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At least 451 records · Page 25

A numerical method for the design and analysis of counter-rotating propellers

A numerical method has been developed using the techniques of Lock and Theodorsen as described by Davidson to design and analyze counter-rotating propellers. The design method develops the optimum propeller geometry by calculating the planform and twist distribution for each propeller disk through the use of specific inputs of engine shaft horsepower, diameter, and disk spacing. The analysis method calculates the performance of a given counter-rotating propeller system at any flight condition. Using the NACA four-digit airfoil family, the performance of a counter-rotating propeller design for a given flight condition was investigated in the design and analysis mode.

Playle, S. C.↗

Resistojet operation with various propellants

A flight-qualified electrothermal thruster demonstrated its adaptability to a variety of propellants. Originally qualified for operation with hydrazine propellant, it was operated with nitrogen, hydrogen, and ammonia propellants, demonstrating 73, 61, and 52 percent overall efficiency with these propellants, respectively, when tested over a wide range of operating conditions. By introducing a preheater to admit hot, rather than cold, propellant inlet gases to the thruster's augmentation heat exchanger, delivered specific impulse closer to theoretical performance limits should be achieved.

Zafran, S.↗

Wing loads induced by a propeller wake

A wing located in the wake of a propeller sustains unsteady loading. This loading can generate components of structureborne noise which are transmitted to the interior of the aircraft. The vibration of the wing can also contribute to reradiation of propeller noise. An analysis system for the evaluation of wing unsteady loads is presented. The propeller wake is modeled as a potential helical tip vortex and unsteady airfoil theory is used to determine the wing response. The result is the forcing function for determining the structureborne noise. The wing response is evaluated as a function of propeller thrust coefficient, advance ratio, and propeller installation geometry. The system capabilities are demonstrated by application to three significantly different aircraft.

Weir, D. S.↗

Effect of angular inflow on the vibratory response of a counter-rotating propeller

This report presents the results of a propeller vibratory stress survey on the Fairey Gannet aircraft aimed at giving an assessment of the difference in vibratory response between single and counter-rotating propeller operation in angular inflow. The survey showed that counter-rotating operation of the propeller had the effect of increasing the IP response of the rear propeller by approximately 25 percent over comparable single-rotation operation while counter-rotating operation did not significantly influence the IP response of the front propeller.

Turnberg, J. E.↗

An evaluation of metallized propellants based on vehicle performance

An analytical study was conducted to determine the improvements in vehicle performance possible by burning metals with conventional liquid bipropellants. These metallized propellants theoretically offer higher specific impulse, increased propellant density and improved vehicle performance compared with conventional liquid bipropellants. Metals considered were beryllium, lithium, aluminum and iron. Liquid bipropellants were H2/O2, N2H4/N2O4, RP-1/O2 and H2/F2. A mission with a delta V = 4267.2 m/sec (14,000 ft/sec) and vehicle with propellant volume fixed at 56.63 cu m (2000 cu ft) and dry mass fixed at 2761.6 kg (6000 lb) was used, roughly representing the transfer of a chemically propelled upper-stage vehicle from a low-Earth orbit to a geosynchronous orbit. The results of thermochemical calculations and mission analysis calculations for bipropellants metallized with beryllium, lithium, aluminum and iron are presented. Technology issues pertinent to metallized propellants are discussed.

Zurawski, Robert L.↗

A study of selected parameters in solid propellant processing

A propellant processing study to identify and control unplanned variation in composite solid propellant properties has shown that burning rate increases with process mixing but is not sensitve to process temperature. Different vertical propellant mixes of the same type were shown to provide different conditions of mixing at the pot wall because of differences in gearing, sometimes resulting in a stagnant wall film. Poor propellant produced in the stagnant wall film was attributed to poor mixing because of viscosity effects and wall film geometry. A control strategy based on briefly heating the wall was demonstrated. The study showed the need for improved process controls, good process instruments, and good propellant testing.

Mckay, R. A.↗

Modeling the effects of wind tunnel wall absorption on the acoustic radiation characteristics of propellers

Finite element theory is used to calculate the acoustic field of a propeller in a soft walled circular wind tunnel and to compare the radiation patterns to the same propeller in free space. Parametric solutions are present for a 'Gutin' propeller for a variety of flow Mach numbers, admittance values at the wall, microphone position locations, and propeller to duct radius ratios. Wind tunnel boundary layer is not included in this analysis. For wall admittance nearly equal to the characteristic value of free space, the free field and ducted propeller models agree in pressure level and directionality. In addition, the need for experimentally mapping the acoustic field is discussed.

