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At least 991 records · Page 55

Full-scale semi-span tests of an advanced NLF business jet wing

An investigation has been conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center's 30- by 60-Foot Wind Tunnel on a full-scale semispan model to evaluate and document the low-speed, high-lift characteristics of a business-jet class wing utilizing the HSNLF(1)-0213 airfoil section and a single slotted flap system. In addition to the high-lift studies, evaluations of boundary layer transition effects, the effectiveness of a segmented leading-edge droop for improved stall/spin resistance, and roll control effectiveness with and without flap deflection were made. The wind-tunnel investigation showed that deployment of a single-slotted trailing-edge flap provided substantial increments in lift. Fixed transition studies indicated no adverse effects on lift and pitching-moment characteristics for either the cruise or landing configuration. Subscale roll damping tests also indicated that stall/spin resistance could be enhanced through the use of a properly designed leading-edge droop.

Hahne, David E.↗

Learjet Update Flight and Scale-Model-Nozzle Acoustics Test

The impetus for the work is the need for an improved ability to predict takeoff noise of future supersonic commercial transport aircraft. The overall objective is to validate as well as improve the conversion of facility scale-model data and semi-empirical jet-noise predictions to flight noise. Acoustic data from a Learjet-25 flyover test and a complementary rig-test are compared. The uncertainty in the rig-to-flight transformation is presented. Ultimately, the goal is improved noise-prediction methods for system studies of future commercial supersonic aircraft.

Lennart S Hultgren↗

Wind tunnel tests of an 0.019-scale space shuttle integrated vehicle -2A configuration (model 14-OTS) in the NASA Ames 8 by 7 foot unitary wind tunnel (IA12C), volume 1

The purpose of the test was to determine the effects of cold jet gas plumes on (1) the integrated vehicle longitudinal and lateral-directional force data, (2) exposed wing hinge moment, (3) wing pressure distributions, (4) orbiter MPS external pressure distributions, and (5) model base pressure. The similarity between solid and gaseous plumes was investigated, and fluorescent oil flow visualization studies were conducted.

Hardin, R. B.↗

Hover in-ground-effect testing of a full-scale, tilt-nacelle V/STOL model

A full-scale, tilt-nacelle V/STOL aircraft model was tested in hover at the National Full Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC), NASA Ames Research Center. The model was powered by two TF-34 turbofan engines. It was tested at several ground heights and control deflections. Test technique and test setup were documented. Limited results show that: (1) a small change in control power with ground height was measured, and control power was found to be good over + or - 20 deg of horizontal vane deflection; (2) integrated fuselage undersurface pressures, when compared with the total model loads and measured thrust, defined the effect of the fountain and its related flow field on model forces and moments; and (3) there was no indication of hot gas ingestion during simulated takeoff in calm winds from wheels on deck ground height.

Eshleman, J. E.↗

Hover in-ground-effect testing of a full-scale, tilt-nacelle V/STOL model

A full-scale, tilt-nacelle V/STOL aircraft model was tested in hover at the National Full Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC), NASA Ames Research Center. The model was powered by two TF-34 turbofan engines. It was tested at several ground heights and control deflections. Test technique and test setup were documented. Limited results show that (1) a small change in control power with ground height was measured, and control power was found to be good over + or - 20 deg of horizontal vane deflection; (2) integrated fuselage undersurface pressures, when compared with the total model loads and measured thrust, defined the effect of the fountain and its related flow field on model forces and moments; and (3) there was no indication of hot gas ingestion during simulated takeoff in calm winds from wheels on deck ground height.

Eshleman, J. E.↗

A hypersonic force and moment test of a 0.006 scale model (466) of the 330.2 inch diameter external tank in the Ames Research Center 3.5 foot hypersonic wind tunnel (TA9F)

Data were obtained in a series of wind tunnel tests on the space shuttle external tank over an angle of attack range from 0 deg to 180 deg at Mach numbers of 5.3 and 10.4. Body roll angles varied from 0 deg to 315 deg for the Mach number 10.4 tests. A constant roll angle of 180 deg was used for all Mach number 5.3 tests. The effects of protuberances and Reynolds number on the force and moment coefficients were investigated.

