SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “LATERAL STABILITY AND CONTROL”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 397 records · Page 22

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1961

Flight Tests of a 1/6-Scale Model of the Hawker P 1127 Jet VTOL Airplane

An experimental investigation has been made to determine the dynamic stability and control characteristics of a 1/6-scale flying model of the Hawker P lIP7 jet vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) airplane in hovering and transition flight. The model was powered by a counter-rotating ducted fan driven by compressed-air jets at the tips of the fan blades. In hovering flight the model was controlled by jet-reaction controls which consisted of yaw and pitch jets at the extremities of the fuselage and a roll jet on each wing tip. In forward flight the model was controlled by conventional ailerons and rudder and an all-movable horizontal tail. In hovering flight the model could be flown smoothly and easily, but the roll control was considered too weak for rapid maneuvering or hovering in gusty air. Transitions from hovering to normal forward flight and back to hovering could be made smoothly and consistently and with only moderate changes in longitudinal trim. The model had a static longitudinal instability or pitch-up tendency throughout the transition range, but the rate of divergence in the pitch-up was moderate and the model could be controlled easily provided the angle of attack was not allowed to become too high. In both the transition and normal forward flight conditions the lateral motions of the model were difficult to control at high angles of attack, apparently because of low directional stability at small angles of sideslip. The longitudinal stability of the model in normal forward flight was generally satisfactory, but there was a decided pitch-up tendency for the flap-down condition at high angles of attack. In the VTOL landing approach condition, with the jets directed straight down or slightly forward, the nose-down pitch trim required was greater than in the transitions from hovering to forward flight, but the longitudinal instability was about the same. Take-offs and landings in still air could be made smoothly although there was a slight unfavorable ground effect on lift and a nose-down change in pitch trim near the ground. Short take-offs and landings could be made smoothly and consistently although the model experienced a decided nose-up change in pitching moment as it climbed out of ground effect.

Smith, Charles C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Delta wing separation can dominate shuttle dynamics.

The unsteady aerodynamics of the delta wing, high cross range, shuttle orbiter have been investigated. Three potentially dangerous flow separation phenomena involving the delta wing have been identified, each of which could seriously compromise the flight dynamics. They are (1) leeside shock-induced separation, (2) sudden leading-edge stall, and (3) the subsonic leading-edge vortex and vortex burst. Each of these unsteady flow phenomena can be triggered by control surface deflection. Furthermore, wing stall and control-induced separation effects interact with the relatively large fuselage, causing simultaneous alteration of the lateral-directional stability. Trajectory shaping may be the most powerful means of dealing with these stall effects.

Reding, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Flight-determined stability and control derivatives for the F-111 Tact research aircraft

A flight investigation was conducted to provide a stability and control derivative data base for the F-111 transonic aircraft technology research aircraft. Longitudinal and lateral-directional data were obtained as functions of Mach number, angle of attack, and wing sweep. For selected derivatives, the flight results were correlated with derivatives calculated based on vehicle geometry. The validity of the angle of attack measurement was independently verified at a Mach number of 0.70 for angles of attack between 3 and 10 degrees.

Sim, A. G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Comparison of Space Shuttle Orbiter low-speed static stability and control derivatives obtained from wind-tunnel and approach and landing flight tests

Tests were conducted in the 8 foot transonic pressure tunnel to obtain wind tunnel data for comparison with static stability and control parameters measured on the space shuttle orbiter approach and landing flight tests. The longitudinal stability, elevon effectiveness, lateral directional stability, and aileron effectiveness derivatives were determined from the wind tunnel data and compared with the flight test results. The comparison covers a range of angles of attack from approximately 2 deg to 10 deg at subsonic Mach numbers of 0.41 to 0.56. In general the wind tunnel results agreed well with the flight test results, indicating the wind tunnel data is applicable to the design of entry vehicles for subsonic speeds over the angle of attack range studied.

Freeman, D. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The development of aerodynamic uncertainties for the space shuttle orbiter

The Shuttle Program development schedule and the management decision to perform an orbital, manned mission on the first launch resulted in a requirement to develop realistic aerodynamic uncertainties for the preflight aerodynamic predictions. This paper addresses the methodology in developing two types of aerodynamic uncertainties. One involves the ability to reproduce aerodynamic results between various wind tunnel tests. The second addresses the difference between preflight aerodynamic predictions and flight results derived from analysis of past aircraft programs. Both types of uncertainties for pitching moment, lateral-directional stability, rudder power, and aileron power are presented. In addition, the application of uncertainties to flight control design and fight test planning is briefly reviewed.

