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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

Estimates of saltation threshold and erosion rates on Mars

The Mariner 9 photographs of the Martian surface include many which show crater-associated streaks caused by atmospheric winds. Due to the low density atmosphere of Mars, the wind speeds necessary to move surface particles and thus cause the streaks are apparently very high. The atmospheric-boundary-layer wind tunnel has been used to determine threshold speeds for particles of varying density and diameter and the results for small particles have been extrapolated to estimate somewhat lower threshold speeds on Mars than previous estimates. A series of streak modeling tests is used to derive an erosion-rate correlation function, which is in turn used to estimate erosion rates to the lee of some of the craters on Mars which exhibited time-dependent streak behavior during the mission.

Iversen, J. D.↗

A method for the evaluation of damage on the surface of carbon-carbon ablation samples

The effect of weave geometry on the onset of transition from laminar to turbulent flow around a sample of an orthogonally woven fine weave carbon-carbon material tested in an arc-jet is investigated. Seventeen post-test models which had undergone only partial transition around the circumference were examined as to location of turbulent regions relative to the weave axes. It was statistically shown that the weave axes had the lowest probability of being a position of initial transition onset. The probability generally increased with distance from a major axis, with some rays, notably the 45 deg rays, showing better transition resistance than the adjacent rays. The incidence of initial transition onset correlated well with the number of X or Y fibers that the flow passes over from stagnation point to the shoulder.

Heinonen, E. W.↗

Three dimensional thrust chamber life prediction

A study was performed to analytically determine the cyclic thermomechanical behavior and fatigue life of three configurations of a Plug Nozzle Thrust Chamber. This thrust chamber is a test model which represents the current trend in nozzle design calling for high performance coupled with weight and volume limitations as well as extended life for reusability. The study involved the use of different materials and material combinations to evaluate their application to the problem of low-cycle fatigue in the thrust chamber. The thermal and structural analyses were carried out on a three-dimensional basis. Results are presented which show plots of continuous temperature histories and temperature distributions at selected times during the operating cycle of the thrust chamber. Computed structural data show critical regions for low-cycle fatigue and the histories of strain within the regions for each operation cycle.

Armstrong, W. H.↗

Experiments with a self-correcting wind tunnel

The feasibility of controlling the flow actively through the walls of a transonic, porous wall wind tunnel in order to minimize wall interference effects on a test model is demonstrated. The method is based upon measuring the components of the disturbance velocity at discrete points along an imaginary surface in the flow field within the tunnel. A mathematical formulation of the flow field exterior to the surface including the boundary condition for unconfined flow, i.e., that all disturbance vanish at infinite, is used to determine if these measured velocity components are consistent with that boundary condition. If they are not, the theory provides a better approximation to the velocity component for unconfined flow, and the flow through the tunnel walls is readjusted iteratively until the measured quantities are consistent with unconfined flow. A brief review of theoretical methods is followed by a description of the Calspan self correcting wind tunnel design and operation, calibration with and without active wall control. Typical results obtained by approximating a conventional porous wall wind tunnel for an 0012 airfoil show that active wall control largely reproduces the correct shock wave position, eliminates wall interference of lift and drag, and reduces the interference effects on pitching moment to 10%.

Vidal, R. J.↗

A methodology for producing reliable software, volume 1

An investigation into the areas having an impact on producing reliable software including automated verification tools, software modeling, testing techniques, structured programming, and management techniques is presented. This final report contains the results of this investigation, analysis of each technique, and the definition of a methodology for producing reliable software.

