Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “sweep testing”

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 577 records · Page 32

NASA Langley FUN3D Analyses in Support of the 1st AIAA Stability and Control Prediction Workshop

This work summarizes the results of FUN3D analyses conducted for the 1st AIAA Stability and Control Workshop on behalf of participants from the NASA Langley Research Center. The workshop was created to establish best practices for the prediction of stability and control derivatives using computational fluid dynamics and assess the limitations of these methods when those best practices are applied. The inaugural workshop considered the ONERA version of the NASA/Boeing Common Research Model, which includes the wing, body, horizontal tail, and a vertical tail designed by ONERA. Wind tunnel data at small sideslip angles remain unpublished and served as ‘blind’ data for computational comparisons. The present research generated workshop test case data using the NASA FUN3D code, which is a parallelized, unstructured, node-based, finite-volume discretization, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver. Steady- state numerical simulations were conducted for workshop test cases investigating the following: grid convergence, Mach number effect on static stability, wind tunnel sting increments, static stability-derivative calculations, and a sideslip angle sweep. Results were generated for two series of unstructured, mixed-element grids, one set provided by the workshop and another set created using the HeldenMesh grid generation software. The results provided include total- and component-level breakdowns of the force and moment coefficients, in addition to sectional pressure distributions for the wing and tail components for comparisons to wind tunnel data.

CFD↗

X-43A Flight-Test-Determined Aerodynamic Force and Moment Characteristics at Mach 7.0

The second flight of the Hyper-X program afforded a unique opportunity to determine the aerodynamic force and moment characteristics of an airframe-integrated scramjet-powered aircraft in hypersonic flight. These data were gathered via a repeated series of pitch, yaw, and roll doublets, frequency sweeps, and pushover-pullup maneuvers performed throughout the X-43A cowl-closed descent. Maneuvers were conducted at Mach numbers of 6.80-0.95 and at altitudes from 92,000 ft mean sea level to sea level. The dynamic pressure varied from 1300 to 400 psf with the angle of attack ranging from 0 to 14 deg. The flight-extracted aerodynamics were compared with preflight predictions based on wind-tunnel test data. The X-43A flight-derived axial force was found to be 10-15%higher than prediction. Underpredictions of similar magnitude were observed for the normal force. For Mach numbers above 4.0, the flight-derived stability and control characteristics resulted in larger-than-predicted static margins, with the largest discrepancy approximately 5 in. forward along the x-axis center of gravity at Mach 6.0. This condition would result in less static margin in pitch. The predicted lateral-directional stability and control characteristics matched well with flight data when allowance was made for the high uncertainty in angle of sideslip.

Davis, Mark C.↗

Comparison of Far-Field Noise for Three Significantly Different Model Turbofans

Far-field noise sound power level (PWL) spectra and overall sound pressure level (OASPL) directivities were compared for three significantly different model fan stages which were tested in the NASA Glenn 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The test fans included the Advanced Ducted Propulsor (ADP) Fan1, the baseline Source Diagnostic Test (SDT) fan, and the Quiet High Speed Fan2 (QHSF2) These fans had design rotor tangential tip speeds from 840 to 1474 ft/s and stage pressure ratios from 1.29 to 1.82. Additional parameters included rotor-stator spacing, stator sweep, and downstream support struts. Acoustic comparison points were selected on the basis of stage thrust. Acoustic results for the low tip speed/low pressure ratio fan (ADP Fan1) were thrust-adjusted to show how a geometrically-scaled version of this fan might compare at the higher design thrust levels of the other two fans. Lowest noise levels were typically observed for ADP Fan1 (which had a radial stator) and for the intermediate tip speed fan (Source Diagnostics Test, SDT, R4 rotor) with a swept stator. Projected noise levels for the ADP fan to the SDT swept stator configuration at design point conditions showed the fans to have similar noise levels. However, it is possible that the ADP fan could be 2 to 3 dB quieter with incorporation of a swept stator. Benefits of a scaled ADP fan include avoidance of multiple pure tones associated with transonic and higher blade tip speeds. Penalties of a larger size ADP fan would include increased nacelle size and drag.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Comparison of Far-field Noise for Three Significantly Different Model Turbofans

