SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “HOVERING”

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 1,243 records · Page 69

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1997

Vortex Core Size in the Rotor Near-Wake

Using a kinetic energy conservation approach, a number of simple analytic expressions are derived for estimating core size of tip vortices in the near-wake of rotors in hover or axial-flight (climb). The influence of thrust, axial-flight advance ratio, blade count, blade aspect ratio, nonuniform disk loading, and vortex structure on rotor vortex core size is assessed. Vortex core size is found to be directly proportional to rotor thrust and inversely proportional to axial-flight advance ratio. Further, it is found that the more efficient the rotor is with respect to factors that affect induced power, the smaller the vortex core size. In particular, uniformity of the rotor disk loading clearly has the greatest influence on vortex core size of the parameters studied in this paper.

Young, Larry A.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Performance Study and CFD Predictions of a Ducted Fan System

An experimental investigation was completed in the NASA Ames 7 by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel to study the performance characteristics of a ducted fan. The goal of this effort is to study the effect of ducted fan geometry and utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to provide a baseline for correlation. A 38-inch diameter, 10-inch chord duct with a five-bladed fixed-pitch fan was tested. Duct performance data were obtained in hover, vertical climb, and forward flight test conditions. This paper will present a description of the test, duct performance results and correlation with CFD predictions.

Abrego, Anita I.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Numerical Experiment with Time and Spatial Accuracy of Navier-Stokes Computation For Helicopter Problems

Helicopter flowfields are highly unsteady, nonlinear and three-dimensional. In forward flight and in hover, the rotor blades interact with the tip vortex and wake sheet developed by either itself or the other blades. This interaction, known as blade-vortex interactions (BVI), results in unsteady loading of the blades and can cause a distinctive acoustic signature. Accurate and cost-effective computational fluid dynamic solutions that capture blade-vortex interactions can help rotor designers and engineers to predict rotor performance and to develop designs for low acoustic signature. Such a predictive method must preserve a blade's shed vortex for several blade revolutions before being dissipated. A number of researchers have explored the requirements for this task. This paper will outline some new capabilities that have been added to the NASA Ames' OVERFLOW code to improve its overall accuracy for both vortex capturing and unsteady flows. To highlight these improvements, a number of case studies will be presented. These case studies consist of free convection of a 2-dimensional vortex, dynamically pitching 2-D airfoil including light-stall, and a full 3-D unsteady viscous solution of a helicopter rotor in forward flight In this study both central and upwind difference schemes are modified to be more accurate. Central difference scheme is chosen for this simulation because the flowfield is not dominated by strong shocks. The feature of shock-vortex interaction in such a flow is less important than the dominant blade-vortex interaction. The scheme is second-order accurate in time and solves the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations in fully-implicit manner at each time-step. The spatial accuracy is either second and fourth-order central difference or third-order upwind difference using Roe-flux and MUSCLE scheme. This paper will highlight and demonstrate the methods for several sample cases and for a helicopter rotor. Preliminary computations on a rotor were performed by using this method and are in the process of documentation.

Ahmad, Jasim↗

NASA NTRS1992

Small Business Innovations (Helicopters)

The amount of engine power required for a helicopter to hover is an important, but difficult, consideration in helicopter design. The EHPIC program model produces converged, freely distorted wake geometries that generate accurate analysis of wake-induced downwash, allowing good predictions of rotor thrust and power requirements. Continuum Dynamics, Inc., the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) company that developed EHPIC, also produces RotorCRAFT, a program for analysis of aerodynamic loading of helicopter blades in forward flight. Both helicopter codes have been licensed to commercial manufacturers.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2002

Modeling and Simulation of a Helicopter Slung Load Stabilization Device

This paper addresses the problem of simulation and stabilization of the yaw motions of a cargo container slung load. The study configuration is a UH-60 helicopter carrying a 6ft x 6 ft x 8 ft CONEX container. This load is limited to 60 KIAS in operations and flight testing indicates that it starts spinning in hover and that spin rate increases with airspeed. The simulation reproduced the load yaw motions seen in the flight data after augmenting the load model with terms representing unsteady load yaw moment effects acting to reinforce load oscillations, and augmenting the hook model to include yaw resistance at the hook. The use of a vertical fin to stabilize the load is considered. Results indicate that the CONEX airspeed can be extended to 110 kts using a 3x5 ft fin.

