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At least 19 records

Wind-Tunnel Investigation of the Effect of Tab Balance on Tab and Control-Surface Characteristics

An investigation was conducted to furnish data on the effect of tab balance on tab and control-surface characteristics. The airfoil tested had a modified NACA 65(1)-012 contour with a plain flap having a chord equal to 25 percent of the wing chord and with a tab having a chord equal to 25 percent of the flap chord and having several nose shapes and overhang lengths. The results of the investigation indicated that, in general, tab balance affected tab hinge-moment characteristics in much the same manner that flap balance affects flap hinge-moment characteristics. A moderate amount of tab balance did not seem to have any adverse effect on flap hinge-moment characteristics.

TABS, AILERON↗

Investigations on the stability, oscillation, and stress conditions of airplanes with tab control. Second partial report : application of the solutions obtained in the first partial report to tab-controlled airplanes.

The first partial report, FB 2000, contained a discussion of the derivation of the equations of motion and their solutions for a tab-controlled airplane; the results obtained there are now to be applied to the longitudinal motion of tab-controlled airplanes. In view of the abundance of structural factors and aerodynamic parameters, a general discussion of the problems is unfeasible. Thus it is demonstrated on the basis of examples what stability, oscillation, and stress conditions are to be expected for tab-controlled airplanes. (author)

Filzek, B↗

Experimental and computational investigation of lift-enhancing tabs on a multi-element airfoil

An experimental and computational investigation of the effect of lift enhancing tabs on a two-element airfoil was conducted. The objective of the study was to develop an understanding of the flow physics associated with lift enhancing tabs on a multi-element airfoil. A NACA 63(sub 2)-215 ModB airfoil with a 30 percent chord Fowler flap was tested in the NASA Ames 7 by 10 foot wind tunnel. Lift enhancing tabs of various heights were tested on both the main element and the flap for a variety of flap riggings. Computations of the flow over the two-element airfoil were performed using the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes code INS2D-UP. The computer results predict all of the trends in the experimental data quite well. When the flow over the flap upper surface is attached, tabs mounted at the main element trailing edge (cove tabs) produce very little change in lift. At high flap deflections. however, the flow over the flap is separated and cove tabs produce large increases in lift and corresponding reductions in drag by eliminating the separated flow. Cove tabs permit high flap deflection angles to be achieved and reduce the sensitivity of the airfoil lift to the size of the flap gap. Tabs attached to the flap training edge (flap tabs) are effective at increasing lift without significantly increasing drag. A combination of a cove tab and a flap tab increased the airfoil lift coefficient by 11 percent relative to the highest lift tab coefficient achieved by any baseline configuration at an angle of attack of zero percent and the maximum lift coefficient was increased by more than 3 percent. A simple analytic model based on potential flow was developed to provide a more detailed understanding of how lift enhancing tabs work. The tabs were modeled by a point vortex at the training edge. Sensitivity relationships were derived which provide a mathematical basis for explaining the effects of lift enhancing tabs on a multi-element airfoil. Results of the modeling effort indicate that the dominant effects of the tabs on the pressure distribution of each element of the airfoil can be captured with a potential flow model for cases with no flow separation.

Ashby, Dale↗

Enhancement of mixing in a rectangular jet by mechanical tabs

This effort was conducted to obtain additional test data/configurations required to better understand the effects of tab length and width on jet mixing enhancement for a rectangular nozzle. The configurations tested were a six-tab configuration defined by NASA, a full-height tab configuration, and two-tab configurations with selected tab lengths and widths. Additional test data were also required for all candidate configurations to better interpret the data. Test data from this effect are presented. On the basis of these data, the following general observations were noted: The six-tab rectangular nozzle configuration provided a lower peak velocity than either the two-tab or four-tab configuration; and the rectangular nozzle with a full-height tab had about the same peak velocity as the two-tab configuration; however, the full-height tab configuration had a somewhat lower centerline velocity.

