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At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1942

Electrical equipment for the experimental study of the dynamics of fluids

This report contains the description of electric anemometers and their application to the study of turbulent fluid flows, of electric tanks for the realization of the analogies between electrology and aerodynamics and their application to the study of varied technical problems, and lastly of the electric condenser type dynamometer and its application to the prediction of the aerodynamic forces on wing and airplane models in wind-tunnel tests and in controlled and spontaneous rotations.

Ferrari, Carlo↗
NASA NTRS1941

Boundary layer removal by suction

Flight-test data and wind-tunnel data on suction profiles are substantially in agreement. The lift values found in the model test can be actually flown and used as a basis for the design. To visualize the action of the suction, the flow conditions with and without suction on the upper surface were photographed; figures 12 to 15 are sections of the film.

Schrenk, O↗
NASA NTRS1938

A New Spinning-test Method

This report contains a description of a new spinning-test arrangement wherein the otherwise customary rotation of the model about a fixed axis is abandoned in favor of a corresponding rotation of the air stream. The advantage of this method lies in the fact that the model is at rest while the spin is recorded. In this manner it is possible to secure systematic results with little loss of time while employing 3- or 6-component wind-tunnel balances. The troublesome equalization of the mass forces is eliminated and the flow phenomena are accessible to direct observation.

Kramer, M↗
NASA NTRS1935

The interdependence of profile drag and lift with Joukowski type and related airfoils

On the basis of a systematic investigation of Gottingen wind-tunnel data on Joukowski type and related airfoils, it is shown in what manner the profile drag coefficient is dependent on the lift coefficient. The individual factors for the construction of the profile drag polars are given. They afford a more accurate calculation of the performance coefficients of airplane designs than otherwise attainable with the conventional assumption of constant drag coefficient.

Muttray, H↗
NASA NTRS1933

Aerodynamic Forces and Moments of a Seaplane on the Water

This report gives the results of wind-tunnel tests with a seaplane model as a contribution to the solution of the aerodynamic problems. In the tests it was assumed that the seaplane rested motionless on the water and was exposed, in various positions with respect to the supposedly flat surface of the water, to a uniform air current 0 to 360 degrees.

Kohler, M↗
NASA NTRS1933

The effect of a gap between elevator and stabilizer on the static stability and maneuverability about the lateral axis in flight

A number of German airplanes have a gap between elevator and stabilizer. The effect of this open space is not generally known, although English wind-tunnel experiments have shown that even a very small gap exerts a profound influence on the elevator action. The purpose of the present free-flight measurements is to ascertain whether fairing over the gap would actually result in an appreciable improvement.

Hubner, Walter↗
NASA NTRS1932

Experimental determination of the thickness of the boundary layer along a wing section

The thickness and course of the boundary layer were measured in flight, in order to determine whether the relations on an airplane and on a shop-made wing can be brought into agreement with the results of wind-tunnel tests and Horst Muller's calculations of the thickness of the boundary layer, as developed from Karman's integral equation for the boundary layer.

Cuno, Otto↗
NASA NTRS1932

Increase in the maximum lift of an airplane wing due to a sudden increase in its effective angle of attack resulting from a gust

Wind-tunnel tests are described, in which the angle of attack of a wing model was suddenly increased (producing the effect of a vertical gust) and the resulting forces were measured. It was found that the maximum lift coefficient increases in proportion to the rate of increase in the angle of attack. This fact is important for the determination of the gust stresses of airplanes with low wing loading. The results of the calculation of the corrective factor are given for a high-performance glider and a light sport plane of conventional type.

Kramer, Max↗
NASA NTRS1932

Problems concerning the stability and maneuverability of airplanes

The stability of an airplane can be easily determined by wind-tunnel tests, especially by simple tests with models mounted wind-vane fashion. However, each stability curve plotted by this method is valid only for a certain setting of the corresponding control surface, i.e., it characterizes the stability of the airplane with the control stick in a given position. The problems thus defined are studied from the point of view of longitudinal and transverse stability. Directional stability is not included in this study.

