Linear Theory of Boundary Effects in Open Wind Tunnels With Finite Jet Lengths (open access)

Linear Theory of Boundary Effects in Open Wind Tunnels With Finite Jet Lengths

"In the first part, the boundary conditions for an open wind tunnel (incompressible flow) are examined with special reference to the effects of the closed entrance and exit sections. In the second part, solutions are derived for four types of two-dimensional open tunnels, including one in which the pressures on the two free surfaces are not equal. In the third part, a general method is given for calculating the boundary effect in an open circular wind tunnel of finite jet length" (p. 509).
Date: December 20, 1948
Creator: Katzoff, S.; Gardner, Clifford S.; Diesendruck, Leo & Eisenstadt, Bertram J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theoretical Damping in Roll and Rolling Moment Due to Differential Wing Incidence for Slender Cruciform Wings and Wing-Body Combinations (open access)

Theoretical Damping in Roll and Rolling Moment Due to Differential Wing Incidence for Slender Cruciform Wings and Wing-Body Combinations

"A method of analysis based on slender-wing theory is developed to investigate the characteristics in roll of slender cruciform wings and wing-body combinations. The method makes use of the conformal mapping processes of classical hydrodynamics which transform the region outside a circle and the region outside an arbitrary arrangement of line segments intersecting at the origin. The method of analysis may be utilized to solve other slender cruciform wing-body problems involving arbitrarily assigned boundary conditions" (p. 1).
Date: 1952
Creator: Adams, Gaynor J. & Dugan, Duane W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A comparison of the experimental subsonic pressure distributions about several bodies of revolution with pressure distributions computed by means of the linearized theory (open access)

A comparison of the experimental subsonic pressure distributions about several bodies of revolution with pressure distributions computed by means of the linearized theory

"An analysis is made of the effects of compressibility on the pressure coefficients about several bodies of revolution by comparing experimentally determined pressure coefficients with corresponding pressure coefficients calculated by the use of the linearized equations of compressible flow. The results show that the theoretical methods predict the subsonic pressure-coefficient changes over the central part of the body but do not predict the pressure-coefficient changes near the nose. Extrapolation of the linearized subsonic theory into the mixed subsonic-supersonic flow region fails to predict a rearward movement of the negative pressure-coefficient peak which occurs after the critical stream Mach number has been attained" (p. 1125).
Date: November 5, 1951
Creator: Matthews, Clarence W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theoretical Study of the Tunnel-Boundary Lift Interference Due to Slotted Walls in the Presence of the Trailing-Vortex System of a Lifting Model (open access)

Theoretical Study of the Tunnel-Boundary Lift Interference Due to Slotted Walls in the Presence of the Trailing-Vortex System of a Lifting Model

"The equations presented in this report give the interference on the trailing-vortex system of a uniformly loaded finite-span wing in a circular tunnel containing partly open and partly closed walls, with special reference to symmetrical arrangements of the open and closed portions. Methods are given for extending the equations to include tunnel shapes other than circular. The rectangular tunnel is used to demonstrate these methods. The equations are also extended to nonuniformly loaded wings" (p. 361).
Date: February 3, 1953
Creator: Matthews, Clarence W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theoretical and analog studies of the effects of nonlinear stability derivatives on the longitudinal motions of an aircraft in response to step control deflections and to the influence of proportional automatic control (open access)

Theoretical and analog studies of the effects of nonlinear stability derivatives on the longitudinal motions of an aircraft in response to step control deflections and to the influence of proportional automatic control

Through theoretical and analog results the effects of two nonlinear stability derivatives on the longitudinal motions of an aircraft have been investigated. Nonlinear functions of pitching-moment and lift coefficients with angle of attack were considered. Analog results of aircraft motions in response to step elevator deflections and to the action of the proportional control systems are presented. The occurrence of continuous hunting oscillations was predicted and demonstrated for the attitude stabilization system with proportional control for certain nonlinear pitching-moment variations and autopilot adjustments.
Date: December 29, 1950
Creator: Curfman, Howard J., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Glues Used in Airplane Parts (open access)

Glues Used in Airplane Parts

This report was prepared for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and presents the results of investigations conducted by the Forest Products Laboratory of the United States Forest Service on the manufacture, preparation, application, testing and physical properties of the different types of glues used in wood airplane parts.
Date: 1920
Creator: Allen, S. W. & Truax, T. R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Application of several methods for determining transfer functions and frequency response of aircraft from flight data (open access)

