclusion of moist processes

The normal-mode characteristics of baroclinically amplifying disturbances were numerically investigated in a series of adiabatic simulations by a hybrid isentropic-sigma model, demonstrating the effect of coupling an isentropic-coordinate free atmospheric domain with a sigma-coordinate PBL on the normal-mode characteristics. Next, the normal-mode model was modified by including a transport equation for water vapor and adiabatic heating by condensation. Simulations with and without a hydrological component showed that the overall effect of latent heat release is to markedly enhance cyclogenesis and frontogenesis.

Pierce, R. B.↗

An initial study of void formation during solidification of aluminum in normal and reduced-gravity

Void formation due to volumetric shrinkage during aluminum solidification was observed in real time using a radiographic viewing system in normal and reduced gravity. An end chill directional solidification furnace with water quench was developed to solidify aluminum samples during the approximately 16 seconds of reduced gravity (+/- 0.02g) achieved by flying an aircraft through a parabolic trajectory. Void formation was recorded for two cases: first a nonwetting system; and second, a wetting system where wetting occurs between the aluminum and crucible lid. The void formation in the nonwetting case is similar in normal and reduced gravity, with a single vapor cavity forming at the top of the crucible. In the wetting case in reduced gravity, surface tension causes two voids to form in the top corners of the crucible, but in normal gravity only one large voids forms across the top.

Chiaramonte, Francis P.↗

UV spectroscopy of Z Chamaeleontis. II - The 1988 January normal outburst

IUE observations taken during the 1988 January normal outburst of Z Cha are presented and a detailed comparison with the 1987 April superoutburst is made. The most important difference from the superoutburst is that the normal outburst continuum flux shows less than 10 percent orbital variation away from the eclipse, implying that there is no 'cool' bulge on the disk to occult the brighter inner disk periodically. The implications for the outburst mechanism in the types of outburst are discussed. The evolution of the continuum flux distribution and emission-line fluxes, the modulation of the continuum and line fluxes with orbital phase, and the behavior of the mideclipse spectral during normal outburst are investigated.

Harlaftis, E. T.↗

Using partially labeled data for normal mixture identification with application to class definition

The problem of estimating the parameters of a normal mixture density when, in addition to the unlabeled samples, sets of partially labeled samples are available is addressed. The density of the multidimensional feature space is modeled with a normal mixture. It is assumed that the set of components of the mixture can be partitioned into several classes and that training samples are available from each class. Since for any training sample the class of origin is known but the exact component of origin within the corresponding class is unknown, the training samples as considered to be partially labeled. The EM iterative equations are derived for estimating the parameters of the normal mixture in the presence of partially labeled samples. These equations can be used to combine the supervised and nonsupervised learning processes.

Shahshahani, Behzad M.↗

Investigation of an Underslung Normal-wedge Inlet at Free-stream Mach Numbers from 1.50 to 1.99

Two normal -wedge-inlet configurations (straight and sweptback splitter plates) were investigated in the Lewis 8- by 6-foot supersonic wind tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.50 to 1.99. Negligible differences occurred in the performances of the two normal-wedge inlets. In comparison with a previously tested scoop inlet, the normal-wedge configuration showed superior thrust-minus-drag characteristics at Mach 1.99. However the scoop inlet was better at Mach numbers of 1.80 and 1.50.

Vargo, Donald J↗

Effect of Normal Pressure on the Critical Compressive Stress of Curved Sheet

Results are presented of tests of two specimens tested to study the effect of normal pressure on the critical compressive stress for thin curved sheets. These specimens are designated by their respective rib spacings of 10 inches and 30 inches. The relationship between compressive stress and normal pressure at which buckles disappeared is independent of whether the buckles were made to disappear by increase of normal pressure or decrease of compressive stress. (author)

Rafel, Norman↗

Effect of Normal Pressure on the Critical Compressive and Shear Stress of Curved Sheet

Results are presented of tests of two sets of 20 curved-sheet specimens to determine the effect of normal pressure on the critical compressive and shear stress of curved sheets. It was found that normal pressure raised the critical compressive and shear stress of curved sheets except when outward bulging occurred in compression, in which case the critical stress was lowered by normal pressure. (author)

Rafel, Norman↗

Normal modes of the world's oceans: A numerical investigation using Proudman functions

The numerical modeling of the normal modes of the global oceans is addressed. The results of such modeling could be expected to serve as a guide in the analysis of observations and measurements intended to detect these modes. The numerical computation of normal modes of the global oceans is a field in which several investigations have obtained results during the past 15 years. The results seem to be model-dependent to an unsatisfactory extent. Some modeling areas, such as higher resolution of the bathymetry, inclusion of self-attraction and loading, the role of the Arctic Ocean, and systematic testing by means of diagnostic models are addressed. The results show that the present state of the art is such that a final solution to the normal mode problem still lies in the future. The numerical experiments show where some of the difficulties are and give some insight as to how to proceed in the future.