Cicolani, Luigi S.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Computational Analysis of a Prototype Martian Rotorcraft Experiment

This paper presents Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculations for a prototype Martian rotorcraft. The computations are intended for comparison with an ongoing Mars rotor hover test at NASA Ames Research Center. These computational simulations present a new and challenging problem, since rotors that operate on Mars will experience a unique low Reynolds number and high Mach number environment. Computed results for the 3-D rotor differ substantially from 2-D sectional computations in that the 3-D results exhibit a stall delay phenomenon caused by rotational forces along the blade span. Computational results have yet to be compared to experimental data, but computed performance predictions match the experimental design goals fairly well. In addition, the computed results provide a high level of detail in the rotor wake and blade surface aerodynamics. These details provide an important supplement to the expected experimental performance data.

Corfeld, Kelly J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Computational Analysis of a Prototype Martian Rotorcraft Experiment

Corfeld, Kelly J.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Effects of Gyroscopic Cross Coupling Between Pitch and Yaw on the Handling Qualities of VTOL Aircraft

Gyroscopic cross coupling between pitch and yaw was simulated with a variable-stability helicopter while hovering in a yawing maneuver to ascertain the effect of cross coupling on handling qualities. Pilot ratings of the controllability of cross coupling were obtained for various combinations of longitudinal control power, angular velocity about the yaw axis, and simulated engine angular momentum. A theoretical investigation, supplemented by simulator data, was undertaken to determine the effect of longitudinal damping on the coupling controllability. Also, a comparison was made between flight and simulator data. The results indicated that for an aircraft with otherwise satisfactory longitudinal handling qualities, the level of cross coupling is satisfactory when less than 30 percent of the available longitudinal control will trim out the largest gyroscopic coupling moment which might be encountered. Increased longitudinal damping resulted in a significant increase in the controllability of pitch-yaw gyroscopic cross coupling.

Garren, John F., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Nomographic Solution of the Momentum Equation for VTOL-STOL Aircraft

VTOL-STOL aircraft are characterized in general by the fact that in some portion of their flight envelope the wake is sharply inclined to the free stream. Under such conditions, the usual small-angle assumptions used in determining the induced velocities, and consequently, the power required, are no longer valid. Indeed, the use of small-angle assumptions leads to such anomalous results as infinite induced velocities and required power in the extreme case of hovering. The aforementioned difficulties may be avoided by a more complete examination of the horizontal and vertical momentum imparted to the air by the aircraft at low speeds. The resulting equation is a quartic in the induced velocity, and, as such, is difficult to apply. On the other hand, this quartic can be solved in its most general terms and the resulting solution then can be derived and presented in the form of a chart, or nomograph, from which the required induced velocities my be read directly. This paper presents such a chart.

Heyson, Harry H.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Aerodynamic Design Study of an Advanced Active Twist Rotor

An Advanced Active Twist Rotor (AATR) is currently being developed by the U.S. Army Vehicle Technology Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center. As a part of this effort, an analytical study was conducted to determine the impact of blade geometry on active-twist performance and, based on those findings, propose a candidate aerodynamic design for the AATR. The process began by creating a baseline design which combined the dynamic design of the original Active Twist Rotor and the aerodynamic design of a high lift rotor concept. The baseline model was used to conduct a series of parametric studies to examine the effect of linear blade twist and blade tip sweep, droop, and taper on active-twist performance. Rotor power requirements and hub vibration were also examined at flight conditions ranging from hover to advance ratio = 0.40. A total of 108 candidate designs were analyzed using the second-generation version of the Comprehensive Analytical Model of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics and Dynamics (CAMRAD II) code. The study concluded that the vibration reduction capabilities of a rotor utilizing controlled, strain-induced twisting are enhanced through the incorporation of blade tip sweep, droop, and taper into the blade design, while they are degraded by increasing the nose-down linear blade twist. Based on the analysis of rotor power, hub vibration, and active-twist response, a candidate aerodynamic design for the AATR consisting of a blade with approximately 10 degrees of linear blade twist and a blade tip design with 30 degree sweep, 10 degree droop, and 2.5:1 taper ratio over the outer five percent of the blade is proposed.