Brown, W. H.↗

An Experimental Study of the Near Field Region of a Free Jet with Passive Mixing Tabs

An experimental study was performed to determine the flow characteristics of a tabbed free jet. Results were acquired in the near field (nominally 2 tab widths upstream to 2 tab widths downstream of the exit plane) of a tabbed jet. Upstream pressure results showed static pressure distributions in both the x-and y-directions along the top surface of the tunnel. Hot-wire measurements showed rapid expansion of the core fluid into the ambient region. Two counter rotating regions of streamwise vorticity were shown on each side of the primary tab. An enhancement of the tabbed jet concept was proposed and tested. Specifically, two tabs, half the scale of the primary tab, were added to the primary tab to provide attachment surfaces for the normally occurring ejection of fluid. The secondary tabs caused a slight increase in the streamwise vorticity created from the upstream static pressure gradient while significantly increasing the re-oriented boundary layer vorticity. The combined pumping effect of the two counter rotating regions of vorticity caused a significant increase in the transport of the jet core fluid into the surrounding region.

Bohl, D. G.↗

Reduction of Jet Penetration in a Cross-Flow by Using Tabs

A tab placed suitably on a nozzle that produces a jet in a cross-flow can reduce the penetration of the jet. This effect, achieved when the tab is placed on the windward side of the nozzle relative to the cross flow, may be of interest in film cooling applications. Wind tunnel experiments are carried out, in the momentum ratio (J) range of 10-90, to investigate the tab geometry that would maximize this effect. The preliminary results show that a 'delta tab' having a base width approximately fifty percent of the nozzle diameter may be considered optimum. With a given tab size, the effect is more pronounced at higher J. Reduction in jet penetration by as much as 40% is observed. Comparable reduction in jet penetration is also obtained when a triangular shaped tab is placed flush with the tunnel wall or with its apex tilted down into the jet nozzle (the 'delta tab' being the configuration in which the apex is tilted up). However, the delta tab involves the least flow blockage and pressure loss. Relative to the baseline case, the lateral spreading of the jet is found to be more with the delta tab but less with other orientations of the tab.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Supersonic jet mixing enhancement by delta-tabs

The results of a continuing investigation of the effect of vortex generators, in the form of small tabs at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of a jet are reported. Primarily, tabs of triangular shape are considered, and the effect is studied up to an equivalent jet Mach number of 1.8. By changing the orientation of the tab with respect to the nozzle exit plane, streamwise vortex pairs of opposite sign were generated. This resulted in either an outward election of jet core fluid into the ambient or an inward indentation of the mixing layer into the core of the jet. A triangular shaped tab with its apex leaning downstream, referred to as a delta tab, was found to be the most effective in influencing the jet evolution. Two delta tabs, spaced 180 degrees apart, completely bifurcated the jet. Four delta tabs increased jet mixing substantially, more than by various other methods tried previously; the mass flux at fourteen jet diameters downstream from the nozzle increased by about 50 percent over that for the no tab case. The tabs were found to be effective in jets with laminar or turbulent boundary layers as well as in jets with low or high core turbulence intensities.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Supersonic jet mixing enhancement by 'delta-tabs'

The results of a continuing investigation of the effect of vortex generators, in the form of small tabs at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of a jet are reported. Primarily, tabs of triangular shape are considered, and the effect is studied up to an equivalent jet Mach number of 1.8. By changing the orientation of the tab with respect to the nozzle exit plane, streamwise vortex pairs of opposite sign were generated. This resulted in either an outward selection of jet core fluid into the ambient or an inward indentation of the mixing layer into the core of the jet. A triangular shaped tab with its apex leaning downstream, referred to as a delta tab, was found to be the most effective in influencing the jet evolution. Two delta tabs, spaced 180 degrees apart, completely bifurcated the jet. Four delta tabs increased jet mixing substantially, more than by various other methods tried previously; the mass flux at fourteen jet diameters downstream from the nozzle increased by about 50 percent over that for the no tab case. The tabs were found to be effective in jets with laminar or turbulent boundary layers as well as in jets with low or high core turbulence intensities.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Streamwise vorticity generation and mixing enhancement in free jets by delta-tabs

