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NASA-CR-69663 · An experimental investigation of feasibility of a V/STOL test section in UWAL 8 x 12 wind tunnel by using a 1/8 scale model of the tunnel

NASA (NTRS) · 1965

Open the PDFPublic domain · NASA (NTRS)Technical Reports

Overview

Feasibility of V/STOL test section in wind tunnel by using one eighth scale model of tunnel

Pages
·
46

Key points

  • The feasibility of adding a large test section upstream of the existing 8 x 12 test section in the UWAL wind tunnel was experimentally investigated using a 1/8 scale model.
  • The model tunnel flow was verified to accurately reproduce the flow in the full-scale 8 x 12 tunnel.
  • A 21 x 19 - 60 foot test section was successfully added upstream of the existing test section, demonstrating effective control of flow angles and velocity distribution.
  • The proposed modification to accommodate a large test section for V/STOL aircraft testing is deemed feasible.
  • Dynamic pressure measurements in the model 8 x 12 test section reached a maximum of 113 psf, corresponding to a speed of approximately 258 mph.
Frequently asked questions
What was the purpose of the experimental investigation?

The purpose was to verify that the model tunnel flow accurately reproduces the flow in the full-scale tunnel and to determine if a high-quality flow environment can be produced in the proposed new test section.

What modifications were made to the model tunnel?

A 21 x 19 - 60 foot test section was added upstream of the existing 8 x 12 test section, along with corner vanes and propeller anti-swirl vanes to control flow angles and velocity distribution.

How was the model tunnel constructed?

The model tunnel was designed to be as large as possible within space limitations, constructed at a scale of 1/8 to obtain accurate flow surveys and reasonable Reynolds numbers.

What were the results of the flow surveys conducted?

Flow surveys measured upflow, crossflow, and dynamic pressure in the vertical plane of the balance trunnion, covering a significant area of the test section.

What is the significance of the dynamic pressure measurements?

The maximum dynamic pressure of 113 psf indicates the model's capability to simulate high-speed conditions, which is crucial for V/STOL aircraft testing.

Document

UNIVERSITY O F WASHINGTON

AERONAUTICAL LABORATORY

REPORT 801 An Experimental Investigation of Feasibility of t V/STOL ~ a e t section in UWAL 8 x 12 Wind Tunnel by Using a 1/8 Scale Model of the T u n n e l - * c .

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Paqe Photo Index Figure Index 2, 3 Summary R e p o r t 3ody Introduction Description of Model Tunnel and Equipment Testing Procedure 13 R f t 6 U l t S and Discurtsion Conclusions References 2 0 . c L 801 I .

PXUTO INDEX Title Photo Paqe

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1 Basic 8 x 12 Model Tunnel Without Extension 2 1 2 Model Tunnel With 7 5 Foot Extension Added 21 3 Survey Probe in 8 x 12 Test Section 22 4 Survey Probe in 2 1 x 19 T e s t Section 22 FIGURE INDEX T i t l e Paqe Fisure

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B a s i c Dimensions of the Large T e s t S e c t i o n 2 3 Probe C a l i b r a t i o n Curves 2 4 Model Tunnel P r o p e l l e r Performance 25 4 Upflow i n Vertical P l a n e of Trunnion E x 12 Te s t S e c t i o n 26 5 C r o s s f l w i n Vertical Plane of Trunnion 8 x 1 2 Test Sect i o n 27 6 Dynamic P r e s s u r e D i s t r i b u t i o n i n Vertical Plane of Trunnion 8 x 12 T e s t S e c t i o n 28 7 Flaw Angles i n 2 1 x 19 T e s t S e c t i o n , S t a t i o n 1 29 Flow Angles i n 2 1 x 19 T e s t S e c t i o n , S t a t i o n 3 30 Flow Angles i n 2 1 x 19 T e s t S e c t i o n , S t a t i o n 5 3 1 1 0 Dynamic Pressure D i a t r i b u t i o n i n S t a t i o n 1, 2 1 x 19 T e s t S e c t i o n 32 11 Dynamic P r e s s u r e D i s t r i b u t i o n i n S t a t i o n 3 , 2 1 x 19 T e s t S e c t i o n 33 1 2 Dynamic P r e s s u r e D i s t r i b u t i o n i n S t a t i o n 58 21 x 19 Test S e c t i o n 34 13 E f f e c t of P r o p e l l e r Anti-swirl Vanes on V e l o c i t y Profile at 117 i n . Model Scale Downstream of P r o p e l l e r 35 , .

