Browse Topic: Drag

Items (710)
RPM-controlled hexacopters offer mechanical simplicity and inherent redundancy, but are unable to re-trim under all failure cases in forward flight. This paper investigates the use of reverse-enabled rotors as a means of expanding the attainable trim envelope and improving fault tolerance in RPM-controlled hexacopters. Isolated rotor experiments are conducted to characterize thrust and torque behavior under forward and reverse rotation, providing validation data for aerodynamic modeling. A blade-element-based model implemented in the Rensselaer Multicopter Analysis Code (RMAC) is then used to perform comprehensive trim analyses for a 1200-lb-class hexacopter in hover and in cruise at the best-range speed of 65 kts. Post-failure trim solutions are evaluated for four configurations, including edge-first and vertex-first orientations with different rotor spin directions. Results show that enabling reverse rotation allows trim recovery for all single-rotor failure cases in cruise, including aft-rotor failures that are not trimmable with conventional RPM-controlled rotors. A systematic comparison of peak rotor torque, peak rotor power, and total aircraft power reveals that failure severity is governed primarily by yaw moment deficits arising from the combined loss of hub torque and aerodynamic drag. Among the configurations examined, the edge-first configuration with a counter-clockwise spinning rotor 1 exhibits the lowest rotor torque and rotor power requirements, post-failure.
Fong, WestonGandhi, Farhan
An experimental investigation was conducted to explore the loads, acoustics, and tip vortex trajectories of coaxial counter-rotating (CCR) rotor with unequal upper and lower radii. The upper and lower rotor radii were tested both at the nominal radius of 1.108 m, and also with a lower rotor radius of 90% nominal radius, for a constant rotor speed of 1180 RPM and a constant inter-rotor spacing of z/R = 0.108. Rotors were torque balanced and tested for a range of upper rotor collective pitch from -2◦ to 10◦ . The power required for both CCR systems was within 0.9% for most trim conditions, and equal thrust was produced at upper rotor collectives of 6◦ and 8◦ (within 1.0%). At low loading conditions the unequal radii configuration produced more thrust for the same power due to a reduction in profile drag. The overall sound pressure level (OASPL) was lower for the CCR rotor with shortened lower rotor blades at all angles of elevation. Larger reductions in A-weighted OASPL(A) were observed, due to a larger contribution of broadband noise to the total OASPL(A).
Sedlacek, VashaSirohi, Jayant
This SAE Information Report has been prepared at the request of the SAE Road Vehicle Aerodynamics Forum Committee (RVAC), incorporating material from earlier revisions of the document first prepared by the Standards Committee on Cooling Flow Measurement (CFM).Although a great deal is already known about engine cooling, recent concern with fuel conservation has resulted in generally smaller air intakes whose shape and location are dictated primarily by low vehicle drag/high forward speed requirements. The new vehicle intake configurations make it more difficult to achieve adequate cooling under all conditions. They cause cooling flow velocity profiles to become distorted and underhood temperatures to be excessively high. Such problems make it necessary to achieve much better accuracy in measuring cooling flows.As the following descriptions show, each company or institution concerned with this problem has invested a lot of time and as a result gained considerable experience in developing measuring techniques that appear to achieve reliable results. There is, however, little uniformity at the present time among the methods used by different companies and no indication at this time of a trend towards a simple and universally acceptable measuring technique.
Road Vehicle Aerodynamics Forum Committee
This study examines the ability of a large (1200 lb gross weight) hexacopter with collective pitch controlled rotors to tolerate single motor failure. The hexacopter is considered in various orientations, and the vehicle is trimmed with one motor inoperative (OMI). Unlike RPM-controlled hexacopters, which were trimmable but uncontrollable in hover, and were untrimmable in cruise with an aft-rotor failure; with pitch-control the hexacopter is controllable in hover as well as trimmable for failure of any rotor in cruise (including an aft rotor failure). The study examines how pitch controls, and thrust are redistributed amongst the operational rotors, post-failure, for the different hexacopter orientations. For each case, the maximum thrust and torque increases on any individual rotor, and the total power increase, post-failure is examined. It is found that the hardest to trim cases are those where the hub torque and the hub drag induced yaw moment of the failed rotor add, and fault compensation for these cases usually comes at a high cost in terms of torque penalty and power requirement (necessitating use of more powerful motors and batteries). The results from the study indicated that operating the pitch-controlled hexacopter in an edge-first configuration with a clockwise spinning rotor 1 is the best choice from a fault tolerance perspective.
Fong, WestonGandhi, Farhan
The paper presents a general framework for building an aeromechanic model in FLIGHTLAB, suitable for high fidelity, pilot-in-the-loop simulator. The focus is on aerodynamic modeling of AW609 tiltrotor in Airplane Mode flight regime. The framework can be extended to helicopter and conversion modes with additional considerations for rotors-airframe aerodynamic interference. It can also be adapted to different tiltrotor geometries, with some adjustments depending on their peculiarities. The model uses Blade Element Theory loads evaluation of lifting surfaces, corrected with tabulated distributed loads to tune FLIGHTLAB predictions against high-fidelity aerodynamic references. Bluff bodies are modeled using force and moment tabulated data. Verification was conducted against reference data in wind tunnel mode and against flight data in trim analysis. The proposed method allowed to match lift distribution on slender bodies, as well as lift and drag integral loads, with aerodynamic references. Trim analysis has shown satisfying accordance with experimental data for all the comparison parameters. However, rotor aerodynamic modeling is still being investigated to improve correlations in torque prediction. Additionally, installation effects, such as those related to the interaction between the wing and fuselage with the rotors, are under examination to address biases in flap motion evaluation.