Sekula, Martin K.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Considerations of Methods of Improving Helicopter Efficiency

Recent NASA helicopter research indicates that significant improvements in hovering efficiency, up to 7 percent, are available from the use of a special airfoil section formed by combining an NACA 632A015 thickness distribution with an NACA 230 mean line. This airfoil should be considered for flying-crane-type helicopters. Application of standard leading-edge roughness causes a large drop in efficiency; however, the cambered rotor is shown to retain its superiority over a rotor having a symmetrical airfoil when both rotors have leading-edge roughness. A simple analysis of available rotor static-thrust data indicates a greatly reduced effect of compressibility effects on the rotor profile-drag power than predicted from calculations. Preliminary results of an experimental study of helicopter parasite drag indicate the practicability of achieving an equivalent flat-plate parasite-drag area of less than 4 square feet for a rotor-head-pylon-fuselage configuration (landing gear retracted) in the 2,000-pound minimum-flying-weight class. The large drag penalty of a conventional skid-type landing (3.6 square feet) can be reduced by two-thirds by careful design. Clean, fair, and smooth fuselages that tend to have narrow, deep cross sections are shown to have advantages from the standpoint of drag and download. A ferry range of the order of 1,500 miles is indicated to be practicable for the small helicopter considered.

Dingeldein, Richard C.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Aerodynamic Characteristics of Propeller-Driven VTOL Aircraft

This paper discusses the two major configurations that are usually considered for achieving VTOL while keeping the fuselage essentially horizontal - that is, the tilt-wing and the deflected-slipstream configurations. Because of the high turning losses incurred by deflected-slipstream configurations in hovering and because of the wing-stalling problem of the pure tilt-wing configurations during the transition, it appears that a combination of the two principles should be used. This tilt-wing and flap configuration should make use of a programmed extensible-chord slotted flap together with a leading-edge high-lift device in order to avoid the performance and handling qualities problems associated with wing stalling during the transition while keeping the wing area as low as possible for efficiency in cruising flight.

Kirby, Robert H.↗

NASA NTRS1961

Operational Technique for Transition of Several Types of V/Stol Aircraft

Flight test experience has been obtained with five test bed aircraft which employed widely differing principles of V/STOL operation. speeds these aircraft were supported by wing lift and in the hovering condition they were supported by engine-produced thrust. used to transfer the lift from the wing to the engine are examined. primary items considered in the transition region are longitudinal trim changes, stability , stalled flow during descending transitions, and the flexibility of the transition procedure of each type of aircraft.

Drinkwater, Fred J., III↗

NASA NTRS2000

Analysis of Advanced Rotorcraft Configurations

Advanced rotorcraft configurations are being investigated with the objectives of identifying vehicles that are larger, quieter, and faster than current-generation rotorcraft. A large rotorcraft, carrying perhaps 150 passengers, could do much to alleviate airport capacity limitations, and a quiet rotorcraft is essential for community acceptance of the benefits of VTOL operations. A fast, long-range, long-endurance rotorcraft, notably the tilt-rotor configuration, will improve rotorcraft economics through productivity increases. A major part of the investigation of advanced rotorcraft configurations consists of conducting comprehensive analyses of vehicle behavior for the purpose of assessing vehicle potential and feasibility, as well as to establish the analytical models required to support the vehicle development. The analytical work of FY99 included applications to tilt-rotor aircraft. Tilt Rotor Aeroacoustic Model (TRAM) wind tunnel measurements are being compared with calculations performed by using the comprehensive analysis tool (Comprehensive Analytical Model of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics and Dynamics (CAMRAD 11)). The objective is to establish the wing and wake aerodynamic models that are required for tilt-rotor analysis and design. The TRAM test in the German-Dutch Wind Tunnel (DNW) produced extensive measurements. This is the first test to encompass air loads, performance, and structural load measurements on tilt rotors, as well as acoustic and flow visualization data. The correlation of measurements and calculations includes helicopter-mode operation (performance, air loads, and blade structural loads), hover (performance and air loads), and airplane-mode operation (performance).

