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At least 523 records · Page 29

Experimental and analytical transonic flutter characteristics of a geared-elevator configuration

The flutter model represented the aft fuselage and empennage of a proposed supersonic transport airplane and had an all movable horizontal tail with a geared elevator. It was tested mounted from a sting in the transonic dynamics tunnel. Symmetric flutter boundaries were determined experimentally at Mach numbers from 0.7 to 1.14 for a geared elevator configuration (gear ratio of 2.8 to 1.0) and an ungeared elevator configuration (gear ratio of 1.0 to 1.0). Gearing the elevator increased the experimental flutter dynamic pressures about 20 percent. Flutter calculations were made for the geared elevator configuration by using two analytical methods based on subsonic lifting surface theory. Both methods analyzed the stabilizer and elevator as a single, deforming surface, but one method also allowed the elevator to be analyzed as hinged from the stabilizer. All analyses predicted lower flutter dynamic pressures than experiment with best agreement (within 12 percent) for the hinged elevator method. Considering the model as mounted from a flexible rather than rigid sting in the analyses, had only a slight effect on the flutter results but was significant in that a sting related vibration mode was identified as a potentially flutter critical mode.

Ruhlin, C. L.↗

Transonic Drag Characteristics of a Wing-body Combination Showing the Effect of a Large Wing Fillet

Results of an investigation by the free-fall method are presented herein for a configuration having a body of revolution of fineness ratio 12 and 45 degrees sweptback wing mounted aft of the maximum diameter of the body. The fillets were designed to provide large increases in the sweep oof the leading edge and the line of maximum thickness as the wing root was approached. Comparison of these results with those for the same configuration without fillets shows that the addition of wing fillets increased the total drag of the configuration by about 35 percent at Mach numbers near 1.0 and about 15 percent at Mach numbers near 1.2. Results indicate that the fillets produced no appreciable change in the wing and tail drags but produced a large increase in body drag due to interference.

Cheatham, Donald C↗

Tools for Administration of a UNIX-Based Network

Several computer programs have been developed to enable efficient administration of a large, heterogeneous, UNIX-based computing and communication network that includes a variety of computers connected to a variety of subnetworks. One program provides secure software tools for administrators to create, modify, lock, and delete accounts of specific users. This program also provides tools for users to change their UNIX passwords and log-in shells. These tools check for errors. Another program comprises a client and a server component that, together, provide a secure mechanism to create, modify, and query quota levels on a network file system (NFS) mounted by use of the VERITAS File SystemJ software. The client software resides on an internal secure computer with a secure Web interface; one can gain access to the client software from any authorized computer capable of running web-browser software. The server software resides on a UNIX computer configured with the VERITAS software system. Directories where VERITAS quotas are applied are NFS-mounted. Another program is a Web-based, client/server Internet Protocol (IP) address tool that facilitates maintenance lookup of information about IP addresses for a network of computers.

LeClaire, Stephen↗

Comparison of acoustic performance of five muffler configurations on a small helicopter

A field noise measurement program has been conducted on a standard Bell 47 series helicopter and on one that had been modified with specially designed, airframe-mounted mufflers to reduce the engine exhaust noise. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the acoustic performance of five experimental exhaust muffler configurations for a helicopter reciprocating engine in an operational environment. All muffler configurations produced beneficial engine exhaust noise reductions but some configurations were markedly better than others. Flyover noise results indicated that maximum overall noise reductions of approximately 8 db were obtained with the various mufflers. The rotor noise was judged to be the dominant noise component for the muffler-equipped helicopters whereas the engine noise was the dominant component for the basic configuration.

Pegg, R. J.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactions of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree of freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

On the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a generic chine-forebody slender-wing fighter configuration

An exploratory investigation was conducted of the nonlinear aerodynamic and stability characteristics of a tailless generic fighter configuration featuring a chine-shaped forebody coupled to a slender cropped delta wing in the NASA Langley Research Center's 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. Forebody and wing vortex flow mechanisms were identified through off-body flow visualizations to explain the trends in the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics at extreme attitudes (angles of attack and sideslip). The interactins of the vortical motions with centerline and wing-mounted vertical tail surfaces were studied and the flow phenomena were correlated with the configuration forces and moments. Single degree-of-freedom, free-to-roll tests were used to study the wing rock susceptibility of the generic fighter model. Modifications to the nose region of the chine forebody were examined and fluid mechanisms were established to account for their ineffectiveness in modulating the highly interactive forebody and wing vortex systems.

Erickson, Gary E.↗

Analysis of Active Figure Control Effects on Mounting Strategy for X-Ray Optics

As part of ongoing development efforts at MSFC, we have begun to investigate mounting strategies for highly nested x-ray optics in both full-shell and segmented configurations. The analytical infrastructure for this effort also lends itself to investigation of active strategies. We expect that a consequence of active figure control on relatively thin substrates is that errors are propagated to the edges, where they might affect the effective precision of the mounting points. Based upon modeling, we describe parametrically, the conditions under which active mounts are preferred over fixed ones, and the effect of active figure corrections on the required number, locations, and kinematic characteristics of mounting points.