Far-field noise sound power level (PWL) spectra and overall sound pressure level (OASPL) directivities were compared for three significantly different model fan stages which were tested in the NASA Glenn 9 15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The test fans included the Advanced Ducted Propulsor (ADP) Fan1, the baseline Source Diagnostic Test (SDT) fan, and the Quiet High Speed Fan2 (QHSF2). These fans had design rotor tangential tip speeds from 840 to 1474 ft/s and stage pressure ratios from 1.29 to 1.82. Additional parameters included rotor-stator spacing, stator sweep, and downstream support struts. Acoustic comparison points were selected on the basis of stage thrust. Acoustic results for the low tip speed/low pressure ratio fan (ADP Fan1) were thrust-adjusted to show how a geometrically-scaled version of this fan might compare at the higher design thrust levels of the other two fans. Lowest noise levels were typically observed for ADP Fan1 (which had a radial stator) and for the intermediate tip speed fan (Source Diagnostics Test, SDT, R4 rotor) with a swept stator. Projected noise levels for the ADP fan to the SDT swept stator configuration at design point conditions showed the fans to have similar noise levels. However, it is possible that the ADP fan could be 2 to 3 dB quieter with incorporation of a swept stator. Benefits of a scaled ADP fan include avoidance of multiple pure tones associated with transonic and higher blade tip speeds. Penalties of a larger size ADP fan would include increased nacelle size and drag.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Test report: Low cost access and efficient use of TDRSS

In order to develop new ways to increase the number of users taking advantage of NASA's Space Network for space-to-ground communications links, researchers at New Mexico State University (NMSU) developed a technique for using non-gimballed antennas for accessing a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) within the Space Network (SN). This concept would allow spin-stabilized satellites to access one of the TDRS spacecraft in the SN constellation as the user satellite sweeps past the TDRS position as the satellite approaches either its ascending or descending node if this node is relatively close to the TDRS subsatellite point. ne research team from NMSU developing this concept proposed to NASA the use of the Extreme Ultra Violet Explorer (EUVE) to test this concept on orbit. EUVE differs from the desired satellite configuration in that EUVE has a relatively high-gain parabolic antenna and, most importantly, EUVE has an inertially-stabilized attitude control system while the concept to be tested was for a spin-stabilized satellite. We believed that these limitations would not affect the basic proof-of-concept test we were trying to achieve. With the approval and coordination of NASA, a total of six satellite passes through the West TDRS were requested and the necessary equipment configured for data collection at the Second TDRS Ground Terminal (STGT), also known as Danzante, at the White Sands Complex.

Horan, S.↗

Distribution Grid Modeling Using Smart Meter Data

The knowledge of distribution grid models, including topologies and line impedances, is essential for grid monitoring, control and protection. However, such information is often unavailable, incomplete or outdated. The increasing deployment of smart meters (SMs) provides a unique opportunity to tackle this issue. This paper proposes a two-stage framework for distribution grid modeling using SM data. In the first stage, the network topology is identified by reconstructing a weighted Laplacian matrix of distribution networks. In the second stage, a least absolute deviations (LAD) regression model is developed for estimating line impedance of a single branch based on the nonlinear (inverse) power flow model, wherein a conductor library is leveraged to narrow down the solution space. The LAD regression model is originally a mixed-integer nonlinear program whose continuous relaxation is still non-convex. Furthermore, we specially address its convex relaxation and discuss the exactness. The modified regression model is then embedded within a bottom-up sweep algorithm to achieve the identification across the network in a branch-wise manner. Numerical results on the IEEE 13-bus, 37-bus and 69-bus test feeders validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Enhancing Heavy-Oil-Recovery Efficiency by Combining Low-Salinity-Water and Polymer Flooding

