A Structural Dynamic Analysis Of A Manduca Sexta Forewing,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
A Structural Dynamic Analysis Of A Manduca Sexta Forewing, Travis W. Sims
Theses and Dissertations
Micro air vehicles (MAVs) are intended for future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance use. To adequately fulfill a clandestine capacity, MAVs must operate in close proximity to their intended target without eliciting counter-observation. This objective, along with DARPA’s constraint of a sub-15 centimeter span, requires future MAVs to mimic insect appearance and flight characteristics. This thesis describes an experimental method for conducting a structural analysis of a Manduca Sexta (hawkmoth) forewing. Geometry is captured via computed tomography (CT), and frequency data is collected using laser vibrometry in air and vacuum. A finite element (FE) model is constructed using quadratic beams and …
Investigation Of A Novel Compact Vibration Isolation System For Space Applications,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
Investigation Of A Novel Compact Vibration Isolation System For Space Applications, Steven D. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
A novel compact vibration isolation system was designed, built, and tested for the Space Chromotomography Experiment (CTEx) being built by Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) researchers. CTEx is a multifunctional experimental imaging chromotomographic spectrometer designed for flight on the International Space Station (ISS) and is sensitive to jitter caused by vibrations both through the support structure as well as those produced on the optical platform by rotating optical components. CTEx demands a compact and lightweight means of vibration isolation and suppression from the ISS structure. Vibration tests conducted on an initial isolator design resulted in changes in the chosen …
Development Of Morphing Aircraft Structure Using Smp,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
Development Of Morphing Aircraft Structure Using Smp, Soo-Chan Jee
Theses and Dissertations
The U.S Air Force needs new aircraft which provide longer flight time, less fuel consumption, better aerodynamics in order to perform Air Force missions successfully as the mission environment changes rapidly. A morphing wing aircraft is considered as a potential new aircraft for those missions. This thesis explores Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) properties test results and its application for morphing wing skin. Several SMP composite laminates were considered for investigating shape changing characteristics required for morphing skin. The braided composite preforms used in making SMP composites were explored in morphing wing operating system based on the results of property tests. …
Back-Pressure Effect On Shock-Train Location In A Scramjet Engine Isolator,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
Back-Pressure Effect On Shock-Train Location In A Scramjet Engine Isolator, Richard I. Paek
Theses and Dissertations
The isolator of the scramjet decelerates the incoming high Mach flow to a lower Mach number and stabilizes the flow before it enters the combustor. Because of the unsteady combustion phenomenon and inconsistent completeness of the combustion, pressures within the combustor can vary drastically. These pressure variations can propagate forward and affect the flow field in the isolator - worst case unstarting the inlet. In this research, the shock train location versus the back-pressure is examined experimentally. The back-pressure is artificially created by symmetric (top & bottom) ramps that can close the flow area. Raising/lowering ramps result in higher/lower back-pressure. …
Dive Angle Sensitivity Analysis For Flight Test Safety And Efficiency,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
Dive Angle Sensitivity Analysis For Flight Test Safety And Efficiency, Matthew T. Schneider
Theses and Dissertations
Flutter envelope expansion is one of the most critical types of developmental flight tests. The regions that present the most dangerous flight profiles are those test points in the negative PS realm of the flight envelope. These points develop into high-speed dives and require an accurate predictive model to prevent possible testing accidents. As a flight test is conducted, several conditions such as aircraft weight and ambient air temperature can change, causing a drastic shift in the excess power profiles resulting in significant alteration in the test conditions. Using a dive planning model, a number of parameters were analyzed to …
Cfd Analysis Of Experimental Wing And Winglet For Falconlaunch 8 And The Exfit Program,
2010
Air Force Institute of Technology
Cfd Analysis Of Experimental Wing And Winglet For Falconlaunch 8 And The Exfit Program, Benjamin P. Switzer
Theses and Dissertations
Reusable launch vehicles have many benefits over their expendable counterparts. These benefits range from cost reductions to increased functionality of the vehicles. Further research is required in the development of the technology necessary for reusable launch vehicles to come to fruition. The Air Force Institute of Technology’s future involvement in the ExFIT program will entail designing and testing of a new wing tip mounted vertical stabilizer in the hypersonic regime. One proposed venue for experimentation is to utilize the United States Air Force Academy’s FalconLAUNCH Program which annually designs, builds, and launches a sounding rocket capable of reaching hypersonic speeds. …
Parametric Viscous Analysis Of Gust Interaction With Stationary And Elastically Mounted Airfoil,
2010
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Parametric Viscous Analysis Of Gust Interaction With Stationary And Elastically Mounted Airfoil, Timothy M. Hollenshade Jr.
Master's Theses - Daytona Beach
This thesis details the development and implementation of a module within a high-accuracy numerical viscous analysis code to simulate the nonlinear interaction of SD7003 airfoil with non-uniform, unsteady incoming flow. The study is focused on the low-Re number unsteady flows typical of MAV applications in which a gust encounter can induce a particularly significant aerodynamic and aeroelastic response. Efficient source models are developed to introduce sharp-edge and time-harmonic gust perturbations with specified amplitude, frequency and duration inside the computational domain through the source terms in the governing momentum equations. Parametric analysis of gust-airfoil interactions for different steady airfoil loads is …
Analysis Of Wake Vortices Of A Medium Range Twin-Propeller Military Cargo Aircraft Using Statistically Designed Experiments,
2010
Old Dominion University
Analysis Of Wake Vortices Of A Medium Range Twin-Propeller Military Cargo Aircraft Using Statistically Designed Experiments, Burhan Sahin
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations
An experimental study was initiated to analyze the trajectories of the streamwise vortices behind the wing tip and flap of a medium range and propeller driven twin-engine military cargo aircraft. The model used for the experimental study was a generic, high wing and half model of a propeller driven aircraft and mounted within Old Dominion University's Low Speed Wind Tunnel where the wind tunnel flow speed was set to constant value of 9 m/sec. The main purpose of the study was to reach regression models for the motion and vorticity strength of both vortices under varying factors such as angle …