Young, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Aeroservoelastic tailoring for lateral control enhancement

The need for effective aileron power for aircraft lateral control and turning maneuvers dates back to the Wright Brothers and their wing warping concept for active stabilization of their aircraft. Early researchers in Great Britain, Japan, Germany and the United States explored ways to increase the effectiveness of control aileron to generate a roll moment. The basic problem of aileron effectiveness and the interrelationship between structural distortion and the loads applied by the control surface is illustrated. A rigid wing/aileron surface will develop the capability to generate increased roll rates as airspeed increases. A flexible surface will become less effective as airspeed increases because of the twisting distortion created by the aft-mounted control surface. This tendency is further worsened by bending distortion of an aft swept wing. This study focuses its attention on the ability of a combined effort between structural redesign of a wing and sizing and placement of a control surface to create specified roll performance with a minimum hinge moment. This design optimization problem indicates the advantages of simultaneous consideration of structural design and control design.

Weisshaar, Terrence A.↗

NASA NTRS1959

Low-Speed Static Stability and Control Characteristics of a Model of a Right Triangular Pyramid Reentry Configuration

An investigation of the low-speed static stability and control characteristics of a model of a right triangular pyramid reentry configuration has been made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The investigation showed that the model had generally satisfactory longitudinal and lateral static stability characteristics. The maximum lift-drag ratio was increased from about 3 to 5 by boattailing the base of the model.

Paulson, John W.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Overview of the Landsat-7 Mission

Landsat-7 is scheduled for launch on April 15 from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on a Delta-H expendable launch vehicle. The Landsat 7 satellite consists of a spacecraft bus being provided by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space (Valley Forge, Pa.) and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus instrument built by Raytheon (formerly Hughes) Santa Barbara Remote Sensing (Santa Barbara, Calif.). The instrument on board Landsat 7 is the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+). ETM+ improves upon the previous Thematic Mapper (TM) instruments on Landsat's 4 and 5 (Fig. la and lb). It includes the previous 7 spectral bands measuring reflected solar radiation and emitted thermal emissions but, in addition, includes a new 15 in panchromatic (visible-near infrared) band. The spatial resolution of the thermal infrared band has also been improved to 60 m. Both the radiometric precision and accuracy of the sensor are also improved from the previous TM sensors. After being launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, the satellite will use on-board propulsion to adjust its orbit to a circular altitude of 438 miles (705 kilometers) crossing the equator at approximately 10 a.m. on its southward track. This orbit will place Landsat 7 along the same ground track as previous Landsat satellites. The orbit will be maintained with periodic adjustments for the life of the mission. A three-axis attitude control subsystem will stabilize the satellite and keep the instrument pointed toward the Earth to within 0.05 degrees. Later this year, plans call for the NASA Earth Observation System (EOS) Terra (AM-1) observatory and the experimental EO-1 mission to closely follow Landsat-7's orbit to support synergistic research and applications from this new suite of terrestrial sensor systems. Landsat is the United States' oldest land-surface observation satellite system, with satellites continuously operating since 1972. Although the program has scored numerous successes in scientific and resource-management applications, Landsat has had a tumultuous history of management and funding changes over its nearly 27-year history. Landsat-7 marks a new direction in the program to reduce the cost of data and increase systematic global coverage for use in global change research as well as commercial and regional applications. With the passage of the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act in 1992, oversight of the Landsat program began to shift from the commercial sector to the federal government. NASA integrated Landsat-7 into its EOS science program in 1994. Landsat-7 is managed and operated jointly by NASA and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). As a result, the costs of acquiring observations from

Williams, Darrel↗

NASA NTRS1950

Flight Investigation of the Effect of Various Vertical-Tail Modifications on the Directional Stability and Control Characteristics of a Propeller-Driven Fighter Airplane

A flight investigation was made to determine the effect of various vertical-tail modifications and of some combinations of these modifications on the directional stability and control characteristics of a propeller-driven fighter airplane. Six different vertical-tail configurations were investigated to determine the lateral-directional oscillation characteristics, the sideslip characteristics, the yaw due to ailerons in rudder-fixed rolls from turns and pull-outs, the trim changes due to speed changes, and the tim changes due to power changes. Results of the tests showed that increasing the aspect ratio of the vertical tail by 40 percent while increasing the area by only 12 percent approximately doubled the directional stability of the airplane. The pilots considered the directional characteristics of the airplane unsatisfactory with original vertical tail but satisfactory with the enlarged vertical tail. The ventral and dorsal fins tested had little effect on the directional stability of the airplane but were effective in eliminating rudder-force reversals in high-engine-power sideslips.