Stucki, L. G.↗

Aeroelastic stability and control of an oblique wing

Dynamic model tests were staged to compare the aeroelastic stability of a free-flying oblique-winged aircraft and the known divergent instability characterizing swept-forward wing configurations, to test the effect of wing elasticity on aileron control and trim. The aircraft fuselage was clamped in some tests and left free to roll in others. Two rigid wing panels were hinged near the wing center with elastic restraining springs. It is found that the aeroelastic divergence affecting swept-forward wings does not occur with an oblique wing, whose aeroelastic instability sets in at a dynamic pressure exceeding that for static divergence of swept-forward wings, and appears in the form of undamped oscillations. Oblique wing stability is sensitive to the moment of inertia of the fuselage in roll. Roll control and lateral trim are attainable with conventional ailerons, even at speeds at which divergence of a clamped forward wing shows up.

Jones, R. T.↗

Coannular nozzle noise characteristics and application to advanced supersonic transport engines

Recent programs in the field of jet noise, sponsored by the NASA Lewis Research Center, have indicated that the variable stream control engines (VSCE) which are being considered for advanced supersonic cruise aircraft have inherent jet noise advantages over earlier engines. This characteristic is associated with the exit velocity profile produced by such an engine. The high velocity fan stream, on the outer periphery, is acoustically dominant while the primary stream is held to a low velocity and therefore contributes little to the overall noise. Scale model tests have indicated low noise levels. Operation under static conditions, as well as in a relative velocity field (simulating take-off speeds) has indicated large reductions are available from the coannular nozzle and the VSCE. The inherently low levels of jet noise prompted changes in the cycle, which allowed an increase in the amount of augmentation incorporated in the fan stream, without exceeding the suggested noise guidelines, thereby allowing the use of a considerably smaller engine, with obvious vehicle advantages.

Kozlowski, H.↗

Coannular plug nozzle noise reduction and impact of exhaust system designs

Reducing the noise generated by high velocity jets has confronted engine designers and acoustics workers alike for the past fifteen years. Some of the jet noise suppressor configurations that are investigated are shown. With the exception of the early CJ-805 daisy suppressor nozzle which found successful application on the Convair 990 airplane, the others were developmental hardware at different stages of the effort in the past eight years - all aiming at potential supersonic cruise aircraft applications. Some significant progress was made as the result of work supported by NASA and FAA in the past two to three years. This work pertains to the concept demonstration and scale model testing of coannular plug nozzles with inverted velocity profile, and to the preliminary study of its application to advanced variable cycle engines (VCE) appropriate for supersonic cruise aircraft.

Lee, R.↗

Comparison of axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric nozzles installed on the F-15 configuration

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel to determine nozzle/afterbody performance of nonaxisymmetric nozzles installed in a 1/12-scale F-15 propulsion model. Tests were performed at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20 at angles-of-attack from -2 to +9 deg and jet-total-pressure ratios from 1.0 (jet-off) to 5.0, depending on Mach number. The baseline F-15 afterbody was tested with axisymmetric nozzles, and two different two-dimensional wedge nozzle afterbody designs. Results of this investigation indicate that one of the two-dimensional afterbody designs had lower drag than the baseline at a Mach number of 1.20, and about the same drag for subsonic Mach numbers at scheduled nozzle pressure ratios. Thrust vectoring of the two-dimensional wedge nozzles produced significant induced lift on the afterbody and horizontal tails, while thrust reversing had little effect on horizontal tail effectiveness.

Pendergraft, O. C., Jr.↗

Two-dimensional nozzle/airframe integration technology - An overview

The paper reviews the objectives and some of the accomplishments of a number of programs to develop nonaxisymmetric nozzle technology for future tactical aircraft applications. Specific existing fighter aircraft model tests and preliminary studies are discussed which are designed to generate installed nozzle data, including the effects of thrust vectoring and reversal.

Richey, G. K.↗

Nonaxisymmetric nozzle technology program - An overview

Nonaxisymmetric nozzles, with in-flight thrust vectoring and/or reversing capabilities, provide the potential for substantial gains in fighter aircraft performance, maneuvering, survivability and ground handling. This paper presents an overview of some of the current programs to develop nonaxisymmetric nozzle technology for future aircraft applications. The initial phase of this program, which consists of a series of subscale model tests, engine/nozzle studies, system integration studies and simulation studies, has been initiated. Successful completion of this program will allow designers of future aircraft to consider, with high confidence, the integration of nonaxisymmetric nozzle concepts to improve aircraft mission performance effectiveness, survivability and cost.