Summary Combining low-salinity-water (LSW) and polymer flooding was proposed to unlock the tremendous heavy-oil resources on the Alaska North Slope (ANS). The synergy of LSW and polymer flooding was demonstrated through coreflooding experiments at various conditions. The results indicate that the high-salinity polymer (HSP) (salinity = 27,500 ppm) requires nearly two-thirds more polymer than the low-salinity polymer (LSP) (salinity = 2,500 ppm) to achieve the target viscosity at the condition of this study. Additional oil was recovered from LSW flooding after extensive high-salinity-water (HSW) flooding [3 to 9% of original oil in place (OOIP)]. LSW flooding performed in secondary mode achieved higher recovery than that in tertiary mode. Also, the occurrence of water breakthrough can be delayed in the LSW flooding compared with the HSW flooding. Strikingly, after extensive LSW flooding and HSP flooding, incremental oil recovery (approximately 8% of OOIP) was still achieved by LSP flooding with the same viscosity as the HSP. The pH increase of the effluent during LSW/LSP flooding was significantly greater than that during HSW/HSP flooding, indicating the presence of the low-salinity effect (LSE). The residual-oil-saturation (Sor) reduction induced by the LSE in the area unswept during the LSW flooding (mainly smaller pores) would contribute to the increased oil recovery. LSP flooding performed directly after waterflooding recovered more incremental oil (approximately 10% of OOIP) compared with HSP flooding performed in the same scheme. Apart from the improved sweep efficiency by polymer, the low-salinity-induced Sor reduction also would contribute to the increased oil recovery by the LSP. A nearly 2-year pilot test in the Milne Point Field on the ANS has shown impressive success of the proposed hybrid enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) process: water-cut reduction (70 to less than 15%), increasing oil rate, and no polymer breakthrough so far. This work has demonstrated the remarkable economical and technical benefits of combining LSW and polymer flooding in enhancing heavy-oil recovery.

Engineering↗

Noise reduction of EBF propulsive-lift systems

In a recently completed program, static and wind tunnel measurements have been made of the basic noise, noise reduction, and performance characteristics of externally blown flap (EBF) propulsive-lift systems. The static tests were performed on an outdoor model rig. Noise evaluations were made for parameters such as basic system geometry, flap slot dimension variation, elimination of flap slots, sweep angle variation, passive flap trailing edge modifications, active (blowing) trailing edge modifications, and for an ejector/decayer exhaust system. The wind tunnel evaluation determined forward speed effects on EBF systems noise characteristics. The results from the experimental programs are discussed as to their application to full scale short haul aircraft.

Gibson, J. S.↗

Source Diagnostic Fan II (22-inch) Duct Mode Characteristics as Measured by the Rotating Rake Mode Measurement System while Operated in the NASA Glenn 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel

The second entry of the Source Diagnostic Test (SDT2) was a continuation of the first SDT entry with additional parameters tested. The rotor, stators, and general flow path hardware used in SDT2 were the same as those for SDT1. This included a radial baseline set of stator vanes, which had a vane count such that the rotor-stator interaction at the fan blade passing fundamental was cut-off, as is typical for modern turbofans. Two sets of stator vanes were designed and tested with a count generating a cut-on rotor-stator interaction at the fan blade passing fundamental. One of the sets maintained the no aerodynamic sweep as the radial baseline, the other was designed with leading edge sweep with the intent to generate lower noise. The NASA Glenn Research Center’s Rotating Rake Mode Measurement System was utilized to obtain a complete map of the acoustic duct modes present. The system is a radial rake immersed into the duct that continuously rotates about the duct centerline. For each of the three stator vane configurations, data were acquired at several different fan speeds which included nominal, approach, cutback, and takeoff conditions. Analysis of the mode power level results at the fan fundamentals showed the improved designed set resulted in lower rotor-stator interaction mode acoustic levels. Multiple-pure tones generated by the M5 rotor in the inlet were also measured.

Turbofan, Duct Modes↗

Source Diagnostic Fan II (22-inch) Duct Mode Characteristics as Measured by the Rotating Rake Mode Measurement System while Operated in the NASA Glenn 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel

The second entry of the Source Diagnostic Test (SDT2) was a continuation of the first SDT entry with additional parameters tested. The rotor, stators, and general flow path hardware used in SDT2 were the same as those for SDT1. This included a radial baseline set of stator vanes, which had a vane count such that the rotor-stator interaction at the fan blade passing fundamental was cut-off, as is typical for modern turbofans. Two sets of stator vanes were designed and tested with a count generating a cut-on rotor-stator interaction at the fan blade passing fundamental. One of the sets maintained the no aerodynamic sweep as the radial baseline, the other was designed with leading edge sweep with the intent to generate lower noise. The NASA Glenn Research Center’s Rotating Rake Mode Measurement System was utilized to obtain a complete map of the acoustic duct modes present. The system is a radial rake emersed into the duct that continuously rotates about the duct centerline. For each of the three stator vane configurations, data were acquired at several different fan speeds which included nominal, approach, cutback, and takeoff conditions. Analysis of the mode power level results at the fan fundamentals showed the improved designed set resulted in lower rotor-stator interaction mode acoustic levels. Multiple-pure tones generated by the M5 rotor in the inlet were also measured.

