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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Wind tunnel and flight development of spoilers for general aviation aircraft

Wind tunnel tests have been carried out to develop a spoiler lateral control system for use with the GA(W)-1 airfoil with a 30% Fowler flap. Tests show that unfavorable aerodynamic interactions can occur between spoiler and flap for large flap deflections. Providing venting of lower surface air through the spoiler opening substantially improves performance. Results of tests with a number of spoiler and cavity shapes are presented and discussed. Applications of two-dimensional wind tunnel results to the design of satisfactory manual lateral control systems are discussed.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Interior noise considerations for powered-lift STOL aircraft

Powered-lift configurations which are currently under development for future use on STOL aircraft involve impingement of the jet engine exhaust onto wing and flap surfaces. Previous studies have suggested that the impinging jet produces higher noise levels at lower frequencies than does the jet alone. These higher levels, together with the close proximity of the engine and flap noise sources to the fuselage sidewall, suggest that the noise levels in these aircraft may be high enough to interfere with passenger comfort. To investigate this possibility, interior noise levels were estimated for both an upper surface blown (USB) and an externally blown flap (EBF) configuration. This paper describes the procedure used to estimate the interior noise levels and compares these levels with levels on existing jet aircraft and on ground transportation vehicles. These estimates indicate high levels in the STOL aircraft; therefore, areas of possible improvements in technology for control of STOL interior noise are also discussed.

Barton, C. K.↗

A passive gust alleviation system for a light aircraft

A passive aeromechanical gust alleviation system was examined for application to a Cessna 172. The system employs small auxiliary wings to sense changes in angle of attack and to drive the wing flaps to compensate the resulting incremental lift. The flaps also can be spring loaded to neutralize the effects of variations in dynamic pressure. Conditions for gust alleviation are developed and shown to introduce marginal stability if both vertical and horizontal gusts are compensated. Satisfactory behavior is realized if only vertical gusts are absorbed; however, elevator control is effectively negated by the system. Techniques to couple the elevator and flaps are demonstrated to restore full controllability without sacrifice of gust alleviation.

Roesch, P.↗

An investigation of the increase in vortex induced rolling moment associated with landing gear wake

Flight tests were conducted to verify the results found in ground base facilities of the effect of span lift load variation as well as the vortex attentuation of the high energy jet engine exhaust through proper thrust programming. During these flight tests a large increase in vortex strength was experienced as a result of extending the landing gear. Tests in the Langley Vortex Research Facility indicate that the wake produced by the landing gear may possibly form an aerodynamic endplate or reflection plane at the inboard edge of each inboard flap which increases the effective aspect ratio of the flap and thereby increases the strength of the flap outer edge vortex.

Patterson, J. C., Jr.↗

Vector thrust induced lift effects for several ejector exhaust locations on a V/STOL wind tunnel model at forward speed

The results and analysis of aerodynamic force data obtained from a small scale model of a V/STOL research vehicle in a low speed wind tunnel are presented. The analysis of the data includes the evaluation of aerodynamic-propulsive lift performance when operating twin ejector nozzles with thrust deflected. Three different types of thrust deflector systems were examined: 90 deg downward deflected nozzle, 90 deg slotted nozzle with boundary layer control, and an externally blown flap configuration. Several nozzle locations were tested, including over and underwing positions. The interference lift of the nacelle and model due to jet exhaust thrust is compared and results show that 90 deg turned nozzles located over the wing (near the trailing edge) produce the largest interference lift increment for an untrimmed aircraft, and that the slotted nozzle located under the wing near the trailing edge (in conjunction with a BLC flap) gives a comparable interference lift in the trimmed condition. The externally blown flap nozzle produced the least interference lift and significantly less total lift due to jet thrust effects.

Sharon, A. D.↗

STOL aircraft transient ground effects. Part 2: Experimental techniques feasibility study

Procedures for simulating transient effects associated with STOL aircraft landings and takeoffs were examined and a basis was developed for selection of an experimental approach based on consideration of simulation requirements, experimental techniques, facilities, and costs. The results are generally applicable to STOL aircraft employing any of the following powered lift systems: externally blown flap, upper surface blown flap, augmentor wing, or internally ducted jet flap. Scaling relationships were developed to apply the simulation requirements to model test situations. Procedures for the derivation of aerodynamic forces from the measured data were discussed. Various means of expressing the aerodynamic data in forms convenient for use in performance or stability and control applications were described. Five different experimental techniques were presented that depend on two different types of experimental facilities, wind tunnels and test tracks, and involving different types of model motion, and factors pertinent to selection were summarized.

