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At least 235 records · Page 13

Aeroelastic Stability Assessment Methodology and Application to Slat Noise Treatments on the High-Lift Common Research Model

This work supports a larger effort at NASA to reduce airframe noise and, thus, environmental noise around airports. The leading-edge slat of conventional high-lift systems is a prominent source of airframe noise, and two technologies were previously identified as promising for noise reduction without significant aerodynamic or weight penalty: the slat cove filler (SCF) and the slat gap filler (SGF). NASA fabricated a 10%-scale semispan aircraft model for wind tunnel testing based upon the High-Lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL). NASA embarked on a test campaign with the 10% CRM-HL to determine the noise reduction effectiveness and other performance metrics of 3D SCF and SGF treatments in flow conditions representative of flight. The highly flexible SCF and SGF treatments posed a risk to the model and aeroelastic instability would compromise research integrity, so aeroelastic stability assessment was required. This work briefly describes the 10% CRM-HL, design of the SCF and SGF treatments to the model, and supporting fluid structure interaction (FSI) research. Relations for static and dynamic aeroelastic similitude are then developed for convenience of reference, and simplifications are introduced of particular utility to the cases considered in this study. The similitude relations are employed to assess the stability of the treatments under wind tunnel flow conditions based upon known behaviors from the supporting research. It is shown that the treatments are safe for test under the anticipated wind tunnel flow conditions with significant margins/factors of safety. It is furthermore demonstrated that the SCF is more susceptible to aeroelastic instability than the SGF, which has implications for flight feasibility.

Similitude↗

Simulation of flight test conditions in the Langley pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel

The theory and advantages of the cryogenic tunnel concept are briefly reviewed. The unique ability to vary temperature independently of pressure and Mach number allows, in addition to large reductions in model loads and tunnel power, the independent determination of Reynolds number, Mach number, and aeroelastic effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of the model. Various combinations of Reynolds number and dynamic pressure are established to represent accurately flight variations of aeroelastic deformation with altitude changes. The consequences of the thermal and caloric imperfections of the test gas under cryogenic conditions were examined and found to be insignificant for operating pressures up to 5 atm. The characteristics of the Langley pilot transonic cryogenic tunnel are described and the results of initial tunnel operation are presented. Tests of a two-dimensional airfoil at a Mach number of 0.85 show identical pressure distributions for a chord Reynolds number of 8,600,000 obtained first at a stagnation pressure of 4.91 atm at a stagnation temperature of 322.0 K and then at a stagnation pressure of 1.19 atm at a stagnation temperature of 116.5 K.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

Ritz Procedure for COSMIC/NASTRAN

An analysis procedure has been developed and incorporated into COSMIC/NASTRAN that permits large dynamic degree of freedom models to be processed accurately with little or no extra effort required by the user. The method employs existing capabilities without the need for approximate Guyan reduction techniques. Comparisons to existing solution procedures presently within NASTRAN are discussed.

Citerley, R. L.↗

Dynamically stratified Monte Carlo forecasting

A new method for performing Monte Carlo forecasts is introduced. The method, called dynamic stratification, selects initial perturbations based on a stratification of the error distribution. A simple implementation is presented in which the error distribution used for the stratification is estimated from a linear model derived from a large ensemble of 12-h forecasts with the full dynamic model. The stratification thus obtained is used to choose a small subsample of initial states with which to perform the dynamical Monte Carlo forecasts. Several test cases are studied using a simple two-level general circulation model with uncertain initial conditions. It is found that the method provides substantial reductions in the sampling error of the forecast mean and variance when compared to the more traditional approach of choosing the initial perturbations at random. The degree of improvement, however, is sensitive to the nature of the initial error distribution and to the base state. In practice the method may be viable only if the computational burden involved in obtaining an adequate estimate of the error distribution is shared with the data-assimilation procedure.

Schubert, Siegfried↗

Shock Wave Dynamics in Weakly Ionized Plasmas

An investigation of the dynamics of shock waves in weakly ionized argon plasmas has been performed using a pressure ruptured shock tube. The velocity of the shock is observed to increase when the shock traverses the plasma. The observed increases cannot be accounted for by thermal effects alone. Possible mechanisms that could explain the anomalous behavior include a vibrational/translational relaxation in the nonequilibrium plasma, electron diffusion across the shock front resulting from high electron mobility, and the propagation of ion-acoustic waves generated at the shock front. Using a turbulence model based on reduced kinetic theory, analysis of the observed results suggest a role for turbulence in anomalous shock dynamics in weakly ionized media and plasma-induced hypersonic drag reduction.

