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The paper gives an overview of the technology related to lift/cruise fan VTOL aircraft, covering propulsion systems, thrust deflection, flight dynamics, controls, displays, aerodynamics, and configurations. Piloting problems are discussed, and the need for integration of power management and thrust-vector controls is pointed out. Major components for a high-bypass-ratio lift/cruise fan propulsion system for VTOL aircraft have been tested.
Quite often the scalar Helmholtz equation is assumed to be the fundamental equation of duct acoustics and various relations are derived from it. An investigation is, therefore, conducted regarding the underlying assumptions leading to the Helmholtz equation. It is found that serious errors, even well below 186 dB, are possible if the assumption of linearity were to be made. In duct acoustics these errors are highest near the cutoff points and in the case of ducts with transonic flow. It is pointed out that serious errors could arise if a nonlinear problem is analyzed by linear methods. At times, an entire phenomenon remains unpredictable by linear methods. Attention is given to the characteristics of nonlinear systems, the phenomenon of multiple pure tones in the case of noise from the aircraft engine fans, the limitations of the conventional acoustics equation, duct shape and nonlinearity, and the numerical simulation of a fan with 8 blades.
A theoretical analysis of pure tone fan noise generated by inflow distortion-rotor interaction is carried out with the aid of the three-dimensional unsteady lifting surface theory developed by Namba (1977, 1974). Particular attention is given to a study of the accuracy of available two-dimensional theory for the prediction of pure tone fan noise due to the interaction of inflow distortion with a subsonic annular blade row. The theoretical model considered consists of a single three-dimensional annular cascade rotating at constant angular velocity in an annular rigid-wall duct of infinite axial extent. Attention is given to the fluctuating pressure induced by a rotor blade row, the fluctuating velocity induced by it, an inflow distortion with only an axial velocity component, the determination of acoustic dipole distribution, the pure tone acoustic power, and two-dimensional theory and quasi-three-dimensional theory.
The Seasat-A satellite scatterometer is a microwave sensor designed to provide a capability for mapping the global ocean surface wind speed and direction. Four fan beams whose major axes are oriented at + or - 45 deg and + or - 135 deg to the flight vector cover a swath width of 1900 km, but a central region remains that is inadequately mapped. In this paper, two additional fan beams for a future scatterometer are suggested which provide more complete coverage of the central region.
The overall blade element performances and the aerodynamic design parameters are presented for a 1.35-pressure-ratio fan stage. The fan stage was designed for a weight flow of 32.7 kilograms per second and a tip speed of 302.8 meters per second. At design speed the stage peak efficiency of 0.879 occurred at a pressure ratio of 1.329 and design flow. Stage stall margin was approximately 14 percent. At design flow rotor efficiency was 0.94 and the pressure ratio was 1.360.
A full-size variable-pitch fan engine was tested in the Ames 40 by 80 foot wind tunnel to determine the effect of forward velocity and crosswind on reverse-thrust performance. Two flight-type inlet configurations were tested, and a flared fan nozzle was installed as an inlet for reverse-thrust operation. Steady-state reverse-thrust performance was obtained up to 54 m/s (105 knots). An abrupt decrease in reverse thrust occurred at about 30 m/s (60 knots). Reverse thrust was established following forward-to-reverse thrust transients both statically and with forward velocities only up to 30 m/s.
A quasi three dimensional design system and multiple-circular-arc airfoil sections were used to design a fan rotor. An axisymmetric intrablade flow field calculation modeled the shroud of an isolated splitter and radial distribution. The structural analysis indicates that the design is satisfactory for evaluation of aerodynamic performance of the fan stage in a test facility.
The NASA two-stage fan was tested with a redesigned first-stage rotor. The redesign included a new design approach to account for the presence of a part-span damper. At design speed the fan achieved a peak efficiency of 0.803, which is 1.9 percentage points higher than the original design. The peak efficiencies of the first stage and first rotor were 0.789 and 0.821, respectively. An improvement in efficiency of up to 5 percentage points in the damper region was achieved over the original large damper version. The stall margin, based on flow conditions at peak efficiency, was 10 percent at design speed.
The use of superhybrid materials in the manufacture and testing of large fan blades is analyzed. The FOD resistance of large metal spar/superhybrid fan blades is investigated. The technical effort reported was comprised of: (1) preliminary blade design; (2) detailed analysis of two selected superhybrid blade designs; (3) manufacture of two process evaluation blades and destructive evaluation; and (4) manufacture and whirligig testing of six prototype superhybrid blades.
