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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

Heat transfer in the tip region of a rotor blade simulator

The objective of this study of heat transfer in the tip region of a rotor blade simulator is to acquire, through experimental and computational approaches, improved understanding of the nature of the flow and convective heat transfer in the blade tip region. Such information should enable designers to make more accurate predictions of performance and durability, and should support the future development of improved blade tip cooling schemes.

Metzger, D. E.↗

Optimal placement of tuning masses for vibration reduction in helicopter rotor blades

Described are methods for reducing vibration in helicopter rotor blades by determining optimum sizes and locations of tuning masses through formal mathematical optimization techniques. An optimization procedure is developed which employs the tuning masses and corresponding locations as design variables which are systematically changed to achieve low values of shear without a large mass penalty. The finite-element structural analysis of the blade and the optimization formulation require development of discretized expressions for two performance parameters: modal shaping parameter and modal shear amplitude. Matrix expressions for both quantities and their sensitivity derivatives are developed. Three optimization strategies are developed and tested. The first is based on minimizing the modal shaping parameter which indirectly reduces the modal shear amplitudes corresponding to each harmonic of airload. The second strategy reduces these amplitudes directly, and the third strategy reduces the shear as a function of time during a revolution of the blade. The first strategy works well for reducing the shear for one mode responding to a single harmonic of the airload, but has been found in some cases to be ineffective for more than one mode. The second and third strategies give similar results and show excellent reduction of the shear with a low mass penalty.

Pritchard, Jocelyn I.↗

Structural tailoring of high-speed turbine blades (SSME/STAEBL)

Space shuttle main engine (SSME) blades are subject to severe thermal, pressure, and forced vibration environments. Structural optimization provides an automated alternative to time consuming iterations. Any number of analyses, design variables, and constraints can be incorporated in a structural optimization computer code. This idea was applied to develop the code SSME/STAEBL, which is a stand alone code suitable for automated design of SSME turbopump blades. Additions and modifications of STAEBL included in SSME/STAEBL include the following: (1) thermal stress analysis, (2) gas dynamic (pressure) loads, (3) temperature-dependent material and thermal properties, (4) forced vibrations, (5) tip displacement constraints, (6) single crystal material analysis, (7) blade cross-section stacking offsets, and (8) direct time integration algorithm for transient dynamic response.

Rubinstein, Robert↗

Low-cost optical data acquisition system for blade vibration measurement

A low cost optical data acquisition system was designed to measure deflection of vibrating rotor blade tips. The basic principle of the new design is to record raw data, which is a set of blade arrival times, in memory and to perform all processing by software following a run. This approach yields a simple and inexpensive system with the least possible hardware. Functional elements of the system were breadboarded and operated satisfactorily during rotor simulations on the bench, and during a data collection run with a two-bladed rotor in the Lewis Research Center Spin Rig. Software was written to demonstrate the sorting and processing of data stored in the system control computer, after retrieval from the data acquisition system. The demonstration produced an accurate graphical display of deflection versus time.

Posta, Stephen J.↗

Hover performance tests of baseline metal and Advanced Technology Blade (ATB) rotor systems for the XV-15 tilt rotor aircraft

Rotor hover performance data were obtained for two full-scale rotor systems designed for the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft. One rotor employed the rectangular planform metal blades (rotor solidity = 0.089) which were used on the initial flight configuration of the XV-15. The second rotor configuration examined the nonlinear taper, composite-construction, Advanced Technology Blade (ATB), (rotor solidity = 0.10) designed to replace the metal blades on the XV-15. Variations of the baseline ATB tip and cuff shapes were also tested. A new six-component rotor force and moment balance designed to obtain highly accurate data over a broad range of thrust and torque conditions is described. The test data are presented in nondimensional coefficient form for the performance results, and in dimensional form for the steady and alternating loads. Some wake and acoustic data are also shown.

Bartie, K.↗

Experimental and analytical evaluation of the effects of simulated engine inlets on the blade vibratory stresses of the SR-3 model prop-fan

A cooperative wind tunnel test program, referred to as GUN-3, had been conducted previously to assess the effect of inlet configuration and location on the inlet face pressure recovery and inlet drag in the presence of a high-speed advanced turboprop. These tests were conducted with the inlets located just downstream of the SR-3 model Prop-Fan, a moderately swept, eight-bladed 62.2 cm (24.5 inch) diameter advanced, high-speed turboprop model fabricated from titanium. During these tests, two blades of the SR-3 model Prop-Fan were strain gaged to measure the vibratory blade stresses occurring during the inlet aerodynamic test program. The purpose of the effort reported herein was to reduce and analyze the test results related to the vibratory strain gage measurements obtained. Three inlet configurations had been tested. These were: (1) single scoop, (2) twin scoop, and (3) annular. Each of the three inlets was tested at a position just behind the rotor. The single scoop inlet was also tested at a position further aft. Tests were also done without an inlet. These results emphasize the importance of avoiding critical speeds in the continuous operating range.

