Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Twinning”

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 667 records · Page 37

Flow energizer flight tests on a light twin aircraft

Experiments were conducted to explore the use of flow energizers (i.e., horizontally mounted vortex generators), using a special instrumentation subsystem installed on a light twin aircraft. The data, collected for energizer configurations with convergence ratios of 1.2, 1.5, and 1.7, included measurements of pressure on the wing surface, velocity components in the wake of the energizer, and forces on the flow energizer itself. Surface pressure data showed that flow energizer effects are highly localized. The energizer with the smallest convergence ratio tested produced an energizer lift/drag ratio about 75 percent lower that that of the other two configurations. For highly swept planforms, cambered energizers with overlaps of the order of 12-15 percent of the local chord provide the best results.

Ward, D. T.↗

Model and full scale study of twin supersonic plume resonance

This paper examines the effect of both nozzle geometry and scale on the twin supersonic plume resonance phenomenon associated with aircraft having engine nozzle center-to-center spacings less than two diameters. Exit plane near field dynamic pressures were measured for both single and dual nozzle operation in 4.7 percent model and full scale under static conditions. The frequencies associated with this phenomenon were predicted to within 5 percent for a full scale F-15 aircraft. Amplitude levels associated with this phenomenon were found to dominate the dynamic pressure fluctuations in the inter-nozzle region, and reach a level near the structural design limit for this aircraft. The model scale studies, which involved both axisymmetric and rectangular geometry, indicated that amplitude levels could be expected to be much higher in flight. High amplitude levels would likely occur in the overexpanded region for axisymmetric geometry, and in the underexpanded region for rectangular geometry.

Seiner, John M.↗

Full-scale ground effects of twin impinging jets beneath a subsonic tactical V/STOL aircraft

This paper presents a summary of an analysis of flow field characteristics about a large scale twin-tilt-nacelle V/STOL aircraft in close proximity to the ground. The analysis uses experimental data in the form of measurements of pressure distributions on the ground beneath the aircraft and on the undersurface of the aircraft's fuselage. The integrals of these distributions are compared with forces measured directly, for both the total model and isolated nacelles, (i.e., net thrust). The handling qualities of the vehicle were found to be influenced by flow field characteristic features, not present in simpler models. Lift increases and significant degradation in roll control occur at low heights for fuselage strake deflections of 30 degrees or more. Reductions in control effectiveness about the other axes were also observed.

Dudley, Michael R.↗

Comparison of wind tunnel and flight test afterbody and nozzle pressures for a twin-jet fighter aircraft at transonic speeds

Afterbody and nozzle pressures measured on a 1/12-scale model and in flight on a twin-jet fighter aircraft were compared as Mach number varied from 0.6 to 1.2, Reynolds number from 17.5 million to 302.5 million, and angle of attack from 1 to 7 deg. At Mach 0.6 and 0.8, nozzle pressure coefficient distributions and nozzle axial force coefficients agreed and showed good recompression. At Mach 0.9 and 1.2, flow complexity caused a loss in recompression for both flight and wind tunnel nozzle data. The flight data exhibited less negative values of pressure coefficient and lower axial force coefficients than did the wind tunnel data. Reynolds number effects were noted only at these Mach numbers. Jet temperature and mass flux ratio did not affect the comparisons of nozzle axial flow coefficient. At subsonic speeds, the levels of pressure coefficient distributions on the upper fuselage and lower nacelle surfaces for flight were less negative than those for the model. The model boundary layer thickness at the aft rake station exceeded that for the forward rake station and increased with increasing angle of attack. The flight boundary layer thickness at the aft rake station was less than that for the forward rake station and decreased with increasing angle of attack.

Nugent, Jack↗

Structureborne noise measurements on a small twin-engine aircraft

Structureborne noise measurements performed on a twin-engine aircraft (Beechcraft Baron) are reported. There are two overall objectives of the test program. The first is to obtain data to support the development of analytical models of the wing and fuselage, while the second is to evaluate effects of structural parameters on cabin noise. Measurements performed include structural and acoustic responses to impact excitation, structural and acoustic loss factors, and modal parameters of the wing. Path alterations include added mass to simulate fuel, variations in torque of bolts joining wing and fuselage, and increased acoustic absorption. Conclusions drawn regarding these measurements are presented.

Cole, J. E., III↗

Analytical modeling of the structureborne noise path on a small twin-engine aircraft

The structureborne noise path of a six passenger twin-engine aircraft is analyzed. Models of the wing and fuselage structures as well as the interior acoustic space of the cabin are developed and used to evaluate sensitivity to structural and acoustic parameters. Different modeling approaches are used to examine aspects of the structureborne path. These approaches are guided by a number of considerations including the geometry of the structures, the frequency range of interest, and the tractability of the computations. Results of these approaches are compared with experimental data.