The effect of triangular tabs, placed at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of free jets is investigated. The effect, a large distortion of the jet cross section and a resultant increase in mixing downstream, has been inferred before to be due to a pair of streamwise vortices originating from each tab. In this paper, the generation mechanism of the stream wise vorticity (omega sub x) is considered first. Two sources are postulated. One is the upstream 'pressure hill', produced by the tab, which appears to be the dominant source. Another is due to vortex filaments shed from the sides of the tab and reoriented downstream by the mean shear of the mixing layer. In the case of a 'delta-tab', a triangular tab with its apex leaning downstream, vorticity from the two sources explain the stronger effect in that configuration. Data on the vorticity evolution for the effect of two delta-tabs are presented, up to twelve jet diameters from the exit, which show that the streamwise vortices persist even at the farthest measurement station. The magnitude of omega sub x-maximum decays continually with distance from the nozzle, its ratio to azimuthal vorticity maximum is found to be about 1/5 everywhere. The relative effect of a delta-tab on jets from an axisymmetric nozzle and a 8:1 rectangular nozzle is also studied. The mixing layer distortion is found to be less pronounced in the rectangular case. The jet mixing, as manifested by the mass flux measured at a downstream station, is increased in the axisymmetric jet but it is decreased in the rectangular jet under consideration by the delta-tab.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Streamwise vorticity generation and mixing enhancement in free jets by 'delta-tabs'

The effect of triangular tabs, placed at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of free jets is investigated. The effect, a large distortion of the jet cross section and a resultant increase in mixing downstream, has been inferred before to be due to a pair of streamwise vortices originating from each tab. In this paper, the generation mechanism of the streamwise vorticity (omega sub x) is considered first. Two sources are postulated. One is the upstream 'pressure hill', produced by the tab, which appears to be the dominant source. Another is due to vortex filaments shed from the sides of the tab and reoriented downstream by the mean shear of the mixing layer. In the case of a 'delta-tab', a triangular tab with its apex leaning downstream, vorticity from the two sources explain the stronger effect in that configuration. Data on the vorticity evolution for the effect of two delta-tabs are presented, up to twelve jet diameters from the exit, which show that the streamwise vortices persist even at the farthest measurement station. The magnitude of omega sub x-maximum decays continually with distance from the nozzle, its ratio to azimuthal vorticity maximum is found to be about 1/5 everywhere. The relative effect of a delta-tab on jets from an axisymmetric nozzle and a 8:1 rectangular nozzle is also studied. The mixing layer distortion is found to be less pronounced in the rectangular case. The jet mixing, as manifested by the mass flux measured at a downstream station, is increased in the axisymmetric jet but it is decreased in the rectangular jet under consideration by the delta-tab.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Testing of the Trim Tab Parametric Model in NASA Langley's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

In support of NASA's Entry, Descent, and Landing technology development efforts, testing of Langley's Trim Tab Parametric Models was conducted in Test Section 2 of NASA Langley's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The objectives of these tests were to generate quantitative aerodynamic data and qualitative surface pressure data for experimental and computational validation and aerodynamic database development. Six component force-and-moment data were measured on 38 unique, blunt body trim tab configurations at Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5, angles of attack from -4deg to +20deg, and angles of sideslip from 0deg to +8deg. Configuration parameters investigated in this study were forebody shape, tab area, tab cant angle, and tab aspect ratio. Pressure Sensitive Paint was used to provide qualitative surface pressure mapping for a subset of these flow and configuration variables. Over the range of parameters tested, the effects of varying tab area and tab cant angle were found to be much more significant than varying tab aspect ratio relative to key aerodynamic performance requirements. Qualitative surface pressure data supported the integrated aerodynamic data and provided information to aid in future analyses of localized phenomena for trim tab configurations.

Murphy, Kelly J.↗

Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of Blunt Body Trim Tab Configurations

Trim tabs are aerodynamic control surfaces that can allow an entry vehicle to meet aerodynamic performance requirements while reducing or eliminating the use of ballast mass and providing a capability to modulate the lift-to-drag ratio during entry. Force and moment data were obtained on 38 unique, blunt body trim tab configurations in the NASA Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The data were used to parametrically assess the supersonic aerodynamic performance of trim tabs and to understand the influence of tab area, cant angle, and aspect ratio. Across the range of conditions tested (Mach numbers of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5; angles of attack from -4deg to +20deg; angles of sideslip from 0deg to +8deg), the effects of varying tab area and tab cant angle were found to be much more significant than effects from varying tab aspect ratio. Aerodynamic characteristics exhibited variation with Mach number and forebody geometry over the range of conditions tested. Overall, the results demonstrate that trim tabs are a viable approach to satisfy aerodynamic performance requirements of blunt body entry vehicles with minimal ballast mass. For a 70deg sphere-cone, a tab with 3% area of the forebody and canted approximately 35deg with no ballast mass was found to give the same trim aerodynamics as a baseline model with ballast mass that was 5% of the total entry mass.

