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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Initial Stage Of Fluid-Structure Interaction Of A Celestial Icosahedron Shaped Vacuum Lighter Than Air Vehicle, Dustin P. Graves
Initial Stage Of Fluid-Structure Interaction Of A Celestial Icosahedron Shaped Vacuum Lighter Than Air Vehicle, Dustin P. Graves
Theses and Dissertations
The analysis of a celestial icosahedron geometry is considered as a potential design for a Vacuum Lighter than Air Vehicle (VLTAV). The goal of the analysis is ultimately to understand the initial fluid-structure interaction of the VLTAV and the surrounding airflow. Up to this point, previous research analyzed the celestial icosahedron VLTAV in relation to withstanding a symmetric sea-level pressure applied to the membrane of the structure. This scenario simulates an internal vacuum being applied in the worst-case atmospheric environmental condition. The next step in analysis is to determine the aerodynamic effects of the geometry. The experimental setup for obtaining …
Development Of Morphing Aircraft Structure Using Smp, Soo-Chan Jee
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. …
Alternative Methods To Standby Gain Scheduling Following Air Data System Failure, Matthew W. Coldsnow
Alternative Methods To Standby Gain Scheduling Following Air Data System Failure, Matthew W. Coldsnow
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Air Force has advanced fighter aircraft that lose the ability to operate in a large portion of their operating flight envelope when an air data system failure is experienced. These aircraft are reverted to a fixed set of standby-gains that limit their maneuverability, degrade handling qualities, and increase susceptibility to departure. The purpose of this research was to determine if three alternative methods of standby-gain-scheduling could provide robust control with minimal performance degradation despite the lack of air data. To accomplish this, three methods of standby-gain-scheduling were developed, integrated, and tested in the Infinity Cube simulator at …
Comparative Study Of Aerodynamic Interference During Aft Dispense Of Munitions, Matthew G. Burkinshaw
Comparative Study Of Aerodynamic Interference During Aft Dispense Of Munitions, Matthew G. Burkinshaw
Theses and Dissertations
Based on forthcoming USAF needs, an investigation was launched to further the understanding of aft dispense of munitions in a high-speed environment. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was performed followed by a wind tunnel experiment. The study consisted of a strut-mounted cone simulating a parent vehicle and a sting mounted cone-cylinder store situated directly behind the cone. The CFD modeled the test objects inside a supersonic wind tunnel in which the experiments took place. The CFD study consisted of evaluating a new strut designed to reduce asymmetry in the airflow aft of the cone. The CFD study also included …
Flight Dynamic Response Of Hale Aircraft To Kc-135 Flowfield, Amanda J. Devuono
Flight Dynamic Response Of Hale Aircraft To Kc-135 Flowfield, Amanda J. Devuono
Theses and Dissertations
This research effort examines the static effects of a KC-135 flowfield on a flexible winged Sensorcraft model. The KC-135 flowfield data is generated by a vortex lattice code and integrated into Sensorcraft model for analysis. Building on previous research, a refueling situation was modeled to note the effects of the Sensorcraft at varying locations within the flowfield. The Sensorcraft model was analyzed for both rigid and flexible wings as a means of comparision. Flowfield locations of interest were determined and trimmed conditions were computed for each flowfield location. Utilizing the trimmed condition and flowfield locations, the nonlinear set of EOM's …
Performing Particle Image Velocimetry In A Supersonic Wind Tunnel Using Carbon Dioxide As The Seed Material, Donald W. Peltier Iii
Performing Particle Image Velocimetry In A Supersonic Wind Tunnel Using Carbon Dioxide As The Seed Material, Donald W. Peltier Iii
Theses and Dissertations
Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was performed utilizing clean seed particles generated by injecting liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) directly into an open-circuit blowdown Mach 2.9 supersonic wind tunnel. Rapid atomization and cooling of the liquid CO2 created a preponderance of nearly uniform and well dispersed microscopic dry ice particles which were illuminated using a frequency double Nd:YAG laser. Ample light was scattered from the flow tracers, which provided a strong signal to noise ratio. The particles completely sublimed into an innocuous gas downstream of the test section causing no side effects or problems with wind tunnel operation. A …
