National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) - 173 Matching Results

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The aerodynamic characteristics of six full-scale propellers having different airfoil sections
From Summary: "Wind-tunnel tests are reported of six 3-blade 10-foot propellers operated in front of a liquid-cooled engine nacelle. The propellers were identical except for blade airfoil sections, which were: Clark y, R.A.F. 6, NACA 4400, NACA 2400-34, NACA 2rsub200, and NACA 6400. The range of blade angles investigated extended for 15 degrees to 40 degrees for all propellers except the Clark y, for which it extended to 45 degrees. The results showed that the range in maximum efficiency between the highest and lowest values was about 3 percent. The highest efficiencies were for the low-camber sections."
Aircraft rate-of-climb indicators
From Summary: "The theory of the rate-of-climb indicator is developed in a form adapted for application to the instrument in its present-day form. Certain dynamic effects, including instrument lag, and the use of the rate-of-climb indicator as a statoscope are also considered. Modern instruments are described. A laboratory test procedure is outlined and test results are given."
Airfoil section characteristics as affected by variations of the Reynolds number
Report presents the results of an investigation of a systematically chosen representative group of related airfoils conducted in the NACA variable-density wind tunnel over a wide range of Reynolds number extending well into the flight range. The tests were made to provide information from which the variations of airfoil section characteristics with changes in the Reynolds number could be inferred and methods of allowing for these variations in practice could be determined. This work is one phase of an extensive and general airfoil investigation being conducted in the variable-density tunnel and extends the previously published researches concerning airfoil characteristics as affected by variations in airfoil profile determined at a single value of the Reynolds number.
Airfoil section data obtained in the NACA variable-density tunnel as affected by support interference and other corrections
From Introduction: "The purpose of this report is to present the corrections for application to published results from the variable-density tunnel to give more reliable values of section profile-drag coefficient for airfoils of various thickness."
Annual Report of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (24th). Administrative Report Including Technical Report Nos. 612 to 644
Report includes the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics letter of submittal to the President, summaries of the committee's activities and research accomplished, bibliographies, and financial report.
Calculation of the Induced Efficiency of Heavily Loaded Propellers Having Infinite Number of Blades
Report presenting an approximate method of computing the induced efficiency of heavily loaded propellers in suitable form for extension to finite number of blades and a comparison of results obtained using the method with the data of the Betz-Helmbold theory for heavily loaded propellers.
Determination of the Profile Drag of an Airplane Wing in Flight at High Reynolds Numbers
Report presenting flight tests to determine the profile-drag coefficients of a portion of the original wing surface of an all-metal airplane and a portion of the wing made aerodynamically smooth and more nearly fair than the original section. Tests were also carried out to determine the point of transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer and to determine the velocity distribution along the upper surface of the wing.
Effect of Service Stress on Impact Resistance, X-Ray Diffraction Patterns, and Microstructure of 25S Aluminum Alloy
Report presents the results of a great number of tests made to determine the effect of service stresses on the impact resistance, the x-ray diffraction patterns, and the microstructure of 25s aluminum alloy. Many of the specimens were taken from actual propeller blades and others were cut from 13/16-inch rod furnished by the Aluminum Company of America.
Experimental Investigation of the Momentum Method for Determining Profile Drag
Report presents the results of an experimental investigation conducted in the full-scale tunnel to determine the accuracy of the Jones and the Betz equations for computing profile drag from total and static pressure surveys in the wake of wings. Surveys were made behind 6 by 8-foot airfoils of the NACA 0009, and 0018 sections at zero lift and behind the NACA 0012 at positive lifts. The surveys were made at various spanwise positions and at distances behind the airfoil ranging from 0.05c to 3.00c.
Interference of Tail Surfaces and Wing and Fuselage from Tests of 17 Combinations in the N.A.C.A. Variable-Density Tunnel
"An investigation of the interference associated with tail surfaces added to wing-fuselage combinations was included in the interference program in progress in the NACA variable-density tunnel. The results indicate that, in aerodynamically clean combinations, the increment to the high-speed drag can be estimated from section characteristics within useful limits of accuracy. The interference appears mainly as effects on the downwash angel and as losses in the tail" (p. 1).
Meteorological-Physical Limitations of Icing in the Atmosphere
The icing hazard can, in most cases, be avoided by correct execution of the flights according to meteorological viewpoints and by meteorologically correct navigation (horizontal and, above all, vertical). The zones of icing hazard are usually narrowly confined. Their location can be ascertained with, in most cases, sufficient accuracy before take-off.