Manara, FrancescoPorcacchia, FedericoMancini, AndreaDall'Aglio, Maria Ludovica
This paper carries out experimental investigation of propeller and wing interactions under various geometric variations such as the horizontal and vertical distance between the propeller axis and the leading edge of the wing under different angle of attack conditions for a half wing setup for a wing made of symmetric airfoil. Rotor and wing performance is measured using independent six-component load cells. Through this study it is identified that for a wing made of symmetric airfoil optimal aerodynamic performance is significantly influenced by the position of the propeller. Positioning the propeller near the leading edge (x/c = 0.25) and on the negative side of the y-axis (y/c = −0.75) yields the best lift-to-drag ratios and enhanced lift, particularly in the moderate α range (4°–6°). Forward movement of the propeller along the x-axis (towards x/c = 0.75 or 1.00) increases drag and adversely affects performance.
Gangwar, AbhijitAbhishek, AbhishekMondal, AlakeshUpadhyay, Titiksha
Current paper summarizes a correlation study of two flow solvers (CREATETE-AV Helios and Simcenter STAR-CCM+), routinely used at Sikorsky, with multiple model-scale wind-tunnel tests. The Helios modeling approach was aiming for a high-fidelity accurate simulation, whereas the STAR-CCM+ modeling approach was aiming for a fast turn-around time with reasonable solution accuracy with a relatively coarse mesh and simplifications. The two solvers generally agreed well with the test data within reasonable accuracy and captured the airloads and flowfield trends. The calculations presented herein show the impact of the turbulence model on component loads, the aerodynamic interactions among components, and the effect of transition modeling on rotor performance. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes CFD model generally delayed separation and resulted in lower drag. By modeling the airframe supporting structure in CFD simulations, an improvement on correlation for inflow on the propeller plane was shown. Additionally, improvements in the rotor system L/De correlation were realized by including a turbulence-transition model, which reduces the rotor drag.
Kim, JeewoongColeman, DustinKlimchenko, VeraMin, Byung-YoungWake, Brian E
The UH-60A slowed rotor test campaign carried out at the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at the U.S. Air Force's National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) provided valuable information of a classical helicopter rotor blades operating at very high advance ratios. This paper aims to show the correlation of the RCAS and HOST comprehensive analysis (CA) tools with respect to several experimental campaign cases. Particularly the influence of the rotor aerodynamic performance as a function of the advance ratio and the collective angle is studied. The influence of the shank drag modeling is observed and its importance to obtain accurate results is highlighted. The RCAS and HOST simulations are capable of reproducing the rotor performance trends observed in the test campaign. Furthermore, the correlation of RCAS and HOST with respect to the measured rotor loads data is studied for the advance rations of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.7 at iso-thrust coefficient conditions. The aerodynamic loads and the structural loads are analyzed by means of the sectional loads analysis and polar maps. Finally some conclusions are provided highlighting the correlation of the RCAS and HOST results as well as the impact of the advance ratio on the behavior of the blades.
Balmaseda Aguirre, MikelYeo, Hyeonsoo
This study presents computational analyses of coaxial rotor hub flows and validation against experimental data obtained from the fifth Rotor Hub Flow Prediction Workshop. Experiments were conducted in a 12-inch diameter water tunnel at Pennsylvania State Applied Research Laboratory, employing tomographic particle-image velocimetry (Tomo-PIV) and precise hub drag measurements. Three CFD codes (UMD Mercury, CREATETM-AV Helios, and OVERFLOW) utilizing hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) / Large Eddy Simulation (LES) modeling based on Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model, were applied to replicate and analyze hub flows. Counter-rotating coaxial rotor hubs under free-air condition was simulated as the simplest case and the hub drags are compared between the three CFD codes. The full water tunnel configuration, consisting of two hubs, a fairing, and shafts, was also simulated and compared to experimental results, with a focus on hub drag, wake velocity fields, and turbulence quantities. Results demonstrated that the computational frameworks effectively captured key flow physics, although some discrepancies in drag harmonics, wake velocity and turbulence intensity magnitudes were observed. Additionally, the study highlighted the impact of rotor hub geometry and installation of sail-fairing on drag and wake structures. These findings contribute to improve computational predictions, essential for designing high-speed rotor hub configurations.
Jung, Yong SuBaeder, JamesPremaratne, PavithraJain, RohitDeore, NealCoder, JamesSchmitz, SvenGosin, Samuel
ABSTRACT Determining the required power for the tractive elements of off-road vehicles has always been a critical aspect of the design process for military vehicles. In recent years, military vehicles have been equipped with hybrid, diesel-electric drives to improve stealth capabilities. The electric motors that power the wheel or tracks require an accurate estimation of the power and duty cycle for a vehicle during certain operating conditions. To meet this demand, a GPS-based mobility power model was developed to predict the duty cycle and energy requirements of off-road vehicles. The dynamic vehicle parameters needed to estimate the forces developed during locomotion are determined from the GPS data, and these forces include the following: the gravitational, acceleration, motion resistance, aerodynamic drag, and drawbar forces. Initial application of the mobility power concept began when three U.S. military’s Stryker vehicles were equipped with GPS receivers while conducting a proofing mission at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in Hawaii on a soil with a known rating cone index (RCI). An analysis was conducted on the GPS data which allowed for the variation in the Stryker’s mobility power to be estimated as the vehicle traversed the terrain. The subsequent power duty cycle and required energy for the vehicle was determined along with predicted specific energy consumption and production values. Initial validation of the mobility power model began by tracking a hybrid 2006 Toyota Highlander during acceleration tests and on-road maneuvers. The model had an R2 and average absolute percent error of 0.91 and 12.9% respectively during the acceleration tests. The predicted and measured mobility power duty cycles were similar during the on-road maneuvers while an R2 and average absolute error of 0.44 and 7.1 kW was attained.
Ayers, PaulBozdech, George
A computational study is conducted on a coaxial rotor hub and sail fairing configuration to analyze hub surface forces and the characteristics of its downstream wake. The flow conditions and grids are based on experimental tests performed at the Penn State Applied Research Lab (ARL) Water Tunnel at a baseline Reynolds number. Grid development for the rotor hubs and sail fairing is done using Pointwise v18.04R1 and Chimera Grid Tools (version 2.2). Simulations are performed using NASA's OVERFLOW2.4b Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes solver. The drag forces on the rotor hubs are computed and compared to standalone drag data to analyze the effects of interactional aerodynamics. Flow features, frequency content and Reynolds stresses of the wake are analyzed. Frequency content and Reynolds stresses show clear spatial bias. The anisotropy of the Reynolds stresses is computed and used to determine the character of the wake turbulence.
