Engineering PapersSearch

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ROTOR”

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.

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

At least 55 records · Page 3

Dynamic Calibration of the NASA Ames Rotor Test Apparatus Steady/Dynamic Rotor Balance

The NASA Ames Rotor Test Apparatus was modified to include a Steady/Dynamic Rotor Balance. The dynamic calibration procedures and configurations are discussed. Random excitation was applied at the rotor hub, and vibratory force and moment responses were measured on the steady/dynamic rotor balance. Transfer functions were computed using the load cell data and the vibratory force and moment responses from the rotor balance. Calibration results showing the influence of frequency bandwidth, hub mass, rotor RPM, thrust preload, and dynamic loads through the stationary push rods are presented and discussed.

Peterson, Randall L.

Concepts for a theoretical and experimental study of lifting rotor random loads and vibrations. Phase 5B: Analysis of gust alleviation methods and rotor dynamic stability

The effects of various gust alleviation methods on the random blade response in flapping were studied analytically, assuming a rigid rotor support. The analytical model assumes rigid flapping blades with elastic root restraints. Linearized equations which are approximately valid at low lift conditions were used. Because of the interblade coupling from the feedback devices, the method of multiblade generalized coordinates was most convenient and was extended to include coning, differential coning, and warping of the rotor. The numerical examples cover the dynamic stability characteristics as affected by feedback gains of three- to six-bladed rotors. The number of blades had large effects on stability limits and modal time functions at these limits. The random flapping response of the blades to atmospheric turbulence was determined at 1.6 rotor advance ratio using feedback gains below the stability limit. The most effective reduction of the flapping response per unit gain was achieved with a rotor coning angle feedback.

Hohenemser, K. H.

V/STOL tilt rotor aircraft study. Volume 5: Definition of stowed rotor research aircraft

The results of a study of folding tilt rotor (stowed rotor) aircraft are presented. The effects of design cruise speed on the gross weight of a conceptual design stowed rotor aircraft are shown and a comparison is made with a conventional (non-folding) tilt rotor aircraft. A flight research stowed rotor design is presented. The program plans, including costs and schedules, are shown for the research aircraft development and a wind tunnel plan is presented for a full scale test of the aircraft.

Soule, V. A.

Concepts for a theoretical and experimental study of lifting rotor random loads and vibrations (further experiments with progressing/regressing rotor flapping modes), Phase 7-C

The experiments with progressing/regressing forced rotor flapping modes have been extended in several directions and the data processing method has been considerably refined. The 16 inch hingeless 2-bladed rotor model was equipped with a new set of high precision blades which removed previously encountered tracking difficulties at high advance ratio, so that tests up to .8 rotor advance ratio could be conducted. In addition to data with 1.20 blade natural flapping frequency data at 1.10 flapping frequency were obtained. Outside the wind tunnel, tests with a ground plate located at different distances below the rotor were conducted while recording the dynamic downflow at a station .2R below the rotor plane with a hot wire anemometer.

Hohenemser, K. H.

An experimental investigation of the chopping of helicopter main rotor tip vortices by the tail rotor

The chopping of helicopter main rotor tip vortices by the tail rotor was experimentally investigated. This is a problem of blade vortex interaction (BVI) at normal incidence where the vortex is generally parallel to the rotor axis. The experiment used a model rotor and an isolated vortex and was designed to isolate BVI noise from other types of rotor noise. Tip Mach number, radical BVI station, and free stream velocity were varied. Fluctuating blade pressures, farfield sound pressure level and directivity, velocity field of the incident vortex, and blade vortex interaction angles were measured. Blade vortex interaction was found to produce impulsive noise which radiates primarily ahead of the blade. For interaction away from the blade tip, the results demonstrate the dipole character of BVI radiation. For BVI close to the tip, three dimensional relief effect reduces the intensity of the interaction, despite larger BVI angle and higher local Mach number. Furthermore, in this case, the radiation patern is more complex due to diffraction at and pressure communication around the tip.

Ahmadi, A. R.

Demonstration of various rotor instabilities (exhibit of Bently Rotor Dynamics Research Corporation Laborator rigs at symposium on instability in rotaing machinery)

The operation of rotor rigs used to demonstrate various instability phenomena occurring in rotating machines is described. The instability phenomena demonstrated included oil whirl/whip antiswirl, rub, loose rotating parts, water-lubricated bearing instabilities, and cracked shaft. The rotor rigs were also used to show corrective measures for preventing instabilities. Vibrational response data from the rigs were taken with modern, computerized instrumentation. The rotor nonsynchronous perturbation rig demonstrated modal identification techniques for rotor/bearing systems. Computer-aided data acquisition and presentation, using the dynamic stiffness method, makes it possible to identify rotor and bearing parameters for low modes. The shaft mode demonstrator presented the amplified modal shape line of the shaft excited by inertia forces of unbalance (synchronous perturbation). The first three bending modes of the shaft can be demonstrated. The user-friendly software, Orbits, presented a simulation of rotor precessional motion that is characteristic of various instability phenomena. The data presentation demonstration used data measured on a turbine driven compressor train as an example of how computer aided data acquisition and presentation assists in identifying rotating machine malfunctions.

