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At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Optimization of helicopter rotor blade design for minimum vibration

The optimization approach discussed is part of an ongoing effort to develop a general automated procedure for rotor blade design. This procedure can be used to determine the necessary geometric, structural, and material properties of a rotor system to achieve desired objectives relating to vibration, stress, and aerodynamic performance. The approach used for helicopter vibration is emphasized. Based on analytical studies performed at the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), a simplified vibration analysis was developed to be used in conjunction with a forced response analysis in the optimization process. This simplified analysis improves the efficiency of the design process significantly. Results of applying this approach to the design of an existing rotor blade model are presented.

Davis, M. W.↗

On optimal design for the blade-root/hub interface in jet engines

Two major problems identified with the design of the blade-root/hub interface are discussed. The first is the so-called friction contact problem which has two special features: unilateral contact and Coulomb's friction. One of the difficulties in this problem is that the portions of contact and sticking/sliding surfaces are not known a priori. The second is the shape optimization problem which is characterized either by the minimization of the maximum contact pressure or by the minimization of the equivalent stress on the boundary. Design variables are the shapes of the blade-root and the hub. It is noted that friction contact and shape optimization problems are strongly coupled in the present design problem.

Kikuchi, N.↗

Statistical analysis of 59 inspected SSME HPFTP turbine blades (uncracked and cracked)

The numerical results of statistical analysis of the test data of Space Shuttle Main Engine high pressure fuel turbopump second-stage turbine blades, including some with cracks are presented. Several statistical methods use the test data to determine the application of differences in frequency variations between the uncracked and cracked blades.

Wheeler, John T.↗

Helicopter blade-vortex interaction locations: Scale-model acoustics and free-wake analysis results

The results of a model rotor acoustic test in the Langley 4by 7-Meter Tunnel are used to evaluate a free-wake analytical technique. An acoustic triangulation technique is used to locate the position in the rotor disk where the blade-vortex interaction noise originates. These locations, along with results of the rotor free-wake analysis, are used to define the geometry of the blade-vortex interaction noise phenomena as well as to determine if the free-wake analysis is a capable diagnostic tool. Data from tests of two teetering rotor systems are used in these analyses.

Hoad, Danny R.↗

Shot peening for Ti-6Al-4V alloy compressor blades

A text program was conducted to determine the effects of certain shot-peening parameters on the fatigue life of the Ti-6Al-4V alloys as well as the effect of a demarcation line on a test specimen. This demarcation line, caused by an abrupt change from untreated surface to shot-peened surface, was thought to have caused the failure of several blades in a multistage compressor at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The demarcation line had no detrimental effect upon bending fatigue specimens tested at room temperature. Procedures for shot peening Ti-6Al-4V compressor blades are recommended for future applications.

Carek, Gerald A.↗

Low-cost FM oscillator for capacitance type of blade tip clearance measurement system

The frequency-modulated (FM) oscillator described is part of a blade tip clearance measurement system that meets the needs of a wide class of fans, compressors, and turbines. As a result of advancements in the technology of ultra-high-frequency operational amplifiers, the FM oscillator requires only a single low-cost integrated circuit. Its carrier frequency is 42.8 MHz when it is used with an integrated probe and connecting cable assembly consisting of a 0.81 cm diameter engine-mounted capacitance probe and a 61 cm long hermetically sealed coaxial cable. A complete circuit analysis is given, including amplifier negative resistance characteristics. An error analysis of environmentally induced effects is also derived, and an error-correcting technique is proposed. The oscillator can be calibrated in the static mode and has a negative peak frequency deviation of 400 kHz for a rotor blade thickness of 1.2 mm. High-temperature performance tests of the probe and 13 cm of the adjacent cable show good accuracy up to 600 C, the maximum permissible seal temperature. The major source of error is the residual FM oscillator noise, which produces a clearance error of + or - 10 microns at a clearance of 0.5 mm. The oscillator electronics accommodates the high rotor speeds associated with small engines, the signals from which may have frequency components as high as 1 MHz.

