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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Theoretical and experimental engine-inlet flow fields for fighter forebodies

The capability of two numerical methods, one for transonic and one for supersonic flows, to predict the flow fields about representative fighter aircraft forebodies in the vicinity of the engine inlets was examined. The Mach number range covered was 0.9 to 2.5 and the angle-of-attack range was 0 deg to 25 deg. The computer progams that implement each of the numerical methods are described as to their features and usage, and results are compared with comprehensive wind tunnel data. Although both prediction methods were inviscid, results show that the aerodynamic effects of the forebody, with and without a wing, can be simulated fairly well. Futher work is needed to include the effects of viscosity, including vortex shedding.

Yaros, S. F.↗

Active Suppression Of Vibrations On Aircraft Structures

Method of active suppression of nonlinear and nonstationary vibrations developed to reduce sonic fatigue and interior noise in high-speed aircraft. Structure of aircraft exhibits periodic, chaotic, and random vibrations when forced by high-intensity sound from jet engines, shock waves, turbulence, and separated flows. Method of suppressing vibrations involves feedback control: Strain gauges or other sensors mounted in paths of propagation of vibrations on structure sense vibrations; outputs of sensors processed into control signal applied to actuator mounted on structure, inducing compensatory forces.

Maestrello, Lucio↗

Application of the Probabilistic Dynamic Synthesis Method to the Analysis of a Realistic Structure

The Probabilistic Dynamic Synthesis method is a new technique for obtaining the statistics of a desired response engineering quantity for a structure with non-deterministic parameters. The method uses measured data from modal testing of the structure as the input random variables, rather than more "primitive" quantities like geometry or material variation. This modal information is much more comprehensive and easily measured than the "primitive" information. The probabilistic analysis is carried out using either response surface reliability methods or Monte Carlo simulation. A previous work verified the feasibility of the PDS method on a simple seven degree-of-freedom spring-mass system. In this paper, extensive issues involved with applying the method to a realistic three-substructure system are examined, and free and forced response analyses are performed. The results from using the method are promising, especially when the lack of alternatives for obtaining quantitative output for probabilistic structures is considered.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

Applying formal methods and object-oriented analysis to existing flight software

Correctness is paramount for safety-critical software control systems. Critical software failures in medical radiation treatment, communications, and defense are familiar to the public. The significant quantity of software malfunctions regularly reported to the software engineering community, the laws concerning liability, and a recent NRC Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board report additionally motivate the use of error-reducing and defect detection software development techniques. The benefits of formal methods in requirements driven software development ('forward engineering') is well documented. One advantage of rigorously engineering software is that formal notations are precise, verifiable, and facilitate automated processing. This paper describes the application of formal methods to reverse engineering, where formal specifications are developed for a portion of the shuttle on-orbit digital autopilot (DAP). Three objectives of the project were to: demonstrate the use of formal methods on a shuttle application, facilitate the incorporation and validation of new requirements for the system, and verify the safety-critical properties to be exhibited by the software.

Cheng, Betty H. C.↗

Steady and transient performance calculation method for prediction, analysis, and identification

The detailed design and development of turbofans Involves the prediction and identification, by means of test analysis, of the performance of the engine and its components. The thermodynamic simulation and analysis codes integrate existing knowledge and Interpretations of the detailed operating procedure of the components of the engine being developed. The relevance of the predicted performance depends on the quality of the representation of the various physical phenomena affecting the characteristics of the components and, consequently, on the incorporation of experimental correlation in the modelling. In this context, the representation of compressor and turbine characteristics is particularly important. Firstly, we will analyze the ability of corrected parameters to represent MACH similitude at the component inlet under various conditions. The various measurements achieved on the engine during development are used to enhance the modelling. The methods of identifying the thermodynamic calculation code with the various measurements, considered here with their uncertainties, are then presented and described. The analysis of the tests performed on the powerplant, designed to Identify the real characteristics of the engine components, can be undertaken, considering one or more engine test points and incorporating knowledge acquired through experimentation or on the component test bench. There are many possible fields of use for these identification methods ranging from the rematching of components to the optimization of the control system.

Jean Pierre Duponchel↗

Effect of airfoil (trailing-edge) thickness on the numerical solution of panel methods based on the Dirichlet boundary condition

The practical limit of airfoil thickness ratio for which acceptable engineering results are obtainable with the Dirichlet boundary-condition-based numerical methods is investigated. This is done by studying the effect of thickness on the calculated pressure distribution near the trailing edge and by comparing the aerodynamic coefficients with available exact solutions. The first objective of this study, owing to the wide use of such computational methods, is to demonstrate the numerical symptoms that occur when the body or wing thickness approaches zero and to increase the awareness of potential users of these methods. Additionally, an effort is made to obtain the practical limits of the trailing-edge thickness where such problems will appear in the flow solution, and to propose some possible cures for very thin airfoils or those with cusped trailing edges.