Johnson, Harold I↗

NASA NTRS1974

Investigation of space shuttle orbiter subsonic stability and control characteristics in the NAAL low speed wind tunnel (OA62B), volume 2

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted on a sting-mounted 0.0405 scale representation of the 140A/B space shuttle orbiter in a 7.75 ft by 11 ft low speed wind tunnel during the period from November 14, 1973 to December 6, 1973. Establishment of basic longitudinal stability characteristics in and out of ground effect, and the establishment of lateral-directional stability characteristics in free air were the primary test objectives. The following effects and configurations were tested: (1) two dual podded nacelle configurations; (2) stability and control characteristics at nominal elevon deflections, rudder deflections, airleron deflections, rudder flare angles, and body flap deflections; (3) effects of various elevon and elevon/fuselage gaps on longitudinal stability and control; (4) pressures on the vertical tail at spanwise stations using pressure bugs; (5) aerodynamic force and moment data measured in the stability axis system by an internally mounted, six-component strain gage balance. For Vol. 1, see N74-32324.

Mennell, R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

F-8C digital CCV flight control laws

A set of digital flight control laws were designed for the NASA F-8C digital fly-by-wire aircraft. The control laws emphasize Control Configured Vehicle (CCV) benefits. Specific pitch axis objectives were improved handling qualities, angle-of-attack limiting, gust alleviation, drag reduction in steady and maneuvering flight, and a capability to fly with reduced static stability. The lateral-directional design objectives were improved Dutch roll damping and turn coordination over a wide range in angle-of-attack. An overall program objective was to explore the use of modern control design methodilogy to achieve these specific CCV benefits. Tests for verifying system integrity, an experimental design for handling qualities evaluation, and recommended flight test investigations were specified.

Hartmann, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Stability and control of a supersonic transport airplane during landing approach

Modal control theory was applied to determine feedback gains that provide desirable stability characteristics and satisfactory transient response to aileron deflection input. However, the peak value of lateral acceleration at the pilot's station does not satisfy a proposed criterion during a rolling maneuver. Optimal regulator theory does not provide a significant reduction of the peak lateral acceleration. The weighting matrices in the performance index were given an extreme variation, but the effect on lateral acceleration remained insignificant. Open loop control provided the desired bank angle (30 deg) with the desired roll rate (10 deg/sec), and provided a satisfactory level of lateral acceleration. However, a large adverse sideslip angle was required. In addition, the yawing velocity was negative for about two seconds and lateral acceleration changed sign during the maneuver. The problem persists and perhaps relaxed criteria must be proposed. The criteria could allow any combination of a lower average rolling velocity, a larger adverse sideslip angle excursion, and a higher peak lateral acceleration at the pilot's station.

Oehman, W. I.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Augmentation of maneuver performance by spanwise blowing

A generalized wind tunnel model was tested to investigate new component concepts utilizing spanwise blowing to provide improved maneuver characteristics for advanced fighter aircraft. Primary emphasis was placed on high angle of attack performance, stability, and control at subsonic speeds. Spanwise blowing on a 44 deg swept trapezoidal wing resulted in leading edge vortex enhancement with subsequent large vortex-induced lift increments and drag polar improvements at the higher angles of attack. Small deflections of a leading edge flap delayed these lift and drag benefits to higher angles of attack. In addition, blowing was more effective at higher Mach numbers. Spanwise blowing in conjunction with a deflected trailing edge flap resulted in lift and drag benefits that exceeded the summation of the effects of each high lift device acting alone. Asymmetric blowing was an effective lateral control device at the higher angles of attack. Spanwise blowing on the wing reduced horizontal tail loading and improved the lateral-directional stability characteristics of a wing-horizontal tail-vertical tail configuration.

