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At least 415 records · Page 23

The Effect of Porosity on the Lift and Drag of Bird's Wings

Bird's wings are porous. The mass flux through the wings for various simulated wing loadings was measured and found to average about 2 x 10(exp -4) g/s.sq cm for one feather thickness at the average pigeon wing loading of 45 newtons/sq m. The calculated effect of the flux on lift was found to be less than 1/2 of 1%. Experiments at a typical pigeon flight Reynolds number of 10(exp 5) on flat plates with 3.5% and 14.5% open area spread over the trailing 58% of the chord showed that it is possible to both increase and decrease profile drag, relative to the drag on a non-porous flat plate, by < or = 5%. Stall on the porous plates occurred up to 3 deg earlier than stall on the non-porous plates. From lift calculations and drag measurements it is shown that the effects of porosity on the gliding characteristics of birds are negligible.

Lichter, Seth↗

Effect of empennage interference on single-engine afterbody/nozzle drag

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel to determine the effects of empennage surfaces on single-engine afterbody and nozzle drag at Mach numbers up to 1.20. Empennage interference drag was obtained by using experimental values of afterbody/nozzle drag and theoretical values of empennage drag. Three methods for minimizing adverse empennage interference effects were investigated. Results show that empennage interference effects were always detrimental but could be reduced by proper location of tail surfaces. Afterbody contouring and addition of 'contour' bumps were generally ineffective in reducing aft-end drag for Mach numbers less than 0.95.

Berrier, B. L.↗

Measurement of the static and dynamic coefficients of a cross-type parachute in subsonic flow

An experimental parametric investigation of the aerodynamic qualities of cross-type parachutes was performed in a subsonic wind tunnel, using a new experimental technique. This investigation included the measurement of the static and dynamic aerodynamic coefficients, utilizing the measuring apparatus modified specifically for this type of testing. It is shown that the static aerodynamic coefficients of several configurations are in good agreement with available data, and assisted in validating the experimental technique employed. Two configuration parameters were varied in the static tests, the cord length and the canopy aspect ratio, with both parameters having a similar effect on the drag measurement, i.e., any increase in either of them increased the effective blocking area, and therefore the axial force.

Shpund, Zalman↗

Commensuration effects on skyrmion Hall angle and drag for manipulation of skyrmions on two-dimensional periodic substrates

Here, we examine the dynamics of an individually driven skyrmion moving through a background lattice of skyrmions coupled to a 2D periodic substrate as we vary the ratio of the number of skyrmions to the number of pinning sites across commensurate and incommensurate conditions. As the skyrmion density increases, the skyrmion Hall angle is nonmonotonic, dropping to low or zero values in commensurate states and rising to an enhanced value in incommensurate states. Under commensuration, the driven skyrmion is channeled by a symmetry direction of the pinning array and exhibits an increased velocity. At fillings for which the skyrmion Hall angle is zero, the velocity has a narrow band noise signature, while for incommensurate fillings, the skyrmion motion is disordered and the velocity noise is broad band. Under commensurate conditions, multi-step depinning transitions appear and the skyrmion Hall angle is zero at low drives but becomes finite at higher drives, while at incommensurate fillings there is only a single depinning transition. As the gyrotropic component of the skyrmion dynamics, called the Magnus force, increases, peaks in the velocity that appear in commensurate regimes cross over to dips, and new types of directional locking effects can arise in which the skyrmion travels along other symmetry directions of the background lattice. At large Magnus forces, and particularly at commensurate fillings, the driven skyrmion can experience a velocity boost in which the skyrmion moves faster than the applied drive due to the alignment of the Magnus-induced velocity with the driving direction. In some cases, an increase of the Magnus force can produce regimes of enhanced pinning when the skyrmion is forced to move along a nonsymmetry direction of the periodic pinning array. This is in contrast to systems with random pinning, where increasing the Magnus force generally reduces the pinning effect. We demonstrate these dynamics for both square and triangular substrates and map out the different regimes as a function of filling fraction, pinning force, and the strength of the Magnus force in a series of dynamic phase diagrams.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Afterbody Terminal Fairings on the Performance of a Pylon-Mounted Turbojet-Nacelle Model

An investigation of the effect of afterbody terminal fairings on the performance of a pylon-mounted turbojet-nacelle model has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel. A basic afterbody having a boattail angle of 16 deg was investigated with and without terminal fairings. The equivalent boattail angle, based on the cross-sectional area of the afterbody and terminal fairings, was 8 deg. Therefore, a simple body of revolution with a boattail angle of 8 deg was included for comparison. The tests were made at an angle of attack of 0 deg, Mach numbers of 0.80 to 1.05, jet total-pressure ratio of 1 to approximately 5, and an average Reynolds number per foot of 4.1 x 10(exp 6). A hydrogen peroxide jet simulator was used to supply the hot-jet exhaust. The results indicate that addition of terminal fairings to a 16 deg boattail afterbody increased the thrust-minus-drag coefficients and provided the lowest effective drag of the three configurations tested.

