An Aerodynamic Analysis of the Autogiro Rotor With a Comparison Between Calculated and Experimental Results (open access)

An Aerodynamic Analysis of the Autogiro Rotor With a Comparison Between Calculated and Experimental Results

This report presents an extension of the autogiro theory of Glauert and Lock in which the influence of a pitch varying with the blade radius is evaluated and methods of approximating the effect of blade tip losses and the influence of reversed velocities on the retreating blades are developed. A comparison of calculated and experimental results showed that most of the rotor characteristics could be calculated with reasonable accuracy, and that the type of induced flow assumed has a secondary effect upon the net rotor forces, although the flapping motion is influenced appreciably. An approximate evaluation of the effect of parasite drag on the rotor blades established the importance of including this factor in the analysis.
Date: January 17, 1934
Creator: Wheatley, John B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The aerodynamic effects of wing cut-outs (open access)

The aerodynamic effects of wing cut-outs

From Introduction: "The information now available concerning wing cut-outs or applicable to the analysis of their effects is plentiful (references 1 to 7) but too disconnected and unorganized to be of the greatest possible usefulness. In connection with the interference program being conducted in the N.A.C.A. varible-density wind tunnel, an analysis was therefore made of existing material to determine the qualitative effects of the different features of wing cut-outs, and to obtain means of calculating wing characteristics as affected by them."
Date: 1934
Creator: Sherman, Albert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Air conditions close to the ground and the effect on airplane landings (open access)

Air conditions close to the ground and the effect on airplane landings

This report presents the results of an investigation undertaken to determine the feasibility of making glide landings in gusty air. Wind velocities were measured at several stations between the ground and a height of 51 feet, and flight tests were made to determine the actual influence of gusts on an airplane gliding close to the ground.
Date: April 3, 1934
Creator: Thompson, F. L.; Peck, W. C. & Beard, A. P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Air flow in a separating laminar boundary layer (open access)

Air flow in a separating laminar boundary layer

Report discussing the speed distribution in a laminar boundary layer on the surface of an elliptic cylinder, of major and minor axes 11.78 and 3.98 inches, respectively, has been determined by means of a hot-wire anemometer. The direction of the impinging air stream was parallel to the major axis. Special attention was given to the region of separation and to the exact location of the point of separation. An approximate method, developed by K. Pohlhausen for computing the speed distribution, the thickness of the layer, and the point of separation, is described in detail; and speed-distribution curves calculated by this method are presented for comparison with experiment.
Date: December 1, 1934
Creator: Schubauer, G. B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Analysis of 2-Spar Cantilever Wings With Special Reference to Torsion and Load Transference (open access)

Analysis of 2-Spar Cantilever Wings With Special Reference to Torsion and Load Transference

"This paper deals with the analysis of 2-spar cantilever wings in torsion, taking cognizance of the fact that the spars are not independent, but are interconnected by ribs and other structural members. The principles of interaction are briefly explained, showing that the mutual relief action occurring depends on the "pure torsional stiffness" of the wing cross section. Various practical methods of analysis are outlined" (p. 45).
Date: April 10, 1934
Creator: Kuhn, Paul
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis of Longitudinal Stability in Power-Off Flight With Charts for Use in Design (open access)

An Analysis of Longitudinal Stability in Power-Off Flight With Charts for Use in Design

"This report presents a discussion of longitudinal stability in gliding flight together with a series of charts with which the stability characteristics of any airplane may be readily estimated. The relationships governing stability characteristics are derived from equations of equilibrium referred to moving axes that are tangent and perpendicular to the instantaneous flight path. It is shown that instability of the motion can arise only through an increase of linear and angular momentum in the system during one complete cycle" (p. 289).
Date: December 13, 1934
Creator: Zimmerman, Charles H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The calculation of take-off run (open access)

