ALBERT

Description: Reynolds number effects noted from selected test programs conducted in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (0.3-m TCT) are discussed. The tests, which cover a unit Reynolds number range from about 2.0 to 80.0 million per foot, summarize effects of Reynolds number on: (1) aerodynamic data from a supercritical airfoil, (2) results from several wall interference correction techniques, and (3) results obtained from advanced, cryogenic tests techniques. The test techniques include: (1) use of a cryogenic sidewall boundary layer removal system, (2) detailed pressure and hot wire measurements to determine test section flow quality, and (3) use of a new hot film system suitable for transition detection in a cryogenic wind tunnel. The results indicate that Reynolds number effects appear most significant when boundary layer transition effects are present and at high lift conditions when boundary layer separation exists on both the model and the tunnel sidewall.

Description: Measurements of wing buffeting, using root strain gages, were made in the NASA Langley 0.3 m cryogenic wind tunnel to refine techniques which will be used in larger cryogenic facilities such as the United States National Transonic Facility (NTF) and the European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW). The questions addressed included the relative importance variations in frequency parameter and Reynolds number, the choice of model material (considering both stiffness and damping) and the effects of static aeroelastic distortion. The main series of tests was made on three half models of slender 65 deg delta wings with a sharp leading edge. The three delta wings had the same planform but widely differing bending stiffnesses and frequencies (obtained by varying both the material and the thickness of the wings). It was known that the steady flow on this configuration would be insensitive to variations in Reynolds number. On this wing at vortex breakdown the spectrum of the unsteady excitation is unusual, having a sharp peak at particular frequency parameter. Additional tests were made on one unswept half-wing of aspect ratio 1.5 with an NPL 9510 aerofoil section, known to be sensitive to variations in Reynolds number at transonic speeds. The test Mach numbers were M = 0.21 and 0.35 for the delta wings and to M = 0.30 for the unswept wing. On this wing the unsteady excitation spectrum is fairly flat (as on most wings). Hence correct representation of the frequency parameter is not particularly important.

Description: The Comprehensive Analytical Model of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics, CAMRAD, program is designed to calculate rotor performance, loads, and noise; helicopter vibration and gust response; flight dynamics and handling qualities; and system aeroelastic stability. The analysis is a consistent combination of structural, inertial, and aerodynamic models applicable to a wide range of problems and a wide class of vehicles. The CAMRAD analysis can be applied to articulated, hingeless, gimballed, and teetering rotors with an arbitrary number of blades. The rotor degrees of freedom included are blade/flap bending, rigid pitch and elastic torsion, and optionally gimbal or teeter motion. General two-rotor aircrafts can be modeled. Single main-rotor and tandem helicopter and sideby-side tilting proprotor aircraft configurations can be considered. The case of a rotor or helicopter in a wind tunnel can also be modeled. The aircraft degrees of freedom included are the six rigid body motion, elastic airframe motions, and the rotor/engine speed perturbations. CAMRAD calculates the load and motion of helicopters and airframes in two stages. First the trim solution is obtained; then the flutter, flight dynamics, and/or transient behavior can be calculated. The trim operating conditions considered include level flight, steady climb or descent, and steady turns. The analysis of the rotor includes nonlinear inertial and aerodynamic models, applicable to large blade angles and a high inflow ratio, The rotor aerodynamic model is based on two-dimensional steady airfoil characteristics with corrections for three-dimensional and unsteady flow effects, including a dynamic stall model. In the flutter analysis, the matrices are constructed that describe the linear differential equations of motion, and the equations are analyzed. In the flight dynamics analysis, the stability derivatives are calculated and the matrices are constructed that describe the linear differential equations of motion. These equations are analyzed. In the transient analysis, the rigid body equations of motion are numerically integrated, for a prescribed transient gust or control input. The CAMRAD program product is available by license for a period of ten years to domestic U.S. licensees. The licensed program product includes the CAMRAD source code, command procedures, sample applications, and one set of supporting documentation. Copies of the documentation may be purchased separately at the price indicated below. CAMRAD is written in FORTRAN 77 for the DEC VAX under VMS 4.6 with a recommended core memory of 4.04 megabytes. The DISSPLA package is necessary for graphical output. CAMRAD was developed in 1980.

Description: Airloads measured on a two-bladed helicopter rotor in flight, from the Tip Aerodynamic and Acoustic Test, are compared with calculations from a comprehensive helicopter analysis (CAMRAD/JA), and the pressures compared with calculations from a full-potential rotor code (FPR). The flight test results cover an advance ratio range from 0.19 to 0.38. The lowest speed case is characterized by the presence of significant blade-vortex interactions. Good correlation of peak-to-peak vortex-induced loads and the corresponding pressures is obtained. The results of the correlation for this two-bladed rotor are substantially similar to the results for three- and four-bladed rotors, concerning the tip vortex core size for best correlation, calculation of the peak-to-peak loads on the retreating side, and calculation of vortex-induced loads on inboard radial stations.

Description: Experiments were conducted to observe the cross-sectional structure and streamwise growth of round transverse liquid jets injected into a highly accelerated boundary layer in supersonic flow. The accompanying shock structure was also visualized. In one case, a round jet of acetone was injected into a fully turbulent Mach 2.5 boundary layer that was subsequently accelerated and partially laminarized through a sharp Prandtl-Meyer expansion corner. In the second case, a jet was injected into the laminarized Mach 3.2 boundary layer downstream of the expansion corner at the same jet-to-freestream momentum ratio. The jet and shock structure in both cases were visualized using schlieren optics. Wall-flow patterns were visualized using paints. It was found that the lateral spreading of jets injected downstream of the expansion fan was augmented close to the wall and had a cross-sectional structure significantly different from that of the jet injected upstream: the upstream jet spreads rapidly at the expansion corner in both the lateral and vertical directions.

Description: Freedom of outer space, boundary between nationally controlled airspace and free space, and problems of control, sovereignty, & jurisdiction

Description: Communications satellites and telephone rates, problems of government regulation

Description: The application of externally blown flaps for improving the performance of short takeoff aircraft is discussed. The characteristics of externally blown flap powered lift are examined. A method for predicting the aerodynamic performance of a particular externally blown flap configuration is presented. The following specific effects are analyzed: (1) induced aerodynamics, (2) static turning, (3) flap span and deflection, and (4) engine size and chord flap.