Muszynska, A.

Performance and power regulation characteristics of two aileron-controlled rotors and a pitchable tip-controlled rotor on the Mod-O turbine

Tests were conducted on the DOE/NASA mod-0 horizontal axis wind turbine to compare and evaluate the performance and the power regulation characteristics of two aileron-controlled rotors and a pitchable tip-controlled rotor. The two aileron-controlled rotor configurations used 20 and 38 percent chord ailerons, while the tip-controlled rotor had a pitchable blade tip. The ability of the control surfaces to regulate power was determined by measuring the change in power caused by an incremental change in the deflection angle of the control surface. The data shows that the change in power per degree of deflection angle for the tip-controlled rotor was four times the corresponding value for the 2- percent chord ailerons. The root mean square power deviation about a power setpoint was highest for the 20 percent chord aileron, and lowest for the 38 percent chord aileron.

Corrigan, Robert D.

A study of autogiro rotor-blade oscillations in the plane of the rotor disk

An analysis of the factors governing the oscillation of an autogiro rotor blade in the plane of the rotor disk showed that the contribution of the air forces to the resultant motion was small and that the oscillation is essentially a direct effect of the rotor-blade flapping motion. A comparison of calculated oscillations with those measured in flight on three different rotors disclosed that the calculations gave satisfactory agreement with experiment. The calculated air forces on the rotor blade appear to be larger than the experimental ones, but this discrepancy can be attributed to the deficiencies in the strip analysis.

Wheatley, John B

The Aerodynamic Performance of an Over-the-Rotor Liner With Circumferential Grooves on a High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Rotor

While liners have been utilized throughout turbofan ducts to attenuate fan noise, additional attenuation is obtainable by placing an acoustic liner over-the-rotor. Previous experiments have shown significant fan performance losses when acoustic liners are installed over-the-rotor. The fan blades induce an oscillating flow in the acoustic liners which results in a performance loss near the blade tip. An over-the-rotor liner was designed with circumferential grooves between the fan blade tips and the acoustic liner to reduce the oscillating flow in the acoustic liner. An experiment was conducted in the W-8 Single-Stage Axial Compressor Facility at NASA Glenn Research Center on a 1.5 pressure ratio fan to evaluate the impact of this over-the-rotor treatment design on fan aerodynamic performance. The addition of a circumferentially grooved over-the-rotor design between the fan blades and the acoustic liner reduced the performance loss, in terms of fan adiabatic efficiency, to less than 1 percent which is within the repeatability of this experiment.

Bozak, Richard F.

The Aerodynamic Performance of an Over-The-Rotor Liner with Circumferential Grooves on a High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Rotor

While liners have been utilized throughout turbofan ducts to attenuate fan noise, additional attenuation is obtainable by placing an acoustic liner over-the-rotor. Previous experiments have shown significant fan performance losses when acoustic liners are installed over-the-rotor. The fan blades induce an oscillating flow in the acoustic liners which results in a performance loss near the blade tip. An over-the-rotor liner was designed with circumferential grooves between the fan blade tips and the acoustic liner to reduce the oscillating flow in the acoustic liner. An experiment was conducted in the W-8 Single-Stage Axial Compressor Facility at NASA Glenn Research Center on a 1.5 pressure ratio fan to evaluate the impact of this over-the-rotor treatment design on fan aerodynamic performance. The addition of a circumferentially grooved over-the-rotor design between the fan blades and the acoustic liner reduced the performance loss, in terms of fan adiabatic efficiency, to less than 1% which is within the repeatability of this experiment.

Bozak, Rick

Characteristics of hingeless rotors with hub moment feedback controls including experimental rotor frequency response, Volume 1

Wind tunnel tests to determine the dynamic characteristics of hingeless rotors with hub moment feedback controls and to acquire experimental hingeless rotor transfer functions are discussed. Rotor transfer functions were calculated from data acquired during open loop frequency response tests. The transfer functions are linear and present the rotor longitudinal and lateral frequency responses to collective pitch, longitudinal cyclic pitch, and lateral cyclic pitch. The theoretical analysis was based on the rigid blade flapping model coupled with appropriate control system and cyclic pitch actuator equations of motion.

Kuczynski, W. A.

