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At least 739 records · Page 41

Flight service evaluation of Kevlar-49/epoxy composite panels in wide-bodied commercial transport aircraft

Kevlar-49 fairing panels, installed as flight service components on three L-1011s, were inspected after three years' service, and found to be performing satisfactorily. There are six Kevlar-49 panels on each aircraft, including sandwich and solid laminate wing-body panels, and 150 C service aft engine fairings. The service history to date indicates that Kevlar-49 epoxy composite materials have satisfactory service characteristics for use in aircraft secondary structure.

Stone, R. H.↗

Force and pressure tests of the GA(W)-1 airfoil with a 20% aileron and pressure tests with a 30% Fowler flap

Wind tunnel force and pressure tests were conducted for the GA(W)-1 airfoil equipped with a 20% aileron, and pressure tests were conducted with a 30% Fowler flap. All tests were conducted at a Reynolds number of 2.2 and a Mach number of 0.13. The aileron provides control effectiveness similar to ailerons applied to more conventional airfoils. Effects of aileron gaps from 0% to 2% chord were evaluated, as well as hinge moment characteristics. The aft camber of the GA(W)-1 section results in a substantial up-aileron moment, but the hinge moments associated with aileron deflection are similar to other configurations. Fowler flap pressure distributions indicate that unseparated flow is achieved for flap settings up to 40 deg., over a limited angle of attack range. Theoretical pressure distributions compare favorably with experiments for low flap deflections, but show substantial errors at large deflections.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Static and wind-on tests of an upper-surface-blown jet-flap nozzle arrangement for use on the Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE)

The internal aerodynamic performance, the static turning characteristics, and the forward-speed characteristics of two 1/12-scale upper surface-blown jet-flap exhaust-nozzle arrangements designed for use on the Quiet Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) were investigated. The nozzles were equipped with interchangeable area-control side doors in the aft sidewalls of the nozzle so that the effective nozzle area could be varied over a wide range. A simulated wing was used to evaluate installation losses for the nozzles. A smoothly curved flap was attached to the trailing edge of the simulated wing to allow an evaluation of the static turning characteristics of the nozzle arrangement. Forward-speed effects on the jet turning characteristics of the QCSEE nozzles were evaluated by mounting a single engine on a semispan wing designed to be representative of a four-engine STOL transport configuration.

Phelps, A. E., III↗

Exploratory investigation of the incipient spinning characteristics of a typical light general aviation airplane

The incipient spinning characteristics of general aviation airplanes were studied. Angular rates in pitch, yaw, and roll were measured through the stall during the incipient spin and throughout the recovery along with control positions, angle of attack, and angle of sideslip. The characteristic incipient spinning motion was determined from a given set of entry conditions. The sequence of recovery controls were varied at two distinct points during the incipient spin, and the effect on recovery characteristics was examined. Aerodynamic phenomena associated with flow over the aft portion of the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rubber are described.

Ranaudo, R. J.↗

Design study of the accessible focal plane telescope for shuttle

The design and cost analysis of an accessible focal plane telescope for Spacelab is presented in blueprints, tables, and graphs. Topics covered include the telescope tube, the telescope mounting, the airlock plus Spacelab module aft plate, the instrument adapter, and the instrument package. The system allows access to the image plane with instrumentation that can be operated by a scientist in a shirt sleeve environment inside a Spacelab module.

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Preliminary design of propulsion system for V/STOL research and technology aircraft

The V/STOL Research and Technology Aircraft (RTA)propulsion system design effort is limited to components of the lift/cruise engines, turboshaft engine modifications, lift fan assembly, and propulsion system performance generation. The uninstalled total net thrust with all engines and fans operating at intermediate power was 37,114 pounds. Uninstalled system total net thrust was 27,102 pounds when one lift/cruise is inoperative. Components have lives above the 500 hours of the RTA duty cycle. The L/C engine used in a fixed nacelle has the cross shaft forward of the reduction gear whereas the cross shaft is aft of the reduction gear in a tilt nacelle L/C engine. The lift/cruise gearbox contains components and technologies from other DDA engines. The rotor has a 62-inch diameter and contains 22 composite blades that have a hub/tip ratio of 0.454. The blade pitch change mechanism contains hydraulic and mechanical redundancy. The lift fan assembly is completely self-contained including oil cooling in 10 exit vanes.