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FIGURE INDEX Fiqure T i t l e PaQe 14 E f f e c t of Propeller Anti-swirl Vanes on V e l o c i t y Profile at 187 in. Model S c a l e Downstream of Prepeller

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SUMMARY

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F e a s i b i l i t y of adding a large test s e c t i o n u p s t r e a m of the 8 x 13 test s e c t i o n of t h e F. K. K i r s t e n wind t u n n e l was experimentally i n v e s t i a a t e d by a scale model of the e x i s t i n g wind tunnei. The v a l i d i t y of the unmodiir'ied m o d e l w a s r'irsi verified by comparing m o d e l t u n n e l f l o w w i t h f u l l scale 8 x 12 t u n n e l flow. F i n a l l y , the model t u n n e l was m o d i f i e d

by adding a 21 x 19 - 60 foot test s e c t i o n upstream of t h e 8 x

1 2 test s e c t i o n . Corner vanes and propeller a n t i - s w i r l vanes were shown to have s u f f i c i e n t effectiveness t a contrzl flow angles and velocity distribution in both test sections. A f i n a l sdjustment was achieved which 5ave s a t i s f a c t o r y flow i n b o t h test s e c t i o n s .

It is coneluded t h a t the pzcposed modification of t h e p r e s e n t 8 x 12 t e s t section wind t u n n e l to accomadate a larse test section for V/STOL aircraft wind t u n n e l testing is feasible.

- - 5 8 1 1 I. I n t r o d u c t i o n V/STOL* a i r c r a f t at low forward speeds have t h e unique characteristic of causing l a r g e downwash a n g l e s ,

apprsachfng !?no at the hovering conditiol?. x C G i i S e q i i i e E Z e

is t h a t t h i s type of a i r c r a f t experiences l a r g e changes i n p i t c h i n g moments i n t h e t r a n s i t i o n region between t h e hovering and c r u i s i n g c o n d i t i o n thus i n t r o d u c i n g untlsual handling problems. Such d i f f i c u l t i e s must be f u l l y i n v a s t i c a t e d before f l i q h t , p r e f e r a b l y by u s i n g a model i n a wind t u n n e l which h a s t h e c a p a b i l i t y of providing an aerodynamic environment e q u i v a l e n t t o the t r a n s i t i o n c o n d i t i o n s of the aircraft. Consequently t h e wind t u n n e l must be able t o provide an a c c u r a t e l y c o n t r o l l e d l o w test air v e l o c i t y (approaching r e r o ) , and a minimum w a l l i n t e r - f e r e n c e error.

The problem of the wall i n t e r f e r e n c e can be r e l i e v e d by r e q u i r i n g a s m a l l r a t i o of t h e model t o test s e c t i o n si7e.

The d i f f i c u l t y and high c o s t of c o n s t r u c t i n g a c c u r a t e small models, together w i t h t h e l o w Reynolds number re- s u l t i n g , makes it either impractical o r unacceptable t o use the n o m a 1 si7e wind tunnel. Thus t h e only w a y t o o b t a i n a small r a t i o of t h e model t o test s e c t i o n sipe is t o b u i l d a l a r g e test s e c t i o n . F a c i l i t i e s w i t h l a r g e r * V e r t i c a l o r S h o r t Take-Off and Landing I . .

test s e c t i o n s have been developed and used by t h e NASA and .

some a i r c r a f t companies throughout the country. b u t t h o s e f e w f a c i l i t i e s now e x i s t i n g w i l l n o t be able t o m e e t the demands of t h e i n d u s t r y f o r a r o u t i n e development wind tunnel +astin9 nf their V ! S T O T , aircraft d e s i q .

