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Accelerated Laboratory Test for Determination of Slacking Characteristics of Coal
Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines on laboratory testing developed to measure the slacking of coals. Testing methods and results are presented. This report includes tables and graphs.
Bending Tests of Metal Monocoque Fuselage Construction
Study of the bending stress in smooth skin, aluminum alloy, true monocoque fuselage sections of varying ratio of diameter to thickness.
Effect of the Angular Position of the Section of a Ring Cowling on the High Speed of an XF7C-1 Airplane
The tests herein reported were conducted by the NACA to determine the effect of the angular position of the section of a ring cowling on the speed of an airplane having a radial air-cooled engine.
An investigation of the phenomenon of separation in the air flow around simple quadric cylinders
The tests, conducted at the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory of Stanford University, to investigate the phenomenon of separation in the air flow past geometric shapes are described in this report.
Mathematical treatise on the recovery from a flat spin
In this mathematical investigation, made in collaboration with Dr. Wilhelm Schmidt, we interpret the temporary change (due to some disturbance) in the quantities which define the position of the airplane while in a flat spin. We further examine the effect of this change, of the means resorted to to produce the disturbance, and thus reveal the expedients available for recovering from a flat spin.
Metal Covering of Airplanes
This paper presents a relative determination of the wrinkling of a plate wall beam with variable number of supports and methods of attachment. The discussion is based entirely on tests with extensometer readings and number of wrinkles, with complete web and with cutout sections. The author notes that the number of corrugations increase with added stress, keeping constant edge spacing.
Practical Tests With The "Auto Control Slot" Part 1: Lecture
"The effect of a slotted wing depends essentially on the fact that a secondary flow branches off from the main flow and passes to the suction side of the profile. It is thus possible to delay the separation greatly and increase the lift. The practical aspect of the slotted wing is less known in Germany, especially the results obtained during the last three years since the introduction of the 'auto control slot'" (p. 1).
Practical Tests With The "Auto Control Slot" Part 2: Discussion
"For some time the D.V.L. has been investigating the question of applicability of Handley Page slotted wings to German airplanes. Comparitive gliding tests were made with open and closed slots on an Albatros L 75 airplane equipped with the Handley Page "auto control slots." This investigation served to determine the effect of the auto control slot on the properties and performances of airplanes at large angles of attack. The most important problems were whether the angle of glide at small angles of attack can be increased by the adoption of the auto control slot and, in particular, as to whether the flight characteristics at large angles of attack are improved thereby and equilibrium in gliding flight is guaranteed even at larger than ordinary angles of attack" (p. 1).
Riveted Joints in Thin Plates
The method of riveting by forming the closing head under increasing pressure or by a series of hammer blows is investigated. The question as to the best edge distance, i.e. that distance from the rivet center to the plate edge below which it is unadvisable to go and, at the same time useless to go beyond, was examined. The slippage of plates which occurs under the effect of a certain stress, does not completely disappear on unloading.
Some Characteristics of Fuel Sprays From Open Nozzles
"The penetration and cone-angle of fuel sprays from open nozzles were recorded with the NACA Spray Photography Equipment. The results show that for injection systems in which the rate of pressure rise at the discharge orifice is high, open nozzles give spray-tip velocities and penetrations which compare favorably with those of closed nozzles. The spray cone-angle was the same for all tests, although open nozzles having different orifice diameters were used, and one nozzle was used both as an open and as a closed nozzle" (p. 1).
Vickers "Viastra I" Commercial Airplane (British): A High-Wing All-Metal Semicantilever Monoplane
Circular describing the Vickers Viastra I, which is a commercial high-wing all-metal semicantilever monoplane. Details of the structure, fuselage, wings, fuel tanks, landing gear, tail, cabin, cockpit, characteristics, drawings, and photographs are provided.
Full-scale tests of metal propellers at high tip speeds
This report describes tests of 10 full-scale metal propellers of several thickness ratios at various tip speeds up to 1,350 feet per second. The results indicate no loss of efficiency up to tip speeds of approximately 1,000 feet per second. Above this tip speed the loss is at a rate of about 10 per cent per 100 feet per second increase relative to the efficiency at the lower speeds for propellers of pitch diameter ratios 0.3 to 0.4. Propellers having sections of small thickness ratio can be run at slightly higher speeds than thick ones before beginning to lose efficiency.
