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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

A study of the noise radiation from four helicopter rotor blades

Acoustic measurements were taken of a modern helicopter rotor with four blade tip shapes in the NASA Ames 40-by-80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The four tip shapes are: rectangular, swept, trapezoidal, and swept tapered in platform. Acoustic effects due to tip shape changes were studied based on the dBA level, peak noise pressure, and subjective rating. The swept tapered blade was found to be the quietest above an advancing tip Mach number of about 0.9, and the swept blade was the quietest at low speed. The measured high speed impulsive noise was compared with theoretical predictions based on thickness effects; good agreement was found.

Lee, A.↗

Blade row dynamic digital compression program. Volume 2: J85 circumferential distortion redistribution model, effect of Stator characteristics, and stage characteristics sensitivity study

The results of dynamic digital blade row compressor model studies of a J85-13 engine are reported. The initial portion of the study was concerned with the calculation of the circumferential redistribution effects in the blade-free volumes forward and aft of the compression component. Although blade-free redistribution effects were estimated, no significant improvement over the parallel-compressor type solution in the prediction of total-pressure inlet distortion stability limit was obtained for the J85-13 engine. Further analysis was directed to identifying the rotor dynamic response to spatial circumferential distortions. Inclusion of the rotor dynamic response led to a considerable gain in the ability of the model to match the test data. The impact of variable stator loss on the prediction of the stability limit was evaluated. An assessment of measurement error on the derivation of the stage characteristics and predicted stability limit of the compressor was also performed.

Tesch, W. A.↗

Characteristics of the near wake of a compressor or fan rotor blade

Research reported in this paper covers an experimental investigation of the rotor wake. The experimental investigation included a study of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stress variations across the wake of a lightly loaded rotor blade at various axial and radial locations. Only the mean velocity data and their interpretation is presented in this paper. Measurements were carried out with a triaxial probe; rotating with the rotor and stationary behind the rotor. Also, measurements were made with a spherical head static pressure probe rotating with the rotor. Wakes were measured at various incidences to discern the effect of blade loading on the rotor wake. The wake is found to be three dimensional in nature with appreciable radial velocity. The measurements close to the blade trailing edge indicate that the decay of the wake is rapid in this region. The wake data is correlated to derive expressions for the profile and decay of all the components.

Reynolds, B.↗

VSTOL tilt nacelle aerodynamics and its relation to fan blade stresses

A scale model of a VSTOL tilt nacelle with a 0.508 m single stage fan was tested in the NASA Lewis 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel to ascertain inlet aerodynamic and fan aeromechanical performance over the low speed flight envelope. Fan blade stress maxima occurred at discrete rotational speeds corresponding to integral engine order vibrations of the first flatwise bending mode. Increased fan blade stress levels coincided with internal boundary layer separation occurring but became severe only when the separation location had progressed to the entry lip region of the inlet. The inlet/fan system could operate within the low speed flight envelope without incurring fan blade stress limits although boundary layer separation did occur for certain operating conditions.

Shaw, R. J.↗

Design, fabrication, and test of a composite material wind turbine rotor blade

The aerodynamic design, structural design, fabrication, and structural testing is described for a 60 foot long filament wound, fiberglass/epoxy resin matrix wind turbine rotor blade for a 125 foot diameter, 100 kW wind energy conversion system. One blade was fabricated which met all aerodynamic shape requirements and was structurally capable of operating under all specified design conditions. The feasibility of filament winding large rotor blades was demonstrated.

Griffee, D. G., Jr.↗

TACT 1: A computer program for the transient thermal analysis of a cooled turbine blade or vane equipped with a coolant insert. 2. Programmers manual

A computer program to calculate transient and steady state temperatures, pressures, and coolant flows in a cooled axial flow turbine blade or vane with an impingement insert is described. Coolant-side heat transfer coefficients are calculated internally in the program, with the user specifying either impingement or convection heat transfer at each internal flow station. Spent impingement air flows in a chordwise direction and is discharged through the trailing edge and through film cooling holes. The ability of the program to handle film cooling is limited by the internal flow model. Input to the program includes a description of the blade geometry, coolant-supply conditions, outside thermal boundary conditions, and wheel speed. The blade wall can have two layers of different materials, such as a ceramic thermal barrier coating over a metallic substrate. Program output includes the temperature at each node, the coolant pressures and flow rates, and the coolant-side heat transfer coefficients.

Gaugler, R. E.↗

Nonlinear Equations of Equilibrium for Elastic Helicopter or Wind Turbine Blades Undergoing Moderate Deformation

A set of nonlinear equations of equilibrium for an elastic wind turbine or helicopter blades are presented. These equations are derived for the case of small strains and moderate rotations (slopes). The derivation includes several assumptions which are carefully stated. For the convenience of potential users the equations are developed with respect to two different systems of coordinates, the undeformed and the deformed coordinates of the blade. Furthermore, the loads acting on the blade are given in a general form so as to make them suitable for a variety of applications. The equations obtained in the study are compared with those obtained in previous studies.

