SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WIND TUNNELS - FIRST”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1987

Analysis of 7- X 10-foot high speed wind tunnel shaft loads in support of fan blade failure investigation

This is a report of the investigation of the High-Speed 7- X 10-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center, which experienced a catastrophic failure of all 18 Sitka spruce fan blades during operation at 0.8 Mach number on 2 July 1985. The High-Speed Tunnel, a closed-circuit/single-return atmospheric wind tunnel, had been operated since 1945 to support a wide range of subsonic aerodynamic tests and studies. The failed blade set had been in use since 1975. In addition to blade loss, the most significant damage was a bent main drive shaft for a total estimated damage loss of 1.7 million dollars. An analysis of the natural frequency characteristics as well as loads, reactions, stresses, and deflections of the fan drive system resulting from steady-state and dynamic loads due to unbalance was performed. Transient load cases were simulated by step input and ramp input loading functions intended to simulate the loss of one to nine blades (maximum unbalance forces).

Faison, Richard W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Development of a quiet supersonic wind tunnel with a cryogenic adaptive nozzle

The main objective of this work was the development of an interim quiet (low-disturbance) supersonic wind tunnel for the NASA-Ames Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (FML). This is a result of the need to bring the full-scale tunnel on-line as rapidly as possible to impact the NASA High Speed Research Program (HSRP). The development of a cryogenic adaptive nozzle and other sophisticated features of the tunnel will now happen later, after the full scale wind tunnel is in operation.

Wolf, Stephen W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Low-speed wind tunnel investigation of the stability and control characteristics of a series of flying wings with sweep angles of 60 deg

A wind tunnel investigation was conducted in the Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel to study the low-speed stability and control characteristics of a series of four flying wings over an extended range of angle of attack (-8 deg to 48 deg). Because of the current emphasis on reducing the radar cross section of new military aircraft, the planform of each wing was composed of lines swept at a relatively high angle of 60 deg, and all the trailing-edge lines were aligned with one of the two leading edges. Three arrow planforms with different aspect ratios and one diamond planform were tested. The models incorporated leading-edge flaps for improved pitching-moment characteristics and lateral stability and had three sets of trailing-edge flaps that were deflected differentially for roll control, symmetrically for pitch control, and in a split fashion for yaw control. Top bodies of three widths and twin vertical tails of various sizes and locations were also tested on each model. A large aerodynamic database was compiled that could be used to evaluate some of the trade-offs involved in the design of a configuration with a reduced radar cross section and good flight dynamic characteristics.

Moul, Thomas M.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Forced Displacement Technique for Measuring Blunt Body Aerodynamics in a Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel

The Old Dominion University/NASA Langley 6-Inch Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel has developed the ability to levitate blunt bodies which can oscillate freely about the yaw axis. This allows for the measurement of static and dynamic stability coefficients without sting interference. The magneic suspension controller introduces other translational forces which affect the vehicle dynamics complicating data reduction. Exciting model oscillations in a reliable way has also been a challenge. A new test method has been developed that produces capsule oscillations from forced oscillatory translational motion at the resonant yaw oscillatory frequency of the capsule. After oscillations are excited, the translational forcing motion is suspended to record free oscillation behavior as well. A data reduction method whereby a linear model of the translational and oscillatory motion is used to fit to the measured data and solve for aerodynamic coefficients has also been developed. The work presented shows that the new data reduction

blunt body↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Forced Displacement Technique for Measuring Blunt Body Aerodynamics in a Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel

blunt body↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Testing of Two Mars Powered Descent Vehicle Concepts in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