Willis, Conrad M.↗

An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of a Canard Control on the Lift, Drag, and Pitching Moment of an Aspect-Ratio 2.0 Triangular Wing Incorporating a Form of Conical Camber

The results of an experimental investigation to determine the effect of a canard control on the lift, drag, and pitching-moment characteristics of an aspect-ratio-2.0 triangular wing incorporating a form of conical camber are presented. The canard had a triangular plan form of aspect ratio 2.0 and was mounted in the extended chord plane of the wing. The ratio of the area of the exposed canard panels to the total wing area was 6.9 percent, and the ratio of the total areas was 12.9 percent. Data were obtained at Mach numbers from 0.70 to 2.22 through an angle-of-attack range from -6 deg to +18 deg with the canard on, and with the canard off. To provide a basis for comparison, the canard was also tested with a symmetrical wing having the same plan form, aspect ratio, and thickness distribution as the cambered wing. The results of the investigation showed that at the high subsonic speeds the gain in maximum lift-drag ratio achieved by camber was considerably reduced by the addition of a canard. At the supersonic speeds, the addition of the canard did not change the effect of camber on the maximum lift-drag ratios.

Menees, Gene P.↗

An exploratory investigation of the effect of a plastic coating on the profile drag of a practical-metal-construction sailplane airfoil

The Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel to determine the effect of a plastic coating on the profile drag of a practical-metal-construction sailplane airfoil was investigated. The model was tested with three surface configurations: (1) filled, painted, and sanded smooth; (2) rough bare metal; and (3) plastic-coated. The results are compared with data for the design airfoil (Wortmann FX 67-K-170/17) from another low-turbulence wind tunnel. The investigation was conducted at Reynolds numbers based on airfoil chord of 1.1 x 10 to the 6th power, 2.2 x 10 to the 6th power, and 3.3 x 10 to the 6th power at a Mach number of 0.10.

Somers, D. M.↗

Recent Laboratory and Numerical Trailing Vortex Studies

Results from two laboratory studies and two numerical studies are presented. In the first laboratory study, measurements of the strength of vortices from a three-dimensional (3-D) model wing are presented. The measurements follow the vortices as they evolve in time from a two-dimensional (2-D) line vortex pair to the development and migration of 3-D vortex rings. It is shown that the resulting vortex rings can contain up to 40 percent of the initial vortex circulation. Thus, the formation of vortex rings may not necessarily signal the end of the wake hazard to following aircraft. In the second laboratory study, we present the results of an experiment which shows how the spanwise drag distribution affects wake-vortex evolution. In this experiment, we modified the spanwise drag distribution on a model wing while keeping the total lift and drag constant. The results show that adding drag on or near the centerline of the wing has a larger effect than adding drag at or near the wingtips. These measurements complement the results of NASA studies in the 1970s. In the first numerical study, results of 3-D numerical calculations are presented which show that the vortex Reynolds number has a significant influence on the evolution and migration of wake vortices. When the Reynolds number is large, 3-D vortex rings evolve from the initially 2-D line vortex pairs. These vortex rings then migrate vertically. When the Reynolds number is lower, the transition of vorticity from 2-D to 3-D is delayed. When the Reynolds number is very low, the vortices never transition to 3-D, and the vertical migration is significantly reduced. It is suggested that this effect may have been important in previous laboratory wake-evolution studies. A second numerical study shows the influence that vertical wind shear can have on trailing vortex evolution.

Delisi, Donald P.↗

Effects of fineness and closure ratios on boattail drag of circular-arc-afterbody models with jet exhaust at Mach numbers up to 1.3

The effects of variations in fineness ratio and closure ratio on the boattail drag of circular-arc afterbody models were investigated at static conditions and at Mach numbers from 0.40 to 1.30. Jet total-pressure ratio was varied from jet off to about 6, depending on Mach number. Reynolds number based on model maximum diameter varied from about 1.2 million to 2.18 million. Angle of attack was varied from -4 deg to 8 deg. The results indicate that, at subsonic speeds before the drag rise and at a scheduled pressure ratio, the total drag (pressure plus calculated skin friction) is approximately equal for configurations with the same closure ratio. Also, for configurations with the same closure ratio, increasing fineness ratio results in an increased drag-rise Mach number; and for configurations with the same fineness ratio, increasing closure ratio results in an increased drag-rise Mach number.

Reubush, D. E.↗

A drag-free Lo-Lo satellite system for improved gravity field measurements

At very low altitudes, the effect of atmospheric drag results in drastically reduced orbit lifetimes and considerable uncertainty in satellite motions. The concept suggested herein employs a DISturbance COmpensation System (DISCOS) on each of a pair of satellites at very low altitudes to provide refined measurements of the earth's gravitational field. The DISCOS maintains the satellites in orbit and essentially eliminates motion uncertainties due mostly to drag and to a lesser extent from solar radiation pressure. By a closed-loop measurement of the relative rangerate between the two low satellites, one can determine the earth's gravitational field with a considerably greater accuracy than could be obtained by tracking a single satellite.