Deore, NealCoder, James
ABSTRACT A full-scale Reynolds number water tunnel experiment was performed to generate a data set used to analyze the effects of helicopter rotor hub wake impingement on a canonical horizontal stabilizer. The experiment was designed and performed in the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel, where a 10.5 inch constant chord stabilizer was placed in the 48-inch diameter test section downstream of a 1/4 scale helicopter hub. Two rotor hubs were tested, a baseline configuration and a low-drag model. The stabilizer was mounted in the long-age wake. Lift, pitching moments, and unsteady pressures were measured on the horizontal stabilizer at a Reynolds number of 0:9x10⁶, 1:8x10⁶ and 2:7x10⁶, corresponding to hub diameter-based Reynolds numbers of 2:2x10⁶, 4:3x10⁶, 6:5x10⁶ and rotor advance ratios of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. The hub-wake interaction results were compared to a baseline airfoil test, which was performed without a hub upstream. Pressure sensors were used to evaluate wake unsteadiness impinging on the horizontal stabilizer. The horizontal stabilizer in clean flow exhibited lift and pitching moment in agreement with XFOIL predictions. With the low-drag hub upstream it measured lift fluctuations at a frequency of 2/rev, 4/rev, 8/rev and 12/rev. Downstream velocity and pressure fluctuations of 2/rev 4/rev and notably 6/rev were measured with the baseline hub upstream. Drag reduction on the low-drag hub was measured to be >25% compared to the baseline hub at full-scale Reynolds number. Both drag and wake harmonics measured at the hub and downstream on the stabilizer were found to be dependent on the upstream hub geometry. Pressure frequencies taken on the horizontal stabilizer yielded similar results and were consistent with those measured via the force balance.
Metkowski, LeonardReich, DavidSinding, KyleJaffa, NicholasSchmitz, Sven
In the realm of transitioning eVTOL aircraft, hindrance may be placed on performance in each of the two flight modes due to the existence of apparatuses or devices intended wholly for the other mode. For example, the presence of wings will normally reduce hover endurance due to their weight, and the use of a plurality of exposed lift-propellers - for hover stability and control - can lower flight speed and range in airplane mode because of the excess drag. It would seem, then, that transitioning eVTOL aircraft are generally poor performers in any mode when compared to their dedicated, single-mode cousins. This paper explores another possibility, of substantial performance improvement when the devices or their use become elements augmenting performance in the other mode - or cross-modally. Through an example dual-propeller aircraft, several cross-modal elements - including phenomena like the fan-in-wing effect and the inverse of Custer's channel-wing effect - are identified and their merits expounded.
Gress, Gary Robert
Within this paper redundancy concepts on electric propulsion systems - consisting of electrical sources, inverters, electrical machines, gearboxes and drag generation units - are discussed. In a first steps different possible concepts are explained. In a general section considerations on the possible concepts are made, with a special focus on the design of the inverters, electrical machines and gearboxes. Advantages and disadvantages are shown and therefore some general assumptions on possible applications discussed. Later, two engineering examples for the concepts of shared drag generation unit and shared electrical machines with inverters are shown. The functionality is shown on measurement examples and experiences made during the design and testing phases are given. Finally, a new concept to reduce the risk of failure propagation in multi-wound motors is shown and discussed.
Kloetzl, JohannesBlamberger, OliverDenk, FabianOswald, Johann
Min, Byung-YoungSharma, KalkiBerezin, CharlesLorber, PeterWake, Brian
ABSTRACT
Jude, DylanJain, RohitCrawford, Aaron
Abstract In subsonic aircraft design, the aerodynamic performance of aircraft is compared meaningfully at a system level by evaluating their range and endurance, but cannot do so at an aerodynamic level when using lift and drag coefficients, CL and CD , as these often result in misleading results for different wing reference areas. This Part I of the article (i) illustrates these shortcomings, (ii) introduces a dimensionless number quantifying the induced drag of aircraft, and (iii) proposes an aerodynamic equation of state for lift, drag, and induced drag and applies it to evaluate the aerodynamics of the canard aircraft, the dual rotors of the hovering Ingenuity Mars helicopter, and the composite lifting system (wing plus cylinders in Magnus effect) of a YOV-10 Bronco. Part II of this article applies this aerodynamic equation of state to the flapping flight of hovering and forward-flying insects. Part III applies the aerodynamic equation of state to some well-trodden cases in fluid mechanics found in fluid-mechanics textbooks.
Burgers, Phillip
ABSTRACT
McKillip, RobertKarli, GeoffreyYan, SihongPalacios, Jose
There are a large number of curves and slopes in the mountainous areas. Unreasonable acceleration and deceleration in these areas will increase the burden of the brake system and the fuel consumption of the vehicle. The main purpose of this paper is to introduce a speed planning and promotion system for commercial vehicles in mountainous areas. The wind, slope, curve, engine brake, and rolling resistances are analyzed to establish the thermal model of the brake system. Based on the thermal model, the safe speed of the brake system is acquired. The maximum safe speed on the turning section is generated by the vehicle dynamic model. And the economic speed is calculated according to the fuel consumption model. The planning speed is provided based on these models. This system can guide the driver to handle the vehicle speed more reasonably. According to the simulation, compared to cruise control, speed planning can save fuel consumption at a mean value of 9.13% in typical mountainous areas. The field test of a typical commercial vehicle shows that this system can increase fuel efficiency by 4.26% compared to an experienced driver during a journey in a mountainous area.
