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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

A numerical simulation of the NFAC (National Full-scale Aerodynamics Complex) open-return wind tunnel inlet flow

The flow into an open return wind tunnel inlet was simulated using Euler equations. An explicit predictor-corrector method was employed to solve the system. The calculation is time-accurate and was performed to achieve a steady-state solution. The predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Wall pressures are accurately predicted except in a region of recirculating flow. Flow-field surveys agree qualitatively with laser velocimeter measurements. The method can be used in the design process for open-return wind tunnels.

Kaul, U. K.↗

Environmental control and life support system analysis tools for the Space Station era

This paper describes the concept of a developing emulation, simulation, sizing, and technology assessment program (ESSTAP) which can be used effectively for the various functional disciplines (structures, power, ECLSS, etc.) beginning with the initial system selection and conceptual design processes and continuing on through the mission operation and growth phases of the Space Station for the purpose of minimizing overall program costs. It will discuss the basic requirements for these tools, as currently envisioned for the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), identifying their intended and potential uses and applications, and present examples and status of several representative tools. The development and applications of a Space Station Atmospheric Revitalization Subsystem (ARS) demonstration model to be used for concent verification will also be discussed.

Blakely, R. L.↗

An automated methodology development

The design methodology employed in testing the applicability of Ada in large-scale combat simulations is described. Ada was considered as a substitute for FORTRAN to lower life cycle costs and ease the program development efforts. An object-oriented approach was taken, which featured definitions of military targets, the capability of manipulating their condition in real-time, and one-to-one correlation between the object states and real world states. The simulation design process was automated by the problem statement language (PSL)/problem statement analyzer (PSA). The PSL/PSA system accessed the problem data base directly to enhance the code efficiency by, e.g., eliminating non-used subroutines, and provided for automated report generation, besides allowing for functional and interface descriptions. The ways in which the methodology satisfied the responsiveness, reliability, transportability, modifiability, timeliness and efficiency goals are discussed.

Hawley, L. R.↗

Manned flight simulation: Challenge and response

Early AGARD papers on manned flight simulation describe the status of an emerging test technique and then offer suggestions of problems that should be solved to advance the technique and predictions of the results that will be obtained by its use. Later AGARD literature is examined to determine how these challenges have been met, both in ground-based and in-flight simulation and how AGARD has played an important role in advancing the technique so that it is now an integral part of the aerospace vehicle design process.

Dusterberry, J. C.↗

Planning, creating and documenting a NASTRAN finite element model of a modern helicopter

Mathematical models based on the finite element method of structural analysis as embodied in the NASTRAN computer code are widely used by the helicopter industry to calculate static internal loads and vibration of airframe structure. The internal loads are routinely used for sizing structural members. The vibration predictions are not yet relied on during design. NASA's Langley Research Center sponsored a program to conduct an application of the finite element method with emphasis on predicting structural vibration. The Army/Boeing CH-47D helicopter was used as the modeling subject. The objective was to engender the needed trust in vibration predictions using these models and establish a body of modeling guides which would enable confident future prediction of airframe vibration as part of the regular design process.

Gabal, R.↗

Development and application of dynamic simulations of a subsonic wind tunnel

Efforts are currently underway at NASA Lewis to improve and expand ground test facilities and to develop supporting technologies to meet anticipated aeropropulsion research needs. Many of these efforts have been focused on a proposed rehabilitation of the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT). In order to insure a technically sound design, an AWT modeling program (both analytical and physical) was initiated to provide input to the AWT final design process. This paper describes the approach taken to develop analytical, dynamic computer simulations of the AWT, and the use of these simulations as test-beds for: (1) predicting the dynamic response characteristics of the AWT, and (2) evaluating proposed AWT control concepts. Plans for developing a portable, real-time simulator for the AWT facility are also described.

Szuch, J. R.↗

Ground vibration test results for Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST)/Aeroelastic Research Wing (ARW-1R) aircraft

The drones for aerodynamic and structural testing (DAST) project was designed to control flutter actively at high subsonic speeds. Accurate knowledge of the structural model was critical for the successful design of the control system. A ground vibration test was conducted on the DAST vehicle to determine the structural model characteristics. This report presents and discusses the vibration and test equipment, the test setup and procedures, and the antisymmetric and symmetric mode shape results. The modal characteristics were subsequently used to update the structural model employed in the control law design process.

