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At least 667 records · Page 37

A wind-tunnel study of the applicability of far-field sonic-boom theory to the space shuttle orbiter

Sonic boom characteristics of a 0.0004-scale model of the space shuttle orbiter were studied. Pressure signatures were measured at Mach numbers of 2.8 and 4.14 and at angles of attack of 0.3 deg, 19.0 deg, and 41.0 deg. To allow for observation of signature development and to provide data for extrapolation to larger distances, measurements were made at distances of from 8 to 32 body lengths. Relatively simple purely theoretical prediction methods provided reasonably accurate estimates of bow-shock overpressure and signature impulse.

Carlson, H. W.↗

Improved sonic-box computer program for calculating transonic aerodynamic loads on oscillating wings with thickness

A computer program was developed to account approximately for the effects of finite wing thickness in transonic potential flow over an oscillation wing of finite span. The program is based on the original sonic box computer program for planar wing which was extended to account for the effect of wing thickness. Computational efficiency and accuracy were improved and swept trailing edges were accounted for. Account for the nonuniform flow caused by finite thickness was made by application of the local linearization concept with appropriate coordinate transformation. A brief description of each computer routine and the applications of cubic spline and spline surface data fitting techniques used in the program are given, and the method of input was shown in detail. Sample calculations as well as a complete listing of the computer program listing are presented.

Ruo, S. Y.↗

Sonic-box method employing local Mach number for oscillating wings with thickness

A computer program was developed to account approximately for the effects of finite wing thickness in the transonic potential flow over an oscillating wing of finite span. The program is based on the original sonic-box program for planar wing which was previously extended to include the effects of the swept trailing edge and the thickness of the wing. Account for the nonuniform flow caused by finite thickness is made by application of the local linearization concept. The thickness effect, expressed in terms of the local Mach number, is included in the basic solution to replace the coordinate transformation method used in the earlier work. Calculations were made for a delta wing and a rectangular wing performing plunge and pitch oscillations, and the results were compared with those obtained from other methods. An input quide and a complete listing of the computer code are presented.

Ruo, S. Y.↗

Sonic-boom minimization with nose-bluntness relaxation

A procedure which provides sonic-boom-minimizing equivalent area distributions for supersonic cruise conditions is described. This work extends previous analyses to permit relaxation of the extreme bluntness required by conventional low-boom shapes and includes propagation in a real atmosphere. The procedure provides area distributions which minimize either shock strength or overpressure.

Darden, C. M.↗

Status of knowledge of sonic booms

The status of sonic boom technology with emphasis on the recent research results is summarized. Included are definitions of the boom carpets, both primary and secondary, a discussion of existing experience with primary booms including the status of overpressure predictions and boom minimization methodology through airplane design, an indication of the boom waveforms and audibility, and a discussion of focus booms resulting from aircraft maneuvers as well as the effect of abnormal atmospheric conditions on these maneuver booms.

Maglieri, D. J.↗

Wind-tunnel investigation of the validity of a sonic-boom-minimization concept

The Langley unitary plan unitary plan wind tunnel was used to determine the validity of a sonic-boom-minimization theory. Five models - two reference and three low-boom constrained - were tested at design Mach numbers of 1.5 and 2.7. Results show that the pressure signatures generated by the low-boom models had significantly lower overpressure levels than those produced by the reference models and that small changes in the Mach number and/or the lift caused relatively small changes in the signature shape and overpressure level. Boundary-layer effects were found in the signature shape and overpressure level. Boundary-layer effects were found to be sizable on the low-boom models, and when viscous corrections were included in the analysis, improved agreement between the predicted and the measured signatures was noted. Since this agreement was better at Mach 1.5 than at Mach 2.7, it was concluded that the minimization method was definitely valid at Mach 1.5 and was probably valid at Mach 2.7, with further work needed to resolve the uncertainty.

Mack, R. J.↗

Sampling submicrometer particles suspended in near sonic and supersonic free jets

Aerosols containing solid, spherical stearic acid particles with a mean diameter of 0.8 micron and a geometric standard deviation of 1.28 were sampled with small bore front-facing aspirating probes in near-sonic and supersonic unheated free jets. The results are compared to compute the sampling error associated with a high-speed jet sample.

Martone, J. A.↗

Wind-tunnel investigation at Mach numbers from 0.25 to 1.01 of a transport configuration designed to cruise at near-sonic speeds

The results of the investigation showed that the configuration exhibits a sufficiently high drag divergence Mach number to cruise at near sonic speeds. The configuration is longitudinally stable through the cruise Mach number and lift coefficient range, but at higher lift coefficients displays pitchup and becomes unstable. The configuration was directionally stable at all test conditions and laterally stable in the angle of attack range required for cruise.

Langhans, R. A.↗

Preliminary sonic boom correlation of predicted and measured levels for STS-1 entry

A preliminary analysis correlating peaks from sonic boom pressure signatures recorded during the descent trajectory of the Orbiter Columbia, which landed in the dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), California, with measured wind tunnel signatures extrapolated from flight altitudes to the ground has been made for Mach numbers ranging from 1.3 to 6. The flight pressure signatures were recorded by microphones positioned at ground level near the groundtrack, whereas the wind tunnel signatures were measured during a test of a 0.0041-scale model Orbiter. The agreement between overpressure estimates based on wind tunnel data using preliminary flight trajectory data and oscillograph traces from ground measurements appears reasonable at this time for the range of Mach numbers considered. More detailed studies using final flight trajectory data and digitized ground measured data will be performed.