Peng, DengzhiFang, KekuiTian, ZhongpengZhang, YuxiaoTan, Gangfeng
This recommended practice applies to the laboratory measurement of the rolling resistance of pneumatic tires designed primarily for use on trucks and buses in normal highway service, as defined by the Tire and Rim Association, Inc. (TRA); it does not include light truck tires (designated LT). The procedure applies only to straight, free-rolling tires under steady-state operation and includes the following three basic methods:
Truck and Bus Tire Committee
The force, torque, and energy methods of measurement are all in common use and should yield the same test results. Effects of steering, traction, and non steady-state tire operations are excluded from the recommended practice because they are still in the research stage. Methods of correcting laboratory data to road conditions are being developed.
Truck and Bus Tire Committee
A computational investigation of aerodynamic drag of coaxial rotor hubs is performed and compared with test data from a prior experiment. The counter-rotating coaxial hub model considered is based on a rotor design developed by AVX Aircraft Company. Component-level contributions to overall hub drag are quantified by building up the rotor from a bare shaft to complete hubs and control systems and measuring the drag as components are added. Fifteen total configurations are considered with CFD and compared to the experimental drag measurements of ten configurations from prior wind tunnel test data. The drag of each hub configuration is presented relative to a baseline configuration featuring the complete coaxial rotor hub and control system without the blade fairings. The CFD results and experimental data verify that the total hub drag is reduced by 25%-29% by incorporating the blade fairings. Nearly half of the remaining drag is from the mast and pitch links, while the blade grip contributes another 25% of the overall drag. The CFD results also show high level of interference drag (9.95%) which includes aerodynamic interference between mast/split plate, upper/lower swash plates, and swash plate/split plate.
Anusonti-Inthra, PhuriwatFloros, Matthew
Harold F. Pitcairn, American aviation and Autogiro pioneer, died from a single gunshot wound to the head in the late evening hours of April 23, 1960 at the age of 62 after a gala evening at which he presided over a celebration attended by more than 450 guests for his brother's Raymond's 75th birthday. Initially labelled a suicide by the press, Pitcairn's widow Clara declared that "she never wanted to hear another word about the tragedy", while friends and friendly local authorities made the argument, duly reported by Frank Kingston Smith in Legacy of Wings, his devotional Pitcairn biography (subsidized by the Pitcairn family), that the death was accidental because "there was no note, no indication of depression or unhappiness" and "the police investigation disclosed that two shots had been fired; one had penetrated the ceiling directly over the desk in the first floor study, another had struck Pitcairn in the eye" and that "the next morning it was discovered the semi-automatic pistol was defective: when cocked, it had a supersensitive "hair trigger," and it had a faulty disconnector so that it would fire more than one shot at a time, a condition known as "doubling."" The Pitcairn families, prominent and powerful, prevailed upon the local authorities to declare the death accidental and Kingston Smith's 1981account became the de facto authoritative story of the death of Harold F. Pitcairn. With the perspective, however, of six decades, it appears far more likely that Pitcairn's death was a suicide for reasons that were not readily evident, minimized, unappreciated or deliberately ignored at the time to craft a result that met the needs of Clara Pitcairn and her surviving family. These included the fact that while the claim was made that Pitcairn was making his nightly rounds to check on the estate’s ground-level windows (and had been doing so since the Lindbergh kidnapping in 1932), he actually died at his desk; that those in the house only reported a single shot; the 1907 Savage pistol had no reputation for a hair-trigger, and had not evidenced such a flaw in almost three decades of Pitcairn's nightly ritual; that even though Pitcairn had been assured that his almost-decade-long lawsuit against the United States government for Patent infringement of his Autogiro patents was going well, he was concerned about the impact this lawsuit was having on his aged associates who had been called to give depositions and he had voiced the sentiment that "if he had known that he would have to sue the government, he would not have gone into the Autogiro business"; that the lawsuit, itself intended as a vindication of Pitcairn's contribution to aviation was dragging on and would reach its first legal conclusion in 1967, and not finally conclude upon appeal until 1977; and most importantly, those who deny suicide and point to Pitcairn’s state-of-mind, have failed to take into account when the death occurred or ready evidence of his 'state of mind' To fail to see the tragic end of Harold F. Pitcairn is to forget that 29 years and one day earlier, he had been recognized for "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." The memory of that day on the White House back lawn with the President was the high point of his life even as Pitcairn prepared to celebrate his older brother's achievements. The evidence, when marshalled and documented, conclusively points to suicide - a death of an American aviation pioneer before his contributions were vindicated in the largest patent infringement judgement against the United States in history. To fail to see the tragic end of Harold F. Pitcairn is to forget that 29 years earlier, he had been recognized for "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America".
Bruce, Dr.
In this paper, an experimental and numerical study of a rotor interacting with wing of three different aspect ratios at an advance ratio of 0.5 is described. Those three wings have the equal area and fixed at an angle of attack of 8 degrees. One wing is installed at 3 different vertical positions and three different horizontal locations to investigate the influence of the wing position on the interaction. The calibration and correction process of the measurement is described, and the results are compared to pre-test CFD simulations. Numerical simulations based on simplified rotor and wing-body models have been carried out ahead of the wind-tunnel testing. Due to the existence of rotor-test-stand and the rotorhub which are not included in the CFD simulations, the measured aerodynamic performance deviated from the CFD results remarkably. By applying angle-of-attack and drag offset corrections which remove the influence of the rotortest-stand, the wing performance is found in good agreement with the CFD results. Also, applying hub-correction which is based on measured hub-only aerodynamic force components, and the angle-of-attack correction, the corrected isolated rotor performance in high advance ratio agrees satisfactorily with the CFD data. It is found that due to the rotor/wing interaction, the overall lift-to-effective drag ratios decrease about 12% at the advance ratio of 0.5.
