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At least 199 records · Page 11

Aeroacoustics: Fan noise and control; Duct acoustics; Rotor noise

The recent progress in duct acoustic research is reflected by fourteen papers which cover essentially the areas of linear duct acoustics, the characteristics of absorbent materials, and nonlinear duct acoustics. With respect to propagation in ducts, emphasis is placed on computational methods aimed at attaining effective economical modeling of propagation in variable-geometry and in hard-wall or soft-wall ducts. Computational methods developed to reduce computer processing and storage requirements are outlined, along with a wave envelope technique for reducing processing and storage needs. The latter technique is applied to the optimum segmented acoustic duct linear design. A finite difference technique is used in combination with conformal mapping to compute the optimum multisection duct linear design.

Schwartz, I. R.↗

Flight experience with a digital integrated propulsion control system on an F-111E airplane

A digital integrated propulsion control system (IPCS) installed in the left side of an F-111 E aircraft was tested in flight. The F-111 aircraft was selected for the IPCS program because it incorporated a variable geometry inlet and an afterburning turbofan engine and had two engines, one of which could remain in the normal configuration to ensure flight safety. Flight data were compared with results of tests run in an altitude test chamber. The digital system was found to be capable of duplicating the standard engine and inlet control systems. Instabilities such as inlet buzz and afterburner rumble were detected and controlled. The usefulness of an altitude chamber for developing a software and testing hardware was proven. The flexibility of IPCS was demonstrated when an autothrottle, an in-flight thrust calculation, and a coannular noise study capability were added at the end of the flight tests.

Burcham, F. W., Jr.↗

An Analytical Study for Subsonic Oblique Wing Transport Concept

The oblique wing concept has been investigated for subsonic transport application for a cruise Mach number of 0.95. Three different mission applications were considered and the concept analyzed against the selected mission requirements. Configuration studies determined the best area of applicability to be a commercial passenger transport mission. The critical parameter for the oblique wing concept was found to be aspect ratio which was limited to a value of 6.0 due to aeroelastic divergence. Comparison of the concept final configuration was made with fixed winged configurations designed to cruise at Mach 0.85 and 0.95. The crossover Mach number for the oblique wing concept was found to be Mach 0.91 for takeoff gross weight and direct operating cost. Benefits include reduced takeoff distance, installed thrust and mission block fuel and improved community noise characteristics. The variable geometry feature enables the final configuration to increase range by 10% at Mach 0.712 and to increase endurance by as much as 44%.

Bradley, E. S.↗

Advanced supersonic propulsion study, phase 3

The variable stream control engine is determined to be the most promising propulsion system concept for advanced supersonic cruise aircraft. This concept uses variable geometry components and a unique throttle schedule for independent control of two flow streams to provide low jet noise at takeoff and high performance at both subsonic and supersonic cruise. The advanced technology offers a 25% improvement in airplane range and an 8 decibel reduction in takeoff noise, relative to first generation supersonic turbojet engines.

Howlett, R. A.↗

Simulator study of the low-speed handling qualities of a supersonic cruise arrow-wing transport configuration during approach and landing

A fixed-based simulator study was conducted to determine the low-speed flight characteristics of an advanced supersonic cruise transport having an arrow wing, a horizontal tail, and four dry turbojets with variable geometry turbines. The primary piloting task was the approach and landing. The statically unstable (longitudinally) subject configuration has unacceptable low-speed handling qualities with no augmentation. Therefore, a hardened stability augmentation system is required to achieve acceptable handling qualities, should the normal operational stability and control augmentation system fail. In order to achieve satisfactory handling qualities, considerable augmentation was required.

Grantham, W. D.↗

Evaluation of a staged fuel combustor for turboprop engines

Proposed EPA emission regulations require emission reduction by 1979 for various gas turbine engine classes. Extensive combustion technology advancements are required to meet the proposed regulations. The T56 turboprop engine requires CO, UHC, and smoke reduction. A staged fuel combustor design was tested on a combustion rig to evaluate emission reduction potential in turboprop engines from fuel zoning. The can-type combustor has separately fueled-pilot and main combustion zones in series. The main zone fueling system was arranged for potential incorporation into the T56 with minor or no modifications to the basic engine. Three combustor variable geometry systems were incorporated to evaluate various airflow distributions. Emission results with fixed geometry operation met all proposed EPA regulations over the EPA LTO cycle. CO reduction was 82 percent, UHC reduction was 96 percent, and smoke reduction was 84 percent. NOx increased 14 percent over the LTO cycle. At high power, NOx reduction was 40 to 55 percent. This NOx reduction has potential application to stationary gas turbine powerplants which have different EPA regulations.