Kolodziejczak, Jeffrey J.↗

Bearing servicing tool

A tool for removing and/or replacing bearings in situ is presented. The tool is comprised of a brace having a first end adapted to engage a first end of the bearing housing, and a second end adapted to engage a second end of the bearing housing. If the two ends of the bearing housing are different in configuration, then the respective ends of the brace are configured accordingly. An elongate guide member integral with the brace has two parts, each projecting endwise from a respective end of the brace. A removable pressure plate can be mounted on either part of the guide member for longitudinal movement therealong and has first and second ends of different configurations adapted to engage the first and second ends of the bearing. A threaded-type drive is cooperative between the guide and the pressure plate to move the pressure plate longitudinally along the guide and apply a force to the bearing, either to remove the bearing from its housing, or to emplace a new bearing in the housing.

Boyce, Rex A.↗

Composite with In Situ Plenums

A document describes a high-performance thermal distribution panel (TDP) concept using high-conductivity (greater than 800 W/mK) macro composite skin with in situ heat pipes. The processing technologies proposed to build such a panel result in a one-piece, inseparable assembly with high conductance in both the X and Y planes. The TDP configuration can also be used to produce panels with high structural stiffness. The one-piece construction of the TDP eliminates the thermal interface between the cooling plenums and the heat spreader base, and obviates the need for bulky mounting flanges and thick heat spreaders used on baseline designs. The conductivity of the TDP can be configured to exceed 800 W/mK with a mass density below 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter. This material can provide efficient conductive heat transfer between the in situ heat plenums, permitting the use of thinner panel thicknesses. The plenums may be used as heat pipes, loop heat pipes, or liquid cooling channels. The panel technology used in the TDP is a macro-composite comprised of aluminum-encapsulated annealed pyrolytic graphite (APG). APG is highly aligned crystalline graphite with an in-plane thermal conductivity of 1,700 W/mK. APG has low shear strength and does not constrain the encapsulating material. The proposed concept has no thermal interfaces between the heat pipes and the spreader plate, further improving the overall conductance of the system. The in situ plenums can also be used for liquid cooling applications. The process can be used to fabricate structural panels by adding a second thin sheet.

Montesano, Mark↗

Results of an external tank separation test in AEDC/VKF tunnel B on 0.010-scale replica of space shuttle vehicle model 52-OT(IA17A), Volume 1

Tests were conducted on scale models of the space shuttle orbiter and external tank (ET) to determine the aerodynamic interactions during a return to launch site abort separation. The orbiter model was built to vehicle 3 configuration lines (139B) and the ET model approximated the vehicle 5 configurations with protuberances and attach hardware. For these investigations the orbiter was mounted on the primary support system and the external tank was mounted on the captive trajectory system. Six-component data were obtained for each vehicle at various orbiter angles of attack and sideslip for a range of relative angular and linear displacements of the ET from the orbiter.

Spangler, R. H.↗

Reduction of losses in low-frequency /2 MHz/ surface-wave delay line by outgassing

Surface waves are attenuated by a fluid or gas surrounding the surface of propagation, an effect caused by frictional losses determined by the fluid or gas viscosity and by the emission of compression waves into the environment. The paper reports a large reversible reduction in attenuation of surface waves at frequencies as low as 2 MHz by outgassing treatments of some materials, suggesting that at such frequencies vacuum encapsulation is a desirable procedure. Outgassing experiments were performed on a delay line constructed from high-density p.z.t.-8 (lead-zirconate-titanate). The delay line configuration was a slab waxed onto a metal base with coaxial connectors mounted near and connected by gold-wire leads to the interdigital finger sets. Output signal enhancements by as much as 8 dB were achieved after overnight evacuation at 10 to the -2 torr at room temperature.

Tittmann, B. R.↗

Results of a landing gear loads test using a 0.0405-scale model (16-0) of the space shuttle orbiter in the Rockwell International NAAL wind tunnel (OA163), volume 1

Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted on a sting mounted scale representation of the 140C outer mold line space shuttle orbiter configuration in the low speed wind tunnel. The primary test objectives were to define the orbiter landing gear system pressure loading and to record landing gear door and strut hingemoment levels. Secondary objectives included recording the aerodynamic influence of various landing gear configurations on orbiter force data as well as investigating 40 x 80 ft. Ames Wind Tunnel strut simulation effects on both orbiter landing gear loads and aerodynamic characteristics. Testing was conducted at a Mach number of 0.17, free stream dynamic pressure of 42.5 PSF, and Reynolds number per unit length of 1.2 million per foot. Angle of attack variation was 0 to 20 while yaw angles ranged from -10 to 10 deg.

Mennell, R. C.↗

Microprocessors for real time displays and control of space teleoperators

This paper describes the use of microprocessors for smart displays in a space teleoperator project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The application of microprocessor systems to demonstrate the utility of smart displays for a wrist mounted force/torque sensor and end-effector mounted proximity sensors are discussed as are the laboratory hardware and software configurations. These displays assist the operator in making critical real time decisions. Avenues for future development of these concepts are also presented.