Baumeister, K. J.↗

An evaluation of metallized propellants based on vehicle performance

An analytical study was conducted to determine the improvements in vehicle performance possible by burning metals with conventional liquid bipropellants. These metallized propellants theoretically offer higher specific impulse, increased propellant density and improved vehicle performance compared with conventional liquid bipropellants. Metals considered were beryllium, lithium, aluminum and iron. Liquid bipropellants were H2/O2, N2H4/N2O4, RP-1/O2 and H2/F2. A mission with a delta V = 4267.2 m/sec (14,000 ft/sec) and vehicle with propellant volume fixed at 56.63 cu m (2000 cu ft) and dry mass fixed at 2761.6 kg (6000 lb) was used, roughly representing the transfer of a chemically propelled upper-stage vehicle from a low-Earth orbit to a geosynchronous orbit. The results of thermochemical calculations and mission analysis calculations for bipropellants metallized with beryllium, lithium, aluminum and iron are presented. Technology issues pertinent to metallized propellants are discussed.

Zurawski, Robert L.↗

Noise of a model counterrotation propeller with reduced aft rotor diameter at simulated takeoff/approach conditions (F7/A3)

A model high-speed advanced counterrotation propeller, F7/A3, was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9 by 15 foot Anechoic Wind Tunnel at simulated takeoff/approach conditions of 0.2 Mach number. Acoustic measurements were taken with an axially translating microphone probe, and with a polar microphone probe which was fixed to the propeller nacelle and could take both sideline and circumferential acoustic surveys. Aerodynamic measurements were also made to establish propeller operating conditions. The propeller was run at two setting angles (front angle/rear angle) of 36.4/43.5 and 41.1/46.4 degrees, forward rotor tip speeds from 165 to 259 m/sec, rotor spacings from 8.48 to 14.99 cm based on pitch change axis separation, and angles of attack to 16 degrees. The aft rotor diameter was 85 percent of the forward rotor diameter to reduce tip vortex-aft rotor interaction as a major interaction noise source. Results are compared with equal diameter F7/A7 data which was previously obtained under similar operating conditions. The aft rotor-alone tone was 7 dB lower for the reduced diameter aft rotor, due to reduced tip speed at constant rpm. Interaction tone levels for the F7/A3 propeller were higher at minimum row spacing and lower at maximum spacing.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

STS propellant scavenging systems study. Part 2, volume 1: Executive summary and study results

The major objective of the STS Propellant Scavenging Study is to define the hardware, operations, and life cycle costs for recovery of unused Space Transportation System propellants. Earlier phases were concerned exclusively with the recovery of cryogenic propellants from the main propulsion system of the manned STS. The phase of the study covered by this report (Part II Extension) modified the objectives to include cryogenic propellants delivered to orbit by the unmanned cargo vehicle. The Part II Extension had the following objectives: (1) predict OTV propellant requirements from 1995 to 2010; investigate scavenging/transport tank reuse; determine optimum tank sizing and arrangement; and develop hardware concepts for tanks.

Williams, Frank L.↗

Summary of low-speed wind tunnel results of several high-speed counterrotation propeller configurations

The low speed aerodynamic performance characteristics of several advanced counterrotation pusher propeller configurations with cruise design Mach numbers of 0.72 and 0.80 were investigated in the NASA Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers representative of the takeoff and landing flight regime. The investigation included: (1) the propeller performance characteristics over a range of blade angle settings and rotational speeds at a Mach number of 0.20; (2) the effect on the propeller performance of varying the axial rotor spacing and mismatching the power and rotational speeds on the propeller rotors; (3) determining the reverse thrust performance characteristics at Mach numbers of 0.0, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20. The results of the investigation indicated that the overall low speed performance of the counterrotation propeller configurations was reasonable.

Hughes, Christopher E.↗

Noise of a model counterrotation propeller with reduced aft rotor diameter at simulated takeoff/approach conditions (F7/A3)

A model high-speed advanced counterrotation propeller, F7/A3, was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9 by 15 foot Anechoic Wind Tunnel at simulated takeoff/approach conditions of 0.2 Mach number. Acoustic measurements were taken with an axially translating microphone probe, and with a polar microphone probe which was fixed to the propeller nacelle and could take both sideline and circumferential acoustic surveys. Aerodynamic measurements were also made to establish propeller operating conditions. The propeller was run at two setting angles (front angle/rear angle) of 36.4/43.5 and 41.1/46.4 degrees, forward rotor tip speeds from 165 to 259 m/sec, rotor spacings from 8.48 to 14.99 cm based on pitch change axis separation, and angles of attack to 16 degrees. The aft rotor diameter was 85 percent of the forward rotor diameter to reduce tip vortex-aft rotor interaction as a major interaction noise source. Results are compared with equal diameter F7/A7 data which was previously obtained under similar operating conditions. The aft rotor-alone tone was 7 dB lower for the reduced diameter aft rotor, due to reduced tip speed at constant rpm. Interaction tone levels for the F7/A3 propeller were higher at minimum row spacing and lower at maximum spacing.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Summary of low-speed wind tunnel results of several high-speed counterrotation propeller configurations

The low speed aerodynamic performance characteristics of several advanced counterrotation pusher propeller configurations with cruise design Mach numbers of 0.72 and 0.80 were investigated in the NASA Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers representative of the takeoff and landing flight regime. The investigation included: (1) the propeller performance characteristics over a range of blade angle settings and rotational speeds at a Mach number of 0.20; (2) the effect on the propeller performance of varying the axial rotor spacing and mismatching the power and rotational speeds on the propeller rotors; and (3) determining the reverse thrust performance characteristics at Mach numbers of 0.0, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20. The results of the investigation indicated that the overall low speed performance of the counterrotation propeller configurations was reasonable.