Johnson, Joseph A., III↗

A Multi-Satellite Framework to Rapidly Evaluate Extreme Biosphere Cascades: The Western US 2021 Drought and Heatwave

The increasing frequency and intensity of climate extremes and complex ecosystem responses motivate the need for integrated observational studies at low-latency to determine biosphere responses and carbon-climate feedbacks. Here, we develop a satellite-based rapid attribution workflow and demonstrate its use at a 1–2-month latency to attribute drivers of the carbon cycle feedbacks during the 2020-2021 Western US drought and heatwave. In the first half of 2021, concurrent negative photosynthesis anomalies and large positive column CO 2 anomalies were detected with satellites. Using a simple atmospheric mass balance approach, we estimate a surface carbon efflux anomaly of 132 TgC in June 2021, a magnitude corroborated 28 independently with a dynamic global vegetation model. Integrated satellite observations of hydrologic processes, representing the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC), show that these surface carbon flux anomalies are largely due to substantial reductions in photosynthesis because of a spatially widespread moisture-deficit propagation through the SPAC between 2020 and 2021. A causal model indicates deep soil moisture stores partially drove photosynthesis, maintaining its values in 2020 and driving its declines throughout 2021. The causal model also suggests legacy effects may have amplified photosynthesis deficits in 2021 beyond the direct effects of environmental forcing. The integrated, observation framework presented here provides a valuable first assessment of a biosphere extreme response and an independent testbed for improving drought propagation and mechanisms in models. The rapid identification of extreme carbon anomalies and hotspots can also aid mitigation and adaptation decisions.

Causal model↗

Comparison of Dynamic Stability Testing Techniques with Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel

Dynamic stability testing techniques currently utilized at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) are conducted in multiple facilities and consists of free flight, forced oscillation, and free-to-oscillate tests. The MIT/NASA/ODU Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (MSBS) has been recommissioned to explore its utility as an additional facility to expand the dynamic stability test capabilities currently available at NASA LaRC. Simulations were created to replicate each current test facility and method as closely as possible. Data collected from the simulated environments was corrupted with replicated noise sources of the different testing environments and then compared to real data collected during tests when such data was available. The corrupted data was then passed through data reduction and System Identification (SID) to estimate the accuracy of the results with the known aerodynamic model that was utilized within the simulation to generate the original data. Magnitudes of noise were varied utilizing Monte Carlo analysis to perform sensitivity analysis of each noise source on the extracted dynamic stability coefficients. Some preliminary results will be presented.

Otoniel Ramirez↗

Comparison of Dynamic Stability Testing Techniques with Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel

Dynamic stability testing techniques currently utilized at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) are conducted in multiple facilities and consists of free flight, forced oscillation, and free-to-oscillate tests. The MIT/NASA/ODU Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (MSBS) has been recommissioned to explore its utility as an additional facility to expand the dynamic stability test capabilities currently available at NASA LaRC. Simulations were created to replicate each current test facility and method as closely as possible. Data collected from the simulated environments was corrupted with replicated noise sources of the different testing environments and then compared to real data collected during tests when such data was available. The corrupted data was then passed through data reduction and System Identification (SID) to estimate the accuracy of the results with the known aerodynamic model that was utilized within the simulation to generate the original data. Magnitudes of noise were varied utilizing Monte Carlo analysis to perform sensitivity analysis of each noise source on the extracted dynamic stability coefficients. Some preliminary results will be presented.

Otoniel Ramirez↗

Noise Reduction and Calibration for Aeroacoustic Loads from Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint

Unsteady pressure-sensitive paint (uPSP) is a significant new technology for high spatial resolution measurement of complex dynamic surface pressure loading on a wind tunnel model, to better define flight vehicle buffet and aeroacoustic loads. Compared with the very sparse surface pressure measurements of traditional sensors, the pressure sensitivity of uPSP light reflectivity provides a visual measure of surface pressure fluctuations over a wide area illuminated by high intensity light, captured by a high-speed digital camera. Panda et al (AIAA Journal, May 2019) have shown good data is recoverable up to 10 kHz. In cases where available uPSP luminescence is low for a painted wind tunnel test model, significant noise levels have been observed primarily due to the discrete photon arrival variability of low intensity light (termed “shot noise”). In this case, uPSP measurements can exhibit unusually low signal to noise ratio (SNR of 0.1 or less). This paper will report on latest work to recover calibrated uPSP measurements which are noise free over a useful dynamic range of 10-15 dB. It will be shown how the distinct spatial correlations of both the shot noise and the underlying aeroacoustic surface pressure play an important role in obtaining a reliable measurement.