Turbofan↗

Flight-Test-Determined Aerodynamic Force and Moment Characteristics of the X-43A at Mach 7.0

The second flight of the Hyper-X program afforded a unique opportunity to determine the aerodynamic force and moment characteristics of an airframe-integrated scramjet-powered aircraft in hypersonic flight. These data were gathered via a repeated series of pitch, yaw, and roll doublets; frequency sweeps; and pushover-pullup maneuvers performed throughout the X-43A cowl-closed descent. Maneuvers were conducted at Mach numbers of 6.80 to 0.95 and altitudes from 92,000 ft msl to sea level. The dynamic pressure varied from 1300 psf to 400 psf with the angle of attack ranging from 0 deg to 14 deg. The flight-extracted aerodynamics were compared with preflight predictions based on wind-tunnel-test data. The X-43A flight-derived axial force was found to be 10 percent to 15 percent higher than prediction. Under-predictions of similar magnitude were observed for the normal force. For Mach numbers above 4.0, the flight-derived stability and control characteristics resulted in larger-than-predicted static margins, with the largest discrepancy approximately 5 in. forward along the x-axis center of gravity at Mach 6.0. This condition would result in less static margin in pitch. The predicted lateral-directional stability and control characteristics matched well with flight data when allowance was made for the high uncertainty in angle of sideslip.

Davis. Marl C.↗

Flutter study of an advanced composite wing with external stores

A flutter test using a scaled model of an advanced composite wing for a Navy attack aircraft has been conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The model was a wall-mounted half-span wing with a semi-span of 6.63 ft. The wing had an aspect ratio of 5.31, taper ratio of 0.312, and quarter-chord sweep of 25 degrees. The model was supported in a manner that simulated the load path in the carry-through structure of the aircraft and the symmetric boundary condition at the fuselage centerline. The model was capable of carrying external stores from three pylon locations on the wing. Flutter tests were conducted for the wing with and without external stores. No flutter was encountered for the clean wing at test conditions which simulated the scaled airplane operating envelope. Flutter boundaries were obtained for several external store configurations. The flutter boundaries for the fuel tanks were nearly Mach number independent (occurring at constant dynamic pressure). To study the aerodynamic effect of the fuel tank stores, pencil stores (slender cylindrical rods) which had the same mass and pitch and yaw inertia as the fuel tanks were tested on the model. These pencil store configurations exhibited a transonic dip in the flutter dynamic pressure, indicating that the aerodynamic effect of the actual fuel tanks on flutter was significant. Several flutter analyses methods were used in an attempt to predict the flutter phenomenon exhibited during the wind-tunnel test. The analysis gave satisfactory predictions of flutter for the pencil store configurations, but unsatisfactory correlation for the actual fuel tank configurations.

Cole, Stanley R.↗

Hollow Fiber Ground Evaporator Unit Testing

A candidate technology for 1-atmosphere suited heat rejection was developed and tested at NASA Johnson Space Center. The concept is to use a collection of microporous hydrophobic tubes potted between inlet and outlet headers with water as coolant. A pump provides flow between headers through the tubes which are subjected to fan driven cross flow of relatively dry air. The forced ventilation would sweep out the water vapor from the evaporation of the coolant rejecting heat from the coolant stream. The hollow fibers are obtained commercially (X50-215 Celgard) which are arranged in a sheet containing 5 fibers per linear inch. Two engineering development units were produced that vary the fold direction of the fiber sheets relative to the ventilation. These units were tested at inlet water temperatures ranging from 20 deg C to 30 deg C, coolant flow rates ranging from 10 to 90 kg/hr, and at three fan speeds. These results were used to size a system that could reject heat at a rate of 340 W.