Garcia, F., Jr.↗

Sonic-Pump Levitator

Audiospeaker drives gas and rapidly responds to corrective signals. Audiospeaker drives gas through plate opening and columnar outlets to levitate sphere. Exhaust flow dominated by gas momentum and essentially parallel to axis of outlets. With appropriate scaling up of hardware, sonic pump can function as levitator for containerless processing of more massive specimens of higher densities and of different materials.

Dunn, S. A.↗

Effect of wing-mounted nacelles on a 42 deg swept supercritical wing configuration at near-sonic speeds

An investigation was made to assess the effect of wing-mounted nacelles on a supercritical wing configuration at near-sonic Mach numbers. The investigation was made by utilizing the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory 8-foot transonic tunnel and covered a Mach number range from 0.90 to 0.99. Force data and pressure measurements at selected locations were obtained. The investigation with the nacelles on included the effect of spanwise location of the nacelle (semispan locations of 35 and 70 percent) and the effect of area ruling for the nacelles located at the 35 percent semispan station. Tests were also made with the outboard nacelle extended forward so that it was directly adjacent to the inboard nacelle location. These tests provided a direct assessment of the extent of the nacelle interference flow field in a lateral direction.

Mckinney, L. W.↗

Investigation at near-sonic speed of some effects of humidity on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of an NASA supercritical wing research airplane model

The Langley 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel was used in an effort to determine the effects of humidity at near-sonic speed on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics and wing pressure distributions of an area-rule research airplane model with an NASA supercritical wing. Effects of dewpoint at the normal tunnel operating stagnation temperature of 48.9 C (120 F) and effects of stagnation temperature at a relatively high dewpoint of 15.6 C (60 F) were investigated. The test tunnel stagnation pressure was 101 325 N/sq m (1 atmosphere).

Jordan, F. L., Jr.↗

Diffusive separation of binary mixtures of CO2-H2 in a sonic-orifice expansion

The separation of binary gas mixtures of carbon dioxide and hydrogen in sonic-orifice-generated free jets is investigated over a source Reynolds number range of 100 to 3000 using the well-known electron beam fluorescence technique. The lighter species, hydrogen, is chosen as the minor species in order to examine the extent of the validity of Sherman's first-order diffusive separation theory for large separation. The diffusive separation of mixtures containing approximately 2, 5, and 20 percent hydrogen in carbon dioxide is investigated by experimentally determining the relative number densities of the two species as a function of centerline axial distance within the free jets. Sherman's diffusive separation theory is applied to the jets using axial Mach number profiles which were a combination of experimental and analytical results for gamma = 1.40 expansions. The gamma = 1.40 expansion is shown to approximate the CO2-H2 expansion quite well, and the calculated separation agrees remarkably well with the experimentally determined values.

Mccay, T. D.↗

Sonically-Welded Thermal Blankets

Insulating layers joined by seams. Sonic welding saves time and reduces weight. Layers of blanket built up from alternating layers of polyester sheet and polyester net. Paper pattern showing lines along which layers are joined together placed over top layer.

Bettini, R.↗

Acoustic shocks in a variable area duct containing near sonic flows

Acoustic shock waves in a variable area duct which contains near sonic flows are considered. The problem is modeled after an aeroengine inlet. Area variation of a duct and high Mach number mean the flow reduces acoustical energy yielding substantial noise reduction. One possible reason for this is acoustic shock. The use of an explicit accurate numerical method which captures shocks is described. Comparison of the results are made with an existing asymptotic theory for Mach numbers close to unity. When shock occurs reduction of sound pressure levels are shown by example.

Hariharan, S. I.↗

An analysis of shock coalescence including three-dimensional effects with application to sonic boom extrapolation

A method for analyzing shock coalescence which includes three dimensional effects was developed. The method is based on an extension of the axisymmetric solution, with asymmetric effects introduced through an additional set of governing equations, derived by taking the second circumferential derivative of the standard shock equations in the plane of symmetry. The coalescence method is consistent with and has been combined with a nonlinear sonic boom extrapolation program which is based on the method of characteristics. The extrapolation program, is able to extrapolate pressure signatures which include embedded shocks from an initial data line in the plane of symmetry at approximately one body length from the axis of the aircraft to the ground. The axisymmetric shock coalescence solution, the asymmetric shock coalescence solution, the method of incorporating these solutions into the extrapolation program, and the methods used to determine spatial derivatives needed in the coalescence solution are described. Results of the method are shown for a body of revolution at a small, positive angle of attack.

Darden, C. M.↗

Calibration of sonic valves for the laminar flow control, leading-edge flight test

Sonic needle valves were calibrated to measure and control airflow in the suction system for the leading-edge flight test. The procedure and results for the calibration flow test of 4:41 flight valves are given. Mass-flow rates, which ranged from 0.001 to 0.012 lbm/sec, and maximum back pressure were measured for total temperatures from -30 F to 75 F and total pressures from 120 to 540 psf. Correlating equations are obtained for mass-flow rate as a function of total pressure, total temperature, and valve opening length. The most important aspect of flow measurement and control is found to be the measurement of valve opening length.

Petley, D. H.↗

Correlation of predicted and measured sonic boom characteristics from the reentry of STS-1 orbiter

Characteristics from sonic boom pressure signatures recorded at 11 locations during reentry of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia are correlated with characteristics of wind tunnel signatures extrapolated from flight altitudes for Mach numbers ranging from 1.23 to 5.87. The flight pressure signature were recorded by microphones positioned at two levels near the descent groundtrack along the California corridor. The wind tunnel signatures used in theoretical predictions were measured using a 0.0041-scale model Orbiter. The mean difference between all measured and predicted overpressures is 12 percent from measured levels. With one exception, the flight signatures are very similar to theoretical n-waves.

Garcia, F., Jr.↗