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Aero-acoustic performance comparison of core engine noise suppressors on NASA quiet engine C

The relative aero-acoustic effectiveness of two core engine suppressors, a contractor-designed suppressor delivered with the Quiet Engine, and a NASA-designed suppressor was evaluated. The NASA suppressor was tested with and without a splitter making a total of three configurations being reported in addition to the baseline hardwall case. The aerodynamic results are presented in terms of tailpipe pressure loss, corrected net thrust, and corrected specific fuel consumption as functions of engine power setting. The acoustic results are divided into duct and far-field acoustic data. The NASA-designed core suppressor did the better job of suppressing aft end noise, but the splitter associated with it caused a significant engine performance penality. The NASA core suppressor without the spltter suppressed most of the core noise without any engine performance penalty.

Bloomer, H. E.↗

Low speed aerodynamic characteristics of a vectored thrust V/STOL transport with two lift/cruise fans

A wind tunnel test was conducted to obtain power on low speed characteristics of a twin fan vectored thrust V/STOL transport aircraft. Longitudinal, as well as some lateral directional data, were analyzed. Hover, STOL, and conventional flight modes were investigated. Determination of STOL characteristics, hover characteristics, roll control effectiveness and aircraft attitude were evaluated. The study also included various means to improve the lifting capability of the aircraft such as by application of fuselage strakes, exhaust vanes capable of shifting the thrust vector aft, and external flap blowing for STOL performance.

Renselaer, D. J.↗

Subsonic and supersonic aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic cruise fighter model with a twisted and cambered wing with 74 deg sweep

A wind tunnel investigation has been conducted to determine the longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic characteristics of a model of a supersonic cruise fighter configuration with a design Mach number of 2.60. The configuration is characterized by a highly swept arrow wing twisted and cambered to minimize supersonic drag due to lift, twin wing mounted vertical tails, and an aft mounted integral underslung duel-engine pod. The investigation also included tests of the configuration with larger outboard vertical tails and with small nose strakes.

Morris, O. A.↗

Remote servicing of free-flying spacecraft

A ground simulation to demonstrate system compatibility by enacting satellite ground installation, orbit delivery, space servicing, and contingency retrieval with the space shuttle orbiter was conducted. The basic configuration approach adopted for the spacecraft groups the standardized subsystems in the aft portion of the spacecraft and leaves the volume forward of the transition structure available for the mission peculiar equipment and sensors. The version used for this simulation is configured as an earth observatory with multispectral mapping and high resolution imaging sensors. All modules including the propulsion package and the sensor modules are replaceable on orbit in the event of depletion, wearout, malfunction, or the availability of an improved version.

Cepollina, F. J.↗

Spacecraft receiving antenna study: Outer planets atmospheric entry probe

A quadrifilar helix antenna was selected for the Pioneer spacecraft receiving antenna. A model was constructed for radiation pattern measurement at 2.2 GHz. Radiation patterns were measured with the model quadrifilar helix antenna mounted on a Pioneer spacecraft model and four different configurations were tested. The results show that the antenna location does not have a major effect on its patterns over the aft hemisphere but moving the antenna away from the spacecraft improves the antenna performance.

Kuhlman, E. A.↗

The Shuttle Orbiter Airlock Support Subsystem /ALSS/

The Orbiter Airlock Support Subsystem (ALSS) is designed to provide shirtsleeve intervehicular transfer (IVA) between the orbiter and payload spacelab. Also, the airlock provides for extravehicular transfer (EVA) of two crewman to space and/or unpressurized payload from a pressurized cabin environment. The orbiter airlock design permits three planned EVA's for periods up to 6 hr. The airlock is designed to be interchangeable in three different locations, in the crew cabin, attached to the cabin aft bulkhead or attached to transfer tunnel adapter both which are located in the cargo bay. The Orbiter Airlock Support Subsystem described herein provides ventilation, pressurization, depressurization, prebreathing, personnel oxygen system supply (POS), and Extravehicular Mobility Unit support (EMU). This paper defines the system configuration for each airlock location and the commonality between them. Emphasis is also placed on the design data used to define repressurization and depressurization requirements, ventilation, water cooling, wastewater discharge, flow rates, and valve sizing.

Brown, J. T.↗

Scramjet exhaust simulation technique for hypersonic aircraft nozzle design and aerodynamic tests

Current design philosophy for scramjet-powered hypersonic aircraft results in configurations with the entire lower fuselage surface utilized as part of the propulsion system. The lower aft-end of the vehicle acts as a high expansion ratio nozzle. Not only must the external nozzle be designed to extract the maximum possible thrust force from the high energy flow at the combustor exit, but the forces produced by the nozzle must be aligned such that they do not unduly affect aerodynamic balance. The strong coupling between the propulsion system and aerodynamics of the aircraft makes imperative at least a partial simulation of the inlet, exhaust, and external flows of the hydrogen-burning scramjet in conventional facilities for both nozzle formulation and aerodynamic-force data acquisition. Aerodynamic testing methods offer no contemporary approach for such vehicle design requirements. NASA-Langley has pursued an extensive scramjet/airframe integration R&D program for several years and has recently developed a promising technique for simulation of the scramjet exhaust flow for hypersonic aircraft. Current results of the research program to develop a scramjet flow simulation technique through the use of substitute gas blends are described in this paper.