Bue, Grant↗

Effect of wing planform and canard location and geometry on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a close-coupled canard wing model at subsonic speeds

A generalized wind-tunnel model with canard and wing planforms typical of highly maneuverable aircraft was tested in the Langley 7- by 10-foot high-speed tunnel at a Mach number of 0.30 to determine the effect of canard location, canard size, wing sweep, and canard strake on canard-wing interference to high angles of attack. The major results of this investigation may be summarized as follows: the high-canard configuration (excluding the canard strake and canard flap), for both the 60 deg and 44 deg swept leading-edge wings, produced the highest maximum lift coefficient and the most linear pitching-moment curves; substantially larger gains in the canard lift and total lift were obtained by adding a strake to the canard located below the wing chord plane rather than by adding a strake to the canard located above the wing chord plane.

Gloss, B. B.↗

Design, development and manufacture of a breadboard radio frequency mass gauging system

The feasibility of the RF gauging mode, counting technique was demonstrated for gauging liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen under all attitude conditions. With LH2, it was also demonstrated under dynamic fluid conditions, in which the fluid assumes ever changing positions within the tank, that the RF gauging technique on the average provides a very good indication of mass. It is significant that the distribution of the mode count data at each fill level during dynamic LH2 and LOX orientation testing does approach a statistical normal distribution. Multiple space-diversity probes provide better coupling to the resonant modes than utilization of a single probe element. The variable sweep rate generator technique provides a more uniform mode versus time distribution for processing.

Source record↗

Augmentation of Fighter-Aircraft Performance by Spanwise Blowing over the Wing Leading Edge

Spanwise blowing over the wing and canard of a 1:35 model of a close-coupled-canard fighter airplane configuration (similar to the Kfir-C2) was investigated experimentally in low-speed flow. Tests were conducted at airspeeds of 30 m/sec (Reynolds number of 1.8 x 10 to the 5th power based on mean aerodynamic chord) with angle-of-attack sweeps from -8 to 60 deg, and yaw-angle sweeps from -8 to 36 deg at fixed angles of attack 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 deg. Significant improvement in lift-curve slope, maximum lift, drag polar and lateral/directional stability was found, enlarging the flight envelope beyond its previous low-speed/maximum-lift limit. In spite of the highly swept (60 deg) leading edge, the efficiency of the lift augmentation by blowing was relatively high and was found to increase with increasing blowing momentum on the close-coupled-canard configuration. Interesting possibilities of obtaining much higher efficiencies with swirling jets were indicated.

Seginer, A.↗

Augmentation of fighter-aircraft performance by spanwise blowing over the wing leading edge

Spanwise blowing over the wing and canard of a 1:35 model of a close-coupled-canard fighter-airplane configuration (similar to the Kfir-C2) was investigated experimentally in low-speed flow. Tests were conducted at airspeeds of 30 m/sec (Reynolds number of 1.8 x 10 to the 5th power based on mean aerodynamic chord) with angle-of-attack sweeps from -8 deg to 60 deg, and yaw-angle sweeps from -8 deg to 36 deg at fixed angles of attack 0 deg, 10 deg, 20 deg, 25 deg, 30 deg, and 35 deg. Significant improvement in lift-curve slope, maximum lift, drag polar and lateral/directional stability was found, enlarging the flight envelope beyond its previous low-speed/maximum-lift limit. In spite of the highly swept (60 deg) leading edge, the efficiency of the lift augmentation by blowing was relatively high and was found to increase with increasing blowing momentum on the close-coupled-canard configuration. Interesting possibilities of obtaining much higher efficiencies with swirling jets were indicated.

Seginer, A.↗

Laminar flow test installation in the Boeing Research Wind Tunnel

This paper describes the initial wind tunnels tests in the 5- by 8-ft Boeing Research Wind Tunnel of a near full-scale (20-foot chord) swept wing section having laminar flow control (LFC) by slot suction over its first 30 percent chord. The model and associated test apparatus were developed for use as a testbed for LFC-related experimentation in support of preliminary design studies done under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This paper contains the description of the model and associated test apparatus as well as the results of the initial test series in which the proper functioning of the test installation was demonstrated and new data were obtained on the sensitivity of suction-controlled laminar flow to surface protuberances in the presence of crossflow due to sweep.

George-Falvy, Dezso↗