The p r e s e n t UWAL** 8 x 17 f o o t , 2 5 0 mph, wind t u n n e l could be modified t o add a large t e s t s e c t i o n by r e l o c a t - i n g t h e bellmouth of the e x i s t i n g t u n n e l f u r t h e r up- stream. A l a r g e test s e c t i o n could be produced i n t h i s manner w i t h a cross s e c t i o n of 3 0 3 or 439 square f e e t upstream of the e x i s t i n g 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n . The v e l o c i - t y i n t h i s large test s e c t i o n would be very low (7ero t o 6 ' 3 or 8q mph) and would be a c c u r a t e l y c o n t r o l l e d , i n s p i t e of model power i n p u t , due t o the r e l a t i v e l y large power r e q u i r e d by the whole t u n n e l c i r c u i t . Such a modi- f i c a t i o n was proposed i n WAL Rep. 744.

A f i r s t s t e p i n t h e proposed modification program was t o b u i l d a p i l o t model of t h e p r e s e n t wind t u n n e l , and t o t r y t h e s e changes i n t h a t model- The value of such a model t u n n e l has b e e n s u b s t a n t i a t e d by t h e NASA i n t h e i r study of t h e 7 x 19 f o o t t u n n e l modification a t Langley.

and by t h e Boeing Company's e x t e n s i v e use of t h e i r model tunnels. A t t h e same t i m e , an a n a l y t i c a l s t u d y o f t h e **University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory c 7 ~ above proposed modification w a s made t o explore t h e flow field i n a two-test-section tunnel, This study (UWAL Rep, 7 7 3 ) was encouraging and its r e s u l t s were used to choose the experiments to be conducted i n the model tunne 1 .

Thus the c b j e c t i v e s of the experimental work ware devel- oped as f o l l w s : 1. To v e r i f y t h a t the model t u n n e l fluw is a t r u e reproduction of flow i n the f u l l scale tunnel.

2. To determine i f a high q u a l i t y flow environment can be produced i n the proposed new test section.

To find i f any changes occur in the 8 x 12 t e s t 3.

e e c t i o n as a result of adding the proposed new test s e c t i o n .

It is the purpose of this r e p o r t t o d e s c r i b e the design of t h e model tunnel and t o p r e s e n t the experimental work carried o u t t o answer the three questions stated above.

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80 1 8 11. D s s c r i p t i o n of Model Tunnel and Equipment 1. Model Tunnel The design and c o n s t r u c t i o n of a p i l o t m o d e l t u n n e l of t h e UWAL 8 x 1 2 foot wind t u n n e l was started i n June, 1963. I t was d e s i r e d t h a t t h e model tunnel be as large as possible in order t o obtain an a c c u r a t e f l o w survey and reasonable Reynolds N u m b e r . Space l i m i t a t i o n d i c t a t e d the scale of the model tunnel t o be as s m a l l as possible. The f i n a l scale was s e l e c t e d t o be 1’8, The power loss due t o Reynolds Number effects w a s predicted u s i n g the data obtained i n the Boeing Company’s 1/20 scale model tunnel. The scal- i n ? l a w used was to match the p r o p e l l e r advance r a t i o ( V / n D ) and t i p Mach N u m b e r which r e s u l t s i n speeds i d e n t i c a l t o those v a l u e s of t h e f u l l scale t u n n e l .

The model t u n n e l is e r e c t e d on i t s side i n t h e lobby of t h e full s c a l e t u n n e l f o r easy access t o major p a r t s of t h e tunnel. See Photo 1. For t h e sake of convenience and t o correspond w i t h the f u l l scale t u n n e l the upper r e t u r n d u c t is designated “ w e s t ” and t h e lower d u c t “ e a s t , ” and the panel closest t o t h e o p e r a t i n g console corresponds t o t h e c e i l i n g of the f u l l scale tunnel. A l l dimensions, s i g n conventions, and v e r t i c a l and h o r i z o n t a l d i r e c t i o n s used i n t h i s report are i n the sense of the f u l l scale t u n n e l , t .

