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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

Evaluation of Load Analysis Methods for NASAs GIII Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Project

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC), and FlexSys Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan) have collaborated to flight test the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) flaps. These flaps were installed on a Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (GAC) GIII aircraft and tested at AFRC at various deflection angles over a range of flight conditions. External aerodynamic and inertial load analyses were conducted with the intention to ensure that the change in wing loads due to the deployed ACTE flap did not overload the existing baseline GIII wing box structure. The objective of this paper was to substantiate the analysis tools used for predicting wing loads at AFRC. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models and distributed mass inertial models were developed for predicting the loads on the wing. The analysis tools included TRANAIR (full potential) and CMARC (panel) models. Aerodynamic pressure data from the analysis codes were validated against static pressure port data collected in-flight. Combined results from the CFD predictions and the inertial load analysis were used to predict the normal force, bending moment, and torque loads on the wing. Wing loads obtained from calibrated strain gages installed on the wing were used for substantiation of the load prediction tools. The load predictions exhibited good agreement compared to the flight load results obtained from calibrated strain gage measurements.

Aerodynamic Loads↗

Unsteady Navier-Stokes computations over airfoils using both fixed and dynamic meshes

A finite volume implicit approximate factorization method which solves the thin layer Navier-Stokes equations was used to predict unsteady turbulent flow airfoil behavior. At a constant angle of attack of 16 deg, the NACA 0012 airfoil exhibits an unsteady periodic flow field with the lift coefficient oscillating between 0.89 and 1.60. The Strouhal number is 0.028. Results are similar at 18 deg, with a Strouhal number of 0.033. A leading edge vortex is shed periodically near maximum lift. Dynamic mesh solutions for unstalled airfoil flows show general agreement with experimental pressure coefficients. However, moment coefficients and the maximum lift value are underpredicted. The deep stall case shows some agreement with experiment for increasing angle of attack, but is only qualitatively comparable past stall and for decreasing angle of attack.

Rumsey, Christopher L.↗

Numerical simulation of the vortical flow over a round-edged double-delta wing

Simulations of three-dimensional vortical flows over a thin double-delta wing with an aspect ratio of 2.05 have been performed. Steady-state solutions to the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are obtained using a new implicit upwind-relaxation finite-difference scheme. The method is second-order accurate spatially and naturally dissipative. Numerical results indicate that key features of both vortical interaction and vortex breakdown are successfully simulated. The computed lift coefficients and lateral trajectories of the vortical cores are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Hsu, C.-H.↗

Computation of transonic flow about finite lifting wings.

The results of Murman and Krupp (1971) are used to develop a procedure for computing a transonic flow about a finite lifting wing. A small disturbance equation describing the velocity potential of three-dimensional wings is solved in the process. The procedure is applied to a wing with a symmetric biconvex airfoil section in a zero-incidence subsonic flow, to a supersonic rectangular lifting wing with a sharp leading edge and to a subcritical nonlifting rectangular wing with a blunt leading edge.

Newman, P. A.↗

Normal loads program for aerodynamic lifting surface theory

A description of and users manual are presented for a U.S.A. FORTRAN 4 computer program which evaluates spanwise and chordwise loading distributions, lift coefficient, pitching moment coefficient, and other stability derivatives for thin wings in linearized, steady, subsonic flow. The program is based on a kernel function method lifting surface theory and is applicable to a large class of planforms including asymmetrical ones and ones with mixed straight and curved edges.

Medan, R. T.↗

Theoretical estimation of the transonic aerodynamic characteristics of a supercritical-wing transport model with trailing-edge controls

A method for rapidly estimating the overall forces and moments at supercritical speeds, below drag divergence, of transport configurations with supercritical wings is presented. The method was also used for estimating the rolling moments due to the deflection of wing trailing-edge controls. This analysis was based on a vortex-lattice technique modified to approximate the effects of wing thickness and boundary-layer induced camber. Comparisons between the results of this method and experiment indicate reasonably good correlation of the lift, pitching moment, and rolling moment. The method required much less storage and run time to compute solutions over an angle-of-attack range than presently available transonic nonlinear methods require for a single angle-of-attack solution.

Luckring, J. M.↗

Near field pressure fluctuations of a circular jet

The relationship between the evolution of vortices in a circular jet and the generation of fluctuating pressure was studied, using an apparatus consisting of a jet nozzle connected to a stagnation chamber with a fifth-order polynomial contraction. The data were digitized and computer-processed. The constant pressure contours near the jet shoow that the evolution of coherent structures is the source of pressure perturbations. The data obtained in the vicinity of the jet indicate that two length scales govern the decay of the fluctuating pressure. A thin hydrodynamic near-field extends about 1 instability wavelength from the jet edge, and pressure decays exponentially. A thick acoustic near-field takes about ten acoustic wavelengths to reach the far field. The pressure disturbances decay algebraically in this region.