The calculation of take-off run

From Summary: "A comparatively simple method of calculating length of take-off run is developed from the assumption of a linear variation in net accelerating force with air speed and it is shown that the error involved is negligible. Detailed instructions are given for application of the formula and for the calculation of all factors involved."
Date: January 1934
Creator: Diehl, Walter S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A comparison of fuel sprays from several types of injection nozzles (open access)

A comparison of fuel sprays from several types of injection nozzles

This report presents the tests results of a series of tests made of the sprays from 14 fuel injection nozzles of 9 different types, the sprays being injected into air at atmospheric density and at 6 and 14 times atmospheric density. High-speed spark photographs of the sprays from each nozzle at each air density were taken at the rate of 2,000 per second, and from them were obtained the dimensions of the sprays and the rates of spray-tip penetration. The sprays were also injected against plasticine targets placed at different distances from the nozzles, and the impressions made in the plasticine were used as an indication of the distribution of the fuel within the spray. Cross-sectional sketches of the different types of sprays are given showing the relative sizes of the spray cores and envelopes. The characteristics of the sprays are compared and discussed with respect to their application to various types of engines.
Date: December 4, 1934
Creator: Lee, Dana W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Computation of the two-dimensional flow in a laminar boundary layer (open access)

Computation of the two-dimensional flow in a laminar boundary layer

A comparison is made of the boundary-layer flow computed by the approximate method developed by K. Pohlhausen with the exact solutions which have been published for several special cases. A modification of Pohlhausen's method has been developed which extends the range of application at the expense of some decrease in the accuracy of the approximations.
Date: May 1934
Creator: Dryden, Hugh L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cooling characteristics of a 2-row radial engine (open access)

Cooling characteristics of a 2-row radial engine

This report presents the results of cooling tests conducted on a calibrated GR-1535 Pratt and Whitney Wasp, Jr. Engine installed in a Vought X04U-2 airplane. The tests were made in the NACA full-scale tunnel at air speeds from 70 to 120 miles per hour, at engine speeds from 1,500 to 2,600 r.p.m., and at manifold pressures from 19 to 33 inches of mercury absolute. A Smith controllable propeller was used to facilitate obtaining the different combinations of engine speed, power, and manifold pressure.
Date: December 4, 1934
Creator: Schey, Oscar W. & Rollin, Vern G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A description and test results of a spark-ignition and a compression-ignition 2-stroke-cycle engine (open access)

A description and test results of a spark-ignition and a compression-ignition 2-stroke-cycle engine

This report presents performance results of air cooled and water-cooled engines. The results obtained were sufficiently promising to warrant further investigation with fuel injection and spark ignition, with the same arrangement of inlet ports and exhaust valves at the bottom of the cylinder and the exhaust gases discharged through two poppet valves in the cylinder head. The displacement of the engine was 118 cubic inches. Optimum performance was obtained with the inlet air directed into the cylinder at an angle of 20 degrees to the radial.
Date: May 14, 1934
Creator: Spanogle, J. A. & Whitney, E. G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears - 1 (open access)

The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears - 1

This report presents the results of tests made in the 7-by 10-foot wind tunnel and in the 20-foot tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to determine the drag of a number of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears designed or selected for an airplane of 3,000 pounds gross weight. All tests were made on full-size models; those in the 7-by 10-foot tunnel were made at air speeds up to 80 miles per hour and those in the 20-foot tunnel were made at air speeds up to 100 miles per hour. Although most of the landing-gear tests were made in conjunction with a fuselage and at 0 degree pitch angle, some of the tests were made in conjunction with fuselage plus wings and a radial air-cooled engine and at pitch angles from -5 degrees to 6 degrees to obtain an indication of the general effect of these various items on landing-gear drag.
Date: February 9, 1934
Creator: Herrnstein, William H., Jr. & Biermann, David
System: The UNT Digital Library
The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears 2: nonretractable and partly retractable landing gears (open access)

The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears 2: nonretractable and partly retractable landing gears