Concepts for a theoretical and experimental study of lifting rotor random loads and vibrations. Phase 6-B: Experiments with progressing/regressing forced rotor flapping modes

A two bladed 16-inch hingeless rotor model was built and tested outside and inside a 24 by 24 inch wind tunnel test section at collective pitch settings up to 5 deg and rotor advance ratios up to .4. The rotor model has a simple eccentric mechanism to provide progressing or regressing cyclic pitch excitation. The flapping responses were compared to analytically determined responses which included flap-bending elasticity but excluded rotor wake effects. Substantial systematic deviations of the measured responses from the computed responses were found, which were interpreted as the effects of interaction of the blades with a rotating asymmetrical wake.

Hohenemser, K. H.

V/STOL tilt rotor study. Volume 5: A mathematical model for real time flight simulation of the Bell model 301 tilt rotor research aircraft

A mathematical model for real-time flight simulation of a tilt rotor research aircraft was developed. The mathematical model was used to support the aircraft design, pilot training, and proof-of-concept aspects of the development program. The structure of the mathematical model is indicated by a block diagram. The mathematical model differs from that for a conventional fixed wing aircraft principally in the added requirement to represent the dynamics and aerodynamics of the rotors, the interaction of the rotor wake with the airframe, and the rotor control and drive systems. The constraints imposed on the mathematical model are defined.

P B Harendra

Use of active control systems to improve bending and rotor flapping response of a tilt rotor VTOL airplane

The results are summarized of an analytical study of the use of active control systems for the purpose of reducing the root mean square response of wing vertical bending and rotor flapping to atmospheric turbulence for a tilt-rotor VTOL airplane. Only the wing/rotor assembly was considered so that results of a wind tunnel test program would be applicable in a subsequent phase of the research. The capabilities and limitations of simple single feedback configurations were identified, and the most promising multiloop feedback configurations were then investigated. Design parameters were selected so as to minimize either wing bending or rotor flapping response. Within the constraints imposed by practical levels of feedback gains and complexity and by considerations of safety, reduction in response due to turbulence of the order of 30 to 50 percent is predicted using the rotor longitudinal cyclic and a trailing edge wing flap as control effectors.

Whitaker, H. P.

Preliminary simulation of an advanced, hingless rotor XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft

The feasibility of the tilt-rotor concept was verified through investigation of the performance, stability and handling qualities of the XV-15 tilt rotor. The rotors were replaced by advanced-technology fiberglass/composite hingless rotors of larger diameter, combined with an advanced integrated fly-by-wire control system. A parametric simulation model of the HRXV-15 was developed, model was used to define acceptable preliminary ranges of primary and secondary control schedules as functions of the flight parameters, to evaluate performance, flying qualities and structural loads, and to have a Boeing-Vertol pilot conduct a simulated flight test evaluation of the aircraft.

Mcveigh, M. A.

Rotor systems research aircraft /RSRA/ rotor force and moment measurement system

The two Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) are flight vehicles with unique measurement capabilities. The primary goal of the RSRA is direct measurement of rotor forces and moments in flight. This is accomplished through a rotor force and moment measurement system comprised of load cells and/or hydro-pneumatic isolator units which are integral to the aircraft structure. Due to structural flexibility, the aircraft must undergo a physical calibration. A static calibration of the first RSRA has been completed, and data analysis has progressed through determination of a linear calibration algorithm. Design, development, and operation of the RSRA rotor force and moment measurement system and the Static Calibration Facility are described, and results of the calibration are presented.

Burks, J. S.

Performance of the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft calibrated rotor loads measurement system

The compound Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) is designed to make high accuracy, simultaneous measurements of all rotor forces and moments in flight. Physical calibration of the rotor force- and moment-measurement system when installed in the aircraft is required to account for any errors and to ensure that measurement system accuracy is traceable to the National Bureau of Standards. The first static calibration and associated analysis has been completed with good results. Hysteresis was a potential cause of static calibration errors, but was found to be negligible in flight, and analytical methods have been devised to eliminate its effects on calibration data. Flight tests confirmed that the calibrated rotor loads measurement system performs as expected in flight, and that it can dependably make direct measurements of fuselage vertical drag in hover.

Acree, C. W., Jr.

Response studies of rotors and rotor blades with application to aeroelastic tailoring

Various tools for the aeroelastic stability and response analysis of rotor blades in hover and forward flight were developed and incorporated in a comprehensive package capable of performing aeroelastic tailoring of rotor blades in forward flight. The results indicate that substantial vibration reductions, of order 15-40%, in the vibratory hub shears can be achieved by relatively small modifications of the initial design. Furthermore the optimized blade can be up to 20% lighter than the original design. Accomplishments are reported for the following tasks: (1) finite element modeling of rotary-wing aeroelastic problems in hover and forward flight; (2) development of numerical methods for calculating the aeroelastic response and stability of rotor blades in forward fight; (3) formulation of the helicopter air resonance problem in hover with active controls; and (4) optimum design of rotor blades for vibration reduction in forward flight.

Friedmann, P. P.