The performance of a variable pitch fan stage tested over a range of blade setting angles, speeds, and flows is presented. The fan was designed for a tip speed of 289.6 m/sec and a flow of 29.6 kg/sec. The measured performance agreed reasonably well with the design point. The stall margin was only 5 percent. Static thrust values along an operating line ranged from less than 15 to over 115 percent of that at design angle as the blade setting angle was varied from 25 degrees (closed) to -8 degrees (opened). The use of casing treatment increased the stall margin to 20.6 percent but decreased efficiency by 4 percentage points.
A lightweight composite fan exit guide vane for high bypass ratio gas turbine engine application was investigated. Eight candidate material/design combinations were evaluated by NASTRAN finite element analyses. A total of four combinations were selected for further analytical evaluation, part fabrication by two ventors, and fatigue test in dry and wet condition. A core and shell vane design was chosen in which the unidirectional graphite core fiber was the same for all candidates. The shell material, fiber orientation, and ply configuration were varied. Material tests were performed on raw material and composite specimens to establish specification requirements. Pre-test and post-test microstructural examination and nondestructive analyses were conducted to determine the effect of material variations on fatigue durability and failure mode. Relevant data were acquired with respect to design analysis, materials properties, inspection standards, improved durability, weight benefits, and part price of the composite fan exit guide vane.
Tests of a 20 inch diameter, low tip speed, low pressure ratio fan which investigated aft fan noise reduction techniques are reported. These techniques included source noise reduction features of selection of vane-blade ratio to reduce second harmonic noise, spacing effects, and lowering the Mach number through a vane row. Aft suppression features investigated included porosity effects, variable depth treatment, and treatment regenerated flow noise. Initial results and selected comparisons are presented.
Tests of a twenty inch diameter, low tip speed, low pressure ratio fan which investigated aft fan noise reduction techniques are reported. The 1/3 octave band sound data are presented for all the configurations tested. The model data are presented on 17 foot arc and extrapolated to 200 foot sideline.
Sound data which were obtained during tests of a 50.8 cm diameter, subsonic tip speed, low pressure ratio fan were analyzed. The test matrix was divided into two major investigations: (1) source noise reduction techniques; and (2) aft duct noise reduction with acoustic treatment. Source noise reduction techniques were investigated which include minimizing second harmonic noise by varying vane/blade ratio, variation in spacing, and lowering the Mach number through the vane row to lower fan broadband noise. Treatment in the aft duct which includes flow noise effects, faceplate porosity, rotor OGV treatment, slant cell treatment, and splitter simulation with variable depth on the outer wall and constant thickness treatment on the inner wall was investigated. Variable boundary conditions such as variation in treatment panel thickness and orientation, and mixed porosity combined with variable thickness were examined. Significant results are reported.
A variable pitch fan actuation system was designed which incorporates a remote nacelle-mounted blade angle regulator. The regulator drives a rotating fan-mounted mechanical actuator through a flexible shaft and differential gear train. The actuator incorporates a high ratio harmonic drive attached to a multitrack spherical cam which changes blade pitch through individual cam follower arms attached to each blade trunnion. Detail design parameters of the actuation system are presented. These include the following: design philosophies, operating limits, mechanical, hydraulic and thermal characteristics, mechanical efficiencies, materials, weights, lubrication, stress analyses, reliability and failure analyses.
A torsional stress analysis of hollow fans blades by the finite element method is presented. The fans are considered to be double circular arc blades, hollowed 30 percent, and twisted by a component of the centrifugal force by the rated revolution. The effects of blade hollowing on strength and rigidity are discussed. The effects of reinforcing webs, placed in the hollowed section in varying numbers and locations, on torsional rigidity and the convergence of stresses, are reported. A forecast of the 30 percent hollowing against torsional loadings is discussed.
Six filament-wound, composite spar-shell fan blades were impact tested in a whirligig relative to foreign object damage resulting from ingestion of birds into the fan blades of a QCSEE-type engine. Four of the blades were tested by injecting a simulated two pound bird into the path of the rotating blade and two were tested by injecting a starling into the path of the blade.
The acoustic suppression capability of bulk absorber material designed for use in the fan exhaust duct walls of the quiet clean short haul experiment engine (OCSEE UTW) was evaluated. The acoustic suppression to the original design for the engine fan duct which consisted of phased single degree-of-freedom wall treatment was tested with a splitter and also with the splitter removed. Peak suppression was about as predicted with the bulk absorber configuration, however, the broadband characteristics were not attained. Post test inspection revealed surface oil contamination on the bulk material which could have caused the loss in bandwidth suppression.