Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines on the annual study of the work done by the Mining Division. Investigations, operations, and projects completed during the fiscal year are discussed. This report includes tables, and photographs.

Aerodynamic characteristics of a tapered NACA 23012 airfoil with single and double perforated split flaps have been determined in the NACA 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel. Dynamic pressure surveys were made behind the airfoil at the approximate location of the tail in order to determine the extent and location of the wake for several of the flap arrangements. In addition, computations have been made of an application of perforated double split flaps for use as fighter brakes. The results indicated that single or double perforated split flaps may be used to obtain satisfactory dive control without undue buffeting effects and that single or double perforated split flaps may also be used as fighter brakes. The perforated split flaps had approximately the same effects on the aerodynamic and wake characteristics of the tapered airfoil as on a comparable rectangular airfoil.

Report presenting an investigation in the NACA 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel of several arrangements of a plug-type, spoiler-slot aileron on an NACA 23012 airfoil with a full-span slotted flap. The results indicated that a plug-type, spoiler-slot aileron probably has negligible drag in the neutral position and will provide satisfactory lateral control for airplanes equipped with full-span slotted flaps.

"Preliminary two-dimensional tests of the hinge-moment characteristics of a 0.1725c internally balanced aileron on the subject XP-60 wing section indicated that more internal balance would be required if light stick forces were to be obtained at high speeds. The present series of tests were therefore undertaken in order to investigate methods of reducing the slope of the hinge-moment curve while still maintaining the required aileron effectiveness" (p. 1).

Report presenting testing to determine if the change of several specific variables with extreme change of humidity and test-bench temperature will have an appreciable effect on several parameters used to determine supercharger performance.

Report presenting single-cylinder tests were made with several different engines over a period of time, which have shown that a large overlap between the time of inlet valve opening and exhaust valve closing results in a considerable increase in the maximum power obtainable from a supercharged engine and reduces cylinder temperatures.

"The performance of an exhaust turbine driving a supercharger is investigated by means of a sample calculation based on reasonable assumptions for the purpose of determining whether the assumed installation is stable with respect to changes in the mass of gas handled, boost pressure, etc. The arrangement was found to be stable throughout the entire range of operation. The method developed can be generally applied" (p. 1).

"About two-thirds of the residual stress in cold-worked SAE 1050 steel tie rods was relieved by heating 30 minutes at 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold-worked austenitic stainless-steel tie rods could be heated at temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit without lowering the important physical properties. The corrosion resistance, in laboratory corrosion test, of straight 18:8 and titanium-treated 18:8 materials appeared to be impaired after heating at temperatures above 800 degrees or 900 degrees Fahrenheit" (p. 1).

Report details an investigation into various potential improvements and modifications to pursuit airplanes. NACA low-drag airfoil sections and their use for reducing drag and increasing compressibility speeds were examined. Other items covered include the propeller slipstream, high-speed cowling arrangement, and placement of wing guns.

"A collection of data on the elevator deflections used in landings of several airplanes is presented in tabular form. The physical characteristics of these airplanes are also given. The elevator deflections used in landing some airplanes was found to be as much as 14.4 degrees greater than that used to stall under the same flight and loading conditions" (p. 1).

Report presenting the results obtained in compression tests of eight stiffened panels. The radius-thickness ratio of the skin between stiffeners varied from 400 to infinity.

Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines discussing the annual report over the research and technology of coal during 1941. As stated in the foreword, "these investigations increase our fund of exact knowledge on the properties and composition of American coals and lead to better methods in mining, preparing, storing, and utilizing coal" (p. 4). This report includes tables, illustrations, photographs, and a map.

Tests of 10-ft. diameter, eight-blade, single - and dual - rotating propellers were conducted in 20-ft propeller research tunnel. Propellers were mounted at front end of a streamline body in spinners that covered hubs and parts of shanks. Effect of a symmetrical wing mounted in slipstream was investigated. Blade-angle settings ranged from 20 Degrees to 65 Degrees. Results indicated that dual rotation resulted in gains of from 1 to 8 percent in efficiency over single rotation for eight-blade propellers, but presence of a wing reduced gain about one-half. Greater power absorption caused by dual rotation over flight range and higher efficiency or thrust for range of take-off and climb was indicated.

The speed of a two-dimensional flow potential flow past a smooth wall, which evinces a finite curvature jump at a certain point and approximates to two arcs in the surrounding area, has a vertical tangent of inflection in the critical point as a function of the arc length of the boundary curve. This report looks at a general theorem of the local character of the conformal function at the critical point as well as the case of the finite curvature jump.

"The long-time loading strength of a number of laminated synthetic resin plastics was ascertained and the effect of molding pressure and resin content determined. The best value was observed with a 30 to 40 percent resin content. The long-time loading strength also increases with increasing molding pressure up to 250 kg/cm(exp 2); a further rise in pressure affords no further substantial improvement" (p. 1)..

"The investigation was made for the purpose of ascertaining the notch sensitivity of flat strips of light alloy with cylindrical holes under initial tension stress, with special attention to the change in notch-effect factors with the number of load cycles. Then the studies were extended to similar flat strips with pin-loaded holes (tension lugs). This report deals with fatigue tests under initial tension load on flat test specimens of 3116.5 duralumin and AZM 3510.1 electron with plain unloaded and pin-loaded holes (tension lugs) of different forms" (p. 1).

Report presenting a solution for reducing the fatigue of the Diesel engine by permitting the preservation of its components and, at the same time, raising its specific horsepower to a par with that of carburetor engines, while maintaining for the Diesel engine its perogative of burning heavy fuel under optimum economical conditions. The feeding of Diesel engines by injection pumps actuated by engine compression achieves the required high speeds of injection readily and permits rigorous control of the combustible charge introduced into each cylinder and of the peak pressure in the resultant cycle.