This is the second report giving the results obtained in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel on the drag due to landing gears. The present report gives the results of tests of nonretractable and partly retractable landing gears intended for heavier low-wing monoplanes of the transport and bomber type.
Date: June 21, 1934
Creator: Biermann, David & Herrnstein, William H., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears - 3 (open access)

The drag of airplane wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears - 3

The tests reported in this report conclude the investigation of landing-gear drag that has been carried out in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel. They supplement earlier tests (reported in Technical Report No. 485) made with full-scale dummy wheels, wheel fairings, and landing gears intended for airplanes of 3,000 pounds gross weight and include tests of tail wheels and tail skids.
Date: November 21, 1934
Creator: Herrnstein, William H., Jr. & Biermann, David
System: The UNT Digital Library
The effect of baffles on the temperature distribution and heat-transfer coefficients of finned cylinders (open access)

The effect of baffles on the temperature distribution and heat-transfer coefficients of finned cylinders

This report presents the results of an investigation to determine the effect of baffles on the temperature distribution and the heat-transfer coefficient of finned cylinders. The tests were conducted in a 30-inch wind tunnel on electrically heated cylinders with fins of 0.25 and 0.31 inch pitch. The results of these tests showed that the use of integral baffles gave a reduction of 31.9 percent in the rear wall temperatures and an increase of 54.2 percent in the heat transfer coefficient as compared with a cylinder without baffles.
Date: September 26, 1934
Creator: Schey, Oscar W. & Rollin, Vern G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effect of moderate air flow on the distribution of fuel sprays after injection cut-off (open access)

Effect of moderate air flow on the distribution of fuel sprays after injection cut-off

"High-speed motion pictures were taken of fuel sprays with the NACA spray-photographic apparatus to study the distribution of the liquid fuel from the instant of injection cut-off until about 0.05 second later. The fuel was injected into a glass-walled chamber in which the air density was varied from 1 to 13 times atmospheric air density (0.0765 to 0.99 pound per cubic foot) and in which the air was at room temperature. The air in the chamber was set in motion by means of a fan, and was directed counter to the spray at velocities up to 27 feet per second" (p. 163).
Date: February 14, 1934
Creator: Rothrock, A. M. & Spencer, R. C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effect of Spray Strips on the Take-Off Performance of a Model of a Flying-Boat Hull (open access)

The Effect of Spray Strips on the Take-Off Performance of a Model of a Flying-Boat Hull

"The effect on the take-off performance of a model of the hull of a typical flying boat, Navy PH-1, of fitting spray strips of four different widths, each at three different angles, was determined by model tests in the NACA Tank. Spray strips of widths up to 3 percent of the beam improve the general performance at speeds near the hump and reduce the spray thrown. A downward angle of 30 degrees to 45 degrees in the neighborhood of the step seems most favorable for the reduction of the spray" (p. 523).
Date: June 15, 1934
Creator: Truscott, Starr
System: The UNT Digital Library
The estimation of maximum load capacity of seaplanes and flying boats (open access)

The estimation of maximum load capacity of seaplanes and flying boats

This reports presents a method of calculating time and gross load for take-off of seaplanes and flying boats.
Date: January 1934
Creator: Diehl, Walter S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Experimental investigation of the Robinson-type cup anemometer (open access)

Experimental investigation of the Robinson-type cup anemometer

This report presents the results of wind tunnel tests on a Robinson-type anemometer. The investigation covered force measurements on individual cups, as well as static and dynamic torque measurements and calibrations on complete cup wheels. In the tests on individual cups 5 cup forms were used and in the measurements on complete cup wheels 4 cup wheels with 3 arm lengths for each cup wheel were tested. All the results are presented in graphical form.
Date: October 10, 1934
Creator: Brevoort, M. J. & Joyner, U. T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Flight Investigation of Lateral Control Devices for Use With Full-Span Flaps (open access)