Lafouasse, B.↗

Finite-volume and integral-equation techniques for transonic and supersonic vortex-dominated flows

Two computational techniques are developed to calculate the compressible vortex-dominated flows. The first technique is a finite-volume Euler Solver which uses four-Stage Runge-Kutta time stepping with second- and fourth-order dissipation terms. The technique is applied to supersonic conical and three-dimensional flows about sharp- and round-edged delta wings. Attached and separated-flow solutions have been obtained depending on the values of damping coefficients. The second technique is an integral-equation solver of the full potential equation which uses a volume-integral term in addition to the classical surface-integral terms. The technique is applied to transonic three-dimensional flows about sharp-edged delta wings. A hybrid technique which combines the finite-volume and the integral-equation solvers is also presented.

Kandil, O. A.↗

A coupled marching procedure for the partially parabolized Navier-Stokes equations

A coupled finite-difference formulation is described for solving a reduced form of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations by a multiple space marching procedure. The properties of the equations are discussed and the solution algorithm presented. The scheme is used to compute incompressible flows by taking the incompressible limit (M about 0.1) of the compressible formulation. A separate Poisson equation is not required for the pressure. Results are compared with experimental data and other numerical predictions for low Reynolds number channel inlet flow, flow over a rearward-facing step in a channel, and flow near the trailing edge of a flat plate.

Liu, Xuezong↗

High-flaps for natural laminar flow airfoils

A review of the NACA and NASA low-drag airfoil research is presented with particular emphasis given to the development of mechanical high-lift flap systems and their application to general aviation aircraft. These flap systems include split, plain, single-slotted, and double-slotted trailing-edge flaps plus slat and Krueger leading-edge devices. The recently developed continuous variable-camber high-lift mechanism is also described. The state-of-the-art of theoretical methods for the design and analysis of multi-component airfoils in two-dimensional subsonic flow is discussed, and a detailed description of the Langley MCARF (Multi-Component Airfoil Analysis Program) computer code is presented. The results of a recent effort to design a single- and double-slotted flap system for the NASA high speed natural laminar flow (HSNLF) (1)-0213 airfoil using the MCARF code are presented to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the code.

Morgan, Harry L.↗

A comparison of experimental and calculated thin-shell leading-edge buckling due to thermal stresses

High-temperature thin-shell leading-edge buckling test data are analyzed using NASA structural analysis (NASTRAN) as a finite element tool for predicting thermal buckling characteristics. Buckling points are predicted for several combinations of edge boundary conditions. The problem of relating the appropriate plate area to the edge stress distribution and the stress gradient is addressed in terms of analysis assumptions. Local plasticity was found to occur on the specimen analyzed, and this tended to simplify the basic problem since it effectively equalized the stress gradient from loaded edge to loaded edge. The initial loading was found to be difficult to select for the buckling analysis because of the transient nature of thermal stress. Multiple initial model loadings are likely required for complicated thermal stress time histories before a pertinent finite element buckling analysis can be achieved. The basic mode shapes determined from experimentation were correctly identified from computation.

Jenkins, Jerald M.↗

Surface-cooling effects on compressible boundary-layer instability

The influence of surface cooling on compressible boundary layer instability is discussed theoretically for both viscous and inviscid modes, at high Reynolds numbers. The cooling enhances the surface heat transfer and shear stress, creating a high heat transfer sublayer. This has the effect of distorting and accentuating the viscous Tollmien-Schlichting modes to such an extent that their spatial growth rates become comparable with, and can even exceed, the growth rates of inviscid modes, including those found previously. This is for moderate cooling, and it applies at any Mach number. In addition, the moderate cooling destabilizes otherwise stable viscous or inviscid modes, in particular triggering outward-traveling waves at the edge of the boundary layer in the supersonic regime. Severe cooling is also discussed as it brings compressible dynamics directly into play within the viscous sublayer. All the new cooled modes found involve the heat transfer sublayer quite actively, and they are often multi-structured in form and may be distinct from those observed in previous computational and experimental investigations. The corresponding nonlinear processes are also pointed out with regard to transition in the cooled compressible boundary layer. Finally, comparisons with Lysenko and Maslov's (1984) experiments on surface cooling are presented.

Seddougui, Sharon O.↗

Stereoscopic Video Weld-Seam Tracker

Stereoscopic video camera and laser illuminator operates in conjunction with image-data-processing computer to locate weld seam and to map surface features in vicinity of seam. Intended to track seams to guide placement of welding torch in automatic welding system and to yield information on qualities of welds. More sensitive than prior optical seam trackers and suitable for use in production environment. Tracks nearly invisible gap between butted machined edges of two plates.

