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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1957

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Random Gust Loads Part I : Aerodynamic Transfer Function of a Simple Wing Configuration in Incompressible Flow

Sinusoidally oscillating downwash and lift produced on a simple rigid airfoil were measured and compared with calculated values. Statistically stationary random downwash and the corresponding lift on a simple rigid airfoil were also measured and the transfer functions between their power spectra determined. The random experimental values are compared with theoretically approximated values. Limitations of the experimental technique and the need for more extensive experimental data are discussed.

RESEARCH TECHNIQUE, AERODYNAMIC↗
NASA NTRS1958

Comparison of Calculated and Experimental Temperatures and Coolant Pressure Losses for a Cascade of Small Air-Cooled Turbine Rotor Blades

Average spanwise blade temperatures and cooling-air pressure losses through a small (1.4-in, span, 0.7-in, chord) air-cooled turbine blade were calculated and are compared with experimental nonrotating cascade data. Two methods of calculating the blade spanwise metal temperature distributions are presented. The method which considered the effect of the length-to-diameter ratio of the coolant passage on the blade-to-coolant heat-transfer coefficient and assumed constant coolant properties based on the coolant bulk temperature gave the best agreement with experimental data. The agreement obtained was within 3 percent at the midspan and tip regions of the blade. At the root region of the blade, the agreement was within 3 percent for coolant flows within the turbulent flow regime and within 10 percent for coolant flows in the laminar regime. The calculated and measured cooling-air pressure losses through the blade agreed within 5 percent. Calculated spanwise blade temperatures for assumed turboprop engine operating conditions of 2000 F turbine-inlet gas temperature and flight conditions of 300 knots at a 30,000-foot altitude agreed well with those obtained by the extrapolation of correlated experimental data of a static cascade investigation of these blades.

Stepka, Francis S↗
NASA NTRS1937

Experimental Investigation of Wind-Tunnel Interference on the Downwash Behind an Airfoil

The interference of the wind-tunnel boundaries on the downwash behind an airfoil has been experimentally investigated and the results have been compared with the available theoretical results for open-throat wind tunnels. As in previous studies, the simplified theoretical treatment that assumes the test section to be an infinite free jet has been shown to be satisfactory at the lifting line. The experimental results, however, show that this assumption may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the corrections to be applied to the downwash in the region behind the airfoil where the tail surfaces are normally located. The results of a theory based on the more accurate concept of the open-jet wind tunnel as a finite length of free jet provided with a closed exit passage are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results.

Silverstein, Abe↗
NASA NTRS1938

The experimental and calculated characteristics of 22 tapered wings

The experimental and calculated aerodynamic characteristics of 22 tapered wings are compared, using tests made in the variable-density wind tunnel. The wings had aspect ratios from 6 to 12 and taper ratios from 1:6:1 and 5:1. The compared characteristics are the pitching moment, the aerodynamic-center position, the lift-curve slope, the maximum lift coefficient, and the curves of drag. The method of obtaining the calculated values is based on the use of wing theory and experimentally determined airfoil section data. In general, the experimental and calculated characteristics are in sufficiently good agreement that the method may be applied to many problems of airplane design.

Anderson, Raymond F↗
NASA NTRS1952

Hydrodynamic Impact of a System with a Single Elastic Mode II : Comparison of Experimental Force and Response with Theory

Hydrodynamic impact tests were made on an elastic model approximating a two-mass spring system to determine experimentally the effects of structural flexibility on the hydrodynamic loads encountered during seaplane landing impacts and to correlate the results with theory. A flexible seaplane was represented by a two-mass spring system consisting of a rigid prismatic float connected to a rigid upper mass by an elastic structure. The model had a ratio of sprung mass to hull mass of 0.6 and a natural frequency of 3.0 cycles per second. The tests were conducted in smooth water at fixed trims and included both high and low flight-path angles and a range of velocity. Theoretical and experimental comparisons indicated that the theoretical results agreed well with the experimental results.

Miller, Robert W↗
NASA NTRS1952

Experimental Aerodynamic Derivatives of a Sinusoidally Oscillating Airfoil in Two-Dimensional Flow

Experimental measurements of the aerodynamic reactions on a symmetrical airfoil oscillating harmonically in a two-dimensional flow are presented and analyzed. Harmonic motions include pure pitch and pure translation, for several amplitudes and superimposed on an initial angle of attack, as well as combined pitch and translation. The apparatus and testing program are described briefly and the necessary theoretical background is presented. In general, the experimental results agree remarkably well with the theory, especially in the case of the pure motions. The net work per cycle for a motion corresponding to flutter is experimentally determined to be zero. Considerable consistent data for pure pitch were obtained from a search of available reference material, and several definite Reynolds number effects are evident.

