Measurement of aerodynamic and acoustic quantities describing flow around a body placed in a wind tunnel

Aerodynamically generated noise affects passenger comfort in cars, high-speed trains, and airplanes, and thus, automobile manufacturers aim for its reduction. Investigation methods of noise and vibration sources can be divided into two groups, i.e. experimental research and mathematical research. Recently, owing to the increase in computing power, research in aerodynamically generated noise (aero-acoustics) is beginning to use modem methods such as computational fluid dynamics or fluid-structure interaction. The mathematical model of turbulent flow is given by the system of partial differential equations, its solution is ambiguous and thus requires verification by physical experiment. The results of numerical methods are affected by the boundary conditions of high quality gained from the actual experiment. This article describes an application of complex measurement methodology in the aerodynamic and acoustic (vibro-acoustic) fields. The first part of the paper is focused on the specification of the experimental equipment, i.e. the wind tunnel, which was significantly upgraded in order to obtain the relevant aerodynamics and vibro-acoustics data. The paper presents specific results from the measurement of the aerodynamic and vibro-acoustic fields.Web of Science191282

Development and flight tests of vortex-attenuating splines

The ground tests and full-scale flight tests conducted during development of the vortex-attenuating spline are described. The flight tests were conducted using a vortex generating aircraft with and without splines; a second aircraft was used to probe the vortices generated in both cases. The results showed that splines significantly reduced the vortex effects, but resulted in some noise and climb performance penalties on the generating aircraft

Aeronautical Engineering. A continuing bibliography, supplement 115

This bibliography lists 273 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in October 1979

Investigation of light source and scattering medium related to vapor-screen flow visualization in a supersonic wind tunnel

Methods for increasing the radiant in light sheets used for vapor screen set-ups were investigated. Both high-pressure mercury arc lamps and lasers were considered. Pulsed operation of the air-cooled 1-kW lamps increased the light output but decreased reliability. An ellipsoidal mirror improved the output of the air-cooled lamps by concentrating the light but increased the complexity of the housing. Water-cooled-4-kW lamps coupled with high-aperture Fresnel lenses provided reasonable improvements over the air-cooled lamps. Fanned laser beams measurements of scattered light versus dew point made in conjunction with successful attempts to control the fluid injection. A number of smoke generators are described and test results comparing smoke and vapor screens are shown. Finally, one test included a periscope system to relay the image to a camera outside the flow

Langley aerospace test highlights, 1985

The role of the Langley Research Center is to perform basic and applied research necessary for the advancement of aeronautics and space flight, to generate new and advanced concepts for the accomplishment of related national goals, and to provide research advice, technological support, and assistance to other NASA installations, other government agencies, and industry. Significant tests which were performed during calendar year 1985 in Langley test facilities, are highlighted. Both the broad range of the research and technology activities at the Langley Research Center and the contributions of this work toward maintaining United States leadership in aeronautics and space research, are illustrated. Other highlights of Langley research and technology for 1985 are described in Research and Technology-1985 Annual Report of the Langley Research Center

Aeronautical Engineering: A special bibliography with indexes, supplement 55

This bibliography lists 260 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in February 1975

Embouchure Interaction Model for Brass Instruments

A common approach for simulating brass instrument sounds is that of a mass-spring system strongly coupled to an air tube resonator of a certain length. This approach, while yielding good quality timbre results for the synthesized audio, does not aid expressive sound synthesis. An improvement of this modeling design is proposed, which takes into account the independent movement of the embouchure and its influence on the sound. To achieve this interaction, vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is taken into account as an additional source of excitation for the mass-spring system. In addition to this, the model also simulates breath noise of a brass instrument player, which is dependent of the embouchure’s aperture dimensionality. The end result is a real-time VST application of a brass instrument with augmented embouchure interaction. The process loop of the VST is presented step-by-step and the application is evaluated both through informal listening and spectral measurements. From this evaluation, the model showcases a more varied and veridic timbre of brass sound, that supports a more expressive playing style

Experimental Investigation of Airfoil Trailing Edge Noise Reduction by using TE Serrations

The growing prominence of aerodynamic noise from wind turbine blades at high wind speeds has made it the primary source of noise for wind turbines, with adverse effects on nearby residents' living conditions. This study focuses on experimental research conducted in an anechoic wind tunnel to investigate the noise reduction mechanism of wind turbine blade airfoils using serrated trailing edges, aiming to contribute to the development of low-noise wind turbine blades. Three models, including two types of NACA series airfoils and one reference plate with attachable serrated trailing edges, were tested. The findings reveal that airfoils with serrated trailing edges exhibit a 3 to 6 dB reduction in the mid-high frequency wideband noise, with the width of the frequency band of noise reduction slightly increasing as the Reynolds number rises. The presence of serrations also eliminates multiple tones of high amplitude exceeding 10 dB. The study highlights serration height as the most influential factor for noise reduction, surpassing the significance of serration width and the ratio of width to height. Moreover, investigations into the noise reduction mechanism indicate varying degrees of reduction in streamwise fluctuating velocity spectra near the serrated trailing edge, even aligning with changes in the sound power spectra. Serrations were found to alter the turbulence length scale in the downstream flow field, potentially impacting noise generation. This study suggests that the reduction in streamwise fluctuating velocity near the serrated trailing edge plays a crucial role in noise reduction, highlighting the importance of detailed flow field measurements and analysis for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanistic relationship between flow changes and serration-induced noise reduction

Laser Doppler velocimeter system simulation for sensing aircraft wake vortices

A hydrodynamic model of aircraft vortex wakes in an irregular wind shear field near the ground is developed and used as a basis for modeling the characteristics of a laser Doppler detection and vortex location system. The trailing vortex sheet and the wind shear are represented by discrete free vortices distributed over a two-dimensional grid. The time dependent hydrodynamic equations are solved by direct numerical integration in the Boussinesq approximation. The ground boundary is simulated by images, and fast Fourier Transform techniques are used to evaluate the vorticity stream function. The atmospheric turbulence was simulated by constructing specific realizations at time equal to zero, assuming that Kolmogoroff's law applies, and that the dissipation rate is constant throughout the flow field. The response of a simulated laser Doppler velocimeter is analyzed by simulating the signal return from the flow field as sensed by a simulation of the optical/electronic system

MODIS: Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer

This brochure describes the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA's Terra satellite. The first NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite, Terra, was launched on December 18, 1999, carrying five remote sensors. The most comprehensive EOS sensor is MODIS which offers a unique combination of features: it detects a wide spectral range of electromagnetic energy; it takes measurements at three spatial resolutions (levels of detail); it takes measurements all day, every day; and it has a wide field of view. This continual, comprehensive coverage allows MODIS to complete an electromagnetic picture of the globe every two days. Educational levels: Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate or professional, Informal education