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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Control law parameterization for an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model equipped with an active roll control system and comparison with experiment

Nominal roll control laws were designed, implemented, and tested on an aeroelastically-scaled free-to-roll wind-tunnel model of an advanced fighter configuration. The tests were performed in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. A parametric study of the nominal roll control system was conducted. This parametric study determined possible control system gain variations which yielded identical closed-loop stability (roll mode pole location) and identical roll response but different maximum control-surface deflections. Comparison of analytical predictions with wind-tunnel results was generally very good.

Perry, Boyd, III↗

Design and calibration of the carousel wind tunnel

In the study of planetary aeolian processes the effect of gravity is not readily modeled. Gravity appears in the equations of particle motion along with interparticle forces but the two terms are not separable. A wind tunnel that would permit variable gravity would allow separation of the forces and aid greatly in understanding planetary aeolian processes. The design of the Carousel Wind Tunnel (CWT) allows for a long flow distance in a small sized tunnel since the test section is a continuous circuit and allows for a variable pseudo-gravity. A prototype design was built and calibrated to gain some understanding of the characteristics of the design and the results presented.

Leach, R. N.↗

Full-scale wind tunnel investigation of a helicopter individual blade control system

This paper discusses the preparations and plans to test an individual rotor blade pitch control system in the 40- by 80- Foot Wind Tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center. The test will be performed on a full-scale BO-105 rotor system using a control system made by Henschel Flugzeug-Werke, GmbH, Germany. The Individual Blade Control (IBC) actuators have been designed to replace the pitchlinks of the rotor system. The paper presents a brief historical perspective on the development of the individual blade control system and then describes the present IBC actuators and the wind tunnel test hardware. A discussion of the intended test matrix, expected potential benefits of IBC, and simulation results are included.

Jacklin, Stephen A.↗

Results of buffet tests in a cryogenic wind tunnel

Buffet tests on two semispan wing models with different leading edge sweep show that it is feasibile to use the standard dynamic wing root bending moment technique in a cryogenic wind tunnel. One model was a slender 65 deg swept delta wing with sharp leading edges. The other model was an unswept wing of aspect ratio 1.5 with a British NPL 9510 airfoil section. The results for the 65 deg swept delta wing indicate the importance of matching the reduced frequency parameter in model tests for planforms which are sensitive to reduced frequency parameter if quantitative buffet measurements are required. The unique ability of a pressurized cryogenic wind tunnel to separate the effects of Reynolds number and of static aeroelastic distortion by variations in the tunnel stagnation temperature and pressure were demonstrated.

Boyden, R. P.↗

Initial Calibrations and Wind Tunnel Test Results for an In-Flow Reference Array Using New In-Flow Acoustic Sources in Four Array Mount Configurations

This paper describes efforts to develop a small in-flow phased microphone array as a reference acoustic sensor and quantify its level-measurement accuracy with new in-flow calibration sources. The devices can be applied to a wide variety of in- and out-of-flow measurement applications and test facilities. Recent tests of the array and two calibration sources in the NASA Anechoic Chamber and Army 7- by 10-foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center demonstrated that the array was functional over a frequency range of 2 to 100 kilohertz for emission angles of 92 degrees, 108 degrees, and 120 degrees, and Mach numbers of 0, 0.15, and 0.25. The array and calibration sources were then used to assess the relative effects of array installation on background noise and level measurement accuracy by locating the array in the flow (strut- and wall-mounted) as well as outside the flow behind a porous wall screen and a free shear layer. The wind tunnel array measurements were compared with anechoic chamber measurements using discrete microphones at the same source distance and emission angles. At 92 degrees, the noise floor and attenuation spectra were comparable (within 5 decibels) for each installation from 2 to 30 kilohertz. At higher angles, the array installation behind the Kevlar screen had the lowest noise floor at M = 0.15 and 0.25. The array installation 10 inches (maximum available distance) behind a free shear layer had higher background noise that is typically reduced to a lower level by moving the array back further from the flow. For emission angles greater than 92 degrees, both the Kevlar and free shear layer installations exhibited stronger attenuations in measured level, beginning at lower frequencies than either the wall- or strut-mount configurations. Additional array and calibration source units of the same design are being tested at NASA’s Glenn Research Center and Langley Research Center in their aeroacoustic research facilities in an effort to improve measurement accuracy and repeatability.

Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Research↗

Unitary Wind Tunnel Tests of 30-Degree Conical Ribbon Parachute and a Rotofoil Parachute Towed in the Wake of a Conical Nosed Cylindrical Body

Multiple wind tunnel test trials were conducted on a 30 degree conical ribbon parachute with porosities of 30, 27, and 24 percent. Variables were Mach number, dynamic pressure, towline length, and coefficient of drag. A Rotofoil parachute having a porosity of approximately 24 percent was tested, but failed after about 30 seconds of operation at a Mach number of 1.8 All of the parachutes had a nominal diameter and shroud line length of 10 inches. Drag coefficients were based on the area of a circle having a diameter two-thirds of the nominal parachute diameter.