Nomenclature for Aeronautics
The nomenclature for aeronautics presented in this Report No. 474 is a revision of the last previous report on this subject (i.e., Report no. 240.) This report is published for the purpose of encouraging greater uniformity and precision in the use of terms relating to aeronautics, both in official documents of the Government and in commercial publications. Terms in general use in other branches of engineering have been included only where they have some special significance in aeronautics, or form an integral part of its terminology.
Pressure-Distribution Measurements on a Tapered Wing With a Full-Span Split Flap in Curved Flight
"Pressure-distribution tests were made on the 32-foot whirling arm of the Daniel Guggenheim Airship Institute of a tapered wing to determine the rolling and yawing moments due to an angular velocity in yaw. The model was tested at 0 degree and 5 degrees pitch, -1 degree and 5 degree yaw, and with a full-span flap deflected 60 degrees. The results are given in the form of span load distributions and in calculated moment coefficients" (p. 1).
Pressure drop in tank and float vent tubes on diving airplanes
Report presenting an experiment regarding tank and float venting conditions that exist on diving airplanes undergoing rapid changes in altitude. The results indicated that large pressure differences build up between the outside and inside of tanks and floats on diving airplanes unless the correct size of venting tube is used.
Tests of NACA 0009, 0012, and 0018 Airfoils in the Full-Scale Tunnel
"An investigation was conducted in the NACA full-scale wind tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 0009, 0012, and 0018 airfoils, with the ultimate purpose of providing data to be used as a basis for comparison with other wind-tunnel data, mainly in the study of scale and turbulence effects. Three symmetrical 6 by 36-foot rectangular airfoils were used. The Reynolds number range for minimum drag was form 1,800,000 to 7,000,000 and for maximum lift, from 1,700,000 to 4,500,000" (p. 1).
Tests of related forward-camber airfoils in the variable-density wind tunnel
"A recent investigation of numerous related airfoils indicated that positions of camber forward of the usual location resulted in an increase of the maximum lift. As an extension of this investigation, a series of forward-camber airfoils has been developed, the members of which show airfoil characteristics superior to those of the airfoils previously investigated. The primary object of this report is to present fully corrected results for airfoils in the useful range of shapes. With the data thus made available, an airplane designer may intelligently choose the best possible airfoil-section shape for a given application and may predict to a reasonable degree the aerodynamic characteristics to be expected in flight from the section shape chosen" (p. 1).
Theory of Two-Dimensional Potential Flow About Arbitrary Wing Sections
"Three general theories treating the potential flow about an arbitrary wing section are discussed in this report. The first theory treats the method of conformal transformation as laid down by Theodorsen and Garrick; the second is a generalization of Birnbaum's theory for moderately thick airfoils; the third is a general investigation of the complex velocity function with particular reference to the relations first discussed by F. Weinig. The relative merits of the different methods in question are illustrated on a worked-out example and will be published in a subsequent issue of this periodical" (p. 1).
The Unsteady Lift of a Finite Wing
Note discussing the lift of a finite wing including the calculations and constants for each step of the lift. This information is compared against the lift of an infinite wing. From Summary: "Unsteady lift function for wings of finite aspect ratio have been calculated by approximate methods involving corrections of the aerodynamic inertia and of the angle of the infinite wing. The starting lift of the finite wing is found to be only slightly less than that of the infinite wing; whereas the final lift may be considerably less. The calculations indicate that the distribution of lift near the start is similar to the final distribution."
Determination of the Profile Drag of an Airplane Wing in Flight at High Reynolds Numbers
"Flight tests were made to determine the profile-drag coefficients of a portion of the original wing surface of an all-metal airplane and of a portion of the wing made aerodynamically smooth and more nearly fair than the original section. The wing section was approximately the NACA 2414.5. The tests were carried out over a range of airplane speeds giving a maximum Reynolds number of 15,000,000. Tests were also carried out to locate the point of transition from laminar to turbulent boundary layer and to determine the velocity distribution along the upper surface of the wing" (p. 483).
Preliminary wind-tunnel investigation of an NACA 23012 airfoil with various arrangements of venetian-blind flaps
Report presents the results of an investigation made in the NACA 7 by 10-foot wind tunnel of a large-chord NACA 23012 airfoil with several arrangements of venetian-blind flaps to determine the aerodynamic section characteristics as affected by the over-all flap chord, the chords of the slats used to form the flap, the slat spacing, the number of slats and the position of the flap with respect to the wing. Complete section data are given in the form of graphs for all the combinations tested.