Cox, T. H.↗

The boundary layer on compressor cascade blades

The purpose of NASA Research Grant NSG-3264 is to characterize the flowfield about an airfoil in a cascade at chord Reynolds number(R sub C)near 5 x 10 to the 5th power. The program is experimental and combines laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) measurements with flow visualization techniques in order to obtain detailed flow data, e.g., boundary layer profiles, points of separation and the transition zone, on a cascade of highly-loaded compressor blades. The information provided by this study is to serve as benchmark data for the evaluation of current and future compressor cascade predictive models, in this way aiding in the compressor design process. Summarized is the research activity for the period 1 December 1985 through 1 June 1986. Progress made from 1 June 1979 through 1 December 1985 is presented. Detailed measurements have been completed at the initial cascade angle of 53 deg. (incidence angle 5 degrees). A three part study, based on that data, has been accepted as part of the 1986 Gas Turbine Conference and will be submitted for subsequent journal publication. Also presented are data for a second cascade angle of 45 deg (an incidence angle of 3 degrees).

Deutsch, S.↗

Integrated Thermal-structural-electromagnetic Design Optimization of Large Space Antenna Reflectors

The requirements for low mass and high electromagnetic (EM) performance in large, flexible space antenna structures is motivating the development of a systematic procedure for antenna design. In contrast to previous work which concentrated on reducing rms distortions of the reflector surface, thereby indirectly increasing antenna performance, the current work involves a direct approach to increasing electromagnetic performance using mathematical optimization. The thermal, structural, and EM analyses are fully integrated in the context of an optimization procedure, and consequently, the interaction of the various responses is accounted for directly and automatically. Preliminary results are presented for sizing cross-sectional areas of a tetrahedral truss reflector. The results indicate potential for this integrated procedure from the standpoint of mass reduction, performance increase, and efficiency of the design process.

Adelman, H. M.↗

Planning, creating and documenting a NASTRAN finite element model of a modern-helicopter

Mathematical models based on the finite element method of structural analysis as embodied in the NASTRAN computer code are widely used by the helicopter industry to calculate static internal loads and vibration of airframe structure. The internal loads are routinely used for sizing structural members. The vibration predictions are not yet relied on during design. NASA's Langley Research Center sponsored a program to conduct an application of the finite element method with emphasis on predicting structural vibration. The Army/Boeing CH-47D helicopter was used as the modeling subject. The objective was used to engender the needed trust in vibration predictions using these models and establish a body of modeling guides which would enable confident future prediction of airframe vibration as part of the regular design process.

Gabel, R.↗

Electro-optical terrain reflectance modeling - A perspective

Electro-optical terrain reflectance modeling is one of the components required in the overall capability to simulate remote sensing measurement systems as an aid to the sensor or information processing designer. Given that sensor fields-of-view may vary from a few centimeters to several meters and that measurement devices may be placed at varying heights above the terrain surface, modeling of complex combinations of terrain classes or media with respect to both vertical and horizontal scales may be required. This paper addresses the issue of combining modeling approaches for different classes of materials in the optical regime and recommends a more formal approach to the radiative characterization of media properties as well as the calculation of the bidirectional reflectance distribution functions.

Smith, J. A.↗

Development and application of dynamic simulations of a subsonic wind tunnel

Efforts are currently underway at NASA Lewis to improve and expand ground test facilities and to develop supporting technologies to meet anticipated aeropropulsion research needs. Many of these efforts have been focused on a proposed rehabilitation of the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT). In order to insure a technically sound design, an AWT modeling program (both analytical and physical) was initiated to provide input to the AWT final design process. This paper describes the approach taken to develop analytical, dynamic computer simulations of the AWT, and the use of these simulations as test-beds for (1) predicting the dynamic response characteristics of the AWT and (2) evaluating proposed AWT control concepts. Plans for developing a portable, real-time simulator for the AWT facility are also described.