Tanabe, YasutadaHayashi, HirotakaKobiki, NoboruSugawara, HideakiKobayashi, WataruSatou, Ryosuke
Computations were performed to assess the effect of fluidically-oscillating jets on a ROBIN-mod7 helicopter fuselage. The simulations utilize previously experimentally validated methodologies that rely on a new boundary condition formulation at the actuator throats, based on phase-averaged flow variables, which obviates the need to resolve the internal cavities simultaneously with the outer flow. Predictions of the base flow past the helicopter fuselage were validated against experimental and computational data available in the literature. The fluidic oscillator characteristics were then evaluated at different scales and pressure ratios, and invariant quantities were identified. In the flow control evaluation, flow separation was significantly reduced and, in some cases, suppressed. However, drag reduction was not obtained, indicating the sensitivity of the actuation location and operating conditions to the vehicle design and flight orientation.
Koukpaizan, NicholsonGlezer, AriSmith, Marilyn
The present study focuses on morphing of the inboard section of a helicopter rotor blade to improve aerodynamic performance in high-speed flight with significant reverse flow. Starting with the SC325218 airfoil, CFD simulations show that morphing only its lower surface, aft of the spar, to a modified ellipse geometry results in a significant reduction of reverse flow drag on the retreating side while limiting aerodynamic penalties in normal flow conditions on the advancing side. The study develops a morphing structure concept that transitions between the SC325218 airfoil and the derivative geometry while being able to carry aerodynamic loads. Key to this concept is the design of a morphing cellular lattice in the mid-chord region (25-65% chord), operating in collaboration with a specialized twosegment lower surface skin, and actuation ribs connected by spanwise stringers which also support aerodynamic loads in the aft-chord section. The cellular lattice's geometry is determined through optimization and the lattice is successful in morphing to the target geometry for high-speed operation. Parametric variations in lattice modulus, lower surface compliant skin modulus, and actuation strain are conducted toward minimizing actuation load and peak lattice strains, and key insight into the operational aspects of this morphing system are developed.
DiPalma, MatthewChaudhry, ZaffirCamp, DanielFerede, EtanaGandhi, FarhanHealy, Richard
Research on Factors to Influence Coasting Resistance for Electric Vehicles2020-01-10684/14/2020
The research on coasting resistance is vital to electric vehicles, since the smaller the coasting resistance, the longer the coast-down distance. Vehicle coast resistance consists of rolling resistance, vehicle inner resistance and the aerodynamic drag. The vehicle inner resistance is mainly caused by driveline’s friction loss and oil splash loss. The rolling resistance is decided by tire resistance coefficient, which is influenced by tires and road conditions. And the aerodynamic drag is affected by vehicle’s shape and air. In this paper, four factors including tire pressure, road surface condition, atmosphere temperature, and recirculation on or off are examined. Experimental tests have been conducted on three different vehicles: one subcompact sedan, one compact sedan and one subcompact SUV. Then experimental results have been imported to simulation model to investigate the corresponding influence on NEDC range. The outcome shows that, when the tire pressure is 20% less, the average coasting resistance is increased by 1% to 3% depending on vehicle types, which indicates a decrease in NEDC range by around 2%. And with atmosphere temperature in 6 to 32°C range, the resistance is decreased by 0.48% for every 1°C increased. On wet road surface, the average coasting resistance is increased by 10% - 20%, which could decrease the NEDC range by 6% to 12%. As for the recirculation on or off, one vehicle with inside air recirculation on experiences an average 6% coasting resistance reduction. Other two vehicles have similar coasting resistances whether the recirculation is on or off. The overall results give a better understanding on how the coasting resistance is influenced by various factors and can instruct future vehicle’s low coasting resistance development. More factors such as brake calipers, tire size, and other corresponding influences will be studied in future tests.
Gong, GuanZhao, ChenZhou, XiaohangDeng, ChenghaoJiang, HanliYu, ChengYu, FuyongRen, YongZhou, Anjian
On Shedding Frequency and Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Rotating Wire-Wrapped Cylinder2020-01-00283/10/2020
Numerical and experimental investigations of shedding frequency of rotating smooth and wire-wrapped cylinders, placed in steady flow have been performed. The freestream mean velocity was 10 m/sec. and for the numerical investigations, the smooth cylinder diameter was 5 cm, which corresponds to an approximate Reynolds number based on cylinder’s diameter of 3.2x104. The wire-wrapped cylinder had a wire diameter of 5 mm and the ratios of pitch spacing to the cylinder diameter, p/D, was 1.0. The cylinder length to diameter ratio was 20. The rotation rates (λ) were 0.5 and 2.0. To obtain the shedding frequency, numerical probes were placed at 3D downstream, 0.5 D above the centerline, and at 0.5D, spaced along the spanwise direction and the shedding frequencies were obtained from spectra of the axial velocity. Results indicate that the lift for the wire-wrapped cylinder is nearly 150% of that of the smooth cylinder, however, it has a higher drag force. Details of the flow indicate wire-wrapping reduces spanwise coherency and increases the phase angle of vortices, resulting in increased lift. Experimental results indicate a similar trend as the numerical results, with wire-wrapping, reduces the shedding oblique angle and with rotation, reduced peak energy, breaking down the large eddies into smaller eddies of different frequencies.
Rahai, Hamid R.Bonifacio, JeremyBegum, AssmaGada, Komal
Stability of Wheel Tractors during Braking2019-01-21429/15/2019
The dynamic distribution of normal reactions between the axles of the wheeled tractor has a significant impact on the stability against skidding and the wheeled tractor braking effectiveness. At the same time, the clarification of the normal reactions distribution between the axles allows to choose more rational braking forces distribution between the axles. It is shown that the best way to ensure the highest braking efficiency is the braking mode when the rear wheels of the tractor are at the blocking limit. An assessment of the expediency of installing brake mechanisms on only one axle of the tractor was made. The increase of braking efficiency of wheeled tractors with all brake wheels provided that they ensure directional stability is considered. The laws of braking forces distribution between the axles of wheel tractors for different sequence of wheels locking are determined. Using the method of partial accelerations an improved method for estimating the effect of a brake system on the stability of wheeled tractor is proposed. The criterion in the form of angular acceleration in the road plane ώz, by the value and sign of which one we can estimate the operational stability of the brake mechanisms has obtained.