Cole, J. E., III↗

A twin-mirrored galvanometer laser light sheet generator

A galvanometer mirror-based laser light sheet system has been developed for use in the Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel at NASA Langley. This system generates and positions single or multiple light sheets over aeronautical research models being tested in the low speed tunnel. This report describes a twin mirrored galvanometer laser light sheet generator and shows typical light sheet arrangements in use. With this system, illumination of smoke entrained in the flow over a delta wing model reveals the vortical flow produced by the separation of the flow at the leading edge of the model. The light sheet system has proven to be very adaptable and easy to use in sizing and positioning light sheets in wind tunnel applications.

Rhodes, David B.↗

Future MAUS payload and the TWIN-MAUS configuration

The German MAUS project (materials science autonomous experiments in weightlessness) was initiated in 1979 for optimum utilization of NASA's Get Away Special (GAS) program. The standard MAUS system was developed to meet GAS requirements and can accommodate a wide variety of GAS-type experiments. The system offers a range of services to experimenters within the framework of standardized interfaces. Four MAUS payloads being prepared for future space shuttle flight opportunities are described. The experiments include critical Marangoni convection, oscillatory Marangoni convection, pool boiling, and gas bubbles in glass melts. Scientific objectives as well as equipment hardware are presented together with recent improvements to the MAUS standard system, e.g., a new experiment control and data management unit and a semiconductor memory. A promising means of increasing resources in the field of GAS experiments is the interconnection of GAS containers. This important feature has been studied to meet the challenge of future advanced payloads. In the TWIN-MAUS configuration, electrical power and data will be transferred between two containers mounted adjacent to each other.

Staniek, S.↗

Thrust-reverser flow investigation on a twin-engine transport

An investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley 14 x 22 foot Subsonic Tunnel to study the effects of engine thrust reversing on an aft-mounted twin-engine transport and to develop effective testing techniques. Testing was done over a fixed and a moving-belt ground plane and over a pressure instrumented ground board. Free-stream dynamic pressure was set at values up to 12.2 psf, which corresponded to a maximum Reynolds number based on the mean aerodynamic chord of 765,000. The thrust reversers examined included cascade, target and four-door configurations. The investigation focused on the range of free-stream velocities and engine thrust-reverser flow rates that would be typical for landing ground-roll conditions. Flow visualization techniques were investigated, and the use of water or smoke injected into the reverser flow proved effective to determine the forward progression of the reversed flow and reingestion limits. When testing over a moving-belt ground plane, as opposed to a fixed ground plane, forward penetration of the reversed flow was reduced. The use of a pressure-instrumented ground board enabled reversed flow ground velocities to be obtained, and it provided a means by which to identify the reversed flow impingement point on the ground.

Gatlin, Gregory M.↗

Evaluation of the ride quality of a light twin engine airplane using a ride quality meter

A ride quality meter was used to establish the baseline ride quality of a light twin-engine airplane planned for use as a test bed for an experimental gust alleviation system. The ride quality meter provides estimates of passenger ride discomfort as a function of cabin noise and vibration (acceleration) in five axes (yaw axis omitted). According to the ride quality meter, in smooth air the cabin noise was the dominant source of passenger discomfort, but the total discomfort was approximately the same as that for the smooth-air condition. The researcher's subjective opinion, however, is that the total ride discomfort was much worse in the moderate turbulence than it was in the smooth air. The discrepancy is explained by the lack of measurement of the low-frequency accelerations by the ride quality meter.

Stewart, Eric C.↗

The resonance of twin supersonic jets

This paper presents an analytical study of the resonant interaction between twin supersonic jets. An instability wave model is used to describe the large scale coherent structures in the jet mixing layers. A linearized shock cell model is also given for the jets when operating off design. The problem's geometry admits four types of normal modes associated with each azimuthal mode number in the single jet. The stability of these modes is examined for both a vortex sheet model of the jet and a jet flow represented by realistic profiles. The growth rates of each mode number and type are found to vary with jet separation and mixing layer thickness and Strouhal number. Contours of equal pressure level are obtained for each mode. The region close to the symmetry axis is found to have the greatest pressure fluctuation amplitude.