Ramsey, P. E.↗

Flight Tests of a 0.13-Scale Model of the Convair XFY-1 Vertically Rising Airplane with the Lower Vertical Tail Removed, TED No.DE 368

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the dynamic stability and control characteristics in hovering and transition flight of a 0.13-scale flying model of the Convair XFY-1 vertically rising airplane with the lower vertical tail removed. The purpose of the tests was to obtain a general indication of the behavior of a vertically rising airplane of the same general type as the XFY-1 but without a lower vertical tail in order to simplify power-off belly landings in an emergency. The model was flown satisfactorily in hovering flight and in the transition from hovering to normal unstalled forward flight (angle of attack approximately 30deg). From an angle of attack of about 30 down to the lowest angle of attack covered in the flight tests (approximately 15deg) the model became progressively more difficult to control. These control difficulties were attributed partly to a lightly damped Dutch roll oscillation and partly to the fact that the control deflections required for hovering and transition flight were too great for smooth flight at high speeds. In the low-angle-of-attack range not covered in the flight tests, force tests have indicated very low static directional stability which would probably result in poor flight characteristics. It appears, therefore, that the attainment of satisfactory directional stability, at angles of attack less than 10deg, rather than in the hovering and transition ranges of flight is the critical factor in the design of the vertical tail for such a configuration.

Lovell, Powell M., Jr.↗

Modular Interface for CLPS-Scale Excavators (MICE) – Feasibility Testing of a Modular Disconnect System for Regolith Manipulation Implements Focused on Excavation and Site Preparation Activies

The Artemis Program seeks to establish a sustained lunar presence and robust economy driven by re-sources available on the Moon and enabled by sup-porting infrastructure. This will require robotic manipulation of tens of thousands of metric tons of regolith. Excavation and site preparation tasks in the unforgiving lunar environment will inevitably lead to component wear and necessitate periodic maintenance and repair. System modularity and standard interfaces are key components of enabling robotic repair and maintenance. The Modular Interface for CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payloads Services) -scale Excavators (MICE) project is a funded fiscal year 2024 Internal Research and Development (IRAD) project at NASA KSC. The MICE project seeks to test concepts for modular re-configuration of a CLPS-scale excavation and site preparation rover. These concepts, henceforth referred to as Modular Disconnect Systems (MDS), allow a mobility platform to interface with regolith manipulation implements such as a bucket drum excavator or compactor. The MDS concepts allow the mobility platform to detect one implement and swap to another implement in-situ. Power and communications is fed through a dust-tolerant electrical connection on the MDS to the implement’s actuator(s) and sensors.

MICE↗

Similitude requirements and scaling relationships as applied to model testing

The similitude requirements for the most general test conditions are presented. These similitude requirements are considered in relation to the scaling relationships, test technique, test conditions (including supersonic flow), and test objectives. Particular emphasis is placed on satisfying the various similitude requirements for incompressible and compressible flow conditions. For free flying models tests, the test velocities for incompressible flow are scaled from Froude number similitude requirements and those for compressible flow are scaled from Mach number similitude requirements. The limitations of various test techniques are indicated, with emphasis on the free flying model.

Wolowicz, C. H.↗

A technique for scale model rocket base heating tests in a very large vacuum chamber

A series of tests was performed with a 0.040 scale Shuttle Orbiter Base Heating Model in a large vacuum chamber to determine the thermal effects of engine plume recirculation and direct engine plume impingement. The oxygen- and hydrogen-fueled model was fired through a range of simulated altitudes and configurations with varied engine gimbal angles and 'engine-out' combinations. Some of the special problems associated with conducting tests of this type related primarily to obtaining valid temperature and pressure data in the extremely short run times available. Run time is limited by the reflection of shock waves from the chamber wall, propellant charge-tube wave times, the time required to reach steady-state conditions for the engines, and model heating limitations. The 'data window' for potentially valid data usually begins with stabilized engine conditions and terminates with pressure perturbations from either of the aforementioned shock waves. The general approach for coping with these limitations and the method used to obtain valid data during the short data window (of the order of thirty milliseconds) are discussed.

Williams, F. U.↗

Low-speed wind-tunnel tests of a large scale blended arrow advanced supersonic transport model having variable cycle engines and vectoring exhaust nozzles

A low-speed wind-tunnel investigation was conducted in a full-scale tunnel to determine the performance and static stability and control characteristics of a large-scale model of a blended-arrow advanced supersonic transport configuration incorporating variable-cycle engines and vectoring exhaust nozzles. Configuration variables tested included: (1) engine mode (cruise or low-speed), (2) engine exit nozzle deflection, (3) leading-edge flap geometry, and (4) trailing-edge flap deflection. Test variables included values of C sub micron from 0 to 0.38, values of angle of attack from -10 degrees to 30 degrees, values of angle of sideslip, from -5 degrees to 5 degrees, and values of Reynolds number, from 3.5 million to 6.8 million.