Podrigalo, MikhailKholodov, MykhailoKlets, DmytroDubinin, YevhenSavchenkov, BorysKoryak, AlexanderRudzinskyi, VolodymyrViktoriia, ZadorozhniaPolianskyi, Oleksandr
Influence of Amount of Phenolic Resin on the Tribological Performance of Environment-Friendly Friction Materials2019-01-21059/15/2019
The binder in friction materials (FMs) plays a very crucial role which binds all the ingredients firmly so that they can function the way they were supposed to do. The type and amount of binder, both are very critical for manipulating the desired performance properties, which mainly include friction and its sensitivity towards operating parameters, wear resistance, counter-face friendliness, noise, vibration etc. Although a lot is reported on the influence of types of resins on tribo-performance of FMs, hardly any paper pertains to paint this on a bigger canvas with more detailed understanding of the amount of resin in FMs on the performance properties. The present study addresses these aspects by developing brake-pads with identical composition but varying in amount (wt. %) of straight phenolic resins (6, 8, 10 and 12) by compensating the difference with barite, a space filler. The ingredients did not contain asbestos, Copper, Zinc, etc. and hence were environment friendly. Tribological performance of the composites was evaluated on a full-scale inertia brake dynamometer following JASO C406 test schedule. With increase in the resin contents, most of the performance properties showed improvement. The performance ranking of pads was done using ‘Multiple Objective Optimizations based on Ratio Analysis (MOORA)’ method based on several conflicting criterions. Worn surface topography of pads was investigated using SEM technique to understand the underlying wear mechanisms.
Kalel, NavnathBijwe, JayashreeDarpe, Ashish
Electrifying Long-Haul Freight—Part I: Review of Drag, Rolling Resistance, and Weight Reduction Potential02-12-03-00179/5/2019
Abstract Electric heavy-duty tractor-trailers (EHDTT) offer an important option to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) for the transportation sector. However, to increase the range of the EHDTT, this effort investigates critical vehicle design features that demonstrate a gain in overall freight efficiency of the vehicle. Specifically, factors affecting aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and gross vehicle weight are essential to arrive at practical input parameters for a comprehensive numerical model of the EHDTT, developed by the authors in a subsequent paper. For example, drag reduction devices like skirts, deturbulators, vortex generators, covers, and other commercially available apparatuses result in an aggregated coefficient of drag of 0.367. Furthermore, a mixed utilization of single-wide tires and dual tires allows for an optimized trade-off between low rolling resistance tires, traction, and durability. Lastly, a combination of different lightweight vehicle components manufactured from aluminum and magnesium alloys, carbon fiber composites, titanium, and high-strength steel presents a substantial reduction in overall vehicle weight. Overall, a comparison of a potential EHDTT with a standard Class-8 heavy-duty tractor-trailer (HDTT) reveals a possible reduction in the aerodynamic coefficient of drag by 40%, rolling resistance by 21%, and vehicle weight by approximately 37% prior to electrification. These improvements provide a stronger baseline for electrification to increase the overall range and longevity of an EHDTT making them a more viable option in the market. However, to achieve these advances still requires significant research into commercial feasibility and real-world data under varying conditions with enhanced simulation tools playing a meaningful role.
Depcik, ChristopherGaire, AnmeshGray, JameeHall, ZacharyMaharjan, AnjanaPinto, DarrenPrinsloo, Arno
Empirical Investigation on the Effects of Rolling Resistance and Weight on Fuel Economy of Medium-Duty Trucks02-12-03-00168/28/2019
Abstract Vehicle rolling resistance and weight are two of the factors that affect fuel economy. The vehicle tire rolling resistance has a more significant influence than aerodynamics drags on fuel economy at lower vehicle speeds, particularly true for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Less vehicle weight reduces inertia loads, uphill grade resistance, and rolling resistance. The influence of weight on the fuel economy can be considerable particularly in light- to medium-duty truck classes because the weight makes up a larger portion of gross vehicle weight. This article presents an empirical investigation and a numerical analysis of the influences of rolling resistance and weight on the fuel economy of medium-duty trucks. The experimental tests include various tires and payloads applied on a total of 21vehicle configurations over three road profiles. These tests assessed the sensitivity of the vehicle’s fuel economy toward rolling resistance and weight. Several experimental results showed inconsistent and counterintuitive trends of the effects of rolling resistance coefficients and weights on fuel economy. The consequences of rolling resistance and vehicle payload are compound and influenced by vehicle speed, road profile, and tire pressure. The irregularities of weight variances’ impact on rolling resistance requires further investigation in the strain level of the tire deformation.
Liao, Gene Y.Card, BrandonO’Malley, Molly
An Experimental Study on the Dynamic Ice Accretion Processes on Bridge Cables with Different Surface Modifications2019-01-20186/10/2019
An experimental study was conducted to investigate the dynamic ice accretion processes on bridge cables with different surface modifications (i.e., 1. Standard plain, 2. Pattern-indented surface, and 3. helical fillets). The icing experiments were performed in the unique Icing Research Tunnel available at Iowa State University (i.e., ISU-IRT). In order to reveal the transient ice accretion processes and the associated aerodynamic loadings on the different cable models under the different icing conditions (i.e., rime vs. glaze), while a high-speed imaging system was used to capture the transient details of the surface water transport and ice accretion over the cable surfaces, a high-accuracy dual-transducer force measurement system was also utilized to measure the aerodynamic loadings acting on the ice accreting cable models. It was found that the addition of surface features (i.e., pattern-indented surface vs. helical fillets) could effectively influence the dynamic ice accretion process and the final ice structures. Based on the temporally-resolved measurements of the aerodynamic drag forces acting on the different cable models, it was found that while the ice accretion on the standard plain cable and the cable with helical fillets could induce lower drag forces, the ice formation on the pattern-indented cable could essentially increase aerodynamic drag force. The findings derived from this study is of great importance in elucidating the underlying icing physics on bridge cables for the development of innovative, effective anti-/de-icing strategies tailored specifically for bridge icing mitigation and protection in cold climates.