Accident Experience and Cost of Accidents in Washington Coal Mines
Report containing tables detailing cost of mining accidents in Washington state in comparison with other states.
Advantages of Oxide Films as Bases for Aluminum Pigmented Surface Coatings for Aluminum Alloys
Report discussing both laboratory and weather-exposure corrosion tests showed conclusively that the protection afforded by aluminum pigmented spar varnish coatings applied to previously anodized aluminum surfaces was greatly superior to that afforded by the same coatings applied to surfaces which had simply been cleaned free from grease and not anodized.
The aerodynamic characteristics of six commonly used Airfoils over a large range of positive and negative angles of attack
From Summary: "This paper presents the results of tests of six commonly used airfoils: the CYH, the N-22, the C-72, the Boeing 106, and the Gottingen 398. The lifts, drags, and pitching moments of the airfoils were measured through a large range of positive and negative angles of attack. The tests were made in the variable density wind tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics at a large Boeing 106, and the Gottingen 398 airfoils, the negative maximum lift coefficients were found to be approximately half the positive; but for the M-6 and the CYH, which have less effective values were, respectively, 0.8 and 0.6 of the positive values."
The effect of slots and flaps on the lift and drag of the McDonnell Airplanes determined in flight
This note contains the results of flight test conducted by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on a low-wing monoplane equipped with leading-edge slots extending over the entire wing and flaps extending only to the ailerons, to find their effect on the lift and drag characteristics of the airplane. Curves are given showing the lift and drag characteristics of the airplane for the following conditions of the slots and flaps neutral; slots closed and flaps down; and slots open and flaps down. In addition, the high and low speed in level flight and the climbing characteristics are given. The results show that the slots used alone increase the maximum lift coefficient 54 per cent; the flaps alone increase it 38 per cent; and the slots and flaps in combination decrease the landing speed from 60 to 43 m.p.h.; increase the speed range of the airplane 40 per cent; and increase the glide angle at landing speed 4.2 degrees.
The Guilleman J.G. 10 (French) : A Two-Place Touring Low-Wing Monoplane
Circular describing the Guillemin J.G. 10, which is a two-place touring low-wing monoplane. Details of the wing, fuselage, engine, characteristics, drawings, and photographs are provided.
Measurement of Visibility From the Pilot's Cockpit on Different Airplane Types
A process for the measurement of the visibility of airplanes from the pilot's cockpit is developed. The apparatus necessary for the measurements was suitably constructed and measurements of the fields of vision were made with it. The visibilities of six airplanes of different types of construction and use were measured, as well as the visibility of an automobile for comparison. An attempt was made to establish minimum visibility requirements and to express the excellence of visibility by means of a numerical coefficient.
Measurements of Vertical Air Currents in the Atmosphere
To summarize, the experiments with balloons, sailplanes and light airplanes conducted thus far, reveal the vertical velocities of the air to be primarily dependent on the vertical temperature distribution. Stable stratifications result in up-and-down currents forced by the contour of the ground, which are readily recognized in flight and, if need be, may be avoided.
Relations Between Ship Design and Seaplane Design
This report examines various aspects of seaplane construction; namely, stability, propulsion, water-tight bulkheads, fire protection, and construction.
Some characteristics of fuel sprays at low-injection pressures
"This report presents the results of tests conducted at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, Langley Field, Va., to determine some of the characteristics of the fuel sprays obtained from an 0.008-inch and a 0.020-inch open nozzle when injection pressures from 100 to 500 pounds per square inch were used. Fuel oil and gasoline were injected into air at densities of atmospheric land 0.325 pound per cubic foot. It was found that the penetration rate at these low pressures was about the same as the rate obtained with higher pressures. Spray cone-angles were small and individual oil drops were visible in all the sprays. Gasoline and fuel oil sprays had similar characteristics" (p. 1).
Spatial Buckling of Various Types of Airplane Strut Systems
Equations are presented for two and three dimensional strut systems along with tables of equations.
Zinc and its alloys
A report on zinc and its alloys.
Zinc and Its Alloys
Report issued by the Bureau of Standards discussing world production of zinc and zinc alloys. History, metallurgy, and structural properties of zinc are presented. This report includes tables, illustrations, and photographs.