Korzun, Ashley M.↗

Flight Measurements to Determine Effect of a Spring-Loaded Tab on Longitudinal Stability of an Airplane

In conjunction with a program of research on the general problem of stability of airplanes in the climbing condition, tests have been made of a spring-loaded tb which. is referred to as a ?springy tab,? installed on the elevator of a low-wing scout bomber. The tab was arranged to deflect upward with decrease in speed which caused an increase in the pull force required to trim at low speeds and thereby increased the stick-free static longitudinal stability of the airplane. It was found that the springy tab would increase the stick-free stability in all flight conditions, would reduce the danger of inadvertent stalling because of the definite pull force required to stall the airplane with power on, would reduce the effect of center-of-gravity position on stick-free static stability, and would have little effect on the elevator stick forces in accelerated f11ght. Another advantage of the springy tab is that it might be used to provide almost any desired variation of elevator stick force with speed by adjusting the tab hinge-moment characteristics and the variation of spring moment with tab deflection. Unlike the bungee and the bobweight, the springy tab would provide stick-free static stability without requiring a pull force to hold the stick back while taxying. A device similar to the springy tab may be used on the rudder or ailerons to eliminate undesirable trim-force variations with speed.

TABS, ELEVATOR↗

Experimental Investigation of a Preloaded Spring-tab Flutter Model

An experimental investigation was made of a preloaded spring-tab flutter model to determine the effects on flutter speed of aspect ratio, tab frequency, and preloaded spring constant. The rudder was mass-balanced, and the flutter mode studied was essentially one of three degrees of freedom (fin bending coupled with rudder and tab oscillations). Inasmuch as the spring was preloaded, the tab-spring system was a nonlinear one. Frequency of the tab was the most significant parameter in this study, and an increase in flutter speed with increasing frequency is indicated. At a given frequency, the tab of high aspect ratio is shown to have a slightly lower flutter speed than the one of low aspect ratio. Because the frequency of the preloaded spring tab was found to vary radically with amplitude, the flutter speed decreased with increase in initial displacement of the tab.

VIBRATION AND FLUTTER - TABS↗

Aircraft rotor blade with passive tuned tab

A structure for reducing vibratory airloading in a rotor blade with a leading edge and a trailing edge includes a cut out portion at the trailing edge. A substantially wedge shaped cross section, inertially deflectable tab, also with a leading edge and a trailing edge is pivotally mounted in the cut out portion. The trailing edge of the tab may move above and below the rotor blade. A torsion strap applies force against the tab when the trailing edge of the tab is above and below the rotor blade. A restraining member is slidably movable along the torsion strap to vary torsional biasing force supplied by the torsion bar to the tab. A plurality of movable weights positioned between plates vary a center of gravity of the tab. Skin of the tab is formed from unidirectional graphite and fiberglass layers. Sliders coupled with a pinned degree of freedom at rod eliminate bending of tab under edgewise blade deflection.

Campbell, T. G.↗

Effect of tabs on the evolution of an axisymmetric jet

The effect of vortex generators, in the form of small tabs at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of an axisymmetric jet was investigated experimentally over a jet Mach number range of 0.34 to 1.81. The effects of one, two, and four tabs were studied in comparison with the corresponding case without a tab. Each tab introduced an indentation in the shear layer, apparently through the action of streamwise vortices which appeared to be of the trailing vortex type originating from the tips of the tab rather that of the necklace vortex type originating from the base of the tab. The resultant effect of two tabs, placed at diametrically opposite locations, was to essentially bifurcate the jet. The influence of the tabs was essentially the same at subsonic and supersonic conditions indicating that compressibility has little to do with the effect.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Effect of tabs on the evolution of an axisymmetric jet

The effect of vortex generators, in the form of small tabs at the nozzle exit, on the evolution of an axisymmetric jet was investigated experimentally over a jet Mach number range of 0.34 to 1.81. The effects of one, two, and four tabs were studied in comparison with the corresponding case without a tab. Each tab introduced an indentation in the shear layer, apparently through the action of streamwise vortices which appeared to be of the trailing vortex type originating from the tips of the tab rather than of the necklace vortex type originating from the base of the tab. The resultant effect of two tabs, placed at diametrically opposite locations, was to essentially bifurcate the jet. The influence of the tabs was essentially the same at subsonic and supersonic conditions indicating that compressibility has little to do with the effect.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