Crowder, J. P.↗

Stability of elastic bending and torsion of uniform cantilever rotor blades in hover with variable structural coupling

The stability of elastic flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion of uniform, untwisted, cantilever rotor blades without chordwise offsets between the elastic, mass, tension, and areodynamic center axes is investigated for the hovering flight condition. The equations of motion are obtained by simplifying the general, nonlinear, partial differential equations of motion of an elastic rotating cantilever blade. The equations are adapted for a linearized stability analysis in the hovering flight condition by prescribing aerodynamic forces, applying Galerkin's method, and linearizing the resulting ordinary differential equations about the equilibrium operating condition. The aerodynamic forces are obtained from strip theory based on a quasi-steady approximation of two-dimensional unsteady airfoil theory. Six coupled mode shapes, calculated from free vibration about the equilibrium operating condition, are used in the linearized stability analysis. The study emphasizes the effects of two types of structural coupling that strongly influence the stability of hingeless rotor blades. The first structural coupling is the linear coupling between flap and lead-lag bending of the rotor blade. The second structural coupling is a nonlinear coupling between flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion deflections. Results are obtained for a wide variety of hingeless rotor configurations and operating conditions in order to provide a reasonably complete picture of hingeless rotor blade stability characteristics.

Hodges, D. H., Roberta.↗

Installation and airspeed effects on jet shock-associated noise

Experimental acoustic data are presented to illustrate, at model scale, the effect of varying the nozzle-wing installation on shock-associated noise, statically and with airspeed. The variation in installations included nozzle only, nozzle under-the-wing, and nozzle over-the-wing. With the nozzle only, shock wave noise dominated the spectra in the forward quadrant, while jet mixing noise dominated in the rearward quadrant. Similar trends were observed when a wing (flaps retracted) was included. Shock noise was attenuated with an over-the-wing configuration and increased with an under-the-wing configuration (due to reflection from the wing surface). With increasing flap deflection (under-the-wing configuration), the jet-flap interaction noise exceeded the shock noise and became dominant in both quadrants. The free jet results showed that airspeed had no effect on shock noise.

Von Glahn, U.↗

Preliminary flight-test results of an advanced technology light twin-engine airplane /ATLIT/

The present status and flight-test results are presented for the ATLIT airplane. The ATLIT is a Piper PA-34 Seneca I modified by the installation of new wings incorporating the GA(W)-1 (Whitcomb) airfoil, reduced wing area, roll-control spoilers, and full-span Fowler flaps. Flight-test results on stall and spoiler roll characteristics show good agreement with wind-tunnel data. Maximum power-off lift coefficients are greater than 3.0 with flaps deflected 37 deg. With flaps down, spoiler deflections can produce roll helix angles in excess of 0.11 rad. Flight testing is planned to document climb and cruise performance, and supercritical propeller performance and noise characteristics. The airplane is scheduled for testing in the NASA-Langley Research Center Full-Scale Tunnel.

Holmes, B. J.↗

Model and full-scale large transport airframe noise

Results are presented for an airframe noise experiment intended to obtain airframe noise data of a 0.03-scale model of a large transport aircraft in a flow facility for comparison with similar airframe noise data from full-scale flyover tests of the same aircraft. The test model simulated the landing and cruise configuration, including individual flap systems. Considerable noise is found to be associated with the extension of the model's leading edge flap system and to be reduced across the noise spectra when the gaps between the leading-edge flaps and the leading edge of the wing are sealed. Amplitude and frequency scaling relationships are developed which correlate respective data for a variety of aircraft configurations. Normalized model landing gear noise failed to simulate full-scale data.

Shearin, J. G.↗

Prediction of longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of STOL configurations with externally blown high lift devices

A theoretical method has been developed to predict the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of engine-wing-flap combinations with externally blown flaps (EBF) and upper surface blowing (USB) high lift devices. Potential flow models of the lifting surfaces and the jet wake are combined to calculate the induced interference of the engine wakes on the lifting surfaces. The engine wakes may be circular, elliptic, or rectangular cross-sectional jets, and the lifting surfaces are comprised of a wing with multiple-slotted trailing-edge flaps or a deflected trailing-edge Coanda surface. Results are presented showing comparisons of measured and predicted forces, pitching moments, span-load distributions, and flow fields.

Mendenhall, M. R.↗

On the status of V/STOL flight

Basic principles relating to the accomplishment of V/STOL flight are reviewed as they pertain to current prototype developments. Particular consideration is given to the jet flap, flow augmentation and circulation control separately and in combination. Configurations as the augmentor wing, upper-surface blown flaps, externally blown flaps and the circulation-controlled rotor are also examined.