Hunt, J. L.↗

A method and data for video monitor sizing

The paper outlines an approach consisting of using analytical methods and empirical data to determine monitor size constraints based on the human operator's CRT viewing requirements in a context where panel space and volume considerations for the Space Shuttle aft cabin constrain the size of the monitor to be used. Two cases are examined: remote scene imaging and alphanumeric character display. The central parameter used to constrain monitor size is the ratio M/L where M is the monitor dimension and L the viewing distance. The study is restricted largely to 525 line video systems having an SNR of 32 db and bandwidth of 4.5 MHz. Degradation in these parameters would require changes in the empirically determined visual angle constants presented. The data and methods described are considered to apply to cases where operators are required to view via TV target objects which are well differentiated from the background and where the background is relatively sparse. It is also necessary to identify the critical target dimensions and cues.

Kirkpatrick, M., III↗

Characteristics of an anechoic chamber for fan noise testing

Acoustical and mechanical design features of NASA Lewis Research Center's engine fan noise facility are described. Acoustic evaluation of the 1420-m (50,000-ft) chamber, which is lined with an array of stepped wedges, is described. Results from the evaluation in terms of cut-off frequency and non-anechoic areas near the walls are detailed. Fan models with 0.51-m (20-in) diameters are electrically driven to 20,600 rpm in either the inlet mode (drawing air from the chamber) or exhaust mode (discharging air into the chamber) to facilitate study of both fore and aft fan noise. Inlet noise characteristics of the first fan tested, the JT8D Refan, are discussed and compared to full-scale levels. Turbulence properties of the inlet flow and acoustic results are compared with and without a turbulence reducing screen over the fan inlet.

Wazyniak, J. A.↗

Tenth-scale powered model test of a tilt-nacelle V/STOL airplane

Wind tunnel and ground static tests of a tenth scale powered model of a lift/cruise fan airplane have been conducted to define its low speed performances and handling qualities. The model was powered by three 5.5-in diameter turbopowered simulators; one located in the forebody while the remaining two were installed in tilting nacelles mounted on the aft body. Results are presented for static hover tests in ground effects with the model configured for VTOL operations and at forward speeds with the model configured for loiter, short takeoff, and VTOL operations.

Omar, M. E.↗

Aero-acoustic performance comparison of core engine noise suppressors on NASA quiet engine 'C'

The purpose of the experimental program reported herein was to evaluate and compare the relative aero-acoustic effectiveness of two core engine suppressors, a contractor-designed suppressor delivered with the Quiet Engine, and a NASA-designed suppressor, designed and built subsequently. The NASA suppressor was tested with and without a splitter making a total of three configurations being reported in addition to the baseline hardwall case. The aerodynamic results are presented in terms of tailpipe pressure loss, corrected net thrust, and corrected specific fuel consumption as functions of engine power setting. The acoustic results are divided into duct and far-field acoustic data. The NASA-designed core suppressor did the better job of suppressing aft end noise, but the splitter associated with it caused a significant engine performance penalty. The NASA core suppressor without the splitter suppressed most of the core noise without any engine performance penalty.

Bloomer, H. E.↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of supersonic fighter airplane configurations based on Soviet design concepts

The aerodynamic, stability, and control characteristics of several supersonic fighter airplane concepts are examined. The configurations, which are based on Soviet design concepts, include fixed-wing aircraft having delta wings, swept wings, and trapezoidal wings, and a variable wing-sweep aircraft. Each concept employs aft tail controls. The concepts vary from lightweight, single-engine, air superiority, point interceptor, or ground attack types to larger twin-engine interceptor and reconnaissance designs. Analytical and experimental results indicate that careful application of the transonic or supersonic area rule can provide nearly optimum shaping for minimum drag for a specified Mach number requirement. In addition, through the proper location of components and the exploitation of interference flow fields, the concepts provide linear pitching moment characteristics, high control effectiveness, and reasonably small variations in aerodynamic center location with a resulting high potential for maneuvering capability.

Spearman, M. L.↗