Experimental Characterization Of Turbulent Flow Around Cylinder Arrays, Adam D. Harder
Experimental Characterization Of Turbulent Flow Around Cylinder Arrays, Adam D. Harder
Theses and Dissertations
This research was done as part of an effort to develop alternative fire suppressant technologies for aircraft engine nacelles. A circular cylinder array was designed, built, and placed in the AFIT roll-around low speed wind tunnel to model generic clutter inside an engine nacelle. A turbulence grid was fabricated to enable measurements of the effects of turbulence level, independent of airspeed, on the flow over different model configurations. The wind tunnel test section was 12 inches wide x 12 inches high x 24 inches long. Pressure differential measurements were taken on various cylinder configurations. The configurations included one cylinder as …
Quantifying Non-Equilibrium In Hypersonic Flows Using Entropy Generation, Ryan W. Carr
Quantifying Non-Equilibrium In Hypersonic Flows Using Entropy Generation, Ryan W. Carr
Theses and Dissertations
The constitutive relations traditionally used for finding shear stress and heat flux in a fluid become invalid in non-equilibrium flow. Their derivation from kinetic theory only demonstrates they are valid only for small deviations from equilibrium. Because it is fundamentally linked to non-equilibrium, entropy generation is used to investigate the limits of the continuum constitutive relations. However, the continuum equations are inherently limited to near equilibrium conditions due to the constitutive relations; thus kinetic theory must be used as a basis for comparison. Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC), a particle method alternative to continuum methods, is based on kinetic theory …
Experimental Investigation Of Oblique Wing Aerodynamics At Low Speed, Matthew J. Dillsaver
Experimental Investigation Of Oblique Wing Aerodynamics At Low Speed, Matthew J. Dillsaver
Theses and Dissertations
In an effort to increase the range of missiles and guided bombs, the USAF is looking at options for new wing configurations. One such configuration being considered is oblique wings. An oblique wing is a wing that pivots about a point on the aircraft fuselage thereby having one side swept forward and the other swept aft. Additional interest is looking at a wing only configuration that also rotates with one wing tip forward of the other. Studies have shown that this configuration can provide less drag for a given lift at both supersonic cruise and subsonic loiter conditions. This experiment …
Three Component Velocity Measurements In The Tip Vortex Of A Micro-Air-Vehicle, Hong-Joon Park
Three Component Velocity Measurements In The Tip Vortex Of A Micro-Air-Vehicle, Hong-Joon Park
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research was to improve the MAV that will be used for battle damage assessment and reconnaissance or local surveillance through the experiments in AFIT wind tunnel. The experiments were performed to investigate the wing displacement and wing tip vortex interaction. To conduct the experiments, telescopic survey tool and tri-axial hot-wire anemometer was utilized. The results indicate that wing tip displacement of the flexible wing was approximately 8 times that of the rigid wing in an unstalled condition and data suggests that flexible wing has a denser core-distribution of velocity within the wing tip vortex and delays …
A Comparative Analysis Of Single-Stage-To-Orbit Rocket And Air-Breathing Vehicles, Benjamin S. Orloff
A Comparative Analysis Of Single-Stage-To-Orbit Rocket And Air-Breathing Vehicles, Benjamin S. Orloff
Theses and Dissertations
This study compares and contrasts the performance of a variety of rocket and air breathing, single-stage-to-orbit, reusable launch vehicles. Fuels considered include bi-propellant and tri-propellant combinations of hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels. Astrox Corporation's HySIDE code was used to model the vehicles and predict their characteristics and performance. Vehicle empty mass, wetted area and growth rates were used as figures of merit to predict the procurement, operational and maintenance cost trends of a vehicle system as well as the system's practicality. Results were compared to those of two-stage-to-orbit reusable launch systems using similar modeling methods. The study found that single-stage-to-orbit vehicles …
Alleviation Of Buffet-Induced Vibration Using Piezoelectric Actuators, Shawn D. Morganstern
Alleviation Of Buffet-Induced Vibration Using Piezoelectric Actuators, Shawn D. Morganstern
Theses and Dissertations