Verdouw, A. J.↗

A review of advanced rotor research

This paper reviews advanced-rotor concepts including the advancing blade concept, the circulation control rotor, the X-wing rotor, the variable diameter rotor, the hingeless tilt rotor, the bearingless main rotor, the composite structures rotor, the variable geometry rotor, the multicyclic controllable pitch rotor, the multicyclic controllable twist rotor, and the live twist rotor. The rotor concepts are discussed in terms of performance (cruise speed, and lift/drag ratio) and dynamic loads and vibration.

Kelly, M. W.↗

Advanced supersonic propulsion study, phase 4

Installation characteristics for a Variable Stream Control Engine (VSCE) were studied for three advanced supersonic airplane designs. Sensitivity of the VSCE concept to change in technology projections was evaluated in terms of impact on overall installed performance. Based on these sensitivity results, critical technology requirements were reviewed, resulting in the reaffirmation of the following requirements: low-noise nozzle system; a high performance, low emissions duct burner and main burner; hot section technology; variable geometry components; and propulsion integration features, including an integrated electronic control system.

Howlett, R. A.↗

Performance of twin two-dimensional wedge nozzles including thrust vectoring and reversing effects at speeds up to Mach 2.20

Transonic tunnel and supersonic pressure tunnel tests were reformed to determine the performance characteristics of twin nonaxisymmetric or two-dimensional nozzles with fixed shrouds and variable-geometry wedges. The effects of thrust vectoring, reversing, and installation of various tails were also studied. The investigation was conducted statically and at flight speeds up to a Mach number of 2.20. The total pressure ratio of the simulated jet exhaust was varied up to approximately 26 depending on Mach number. The Reynolds number per meter varied up to 13.20 x 1 million. An analytical study was made to determine the effect on calculated wave drag by varying the mathematical model used to simulate nozzle jet-exhaust plume.

Capone, F. J.↗

ENGINEL: A single rotor turbojet engine cycle match performance program

ENGINEL is a computer program which was developed to generate the design and off-design performance of a single rotor turbojet engine with or without afterburning using a cycle match procedure. It is capable of producing engine performance over a wide range of altitudes and Mach numbers. The flexibility, of operating with a variable geometry turbine, for improved off-design fuel consumption or with a fixed geometry turbine as in conventional turbojets, has been incorporated. In addition, the option of generation engine performance with JP4, liquid hydrogen or methane as fuel is provided.

Lovell, W. A.↗

Automotive gas turbine fuel control

A fuel control system is reported for automotive-type gas turbines and particulary advanced gas turbines utilizing variable geometry components to improve mileage and reduce pollution emission. The fuel control system compensates for fuel density variations, inlet temperature variations, turbine vane actuation, acceleration, and turbine braking. These parameters are utilized to control various orifices, spool valves and pistons.

Gold, H.↗

Exploratory wind-tunnel investigation of the effect of the main rotor wake on tail rotor noise

Approaches to minimizing the noise generated by the interaction of the tail rotor blades with the wake of the main rotor considered include repositioning of the tail rotor with respect to the main rotor, changes in the rotational direction of the tail rotor, and modification of the main rotor tip vortex. A variable geometry model was built which had the capability of varying tail rotor position relative to the main rotor as well as direction of tail rotor rotation. Acoustic data taken from the model in the Langley anechoic noise facility indicates interaction effects due to both main rotor shed vortex and the main rotor turbulence.

Pegg, R. J.↗

Pollution Reduction Technology Program for Small Jet Aircraft Engines, Phase 2

A series of iterative combustor pressure rig tests were conducted on two combustor concepts applied to the AiResearch TFE731-2 turbofan engine combustion system for the purpose of optimizing combustor performance and operating characteristics consistant with low emissions. The two concepts were an axial air-assisted airblast fuel injection configuration with variable-geometry air swirlers and a staged premix/prevaporization configuration. The iterative rig testing and modification sequence on both concepts was intended to provide operational compatibility with the engine and determine one concept for further evaluation in a TFE731-2 engine.