WIND TUNNEL TESTS↗

Methods of analyzing wind-tunnel data for dynamic flight conditions

The effects of power on the stability and the control characteristics of an airplane are discussed and methods of analysis are given for evaluating certain dynamic characteristics of the airplane that are not directly discernible from wind tunnel tests alone. Data are presented to show how the characteristics of a model tested in a wind tunnel are affected by power. The response of an airplane to a rolling and a yawing disturbance is discussed, particularly in regard to changes in wing dihedral and fin area. Solutions of the lateral equations of motion are given in a form suitable for direct computations. An approximate formula is developed that permits the rapid estimation of the accelerations produced during pull-up maneuvers involving abrupt elevator deflections.

Donlan, C. J.↗

Study of optical techniques for the Ames unitary wind tunnels. Part 2: Light sheet and vapor screen

Light sheet and vapor screen methods have been studied with particular emphasis on those systems that have been used in large transonic and supersonic wind tunnels. The various fluids and solids used as tracers or light scatters and the methods for tracing generation have been studied. Light sources from high intensity lamps and various lasers have been surveyed. Light sheet generation and projection methods were considered. Detectors and location of detectors were briefly studied. A vapor screen system and a technique for location injection of tracers for the NASA Ames 9 by 7 foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel were proposed.

Lee, George↗

Second-Generation Large Civil Tiltrotor 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel Test Data Report

An approximately 6-percent scale model of the NASA Second-Generation Large Civil Tiltrotor (LCTR2) Aircraft was tested in the U.S. Army 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center January 4 to April 19, 2012, and September 18 to November 1, 2013. The full model was tested, along with modified versions in order to determine the effects of the wing tip extensions and nacelles; the wing was also tested separately in the various configurations. In both cases, the wing and nacelles used were adopted from the U.S. Army High Efficiency Tilt Rotor (HETR) aircraft, in order to limit the cost of the experiment. The full airframe was tested in high-speed cruise and low-speed hover flight conditions, while the wing was tested only in cruise conditions, with Reynolds numbers ranging from 0 to 1.4 million. In all cases, the external scale system of the wind tunnel was used to collect data. Both models were mounted to the scale using two support struts attached underneath the wing; the full airframe model also used a third strut attached at the tail. The collected data provides insight into the performance of the preliminary design of the LCTR2 and will be used for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation and the development of flight dynamics simulation models.

Theodore, Colin R.↗

Wind tunnel wall interference in V/STOL and high lift testing: A selected, annotated bibliography

This bibliography, with abstracts, consists of 260 citations of interest to persons involved in correcting aerodynamic data, from high lift or V/STOL type configurations, for the interference arising from the wind tunnel test section walls. It provides references which may be useful in correcting high lift data from wind tunnel to free air conditions. References are included which deal with the simulation of ground effect, since it could be viewed as having interference from three tunnel walls. The references could be used to design tests from the standpoint of model size and ground effect simulation, or to determine the available testing envelope with consideration of the problem of flow breakdown. The arrangement of the citations is chronological by date of publication in the case of reports or books, and by date of presentation in the case of papers. Included are some documents of historical interest in the development of high lift testing techniques and wall interference correction methods. Subject, corporate source, and author indices, by citation numbers, have been provided to assist the users. The appendix includes citations of some books and documents which may not deal directly with high lift or V/STOL wall interference, but include additional information which may be helpful.

Tuttle, M. H.↗

Methods of analyzing wind-tunnel data for dynamic flight conditions

The effects of power on the stability and the control characteristics of an airplane are discussed and methods of analysis are given for evaluating certain dynamic characteristics of the airplane that are not directly discernible from wind-tunnel tests alone. Data are presented to show how the characteristics of a model tested in a wind tunnel are affected by power. The response of an airplane to a rolling and a yawing disturbance is discussed, particularly in regard to changes in wing dihedral and fin area. Solutions of the lateral equations of motion are given in a form suitable for direct computations. An approximate formula is developed that permits the rapid estimation of the accelerations produced during pull-up maneuvers involving abrupt elevator deflections.

Donlan, C J↗

Performance evaluation of Space Shuttle SRB parachutes from air drop and scaled model wind tunnel tests

The aerodynamic performance characteristics have been determined for the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster drogue, main, and pilot parachutes. The performance evaluation on the 20-degree conical ribbon parachutes is based primarily on air drop tests of full scale prototype parachutes. In addition, parametric wind tunnel tests were performed and used in parachute configuration development and preliminary performance assessments. The wind tunnel test data are compared to the drop test results and both sets of data are used to determine the predicted performance of the Solid Rocket Booster flight parachutes. Data from other drop tests of large ribbon parachutes are also compared with the Solid Rocket Booster parachute performance characteristics. Parameters assessed include full open terminal drag coefficients, reefed drag area, opening characteristics, clustering effects, and forebody interference.

Moog, R. D.↗