Parlett, L. P.↗

Analysis of F/A-18 Tail Buffet Data Acquired in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel

Tail buffet studies were conducted on a full-scale, production, F/A-18 fighter aircraft in the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California. Tail buffet data were acquired over an angle-of-attack range of +20 deg to +40 deg, a side-slip range of -16 deg to + 16 deg, and at wind speeds up to 100 knots. The maximum speed corresponds to a Reynolds number of l2.3 x l0(exp 6) based on mean aerodynamic chord and a Mach number of 0. 15. The port, vertical tail fin was instrumented with ninety-six surface-pressure transducers, arranged in six by eight arrays, on each side of the fin. ne aircraft was also equipped with a removable Leading-Edge Extension (LEX) fence whose purpose is to reduce tail-buffet loads. Current analysis methods for the unsteady aerodynamic pressures and loads are described. Only results for the zero side-slip condition are to be presented, both with and without the LEX fence. Results of the time-averaged, power-spectral analysis are presented for the tail fin bending moments which are derived from the integrated pressure field. Local wave velocities on the tail surfaces are calculated from pressure correlations. It was found that the LEX fence significantly reduces the magnitude of the root-mean-square pressures and bending moments. Scaling and repeatability issues are addressed by comparing the present full scale results for pressures at the 60%-span and 45%-chord location with previous full-scale F/A-18 tail-buffet test in the 80- by 120- Foot Wind Tunnel, and with several small-scale tests. The comparisons show that the tail buffet frequency scales very well with tail chord and free-stream velocity, and that there is good agreement with the previous full-scale test. Root-mean-square pressures and power spectra do not scale as well as the frequency results. Addition of a LEX fence caused tail-buffet loads to be reduced at all model scales.

James, Kevin D.↗

Correlation study of theoretical and experimental results for spin tests of a 1/10 scale radio control model

A correlation study was conducted to determine the ability of current analytical spin prediction techniques to predict the flight motions of a current fighter airplane configuration during the spin entry, the developed spin, and the spin recovery motions. The airplane math model used aerodynamics measured on an exact replica of the flight test model using conventional static and forced-oscillation wind-tunnel test techniques and a recently developed rotation-balance test apparatus capable of measuring aerodynamics under steady spinning conditions. An attempt was made to predict the flight motions measured during stall/spin flight testing of an unpowered, radio-controlled model designed to be a 1/10 scale, dynamically-scaled model of a current fighter configuration. Comparison of the predicted and measured flight motions show that while the post-stall and spin entry motions were not well-predicted, the developed spinning motion (a steady flat spin) and the initial phases of the spin recovery motion are reasonably well predicted.

Bihrle, W., Jr.↗

The Pressure Available for Ground Cooling in Front of the Cowling of Air-cooled Airplane Engines

A study was made of the factors affecting the pressure available for ground cooling in front of a cowling. Most of the results presented were obtained with a set-up that was about one-third full scale. A number of isolated tests on four full-scale airplanes were made to determine the general applicability of the model results. The full-scale tests indicated that the model results may be applied qualitatively to full-scale design and quantitatively as a first approximation of the front pressure available for ground cooling.

Stickle, George W↗

Performance of two load-limiting subfloor concepts in full-scale general aviation airplane crash tests

Three six-place, low wing, twin-engine general aviation airplane test specimens were crash tested at the langley Impact Dynamics research Facility under controlled free-flight conditions. One structurally unmodified airplane was the baseline airplane specimen for the test series. The other airplanes were structurally modified to incorporate load-limiting (energy-absorbing) subfloor concepts into the structure for full scale crash test evaluation and comparison to the unmodified airplane test results. Typically, the lowest floor accelerations and anthropomorphic dummy occupant responses, and the least seat crushing of standard and load-limiting seats, occurred in the modified load-limiting subfloor airplanes wherein the greatest structural crushing of the subfloor took place. The better performing of the two load-limiting subfloor concepts reduced the peak airplane floor accelerations at the pilot and four seat/occupant locations to -25 to -30 g's as compared to approximately -50 to -55 g's acceleration magnitude for the unmodified airplane structure.

Carden, H. D.↗

Summary of spin technology as related to light general-aviation airplanes

A summary was made of all NASA (and NACA) research and experience related to the spin and recovery characteristics of light personal-owner-type general-aviation airplanes. Very little of the research deals with light general-aviation airplanes as such, but many of the airplanes and models tested before and during World War II were similar to present-day light general-aviation airplanes with regard to the factors that are important in spinning. The material is based mainly on the results of spin-tunnel tests of free-spinning dynamically scaled models of about 100 different airplane designs and, whenever possible, includes correlation with full-scale spin tests. The research results are discussed in terms of airplane design considerations and the proper use of controls for recovery.

Bowman, J. S., Jr.↗