Szuch, J. R.↗

Three dimensional flow phenomena in fluid machinery; Proceedings of the Winter Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, November 17-22, 1985

For papers presented in this volume provide an overview of the latest developments in experimental measurements and analytical and numerical predictions of three-dimensional flows in fluid machinery. Topics discussed include three-dimensional cascade testing of turbine nozzles at high exit Mach number; the use of a secondary flow computation in the compressor design process; an experimental investigation of static propeller flow field; and calculation of three-dimensional boundary layers on rotating turbine blades. Papers are also presented on a three-dimensional solution method for turbomachinery analysis; analysis of rotational inviscid flows in curved passages; and a mathematical model for the analysis of fluid flow in a scroll.

Hamed, A.↗

Supersonic, nonlinear, attached-flow wing design for high lift with experimental validation

Results of the experimental validation are presented for the three dimensional cambered wing which was designed to achieve attached supercritical cross flow for lifting conditions typical of supersonic maneuver. The design point was a lift coefficient of 0.4 at Mach 1.62 and 12 deg angle of attack. Results from the nonlinear full potential method are presented to show the validity of the design process along with results from linear theory codes. Longitudinal force and moment data and static pressure data were obtained in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.58, 1.62, 1.66, 1.70, and 2.00 over an angle of attack range of 0 to 14 deg at a Reynolds number of 2.0 x 10 to the 6th power per foot. Oil flow photographs of the upper surface were obtained at M = 1.62 for alpha approx. = 8, 10, 12, and 14 deg.

Pittman, J. L.↗

A 405-MHz, 5-beam phased array antenna

The Wave Propagation Lab. has completed the design and construction of a phased array antenna for use at 405.25 MHz for atmospheric wind profiling. The steering geometry of the sequentially switched beam is shown. The Yagi-Uda antenna elements are arranged on a square grid whose axes are 45 deg with respect to the cardinal directions. By constraining the phase difference between rows of identically phased elements to an even, integral submultiple of 360 deg, symmetries appear in the phasing maps which reduce the switching hardware. The vertical beam is generated by switching around the four beam circuitry which results in identical phasing on all of the elements. After the 18 signals are synthesized they are split and distributed about the array while maintaining proper phasing because of the symmetries. Computer simulations were employed in the design process.

Law, D. C.↗

Water facilities in retrospect and prospect: An illuminating tool for vehicle design

Water facilities play a fundamental role in the design of air, ground, and marine vehicles by providing a qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, description of complex flow phenomena. Water tunnels, channels, and tow tanks used as flow-diagnostic tools have experienced a renaissance in recent years in response to the increased complexity of designs suitable for advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles are frequently characterized by large regions of steady and unsteady three-dimensional flow separation and ensuing vortical flows. The visualization and interpretation of the complicated fluid motions about isolated vehicle components and complete configurations in a time and cost effective manner in hydrodynamic test facilities is a key element in the development of flow control concepts, and, hence, improved vehicle designs. A historical perspective of the role of water facilities in the vehicle design process is presented. The application of water facilities to specific aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow problems is discussed, and the strengths and limitations of these important experimental tools are emphasized.

Erickson, G. E.↗

Design considerations for the beam-waveguide retrofit of a ground antenna station

Retrofitting an antenna that was originally designed without a beam waveguide introduces special difficulties because it is desirable to minimize alteration of the original mechanical truss work and to image the actual feed without distortion at the focal point of the dual-shaped reflector. To obtain an acceptable image, certain Geometrical Optics (GO) design criteria are followed as closely as possible. The problems associated with applying these design criteria to a 34-meter dual-shaped DSN (Deep Space Network) antenna are discussed. The use of various diffraction analysis techniques in the design process is also discussed. GTD and FFT algorithms are particularly necessary at the higher frequencies, while Physical Optics and Spherical Wave Expansions proved necessary at the lower frequencies.

Veruttipong, T.↗

Common problems and pitfalls in gear design

There are several pitfalls and problems associated with the successful design of a new gear transmission. A new design will require the knowledge and experience of several technical areas of engineering. Most of the pitfalls and problems associated with a new design are related to an inadequate evaluation of several areas, such as, the lubrication and cooling requirements, complete static and dynamic load analysis, evaluation of materials and heat treatment and the latest manufacturing technology. Some of the common problems of the gear design process are discussed with recommendations made for avoiding these conditions.

Townsend, Dennis P.↗