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8 C l 9

a

u n l e s s otherwise s p e c i f i e d . Photo 1 s h o w s the basic model t u n n e l w i t h its 8 x 13 test s e c t i o n c e i l i n g for a c c e s s t o the test s e c t i o n . One panel removed c e i l i n g panel down stream of each p r o p e l l e r is re- mov~ble far r e t u r n d a c t access, The ?x?1l,m,outh t1irEinq vanes, d i f f u s e r t u r n i n g vanes, and p r o p e l l e r a n t i - swirl vanes are a d j u s t a b l e i n t h e i r a n g l e s of i n c i - dence. The s e c t i o n s of t h e t u n n e l c o n t a i n i n g t h e p r o p e l l e r s and d r i v e motors can be r o l l e d o u t on a p a i r of c a b i n e t drawer slides for ease of maintenance and i n s p e c t i o n .

Each propeller, which h a s seven aluminum blades, is d r i v e 2 by a 403 c y c l e , 14 HP induction motqr throuch a set of s t r a i g h t bevel ( c o n i f l e x ) gears located w i t h i n t h e n a c e l l e . The gear r a t i o is a 23'35 r e d u c t i o n . These g e a r s a r e l u b r i c a t e d by a jet of q i l meeting t h e m i l i t a r y s p e c i f i c a t i o n MIL-L-1-017.

The two motors are n o t mechanically synchroniped w i t h each other, but t h e propellers a r e w e l l synchronived because of the torque c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of induction motors, s i n c e the motors a r e e l e c t r i c a l l y i n parallel from t h e same v a r i a b l e frequency power source The first modification t o be constructed was t h e l a r g e s t t h a t can p o s s i b l y be b u i l t w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s of t h e b u i l d i n g s i t e , a b u i l d i n g extension of 7 5 feet.

i 8 * l Both r e t u r n d u c t s , downstrean of the propellers, w e r e extended 7 5 feet full scale with an expansion m l y i n the v e r t i c a l d i r e c t i o n at the same c m s t a n t angle of expansion (3.9O half angle) as i n t h e full scale tunnel. The bellmouth end of the basic t u n n e l con- f f g c r a t i o n was designed and construct& t o match t h i s vertical expansion of t h e r e t u r n d u c t s which yielded a b e l l m o u t h of 7 9 . 5 x 7 9 . 7 5 feet high full scale. This end is a l s o made detachable frqm the rest of t h e t c n n e l , e n a b l i n g t h e bellm3uth end t o be extended lengthwise t o accommodate a l a r g e test s e c t i o n This large test s e c t i o n s i z e was chosen t p be 31 x 19 feet hish full scale. Figure 1 s h q w s t h e r e l a t i v e proportions. The l a r g e t e s t s e c t i o n then follows a c o n t r a c t i o n r a t i o cf 2 . 3 2 and t h e model 8 x 13 test s e c t i o n has a c o n t r a c t i o n r a t i o of 4 31.

The model '1 x 19 test s e c t i o n is 60 f e e t l o n c full scale, and cses 1 5 feet for its c o n t r a c t i o n . It ex- pands 2 . 0 I n . t o t a l i n 69 feet d i s t r i b u t e d on a l l four sides t o correct for the c a l c u l a t e d displacement thickness of a t u ' f i u l e n t boundary layer. Atmospheric s l a t s a r e prsvided i n two s i d e w a l l s of t h e 3 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n . The atmospheric s l o t s ir, t h e model 8 x 12 t e s t s e c t i o n ware closed when the large test s e c t i o n e x t e n s i o n was added. Photo 11 shows the model tunnel with i t s 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n added.

