Design of Recording Wind Tunnel Balances (open access)

Design of Recording Wind Tunnel Balances

Given here is a description of the design of a scientific recording wind tunnel balance. It was decided that the most satisfactory arrangement would be a rigid ring completely surrounding the tunnel or wind stream, so that the model could be supported from it by wires or any arrangement of spindles. The forces and moments acting on this ring can then be recorded by suitable weighing apparatus. The methods available for recording forces on the arms are explained. The proposed type of balance will support the model rigidly in a variety of ways, will make a complete test without attention, and will plot the results so that all computations are avoided.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Norton, F. H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
High thermal efficiency in airplane service (open access)

High thermal efficiency in airplane service

Described here is a method by which high average fuel economy has been achieved in aircraft engines. Details are given of the design of certain foreign engines that employ an unusual type of fuel-air ratio control in which the change in power produced by a mixture change is due almost entirely to the change in the power producing ability of the unit weight of the mixture. The safety and performance features of this type of control are explained.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Sparrow, S. W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Instrument for measuring engine clearance volumes (open access)

Instrument for measuring engine clearance volumes

With the advent of the V type engine, a new method to measure the clearance volume in cylinders was needed. It was suggested that this measurement could be made by a process which consisted essentially of simultaneously changing both a known and unknown volume of gas by a known amount and then calculating the magnitude of the unknown from the resulting difference in pressure between the two. An instrument based on this design is described.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Sparrow, S. W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Progress Made in the Construction of Giant Airplanes in Germany During the War (open access)

Progress Made in the Construction of Giant Airplanes in Germany During the War

The construction of giant airplanes was begun in Germany in August, 1914. The tables annexed here show that a large number of airplanes weighing up to 15.5 tons were constructed and tested in Germany during the War, and it is certain that no other country turned out airplanes of this weight nor in such large numbers. An examination of the tables shows that by the end of the War all the manufacturers had arrived at a well-defined type, namely an airplane of about 12 tons with four engines of 260 horsepower each. The aircraft listed here are discussed with regard to useful weight and aerodynamic qualities.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Baumann, A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Steadiness Factor in Engine Sets (open access)

The Steadiness Factor in Engine Sets

Technical notes discussing the steadiness factor in engines and the calculations that can be used to arrive at it. Factors affecting the steadiness factor are detailed, including the mass of parts, torque, engine rotation, and power.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Margoulis, W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Variable Speed Fan Dynamometer (open access)

A Variable Speed Fan Dynamometer

Fan brakes used as absorption dynamometers in testing internal combustion engines have the disadvantage that a given fan will run only at one speed when the engine is delivering full power. In order to be able to vary the speed at which a given power will be absorbed, English manufacturers have for some time been using a cylindrical housing around the fan with one or two variable openings in the periphery. Here, results are given of tests conducted to determine how great a range of speed can be obtained from such a device.
Date: December 1920
Creator: Wood, Karl D.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dependence of Propeller Efficiency on Angle of Attack of Propeller Blade (open access)

Dependence of Propeller Efficiency on Angle of Attack of Propeller Blade

In order to determine the maximum and the most favorable pitch for a propeller, it was found desirable to investigate the dependence of propeller efficiency on the angle of attack of the propeller blade. The results of a few experiments are given to show that propeller blades conduct themselves just like airplane wings with reference to the dependence of their efficiency on their angle of attack.
Date: December 1921
Creator: Borck, Hermann
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Varying the Relative Vertical Position of Wing and Fuselage (open access)

Effects of Varying the Relative Vertical Position of Wing and Fuselage

"The object of this series of experiments was to determine the influence of the relative vertical position of wing and fuselage on the efficiency of the wing. Since the longitudinal position of the wing can be varied but slightly with reference to the center of gravity in a normal airplane, it was kept constant in the experiments to be described and only the vertical position of the wing with reference to the fuselage was varied" (p. 1).
Date: December 1921
Creator: Prandtl, L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Ground Influence on Aerofoils (open access)

Ground Influence on Aerofoils

The question of ground influence on airplanes has recently attracted some attention in view of the claims made by certain designers that the landing speed of their airplanes is much decreased by an increase in lift coefficient due to the proximity of the ground in landing. The results of wind tunnel tests indicate that ground effect is not entirely beneficial. It decreases the landing speed and cushions the landing shock somewhat. However, it does so at the expense of an increased length of preliminary skimming over the ground.
Date: December 1921
Creator: Raymond, Arthur E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Mechanical Device for Illustrating Airplane Stability (open access)

A Mechanical Device for Illustrating Airplane Stability

An instrument is described which will illustrate completely in a qualitative sense the longitudinal stability characteristics of an airplane. The instrument is primarily of use for the lecture room, but it is hoped that ultimately it will be possible to obtain quantitative results from it.
Date: December 1921
Creator: Norton, F. E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Mutual Influence of Wings and Propeller (open access)

Mutual Influence of Wings and Propeller

Report presenting an experiment consisting of an aerofoil and propeller in order to discover the mutual influence between the two components and variations in moment due to the propeller influence.
Date: December 1921
Creator: Prandtl, L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Airplane performance, past and present (open access)