Bansal, Prem N.↗

Chordwise pressure measurements on a blade of Mod-2 Wind Turbine

Pressure measurements covering a range of wind velocities were made at one span location on a blade of the Mod-2 Wind Turbine. The data show the existence of higher pressure coefficients than would be expected from wind tunnel data. These high pressure coefficients may be the result of three-dimensional flow over the blade that delays flow separations. Data is presented showing the repetitiveness and abrupt changes in the pressure distribution that occurs as the blade rotates. Calculated values of suction and flap coefficients are also presented.

Nyland, T. W.↗

Lift distributions for a 3-dimensional steady blade-vortex interaction

The interaction of a horizontally mounted V23010-1.58 semispan airfoil (simulating a helicopter rotor blade) with a tip vortex shed by a vertically mounted upstream vortex-generating wing (VGW) is investigated experimentally at 60 m/s (dynamic pressure 2.2 kPa, Reynolds number 850,000, and Mach number 0.17) in the NASA Ames 7 x 10-ft wind tunnel. The velocity field near the blade is determined using a three-dimensional zoom LDV; the spanwise lift distribution is measured by strain gages; and the results are compared with the predictions of the panel computer code VSAERO (Maskew, 1982) in graphs. Features noted include localized loss of lift due to the presence of residual VGW wake, loss of lift far inboard on the blade (indicating the large domain of VGW vorticity), little change in total lift with variations in vortex strength, and good agreement between VSAERO and experiment in overall lift distribution but not in all geometric variations).

Dunagan, Stephen E.↗

Model 360 rotor test at DNW - Review of performance and blade airload data

The results of tests on a pressure gage instrumented model rotor, performed at the Duits Nederlandse Windtunnel (DNW) are discussed. The rotor, which was a 1/5 scale model of the Boeing Vertol model 360 rotor, was tested both in the anechoic open jet test section, and in the 8 x 6 m closed test section of the DNW. The wind tunnel, the blade instrumentation, and the test conditions are described, and data on rotor performance, blade and control loads, and blade-pressure and acoustic measurements are presented.

Dadone, Leo↗

Structural optimization of turbine blade firtrees

On the basis of the present optimization equation for the structural capacity of a turbine blade attachment firtree, the optimum of the lobe circular fillet radius in the blade and in the turbine disk is determined. In order to further diminish peak stress in firtree design, an elliptical fillet radius is selected in place of the circular one. Two-dimensional stress analysis results for a three-lobe firtree with elliptical radius shows a 14-percent stress reduction in the blade necks (where cracking has been experienced) over the current, four-lobe firtree design.

Lee, R. L.↗

Stress analysis and life prediction of gas turbine blade

A stress analysis procedure is presented for a redesign of the Space Shuttle Main Engine high pressure fuel turbopump turbine blades. The analysis consists of the one-dimensional scoping analysis to support the design layout and the follow-on three-dimensional finite element analysis to confirm the blade design at operating loading conditions. Blade life is evaluated based on high-cycle fatigue and low-cycle fatigue.

Hsiung, H. C.↗

Numerical thermal analyses that contributed to the elimination of turbine blade firtree cracks in the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Fuel Turbopump turbine

NASA-Marshall has undertaken analytical and experimental efforts to eliminate all turbine blade cracking and further improve the safety and reliability of the SSME. This work is focused on the elimination of cracks at the blade firtree attachment to the disk, in both the first- and second-stage rotors of the High Pressure Fuel Turbopump. Emphasis is placed on thermal analyses that preceded the overall structural evaluation of the blade firtrees. Thermally-induced contributions to the stresses and strains in the firtrees were quantified by these studies, and feasible design improvement options were identified and tested.

Principe, R. S.↗

Phase-resolved heat-flux measurements on the blade of a full-scale rotating turbine

This paper presents detailed phase-resolved heat-flux data obtained on the blade of a Teledyne 702 HP full-stage rotating turbine. A shock tube is used as a short-duration source of heated air, and platinum thin-film gages are used to obtain the heat-flux measurements. Results are presented along the midspan at several locations on the blade suction and pressure surfaces from the stagnation point to near the trailing edge. For these measurements, the turbine was operating at the design flow function and at 100 percent corrected speed. Results are presented for the design vane/blade spacing (0.19 Cs) and at a wide spacing (0.50 Cs). Data are also presented illustrating the phase-resolved blade heat-flux distribution with upstream cold gas injection from discrete holes on the vane surface. The results illustrate that several successive passages can be superimposed upon each other and that a heat-flux pattern can be determined within the passage.