pressure-sensitive paint↗

Design and test of three active flutter suppression controllers

Three flutter suppression control law design techniques are presented. Each uses multiple control surfaces and/or sensors. The first uses linear combinations of several accelerometer signals together with dynamic compensation to synthesize the modal rate of the critical mode for feedback to distributed control surfaces. The second uses traditional tools (pole/zero loci and Nyquist diagrams) to develop a good understanding of the flutter mechanism and produce a controller with minimal complexity and good robustness to plant uncertainty. The third starts with a minimum energy Linear Quadratic Gaussian controller, applies controller order reduction, and then modifies weight and noise covariance matrices to improve multi-variable robustness. The resulting designs were implemented digitally and tested subsonically on the Active Flexible Wing (AFW) wind tunnel model. Test results presented here include plant characteristics, maximum attained closed-loop dynamic pressure, and Root Mean Square control surface activity. A key result is that simultaneous symmetric and antisymmetric flutter suppression was achieved by the second control law, with a 24 percent increase in attainable dynamic pressure.

Christhilf, David M.↗

Variable CO2 laser attenuator

An infrared wavelength variable attenuator based on contra-rotating germanium wedges is examined theoretically. The device redirects the paths of internal reflections associated with an optical flat to avoid closely spaced parallel beams at the output. Complementary wedges separated by an air gap compose an optical flat which, when combined with a masking arrangement, restricts unwanted reflections. A model of the device was built and experimentally evaluated. The results compare favorably with the dynamic range of attenuation of 2 to 50 db from theoretical calculations, and show a substantial reduction in the etalon effect associated with pairs of optical flats.

Klein, B. J.↗

A reduced version of the NMC DERF 2 data set

The National Meterological Center (NMC) Dynamical Extended Range Forecast (DERF 2) data represents a major computational effort to better ascertain the potential for extended range forecasts and to develop a strategy for performing operational extended range forecasts using dynamical models. A major stumbling block for using this data has been the sheer volume of data that must be processed to perform even simple calculations. The product of the data reduction described is a manageable data set that fits comfortably on five magnetic tapes or on one compact disc. The document outlines the data reduction process of the second phase of DERF data. It contains the description of the fields and the resolution of both the original and final fields. In order to assist the users of this data set, maps of selected fields, using both the original truncation at rhomboidal 30 and the truncation of the final data at triangular 20, are displayed.

Schubert, Siegfried↗

Theoretical study of thermodynamic properties and reaction rates of importance in the high-speed research program

One of the primary goals of NASA's high-speed research program is to determine the feasibility of designing an environmentally safe commercial supersonic transport airplane. The largest environmental concern is focused on the amount of ozone destroying nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) that would be injected into the lower stratosphere during the cruise portion of the flight. The limitations placed on NO(x) emission require more than an order of magnitude reduction over current engine designs. To develop strategies to meet this goal requires first gaining a fundamental understanding of the combustion chemistry. To accurately model the combustor requires a computational fluid dynamics approach that includes both turbulence and chemistry. Since many of the important chemical processes in this regime involve highly reactive radicals, an experimental determination of the required thermodynamic data and rate constants is often very difficult. Unlike experimental approaches, theoretical methods are as applicable to highly reactive species as stable ones. Also our approximation of treating the dynamics classically becomes more accurate with increasing temperature. In this article we review recent progress in generating thermodynamic properties and rate constants that are required to understand NO(x) formation in the combustion process. We also describe our one-dimensional modeling efforts to validate an NH3 combustion reaction mechanism. We have been working in collaboration with researchers at LeRC, to ensure that our theoretical work is focused on the most important thermodynamic quantities and rate constants required in the chemical data base.

Langhoff, Stephen↗

Comparison of Experimental Surface and Flow Field Measurements to Computational Results of the Juncture Flow Model

Wing-body juncture flow fields on commercial aircraft configurations are challenging to compute accurately. The NASA Advanced Air Vehicle Program's juncture flow committee is designing an experiment to provide data to improve Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in the juncture flow region. Preliminary design of the model was done using CFD, yet CFD tends to over-predict the separation in the juncture flow region. Risk reduction wind tunnel tests were requisitioned by the committee to obtain a better understanding of the flow characteristics of the designed models. NASA Ames Research Center's Fluid Mechanics Lab performed one of the risk reduction tests. The results of one case, accompanied by CFD simulations, are presented in this paper. Experimental results suggest the wall mounted wind tunnel model produces a thicker boundary layer on the fuselage than the CFD predictions, resulting in a larger wing horseshoe vortex suppressing the side of body separation in the juncture flow region. Compared to experimental results, CFD predicts a thinner boundary layer on the fuselage generates a weaker wing horseshoe vortex resulting in a larger side of body separation.