Airplane performance, past and present

Report discussing the progress of airplane performance and measured by speed.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Warner, Edward P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Balloon Fabrics Made of Goldbeater's Skins (open access)

Balloon Fabrics Made of Goldbeater's Skins

Goldbeater's skin, which is the prepared outside membrane of the large intestine of an ox, is examined as a balloon fabric and details of how goldbeater's skin is prepared for use are provided. The construction techniques employed by Germany, France, and England are all discussed.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Chollet, L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Commercial Airplanes and Seaplanes: Thick Wings or Thin Wings - All Metal or Mixed Construction (open access)

Commercial Airplanes and Seaplanes: Thick Wings or Thin Wings - All Metal or Mixed Construction

In this report we will consider, as the dominating characteristic, either the load carried, the speed, the radius of action, the fuel consumption, the activity of transport, or, lastly, the qualities of comfort and safety. The first four factors determine the theoretical efficiency, while the others determine its practical efficiency.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Point
System: The UNT Digital Library
Depreciation of Aircraft (open access)

Depreciation of Aircraft

Report presenting an examination of the concept that aircraft are essentially fragile and deteriorate rapidly when in service, which the author considers to be a misunderstanding due to the intense conditions occurring during war. Some examples of commercial airplane lines that have been running for several years and some potential deterioration costs that must be considered are provided.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Warner, Edward P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Further Information on the Laws of Fluid Resistance (open access)

Further Information on the Laws of Fluid Resistance

Note presenting experiments with cylinders of different shapes and some of the strange phenomena that manifested in connection with the cylinder.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Wieselsberger, C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Influence of Design on Cost of Operating Airplanes (open access)

Influence of Design on Cost of Operating Airplanes

The author discusses cost of operating commercial airplanes and endeavors to clear up prevalent misunderstandings. Curves of operating cost for varying duration, speed, reserve horsepower, etc. are developed.
Date: December 1922
Creator: Black, Archibald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Aeronautical Record: No. 1 (to June, 1923) (open access)

Aeronautical Record: No. 1 (to June, 1923)

Memorandum presenting an overview of the development of aeronautical industries and commercial aircraft as well as some of the problems that are resulting from it. Details of the aeronautical budget in various countries, organization of the air service, material exports, and airline operations are provided.
Date: December 1923
Creator: unknown
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compressive Strength of Tapered Airplane Struts (open access)

Compressive Strength of Tapered Airplane Struts

Note presenting methods for ascertaining the value of n in Euler's simplified formula, which can be used for the compressive strength of tapered airplane struts, by estimating from curves and by calculation.
Date: December 1923
Creator: Lewe, Viktor
System: The UNT Digital Library
Compressive Strength of Tapered Airplane Struts (open access)

Compressive Strength of Tapered Airplane Struts

Methods are here given for ascertaining the value of n in Euler's simplified formula, P = n (EI/l(sup 2)), for the compressive strength of tapered airplane struts, by estimating from curves and by calculation.
Date: December 1923
Creator: Lewe, Viktor
System: The UNT Digital Library
Experiments With Fabrics for Covering Airplane Wings, to Determine Effect of Method of Installation (open access)

Experiments With Fabrics for Covering Airplane Wings, to Determine Effect of Method of Installation

Note presenting some information on the effect of changes in the loading and in the disposition of the supporting framework on the covering fabric. The magnitude of the air forces to be taken into account and the corresponding factors of safety to be expected will be covered in a future report. Tables regarding some of these fabric characteristics are provided.
Date: December 1923
Creator: Pröll, A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Factors of Safety (open access)

Factors of Safety

Factors of safety serve three purposes: provides against trouble arising from unexpectedly large loads, allows for imperfections of workmanship, represents a depreciation allowance. A consideration of these safety factors is provided in this report.
Date: December 1923
Creator: Warner, Edward P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Nichols Wing Cutting Equipment (open access)

The Nichols Wing Cutting Equipment

Described here is wing cutting equipment for the economical production of metal wings for wind tunnel models. The machine will make any size of constant-section wing or strut up to one-sixth inch chord by 36-inch span and up to a thickness of one and one-quarter inches. It cuts a smooth, true model that is accurate to within two-thousandths of an inch on any ordinate. The holding jaws are so designed as to leave the model free of chip marks, and the only hand finishing necessary after the cutting is a rub with amunite to remove burrs. The actual change on ordinate in this finishing rub is less than .0002 inches.
Date: December 1923
Creator: Ford, James B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reduction in Efficiency of Propellers Due to Slipstream (open access)

Reduction in Efficiency of Propellers Due to Slipstream

"In the slipstream behind a propeller there is a considerable amount of kinetic energy which has been imparted to it by the engine without producing any corresponding propeller thrust. The increased absorption of power reduces the propeller efficiency. Attention has been previously directed to this question by Bendemann and Madelung and other writers. Their contribution serves to verify a simple method of calculating the reduction in the propeller efficiency due to the slip stream" (p. 1).
Date: December 1923
Creator: Munk, Max M.
System: The UNT Digital Library