Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “speed harmonization”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7

The Noise of a Forward Swept Fan

A forward swept fan, designated the Quiet High Speed Fan (QHSF), was tested in the NASA Glenn 9-by 15-foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel to investigate its noise reduction relative to a baseline fan of the same aerodynamic performance. The objective of the Quiet High Speed Fan was a 6 decibel reduction in the Effective Perceived Noise relative to the baseline fan at the takeoff condition. The intent of the Quiet High Speed Fan design was to provide both a multiple pure tone noise reduction from the forward sweep of the fan rotor and a rotor-stator interaction blade passing tone noise reduction from a leaned stator. The tunnel noise data indicted that the Quiet High Speed Fan was quieter than the baseline fan for a significant portion of the operating line and was 6 dB quieter near the takeoff condition. Although reductions in the multiple pure tones were observed, the vast majority of the EPNdB reduction was a result of the reduction in the blade passing tone and its harmonics. The baseline fan's blade passing tone was dominated by the rotor-strut interaction mechanism. The observed blade passing tone reduction could be the result of either the redesign of the Quiet High Speed Fan Rotor or the redesigned stator. The exact cause of this rotor-strut noise reduction, whether from the rotor or stator redesign, was not discernable from this experiment.

Dittmar, James H.↗

Determination of rotor wake induced empennage airloads

A computer program has been developed that predicts the unsteady aerodynamic forces that impinge on the empennage surface due to its interactions with the main rotor wake. The program was utilized to determine the vibration airloads acting on the Black Hawk horizontal stabilizer and on the CH-53A stabilizer under high speed forward flight conditions. The results demonstrate that it is possible to compute the high frequency empennage vibration airloads efficiently by utilizing suitable analysis techniques; a CH-53A case required only 1.3 minutes of computer time. Numerical problems associated with the unsteady Kutta condition have been minimized. Even though the analysis is of transient nature, the results for harmonic cases show a very fast convergence to periodicity. In general, good correlation was shown between the predicted vibratory airloads and the measured stabilizer airloads for a CH-53A helicopter operating at high speed flight conditions.

Gangwani, S. T.↗

Nanoionics-Based Switches for Radio-Frequency Applications

Nanoionics-based devices have shown promise as alternatives to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and semiconductor diode devices for switching radio-frequency (RF) signals in diverse systems. Examples of systems that utilize RF switches include phase shifters for electronically steerable phased-array antennas, multiplexers, cellular telephones and other radio transceivers, and other portable electronic devices. Semiconductor diode switches can operate at low potentials (about 1 to 3 V) and high speeds (switching times of the order of nanoseconds) but are characterized by significant insertion loss, high DC power consumption, low isolation, and generation of third-order harmonics and intermodulation distortion (IMD). MEMS-based switches feature low insertion loss (of the order of 0.2 dB), low DC power consumption (picowatts), high isolation (>30 dB), and low IMD, but contain moving parts, are not highly reliable, and must be operated at high actuation potentials (20 to 60 V) generated and applied by use of complex circuitry. In addition, fabrication of MEMS is complex, involving many processing steps. Nanoionics-based switches offer the superior RF performance and low power consumption of MEMS switches, without need for the high potentials and complex circuitry necessary for operation of MEMS switches. At the same time, nanoionics-based switches offer the high switching speed of semiconductor devices. Also, like semiconductor devices, nanoionics-based switches can be fabricated relatively inexpensively by use of conventional integrated-circuit fabrication techniques. More over, nanoionics-based switches have simple planar structures that can easily be integrated into RF power-distribution circuits.

Nessel, James↗

Blade Tip Rubbing Stress Prediction

An analytical model was constructed to predict the magnitude of stresses produced by rubbing a turbine blade against its tip seal. This model used a linearized approach to the problem, after a parametric study, found that the nonlinear effects were of insignificant magnitude. The important input parameters to the model were: the arc through which rubbing occurs, the turbine rotor speed, normal force exerted on the blade, and the rubbing coefficient of friction. Since it is not possible to exactly specify some of these parameters, values were entered into the model which bracket likely values. The form of the forcing function was another variable which was impossible to specify precisely, but the assumption of a half-sine wave with a period equal to the duration of the rub was taken as a realistic assumption. The analytical model predicted resonances between harmonics of the forcing function decomposition and known harmonics of the blade. Thus, it seemed probable that blade tip rubbing could be at least a contributor to the blade-cracking phenomenon. A full-scale, full-speed test conducted on the space shuttle main engine high pressure fuel turbopump Whirligig tester was conducted at speeds between 33,000 and 28,000 RPM to confirm analytical predictions.