Sanchez, Braulio V.↗

A piloted simulation investigation of the normal load factor and longitudinal thrust required for air-to-air acquisition and tracking

A piloted simulation study was performed by the U.S. Army Aeroflighydynamics Directorate to develop insight into the maneuverability requirements for aggressive helicopter maneuvering tasks such as air-to-air combat. Both a conventional helicopter and a helicopter with auxiliary thrust were examined. The aircraft parameters of interest were the normal and longitudinal load factor envelopes. Of particular interest were the mission performance and handling qualities tradeoffs with the parameters of interest. Two air-to-air acquisition and tracking tasks and a return-to-cover task were performed to assess mission performance. Results indicate that without auxiliary thrust, the ownship normal load factor capability needs to match that of the adversary in order to provide satisfactory handling qualities. Auxiliary thrust provides significant handling qualities advantages and can be substituted to some extent for normal load factor capability. Auxiliary thrust levels as low as 0.2 thrust/weight can provide significant handling qualities advantages.

Whalley, Matthew S.↗

Receptivity of flat-plate boundary layer in a non-uniform free stream (vorticity normal to the plate)

Recent progress in both the linear and nonlinear aspects of stability theory has highlighted the importance of the receptivity problem. One of the most unclear aspects of receptivity study is the receptivity of boundary-layer flow normal to vortical disturbances. Some experimental and theoretical results permit the proposition that quasi-steady outer-flow vortical disturbances may trigger by-pass transition. In present work such interaction is investigated for vorticity normal to a leading edge. The interest in these types of vortical disturbances arise from theoretical work, where it was shown that small sinusoidal variations of upstream velocity along the spanwise direction can produce significant variations in the boundary-layer profile. In the experimental part of this work, such non-uniform flow was created and the laminar-turbulent transition in this flow was investigated. The experiment was carried out in a low-turbulence direct-flow wind tunnel T-361 at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). The non-uniform flow was produced by laminar or turbulent wakes behind a wire placed normal to the plate upstream of the leading edge. The theoretical part of the work is devoted to studying the unstable disturbance evolution in a boundary layer with strongly non-uniform velocity profiles similar to that produced by outer-flow vorticity. Specifically, the Tollmien-Schlichting wave development in the boundary layer flow with spanwise variations of velocity is investigated.

Kogan, M. N.↗

Ignition and Combustion Characteristics of Pure Bulk Metals: Normal-Gravity Test Results

An experimental apparatus has been designed for the study of bulk metal ignition under elevated, normal and reduced gravity environments. The present work describes the technical characteristics of the system, the analytical techniques employed, the results obtained from the ignition of a variety of metals subjected to normal gravity conditions and the first results obtained from experiments under elevated gravity. A 1000 W xenon short-arc lamp is used to irradiate the top surface of a cylindrical metal specimen 4 mm in diameter and 4 mm high in a quiescent pure-oxygen environment at 0.1 MPa. Iron, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, zinc, tin, and copper specimens are investigated. All these metals exhibit ignition and combustion behavior varying in strength and speed. Values of ignition temperatures below, above or in the range of the metal melting point are obtained from the temperature records. The emission spectra from the magnesium-oxygen gas-phase reaction reveals the dynamic evolution of the ignition event. Scanning electron microscope and x-ray spectroscopic analysis provide the sequence of oxide formation on the burning of copper samples. Preliminary results on the effect of higher-than-normal gravity levels on the ignition of titanium specimens is presented.

Abbud-Madrid, A.↗

Normal and Tangential Momentum Accommodation for Earth Satellite Conditions

Momentum accommodation was determined experimentally for gas-surface interactions simulating in a practical way those of near-earth satellites. Throughout the ranges of gas energies and incidence angles of interest for earth-conditions, two components of force were measured by means of a vacuum microbalance to determine the normal and tangential momentum-accommodation coefficients for nitrogen ions on technical-quality aluminum surfaces. For these experimental conditions, the electrodynamics of ion neutralization near the surface indicate that results for nitrogen ions should differ relatively little from those for nitrogen molecules, which comprise the largest component of momentum flux for near-earth satellites. The experimental results indicated that both normal and tangential momentum-accommodation coefficients varied widely with energy, tending to be relatively well accommodated at the higher energies, but becoming progressively less accommodated as the energy was reduced to and below that for earth-satellite speeds. Both coefficients also varied greatly with incidence angle, the normal momentum becoming less accommodated as the incidence angle became more glancing, whereas the tangential momentum generally became more fully accommodated. For each momentum coefficient, an empirical correlation function was obtained which closely approximated the experimental results over the ranges of energy and incidence angle. Most of the observed variations of momentum accommodation with energy and incidence angle were qualitatively indicated by a calculation using a three-dimensional model that simulated the target surface by a one-dimensional attractive potential and hard sphere reflectors.

Knechtel, Earl D.↗