Flight Investigation of Lateral Control Devices for Use With Full-Span Flaps

This report presents the results of flight tests made on five different lateral control devices that appeared adaptable to wings fitted with full span flaps: controllable auxiliary airfoils (airfoils mounted above and forward of the leading edge of the wings), external ailerons (airfoils mounted above the wing and slightly forward of its maximum ordinate), upper-surface ailerons (similar to split trailing-edge flaps except that they constitute the upper surface of the wing), ailerons that retract into the wing when in neutral, and narrow-chord conventional ailerons in combination with a special type of split flap that retracts into the under surface of the wing forward of the ailerons.
Date: November 7, 1934
Creator: Soulé, H. A. & McAvoy, W. H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Flight Investigation of the Effect of Mass Distribution and Control Setting on the Spinning of the XN2Y-1 Airplane (open access)

A Flight Investigation of the Effect of Mass Distribution and Control Setting on the Spinning of the XN2Y-1 Airplane

"The investigation of the effect of mass distribution on the spinning of airplanes initiated with tests on the NY-1 airplane has been continued by tests on another airplane in order to increase the scope of the information and to observe particularly the behavior of an airplane that shows considerable change in sideslip angle for its various conditions of spinning. The XN2Y-1 naval training biplane was used for the present tests in which changes of ballast along the longitudinal and lateral axes and changes of aileron, stabilizer, and elevator settings were made. The effects of these changes on the steady spin were measured in flight' (p. 185).
Date: January 10, 1934
Creator: Scudder, N. F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Flight Investigation of the Lateral Control Characteristics of Short Wide Ailerons and Various Spoilers With Different Amounts of Wing Dihedral (open access)

A Flight Investigation of the Lateral Control Characteristics of Short Wide Ailerons and Various Spoilers With Different Amounts of Wing Dihedral

This report presents the results of flight tests made to determine the lateral control characteristics of short wide ailerons and spoilers, as a consequence of the promise shown in wind-tunnel tests by these devices as means of obtaining lateral control, particularly at angles of attack above the stall. Several forms of spoilers, front-hinge, rear-hinge, plain retractable, and saw-tooth retractable were tested alone and in combination with the ailerons. The tests were made with several different amounts of wing dihedral so that the effect of the yawing moments of the different lateral control combinations, which varied from large negative to large positive values, could be evaluated. In conjunction with the tests, observations were made to throw some light on the feasibility of operating the airplane with two controls instead of the present three.
Date: May 19, 1934
Creator: Weick, Fred E.; Soulé, Hartley A. & Gough, Melvin N.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of a PCA-2 autogiro rotor (open access)

Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of a PCA-2 autogiro rotor

This report presents the results of force tests on and air-flow surveys near PCA-2 autogiro rotor in the NACA full-scale wind tunnel. The force tests were made at three pitch settings and several rotor speeds; the effect of fairing protuberances on the rotor blade was determined. Induced downwash and yaw angles were determined at low tip-speed ratios in a plane 1 1/2 feet above the path of the blade tips. The results show that the maximum l/d of the rotor cannot be appreciably increased by increasing the blade pitch angle above about 4.5 degrees at the blade tip; that the protuberances on the blades cause more than 5 percent of the total rotor drag; and that the rotor center-of-pressure travel is very small.
Date: October 12, 1934
Creator: Wheatley, John B. & Hood, Manley J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
General equations for the stress analysis of rings (open access)

General equations for the stress analysis of rings

In this report it is shown that the shear, axial force, and moment at one point in a simple ring subjected to any loading condition can be given by three independent equations involving certain integrals that must be evaluated regardless of the method of analysis used. It is also shown how symmetry of the ring alone or of the ring and the loading about 1 or 2 axes makes it possible to simplify the three equations and greatly reduces the number of integrals that must be evaluated. Application of the general equations presented in this report to practical problems in the stress analysis of rings makes it possible to shorten, simplify, and systematize the calculations for both simple and braced rings. Three illustrative problems are included to demonstrate the application of the general equations to a simple ring with different loadings.
Date: August 10, 1934
Creator: Lundquist, Eugene E. & Burke, Walter F.
System: The UNT Digital Library