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At least 19 records

The Effect of Large Angles of Yaw on the Accuracy of Wing-Tip Yawmeters

The present method used by the NACA for the measurement of sideslip angles in flight involves the use of a device called the yawmeter. The operation of this instrument depends on the motion of a free-swinging vane which, mounted ahead of the wing tip, alines itself with the local wind direction. Because of the flow pattern about the airplane, the local wind direction at the yaw vane may be slightly different from the direction of the relative wind and the yaw-vane readings may be in error. This error is corrected by using half the difference between the readings of two vanes, one on each wing, for unyawed flight as a calibration constant. It is possible, however, that, because of the change in location of the vane with respect to the flow pattern at large angles of yaw, the constant obtained for unyawed flight may not apply. The present report covers power-off tests made in the free-flight tunnel to check the validity of this method.

Golden, Jacob↗

The integration of remote sensing data into global weather prediction, wave forecasting, and ocean circulation computer based systems

Data from infrared imaging systems and satellite infrared spectrometer (SIRS) for determining sea surface temperature and the atmospheric structure in cloudless areas over the oceans are discussed. Although some interpretations differ, it is clear that simultaneous measurements of radar sea return and passive microwave temperature will provide estimates of the wind speed, and perhaps wind direction, over the oceans, especially in cloudless areas, for a wide range of wind speeds. The problem of integrating the data that would be obtained by a spacecraft, especially one with a combination radar-radiometer, into global analysis procedures for meteorological, wave, and oceanographic predictions is described.

Pierson, W. J., Jr.↗

Severe storms

The role of jet streams in the development of severe storms was analyzed. Local variations of flow resulting from rapid changes of geostrophic velocity along the air trajectory or inertial instability can produce cold advection. An analysis of meso-network data for 1968 and 1969 was performed. Although inertial instability was present in the network, local deviations in wind direction and cold advection were not detected.

Goldstein, M. G.↗

Development and testing of a portable wind sensitive directional air sampler

A portable wind-sensitive directional air sampler has been developed as part of an air pollution source identification system. The system is designed to identify sources of air pollution based on the directional collection of field air samples and their analysis for TSP and trace element characteristics. Sources can be identified by analyzing the data on the basis of pattern recognition concepts. Functional testing of a prototype sampler is described; all items exhibited performance and life sufficient to carry out field performance test operations. Life testing of the wind direction sensor and the directional porting valves, which are critical to reliable operation, was emphasized with successful results.

Deyo, J.↗

Pattern recognition methods and air pollution source identification

Directional air samplers, used for resolving suspended particulate matter on the basis of time and wind direction were used to assess the feasibility of characterizing and identifying emission source types in urban multisource environments. Filters were evaluated for 16 elements and X-ray fluorescence methods yielded elemental concentrations for direction, day, and the interaction of direction and day. Large numbers of samples are necessary to compensate for large day-to-day variations caused by wind perturbations and/or source changes.

Leibecki, H. F.↗

NASA scatterometer oceanic wind measurement system

Satellite scatterometers are active microwave radars designed to yield measurements of near surface horizontal wind velocity over the ocean. Scatterometers are unique in that they are the only existing microwave remote sensing instruments that allow measurements of both wind speed and wind direction. NASA will fly a scatterometer, NSCAT, aboard the Navy Ocean Remote Sensing System (N-ROSS) mission starting in late 1990. N-ROSS is a spaceborne ocean remote sensing system with a planned mission life of three years. In addition to the NSCAT, N-ROSS will have three other microwave instruments mounted on a single satellite flying in a near polar orbit: an altimeter; a special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I); and a low frequency microwave radiometer. The NSCAT to be flown on N-ROSS is described.

Freilich, M.↗

Wind Tunnel Tests on Autorotation and the "Flat Spin."

This report deals with the autorotational characteristics of certain differing wing systems as determined from wind tunnel tests made at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. The investigation was confined to autorotation about a fixed axis in the plane of symmetry and parallel to the wind direction. Analysis of the tests leads to the following conclusions: autorotation below 30 degree angle of attack is governed chiefly by wing profile, and above that angle by wing arrangement. The strip method of autorotation analysis gives uncertain results between maximum C subscript L and 35 degrees. The polar curve of a wing system, and to a lower degree of accuracy the polar of a complete airplane model are sufficient for direct determination of the limits of rotary instability, subject to strip method limitations. The results of the investigation indicate that in free flight a monoplane is incapable of flat spinning, whereas an unstaggered biplane has inherent flat-spinning tendencies. The difficulty of maintaining equilibrium in stalled flight is due primarily to rotary instability, a rapid change from stability to instability occurring as the angle of maximum lift is exceeded. (author)

Knight, Montgomery↗

Effect of Propeller Slipstream on Wing and Tail

The results of wind tunnel tests for the determination of the effect of a jet on the lift and downwash of a wing are presented in this report. In the first part, a jet without rotation and with constant velocity distribution is considered - the jet being produced by a specially designed fan. Three-component, pressure distribution, and downwash measurements were made and the results compared with existing theory. The effect of a propeller slipstream was investigated in the second part. In the two cases the jet axis coincided with the undisturbed wind direction. In the third part the effect of the inclination of the propeller axis to the wing chord was considered, the results being obtained for a model wing with running propeller.

Stuper, J↗

Experimental apparatus for the study of propellers

The apparatus consists of a universal balance with transmission at variable speeds from 300 to 5,000 rpm and a group directly coupled to the model for speeds of 5 to 30,000 revolutions. This new apparatus was also designed with a torsion meter for measuring the torque. Tests were conducted on the effect of the angle between the propeller axis and the wind direction. The results presented correspond to a first series of tests made without an interposed wing and in which the distance between the plane of the propeller disk and the tail was maintained constant.

Panetti, M↗

Effects of Control-Response Characteristics on the Capability of Helicopter for Use as a Gun Platform

An investigation with a variable-stability helicopter was undertaken to ascertain the steadiness and ability to "hold on" to the target of a helicopter employed as a gun platform. Simulated tasks were per formed under differing flight conditions with the control-response characteristics of the helicopter varied for each task. The simulated gun-platform mission included: Variations of headings with respect to wind, constant altitude and "swing around" to a wind heading of 0 deg, and increases in altitude while performing a swing around to a wind heading of 0 deg. The results showed that increases in control power and damping increased pilot ability to hold on to the target with fewer yawing oscillations and in a shorter time. The results also indicated that wind direction must be considered in accuracy assessment. Greatest accuracy throughout these tests was achieved by aiming upwind.

Pegg, Robert J.↗