Bruce, T. W.↗

An aerodynamic analysis of several hypersonic research airplane concepts from M = 0.2 to 6.0

Several conceptual hypersonic research airplanes, designed within the constraints of a B-52 launch aircraft, have been studied experimentally and analytically at Mach numbers from 0.2 to 6.0. Vehicles built to these criteria for Mach 6 cruise were shown to be feasible, if careful attention was paid to the low speed lift, drag, and high angle of attack stability to assure successful landings and transonic pitch angle maneuvers. The integrated scramjet engine drag was high at subsonic speeds and appears to be constant with Reynolds number. The variable geometry airfoil used previously to improve directional stability was shown to be equally adaptable to the improvement of longitudinal stability. The vortex lattice theory gave good subsonic predictions of lift, drag due to lift, and pitching moments. Wind tunnel tests must be relied on for the drag at zero lift, trim, static margins and lateral-directional stability. The Gentry Hypersonic Arbitrary Body Program gave good predictions of the trends of lift, drag, and pitching moments with angle of attack at Mach numbers above 3, but the level of the values were not consistently predicted. No currently available theory or program gave accurate predictions of directional stability or dihedral effects at hypersonic speeds.

Penland, J. A.↗

Lean, premixed, prevaporized combustor conceptual design study

The seven month study program has the objective to identify and evaluate promising lean, premixed, prevaporized combustor concepts utilizing variable geometry and/or other flow control techniques. The general approach taken to accomplish this objective is outlined and consists of combustor design, design analysis and design ranking. The schedule being taken to achieve this program is shown. Although the ultimate goal of this program is the significant reduction of cruise oxides of nitrogen, both the EPA emission standards and combustor performance levels outlined are retained as goals as well.

Fiorentino, A. J.↗

Lean, premixed, prevaporized combustor conceptual design study

Phase 1 of the Lean Premixed-Prevaporized Comubstor Design Study is a nine month analytical study effort with no experimental or testing activities included. The program has the objective to design and analyze advanced combustor concepts with features for fuel premixing and prevaporization upstream of the combustion zone for use in future subsonic aircrafts with features for fuel premixing and prevaporization upstream of the combustion zone for use in future subsonic aircraft engines. All of the designs also embody some form of variable geometry for combustor flow modulation. The primary criterion for these designs is low oxides of nitrogen emissions at stratospheric cruise conditions. Four combustor concepts are being designed for the NASA/GE Energy Efficient Engine (EEE) envelope and cycle. Current status of the program is that the four concepts sized for the EEE were designed and are currently undergoing analysis and evaluation.

Ekstedt, E. E.↗

Multivariable control altitude demonstration on the F100 turbofan engine

The F100 Multivariable control synthesis (MVCS) program, was aimed at demonstrating the benefits of LGR synthesis theory in the design of a multivariable engine control system for operation throughout the flight envelope. The advantages of such procedures include: (1) enhanced performance from cross-coupled controls, (2) maximum use of engine variable geometry, and (3) a systematic design procedure that can be applied efficiently to new engine systems. The control system designed, under the MVCS program, for the Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine is described. Basic components of the control include: (1) a reference value generator for deriving a desired equilibrium state and an approximate control vector, (2) a transition model to produce compatible reference point trajectories during gross transients, (3) gain schedules for producing feedback terms appropriate to the flight condition, and (4) integral switching logic to produce acceptable steady-state performance without engine operating limit exceedance.

Lehtinen, B.↗

Effect of nose bluntness and afterbody shape on aerodynamic characteristics of a monoplanar missile concept with bodies of circular and elliptical cross sections at a Mach number of 2.50

The tests were performed at a Mach number of 2.50 and at angles of attack from about -4 deg to 32 deg. The results indicate that increasing nose bluntness increases zero lift drag and decreases both the maximum lift-drag ratio and the level of directional stability. The center of pressure generally moves forward with increasing nose size; however, small nose radii on the modified elliptical configurations move the center of pressure rearward. The circular bodied configurations exhibit the greatest longitudinal stability and the least directional stability. Concepts with the variable geometry afterbody contour display the most directional stability and the greatest zero lift drag.

Graves, E. B.↗