Kennedy, Larry Z.↗

AFTI/F-111 airplane mission adaptive wing operational flight evaluation technique using uplinked pilot command cues

NASA and the USAF have conducted a program to investigate aircraft performance improvements utilizing a mission adaptive wing (MAW). The MAW was designed and developed for the AFTI/F-111 variable-sweep aircraft to provide a hydraulically driven, smooth, and continuous variable camber of the trailing and leading edges as a function of maneuvering requirements or of flight conditions. The remotely augmented vehicle facility (RAV) at the NASA DFRF, as utilized in the MAW investigations, is described. The RAV was a dedicated, ground based, general purpose facility capable of receiving a data stream downlinked from a test vehicle, processing this data stream in a digital computer, and transmitting processed data back to the test vehicle. It is shown that this method of flight testing provides a technique that can evaluate highly dynamic maneuvers.

Kempel, Robert W.↗

Unsteady shock-vortex interaction on a flexible delta wing

Unsteady Navier-Stokes computations have been carried out for simulating transonic flows over a clipped delta wing undergoing oscillatory and ramp motions, including flexibility. The implicit upwind algorithm has been validated by comparing the solutions with experimental data for the oscillatory pitching motion cases. The numerical and experimental results agree well at moderate angles of attack, where a leading-edge vortex develops. The ramp motion cases have demonstrated the effects of unsteadiness of the flow field and structural flexibility on the wing responses. For the 10 deg ramp motion, a vortex breakdown is observed. The interaction with the shock wave plays an essential role in the process of the breakdown observed in the present calculation.

Obayashi, Shigeru↗

In-flight Evaluation of Aerodynamic Predictions of an Air-launched Space Booster

Several analytical aerodynamic design tools that were applied to the Pegasus (registered trademark) air-launched space booster were evaluated using flight measurements. The study was limited to existing codes and was conducted with limited computational resources. The flight instrumentation was constrained to have minimal impact on the primary Pegasus missions. Where appropriate, the flight measurements were compared with computational data. Aerodynamic performance and trim data from the first two flights were correlated with predictions. Local measurements in the wing and wing-body interference region were correlated with analytical data. This complex flow region includes the effect of aerothermal heating magnification caused by the presence of a corner vortex and interaction of the wing leading edge shock and fuselage boundary layer. The operation of the first two missions indicates that the aerodynamic design approach for Pegasus was adequate, and data show that acceptable margins were available. Additionally, the correlations provide insight into the capabilities of these analytical tools for more complex vehicles in which the design margins may be more stringent.

Curry, Robert E.↗

In-flight evaluation of aerodynamic predictions of an air-launched space booster

Several analytical aerodynamic design tools that were applied to the Pegasus air-launched space booster were evaluated using flight measurements. The study was limited to existing codes and was conducted with limited computational resources. The flight instrumentation was constrained to have minimal impact on the primary Pegasus missions. Where appropriate, the flight measurements were compared with computational data. Aerodynamic performance and trim data from the first two flights were correlated with predictions. Local measurements in the wing and wing-body interference region were correlated with analytical data. This complex flow region includes the effect of aerothermal heating magnification caused by the presence of a corner vortex and interaction of the wing leading edge shock and fuselage boundary layer. The operation of the first two missions indicates that the aerodynamic design approach for Pegasus was adequate, and data show that acceptable margins were available. Additionally, the correlations provide insight into the capabilities of these analytical tools for more complex vehicles in which design margins may be more stringent.

Curry, Robert E.↗

A Survey of Reynolds Number and Wing Geometry Effects on Lift Characteristics in the Low Speed Stall Region

This paper presents a survey of the effects of Reynolds number on the low- speed lift characteristics of wings encountering separated flows at their leading and side edges, with emphasis on the region near the stall. The influence of leading-edge profile and Reynolds number on the stall characteristics of two- dimensional airfoils are reviewed first to provide a basis for evaluating three- dimensional effects associated with various wing planforms. This is followed by examples of the effects of Reynolds number and geometry on the lift characteristics near the stall for a series of three-dimensional wings typical of those suitable for high-speed aircraft and missiles. Included are examples of the effects of wing geometry on the onset and spanwise progression of turbulent reseparation near the leading edge and illustrations of the degree to which simplified theoretical approaches can be useful in defining the influence of the various geometric parameters. Also illustrated is the manner in which the Reynolds number and wing geometry parameters influence whether the turbulent reseparation near the leading edge results in a sudden loss of lift, as in the two-dimensional case, or the formation of a leading-edge vortex with Rs increase in lift followed by a gentle stall as in the highly swept wing case. Particular emphasis is placed on the strong influence of 'induced camber' on the development of turbulent reseparation. R is believed that the examples selected for this report may be useful in evaluating viscous flow solutions by the new computational methods based on the Navier-Stokes equations as well as defining fruitful research areas for the high-Reynolds-number wind tunnels.

Polhamus, Edward C.↗