Davis, Gary A.↗

High-intensity sound in air saturated fibrous bulk porous materials

The interaction high-intensity sound with bulk porous materials in porous materials including Kevlar 29 is reported. The nonlinear behavior of the materials was described by dc flow resistivity tests. Then acoustic propagation and reflection were measured and small signal broadband measurements of phase speed and attenuation were carried out. High-intensity tests were made with 1, 2, and 3 kHz tone bursts to measure harmonic generation and extra attenuation of the fundamental. Small signal standing wave tests measured impedence between 0.1 and 3.5 kHz. High level tests with single cycle tone bursts at 1 to 4 kHz show that impedance increases with intensity. A theoretical analysis is presented for high-porosity, rigid-frame, isothermal materials. One dimensional equations of motion are derived and solved by perturbation. The experiments show that there is excess attenuation of the fundamental component and in some cases a close approach to saturation. A separate theoretical model, developed to explain the excess attenuation, yields predictions that are in good agreement with the measurements. Impedance and attenuation at high intensities are modeled.

Kuntz, H. L., II↗

Active Control of Helicopter Blade Stall

In an effort to expand the helicopter flight envelope, this analytical study proposes the concept of using high frequency blade pitch actuation to alleviate blade stall at high speed and/or high thrust flight conditions. The availability of high-frequency blade-mounted actuators has made this concept realizable. This study is carried out using the University of Maryland Advanced Rotorcraft Code (or UMARC), which employs state-of-the-art structural and aerodynamic modelings. The salient features of this code include the application of the finite element methods in both space and time domains, and the incorporation of an advanced unsteady aerodynamic and nonuniform inflow models. Preliminary results indicate that two-per-rev blade pitch control can reduce retreating blade stall for a rotor operating at high speed and high thrust flight condition. Current efforts concentrate on developing an automatic stall suppression system which employs a combination of higher harmonic blade pitch schedule.

Nguyen, Khanh↗

Flow Measurements and Multiple Pure Tone Noise From a Forward Swept Fan

A forward-swept fan, designated the Quiet High Speed Fan (QHSF), was tested in the NASA Glenn 9- by 15-foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel to investigate its noise reduction relative to a baseline fan of the same aerodynamic performance. The objective of the Quiet High Speed Fan was a 6-dB reduction in the Effective Perceived Noise Level relative to the baseline fan at the takeoff condition. The intent of the Quiet High Speed Fan design was to provide both a multiple pure tone noise reduction from the forward sweep of the fan rotor and a rotor-stator interaction blade passing tone noise reduction from a leaned stator. The tunnel noise data indicted that the Quiet High Speed Fan was quieter than the baseline fan for a significant portion of the operating line and was 6 dB quieter near the takeoff condition. Although reductions in the multiple pure tones were observed, the vast majority of the EPNdB reduction was a result of the reduction in the blade passing tone and its harmonics. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and shroud unsteady pressure measurement data were obtained upstream of the QHSF and baseline rotors to improve the understanding of the shocks which propagate upstream of the two fans when they are operated at high speeds. The flow phenomena that produce multiple pure tone noise is discussed and compared to measurements of the fan acoustic inlet modes and the far field noise signature of the fan.

Weir, Donald S.↗

Cosmic ray biannual variation

The study of the cosmic ray (CR) power spectrum has revealed a significant variation with a period around 2 yr that cannot be explained as a high order harmonic of the 11 yr solar cycle. Comparative study of the correlation on different time scales between CR intensity and Rz, aa, high speed streams and polar hole size has put in evidence that a high degree of coherency exists between each couple of variables at 1.58 to 1.64 yr, except between CR and Rz. On the other hand cyclic variation on a short time scale, around 26 months, has been claimed to be present in the neutrino flux. Critical tests of this hypothesis are considered and a preliminary result seems to indicate that the hypothesis of the existence of a 1.6 yr periodicity in the neutrino data during the measurement time interval, has a significance or = 99.9%. The possible origin of this variation as due to a contribution either of CR interactions in the upper atmosphere or to the solar dynamics, are discussed.

Attolini, M. R.↗

Equations for the Induced Velocities Near a Lifting Rotor with Nonuniform Azimuthwise Vorticity Distribution

Equations, which can be integrated on high-speed computing machines, are developed for all three components of induced velocity at an arbitrary point near the rotor and for an arbitrary harmonic variation of vorticity. Sample calculations for vorticity which varies as the sine of the azimuth angle indicate that the normal component of induced velocity is, in this case, uniform along either side of the lateral axis.