Effect of exit-slot position and opening on the available cooling pressure for NACA nose-slot cowlings
Report presents the results of an investigation of full-scale nose-slot cowlings conducted in the NACA 20-foot wind tunnel to furnish information on the pressure drop available for cooling. Engine conductances from 0 to 0.12 and exit-slot conductances from 0 to 0.30 were covered. Two basic nose shapes were tested to determine the effect of the radius of curvature of the nose contour; the nose shape with the smaller radius of curvature gave the higher pressure drop across the engine. The best axial location of the slot for low-speed operation was found to be in the region of maximum negative pressure for the basic shape for the particular operating condition. The effect of the pressure operating condition on the available cooling pressure is shown.
Calculation of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Tapered Wings With Partial-Span Flaps
"Factors derived from wing theory are presented. By means of these factors, the angle of zero lift, the lift-curve slope, the pitching moment, the aerodynamic-center position, and the induced drag of tapered wings with partial-span flaps may be calculated. The factors are given for wings of aspect ratios 6 and 10 , of taper ratios from 0.25 to 1.00, and with flaps of various length. An example is presented of the method of application of the factors. Fair agreement with experimental results is shown for two wings of different taper ratio having plain flaps of various spacing" (p. 1).
Static Thrust and Power Characteristics of Six Full-Scale Propellers
"Static thrust and power measurements were made of six full-scale propellers. The propellers were mounted in front of a liquid-cooled-engine nacelle and were tested at 15 different blade angles in the range from -7 1/2 degrees to 35 degrees at 0.75r. The test rig was located outdoors and the tests were made under conditions of approximately zero wind velocity" (p. 85).
The charging process in a high-speed, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine
From Summary: "Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations were made on an aircraft-type, single cylinder engine, in order to determine the physical nature of the inlet process, especially at high piston speeds. The engine was run at speeds from 1,500 to 2,600 r.p.m. (mean piston speeds of 1,370 to 2,380 feet per minute). Measurements were made of the cylinder pressure during the inlet stroke and of the power output and volumetric efficiency. Measurements were also made, with the engine not running, to determine the resistance and mass of air in the inlet valve port at various crank angles. Results of analysis indicate that mass has an appreciable effect, but friction plays the major part in restricting flow. The observed fact that the volumetric efficiency is considerably less than 100 percent is attributed to thermal effects. An estimate was made of the magnitude of these effects in the present case, and their general nature is discussed."
Circulation Measurements About the Tip of an Airfoil During Flight Through a Gust
"Measurements were made of the circulation about the rectangular tip of a short-span airfoil passing through an artificial gust of known velocity gradient. A Clark Y airfoil of 30-centimeter chord was mounted on a whirling arm and moved at a velocity of 29 meters per second over a vertical gust with a velocity of nearly 7 meters per second. Flow angles were measured with a hot-wire apparatus" (p. 1).
Comparative Performance of Engines Using a Carburetor, Manifold Injection, and Cylinder Injection
"The comparative performance was determined of engines using three methods of mixing the fuel and the air: the use of a carburetor, manifold injection, and cylinder injection. The tests were made of a single-cylinder engine with a Wright 1820-G air-cooled cylinder. Each method of mixing the fuel and the air was investigated over a range of fuel-air ratios from 0.10 to the limit of stable operation and at engine speeds of 1,500 and 1,900 r.p.m." (p. 1).
Comparison of Theory With Experiment in the Phenomenon of Wing Flutter
Direct measurements were undertaken at the Aeronautics Laboratory in Turin of the aerodynamic actions on an oscillating wing. The tests conducted had as their essential object the examination of the operation of apparatus designed for this measurement. The values experimentally obtained for the aerodynamic coefficients are in good agreement with the theory of oscillatory motion of the wing of finite span and show clear deviation from the values obtained by theory of plane motion.
Experimental study of deformation and of effective width in axially loaded sheet-stringer panels
From Summary: "The deformation of two sheet-stringer panels subjected to end compression under carefully controlled end conditions was measured at a number of points and at a number of loads, most of which were above the load at which the sheet had begun to buckle. The two panels were identical except for the sheet, which was 0.70-inch 24st alclad for specimen 1 and 0.025-inch 24st aluminum alloy for specimen 6. A technique was developed for attaching Tuckerman optical strain gauges to the sheet without disturbing the strain distribution in the sheet by the method of attachment. This technique was used to explore the strain distribution in the sheet at various loads. The twisting and the bending of the stringers was measured by means of pointers attached to the stringers. The shape of the buckles in the sheet of specimen 6 was recorded at two loads by means of plaster casts."