Hughes, Christopher E.↗

Experimental aerodynamic performance of advanced 40 deg-swept 10-blade propeller model at Mach 0.6 to 0.85

A propeller designated as SR-6, designed with 40 deg of sweep and 10 blades to cruise at Mach 0.8 at an altitude of 10.7 km (35,000 ft), was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center's 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel. This propeller was one of a series of advanced single rotation propeller models designed and tested as part of the NASA Advanced Turboprop Project. Design-point net efficiency was almost constant to Mach 0.75 but fell above this speed more rapidly than that of any previously tested advanced propeller. Alternative spinners that further reduced the near-hub interblade Mach numbers and relieved the observed hub choking improved performance above Mach 0.75. One spinner attained estimated SR-6 Design-point net deficiencies of 80.6 percent at Mach 0.75 and 79.2 percent at Mach 0.8, higher than the measured performance of any previously tested advanced single-rotation propeller at these speeds.

Mitchell, Glenn A.↗

Modeling of combustion processes of stick propellants via combined Eulerian-Lagrangian approach

This research is motivated by the improved ballistic performance of large-caliber guns using stick propellant charges. A comprehensive theoretical model for predicting the flame spreading, combustion, and grain deformation phenomena of long, unslotted stick propellants is presented. The formulation is based upon a combined Eulerian-Lagrangian approach to simulate special characteristics of the two phase combustion process in a cartridge loaded with a bundle of sticks. The model considers five separate regions consisting of the internal perforation, the solid phase, the external interstitial gas phase, and two lumped parameter regions at either end of the stick bundle. For the external gas phase region, a set of transient one-dimensional fluid-dynamic equations using the Eulerian approach is obtained; governing equations for the stick propellants are formulated using the Lagrangian approach. The motion of a representative stick is derived by considering the forces acting on the entire propellant stick. The instantaneous temperature and stress fields in the stick propellant are modeled by considering the transient axisymmetric heat conduction equation and dynamic structural analysis.

Kuo, K. K.↗

Comparison of propeller cruise noise data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel with other tunnel and flight data

The noise of advanced high speed propeller models measured in the NASA 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel has been compared with model propeller noise measured in another tunnel and with full-scale propeller noise measured in flight. Good agreement was obtained for the noise of a model counterrotation propeller tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel and in the acoustically treated test section of the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel. This good agreement indicates the relative validity of taking cruise noise data on a plate in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel compared with the free-field method in the Boeing tunnel. Good agreement was also obtained for both single rotation and counter-rotation model noise comparisons with full-scale propeller noise in flight. The good scale model to full-scale comparisons indicate both the validity of the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel data and the ability to scale to full size. Boundary layer refraction on the plate provides a limitation to the measurement of forward arc noise in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel at the higher harmonics of the blade passing tone. The use of a validated boundary layer refraction model to adjust the data could remove this limitation.

Dittmar, James H.↗

Cruise noise of the SR-2 propeller model in a wind tunnel

Noise data on the SR-2 model propeller were taken in the NASA Lewis Research Center 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel. The maximum blade passing tone rises with increasing helical tip Mach number to a peak level at a helical tip Mach number of about 1.05; then it remains the same or decreases at higher helical tip Mach numbers. This behavior, which has been observed with other propeller models, points to the possibility of using higher propeller tip speeds to limit airplane cabin noise while maintaining high flight speed and efficiency. Noise comparisons of the straight-blade SR-2 propeller and the swept-blade SR-7A propeller showed that the tailored sweep of the SR-7A appears to be the cause of both lower peak noise levels and a slower noise increase with increasing helical tip Mach number.

Dittmar, James H.↗

Comparison of propeller cruise noise data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel with other tunnel and flight data

The noise of advanced high speed propeller models measured in the NASA 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel has been compared with model propeller noise measured in another tunnel and with full-scale propeller noise measured in flight. Good agreement was obtained for the noise of a model counterrotation propeller tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel and in the acoustically treated test section of the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel. This good agreement indicates the relative validity of taking cruise noise data on a plate in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel compared with the free-field method in the Boeing tunnel. Good agreement was also obtained for both single rotation and counter-rotation model noise comparisons with full-scale propeller noise in flight. The good scale model to full-scale comparisons indicate both the validity of the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel data and the ability to scale to full size. Boundary layer refraction on the plate provides a limitation to the measurement of forward arc noise in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel at the higher harmonics of the blade passing tone. The sue of a validated boundary layer refraction model to adjust the data could remove this limitation.

Dittmar, James↗