, A maximum dynamic p r e s s u r e obtained so f a r i n t h e model 8 x 12 t e s t s e c t i o n is 113 psf (a'bout 2 5 8 mphj speed of 7r)r)O rpm.

a t a propeller 3 . F l o w survey Probes A m a l l stiff pr&s was c c n s t r u c t e d t o measure f l o w a n c l e s i n the model 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n . The probe!

c o n s i s t s of four ( 4 ) hypodermic needles c u t a t 4 ' - O and one (1) a t 9q0 t o the c e n t e r l i n e , bundled tocether t o form a probe s i m i l a r t o a P r a n d t l tube.

This probe was c a l i b r a t e d i n t h e f u l l s c a l e t u n n e l hecause af i t s non-standard t i p shape. See Figure 1 for the probe c a l i b r a t i o n curve and a sketch of t h e probe The probe is i n s e r t e d i n t o the model 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n throuch a s l o t provided i n the c e i l i n c .

A "checkerboard" panel attached t o the model t u n n e l locates t h e probe i n t h e test s e c t i o n a t pre- determined l o c a t i o n s corresponding t o those surveyed i n the f u l l scale t u n n e l . See Photo 111.

Another probe, a standard P r a n d t l t u b e , w a s constructed t o survey f l o w angles i n the model 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n The stern of t h i s probe extends f r o m t h e c e i l i n g t o the f l o o r of the model test s e c t i o n . Since t h i s is a standard P r a n d t l tube, t h e c a l i b r a t i o n curve for t h e UWAL N o . 1 probe was used t o reduce the d a t a ob- t a i n e d by this probe. See Photo IV. Because the v e l o c i t y i n t h e 31 x 19 test s e c t i o n is low, t h e ~ 1 2 8 9 1 probe i s connected t o a manometer i n c l i n e d a t 1qo from the h o r i z o n t a l plane, 3 . Location of Survey P o i n t s The model 8 x 17 test s e c t i o n w a s surveyed for upflDw, crossflcv an6 d y ~ t ~ i i c presslire i n t h e vertical plane of the balance trunnion a t 7 d i f f e r e n t v e r t i c a l l e v e l s a t 11 d i f f e r e n t e a s t and w e s t d i r e c t i o n p o i n t s cover- i n g an a r e a of 75% of t h e h e i g h t and 7R4 of the width of t h e 8 x 17 test s e c t i o n , The m o d e l 31 x 19 test s e c t i o n is provided with f i v e ( 5 ) v e r t i c a l survey p l a n e s which are at 10 f o o t f u l l s c a l e i n t e r v a l s along t h e test s e c t i o n . The pro- can be l o c a t e d a t any v e r t i c a l s t a t i o n a t pre- determined east and w e s t l o c a t i o n s . Upf l o w , croas- flow and dynamic pressure were surveyed a t 7 d i f f e r e n t v e r t i c a l l e v e l s at 7 d i f f e r e n t east and w e s t p o i n t s at s t a t i o n s 1, 3, and 5 covering a volume of 88% of t h e h e i g h t , 6% of t h e l e n g t h and 803k of t h e width of the 91 x 19 - 6 0 foot lona f u l l scale test s e c t i o n .

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111, Testing Procedure The v a l i d i t y of the basic nodel t u n n e l w a s f i r s t v e r i - f i e d by confirming the c o r r e l a t i o n of upflow, crossflaw and dynamic p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n between the m o d e l and full scale 8 x 13 test s e c t i o n s w i t h the tunnel i n its original unmodified c o n f i g u r a t f m . Tf;e repeatability of the flow p a t t e r n i n the model 8 x 12 test section was also confirmed, The second group of runs were made after i n s t a l l i n g the 60 foot long 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n , The first flow survey i n t h e 3 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n was conducted without any modification t o t h e basic p o r t i o n of the model wind tunnel. Upffow, crossflow and dynamic pressure were msasured by using the P r a n d t l tube described in t h e previous chapter and an inclined manometer. Develop- ment work was carried o u t as necessary to produce accepta- ble flow q a a l i t y i n the 31 x 19 t e s t s e c t i o n . A complete f l o w survey i n the V/STOL test s e c t i o n was conducted when t h e f i n a l improved f l o w p a t t e r n was established.

