Low speed tests of a fixed geometry inlet for a tilt nacelle V/STOL airplane

Test data were obtained with a 1/4 scale cold flow model of the inlet at freestream velocities from 0 to 77 m/s (150 knots) and angles of attack from 45 deg to 120 deg. A large scale model was tested with a high bypass ratio turbofan in the NASA/ARC wind tunnel. A fixed geometry inlet is a viable concept for a tilt nacelle V/STOL application. Comparison of data obtained with the two models indicates that flow separation at high angles of attack and low airflow rates is strongly sensitive to Reynolds number and that the large scale model has a significantly improved range of separation-free operation

Reduction of acoustic disturbances in the test section of supersonic wind tunnels by laminarizing their nozzle and test section wall boundary layers by means of suction

The feasibility of quiet, suction laminarized, high Reynolds number (Re) supersonic wind tunnel nozzles was studied. According to nozzle wall boundary layer development and stability studies, relatively weak area suction can prevent amplified nozzle wall TS (Tollmien-Schlichting) boundary layer oscillations. Stronger suction is needed in and shortly upstream of the supersonic concave curvature nozzle area to avoid transition due to amplified TG (Taylor-Goertler) vortices. To control TG instability, moderately rapid and slow expansion nozzles require smaller total suction rates than rapid expansion nozzles, at the cost of larger nozzle length Re and increased TS disturbances. Test section mean flow irregularities can be minimized with suction through longitudinal or highly swept slots (swept behind local Mach cone) as well as finely perforated surfaces. Longitudinal slot suction is optimized when the suction-induced crossflow velocity increases linearly with surface distance from the slot attachment line toward the slot (through suitable slot geometry). Suction in supersonic blowdown tunnels may be operated by one or several individual vacuum spheres

Transonic and supersonic test of a Mach 2.65 mixed-compression axisymmetric intake

The test results describe isolated intake performance between Mach 0.95 and the cruise Mach number of 2.65 at angles of incidence from +5 to -5 deg. Maximum total pressure recoveries of over 94 percent with 10 percent distortion were recorded at the compressor face in the Mach range from 2.65 to 2.4. Typical cruise operating recovery was 91 percent with 13 percent distortion, 7 percent bleed, 5 percent corrected flow stability margin, and 2.2 deg angle-of-incidence tolerance without need for control action. In the started range below Mach 2.4, recoveries were 2 percent to 4 percent lower than the recoveries above Mach 2.4, and the distortion increased to approximately 20 percent. At Mach 0.95 the maximum measured capture flow was 99.4 percent of the theoretical choked value. The recovery was 97.1 percent with less than 10 percent distortion

Low speed and angle of attack effects on sonic and near-sonic inlets

Tests of the Quiet, Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) were conducted to determine the effects of forward velocity and angle of attack on sonic and near-sonic inlet aerodynamic performance penalties and acoustic suppression characteristics. The tests demonstrate that translating centerbody and radial vane sonic inlets, and QCSEE high throat Mach number inlets, can be designed to operate effectively at forward speed and moderate angle of attack with good performance and noise suppression capability. The test equipment and procedures used in conducting the evaluation are described. Results of the tests are presented in tabular form

Aerodynamic analysis of VTOL inlets and definition of a short, blowing-lip inlet

The results indicated that, without boundary layer control, either a very long inlet or an inlet with a very high contraction ratio lip will be required to meet the stringent design requirements. It is shown that active boundary layer control is an effective means of preventing separation and that a significant reduction in inlet size can be achieved by removing only a small amount of bleed in the throat region of the inlet. A short, blowing-lip model was designed and fabricated. This model features an adjustable, blowing slot located near the hilite on the windward side of the inlet