Erickson, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Effect of tail-fin span on stability and control characteristics of a Canard-controlled missile at supersonic Mach numbers

An experimental wind-tunnel investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 1.60 to 3.50 to obtain the longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics of a circular, cruciform, canard-controlled missile with variations in tail-fin span. In addition, comparisons were made with the experimental aerodynamic characteristics using three missile aeroprediction programs: MISSILE1, MISSILE2, and NSWCDM. The results of the investigation indicate that for the test Mach number range, canard roll control at low angles of attack is feasible on tail-fin configurations with tail-to-canard span ratios of less than or equal to 0.75. The conards are effective pitch and yaw control devices on each tail-fin span configuration tested. Programs MISSILE1 and MISSILE2 provide very good predictions of longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics and fair predictions of lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics at low angles of attack, with MISSILE2 predictions generally in better agreement with test data. Program NSWCDM provides good longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic predictions that improve with increases in tail-tin span.

Blair, A. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1958

Stability-Derivative Determination from Flight Data

A comprehensive discussion of the various factors affecting the determination of stability and control derivatives from flight data is presented based on the experience of the NASA High-Speed Flight Station. Factors relating to test techniques, determination of mass characteristics, instrumentation, and methods of analysis are discussed. For most longitudinal-stability-derivative analyses simple equations utilizing period and damping have been found to be as satisfactory as more comprehensive methods. The graphical time-vector method has been the basis of lateral-derivative analysis, although simple approximate methods can be useful If applied with caution. Control effectiveness has been generally obtained by relating the peak acceleration to the rapid control input, and consideration must be given to aerodynamic contributions if reasonable accuracy is to be realized.. Because of the many factors involved In the determination of stability derivatives, It is believed that the primary stability and control derivatives are probably accurate to within 10 to 25 percent, depending upon the specific derivative. Static-stability derivatives at low angle of attack show the greatest accuracy.

Holowicz, Chester H.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Determination of stability and control derivatives from the NASA F/A-18 HARV from flight data using the maximum likelihood method

This report is a compilation of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) results for both longitudinal and lateral directional analysis that was completed during Fall 1994. It had earlier established that the maneuvers available for PID containing independent control surface inputs from OBES were not well suited for extracting the cross-coupling static (i.e., C(sub N beta)) or dynamic (i.e., C(sub Npf)) derivatives. This was due to the fact that these maneuvers were designed with the goal of minimizing any lateral directional motion during longitudinal maneuvers and vice-versa. This allows for greater simplification in the aerodynamic model as far as coupling between longitudinal and lateral directions is concerned. As a result, efforts were made to reanalyze this data and extract static and dynamic derivatives for the F/A-18 HARV (High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle) without the inclusion of the cross-coupling terms such that more accurate estimates of classical model terms could be acquired. Four longitudinal flights containing static PID maneuvers were examined. The classical state equations already available in pEst for alphadot, qdot and thetadot were used. Three lateral directional flights of PID static maneuvers were also examined. The classical state equations already available in pEst for betadot, p dot, rdot and phi dot were used. Enclosed with this document are the full set of longitudinal and lateral directional parameter estimate plots showing coefficient estimates along with Cramer-Rao bounds. In addition, a representative time history match for each type of meneuver tested at each angle of attack is also enclosed.

Napolitano, Marcello R.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Methods studies toward simplified rotor-body dynamics, part 1

This report is directed to the problem of developing an adequate but not overly complex linear flight dynamics analytical model of a rotorcraft to study stability, control, gust and random turbulence responses. Since the conventional flight dynamics analysis using quasisteady rotor derivatives is adequate for the long period modes like the phugoid mode, only short time responses are considered here, where rotor-body coupling is of importance. Thus the body motion consists of pitch, roll and vertical motion, omitting linear longitudinal and lateral and yaw perturbations. Five analytical models of varying degree of sophistication are applied to a hypothetical hingeless compound helicopter operating up to .8 rotor advance ratio. Stability and response data are obtained for the basic helicopter and for the vehicle with two simple control feedback systems.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1974

A method of automatically stabilizing helicopter sling loads

The effect of geometric and aerodynamic characteristics on the stability of the lateral degrees of freedom of a typical helicopter sling load is examined. The feasibility of stabilizing the suspended load by controllable fins was also studied. Linear control theory was applied to the design of a simple control law that stabilized the load over a wide range of helicopter airspeeds.

Gera, J.↗