Ice Formation on Wings
This report makes use of the results obtained in the Gottingen ice tunnel in which the atmospheric conditions are simulated and the process of ice formation photographed. The effect of ice formation is threefold: 1) added weight to the airplane; 2) a change in the lift and drag forces; 3) a change in the stability characteristics.
Loads Imposed on Intermediate Frames of Stiffened Shells
"The loads imposed on intermediate frames by the curvature of the longitudinal and by the diagonal-tension effects are treated. A new empirical method is proposed for analyzing diagonal-tension effects. The basic formulas of the pure diagonal-tension theory are used, and the part of the total shear S carried by diagonal tension is assumed to be given the expression S (sub DT) = S (1-tau sub o/tau)(sup n) where tau (sub o) is the critical shear stress, tau the total (nominal shear stress), and n = 3 - sigma/tau where sigma is the stress in the intermediate frame. Numerical examples illustrate all cases treated" (p. 1).
Local Instability of Symmetrical Rectangular Tubes Under Axial Compression
"A chart is presented for the coefficient in the formula for the critical compressive stress at which cross sectional distortion begins in a thin-wall tube of rectangular section symmetrical about its two principal axes. The energy method of Timoshenko was used in the theoretical calculations required for the construction of the chart. The deflection equation used in this method was selected to give good accuracy" (p. 1).
Preliminary Model Tests of a Wing-Duct Cooling System for Radial Engines, Special Report
"Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on a model wing-nacelle combination to determine the practicability of cooling radial engines by forcing the cooling air into wing-duct entrances located in the propeller slipstream, passing the air through the engine baffles from rear to front, and ejecting the air through an annular slot near the front of the nacelle. The drag of the cowlings tested was definitely less than for the conventional N.A.C.A. cowling, and the pressure available at low air speed corresponding to operation on the ground and at low flying speeds was apparently sufficient for cooling most present-day radial engines" (p. 1).
Tandem Air Propellers
"Tests of 2-blade, adjustable-pitch, counter rotating tandem model propellers, adjusted to absorb equal power at maximum efficiency, were made at Stanford University. The characteristics, for 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, and 45 degrees pitch settings at 0.75 R of the forward propeller and for 8-1/2 percent, 15 percent, and 30 percent diameter spacings, were compared with those of 2-blade and 4-blade propellers of the same blade form" (p. 1).
Wind-tunnel investigation of NACA 23012 airfoil with various arrangements of slotted flaps
"An investigation was made in the NACA 7 by 10-foot wind tunnel of a large-chord NACA 23012 airfoil with several arrangements of 25.66 percent chord slotted flaps to determine the section aerodynamic characteristics as affected by slot shape, flap shape, flap location, and flap deflection. The flap position for maximum lift, the polars for arrangements considered favorable for take-off and climb, and the complete section aerodynamic characteristics for selected optimum arrangements were determined. A discussion is given of the relative merits of the various arrangement for certain selected criterions" (p. 665).
Comparison of Profile-Drag and Boundary-Layer Measurements Obtained in Flight and in the Full-Scale Wind Tunnel
"The effect of the existing turbulence in the full scale tunnel was determined from measurements of the profile drag of an N-22 section by the momentum method under corresponding conditions in flight and the tunnel. The transition-point location on the upper surface of the air-foil was also determined from velocity surveys in the boundary layer. The measurements were made at section lift coefficients from 0.480 to 0.635 with a range of Reynolds Numbers from 4,600,000 to 3,900,000. The results show that the end of transition occurs at approximately the same point on the airfoil in flight and in the tunnel" (p. 1).
The Effects of Some Surface Irregularities on Wing Drag
"The N.A.C.A. has conducted tests to provide more complete data than were previously available for estimating the effects of common surface irregularities on wing drag. The irregularities investigated included: brazier-head and countersunk rivets, spot welds, several types of sheet-metal joints, and surface roughness. Tests were also conducted to determine the over-all effect of manufacturing irregularities incidental to riveted aluminum alloy and to spot-welded stainless-steel construction" (p. 1).