Tests of nacelle-propeller combinations in various positions with reference to wings. Part I : thick wing-N.A.C.A. cowled nacelle-tractor propeller
This report gives the results in the 20-foot propeller research tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics on the interference drag and propulsive efficiency of a nacelle-propeller combination located in 21 positions with reference to a thick wing. The lift, drag, and propulsive efficiency were obtained at several angles of attack for each of the 21 locations. A net efficiency was derived for determining the over-all effectiveness of each nacelle location. Best results were obtained with the propeller about 25 per cent of the chord directly ahead of the leading edge. A location immediately above or below the wing near the leading edge was very poor.
The effect on airplane performance of the factors that must be considered in applying low-drag cowling to radial engines
From Summary: "This report presents the results of flight tests with three different airplanes using several types of low-drag cowling for radial air-cooled engines. The greater part of the tests were made with a Curtiss XF7Cc-1 (Sea Hawk) with a 410 horsepower. Wasp engine, using three fuselage nose shapes and six types of outer cowling. The six cowlings were: a narrow ring, a wide ring, a wide cowling similar in the original NACA cowling, a thick ring incorporating an exhaust collector, a single-surface cowling shaped like the outer surface of the exhaust-collector cowling, and polygon-ring cowling, of which the angle of the straight sections with the thrust line could be varied over a wide range."
Combustion of Gaseous Mixtures
This report not only presents matters of practical importance in the classification of engine fuels, for which other means have proved inadequate, but also makes a few suggestions. It confirms the results of Withrow and Boyd which localize the explosive wave in the last portions of the mixture burned. This being the case, it may be assumed that the greater the normal combustion, the less the energy developed in the explosive form. In order to combat the detonation, it is therefore necessary to try to render the normal combustion swift and complete, as produced in carbureted mixtures containing benzene (benzol), in which the flame propagation, beginning at the spark, yields a progressive and pronounced darkening on the photographic film.
The Effect of Clearance Distribution on the Performance of a Compression-Ignition Engine with a Precombustion Chamber
"The clearance distribution in a precombustion chamber cylinder head was varied so that for a constant compression ratio of 13.5 the spherical auxiliary chambers contained 20, 35, 50, and 70 per cent of the total clearance volume. Each chamber was connected to the cylinder by a single circular passage, flared at both ends, and of a cross-sectional area proportional to the chamber volume, thereby giving the same calculated air-flow velocity through each passage. Results of engine-performance tests are presented with variations of power, fuel consumption, explosion pressure, rate of pressure rise, ignition lag, heat loss to the cooling water, and motoring characteristics" (p. 1).
The effect of connecting-passage diameter on the performance of a compression-ignition engine with a precombustion chamber
Results of motoring tests are presented showing the effect of passage diameter on chamber and cylinder compression pressures, maximum pressure differences, and f.m.e.p. over a speed range from 300 to 1,750 r.p.m. Results of engine performance tests are presented which show the effect of passage diameter on m.e.p., explosion pressures, specific fuel consumption, and rates of pressure rise for a range of engine speeds from 500 to 1,500 r.p.m. The cylinder compression pressure, the maximum pressure difference, and the f.m.e.p. decreased rapidly as the passage diameter increased to 29/64 inch, whereas further increase in passage diameter effected only a slight change. The most suitable passage diameter for good engine performance and operating characteristics was 29/64 inch. Passage diameter became less critical with a decrease in engine speed. Therefore, the design should be based on maximum operating speed. Optimum performance and satisfactory combustion control could not be obtained by means of any single diameter of the connecting passage.
Influence of Several Factors on Ignition Lag in a Compression-Ignition Engine
"This investigation was made to determine the influence of fuel quality, injection advance angle, injection valve-opening pressure, inlet-air pressure, compression ratio, and engine speed on the time lag of auto-ignition of a Diesel fuel oil in a single-cylinder compression-ignition engine as obtained from an analysis of indicator diagrams. Three cam-operated fuel-injection pumps, two pumps cams, and an automatic injection valve with two different nozzles were used. Ignition lag was considered to be the interval between the start of injection of the fuel as determined with a Stroborama and the start of effective combustion as determined from the indicator diagram, the latter being the point where 4.0 x 10(exp-6) pound of fuel had been effectively burned" (p. 1).