Biche, Jean↗
NASA NTRS1931

The dangerous flat spin and the factors affecting it

This report deals first with the fundamental data required for the investigation. These are chiefly the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on an airplane in a flat spin. It is shown that these forces and moments depend principally on the angle of attack and on the rotation about the path axis, and can therefore either be measured in a wind tunnel or calculated from wind-tunnel measurements of lift, drag and moment about the leading edge of the wing of an airplane model at rest. The lift, drag and moments about the span axis are so greatly altered by the rapid rotation in a flat spin, that they can no longer be regarded as independent of rotation. No substantial change in the angles of attack and glide occurring in a flat spin is involved. The cross-wind force, as compared with the lift and drag, can be disregarded in a flat spin.

Fuchs, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1942

Aerodynamics of the Fuselage

The present report deals with a number of problems, particularly with the interaction of the fuselage with the wing and tail, on the basis of simple calculating method's derived from greatly idealized concepts. For the fuselage alone it affords, in variance with potential theory, a certain frictional lift in yawed flow, which, similar to the lift of a wing of small aspect ratio, is no longer linearly related to the angle of attack. Nevertheless there exists for this frictional lift something like a neutral stability point the position of which on oblong fuselages appears to be associated with the lift increase of the fuselage in proximity to the zero lift, according to the present experiments. The Pitching moments of the fuselage can be determined with comparatively great reliability so far as the flow conditions in the neighborhood of the axis of the fuselage can be approximated if the fuselage were absent, which, in general, is not very difficult. For the unstable contribution of the fuselage to the static longitudinal stability of the airplane it affords comparatively simple formulas, the evaluation of which offers little difficulty. On the engine nacelles there is, in addition a very substantial wing moment contribution induced by the nonuniform distribution of the transverse displacement flow of the nacelle along the wing chord; this also can be represented by a simple formula. A check on a large number of dissimilar aircraft types regarding the unstable fuselage and nacelle moments disclosed an agreement with the wind-tunnel tests, which should be sufficient for practical requirements. The errors remained throughout within the scope of instrumental accuracy.

Multhopp, H.↗
NASA NTRS1950

Tests of a Northrop XSSM-A-3 Missile in the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel: Stability and Control

This report presents the results of wind-tunnel force tests which were conducted to determine the low-speed stability and control characteristics of a full-scale Northrop XSSM-A-3 missile. Tests were made through a range of angles of attack, sideslip, and control deflection, and at various Reynolds numbers. Characteristics of the complete missile are compared with the characteristics of the missile with the landing skids extended, with the vertical tail removed, and with the fuselage alone. No analysis of the data has been made in order to make the results available as soon as possible.

Maki, Ralph L.↗
NASA NTRS1940

Full-Scale Tests of Several Propellers Equipped with Spinners, Cuffs, Airfoil and Round Shanks, and NACA 16-Series Sections, Special Report

Wind-tunnel tests of several propeller, cuff, and spinner combinations were conducted in the 20 foot propeller-research tunnel. Three propellers, which ranged in diameter from 8.4 to 11.25 feet, were tested at the front end of a streamline body incorporating spinners of two diameters. The tests covered a blade angle range from 20 deg to 65 deg. The effect of spinner diameter and propeller cuffs on the characteristics of one propeller was determined. Test were also conducted using a propeller which incorporated aerodynamically good shank sections and using one which incorporated the NACA 16 series sections for the outer 20 percent of the blades. Compressibility effects were not measured, owing to the low testing speeds. The results indicated that a conventional propeller was slightly more efficient when tested in conjunction with a 28 inch diameter spinner than with a 23 inch spinner, and that cuffs increased the efficiency as well as the power absorption characteristics. A propeller having good aerodynamic shanks was found to be definitely superior from the efficiency standpoint to a conventional round-shank propeller with or without cuffs; this propeller would probably be considered structurally impracticable, however. The propeller incorporating the NACA 16 series sections at the tims were found to have a slightly higher efficiency than a conventional propeller; the take-off characteristics appeared to be equally good. The effects noted above probably would be accentuated at helical speeds at which compressibility effects would enter.

Biermann, David↗
NASA NTRS1939

Preliminary Model Tests of a Wing-Duct Cooling System for Radial Engines, Special Report

Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on a model wing-nacelle combination to determine the practicability of cooling radial engines by forcing the cooling air into wing-duct entrances located in the propeller slipstream, passing the air through the engine baffles from rear to front, and ejecting the air through an annular slot near the front of the nacelle. The tests, which were of a preliminary nature, were made on a 5-foot-chord wing and a 20-inch-diameter nacelle. A 3-blade, 4-foot-diameter propeller was used. The tests indicated that this method of cooling and cowling radial engines is entirely practicable providing the wing of the prospective airplane is sufficiently thick to accommodate efficient entrance ducts , The drag of the cowlings tested was definitely less than for the conventional N.A.C.A. cowling, and the pressure available at low air speed corresponding to operation on the ground and at low flying speeds was apparently sufficient for cooling most present-day radial engines.