Berrier, B. L.↗

Forward speed effects on blown flap noise

The effects of forward speed on the noise of under-the-wing (externally blown flaps, EBF) and over-the-wing (upper surface blown, USB) blown flap configurations were measured in wind tunnel model tests with cold jets. The results are presented without correction for the effects (e.g., signal convection, shear layer refraction) associated with flight simulation in a wind tunnel or free jet facility. Noise decreases were generally observed at microphones forward of the wing. The reductions were larger at the low frequencies (below peak SPL) than at the high (above peak SPL). Noise increases of 10 dB or more were observed at the aft microphones, especially in the high frequency range.

Pennock, A. P.↗

Subminiature hydraulic actuator

Subminiature, single-vane rotary actuator for wind-tunnel test-model control-surface actuation systems presents severe torque and system band-pass requirements with stringent space and weight limitations. Actuator has very low leakage of fluid from one side to other, permitting use in precision position servo-systems.

Sevart, F. D.↗

Aircraft Lightning Attachment Phenomena

An aircraft's influence on lightning-strike occurrence was investigated. The compression of an electric field around an aircraft was considered in mathematical calculations of an aircraft's ability to store charge. Model test results were used to predict lightning-strike attachment zones in an analysis of aircraft design.

Franklin A Fisher↗

Foster-Miller's development of dry coal feed systems

Dry coal feeder systems developed for pressurized conversion processes were carried through a laboratory scale development program. These concepts include: (1) a centrifugal solids feeder; (2) a fluidized piston feeder; (3) a linear pocket feeder; and (4) a compacted coal plug feeder. Results of laboratory model testing of all concepts are reviewed.

Harding, J. C.↗

Comparison of blade loads of fixed and free yawing wind turbine

The self regulating composite bearingless wind turbine utilizes an automatic pitch control concept and a completely unrestrained yawing degree of freedom. Aerodynamic moments caused by skewed flow provide the control to align the wind turbine with the wind. Model tests demonstrated the feasibility of the concept and analytical studies showed the free system to experience lower blade loads compared to the fixed system.

Cheney, M. C.↗

Heliogyro Preliminary Design, Phase 2

There are 12 blades in the Heliogyro design, and each blade is envisioned to be 8 meters in width and 7,500 meters in length. The blades are expected to be composed primarily of a thin membrane constructed of material such as Kapton film with an aluminum reflective coating on one side and an infrared emissive coating on the other. The present Phase 2 Final Report covers work done on the following six topics: (1) Design and analysis of a stowable circular lattice batten for the Heliogyro blade. (2) Design and analysis of a biaxially tensioned blade panel. (3) Definition of a research program for micrometeoroid damage to tendons. (4) A conceptual design for a flight test model of the Heliogyro. (5) Definition of modifications to the NASTRAN computer program required to provide improved analysis of the Heliogyro. (6) A User's Manual covering applications of NASTRAN to the Heliogyro.

Source record↗

Aerodynamic characteristics of a counter-rotating, coaxial, hingeless rotor helicopter model with auxiliary propulsion

A wind-tunnel model test at advance ratios from 0 to 0.3 with and without auxiliary jet engine thrust is reported. At each advance ratio and engine thrust, both the control power and the aircraft stability were measured. The results indicate that there is a cross-coupling for collective pitch and longitudinal cyclic pitch inputs. The control power for these inputs increased with advance ratio. There was also cross-coupling for differential collective pitch inputs. The airframe was longitudinally unstable, but the instability was less at the highest advance ratio tested. The airframe showed both positive effective dihedral and positive directional stability.

Phelps, A. E., III↗