Halfman, Robert L↗
NASA NTRS1954

Comparison of Performance of Experimental and Conventional Cage Designs and Materials for 75-millimeter-bore Cylindrical Roller Bearings at High Speed

The results of two investigations, one to determine the relative merits of four experimental and two conventional design 75-millimeter-bore (size 215) cylindrical roller bearings and one to determine the relative merits of nodular iron and bronze as cage materials for this size and type of bearing, are presented in this report. Nine test bearings were operated over a range of dn values (product of bearing bore in mm and shaft speed in r.p.m) from 0.3 x 10(6) to 2.3 x 20(6), radial loads for 7 to 1613 pounds, and oil flows from 2 to 8 pounds per minute with a single-jet circulatory oil feed. Of the six bearings used to evaluate designs, four were experimental types with outer-race-riding cages and inner-race-guided rollers, and two were conventional types, one with outer-race-guided rollers and cage and one with inner-race-guided rollers and cage. Each of these six test bearings was equipped with a different design cage made of nodular iron. The experimental combination of an outer-race-riding cage with a straight-through outer race and inner-race-guided rollers was found to give the best over-all performance based on limiting dn values and bearing temperatures.

Anderson, William J↗
NASA NTRS1956

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Tunnel Walls on the Forces on an Oscillating Airfoil in Two-Dimensional Subsonic Compressible Flow

This report presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of the effect of wind-tunnel walls on the air forces on an oscillating wing in two-dimensional subsonic compressible flow. A method of solving an integral equation which relates the downwash on a wing to the unknown loading is given, and some comparisons are made between the theoretical results and the experimental results. A resonance condition, which was predicted by theory in a previous report (NACA report 1150), is shown experimentally to exist. In addition, application of the analysis is made to a number of examples in order to illustrate the influence of walls due to variations in frequency of oscillation, Mach number , and ratio of tunnel height to wing semichord.

Runyan, Harry L↗
NASA NTRS1954

Experimental investigation of the forces and moments due to sideslip of a series of triangular vertical and horizontal tail combinations at Mach numbers

An experimental investigation was made at Mach numbers of 1.62, 1.93, and 2.41 of a series of tail combinations consisting of triangular vertical tail attached symmetrically to a triangular horizontal tail to determine the lateral force, yawing moment, and rolling moment due to sideslip. The apex angles of both the vertical- and horizontal-tail surfaces were varied systematically in order to obtain results for an appreciable range of operating conditions. The results of the investigation indicated that, for tails having subsonic leading edges and supersonic trailing edges, the lateral-force derivative and the yawing-moment derivative were predicted satisfactorily by the method presented in NACA TN 3071 except when the leading edges approach a sonic condition. The theoretical rolling-moment derivative was in fair agreement with the experimental derivative. For the limited tests in which both the leading and trailing edges were supersonic, the prediction of the lateral-force derivative and the yawing-moment derivative obtained from NACA TN 2412 was in good agreement with the experimental derivatives, whereas the prediction of the rolling-moment derivative was fair.

Coletti, Donald E↗
NASA NTRS1992

Experimental software engineering: Seventeen years of lessons in the SEL

Seven key principles developed by the Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are described. For the past 17 years, the SEL has been experimentally analyzing the development of production software as varying techniques and methodologies are applied in this one environment. The SEL has collected, archived, and studied detailed measures from more than 100 flight dynamics projects, thereby gaining significant insight into the effectiveness of numerous software techniques, as well as extensive experience in the overall effectiveness of 'Experimental Software Engineering'. This experience has helped formulate follow-on studies in the SEL, and it has helped other software organizations better understand just what can be accomplished and what cannot be accomplished through experimentation.

Mcgarry, Frank E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An experimental study of a turbulent boundary layer in the trailing edge region of a curculation-control airfoil

This report discusses progress made on NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC2-545, 'An Experimental Study of a Turbulent Boundary Layer in the Trailing-Edge Region of a Circulation-Control Airfoil,' during the period 1 Oct. 1992 - 30 Jun. 1993. The study, being conducted by Jeff Brown of the Eloret Institute, in conjunction with the Experimental Fluid Dynamics Branch at NASA Ames (Dennis Johnson, technical monitor), features 2-component laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) measurements in the trailing edge and wake regions of a generic circulation-control airfoil model. The final experimental phase of the study will be carried out in the Ames High Reynolds Number Channel II (HRC2) transonic blow-down facility. During the 9-month period covered by this report, important data were acquired using the near-wall laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) whose development has been described in previous reports. These data point strongly to the viability of this new technique for measuring the full Reynolds Stress Tensor in 3D flows.