Barranger, John P.↗

A structural model for composite rotor blades and lifting surfaces

Composite material systems are currently candidates for aerospace structures, primarily for the design flexibiity they offer i.e., it is possible to tailor the material and manufacturing approach to the application. Two notable examples are the wing of the Grumman/USAF/DARPA X-29 and rotor blades under development by the U.S.A. Aerostructures Directorate (AVSCOM), Langley Research Center. A working definition of elastic or structural tailoring is the use of structural concept, fiber orientation, ply stacking sequence, and a blend of materials to achieve specific performance goals. In the design process, choices of materials and dimensions are made which produce specific response characteristics which permit the selected goals to be achieved. Common choices for tailoring goals are preventing instabilities or vibration resonances or enhancing damage tolerance. An essential, enabling factor in the design of tailored composite structures is structural modeling that accurately, but simply, characterizes response. The objective of this paper is to improve the single-cell beam model for composite rotor blades or lifting surfaces and to demonstrate its usefullness in applications.

Rehfield, Lawrence W.↗

A model propulsion simulator for evaluating counter rotating blade characteristics

Three Model Propulsion Simulators (MPS) were designed and built to evaluate candidate counterrotation Ultra bypass fan model blade designs of nominally 2-ft (0.61 m) tip diameter for an advanced 'pusher-type' aircraft engine. These propulsion simulators (nominally 1/5 engine size) are capable of operation over a wide range of subsonic conditions and can deliver up to 750 shaft horsepower per rotor at rotor speeds of 10,000 rpm. The rotor thrust and torque, dynamic blade stresses, and system temperature data are transmitted through an integral telemetry system to facilitate data acquisition. Salient features of the design, instrumentation, and operation of these simulators are described in this paper.

Delaney, B. R.↗

Probabilistic structural analysis to quantify uncertainties associated with turbopump blades

A probabilistic study of turbopump blades has been in progress at NASA Lewis Research Center for over the last two years. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of uncertainties in geometry and material properties on the structural response of the turbopump blades to evaluate the tolerance limits on the design. A methodology based on probabilistic approach has been developed to quantify the effects of the random uncertainties. The results of this study indicate that only the variations in geometry have significant effects.

Nagpal, Vinod K.↗

Extension-twist coupling of composite circular tubes with application to tilt rotor blade design

This investigation was conducted to determine if twist deformation required for the design of full-scale extension-twist-coupled tilt-rotor blades can be achieved within material design limit loads, and to demonstrate the accuracy of a coupled-beam analysis in predicting twist deformations. Two extension-twist-coupled tilt-rotor blade designs were developed based on theoretically optimum aerodynamic twist distributions. The designs indicated a twist rate requirement of between .216 and .333 deg/in. Agreement between axial tests and analytical predictions was within 10 percent at design limit loads. Agreement between the torsion tests and predictions was within 11 percent.

Nixon, Mark W.↗

Nonlinear vibration and stability of rotating, pretwisted, preconed blades including Coriolis effects

The coupled bending-bending-torsional equations of dynamic motion of rotating, linearly pretwisted blades are derived including large precone, second degree geometric nonlinearities and Coriolis effects. The equations are solved by the Galerkin method and a linear perturbation technique. Accuracy of the present method is verified by conparisons of predicted frequencies and steady state deflections with those from MSC/NASTRAN and from experiments. Parametric results are generated to establish where inclusion of only the second degree geometric nonlinearities is adequate. The nonlinear terms causing torsional divergence in thin blades are identified. The effects of Coriolis terms and several other structurally nonlinear terms are studied, and their relative importance is examined.

Subrahmanyam, K. B.↗

Experimental data correlations for the effects of rotation on impingement cooling of turbine blades

The effects of rotation on impingement cooling have been experimentally studied under simulated gas turbine operating conditions. A large scale model of a blade is spun in vacuum. External heating is simulated by resistve dissipation in the thin wall of the model, which is impingement cooled. The local internal Nu is measured by an IR radiometric technique with high spatial resolution. At low rotational speeds the data agree well with published measurements taken under stationary conditions. At higher speeds, a decrease in the average Nu by up to 20-30 percent is observed. Severe gradients are generated near the hub region. Empirical correlations, which fit the data well and render it more useful for design purposes, are presented. Measurements and correlations suggest that rotational effects are very important and can cause premature blade failure.