Liu, YangPeng, YihuaChen, WenliHu, Hui
Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Flow Over an Iced Airfoil2019-01-19456/10/2019
This paper presents an aerodynamic degradation study of an iced airfoil, using the Lattice Boltzmann approach with the commercial software PowerFLOW. Three-dimensional numerical simulations were performed with an extruded constant section of the GLC-305 airfoil with a leading-edge double-horn ice shape using periodic boundary conditions. The freestream Reynolds number, based on the chord, is 3.5 million and the Mach number is 0.12. An extensive comparison of the main flow features with experimental data is performed, including aerodynamic coefficients, pressure coefficient distributions, velocity and turbulence contours along with its profiles at several positions, and stagnation streamlines. The drag coefficient agrees well with experiments, in spite of a small shift. Two different wind tunnel measurements, using different measurement techniques, were compared to the CFD results, which mostly stayed in between the experimental data. Velocity and turbulence intensity contours as well as stagnation streamlines enabled a more detailed comparison of the flow field, which showed great accuracy of the simulations to predict the reattachment location. Overall, very good agreement is obtained with the available reference data. The numerical tool used to calculate the aerodynamic performance was able to deal with very complex flows, which in this case is highly unsteady, turbulent and characterized by large recirculation zones downstream of the ice. Such flow unsteadiness is caused by the flow separation and adverse pressure gradients. A mesh resolution analysis indicated grid convergence using a medium resolution setup, which provided good accuracy with fast turnaround times for the simulations. This enabled a complete angle of attack polar sweep, including post-stall angles.
Ihi, RafaelRibeiro, AndreSantos, LuisSilva, Daniel
Numerical Simulation of Aircraft and Variable-Pitch Propeller Icing with Explicit Coupling2019-01-19546/10/2019
A 3D CFD methodology is presented to simulate ice build-up on propeller blades exposed to known icing conditions in flight, with automatic blade pitch variation at constant RPM to maintain the desired thrust. One blade of a six-blade propeller and a 70-passenger twin-engine turboprop are analyzed as stand-alone components in a multi-shot quasi-steady icing simulation. The thrust that must be generated by the propellers is obtained from the drag computed on the aircraft. The flight conditions are typical for a 70-passenger twin-engine turboprop in a holding pattern in Appendix C icing conditions: 190 kts at an altitude of 6,000 ft. The rotation rate remains constant at 850 rpm, a typical operating condition for this flight envelope. Two icing conditions are simulated: air static temperature -23 °C, LWC 0.2 g/m3 and MVD 20 microns resulting in rime ice, and air static temperature -16 °C, LWC 0.3 g/m3 and MVD 20 microns resulting in mixed ice with rime to glaze transition in the radial direction. The ice shapes in both conditions are assumed to remain intact and attached to the blade, based on a predictive ice shedding calculation carried out a priori. The iced geometries are automatically remeshed at each shot using ANSYS FENSAP-ICE and Fluent Meshing tools. Solutions for the 2-meter blade are computed in a periodic domain to reduce computational costs. The pitch variation is a fully-automated process for each icing shot that uses an iterative Newton search on the blade position to converge the thrust to 0.1% of the target value.
Ozcer, IsikBaruzzi, Guido S.Desai, MirajYassin, Maged
Aerodynamic Comparison of Freezing Rain and Freezing Drizzle Conditions at the RTA Icing Wind Tunnel2019-01-20236/10/2019
The simulation of icing conditions in icing wind tunnels (IWTs) is a significant element in the certification of aircraft components and offers unique possibilities for research purposes. Up to 2014 only the conditions defined in Appendix C of the EASA Certification Specification 25, respectively the FAA Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part 25 were used for the certification processes in IWTs. In addition, Appendix O was introduced in 2014 to cover the supercooled large droplet (SLD) icing conditions of freezing drizzle and freezing rain, which pose a potential risk for flight safety. The simulation of SLD icing in IWTs is, due to the different behavior of the large droplets, very challenging and not all required conditions have successfully been recreated yet. RTA Rail Tec Arsenal Fahrzeugversuchsanlage GmbH has focused on the simulation of in-flight icing conditions since 2012 and increased effort was put in the simulation of SLDs in recent years. During several research projects funded by the Austrian government it was shown that droplet size distributions for freezing drizzle MVD > 40 μm and freezing rain MVD > 40 μm can be recreated close to the requirements. With further improvements to the spray system, a cloud uniformity within certain tolerances also has been achieved over areas large enough to cover an unscaled wing section. In order to determine the influence of the different droplet sizes on the aerodynamic performance, a NACA0012 wing section with a wingspan of 1.8 m and a chord of 1 m was exposed to different icing clouds including Appendix C conditions, freezing drizzle and freezing rain. The aerodynamic lift coefficient was recorded over a large angle of attack range and the characteristics of the different ice accretions were analyzed and documented using high resolution 3D scan technology. Furthermore, the drag increase during the icing process was measured. It was the first time that an unscaled wing was iced under artificial freezing rain conditions.
Breitfuß, WolfgangWannemacher, MichaelKnöbl, FlorianFerschitz, Hermann
An Experimental Study of Atmospheric Icing Process on Power Transmission Line2019-01-20196/10/2019
Atmospheric icing poses a major threat to power transmission lines in cold regions. In the present study, an experimental investigation was conducted to examine the atmospheric icing process on high-voltage power transmission lines and characterize the effects of the ice accretion on the aerodynamic forces acting on the transmission lines. The experimental study was conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel available at Iowa State University (ISU-IRT). A cylinder model with the same diameter of commonly-used high-voltage power transmission lines (i.e., D = 29mm) is subjected to a typical glaze icing condition at an incoming wind speed of 20 m/s, a liquid water content (LWC) of 2.0 g/m3 and an ambient temperature of -5 0C. A high-resolution 3D scanner was used in the present study to extract the 3D shapes of the ice structures accreted over surface of the cylindrical test model as a function of the ice accretion time. While the aerodynamic drag force acting on the test model was measured by using a force transducer during the dynamic ice accreting process, a high-resolution Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system was also used to quantify the characteristics of the wake flow behind the test model. It was found that, the drag coefficient of the test model reduced by about 30% during the initial phase of the icing process, and then increased continuously throughout the rest of the icing event. The aerodynamic force measurement results were correlated with the PIV flow field measurements to elucidate the underlying physics.