Application of several methods for determining transfer functions and frequency response of aircraft from flight data

In the process of analyzing the longitudinal frequency-response characteristics of aircraft, information on some of the methods of analysis has been obtained by the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. In the investigation of these methods, the practical applications and limitations were stressed. In general, the methods considered may be classed as: (1) analysis of sinusoidal response, (2) analysis of transient response as to harmonic content through determination of the Fourier integral by manual or machine methods, and (3) analysis of the transient through the use of least-squares solutions of the coefficients of an assumed equation for either the transient time response or frequency response (sometimes referred to as curve-fitting methods). (author).
Date: 1954
Creator: Eggleston, John M. & Mathews, Charles W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Generalized Indical Forces on Deforming Rectangular Wings in Supersonic Flight (open access)

Generalized Indical Forces on Deforming Rectangular Wings in Supersonic Flight

"A method is presented for determining the time-dependent flow over a rectangular wing moving with a supersonic forward speed and undergoing small vertical distortions expressible as polynomials involving spanwise and chordwise distances. The solution for the velocity potential is presented in a form analogous to that for steady supersonic flow having the familiar "reflected area" concept discovered by Evvard. Particular attention is paid to indicial-type motions and results are expressed in terms of generalized indicial forces. Numerical results for Mach numbers equal to 1.1 and 1.2 are given for polynomials of the first and fifth degree in the chordwise and spanwise directions, respectively, on a wing having an aspect ratio of 4" (p. 595).
Date: June 30, 1954
Creator: Lomax, Harvard; Fuller, Franklyn B. & Sluder, Loma
System: The UNT Digital Library
Stability derivatives of triangular wings at supersonic speeds (open access)

Stability derivatives of triangular wings at supersonic speeds

"The analysis of the stability derivatives of low-aspect-ratio triangular wings at subsonic and supersonic speeds, given in NACA TN no. 1423, is extended to apply to triangular wings having large vertex angles and traveling at supersonic speeds. The lift, rolling moment due to sideslip, and damping in roll and pitch for this more general case have been treated elsewhere on the basis of the theory of small disturbances. The surface potentials for angle of attack and rolling taken therefrom are used to obtain the several side-force and yawing-moment derivatives that depend on leading-edge suction, and a tentative value for the rolling moment due to yawing" (p. 317).
Date: November 6, 1947
Creator: Ribner, Herbert S. & Malvestuto, Frank S., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Single-degree-of-freedom-flutter calculations for a wing in subsonic potential flow and comparison with an experiment (open access)

Single-degree-of-freedom-flutter calculations for a wing in subsonic potential flow and comparison with an experiment

The effect of Mach number and structural damping on single-degree-of-freedom pitching of a wing is presented. Some experimental results are compared with theory and good agreement is found for certain ranges of an inertia parameter.
Date: 1952
Creator: Runyan, Harry L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Frequency Response of Linear Systems From Transient Data (open access)

Frequency Response of Linear Systems From Transient Data

"Methods are presented that use general correlative time-response input and output data for a linear system to determine the frequency-response function of that system. These methods give an exact description of any linear system for which such transient data are available. Examples are shown of application of a method to both an underdamped and a critically damped exact second-order system, and to an exact first-order system with and without dead time. Experimental data for a turbine-propeller engine showing the response of engine speed to change in propeller-blade angle are presented and analyzed" (p. 547).
Date: April 1, 1949
Creator: LaVerne, Melvin E. & Boksenbom, Aaron S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
General algebraic method applied to control analysis of complex engine types (open access)

General algebraic method applied to control analysis of complex engine types

"A general algebraic method of attack on the problem of controlling gas-turbine engines having any number of independent variables was utilized employing operational functions to describe the assumed linear characteristics for the engine, the control, and the other units in the system. Matrices were used to describe the various units of the system, to form a combined system showing all effects, and to form a single condensed matrix showing the principal effects. This method directly led to the conditions on the control system for noninteraction so that any setting disturbance would affect only its corresponding controlled variable" (p. 581).
Date: April 25, 1949
Creator: Boksenbom, Aaron S. & Hood, Richard
System: The UNT Digital Library
Determination of Mean Camber Surfaces for Wings Having Uniform Chordwise Loading and Arbitrary Spanwise Loading in Subsonic Flow (open access)

