Acoustic measurements of a large cavity in a wind tunnel

Acoustic measurements were made with inside and far-field microphones. Correlation of measured frequencies with available theories indicates that existing theories are applicable over a broader range than previously shown. The cavity configuration with a partial covering downstream amplified tonal intensities. The frequency of the tones depended on cavity size, not on cavity open area. Introducing upstream disturbances decreased the amplitude of the cavity tones

LDA seeding system for the Langley Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel

A Laser Velocimetry (LV) seeding system was specifically developed for the Langley Low Turbulence Wind Tunnel (LTPT), and it has been successfully used for LV measurements in two major tests (Juncture Flow Experiment and Gortler Experiment). The LTPT is capable of operating at Mach numbers from 0.05 to 0.50 and unit Reynolds numbers from 100,000 to 15,000,000 per foot. The test section is 3 feet wide and 7.5 feet high. The turbulence level in the test section is relatively low because of the high contraction ratio and because of the nine turbulence reduction screens in the settling chamber. A primary requirement of the seeding system was that the seeding material not contaminate or damage in any way these screens. Both solid and liquid seeding systems were evaluated, and the results are presented. They can provide some guidelines for setting up seeding systems in other similar tunnels

Laser velocimeter measurements in a wing-fuselage type juncture

A single axis, five beam, three component laser velocimeter system was used in a juncture flow experiment. A description of the seeding system developed for and used in this experiment is given. The performanace of the LV system was evaluated, and some of the problems associated with it were identified. Satisfactory results were obtained in the juncture flow experiments using this LV system

Feasibility of making sound power measurements in the NASA Langley V/STOL tunnel test section

Based on exploratory acoustic measurements in Langley's V/STOL wind tunnel, recommendations are made on the methodology for making sound power measurements of aircraft components in the closed tunnel test section. During airflow, tunnel self-noise and microphone flow-induced noise place restrictions on the amplitude and spectrum of the sound source to be measured. Models of aircraft components with high sound level sources, such as thrust engines and powered lift systems, seem likely candidates for acoustic testing

A calibration technique for a hot-wire-probe vector anemometer

Calibration tests using hot wires were conducted using a newly developed test rig that greatly reduced the data acquisition time. A comparison of measured and computed velocity vector magnitude and direction indicates the necessity of complete probe calibration to determine flow interference and/or operating limitation regions. Calibration results indicate that flow rates with 3 percent accuracy and flow angles with 5 deg accuracy are attainable

Considerations for the installation of honeycomb and screens to reduce wind-tunnel turbulence

Tests were conducted on a half-scale model representing a 0.914-m (3.0-ft) square stream tube of the flow through the fourth corner and settling chamber of the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel. The model included the tube cooler 45 degree turning vanes, and the turbulence reduction screens and honeycomb, which were the subject of the tests. Hot-wire measurements of the turbulence reduction for various combinations of screens and honeycomb were made at various duct speeds. Of the four sizes of honeycomb cells tested, none were found to have a superior performance advantage. The effectiveness of screens and honeycomb in reducing turbulence is greatly affected by relatively minor physical damage; therefore, extreme care must be exercised in installing and maintaining honeycomb or screens if the turbulence reduction performance is to be maintained

Further analysis of broadband noise measurements for a rotating blade operating with and without its shed wake blown downstream

An experimental investigation has been conducted to investigate the broadband noise generated by a rotating-blade system. Tests were made with circular and NACA 0012 rotor-blade sections. The blades were operated only with zero lift at each radial station. Tests were made both with zero axial velocity, so that the blades operated in their own turbulent wake, and with a small axial velocity imposed by the wind tunnel to blow the wake of one blade away before the passage of the next blade. The rotor with cylindrical blades generally radiated more noise throughout the noise spectrum than did the rotor with airfoil blades. Blowing the blade wake away from the rotor with cylindrical blades did not have any appreciable effect on the amplitude frequency spectrum, and the predominant noise was broadband, either with tunnel wind on or off. For the rotor with airfoil blades, however, blowing the blade wake away changed the character of the noise spectrum completely in that broadband noise was eliminated or diminished to such an extent as to be indistinguishable. The broadband noise of the airfoil-bladed rotor with zero axial velocity is apparently caused by lift fluctuations due to velocity components of the turbulence normal to the plane of rotation

Comparison of experimental and theoretical turbulence reduction characteristics for screens, honeycomb, and honeycomb-screen combinations

Turbulence reduction research using screens, honeycomb, and combinations thereof was conducted in a half-scale model of a portion of the Langley 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel. It was found that screens alone reduce axial turbulence more than lateral turbulence; whereas, honeycomb alone reduces laterial turbulence more than axial turbulence. Because of this difference, the physical mechanism for decreasing turbulence for screens and honeycomb must be completely different. It is concluded that honeycomb with a downstream screen is an excellent combination for reducing turbulences

The effect of the low Earth orbit environment on space solar cells: Results of the Advanced Photovoltaic Experiment (S0014)

The results of post-flight performance testing of the solar cells flown on the Advanced Photovoltaic Experiment are reported. Comparison of post-flight current-voltage characteristics with similar pre-flight data revealed little or no change in solar cell conversion efficiency, confirming the reliability and endurance of space photovoltaic cells. This finding is in agreement with the lack of significant physical changes in the solar cells despite nearly six years in the low Earth orbit environment

Thermal Cycling of Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) Test Panels

The Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) project was a joint US/Russian effort to build a photovoltaic (PV) solar array and deliver it to the Russian space station Mir. The MCSA is currently being used to increase the electrical power on Mir and provide PV array performance data in support of Phase 1 of the International Space Station (ISS), which will use arrays based on the same solar cells used in the MCSA. The US supplied the photovoltaic power modules (PPMs) and provided technical and programmatic oversight while Russia provided the array support structures and deployment mechanism and built and tested the array. In order to ensure that there would be no problems with the interface between US and Russian hardware, an accelerated thermal life cycle test was performed at NASA Lewis Research Center on two representative samples of the MCSA. Over an eight-month period (August 1994 - March 1995), two 15-cell MCSA solar array 'mini' panel test articles were simultaneously put through 24,000 thermal cycles (+80 C to -100 C), equivalent to four years on-orbit. The test objectives, facility, procedure and results are described in this paper. Post-test inspection and evaluation revealed no significant degradation in the structural integrity of the test articles and no electrical degradation, not including one cell damaged early as an artifact of the test and removed from consideration. The interesting nature of the performance degradation caused by this one cell, which only occurred at elevated temperatures, is discussed. As a result of this test, changes were made to improve some aspects of the solar cell coupon-to-support frame interface on the flight unit. It was concluded from the results that the integration of the US solar cell modules with the Russian support structure would be able to withstand at least 24,000 thermal cycles (4 years on-orbit)