Veerakumar, RamsankarGao, LinyueLiu, YangHu, Hui
The rotor hub asembly is a primary contributor to rotorcraft parasite drag. Reducing hub drag is one mandatory step to enabling future high - sped conventional and compound rotorcraft. The importance of high - Reynolds number testing of rotor hub flows is emphasized by realizing that high - Reynolds number turbulent coherent structures remain strong for long distances downstream up to the long - age wake where they interact with the empennage and tail. Basic research conducted through the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence (VLRCOE) at Pen State's water tunnel facilities has provided unique high Reynolds - scale data of rotor hub wakes, providing new data for physical understanding and validation of computa tional fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. A first rot or hub flow prediction workshop was held in June 2016; the present paper focuses on 'blind comparison results' between experimental data and CFD analyses that were part of the second rotor hub flow prediction workshop at Pen State VLRCOE in May 2018. The hub workshops are the result of a collaboration between Pen State and Georgia Tech VLRCOEs with support from the National Rotorcraft Technology Center (NRTC), including participation from academia, industry, and government. They are compelling examples of productive exchange between experimental and computational efforts that advance the community's knowledge about these complex flows that are relevant to efficient and safe vertical lift.
Schmitz, SvenCentolanza, LouisTierney, CharlesMetkowski, LeonardReich, DavidJaffa, NicholasThomas, Mathew
This paper describes the development of a suction and oscillatory blowing (SAOB) active flow control (AFC) system, that was aimed towards achieving drag-reduction in a full-scale rotorcraft flight-test environment. The experimental work presented here includes benchtop characterization of the AFC actuators, development and testing of the AFC system using a full-scale two-dimensional airfoil at Tel Aviv University, and full scale testing of a UH-60 External Stores Support System (ESSS) in the CCDC AvMC Aviation Development Directorate 7- by 10-ft wind tunnel up to 140 knots. The airfoil tests composed of two stages, steady suction through holes on the trailing edge and the addition of pulsed blowing using SAOB actuators. The steady suction testing focused on identifying the optimal suction locations, while the SAOB experiments validated the suitability of the chosen actuator arrays to obtain the desired drag reduction at reasonable energetic cost. Tests for both steady suction and SAOB actuators resulted in 15-30 percent drag reduction compared to the clean baseline on the two-dimensional ESSS airfoil. Results from testing the full-scale ESSS identified the complexity of this configuration and the difficulty of transitioning directly from 2D component testing to three-dimensional testing of actual flight hardware. It became evident that by placing SAOB actuators only on the ESSS wing section, only 2-3 percent drag reduction was achievable. Further study is on-going to better understand aerodynamic interactions and develop a path towards more robust drag reduction.
Schatzman, DavidDrori, OfekWilson, JacobSeifert, Avraham
High speed rotorcraft transmissions are subject to load-independent power losses consisting of drag and pumping loss. Tightly conforming shrouds enclosing the transmission gears are often incorporated to reduce the drag component of the total load independent losses. However, tightly conforming axial shrouding can result in an increase in the pumping loss component. Quantifying the pumping loss of shrouded gear transmissions has been the subject of many studies. This study presents a new approach for estimating pumping loss based on the concept of swept volume borrowed from the positive displacement pump and compressor industry. In this study, pumping loss of shrouded gear transmissions is considered to be related to the swept volume of the gear sets and the downstream flow resistance created by the shroud clearances. The drag loss and pumping loss of a spur gear pair have been determined through testing using the NASA Glenn Research Center Gear Windage Test Facility. The results from this testing have been compared to theoretical results using the formulations presented in this study. Good correlation exist between the test pumping power loss and the predicted pumping power loss for tightly conforming axial shroud configurations.
Hurrell, MichaelDelgado, Irebert
No abstract. Part of Introduction: Helicopter rotor hubs are geometrically complex components that experience a wide rage of aerodynamic behaviors and flow physics. This includes strong unsteadiness, large amounts of separation, laminar-turbulent transition, and interactional aerodynamic behaviors (Ref. 1). At high forward flight speeds (high advance ratios), the parasitic drag of the hub accounts for O(30 percent) of the total power required to fly (Ref. 1). A common method for characterizing this contribution is the hub drag factor, Kf e, which correlates the flat-plate area of the hub with the helicopter gross weight and functions as a technology factor (Ref. 2). In a recent assessment of needs for future vertical lift systems, Ormiston suggested that the hub drag factor needs to be reduced from the current state of the art of Kf e = 0:5 down to a value 0.2 (Ref. 3).
Coder, James
In order to extend the boundaries of helicopter performance and increase forward-flight speed, it is necessary to reduce the drag on the rotor hub, which can account for as much as 30% of the total parasite drag on the helicopter. Currently, there is limited experimental data available to predict the drag force on new hub configurations. The purpose of this testing is to create a database of lift and drag at various angles of attack to aid in hub design and hub drag prediction. Testing was conducted in the 12 inch-diameter water tunnel at ARL Penn State on four shapes - DBLN 526, 4:1 Ellipse, 3.25:1 Rectangle, and a new Optimized Cambered Shape (OCS) designed at UT Knoxville. Load cell data for lift and drag were obtained for angles of attack from approximately -5 degrees to 5 degrees. Drag data were also calculated using PIV velocity fields. Results are plotted and tabulated for use in future hub drag prediction toolsets.
Tierney, CharlesHarris, JeffReich, DavidJaffa, NicholasSchmitz, Sven
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