Testing was conducted in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel in order to investigate the aerodynamic interference of sub-scale versions of two Mars powered descent vehicle concepts at supersonic Mach numbers (2.4 and 3.5): a model based on a blunt hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (HIAD) and the second representing a more slender rigid vehicle with body flaps (CobraMRV). Each model was designed to accommodate up to eight nozzles, with the HIAD model having five different nozzle configurations to investigate the effects of nozzle location, cant angle, and area ratio. The models were tested with high pressure air as the nozzle plume gas, and included the following instrumentation: high-speed video, discrete steady state and high-frequency pressure, pressure sensitive paint, and a new flow-through force and moment balance for the HIAD model. The high-speed imagery showed the overall expected growth of the shock layer to increasing thrust levels. The discrete stagnation pressure data on the HIAD model with four and eight blowing nozzles was sensitive to thrust coefficient with the nozzles canted at 0 degrees, whereas having nozzles canted outward 20 degrees and/or being located closer to the heatshield shoulder largely removed that sensitivity. The CobraMRV model stagnation pressure was more sensitive to tunnel Mach number and sideslip angle, due to the nozzle arrangement and plume interference. Pressure sensitive paint data quality was compromised by paint damage from frequent model changes, especially for the HIAD model. However, pressure coefficient data on the CobraMRV model showed the same trends as the discrete pressure measurements, as well as a sensitivity to non-zero sideslip angles. The aerodynamic force coefficients were derived from the pressure sensitive paint data. On the HIAD models, the primary force coefficient decreased with increasing thrust due to the nozzle plumes blocking flow to the heatshield area surrounding the nozzle exist. On the CobraMRV model, the force coefficient was relatively insensitive to thrust coefficient at the lower Mach number when sideslip angle was 0 degrees The force coefficient decreases with increasing thrust coefficient when the sideslip angle is 10 degrees. Balance data quality was negatively impacted by thermal drift issues that were not apparent in pre-test calibration measurements, thus preventing usable test data. Results and lessons learned will be used to take further technology development steps, including more advanced ground test techniques and flight testing.

Supersonic Retropropulsion↗

NASA NTRS1979

Application of two synthesis methods for active flutter suppression on an aeroelastic wind tunnel model

Two flutter suppression control laws have been synthesized, implemented, and demonstrated on an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model of a transport-type wing. One control law was synthesized using an aerodynamic energy method and the other from using results of optimal control theory. At M = 0.95, the model was tested to a dynamic pressure 44 percent above the system-off flutter dynamic pressure. Both synthesis methods yielded control laws effective in suppressing flutter. The experimental results also indicate that wind-tunnel turbulence is an important factor in the experimental demonstration of system performance.

Abel, I.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Finite-rate water condensation in combustion-heated wind tunnels

A quasi-one-dimensional method for computing finite rate nucleation and droplet growth of water in a supersonic expansion of combustion products is presented. Sample computations are included for the Langley 8 foot High Temperature Tunnel, but the method can also be applied to other combustion heated wind tunnels. The sample results indicate that the free stream static pressure can be in the range of 25 to 60 percent greater than that computed for isentropic nozzle flow without water condensation. The method provides a tool for examining the effects of water condensation on static state properties and velocity of the supersonic stream in combustion heated wind tunnels.

Erickson, Wayne D.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Acoustic Modifications of the Ames 40x80 Foot Wind Tunnel and Test Techniques for High-Speed Research Model Testing

The NFAC 40- by 80- Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames is being refurbished with a new, deep acoustic lining in the test section which will make the facility nearly anechoic over a large frequency range. The modification history, key elements, and schedule will be discussed. Design features and expected performance gains will be described. Background noise reductions will be summarized. Improvements in aeroacoustic research techniques have been developed and used recently at NFAC on several wind tunnel tests of High Speed Research models. Research on quiet inflow microphones and struts will be described. The Acoustic Survey Apparatus in the 40x80 will be illustrated. A special intensity probe was tested for source localization. Multi-channel, high speed digital data acquisition is now used for acoustics. And most important, phased microphone arrays have been developed and tested which have proven to be very powerful for source identification and increased signal-to-noise ratio. Use of these tools for the HEAT model will be illustrated. In addition, an acoustically absorbent symmetry plane was built to satisfy the HEAT semispan aerodynamic and acoustic requirements. Acoustic performance of that symmetry plane will be shown.