Brown, Jeff↗
NASA NTRS1993

Experimental segregation of iron-nickel metal, iron-sulfide, and olivine in a thermal gradient: Preliminary results

Speculation about the possible mechanisms for core formation in small asteroids raises more questions than answers. Petrologic evidence from iron meteorites, pallasites, and astronomical observations of M asteroids suggests that many small bodies were capable of core formation. Recent work by Taylor reviews the geochemical evidence and examines the possible physical/mechanical constraints on segregation processes. Taylor's evaluation suggests that extensive silicate partial melting (preferably 50 vol. percent or greater) is required before metal can segregate from the surrounding silicate and form a metal core. The arguments for large degrees of silicate partial melting are two-fold: (1) elemental trends in iron meteorites require that the metal was at is liquidus; and (2) experimental observations of metal/sulfide inclusions in partially molten silicate meteorites show that the metal/sulfide tends to form spherules in the liquid silicate due to surface tension effects. Taylor points out that for these metal spherules to sink through a silicate mush, high degrees of silicate partial melting are required to lower the silicate yield strength. Although some qualitative experimental data exists, little is actually known about the behavior of metals and liquid sulfides dispersed in silicate systems. In addition, we have been impressed with the ability of cumulative olivine to expel trapped liquid when placed in a thermal gradient. Consequently, we undertook to accomplish the following: (1) experimentally evaluate the potential for metal/sulfide/silicate segregation in a thermal gradient; and (2) obtain quantitative data of the wetting parameters of metal-sulfide melts among silicate grains.

Jurewicz, Stephen R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Experimental and computational results from a large low-speed centrifugal impeller

An experimental and computational investigation of the NASA Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor (LSCC) flow field has been conducted using laser anemometry and Dawes' 3D viscous code. The experimental configuration consists of a backswept impeller followed by a vaneless diffuser. Measurements of the three-dimensional velocity field were acquired at several measurement planes through the compressor. The measurements describe both the throughflow and secondary velocity field along each measurement plane and in several cases provide details of the flow within the blade boundary layers. The experimental and computational results provide a clear understanding of the development of the throughflow momentum wake which is characteristic of centrifugal compressors.

Hathaway, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A comprehensive theoretical and experimental study of coplanar waveguide shunt stubs

A comprehensive theoretical and experimental study of straight and bent coplanar waveguide (CPW) shunt stubs is presented. In the theoretical analysis, the CPW is assumed to be inside a cavity, while, the experiments are performed on open structures. A hybrid technique was developed to analyze the CPW discontinuities which proved to be accurate since the theoretical and experimental results agree very well. The effect of the cavity resonances on the behavior of the stubs with and without air-bridges is investigated. In addition, the encountered radiation loss due to the discontinuities is evaluated experimentally.

Dib, Nihad I.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A theoretical and experimental study of coplanar waveguide shunt stubs

A comprehensive theoretical and experimental study of straight and bent coplanar waveguide (CPW) shunt stubs is presented. In the theoretical analysis, the CPW is assumed to be inside a cavity while, the experiments are performed on open structures. For the analysis of CPW discontinuities with air-bridges, a hybrid technique was developed which was validated through extensive theoretical and experimental comparisons. The effect of the cavity resonances on the behavior of the stubs with and without air-bridges is investigated. In addition, the encountered radiation loss due to the discontinuities is evaluated experimentally.

Dib, Nihad I.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Experimental and theoretical study of aerodynamic characteristics of some lifting bodies at angles of attack from -10 degrees to 53 degrees at Mach numbers from 2.30 to 4.62

Lifting bodies are of interest for possible use as space transportation vehicles because they have the volume required for significant payloads and the aerodynamic capability to negotiate the transition from high angles of attack to lower angles of attack (for cruise flight) and thus safely reenter the atmosphere and perform conventional horizontal landings. Results are presented for an experimental and theoretical study of the aerodynamic characteristics at supersonic speeds for a series of lifting bodies with 75 deg delta planforms, rounded noses, and various upper and lower surface cambers. The camber shapes varied in thickness and in maximum thickness location, and hence in body volume. The experimental results were obtained in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel for both the longitudinal and the lateral aerodynamic characteristics. Selected experimental results are compared with calculated results obtained through the use of the Hypersonic Arbitrary-Body Aerodynamic Computer Program.