Fischell, R. E.↗

An Exploratory Investigation of the Effect of Plastic Coating on the Profile Drag of a Practical-Metal-Construction Sailplane Airfoil

An exploratory investigation was performed in the Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel to determine the effect of a plastic coating on the profile drage of a practical-metal-construction sailplaine airfoil. The mode was tested with three surface configurations: (1) filled, painted, and sanded smooth; (2) rough bare metal; and (3) plastic-coated. The investigation was conducted at Reynolds numbers based on airfoil chord of 1,100,000, 2,200,000, and 3,300,000 at a constant Mach number of 0.10. The results indicate that, at all three Reynolds numbers, the order of the drag values of the three surface configurations, starting with the highest drag, was: filled, painted, and sanded smooth; rough bare metal; and plastic-coated.

Somers, D. M.↗

Effects of viscoelasticity on cavitation in drag reducing fluids

To study cavitation inception in polymer solutions, a blow-down water tunnel with short running times was used. Tests were made using 1/4 and 1/2 inch diameter models of hemispherical-nose cylinders. To accurately detect the inception of cavitation, a reliable technique was developed using a continuously operating He-Ne gas laser. The laser beam was adjusted to grazing incidence with the model at the minimum pressure point where cavitation inception was to be expected. A sensitive photocell was placed at ninety degrees to detect the beam. As incipient cavitation occurred, the bubbles caused scattering of the laser beam which was picked up by the photocell. Static pressure near the model in the working section of the tunnel was measured using a solid-state pressure pick-up. The signals from the photocell and the pressure pick-up were recorded on an oscillograph. Velocity field visualization was achieved using one microsecond duration light pulses scattered by small polystryrene latex spheres in the flow.

Ting, R. Y.↗

Factors Influencing the Predicted Performance of Advanced Propeller Designs

The assumptions on which conventional propeller aerodynamic performance analyses are based can be seriously violated when advanced high speed propellers are analyzed. Studies were performed using a lifting line representation for the propeller to determine the sensitivity of predicted propeller performance to various assumptions in the analysis. Items studied include the method of determining blade section lift and the effects of blade section drag, camber and blade sweep. The effects of nonuniform flow into the propeller and compressibility were also studied. Comparisons of analytical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the overall validity of the results.

Bober, L. J.↗

Factors influencing the predicted performance of advanced propeller designs

The assumptions on which conventional propeller aerodynamic performance analyses are based can be seriously violated when advanced high speed propellers are analyzed. Studies have been performed using a lifting line representation for the propeller to determine the sensitivity of predicted propeller performance to various assumptions in the analysis. Items which have been studied include the method of determining blade section lift and the effects of blade section drag, camber and blade sweep. The effects of nonuniform flow into the propeller and compressibility have also been studied. Comparisons of analytical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the overall validity of the results.

Bober, L. J.↗

Effect of flow oscillations on cavity drag and a technique for their control

Experiments to relate the state of the shear layer to cavity drag have been performed in a water channel using a 4" axisymmetric cavity model. Detailed flow measurements in various cavity flow oscillation phases, amplitude amplification along the flow direction, distribution of shear stress, and other momentum flux obtained by laser Doppler velocimeter are presented. Measurements show exponential dependence of cavity drag on the length of the cavity. A jump in the cavity drag coefficient is observed as the cavity flow shows a bluff body wake type behavior. Natural and forced oscillations are introduced by a sinusoidally heated thin-film strip which excites the Tollmein-Schlichting waves in the boundary layer upstream of the gap. For a large gap, self-sustained periodic oscillations are observed, while for smaller gaps, which do not oscillate naturally, periodical oscillations can be obtained by external forcing through the strip heater. The drag of the cavity can be increased by one order of magnitude in the non-oscillating case through external forcing. Also, it is possible to completely eliminate mode switching by external forcing. For the first time, it is demonstrated that amplitude of cavity flow Kelvin-Helmholtz wave is dampened or cancelled by introduction of external perturbation of natural flow frequency but different phase.

Gharib, M.↗

The effect of flow oscillations on cavity drag

An experimental investigation of flow over an axisymmetric cavity shows that self-sustained, periodic oscillations of the cavity shear layer are associated with low cavity drag. In this low-drag mode the flow regulates itself to fix the mean-shear-layer stagnation point at the downstream corner. Above a critical value of the cavity width-to-depth ratio there is an abrupt and large increase of drag due to the onset of the 'wake mode' of instability. It is also shown by measurement of the momentum balance how the drag of the cavity is related to the state of the shear layer, as defined by the mean momentum transport and the Reynolds stress, and how these are related to the amplifying oscillations in the shear layer. The cavity shear layer is found to be different, in several respects, from a free shear layer.

Gharib, M.↗