Soderman, Paul T.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Wind Tunnel Test of A Scale Model of A Venus Probe to Determine Aeroacoustics Environment

The Zephyr probe for NASA’s DAVINCI project is being designed to fly to Venus and collect measurements to characterize the Venusian atmosphere while it descends towards the surface. Despite a slow descent speed as the probe approaches the surface, the very dense atmosphere means the vibro-acoustic environment that the probe must withstand could be very harsh. A wind tunnel test campaign was conducted to characterize the surface-pressure fluctuations (acoustics) on the external surface of the probe during the descent. The goal was to provide forcing functions for vibro-acoustic analysis of all instruments inside the probe. A 25% scale-model of the Zephyr probe was manufactured, instrumented with 18 microphones, and tested in two wind tunnels located in the Fluid Mechanics Lab at NASA Ames Research Center at velocities ranging from 13 m/s to 48 m/s. Trip strips were added to the model to ensure a turbulent boundary layer on the model. Microphones were located appropriately to provide spectra of pressure fluctuations in regions with different flow characteristics as well as for calculating various two-point statistics. The acoustic spectra measured in the wind tunnel tests were scaled up to flight-scale using the estimated flight trajectory information. Besides fluctuating surface-pressure measurements, hot-film velocity measurements as well as smoke-laser flow visualization were conducted to better understand the flow around the probe. Lastly, several different geometry configurations were tested to see whether any reduction in acoustic levels could be achieved, but none of the configurations that were tested offered significant improvements. The flow visualization showed 3 primary flow regimes on the model: an attached turbulent boundary layer on the front of the model, a region of separated flow upstream of the flared lip, and a large, separated wake at the rear of the model. The acoustic spectra generally show three different shapes corresponding to these flow regions, with the highest levels seen at the rear of the model, and directly in front of the drag plate. The scaled overall levels of pressure fluctuations were found to be high: in the range of 130dB to 155dB.

planetary probe↗

NASA NTRS1990

Analysis of a six-component, flow-through, strain-gage, force balance used for hypersonic wind tunnel models with scramjet exhaust flow simulation

The thermal effects of simulant gas injection and aerodynamic heating at the model's surface on the measurements of a non-watercooled, flow through balance were investigated. A stainless steel model of a hypersonic air breathing propulsion cruise missile concept (HAPCM-50) was used to evaluate this balance. The tests were conducted in the 20-inch Mach 6 wind tunnel at NASA-Langley. The balance thermal effects were evaluated at freestream Reynolds numbers ranging from .5 to 7 x 10(exp 6) ft and angles of attack between -3.5 to 5 deg at Mach 6. The injection gases considered included cold air, hot air, and a mixture of 50 percent Argon and 50 percent Freon-12. The stagnation temperatures of the cold air, hot air, and Ar-Fr(12) reached 111, 214, and 283 F, respectively within the balance. A bakelite sleeve was inserted into the inner tube of the balance to minimize the thermal effects of these injection gases. Throughout the tests, the normal force, side force, yaw moment, roll moment, and pitching moment balance measurements were unaffected by the balance thermal effects of the injection gases and the wind tunnel flow. However, the axial force (AF) measurement was significantly affected by balance heating. The average zero shifts in the AF measurements were 1.9, 3.8, and 5.9 percent for cold air, hot air, and Ar-Fr(12) injection, respectively. The AF measurements decreased throughout these tests which lasted from 70 to 110 seconds. During the cold air injection tests, the AF measurements were accurate up to at least ten seconds after the model was injected into the wind tunnel test section. For the hot air and Ar-Fr(12) tests, the AF measurements were accurate up to at least five seconds after model injection.

Kniskern, Marc W.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of correlation between full-scale and fifth-scale wind tunnel tests of a Bell helicopter Textron Model 222

Reasons for lack of correlation between data from a fifth-scale wind tunnel test of the Bell Helicopter Textron Model 222 and a full-scale test of the model 222 prototype in the NASA Ames 40-by 80-foot tunnel were investigated. This investigation centered around a carefully designed fifth-scale wind tunnel test of an accurately contoured model of the Model 222 prototype mounted on a replica of the full-scale mounting system. The improvement in correlation for drag characteristics in pitch and yaw with the fifth-scale model mounted on the replica system is shown. Interference between the model and mounting system was identified as a significant effect and was concluded to be a primary cause of the lack of correlation in the earlier tests.

Squires, P. K.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Analytical design of a contoured wind-tunnel liner for supercritical testing

The present analytical design procedure is being developed in order to determine the shape of a contoured nonporous wind tunnel liner for use in the Ames 12-foot pressure wind tunnel test of a large chord, laminar flow control, swept wing panel which has a supercritical airfoil section. This procedure is applicable to the two-dimensional streamlined tunnel problem wall shape with that found experimentally.