Determination of Mean Camber Surfaces for Wings Having Uniform Chordwise Loading and Arbitrary Spanwise Loading in Subsonic Flow

"The field of a uniformly loaded wing in subsonic flow is discussed in terms of the acceleration potential. It is shown that, for the design of such wings, the slope of the mean camber surface at any point can be determined by a line integration around the wing boundary. By an additional line integration around the wing boundary, this method is extended to include the case where the local section lift coefficient varies with spanwise location (the chordwise loading at every section still remaining uniform)" (p. 471).
Date: January 13, 1953
Creator: Katzoff, S.; Faison, M. Frances & DuBose, Hugh C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Experimental Determination of the Effect of Horizontal-Tail Size, Tail Length, and Vertical Location on Low-Speed Static Longitudinal Stability and Damping Pitch of a Model Having 45 Degree Sweptback Wing and Tail Surfaces (open access)

Experimental Determination of the Effect of Horizontal-Tail Size, Tail Length, and Vertical Location on Low-Speed Static Longitudinal Stability and Damping Pitch of a Model Having 45 Degree Sweptback Wing and Tail Surfaces

Report presents the results of an investigation conducted in the Langley stability tunnel to determine the effects of horizontal tails of various sizes and at various tail lengths (when loaded on the fuselage center line) and also the effects of vertical location of the horizontal tail relative to the wing on the low-speed static longitudinal stability and on the steady-state rotary damping in pitch for a complete-model configuration. The wing and tail surfaces had the quarter-chord lines swept back 45 degrees and had aspect ratios of 4.
Date: 1952
Creator: Lichtenstein, Jacob H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Flight investigation of a mechanical feel device in an irreversible elevator control system of a large airplane (open access)

Flight investigation of a mechanical feel device in an irreversible elevator control system of a large airplane

Report presents the results of measurements of the longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a large airplane using a mechanical feel device in combination with a booster incorporated in the elevator-control system. Tests were made to investigate the feasibility of eliminating the aerodynamic control forces through use of a booster and of providing control-feel forces mechanically. The feel device consisted of a centering spring which restrained the control stick through a linkage which was changed as a function of the dynamic pressure. Provisions were made for trimming and for manual adjustment of the force gradient. The system was designed to approximate the control-force characteristics that would result with a conventional elevator control with linear hinge-moment characteristics.
Date: 1952
Creator: Brown, B. Porter; Chilton, Robert G. & Whitten, James B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Preliminary Investigation of a New Type of Supersonic Inlet (open access)

Preliminary Investigation of a New Type of Supersonic Inlet

"A supersonic inlet with supersonic deceleration of the flow entirely outside of the inlet is considered a particular arrangement with fixed geometry having a central body with a circular annular intake is analyzed, and it is shown theoretically that this arrangement gives high pressure recovery for a large range of Mach number and mass flow and, therefore, is practical for use on supersonic airplanes and missiles. Experimental results confirming the theoretical analysis give pressure recoveries which vary from 95 percent for Mach number 1.33 to 86 percent for number 2.00. These results were originally presented in a classified document of the NACA in 1946" (p. 1).
Date: 1952
Creator: Ferri, Antonio & Nucci, Louis M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Flight investigation of the effect of control centering springs on the apparent spiral stability of a personal-owner airplane (open access)

Flight investigation of the effect of control centering springs on the apparent spiral stability of a personal-owner airplane

Report presents the results of a flight investigation conducted on a typical high-wing personal-owner airplane to determine the effect of control centering springs on apparent spiral stability. Apparent spiral stability is the term used to describe the spiraling tendencies of an airplane in uncontrolled flight as affected both by the true spiral stability of the perfectly trimmed airplane and by out-of-trim control settings. Centering springs were used in both the aileron and rudder control systems to provide both a positive centering action and a means of trimming the airplane.
Date: March 22, 1951
Creator: Campbell, John P.; Hunter, Paul A.; Hewes, Donald E. & Whitten, James B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The dynamic-response characteristics of a 35 degree swept-wing airplane as determined from flight measurements (open access)

The dynamic-response characteristics of a 35 degree swept-wing airplane as determined from flight measurements