Spearman, M. Leroy↗
NASA NTRS1993

Numerical and experimental investigation of the bending response of thin-walled composite cylinders

A numerical and experimental investigation of the bending behavior of six eight-ply graphite-epoxy circular cylinders is presented. Bending is induced by applying a known end-rotation to each end of the cylinders, analogous to a beam in bending. The cylinders have a nominal radius of 6 inches, a length-to-radius ratio of 2 and 5, and a radius-to-thickness ratio of approximately 160. A (+/- 45/0/90)S quasi-isotropic layup and two orthotropic layups, (+/- 45/0 sub 2)S and (+/- 45/90 sub 2)S, are studied. A geometrically nonlinear special-purpose analysis, based on Donnell's nonlinear shell equations, is developed to study the prebuckling responses and gain insight into the effects of non-ideal boundary conditions and initial geometric imperfections. A geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis is utilized to compare with the prebuckling solutions of the special-purpose analysis and to study the buckling and post buckling responses of both geometrically perfect and imperfect cylinders. The imperfect cylinder geometries are represented by an analytical approximation of the measured shape imperfections. Extensive experimental data are obtained from quasi-static tests of the cylinders using a test fixture specifically designed for the present investigation. A description of the test fixture is included. The experimental data are compared to predictions for both perfect and imperfect cylinder geometries. Prebuckling results are presented in the form of displacement and strain profiles. Buckling end-rotations, moments, and strains are reported, and predicted mode shapes are presented. Observed and predicted moment vs. end-rotation relations, deflection patterns, and strain profiles are illustrated for the post buckling responses. It is found that a geometrically nonlinear boundary layer behavior characterizes the prebuckling responses. The boundary layer behavior is sensitive to laminate orthotropy, cylinder geometry, initial geometric imperfections, applied end-rotation, and non-ideal boundary conditions. Buckling end-rotations, strains, and moments are influenced by laminate orthotropy and initial geometric imperfections. Measured buckling results correlate well with predictions for the geometrically imperfect specimens. The postbuckling analyses predict equilibrium paths with a number of scallop-shaped branches that correspond to unique deflection patterns. The observed postbuckling deflection patterns and measured strain profiles show striking similarities to the predictions in some cases. Ultimate failure of the cylinders is attributed to an interlaminar shear failure mode along the nodal lines of the postbuckling deflection patterns.

Fuchs, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Sensitivity of lag-damping correlations to structural and aerodynamic approximations of isolated experimental rotors in forward flight

The predictions of regressive lag-mode damping levels are correlated with the database of an isolated, soft-inplane, three-blade rotor operated untrimmed. The database was generated at the Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate at Ames. The correlation covers a broad range of data, from near-zero thrust conditions in hover to high-thrust and highly stalled conditions in forward flight with advance ratio as high as 0.55 and shaft angle as high as 20 degrees. In the experimental rotor, the airfoil or blade portion has essentially uniform mass and stiffness distributions, but the root flexure has highly nonuniform mass and stiffness distributions. Accordingly, the structural approximations refer to four models of root-flexure-blade assembly. They range from a rigid flap-lag model to three elastic flap-lag-torsion models, which differ in modeling the root flexure. The three models of root-flexure are: three root springs in which the bending-torsion couplings are fully accounted for; a finite-length beam element with some average mass and stiffness distributions such that the fundamental frequencies match those of the experimental model; and accurate modal representation in which the actual mass and stiffness distributions of the experimental root-flexure-blade assembly are used in calculating the nonrotating mode shapes. The four models of root-flexure-blade assembly are referred to as the rigid flap-lag model, spring model, modified model and modal model. For each of these four models of the root-flexure-blade assembly, the predictions are based on the following five aerodynamic theories: ear theory, which accounts for large angle-of-attack and reverse-flow effects on lift, and has constant drag and pitching moment; quasisteady stall theory, which includes quasisteady stall lift, drag and pitching moment characteristics of the airfoil section, dynamics stall theory, which uses the ONERA dynamic stall models of lift, drag and pitching moment; dynamic wake theory, which is based on a finite-state three-dimensional wake model and includes all wake effects including both shed and trailing vorticity; and dynamics and wake theory, which combines both dynamic stall theory and dynamic wake theory and is a relatively complete aerodynamic representation.

Gaonkar, G. H.↗