Upon completion of the flow survey i n the 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n , it w a s necessary to i n v e s t i g a t e any changes i n the flow pattern i n t h e 8 x l:! test s e c t i o n due t o the a d d i t i o n of the V/STOL test s e c t i o n , A survey of up- f l a w , crossflow and dynamic pressure i n the model 8 x 1 7 test section was again conducted and the r e s u l t s w e r e compared w i t h the d a t a p r e v i o u s l y obtained.

~ L * R e s u l t s and Discussion IV.

A measure of power required t o o p e r a t e t h e model t u n n e l w i t h and without the 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n is shown i n Figure 3. T h i s f i g u r e shows the o p e r a t i n g angle of a t t a c k of t h e propeller b l a d e s f o r a given c o n d i t i o n of the t u n n e l conffguration. With t h e a d d i t i o n of t h e l a r g e test s e c t i o n , t h e angle of a t t a c k was reduced i n d i c a t i n g a r e d u c t i o n i n t h e power required. This power reduction is a t t r i b u t a b l e t o the f a c t t h a t t h e v e l o c i t y a t t h e bellmouth t u r n i n g vanes i s l o w e r than t h e o r i g i n a l t u n n e l c o n f i g u r a t i o n by a f a c t o r of 0.65 which reduces t h e c o r n e r loss. It t h e r e f o r e can be concluded t h a t the aaount of reduction i n t h e corner l o s s due t o t h e lower v e l o c i t y is g r e a t e r than t h e a d d i t i o n a l f r i c t i o n loss due t o t h e 75 f o o t l e n g t h extension. Thus it can a l s o be concluded t h a t t h e maximum v e l o c i t y o b t a i n a b l e i n t h e 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n w i l l n o t be impaired w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n of t h e 75 f o o t extension.

R e s u l t s of upflow, crossflow and dynamic p r e s s u r e surveys i n t h e unmodified model 8 x 13 test s e c t i o n are compared w i t h those of the f u l l s c a l e t u n n e l t o e v a l u a t e t h e dsgree of flow s i m i l a r i t y between t h e two test s e c t i o n s .

R e s u l t s of upflow surveys are compared and presented i n Figure 4. The general p a t t e r n of upflow a n g u l a r i t i e s i n t h e f u l l scale 8 x 17 test s e c t i o n i s reproduced a m a ~ i n g l y w e l l i n the unmodified model t u n n e l * c 1 . - . . .

8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n as shown i n the f i g u r e , R e s u l t s of crossflaw surveys w h i c h are presented i n F i g u r e 5 also shm a s u r p r i s i n g l y good c o r r e l a t i o n be- tween the unmodified model and f u l l scale 8 x 1 2 test sections. There are no sicpificmt d i s c r a p z x ~ c i e si n the crossflow a n g u l a r i t i e s bztween the two t e s t s e c t i o n s , Dynamic pressure d i s t r i b u t i o n was surveyed i n t h e same vertical plane where the u p f l w and c r o s s f l a w w e r e sur- veyed. T h e results of this survey are presented i n F i g u r e 6 which shows a comparison of the dynamic p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n between the unmodified model and f u l l scale

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8 x 12 t e s t sections. The measured dynamic p r e s s u r e for ezch survey p o i n t was divided by the t u n n e l i n d i c a t e d dynamic pressure. The data presented i n Figure 6 shows a d i f f e r e n c e i n the absolute v a l u e s of the dynamic pres- s u r e r a t i o between the m o d e l and full scale 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n s , The discrepancy is due to t h e fact that the l o c a t i o n of the r e f e r e n c e dynamic p r e s s u r e source relative to the model t u n n e l is d i f f e r e n t f r o m that of the full Thus t h e measured r e f e r e n c e dynamic pres- scale tunnel.