Buffet-induced vibration has been problematic for aircraft structures for many years. The F-16 ventral fin, while prone to these effects, lends itself well to the evaluation of modern active structural and flow control technologies. The objective of this research was to determine the most critical natural modes of vibration for the F-16 ventral fin and design piezoelectric actuators capable of reducing buffet-induced ventral fin vibration. A finite element model (FEM) for the fin was developed, tuned and optimized to closely match published modal frequencies. Piezoelectric actuator patches were designed using the strain characteristics of the FEM and integrated into the …
Macroscopic Computational Model Of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators, Timothy R. Klein
Macroscopic Computational Model Of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators, Timothy R. Klein
Theses and Dissertations
Recent progress in the generation and sustainment of gas discharges at atmospheric pressure has energized research in the field of plasma-aerodynamics. Plasma actuators are promising devices that achieve flow control with no moving parts, do not alter the airfoil shape and place no parts in the flow. The operation of a plasma actuator is examined using a macroscopic (force and power addition) computational fluid dynamic model of a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, in Fluent. A parametric approach is adopted to survey the range of requisite magnitudes of momentum and energy delivered to the flow field and to identify the effects …
Modeling, Stability, And Control Of A Rotatable Tail On A Micro Air Vehicle, Travis J. Higgs
Modeling, Stability, And Control Of A Rotatable Tail On A Micro Air Vehicle, Travis J. Higgs
Theses and Dissertations
This research uses existing experimental wind tunnel data to develop a non-linear model that is used to characterize the stability of a flexible wing Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) with a rotatable tail. The experimental data are curve fit based on either angle of attack or angle of sideslip, and the coupled effect of tail rotation and tail deflection on the force and moment coefficients. Static optimization trims the input and state variables for Steady Level Unaccelerated Flight (SLUF). The resulting initial conditions are fed to an open loop non-linear Simulink/Matlab simulation. The study found that the bare MAV design is …
The Effect Of Aerodynamic Surfaces Versus Thrust Maneuvers On Reentry Vehicles, Meredith M. Albrecht
The Effect Of Aerodynamic Surfaces Versus Thrust Maneuvers On Reentry Vehicles, Meredith M. Albrecht
Theses and Dissertations
This research effort analyzes the effect of aerodynamic surfaces versus thrust maneuvers on a reentry vehicle. At high altitudes the effect of aerodynamic surfaces on the reentry vehicle is small due to low atmospheric density; however as the vehicle reaches lower altitudes a lift maneuver is very successful in deflecting the vehicle and creating a large impact footprint. When a continuous thrust maneuver is input in the place of a lift maneuver the results are very similar at the highest maneuver altitudes, although the impact footprint shrinks rapidly as the maneuver altitude decreases. Additionally, when the thrust maneuver is along …
A Prediction Code For The Thrust Performance Of Two-Dimensional, Non-Axisynnetric, Converging Diverging Nozzles, Angela M. Geatz
A Prediction Code For The Thrust Performance Of Two-Dimensional, Non-Axisynnetric, Converging Diverging Nozzles, Angela M. Geatz
Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this research is to develop a prediction code for the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate that can accurately determine the gross thrust coefficient for a user defined nonaxisymmetric two-dimensional converging diverging nozzle. The code includes the effects of friction, angularity, and expansion losses on nozzle efficiency. To demonstrate the prediction method, the generated computational results were compared to experimental data, as well as computational results from other existing nozzle performance codes, for a number of different nozzle geometries. The nozzle internal performance prediction code showed excellent agreement with experimental data in predicting the gross thrust performance …
Characterization Of Upstream Mixing Cavities And A Downstream Combustion Cavity In Supersonic Flow, Adam P. Quick
Characterization Of Upstream Mixing Cavities And A Downstream Combustion Cavity In Supersonic Flow, Adam P. Quick
Theses and Dissertations
A key area of study in air-breathing hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet combustors is the characterization of cavity-based fuel injection and flame holding. One issue concerns oscillatory disturbances caused by trapped vortices in the main flame holder cavity as a fuel-air mixing enhancement technique. Previous research demonstrates that oscillatory disturbances can be carried downstream via the shear layer and alter the oscillatory characteristics of a downstream cavity. This study investigates the mixing effectiveness of three upstream direct-fueled mixing cavities as well as the effect on the oscillatory behavior of the downstream combustion cavity by the upstream mixing cavity. The three upstream mixing cavities …