Mccormick, B. W.↗

STOLAND

The STOLAND system includes air data, navigation, guidance, flight director (including a throttle flight director on the Augmentor Wing), 3-axis autopilot and autothrottle functions. The 3-axis autopilot and autothrottle control through parallel electric servos on both aircraft and on the augmentor wing, the system also interfaces with three electrohydraulic series actuators which drive the roll control surfaces, elevator and rudder. The system incorporates automatic configuration control of the flaps and nozzles on the augmentor wing and of the flaps on the Twin Otter. Interfaces are also provided to control the wing flap chokes on the Augmentor Wing and the spoilers on the Twin Otter. The STOLAND system has all the capabilities of a conventional integrated avionics system. Aircraft stabilization is provided in pitch, roll and yaw including control wheel steering in pitch and roll. The basic modes include altitude hold and select, indicated airspeed hold and select, flight path angle hold and select, and heading hold and select. The system can couple to TACAN and VOR/DME navaids for conventional radial flying.

Grgurich, J.↗

Ground effects and control effectiveness tests of a .095 scale powered model of a modified T-39 lift/cruise fan V/STOL research airplane

Wind tunnel test data are analysed to determine ground effects and the effectiveness of the aerodynamic control surfaces to provide a technology base for a Navy type A V/STOL airplane. Three 14CM (5.5 inch) turbopowered simulators were used to power the model which was tested primarily in the following configurations: (1) VTOL with flaps deployed, gear down, and engines tilted to 80 deg, 90 deg, and 95 deg, (2) STOL with flap and gear down and engines tilted to 50 deg; and (3) Loiter with flaps and gear up and L/C nacelles off. Data acquired during the tests are included as an appendix.

Dawson, C. R.↗

Unsteady hovering wake parameters identified from dynamic model tests, part 1

The development of a 4-bladed model rotor is reported that can be excited with a simple eccentric mechanism in progressing and regressing modes with either harmonic or transient inputs. Parameter identification methods were applied to the problem of extracting parameters for linear perturbation models, including rotor dynamic inflow effects, from the measured blade flapping responses to transient pitch stirring excitations. These perturbation models were then used to predict blade flapping response to other pitch stirring transient inputs, and rotor wake and blade flapping responses to harmonic inputs. The viability and utility of using parameter identification methods for extracting the perturbation models from transients are demonstrated through these combined analytical and experimental studies.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗

Vortex interactions and decay in aircraft wakes

The dynamic interactions of aircraft wake vortices are investigated using both inviscid and viscous models. The phenomenon of vortex merging resulting in the rapid aging of a vortex wake is examined in detail. It is shown that the redistribution of vorticity from convection and diffusion during merging is a mechanism effective in reducing the hazard of a wake. Inviscid computations show that the merging phenomenon may be sensitive to small changes in spanwise load distribution and that the fuselage vortex shed from the wing-fuselage junction can play a significant role in promoting merging of wing-tip and flap vortices. Vortex-wake-merging computations using a second-order closure model of turbulent transport indicate that a low-hazard wake occurs when the generating aircraft flap and wing-tip vortices of the same strength and sign. This optimum is achieved when the flap vortex is located outboard approximately 40% of the distance to the tip vortex.

Bilanin, A. J.↗

Aeroelastic stability of complete rotors with application to a teetering rotor in forward flight

The derivation of a set of nonlinear coupled flap-lag-torsion equations of motion for moderately large deflections of an elastic, two bladed teetering helicopter rotor in forward flight is concisely outlined. The following degrees of freedom are included in the mathematical model: rigid body flapping, rigid body lead lag, elastic bending in flap and lead-lag blade root torsion and shaft torsion. Quasi-steady aerodynamic loads are considered and the effects of reversed flow are included. The aeroelastic stability of the complete rotor is investigated using a linearized system of equations of motion. The equilibrium position about which the equations are linearized is obtained by considering the trim state of the helicopter, in true or simulated forward flight conditions. The sensitivity of the aeroelastic stability boundaries to interblade structural and mechanical coupling is illustrated by comparing the complete rotor stability boundaries with those obtained from a single blade analysis for a number of hover and forward flight cases.

Shamie, J.↗

Aeroelastic stability of complete rotors with application to a teetering rotor in forward flight

The derivation of a set of non-linear coupled flap-lag-torsion equations of motion for moderately large deflections of an elastic, two-bladed teetering helicopter rotor in forward flight is concisely outlined. The following degrees of freedom are included in the mathematical model: rigid body flapping, rigid body lead-lag, elastic bending in flap and lead-lag, blade root torsion, and shaft torsion. Quasi-steady aerodynamic loads are considered and the effects of reversed flow are included. The aeroelastic stability of the complete rotor is investigated by using a linearized system of equations of motion. The equilibrium position about which the equations are linearized is obtained by considering the trim state of the helicopter, in true or simulated forward flight conditions. The sensitivity of the aeroelastic stability boundaries to interblade structural and mechanical coupling is illustrated by comparing the complete rotor stability boundaries with those obtained from a single blade analysis for a number of hover and forward flight cases.

Shamie, J.↗