From Summary: "The longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamic-response characteristics of a 35 degree swept-wing fighter-type airplane determined from flight measurements are presented and compared with predictions based on theoretical studies and wind-tunnel data. Flights were made at an altitude of 35,000 feet covering the Mach number range of 0.50 to 1.04. A limited amount of lateral-directional data were also obtained at 10,000 feet. The flight consisted essentially of recording transient responses to pilot-applied pulsed motions of each of the three primary control surfaces. These transient data were converted into frequency-response form by means of the Fourier transformation and compared with predicted responses calculated from the basic equations. Experimentally determined transfer functions were used for the evaluation of the stability derivatives that have the greatest effect on the dynamic response of the airplane. The values of these derivatives, in most cases, agreed favorably with predictions over the Mach number range of the test."
Date: September 17, 1952
Creator: Triplett, William C.; Brown, Stuart C. & Smith, G. Allan
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Theoretical Analysis of the Effects of Fuel Motion on Airplane Dynamics (open access)

A Theoretical Analysis of the Effects of Fuel Motion on Airplane Dynamics

"The general equations of motion for an airplane with a number of spherical fuel tanks are derived. The motion of the fuel is approximated by the motion of solid pendulums. The same type of derivation and equations are shown to apply to any type of fuel tank where the motion of the fuel may be represented in terms of undamped harmonic oscillators. Motions are calculated for a present-day high-speed airplane and a free-flying airplane model with two spherical tanks in the symmetry plane" (p. 1).
Date: 1952
Creator: Schy, Albert A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
NACA Transonic Wind-Tunnel Test Sections (open access)

NACA Transonic Wind-Tunnel Test Sections

Report presents an approximate subsonic theory for the solid-blockage interference in circular wind tunnels with walls slotted in the direction of flow. This theory indicated the possibility of obtaining zero blockage interference. Tests in a circular slotted tunnel based on the theory confirmed the theoretical predictions.
Date: June 20, 1955
Creator: Wright, Ray H. & Ward, Vernon G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Determination of longitudinal stability and control characteristics from free-flight model tests with results at transonic speeds for three airplane configurations (open access)

Determination of longitudinal stability and control characteristics from free-flight model tests with results at transonic speeds for three airplane configurations

From Summary: "A test technique and data analysis method has been developed for determining the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics from free-flight tests of rocket-propelled models. The technique makes use of accelerometers and an angle-of-attack indicator to permit instantaneous measurements of lift, drag, and pitching moments. The data, obtained during transient oscillations resulting from control-surface disturbances, are analyzed by essentially nonlinear direct methods (such as cross plots of the variation of lift coefficient with angle of attack) and by linear indirect methods by using the equations of motion for a transient oscillation."
Date: 1957
Creator: Gillis, Clarence L. & Mitchell, Jesse L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Present Status of Aircraft Instruments (open access)

Present Status of Aircraft Instruments

This report gives a brief description of the present state of development and of the performance characteristics of instruments included in the following group: speed instruments, altitude instruments, navigation instruments, power-plant instruments, oxygen instruments, instruments for aerial photography, fog-flying instruments, general problems, summary of instrument and research problems. The items considered under performance include sensitivity, scale errors, effects of temperature and pressure, effects of acceleration and vibration, time lag, damping, leaks, elastic defects, and friction.
Date: October 9, 1930
Creator: Subcommittee on Instruments
System: The UNT Digital Library
Carburetor Design - a Preliminary Study of the State of the Art (open access)

Carburetor Design - a Preliminary Study of the State of the Art

Report presents a preliminary study of the state of the art of the design of carburetors for gasoline engines used in aeronautic, marine and land transportation service.
Date: 1917
Creator: Lucke, Charles Edward & Willhöfft, Friederich Otto
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Experimental Investigation of Transonic Flow Past Two-Dimensional Wedge and Circular-Arc Sections Using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (open access)

An Experimental Investigation of Transonic Flow Past Two-Dimensional Wedge and Circular-Arc Sections Using a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Report presents the results of interferometer measurements of the flow field near two-dimensional wedge and circular-arc sections of zero angle of attack at high-subsonic and low-supersonic velocities. Both subsonic flow with local supersonic zone and supersonic flow with detached shock wave have been investigated. Pressure distributions and drag coefficients as a function of Mach number have been obtained.
Date: 1952
Creator: Bryson, Arthur Earl, Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library