Dunn, M. G.↗

Analysis of an unswept propfan blade with a semiempirical dynamic stall model

The time history response of a propfan wind tunnel model with dynamic stall is studied analytically. The response obtained from the analysis is compared with available experimental data. The governing equations of motion are formulated in terms of blade normal modes which are calculated using the COSMIC-NASTRAN computer code. The response analysis considered the blade plunging and pitching motions. The lift, drag and moment coefficients for angles of attack below the static stall angle are obtained from a quasi-steady theory. For angles above static stall angles, a semiempirical dynamic stall model based on a correction to angle of attack is used to obtain lift, drag and moment coefficients. Using these coefficients, the aerodynamic forces are calculated at a selected number of strips, and integrated to obtain the total generalized forces. The combined momentum-blade element theory is used to calculate the induced velocity. The semiempirical stall model predicted a limit cycle oscillation near the setting angle at which large vibratory stresses were observed in an experiment. The predicted mode and frequency of oscillation also agreed with those measured in the experiment near the setting angle.

Reddy, T. S. R.↗

Hub and blade structural loads measurements of an SA349/2 helicopter

Data from 23 flight conditions, including level flights ranging from advance ratio mu = 0.14 to 0.37 and steady turning flights from advance ratio mu = 0.26 to 0.35, are presented for an Aerospatiale SA349/2 Gazelle helicopter. The data include hub loads data (for 6 of the 23 conditions), blade structural data at eleven different blade radial stations, and fuselage structural data. All dynamic data are presented as harmonic analysis coefficients (ten harmonics per rotor revolution). The data acquisition and reduction procedures are also documented. Blade structural and inertial properties are provided in addition to control system geometry and properties.

Yamauchi, Gloria K.↗

Advanced turboprop aircraft flyover noise: Annoyance to counter-rotating-propeller configurations with a different number of blades on each rotor: Preliminary results

A laboratory experiment was conducted to quantify the annoyance of people to the flyover noise of advanced turboprop aircraft with counter-rotating propellers (CRP) having a different number of blades on each rotor (nxm, e.g., 10 x 8, 12 x 11). The objectives were: (1) compare annoyance to nxm CRP advanced turboprop aircraft with annoyance to conventional turboprop and jet aircraft; (2) determine the effects of tonal content on annoyance; and (3) determine the ability of aircraft noise measurement procedures and corrections to predict annoyance for this new class of aircraft. A computer synthesis system was used to generate 35 realistic, time-varying simulations of advanced turboprop takeoff noise in which the tonal content was systematically varied to represent combinations of 15 fundamental frequency (blade passage frequency) combinations and three tone-to-broadband noise ratios. The fundamental frequencies, which represented blade number combinations from 6 x 5 to 13 x 12 and 7 x 5 to 13 x 11, ranged from 112.5 to 292.5 Hz. The three tone-to-broadband noise ratios were 0, 15, and 30 dB. These advanced turboprop simulations along with recordings of five conventional turboprop takeoffs and five conventional jet takeoffs were presented at D-weighted sound pressure levels of 70, 80, and 90 dB to 64 subjects in an anechoic chamber. Analyses of the subjects' annoyance judgments compare the three categories of aircraft and examine the effects of the differences in tonal content among the advanced turboprop noises. The annoyance prediction ability of various noise measurement procedures and corrections is also examined.

Mccurdy, David A.↗

Reduction of blade-vortex interaction noise using higher harmonic pitch control

An acoustics test using an aeroelastically scaled rotor was conducted to examine the effectiveness of higher harmonic blade pitch control for the reduction of impulsive blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise. A four-bladed, 110 in. diameter, articulated rotor model was tested in a heavy gas (Freon-12) medium in Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. Noise and vibration measurements were made for a range of matched flight conditions, where prescribed (open-loop) higher harmonic pitch was superimposed on the normal (baseline) collective and cyclic trim pitch. For the inflow-microphone noise measurements, advantage was taken of the reverberance in the hard walled tunnel by using a sound power determination approach. Initial findings from on-line data processing for three of the test microphones are reported for a 4/rev (4P) collective pitch control for a range of input amplitudes and phases. By comparing these results to corresponding baseline (no control) conditions, significant noise reductions (4 to 5 dB) were found for low-speed descent conditions, where helicopter BVI noise is most intense. For other rotor flight conditions, the overall noise was found to increase. All cases show increased vibration levels.

Brooks, Thomas F.↗

Vapor deposition and condensate flow on combustion turbine blades - Theoretical model to predict/understand some corrosion rate consequences of molten alkali sulfate deposition in the field or laboratory

An analysis is undertaken of aerodynamically- and centrifugally-driven liquid condensate layers on nonisothermal combustion turbines' stator vanes and rotor blades. Attention is given to the quantitative consequences of one possible mechanism for the initiation of 'hot corrosion' in the underlying blade material through a 'fluxing' of the protective oxide coating by the molten salt of the Newtonian condensate film. Illustrative calculations are presented for the condensate streamline pattern and the distributions of the steady-state condensate layer thickness, together with the corresponding oxide dissolution rate, for a test turbine blade.

Rosner, Daniel E.↗