Biermann, David↗
NASA NTRS1939

Preliminary Tests of Blowers of Three Designs Operating in Conjunction with a Wing-Duct Cooling System for Radial Engines, Special Report

This paper is one of several dealing with methods intended to reduce the drag of present-day radial engine installations and improve the cooling at zero and low air speeds, The present paper describes model wind-tunnel tests of blowers of three designs tested in conjunction with a wing-nacelle combination. The principle of operation involved consists of drawing cooling air into ducts located in the wing root at the point of maximum slipstream velocity, passing the air through the engine baffles from rear to front, and exhausting the air through an annular slot located between the propeller and the engine with the aid of a blower mounted on the spinner. The test apparatus consisted essentially of a stub wing having a 5-foot chord and a 15-foot span, an engine nacelle of 20 inches diameter enclosing a 25-horsepower electric motor, and three blowers mounted on propeller spinners. Two of the blowers utilize centrifugal force while the other uses the lift from airfoils to force the air out radially through the exit slot. Maximum efficiencies of over 70 percent were obtained for the system as a whole. Pressures were measured over the entire flight range which were in excess of those necessary to cool present-day engines, The results indicated that blowers mounted on propeller spinners could be built sufficiently powerful and efficient to warrant their use as the only, or chief, means of forcing air through the cooling system, so that cooling would be independent of the speed of the airplane.

Biermann, David↗
NASA NTRS1941

A Remote Indicating Hinge-Moment Balance, Special Report

This report describes an electrical hinge-moment balance for use with wind-tunnel models of aircraft. A brief description of the principle of operation and operating experience with the balance is given in part I. Part II gives constructional details and part III gives theoretical considerations. Extensive constructional information is given to enable the reproduction of the equipment.

Stoller, Morton J.↗
NASA NTRS1943

New Research on the Cowling and Cooling of Radial Engines

An extensive series of wind-tunnel tests on a half-scale conventional, nacelle model were made by the United Aircraft Corporation to determine and correlate the effects of many variables on cooling air flow and nacelle drag. The primary investigation was concerned with the reaction of these factors to varying conditions ahead of, across, and behind the engine. In the light of this investigation, common misconceptions and factors which are frequently overlooked in the cooling and cowling of radial engines are considered in some detail. Data are presented to support certain design recommendations and conclusions which should lead toward the improvement of present engine installations. Several charts are included to facilitate the estimation of cooling drag, available cooling pressure, and cowl exit area.

Molloy, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1941

Progress Report on Cowlings for Air-Cooled Engines Investigated in the NACA 19-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel

At the present time there is considerable demand for improvement in the aerodynamic characteristics of cowlings for radial air-cooled aircraft engines. During the past year, numerous cowling arrangements have been investigated in various departments of the NACA laboratory. Although a few full-scale investigation have been carried out, most of the studies have been preliminary in nature and have been confined to the investigation of model arrangement in wind tunnels. Because of the existing national emergency it appears advisable to release immediately to the aircraft industry the information available on the more promising of the arrangements that have been studied. An investigation having as its aim the improvement in performance and flying qualities of single-engine air-cooled military pursuit airplanes is being conducted in the NACA 10-foot pressure wind tunnel. As a part of that investigation, studies have been made of the relative merits of a conventional NACA open-nose cowling arrangement and of a less conventional but better streamline NACA high-speed cowling arrangement in which the cooling air enters the cowling through an opening ahead of the propeller, passes internally through an element of the cowling which rotates with the propeller, and thence past the engine cylinders to the exit at the rear of the engine. These investigations indicate that at airplane speeds of around 400 miles per hour there is not a great deal to be gained in high-speed performance through the application of the latter cowling arrangement, but at speeds in excess of about 450 miles per hour a very appreciable gain is indicated. Present indications are that improved engine cooling can be obtained throughout the speed range as well as ground cooling through the use of the high-speed cowling. This paper summarizes the results obtained from wind-tunnel tests of models of the two cowling arrangements.

McHugh, James G.↗