Yon, Steven↗

Requirements engineering and program synthesis: Mutually exclusive or synergistic?

There has often been a clash within the formal methods community between early life-cycle proponents such as the requirements engineering community and late life-cycle proponents such as the program synthesis community. This talk will first characterize these positions and their underlying assumptions, and then expose a common set of problems and approaches. The talk will then propose an integrated life-cycle framework, and expound on its potential benefits. Technical challenges to achieving this integrated life-cycle framework will be described, as well as some preliminary work towards that goal.

Program synthesis↗

Second conference on sonic boom research

Conference on sonic boom reduction in supersonic transport flight - shock wave propagation and refraction, prediction methods for acoustic attenuation, and aerodynamic engineering aspects.

Ira R. Schwartz↗

On-line digital computer control of the NERVA nuclear rocket engine

The problem of on-line digital computer control of the NERVA nuclear rocket engine is considered. Proposed is a method of State Dependent State Variable Feedback (SDSVF) as a practical approach to the control of NERVA and other complex nonlinear and/or time-varying systems. The difficulties inherent in other design methods are avoided by defining the optimal closed loop system in terms of a desired transfer function, rather than a performance index to maximize or minimize.

Kendrick, L. E.↗

Investigation of the stall-induced shock wave (hammershock) at the inlet to the engine

The peak static pressures measured at the inlet to the engine during stall are presented for a turbojet and two turbofan engines. It is shown for one turbofan and the turbojet that the static pressure ratio across the hammershock does not exceed significantly the normal shock pressure ratio necessary to stop the flow. The second turbofan engine did not follow this rule. Possible reasons for the departure are discussed. For the two turbofan engines the influence of the stall method on the hammershock intensity was investigated. Data related to the spatial distribution of pressure in the hammershock are also presented.

Kurkov, A. P.↗

Investigation of the stall-induced shock wave /hammershock/ at the inlet to the engine

The peak static pressures measured at the inlet to the engine during stall are presented for a turbojet and two turbofan engines. It is shown for one turbofan and the turbojet that the static pressure ratio across the hammershock does not exceed significantly the normal shock pressure ratio necessary to stop the flow. The second turbofan engine did not follow this rule. Possible reasons for the departure are discussed. For the two turbofan engines, the influence of the stall method on the hammershock intensity has been investigated. Data related to the spatial distribution of pressure in the hammershock are also presented.

Kurkov, A. P.↗

SERV - A reusable single stage to orbit space shuttle concept

Feasibility studies were made on the SERV (Single-stage Earth-orbital Reusable Vehicle), which is a single-stage, fully reusable space shuttle concept. The studies show that a reusable single-stage-to-orbit shuttle can be built using present technology. The SERV satisfies all of NASA's requirements for low earth orbital and space station resupply missions. The baseline vehicle has a modified Apollo external configuration, 90 ft in diameter and 66 ft in height, with a cargo hold 23 ft in diameter and 60 ft long. Take-off is vertical, powered by an integral aerospike rocket engine. An Apollo-type ballistic reentry profile is used, and precision vertical landing is possible with power provided by an array of turbojet engines. The key feasibility issues discussed are engine performance, aerodynamic drag, subsystem weights, method and type of thermal protection during reentry, descent aerodynamic characteristics, and landing method.

Tharratt, C. E.↗

Airbreathing propulsion component technologies

The article suggests that the 1980's will see significant improvements in virtually all gas-turbine engine components and their materials and structural design methods. These improvements will be made possible by improved theoretical models, laser Doppler measurement techniques, advances in rotor-spool technology, the evolution of engine controls, etc. It is suggested that the engine components field should expect broad and steady advances in the technologies of flow, materials, and structures in terms of scope, precision, and tools of design.

Rosen, C.↗

Comparison of methods for prediction of transition by stability analysis

The paper compares several methods of transition prediction of linear stability analysis. The spectral stability analysis code SALLY is used to analyze flows over laminar flow control wings. It is shown that transition prediction by the envelope method and a new modified wave packet method are comparable in reliability, but that the envelope method is more efficient computationally. This is based on the results which show that the wave packet method provides N factors which are at best as consistent as those of the envelope method; since the wave packet method is at least 3 times as expensive as the envelope method, the latter is recommended for engineering design calculations.

Malik, M. R.↗