Newman, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Low-speed wind tunnel investigation of the static stability and control characteristics of an advanced turboprop configuration with the propellers placed over the tail

An exploratory wind tunnel investigation was performed in the 30 x 60 foot wind tunnel to determine the low speed static stability and control characteristics into the deep stall regime of an advanced turboprop aircraft with the propellers located over the horizontal tail. By this arrangement, the horizontal tail could potentially provide acoustic shielding to reduce the high community noise caused by the propeller blades. The current configuration was a generic turboprop model equipped with 1 foot diameter single rotating eight bladed propellers that were designed for efficient cruise operation at a Mach number of 0.8. The data presented is static force data. The effects of power on the configuration characteristics were generally favorable. An arrangement with the propellers rotating with the outboard blades moving down was found to have significantly higher installed thrust than an arrangement with the propellers rotating with the inboard blades moving down. The primary unfavorable effect was a large pitch trim change which occurred with power, but the trim change could be minimized with a proper configuration design.

Rhodes, Graham Scott↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Infrared Reflection Removal in Wind Tunnels using Polarization Theory

Infrared radiometry with infrared cameras allows for high spatial resolution, noncontact measurements in wind tunnel experiments and has been increasingly used to visualize flow features. Reflections from test section walls present a major challenge in collecting these measurements as it is difficult or impossible to separate them from the true model emission signal. This paper implements a method to quantitatively separate the reflections from the emission using polarization theory. Samples with a range of emissivities were tested, and in all samples the reflections were significantly reduced. This method will lead to more accurate radiometric and thermographic measurements in wind tunnel experiments.

Infrared↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Infrared Reflection Removal in Wind Tunnels using Polarization Theory

Infrared↗

NASA NTRS1941

Progress Report on Cowlings for Air-Cooled Engines Investigated in the NACA 19-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel

At the present time there is considerable demand for improvement in the aerodynamic characteristics of cowlings for radial air-cooled aircraft engines. During the past year, numerous cowling arrangements have been investigated in various departments of the NACA laboratory. Although a few full-scale investigation have been carried out, most of the studies have been preliminary in nature and have been confined to the investigation of model arrangement in wind tunnels. Because of the existing national emergency it appears advisable to release immediately to the aircraft industry the information available on the more promising of the arrangements that have been studied. An investigation having as its aim the improvement in performance and flying qualities of single-engine air-cooled military pursuit airplanes is being conducted in the NACA 10-foot pressure wind tunnel. As a part of that investigation, studies have been made of the relative merits of a conventional NACA open-nose cowling arrangement and of a less conventional but better streamline NACA high-speed cowling arrangement in which the cooling air enters the cowling through an opening ahead of the propeller, passes internally through an element of the cowling which rotates with the propeller, and thence past the engine cylinders to the exit at the rear of the engine. These investigations indicate that at airplane speeds of around 400 miles per hour there is not a great deal to be gained in high-speed performance through the application of the latter cowling arrangement, but at speeds in excess of about 450 miles per hour a very appreciable gain is indicated. Present indications are that improved engine cooling can be obtained throughout the speed range as well as ground cooling through the use of the high-speed cowling. This paper summarizes the results obtained from wind-tunnel tests of models of the two cowling arrangements.

McHugh, James G.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Determination of solid/porous wall boundary conditions from wind tunnel data for computational fluid dynamics codes

A computational and experimental study has been undertaken to investigate methods of modelling solid and porous wall boundary conditions in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes. The procedure utilizes experimental measurements at the walls to develop a flow field solution based on the method of singularities. This flow field solution is then imposed as a pressure boundary condition in a CFD simulation of the internal flow field. The effectiveness of this method in describing the boundary conditions at the wind tunnel walls using only sparse experimental measurements has been investigated. Verification of the approach using computational studies has been carried out using an incompressible flow solver. The current work demonstrates this technique for low speed flows and compares the result with experimental data obtained from a heavily instrumented variable porosity test section. Position and refinement of experimental measurements required to describe porous wall boundary conditions have also been considered for application to other porous wall wind tunnels. The approach developed is simple, computationally inexpensive, and does not require extensive or intrusive measurements. It may be applied to both solid and porous wall wind tunnel tests. Some consideration is given to the extension of this method to three dimensions.

Beutner, Thomas J.↗