Rosen, A.↗

Evaluation of MOSTAS computer code for predicting dynamic loads in two bladed wind turbines

Calculated dynamic blade loads were compared with measured loads over a range of yaw stiffnesses of the DOE/NASA Mod-O wind turbine to evaluate the performance of two versions of the MOSTAS computer code. The first version uses a time-averaged coefficient approximation in conjunction with a multi-blade coordinate transformation for two bladed rotors to solve the equations of motion by standard eigenanalysis. The second version accounts for periodic coefficients while solving the equations by a time history integration. A hypothetical three-degree of freedom dynamic model was investigated. The exact equations of motion of this model were solved using the Floquet-Lipunov method. The equations with time-averaged coefficients were solved by standard eigenanalysis.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗

Wind-turbine-generator rotor-blade concepts with low-cost potential

Four processes for producing blades are examined. Two use filament winding techniques and two involve filling a mold or form to produce all or part of a blade. The processes are described and a comparison is made of costs, material properties, designs and free vibration characteristics. Conclusions are made regarding the feasibility of each process to produce low-cost, structurally adequate blades.

Sullivan, T. L.↗

Evaluation of MOSTAS computer code for predicting dynamic loads in two-bladed wind turbines

Calculated dynamic blade loads are compared with measured loads over a range of yaw stiffnesses of the DOE/NASA Mod-0 wind turbine to evaluate the performance of two versions of the MOSTAS computer code. The first version uses a time-averaged coefficient approximation in conjunction with a multiblade coordinate transformation for two-bladed rotors to solve the equations of motion by standard eigenanalysis. The results obtained with this approximate analysis do not agree with dynamic blade load amplifications at or close to resonance conditions. The results of the second version, which accounts for periodic coefficients while solving the equations by a time history integration, compare well with the measured data.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗

Mean velocity and decay characteristics of the guidevane and stator blade wake of an axial flow compressor

Pure tone noise, blade row vibrations, and aerodynamic losses are phenomena which are influenced by stator and IGV (inlet guide vane) blade wake production, decay, and interaction in an axial-flow compressor. The objective of this investigation is to develop a better understanding of the nature of stator and IGV blade wakes that are influenced by the presence of centrifugal forces due to flow curvature. A single sensor hot wire probe was employed to determine the three mean velocity components of stator and IGV wakes of a single stage compressor. These wake profiles indicated a varying decay rate of the tangential and axial wake velocity components and a wake profile similarity. An analysis, which predicts this trend, has been developed. The radial velocities are found to be appreciable in both IGV and the stator wakes.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

Experimental study of low aspect ratio compressor blading

The effects of low aspect ratio blading on aerodynamic performance were examined. Four individual transonic compressor stages, representative of the inlet stage of an advanced high pressure ratio core compressor, are discussed. The flow phenomena for the four stages are investigated. Comparisons of blade element parameters are presented for the two different aspect ratio configurations. Blade loading levels are compared for the near stall conditions and comparisons are made of loss and diffusion factors over the operating range of incidence angles.

Reid, L.↗

Digital system for dynamic turbine engine blade displacement measurements

An instrumentation concept for measuring blade tip displacements which employs optical probes and an array of micro-computers is presented. The system represents a hitherto unknown instrumentation capability for the acquisition and direct digitization of deflection data concurrently from all of the blade tips of an operational engine rotor undergoing flutter or forced vibration. System measurements are made using optical transducers which are fixed to the case. Measurements made in this way are the equivalent of those obtained by placing three surface-normal displacement transducers at three positions on each blade of an operational rotor.

Kiraly, L. J.↗

Laser-optical blade tip clearance measurement system

A laser-optical measurement system was developed to measure single blade tip clearances and average blade tip clearances between a rotor and its gas path seal in rotating component rigs and complete engines. The system is applicable to fan, compressor and turbine blade tip clearance measurements. The engine mounted probe is particularly suitable for operation in the extreme turbine environment. The measurement system consists of an optical subsystem, an electronic subsystem and a computing and graphic terminal. Bench tests and environmental tests were conducted to confirm operation at temperatures, pressures, and vibration levels typically encountered in an operating gas turbine engine.

Barranger, J. P.↗

Sensor for measuring instantaneous angle of attack of helicopter blades

Systematic investigations were performed on a variety of probes to determine their potential for possible application as sensors attached to helicopter blades to measure both the instantaneous angle of attack as well as the dynamic head during actual flight operations. After some preliminary considerations a sensor of essentially spherical shape, about 30 mm in diameter, was designed. The sensor was provided with three pressure ports, and it housed two pressure transducers required for sensing the prevailing pressures acting outside on the surface. The sensors were subsequently tested in the laboratory under a variety of flow conditions to determine their aerodynamic characteristics. Two series of tests were performed: in the first series the sensor was fixed in space while exposed to steady uniform flow, while in the second series the sensor was made to oscillate, thus simulating the cyclic pitch change of the helicopter blades. While the cyclic pitch frequencies were of about the same magnitude as encountered in flight, the flow velocities during tests fell well below those experienced in a rotating blade. The tests showed that the sensors performed satisfactorily under low subsonic flow conditions with frequencies not exceeding five Hz.

Barna, P. S.↗

Nonlinear Aeroelastic Equations of Motion of Twisted, Nonuniform, Flexible Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blades

The second-degree nonlinear equations of motion for a flexible, twisted, nonuniform, horizontal axis wind turbine blade were developed using Hamilton's principle. A mathematical ordering scheme which was consistent with the assumption of a slender beam was used to discard some higher-order elastic and inertial terms in the second-degree nonlinear equations. The blade aerodynamic loading which was employed accounted for both wind shear and tower shadow and was obtained from strip theory based on a quasi-steady approximation of two-dimensional, incompressible, unsteady, airfoil theory. The resulting equations had periodic coefficients and were suitable for determining the aeroelastic stability and response of large horizontal-axis wind turbine blades.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