The Messerschmidt M.29 Touring Airplane (German): A Two-Seat Cantilever Monoplane
Circular describing the Messerschmidt M.29 touring airplane, which is a two-seat cantilever monoplane that was specifically developed as a sport and touring airplane. Details of the flight characteristics, wing structure, fuselage, tail surfaces, landing gear, controls, power plant, instruments, miscellaneous details, characteristics, drawings, and photographs are provided.
Methods of Recording Rapid Wind Changes
"The purpose of our research was to determine the rapid changes of air currents which impose varying stresses on the wings of airplanes. We attempted to express in figures the turbulence of the air, which perhaps plays some role in the behavior of airplanes in flight, as well as in the realization of certain methods of gliding flight. This is the reason which led us to conceive and develop the experimental equipment (hot-wire anemometer) described herein" (p. 1).
Nieuport-Delage 590 Military Airplane (French): A Two-Place High-Wing Cantilever Monoplane
Circular presenting a description of the Nieuport-Delage 590 three-engine colonial cantilever monoplane, which meets the requirements of the program established by the French Government. Information is provided regarding the design, construction, and instruments are provided.
Some Ideas on Racing Seaplanes
This report presents the author's designs and construction of various seaplanes to raced in the Schneider Cup. The results of tests are presented as well as discussions of various structures like floats and wings.
The Testing of Airplane Fabrics
This report considers the determining factors in the choice of airplane fabrics, describes the customary methods of testing and reports some of the experimental results. To sum up briefly the results obtained with the different fabrics, it may be said that increasing the strength of covering fabrics by using coarser yarns ordinarily offers no difficulty, because the weight increment from doping is relatively smaller.
General Potential Theory of Arbitrary Wing Sections
The problem of determining the two dimensional potential flow around wing sections of any shape is examined. The problem is condensed into the compact form of an integral equation capable of yielding numerical solutions by a direct process. An attempt is made to analyze and coordinate the results of earlier studies relating to properties of wing sections. The existing approximate theory of thin wing sections and the Joukowski theory with its numerous generalizations are reduced to special cases of the general theory of arbitrary sections, permitting a clearer perspective of the entire field. The method which permits the determination of the velocity at any point of an arbitrary section and the associated lift and moments is described. The method is also discussed in terms for developing new shapes of preassigned aerodynamical properties.
Aerodynamic forces and moments of a seaplane on the water
From Introduction: "This report gives the results of wind-tunnel tests with a seaplane model as a contribution to the solution of the aerodynamic problems."
Aerodynamic tests of a low aspect ratio tapered wing with an auxiliary airfoil for use on tailless airplanes
From Introduction: "The present report gives the results of tests made on a tapered wing with a nontapered auxiliary airfoil affixed to it. The wing was the one used in reference 7."
The Effect of Split Trailing-Edge Wing Flaps on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Parasol Monoplane
"This paper presents the results of tests conducted in the N.A.C.A. full-scale wind tunnel on a Fairchild F-22 airplane equipped with a special wing having split trailing-edge flaps. The flaps extended over the outer 90 percent of the wing span, and were of the fixed-hinge type having a width equal to 20 percent of the wing chord. The results show that with a flap setting of 59 degrees the maximum lift of the wing was increased 42 percent, and that the flaps increased the range of available gliding angles from 2.7 degrees to 7.0 degrees" (p. 1).
Effect of stabilizer location upon pitching and yawing moments in spins as shown by tests with the spinning balance
Tests were made with the spinning balance in a 5-foot wind tunnel to study the effect of stabilizer location upon the pitching and yawing moments given by the tail surfaces in spinning attitudes. The tests revealed that the horizontal surfaces, when in a normal location, seriously reduced the effectiveness of the fin and rudder, particularly at angles of attack of 50 degrees or more. The tests also revealed that a more forward or more rearward location gave no consistent or decided improvement; that a lower location greatly increased the shielding so that the yawing moment from the combination was in general less than that given by the bare fuselage; and that a higher location decreased the shielding and gave a favorable interference effect, particularly at the high angles of attack. Additional results regarding the stabilizer and the elevator are given.