Kreatsoulas, J. C.↗

Calculating Turbine-Blade Loads

Rotor/stator interactions analyzed with help of approximations. Analytical procedure assists designers of turbomachinery in calculating dynamic loads on blades and vanes. Procedure involves approximations simplifying calculation of phase angles and amplitudes of pressure fields throughout blade and vane rows at each disturbance frequency.

Meng, Sen Yih↗

Integration of dynamic, aerodynamic and structural optimization of helicopter rotor blades

The purpose of the research is to study the integration of structural, dynamic, and aerodynamic considerations in the design-optimization process for helicopter rotorblades. This is to be done in three phases. Task 1 is to bring on-line computer codes that could perform the finite-element frequency analyses of rotor blades. The major features of this program are summarized. The second task was to bring on-line an optimization code for the work. Several were tried and it was decided to use CONMIN. Explicit volume constraints on the thicknesses and lumped masses used in the optimization were added. The specific aeroelastic constraint that the center of mass must be forward of the quarter chord in order to prevent flutter was applied. The bending-torsion coupling due to cg-ea offset within the blade cross section was included. Also included were some very simple stress constraints. The first three constraints are completed, and the fourth constraint is being completed.

Peters, David A.↗

Blade loss transient dynamics analysis, volume 2. Task 2: TETRA 2 user's manual

This is the user's manual for the TETRA 2 Computer Code, a program developed in the NASA-Lewis Blade Loss Program. TETRA 2 calculates a turbine engine's dynamic structural response from applied stimuli. The calculation options are: (1) transient response; and (2) steady state forced response. Based on the method of modal syntheses, the program allows the use of linear, as well as nonlinear connecting elements. Both transient and steady state options can include: flexible Bladed Disk Module, and Nonlinear Connecting Elements (including deadband, hardening/softening spring). The transient option has the additional capability to calculate response with a squeeze film bearing module. TETRA 2 output is summarized in a plotfile which permits post processing such as FFT or graphical animation with the proper software and computer equipment.

Black, Gerald↗

Prediction of turbine blade heat transfer

It is planned to incorporate a number of low Reynolds number turbulence models in a general two-dimensional boundary layer calculation procedure. This will be applied to different flow conditions over turbine blades and the predictions will be compared with experimental data. The prediction activity will lead to a recommendation about a satisfactory turbulence model for turbine blade heat transfer.

Patankar, Suhas V.↗

Analytic investigation of helicopter rotor blade appended aeroelastic devices

Analytic evaluations of four different passive aeroelastic devices appended to helicopter rotor blades are presented. The devices consist of a passive tuned tab, a control coupled tab, an all-flying tip and a harmonic dilational airfoil tip. Each device was conceived for improving either aerodynamic performance or reducing vibratory control loads or hub shears. The evaluation was performed using a comprehensive rotor aeroelastic analysis (the G400PA code with appropriate modifications), together with data for a realistic helicopter rotor blade (the UH-60A Blackhawk), in high speed flight (90 m/s, 175 kts). The results of this study show that significant performance (L/(D sub e)) gains can be achieved with the all-flying free tip. Results from the harmonic dilational airfoil tip show the potential for moderate improvements in L/(D sub e). Finally, the results for the passive tuned tab and the control coupled tab, as configured for this study, show these devices to be impractical. Sections are included which describe the operation of each device, the required G400PA modifications, and the detailed results obtained for each device.

Bielawa, Richard L.↗

Automated design of controlled diffusion blades

A numerical automation procedure has been developed to be used in conjunction with an inverse hodograph method for the design of controlled diffusion blades. With this procedure a cascade of airfoils with a prescribed solidity, inlet Mach number, inlet air flow angle, and air flow turning can be produced automatically. The trailing edge thickness of the airfoil, an important quantity in inverse methods, is also prescribed. The automation procedure consists of a multidimensional Newton iteration in which the objective design conditions are achieved by acting on the hodograph input parameters of the underlying inverse code. The method, although more general in scope, is applied in this paper to the design of axial flow compressor blade sections, and a wide range of examples is presented.

Sanz, Jose M.↗