Roozeboom, Nettie H.↗

Comparison of Experimental Surface and Flow Field Measurements to Computational Results of the Juncture Flow Model

Wing-body juncture flow fields on commercial aircraft configurations are challenging to compute accurately. The NASA Advanced Air Vehicle Program's juncture flow committee is designing an experiment to provide data to improve Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in the juncture flow region. Preliminary design of the model was done using CFD, yet CFD tends to over-predict the separation in the juncture flow region. Risk reduction wind tunnel tests were requisitioned by the committee to obtain a better understanding of the flow characteristics of the designed models. NASA Ames Research Center's Fluid Mechanics Lab performed one of the risk reduction tests. The results of one case, accompanied by CFD simulations, are presented in this paper. Experimental results suggest the wall mounted wind tunnel model produces a thicker boundary layer on the fuselage than the CFD predictions, resulting in a larger wing horseshoe vortex suppressing the side of body separation in the juncture flow region. Compared to experimental results, CFD predicts a thinner boundary layer on the fuselage generates a weaker wing horseshoe vortex resulting in a larger side of body separation.

Roozeboom, Nettie H.↗

Quasi-biennial oscillations of ozone and diabatic circulation in the equatorial stratosphere

The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in ozone in the equatorial stratosphere is obtained by analyzing the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) data from 1984 to 1989. The phase of the ozone QBO in the lower stratosphere is found to precede the zonal wind QBO by several months as opposed to the theoretically expected in-phase relationship between the two. A mechanistic model is developed to explore possible reasons for this disagreement. The model is capable of simulating the actual time evolution of the ozone QBO by introducing the observed zonal wind profile as input. The modeled results confirm the conventional view that the ozone QBO is generated by the vertical ozone advection that is driven to maintain the temperature structure against radiative damping. However, a series of experiments emphasizes the importance of the feedback of the ozone QBO to the diabatic heating through the absorption of solar radiation. Due to this effect, the phase of the ozone QBO shifts up to a quarter cycle ahead and approaches that of the temperature QBO. Because of this inphase relationship, the feedback of the ozone QBO to the diabatic heating acts to compensate for the radiative damping of the temperature structure, thus reducing the magnitude of the induced diabatic circulation. Because the reduction of the magnitude of the vertical motion facilitates downward transport of easterly momentum by the mean flow, this feedback process can help to resolve the insufficiency of the easterly momentum in driving the dynamical QBO in general circulation models (GCMs). It should be emphasized that more sophisticated models that allow for full interaction between the chemical species and radiative and dynamical processes should be developed to improve our understanding of both dynamical and ozone QBOs.

Hasebe, Fumio↗

Two-dimensional dynamic stall as simulated in a varying freestream

A low speed wind tunnel equipped with a axial gust generator to simulate the aerodynamic environment of a helicopter rotor was used to study the dynamic stall of a pitching blade in an effort to ascertain to what extent harmonic velocity perturbations in the freestream affect dynamic stall. The aerodynamic moment on a two dimensional, pitching blade model in both constant and pulsating airstream was measured. An operational analog computer was used to perform on-line data reduction and plots of moment versus angle of attack and work done by the moment were obtained. The data taken in the varying freestream were then compared to constant freestream data and to the results of two analytical methods. These comparisons show that the velocity perturbations have a significant effect on the pitching moment which can not be consistently predicted by the analytical methods, but had no drastic effect on the blade stability.

Pierce, G. A.↗

Decennial Specialists' Meeting on Rotorcraft Dynamics, 2nd, Moffett Field, CA, November 7-9, 1984, Proceedings

Various papers on helicopter rotor technology are presented. The subjects considered include: ground resonance analysis using a substructure modelling approach, aerolastic stability of a bearingless rotor, experimentally determined flutter from two and three-bladed model bearingless rotors in hover, lifting surface theory for a helicopter rotor in forward flight, aeroelastic considerations for torsionally soft rotors, and restructuring of a rotor analysis program. Also discussed are: dynamic inflow and its effect on experimental correlations, flap-lag-torsion instability in forward flight, dynamic stability of a bearingless circulation control rotor blade in hover, dynamic response characteristics of a circulation control rotor model pneumatic system, the relations between vibratory loads and airframe vibrations, coupled rotor body vibrations with in-plane degrees of freedom, helicopter vibration reduction concepts.

Source record↗