Heyson, Harry H.↗

A survey of nonuniform inflow models for rotorcraft flight dynamics and control applications

The results of a brief survey of nonuniform inflow models was summarized for the calculation of induced velocities at and near a lifting rotor in and out of ground effect. The survey, conducted from the perspective of flight dynamics and control applications, covers a spectrum of flight conditions including hover, vertical flight, and low-speed and high-speed forward flight, and reviews both static and dynamic aspects of the inflow. A primary emphasis is on the evaluation of various simple first harmonic inflow models developed over the years, in comparison with more sophisticated methods developed for use in performance and airload computations. The results of correlation with several sets of test data obtained at the rotor out of ground effect indicate that the Pitt/Peters first harmonic inflow model works well overall. For inflow near the rotor or in ground effect, it is suggested that charts similar to those of Heyson/Katzoff and Castles/De Leeuw of NACA be produced using modern free-wake methods for use in flight dynamic analyses and simulations.

Chen, Robert T. N.↗

A survey of nonuniform inflow models for rotorcraft flight dynamics and control applications

The results of a brief survey of nonuniform inflow models was summarized for the calculation of induced velocities at and near a lifting rotor in and out of ground effect. The survey, conducted from the perspective of flight dynamics and control applications, covers a spectrum of flight conditions including hover, vertical flight, and flow-speed and high-speed forward flight, and reviews both static and dynamic aspects of the inflow. A primary emphasis is on the evaluation of various simple first harmonic inflow models developed over the years, in comparison with more sophisticated methods developed for use in performance and airload computations. The results of correlation with several sets of test data obtained at the rotor out of ground effect indicate that the Pitt/Peters first harmonic inflow model works well overall. For inflow near the rotor or in ground effect, it is suggested that charts similar to those of Heyson/Katzoff and Castles/De Leeuw of NACA be produced using modern free-wake methods for use in flight dynamic analyses and simulations.

Chen, Robert T. N.↗

A Study of the Effect of Increased Size and Speed of Pursuit Airplanes on the Aileron Balancing Problem

The present trend is toward faster and larger pursuit airplanes. Because both speed and size increase the aileron control forces, the design of ailerons for manual operation is becoming increasingly difficult. In order to obtain a clearer picture of the future problem of balancing ailerons, and inspection has been made of the effects of airplane size and speed on the control forces. Computations were made of the aileron control forces required to meet specified rolling conditions for plain ailerons on wings with spans from 40 to 80 feet and for speeds up to 500 miles per hour. The rolling conditions were specified by two alternative criterions. One was the rolling criterion pb/2V of reference 1. For reasons, which will be discussed later, a value of 0.09 rather than the recommended value of 0.07 was assigned to this criterion. For the criterion pb/2V, the required value of the rolling velocity p varies inversely with the airplane span b. There is some question as to whether the rolling velocity of a pursuit airplane can be permitted to decrease simply because its size is increased. For the second criterion, therefore, the rolling velocity is independent of span (p/V is a constant). The value assigned to this criterion was so chosen that for a wing of 40-foot span the value of pb/2V would be 0.09. The computations neglected compressibility effects. Available experimental data and the results of tests given in reference 2 indicate that the effect of compressibility is to increase the control force. Recent flight tests have indicated that, with certain types of aileron, serious compressibility effects may cause discontinuity at speeds of approximately 400 miles per hour in the aileron control force curves.

Soule, H. A.↗

A Computational Study of BVI Noise Reduction Using Active Twist Control

The results of a computational study examining the effects of active-twist control on blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise using the Apache Active Twist Rotor are presented. The primary goal of this activity is to reduce BVI noise during a low-speed descent flight condition using active-twist control. Rotor aeroelastic behavior was modeled using the Comprehensive Analytical Model of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics and Dynamics code and the rotor noise was predicted using the acoustics code PSU-WOPWOP. The accuracy of the analysis was validated through comparisons with experimental acoustic data for the first generation Active Twist Rotor at an advance ratio of mu=0.14. The application of active-twist to the main rotor blade system consisted of harmonic actuation frequencies ranging from 2P to 5P, control phase angles from 0' to 360 , and tip-twist amplitudes ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 . The acoustic analysis was conducted for a single low-speed flight condition of advance ratio =0.14 and shaft angle-of-attack, c^=+6 , with BVI noise levels predicted on a flat plane of observers located 1.1 rotor diameters beneath the rotor. The results indicated reductions of up to 11dB in BVI noise using 1.25 tip-twist amplitude with negligible effects on 4P vertical hub shear.

Fogarty, David E.↗

Improvement Of The Helmholtz Absorber

Helmholtz-resonator system improved to enable it to absorb sound at more than one frequency without appreciable loss of effectiveness at primary frequency. Addition of annular cavities enables absorption of sound at harmonic frequencies in addition to primary frequency. Improved absorber designed for use on structures of high transmission loss. Applied to such machines as fixed-speed engines and fans.