Morris, Philip J.↗

Nacelle/pylon interference study on a 1/17th-scale, twin-engine, low-wing transport model

NASA-Langley has conducted wind tunnel tests of a twin-engine, low-wing transport aircraft configuration with 10.8-aspect ratio supercritical wing, in order to ascertain and compare the wing/nacelle interference effects of through-flow nacelled simulating 'superfan' very high bypass ratio (BPR=20) turbofans and current-technology (BPR=6) turbofans. Measurements of model forces and moments have been obtained, together with extensive external static pressure measurement on the model's wings, nacelles, and pylons in the Mach 0.5-0.8 range, at angles of attack in the -4 to +8 deg range. The superfan nacelles exhibit a significant advantage over current-technology turbofan nacelles, when the superfan's SFC gains are taken into account.

Pendergraft, Odis C., Jr.↗

An experimental investigation of thrust vectoring two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzles installed in a twin-engine fighter model at high angles of attack

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine thrust vectoring capability of subscale 2-D convergent-divergent exhaust nozzles installed on a twin engine general research fighter model. Pitch thrust vectoring was accomplished by downward rotation of nozzle upper and lower flaps. The effects of nozzle sidewall cutback were studied for both unvectored and pitch vectored nozzles. A single cutback sidewall was employed for yaw thrust vectoring. This investigation was conducted at Mach numbers ranging from 0 to 1.20 and at angles of attack from -2 to 35 deg. High pressure air was used to simulate jet exhaust and provide values of nozzle pressure ratio up to 9.

Capone, Francis J.↗

Vortex control for tail buffet alleviation on a twin-tail fighter configuration

Two aerodynamic concepts proposed for alleviating high-alpha tail buffet characteristics of a LEX (Leading Edge Extension) vortex dominated twin-tail fighter configuration were explored in low-speed tunnel tests on generic models via flow visualizations, 6-component balance measurements and monitoring of tail dynamics. Passive dorsal-fin extensions of the vertical tails, and an active LEX arrangement with up-deflected edge sections were evaluated as independent means of re-structuring the adverse vortical flow environment in the tail region. Each of these techniques successfully reduced the buffet as measured by the root-mean-square of tail accelerometer output, particularly at post-stall angles of attack when the baseline configuration was characterized by high buffet intensity. Used in combination, the two concepts indicated significant tail buffet relief with relatively minor impact on the high-alpha configuration aerodynamics.

Rao, Dhanvada M.↗

Twin-Mirrored-Galvanometer Laser-Light-Sheet Generator

Multiple, rotating laser-light sheets generated to illuminate flows in wind tunnels. Designed and developed to provide flexibility and adaptability to wide range of applications. Design includes capability to control size and location of laser-light sheet in real time, to generate horizontal or vertical sheets, to sweep sheet repeatedly through volume, to generate multiple sheets with controllable separation, and to rotate single or multiple laser-light sheets. Includes electronic equipment and laser mounted on adjustable-height platform. Twin-mirrored galvanometer unit supported by tripod to reduce vibration. Other possible applications include use in construction industry to align beams of building. Artistic or display applications also possible.

Rhodes, David B.↗

Parametric Study of Afterbody/nozzle Drag on Twin Two-dimensional Convergent-divergent Nozzles at Mach Numbers from 0.60 to 1.20

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the effects of upper and lower external nozzle flap geometry on the external afterbody/nozzle drag of nonaxisymmetric two-dimensional convergent-divergent exhaust nozzles having parallel external sidewalls installed on a generic twin-engine, fighter-aircraft model. Tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.60 to 1.20 and over an angle-of-attack range from -5 to 9 deg. Nozzle pressure ratio was varied from jet off (1.0) to approximately 10.0, depending on Mach number.

Pendergraft, Odis C., Jr.↗

Installation effects of wing-mounted turbofan nacelle-pylons on a 1/17-scale, twin-engine, low-wing transport model

A twin-engine, low-wing transport model, with a supercritical wing of aspect ratio 10.8 designed for a cruise Mach number of 0.77 and a lift coefficient of 0.55, was tested in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. The purpose of this test was to compare the wing-nacelle interference effects of flow-through nacelles simulating superfan engines (very high bypass ratio (BPR is approx. = 18) turbofan engines) with the wing-nacelle interference effects of current-technology turbofans (BPR is approx. = 6). Forces and moments on the complete model were measured with a strain-gage balance, and extensive external static-pressure measurements (383 orifice locations) were made on the wing, nacelles, and pylons of the model. Data were taken at Mach numbers from 0.50 to 0.80 and at model angles of attack from -4 deg to 8 deg. Test results indicate that flow-through nacelles with a very high bypass ratio can be installed on a low-wing transport model with a lower installation drag penalty than for a conventional turbofan nacelle at a design cruise Mach number of 0.77 and lift coefficient of 0.55.

Pendergraft, Odis C., Jr.↗