The Effect on Engine Performance of Change in Jacket-Water Outlet Temperature
Tests made on a Curtiss D-12 engine in the Altitude Laboratory at the Bureau of Standards show the following effects on engine performance of change in jacket-water outlet temperature: 1) Friction at all altitudes is a linear function of the jacket-water temperature, decreasing with increasing temperature. 2) The brake horsepower below an altitude of about 9,000 feet decreases, and at higher altitudes increases, with jacket-water temperature. 3) The brake specific fuel consumption tends to decrease, at all altitudes, with increasing jacket-water temperature. 4) The percentage change in brake power output is roughly equal to the algebraic sum of the percentage change in volumetric efficiency and mechanical efficiency.
The effects of slots and flaps on lateral control of a low-wing monoplane as determined in flight
This paper presents the results of flight tests made to determine the effect of slots and flaps on the lateral control of a low-wing monoplane. Maximum angular accelerations in roll and yaw produced by sudden application of the ailerons and maximum accelerations in yaw produced by sudden application of the rudder during gliding flight were recorded for the following wing arrangements: (a) no auxiliary device; (b) full-span slots; (c) plain flaps; (d) flaps and full-span slots; (e) wing-tip slots. Rolling- and yawing-moment coefficients were derived from the accelerations.
Tank Tests of Two Floats for High-Speed Seaplanes
"At the request of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, a study of the design of floats especially suitable for use on high-speed seaplanes was undertaken in the N.A.C.A. tank. This note give the results obtained in tests of one-quarter full-size models of two floats for high-speed seaplanes. One was a float similar to that used on the Macchi high-speed seaplane which competed in the 1926 Schneider Trophy races, and the other a float designed at the N.A.C.A. tank in an attempt to improve on the water performance of the Macchi float. The model of the latter showed considerably better water performance than the model of the Macchi float" (p. 1).
The Theory of the Strandgren Cyclogyro
This report provides a description of the Standgren flying machine which consists of two wheels with a certain number of equidistant blades arranged around the horizontal axis of rotation and parallel to this axis. Each blade is fixed so as to be able to feather about an axis parallel to its span at the same time as it turns about the general axis of rotation. A general theory of wheels with blades rotating about a transverse axis is presented.
The NACA variable-density wind tunnel
This report describes the redesigned variable-density wind tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics; it supersedes a previous report that described the original tunnel. The operation of the balance and the method of testing are explained and the method of correcting and presenting airfoil data is described. A summary of the formulas for predicting the characteristics of finite wings from the airfoil section data as they are usually presented is also given.
The Aachen Wind-Tunnel Balance
Report discussing a description of the balance in the Aachen wind-tunnel.
Analyses of Crude Oils From Some Fields of Southern Louisiana
Report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Mines on the studies of crude oil samples collected from southern Louisiana. The properties of each sample are analyzed. This report includes tables.
The Calculated Effect of Trailing-Edge Flaps on the Take-Off of Flying Boats
"The results of take-off calculations are given for an application of simple trailing-edge flaps to two hypothetical flying boats, one having medium wing and power loading and consequently considerable excess of thrust over total resistance during the take-off run, the other having high wing and power loading and a very low excess thrust. For these seaplanes the effect of downward flap settings was: (1) to increase the total resistance below the stalling speed, (2) to decrease the get-away speed, (3) to improve the take-off performance of the seaplane having considerable excess thrust, and (4) to hinder the take-off of the seaplane having low excess thrust" (p. 1).
Landing characteristics of an autogiro
An investigation to determine the rate of descent, the horizontal velocity, and the attitude at contact of an autogiro in landings was made by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics at the request of the Bureau of Air Commerce, Department of Commerce. The investigation covered various types of landings. The results of the investigation disclosed that the maximum rate of descent at contact with the ground (10.6 feet per second) was less than the minimum rate of descent attainable in a steady glide (15.8 feet per second); that the rates of descent at contact were of the same order of magnitude as those experienced by conventional airplanes in landings; that flared landings resulted in very low horizontal velocities at contact. Also that unexpectedly high lift and drag force coefficients were developed in the latter stages of the flared landings.
The Processes in Spring-Loaded Injection Valves of Solid Injection Oil Engines
"On the premise of a rectangular velocity wave arriving at the valve, the equation of motion of a spring-loaded valve stem is developed and analyzed. It is found that the stem oscillates, the oscillation frequency being consistently above the natural frequency of the nozzle stem alone, and whose amplitudes would increase in the absence of damping. The results are evaluated and verified on an example" (p. 1).
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