Morrow, Duane L.↗

Time-Frequency Analysis of Experimental and Analytical Hub Loads of a Rotor Undergoing a Rotor Speed Change

A two-part analytical study was conducted examining a small-scale, two-bladed rotor undergoing a change in rotor speed in a wind tunnel setting. First, a parametric study was conducted to understand how rotor transient response, determined using a time-marching solution, is affected by the choice of rotor wake model, blade elasticity, and inclusion of an elastic support structure model. The second part of the study compared results from an analytical model of the NASA Multirotor Test Bed (MTB) undergoing a rotor speed change to experimental data. Since the analytical and experimental time histories were non-stationary signals, a Stockwell transform was employed to analyze the data in lieu of traditional Fourier transform-based methods. The analysis included extraction of time-varying frequency content of the rotor thrust and hub motion, damping ratios, instantaneous rotor speed, and instantaneous phase difference between thrust and hub motion. Use of a free wake model was found to be necessary to predict higher-harmonic thrust, however, it underpredicted the amplitude of the unsteady loads. Modeling the elasticity of the stiff rotor blades installed on the MTB resulted in minimal impact on the vibratory loads compared to a rigid blade model. The current analytical model of the MTB, including an elastic support structure, properly predicted the measured trends in the frequency content of the thrust.

Rotor dynamics↗

Time-Frequency Analysis of Experimental and Analytical Hub Loads of a Rotor Undergoing a Rotor Speed Change

A two-part analytical study was conducted examining a small-scale, two-bladed rotor undergoing a change in rotor speed. First, a parametric study was conducted to understand how rotor transient response, determined using a time-marching solution, is affected by the choice of rotor wake model, blade elasticity, and inclusion of an elastic support structure model. The second part of the study compared results from an analytical model of the NASA Multirotor Test Bed (MTB) undergoing a rotor speed change to wind tunnel data. Since the analytical and experimental time histories were nonstationary signals, a Stockwell transform was employed to analyze the data in lieu of traditional Fourier transform-based methods. The analysis included extraction of time-varying frequency content of the rotor thrust and hub motion, damping ratios, instantaneous rotor speed, and instantaneous phase difference between thrust and hub motion. Use of a free wake model was found to be necessary to predict higher-harmonic thrust, however, it underpredicted the amplitude of the unsteady loads. Modeling the elasticity of the stiff rotor blades installed on the MTB resulted in minimal impact on the computed vibratory loads compared to a rigid blade model. The current analytical model of the MTB, including an elastic support structure, properly predicted the measured trends in the frequency content of the thrust.

Martin K Sekula↗

Coronal Magnetic Field Measurement from EUV Images Made by the Solar Dynamics Observatory

By measuring the geometrical properties of the coronal mass ejection (CME) flux rope and the leading shock observed on 2010 June 13 by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly we determine the Alfven speed and the magnetic field strength in the inner corona at a heliocentric distance of approx. 1.4 Rs The basic measurements are the shock standoff distance (Delta R) ahead of the CME flux rope, the radius of curvature of the flux rope (R(sub c)), and the shock speed. We first derive the Alfvenic Mach number (M) using the relationship, Delta R/R(sub c) = 0.81[(gamma−1) M(exp 2) + 2] / [(gamma +1)(M2 − 1)], where gamma is the only parameter that needed to be assumed. For gamma = 4/3, the Mach number declined from 3.7 to 1.5 indicating shock weakening within the field of view of the imager. The shock formation coincided with the appearance of a type II radio burst at a frequency of approx. 300 MHz (harmonic component), providing an independent confirmation of the shock. The shock compression ratio derived from the radio dynamic spectrum was found to be consistent with that derived from the theory of fast-mode MHD shocks. From the measured shock speed and the derived Mach number, we found the Alfven speed to increase from approx 140 km/s to 460 km/s over the distance range 1.2-1.5 Rs. By deriving the upstream plasma density from the emission frequency of the associated type II radio burst, we determined the coronal magnetic field to be in the range 1.3-1.5 G. The derived magnetic field values are consistent with other estimates in a similar distance range. This work demonstrates that the EUV imagers, in the presence of radio dynamic spectra, can be used as coronal magnetometers

magnetic fields↗

The acoustic response of a propeller subjected to gusts incident from various inflow angles

The acoustic effect of perturbing the inflow field of a propeller was studied. The perturbation was caused by a jet of air blowing into the propeller disc from various angles, creating spanwise and chordwise flow disturbances along the blades. The effects of the gust angle, speed and turbulence, and propeller rpm and thrust are shown with narrowband spectra and directivity plots of the acoustic field. A prediction method for the peaks of the harmonics of the blade passing frequency for various gust and propeller conditions is presented.

Jonkouski, G. C.↗