Aerodynamic Analysis Of Lattice Grid Fins In Transonic Flow, Karl S. Orthner
Aerodynamic Analysis Of Lattice Grid Fins In Transonic Flow, Karl S. Orthner
Theses and Dissertations
Lattice grid fins have been studied for missile tail control for several years. A lattice grid fin can be described as an unconventional missile control surface comprised of an outer frame supported by an inner lattice grid of lifting surfaces. This unconventional fin design offers favorable lift characteristics at high angle of attack as well as almost zero hinge moments allowing the use of small and light actuators. In addition, they promise good storability for potential tube-launched and internal carriage dispenser-launched applications. The drawback for the lattice grid fins is the high drag and potentially poor radar cross section performance …
Experimental Investigation Into The Aerodynamic Performance Of Both Rigid And Flexible Wing Structured Micro-Air-Vehicles, Anthony M. Deluca
Experimental Investigation Into The Aerodynamic Performance Of Both Rigid And Flexible Wing Structured Micro-Air-Vehicles, Anthony M. Deluca
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force Research Lab, Munitions Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida has designed a man-portable carbon-fiber Micro-Air-Vehicle (MA V) used for on-the-spot surveillance by Special Operations Forces (SOF) for enemy reconnaissance as well as post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).The main goals of this experiment are: 1) characterize the flow quality of the new AFIT 3' x 3' wind tunnel and 2) determine the aerodynamic performance characteristics of the 24" span, 6" chord flexible and rigid wing MA V s. The turbulent intensity of the wind tunnel was approximately 2%. Both MA Vs had an average lift slope within 3.5% …
Desktop Computer Programs For Preliminary Design Of Transonic Compressor Rotors, Brian C. Mcdonald
Desktop Computer Programs For Preliminary Design Of Transonic Compressor Rotors, Brian C. Mcdonald
Theses and Dissertations
A need exist for correlation-based desktop computer programs that predict the flow through transonic compressor rotors with nominal computational time and cost. Modified versions of two desktop computer programs, BOWSHOCK and TRANSROTOR, were used to perform a parametric study on a modem compressor rotor. BOWSHOCK calculates the exit flow properties of a supersonic streamtube through a user-defined compressor rotor. TRANSROTOR calculates flow properties at three stations in a user-defined compressor stage. Modifications to TRANSROTOR included the incorporation of a recently published rotor loss model. Baseline and modified TRANSROTOR versions were run with two modern transonic compressor blades. Results were compared …
Measurements Of The Effects Of Tunnel Wall Proximity On The Velocity Field Upstream Of A Rod With Vortex Shedding In Low-Speed Flow, David R. Hopper
Measurements Of The Effects Of Tunnel Wall Proximity On The Velocity Field Upstream Of A Rod With Vortex Shedding In Low-Speed Flow, David R. Hopper
Theses and Dissertations
High cycle fatigue is an important consideration in blade design for turbomachinery. Blades in an engine undergo countless loading cycles in a lifetime, the result of pressure waves that propagate upstream and downstream from disturbances in the flow. Better understanding of these effects would allow blade designers to reduce the effects of high cycle fatigue, such as costly recurring maintenance or catastrophic engine failure. An experimental study was undertaken to determine the unsteady flow field upstream of a single cylinder in a subsonic flow. Von Karman vortex shedding from the cylinder produced a forcing function much like periodic blade passage …
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of The Flowfield Near A Wrap-Around Fin, Carl P. Tilmann
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of The Flowfield Near A Wrap-Around Fin, Carl P. Tilmann
Theses and Dissertations
A wall-mounted semi-cylindrical model fitted with a single wrap-around fin (WAF) has been investigated both numerically and experimentally, with the objective of characterizing the mean and turbulent flowfield in the vicinity of the fin. Numerical and experimental results are used to determine the nature of the flowfield and quantify the effects of fin curvature on the character of the flow near WAFs. This research has been motivated by the need to identify possible sources of a rolling moment reversal observed at high speeds in sub-scale flight tests. Detailed mean flow and turbulence measurements were obtained in the AFIT Mach 3 …