Paine, G.↗

Effect of steady-state pressure distortion on inlet flow to a high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine

Static pressure and total pressure distributions were measured in the inlet duct upstream of the engine inlet and within the fan and compressor of a YTF34 turbofan engine. In addition, the free stream flow angle was measured between the distortion generator and the engine inlet. Distortions were generated using three screen configurations with extents of 90 deg or 180 deg. The screens were mounted on a rotatable screen assembly. Reynolds number index upstream of the distortion device was maintained at 0.5 or 0.2, and engine fan speed corrected to station 2 temperature was maintained at 80 or 90 percent of rated condition (7005 rpm). Flow angle was nearly constant near the distortion device and increased as flow approached the engine inlet. The largest flow angle occurred in the hub region of the engine inlet. Static pressure distortion along the inlet duct increased exponentially as the flow approached the engine. Both static pressure and total pressure distortions were attenuated between engine inlet and compressor exit.

Soeder, R. H.↗

Some lessons from NACA/NASA aerodynamic studies following World War II

An historical account is presented of the new departures in aerodynamic research conducted by NACA, and subsequently NASA, as a result of novel aircraft technologies and operational regimes encountered in the course of the Second World War. The invention and initial development of the turbojet engine furnished the basis for a new speed/altitude regime in which numerous aerodynamic design problems arose. These included compressibility effects near the speed of sound, with attendant lift/drag efficiency reductions and longitudinal stability enhancements that were accompanied by a directional stability reduction. Major research initiatives were mounted in the investigation of swept, delta, trapezoidal and variable sweep wing configurations, sometimes conducted through flight testing of the 'X-series' aircraft. Attention is also given to the development of the first generation of supersonic fighter aircraft.

Spearman, M. L.↗

Tethered nuclear power for the Space Station

A nuclear space power system the SP-100 is being developed for future missions where large amounts of electrical power will be required. Although it is primarily intended for unmanned spacecraft, it can be adapted to a manned space platform by tethering it above the station through an electrical transmission line which isolates the reactor far away from the inhabited platform and conveys its power back to where it is needed. The transmission line, used in conjunction with an instrument rate shield, attenuates reactor radiation in the vicinity of the space station to less than one-one hundredth of the natural background which is already there. This combination of shielding and distance attenuation is less than one-tenth the mass of boom-mounted or onboard man-rated shields that are required when the reactor is mounted nearby. This paper describes how connection is made to the platform (configuration, operational requirements) and introduces a new element the coaxial transmission tube which enables efficient transmission of electrical power through long tethers in space. Design methodology for transmission tubes and tube arrays is discussed. An example conceptual design is presented that shows SP-100 at three power levels 100 kWe, 300 kWe, and 1000 kWe connected to space station via a 2 km HVDC transmission line/tether. Power system performance, mass, and radiation hazard are estimated with impacts on space station architecture and operation.

Bents, D. J.↗

Tethered nuclear power for the space station

A nuclear space power system the SP-100 is being developed for future missions where large amounts of electrical power will be required. Although it is primarily intended for unmanned spacecraft, it can be adapted to a manned space platform by tethering it above the station through an electrical transmission line which isolates the reactor far away from the inhabited platform and conveys its power back to where it is needed. The transmission line, used in conjunction with an instrument rate shield, attenuates reactor radiation in the vicinity of the space station to less than one-one hundredth of the natural background which is already there. This combination of shielding and distance attenuation is less than one-tenth the mass of boom-mounted or onboard man-rated shields that are required when the reactor is mounted nearby. This paper describes how connection is made to the platform (configuration, operational requirements) and introduces a new element the coaxial transmission tube which enables efficient transmission of electrical power through long tethers in space. Design methodology for transmission tubes and tube arrays is discussed. An example conceptual design is presented that shows SP-100 at three power levels 100 kWe, 300 kWe, and 1000 kWe connected to space station via a 2 km HVDC transmission line/tether. Power system performance, mass, and radiation hazard are estimated with impacts on space station architecture and operation.

Bents, D. J.↗

Numerical study of the effects of boundary conditions on the measurement and calibration of gardon type heat flux sensors

To monitor the high-intensity heat flux conditions that occur in the space shuttle main engine (SSME), it is necessary to use specifically designed heat flux sensors. These sensors, which are of the Gardon-type, are exposed on the measuring face to high-intensity radiative and convective heat fluxes and on the other face to convective cooling. To improve the calibration and measurement accuracy of these gauges, researchers are studing the effect that the thermal boundary conditions have on gauge performance. In particular, they are studying how convective cooling effects the field inside the sensor and the measured heat flux. The first phase of this study involves a numerical study of these effects. Subsequent phases will involve experimental verification. A computer model of the heat transfer around a Garden-type heat flux sensor was developed. Two specific geometries are being considered are: (1) heat flux sensor mounted on a flat-plate; and (2) heat flux sensor mounted at the stagnation point of a circular cylinder. Both of these configurations are representative of the use of heat flux sensors in the components of the SSME. The purpose of the analysis is to obtain a temperature distribution as a function of the boundary conditions.

Krane, M.↗