s u r e i s n o t e x a c t l y t h e same as that of the full scale tun- n e l . It also should be noted t h a t no c o r r e c t i o n was made i n the model t u n n e l 8 x 12 t e s t s e c t i o n for t h e boundary l a y e r growth. The primary i n t e r e s t of the r e s u l t s shown * i n Figure 6 is t h e f l a t n e s s of each curve which i n d i c a t e s a balanced v e l o c i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n i n the plane w h e r e the survey was made i n the test s e c t i o n . R e s u l t s presented i n these Figures 48 5, and 6 , i n d i c a t e t h a t the flaw i n the model 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n is t r u l y a good reproduc- t i o n of the f i ~ in i 2 i e fil3.i scale 8 x 3 . 2 test section.

With the a d d i t i o n of the 21 x 19 test s e c t i o n t o t h e basic model tunnel, another complete survey of upflow, crossflaw and dynamic pressure i n t h e m o d e l 8 x 12 test s e c t i o n was conducted, and presented again i n Figures 4, 5 , and 6 , respectively. The changes i n crossflcrw a n g u l a r i t i e s are i n s i g n i f i c a n t , and v i r t u a l l y no change

a

appears i n upflow a n g u l a r i t i e s and dynamic p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n . Results of flow a n g u l a r i t y surveys i n the 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n without any m o d i f i c a t i o n t o the t u n n e l are shown i n Figures 7 , 8 , and 9. These flow p a t t e r n s for the o r i g i n a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n of the 21 x 19 t e s t s e c t i o n have q u i t e large local flow angles. Dynamic pressure d i s t r i b u t i o n shown i n Figures 10, 11, and 12 i n d i c a t e d that t h e v e l o c i t y is, g e n e r a l l y h i g h e r a t t h e east s i d e of the test s e c t i o n than the w e s t . The immediate object of the mode1 t u n n e l then w a s t o reduce t h e magnitude of t h e flow a n g u l a r i t y and t o o b t a i n an evenly d i s t r i b u t e d dynamic p r e s s u r e i n the 2 1 x 19 t e s t s e c t i o n .

A series of runs was made t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e cause of the large flaw a n g u l a r i t y i n the V/STOL t e s t Prection, mese runs c o n s i s t e d of f i n d i n g t h e e f f e c t s of v o r t e x genera- tors i n the d i f f u s e r , p r o p e l l e r blade angle reduction, angle of incidence of the p r o p e l l e r a n t i - s w i r l vanes, am2 C M ? e adjustment of the bs1hout3 turning V ~ , F - B S ~ None of these nethods r e s u l t e d i n an appreciable improvement of the fluw p a t t e r n i n the 2 1 x 19 t e s t s e c t i o n , but it was discovered d u r i n g t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n t h a t t h e w e s t r e t u r n passage had more drag than the east.

An e x t e n s i v e search for the e x t r a drag i n the w e s t r e t u r n d u c t was conducted b u t ended f r u i t l e s s , Therefore i n order t o expedite the a t t a i n m e n t of a high q u a l i t y flaw in the 2 1 x 19 test s e c t i o n , it was concluded t o add more d r a g i n the east r e t u r n d u c t thereby o b t a i n i n g somewhat better b a l l a n c e d d r a g between the t w o r e t u r n passages, This w a s accomplished by i n s t a l l i n g a l a y e r of an o r d i n a r y household i n s e c t screen a t the downstream end of the east r e t u r n d u c t , With t h e screen i n the r e t u r n duct, the adjustment of the bellmouth t u r n i n g vanes was found to be effective i n c o n t r o l l i n g t h e flaw p a t t e r n in the 21 x 19 test s e c t i o n , The final f l o w p a t t e r n i n the 21 x 19 test s e c t i o n w a s obtained by a d j u s t i n g t h e bellmouth t u r n i n g vanee, and presented i n the plastic overlay form i n Figure8 7, 8 ,

e

c .