Johnson, Wayne↗

NASA NTRS2004

Contingency Power Study for Short Haul Civil Tiltrotor

NASA has concluded from previous studies that the twin engine tiltrotor is the most economical and technologically viable rotorcraft for near-term civil applications. Twin engine civil rotorcraft must be able to hover safely on one engine in an emergency. This emergency power requirement generally results in engines 20 to 50 percent larger than needed for normal engine operation, negatively impacting aircraft economics. This study identifies several contingency power enhancement concepts, and quantifies their potential to reduce aircraft operating costs. Many unique concepts were examined, and the selected concepts are simple, reliable, and have a high potential for near term realization. These engine concepts allow extremely high turbine temperatures during emergency operation by providing cooling to the power turbine and augmenting cooling of both turbines and structural hardware. Direct operating cost are reduced 3 to percent, which could yield a 30 to 80 percent increase in operating profits. The study consists of the definition of an aircraft economics model and a baseline engine, and an engine concept screening study, and a preliminary definition of the selected concepts. The selected concepts are evaluated against the baseline engine, and the critical technologies and development needs are identified, along with applications for this technology.

D'Angelo, Marin M.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Vortex Core Size in the Rotor Near-Wake

Using a kinetic energy conservation approach, a number of simple analytic expressions are derived for estimating the core size of tip vortices in the near-wake of rotors in hover and axial-flow flight. The influence of thrust, induced power losses, advance ratio, and vortex structure on rotor vortex core size is assessed. Experimental data from the literature is compared to the analytical results derived in this paper. In general, three conclusions can be drawn from the work in this paper. First, the greater the rotor thrust, t h e larger the vortex core size in the rotor near-wake. Second, the more efficient a rotor is with respect to induced power losses, the smaller the resulting vortex core size. Third, and lastly, vortex core size initially decreases for low axial-flow advance ratios, but for large advance ratios core size asymptotically increases to a nominal upper limit. Insights gained from this work should enable improved modeling of rotary-wing aerodynamics, as well as provide a framework for improved experimental investigations of rotor a n d advanced propeller wakes.

Young, Larry A.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Mechanization and Control Concepts for Biologically Inspired Micro Aerial Vehicles

It is possible that MAV designs of the future will exploit flapping flight in order to perform missions that require extreme agility, such as rapid flight beneath a forest canopy or within the confines of a building. Many of nature's most agile flyers generate flapping motions through resonant excitation of an aeroelastically tailored structure: muscle tissue is used to excite a vibratory mode of their flexible wing structure that creates propulsion and lift. A number of MAV concepts have been proposed that would operate in a similar fashion. This paper describes an ongoing research activity in which mechanization and control concepts with application to resonant flapping MAVs are being explored. Structural approaches, mechanical design, sensing and wingbeat control concepts inspired by hummingbirds, bats and insects are examined. Experimental results from a testbed capable of generating vibratory wingbeat patterns that approximately match those exhibited by hummingbirds in hover, cruise, and reverse flight are presented.

Raney, David L.↗

NASA NTRS2003

An Overview of the NASA Test Platform Research

A methodology for improving attitude stability and control for low-speed and hovering air vehicle is under development. In addition to aerodynamically induced control forces such as vector thrusting, the new approach exploits the use of bias momenta and torque actuators, similar to a class of spacecraft system, for its guidance and control needs. This approach will be validated on a free-flying research platform under development at NASA Langley Research Center. More broadly, this platform also serves as an in-house testbed for research in new technologies aimed at improving guidance and control of a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicle.

Lim, K. B.↗