* f 801 18 and 9. A considerable improvement of t h e flow a n g u l a r i - ties i n the V/STOL test s e c t i o n can Le c l e a r l y seen i n these f i g u r e s . Dynamic p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e test s e c t i o n was a180 s i g n i f i c a n t l y improved and shown i n Figures 13, ii, and 12.

During the aforementioned i n v e s t i g a t i o n of the l a r g e f l u - a n g u l a r i t y source, the angle of incidence of t h e p r o p e l l e r a n t i - s w i r l vanes proved t o have a s e n s i t i v e e f f e c t on t h e v e l o c i t y p r o f i l e i n t h e r e t u r n ducts. The t o t a l head p r o f i l e i n each r e t u r n d u c t was measured and t h e e f f e c t of t h e adjustment of the s w i r l vane angle of incidence i s shown i n Figures 13 and 14.

The e f f e c t of t h e 2 1 x 19 - 60 f o o t test s e c t i o n on the

flaw a n g u l a r i t y i n the 8 x 1 2 test s e c t i o n is v i r t u a l l y none as shown i n Figures 4 and 5. The dynamic p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e 8 x 12 t e s t s e c t i o n was also found t o be unchanged as presented i n Figure 6. This f u l f i l l s one of t h e b a s i c requirements t h a t t h e p r e s e n t e x c e l l e n t aerodynamic q u a l i t y i n t h e 8 x 12 test s e c t i o n s h a l l n o t be degraded.

V. Conclusions Wind t u n n e l t e s t i n g of V/STOL a i r c r a f t models w i t h a l a r g e dawnwash angles necessitates a large test s e c t i o n i .

. . . _ . .

i n order to obtain a s m a l l r a t i o of the model t o test s e c t i o n size t o minimize the t u n n e l w a l l i n t e r f e r e n c e .

F e a s i b i l i t y of adding such a l a r g e test s e c t i o n t o t h e p r e s e n t UWAL wind tunnel w a s experimentally i n v e s t i g a t e d by using a 1/8 s c a l e model of the p r e s e n t 8 x 12 wind t~rn91.

Evaluating the r e s u l t s obtained from the model tunnel, it is concluded t h a t :

1 . It is f e a s i b l e t o add A 2 1 x 19 - 60 f o o t long

test s e c t i o n without degrading the p r e s e n t e x c e l l e n t aerodynamic q u a l i t y of the 8 x 1 2 test section.

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2. Flow a n g u l a r i t y i n the 21 x 19 test s e c t i o n is c o n t r o l l a b l e by a d j u s t i n g the bellmouth t u r n i n g vanes .

3 . There w i l l be no a d d i t i o n a l power required t o o p e r a t e t h e above i n v e s t i g a t e d c o n f i g u r a t i o n of the two-test-section UWAL wind tunnel.

The p r e s e n t configuration of the model t u n n e l h a s a 75 f o o t f u l l scale length extension of which 15 f e e t is used f o r t h e contraction. T h e minimum length required to establish a good aerodynamic environment i n the V/STOL test section h a s n o t yet been determined, b u t work i s continuing w i t h t h i s objective.

1. R o b e r t G o Joppa, V/STOL Wind Tunnel Testinq and UWAL Facilities, UWAL Report No. 744, 1962, 2, Ro'Dert G o Joppa and V i c t o r H, Ganzer, An Aerod~namic F e n s i t i i i t y Study of IWo-Test Section Wind T u n n e l s for V/S19L Testinq, UWAL Report No. 773, 1964.

3, Ralph €3. McCormick, Wind T u n n e l S u m m a r v Report

- -

No, 301-12-1 Total Pressure Loss Survey in the B O 8 i n q Wind Tunnel, BWT-T6st N o . - 3 0 1 , 1 2 , 1954.

Page 21 Photo 1 Basic 8 x 1 2 Model Tunnel Without Extension

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Document details

Doc number
·
NASA-CR-69663
Publisher
·
NASA (NTRS)
Year
·
1965
Pages
·
46
File size
·
6.9 MB