Experiments on a Slotted Wing
The results of pressure distribution measurements that were made on a model wing section of a Fieseler F 5 R type airplane are presented. Comparison of those model tests with the corresponding flight tests indicates the limitations and also the advantages of wind tunnel investigations, the advantages being particularly that through the variety of measuring methods employed the more complicated flow conditions may also be clarified. A fact brought out in these tests is that even in the case of "well rounded" slots it is possible for a vortex to be set up at the slot entrance and this vortex is responsible for certain irregularities in the pressure distribution and in the efficiency of the slot.
The Frequency of Torsional Vibration of a Tapered Beam
"A solution for the equation of torsional vibration of tapered beams has been found in terms of Bessel functions for beams satisfying the following conditions: (a) the cross sections along the span are similar in shape; and (b) the torsional stiffness of a section can be expressed as a power of a linear function of distance along the span. The method of applying the analysis to actual cases has been described. Charts are given from which numerical values can be immediately obtained for most cases of practical importance. The theoretical values of the frequency ratio have been experimentally checked on five beams having different amounts of taper" (p. 1).
Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Wing-Cooling Ducts Effects of Propeller Slipstream, Special Report
Report presenting an investigation of finite span wing-cooling ducts that has been extended to include a study of the effects of slipstream on the duct characteristics. The results indicated that the propeller slipstream is effective in generating a flow of air through the ducts of the ground condition.
Investigation of an Electrically Heated Airplane Windshield for Ice Prevention, Special Report
"A study was made at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Laboratory of the operation of an electrically heated glass panel, which simulated a segment of an airplane windshield, to determine if ice formations, which usually result in the loss of visibility, could be prevented. Tests were made in the 7- by 3-foot ice tunnel, and in flight, under artificially created ice-forming conditions. Ice was prevented from forming on the windshield model in the tunnel by 1.25 watts of power per square inch with the air temperature at 23 F and a velocity of 80 miles per hour" (p. 1).
Investigation of the Lift Distribution Over the Separate Wings of a Biplane
"An investigation is made of the mutual interference of the wings of a biplane under the general assumption that each wing may be replaced by a vortex system of the type given by the Prandtl wing theory. The additional velocities induced at each wing by the presence of the other are determined by the Biot-Savart law and converted into an equivalent change in the angle of attack, the effect being that of an additional twist given to the wings in changing their lift distributions. The lift distributions computed in this manner for several airplane types are compared with the results of measurement" (p. 1).
Physical Properties of Synthetic Resin Materials
"A study was made to determine the physical properties of synthetic resins having paper, canvas, and linen reinforcements, and of laminated wood impregnated with a resin varnish. The results show that commercial resins have moduli of elasticity that are too low for structural considerations. Nevertheless, there do exist plastics that have favorable mechanical properties and, with further development, it should be possible to produce resin products that compare favorably with the light-metal alloys" (p. 1).
Preliminary Report on the Characteristics of the N.A.C.A. 4400R Series Airfoils
Report presenting tests made in the variable-density wind tunnel of airfoils of the NACA 4400 series modified by reflex at the trailing edge designed to reduce the pitching moment to the value of -0.03. The modified airfoils are designated the NACA 4400R series.
Resume of Air-Load Data on Slats and Flaps
"A resume of the generally available test data regarding air loads on slats and flaps is presented and data attained up to the fall of 1938 are included. The data are given in the form of N.A.C.A. standard coefficients of air forces and moments on the lift-increasing device and, when available, the aerodynamic characteristics of the combined wing and high-lift device are included. Slats of the Handley Page type, fixed auxiliary airfoils, and flaps of several different types are covered" (p. 1).
Some Elementary Principles of Shell Stress Analysis With Notes on the Use of the Shear Center
"The analysis of various types of shell under combined bending and torsion is discussed. The calculation and the use of the shear center are touched upon as incidental problems. Twelve fully worked numerical examples are given in an appendix" (p. 1).
Some fundamental considerations in regard to the use of power in landing an airplane
From Summary: "This note is concerned with the effect of power on landing speed and apparent maximum lift coefficient. It is shown that when secondary effects are neglected, the maximum available increase in lift due to power is equal to the thrust being developed. If the increase in lift due to power is expressed in coefficient form, very high values may be shown under conditions which, on analysis, are found to be wholly impracticable in flight."
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Ignition Lag and Engine Knock
"The author believes, on the basis of experimental ignition-lag data, that the character of a fuel cannot be stated in terms of a single constant (such as octane or cetane number) but that at least two and generally three constants are required. Thus no correlation between knock ratings can be expected if in one set of tests the charge temperature was varied while in the other the charge pressure was varied. For this reason, he favors knock rating being based on an equation characterizing the ignition lag of the fuel as a function of pressure and temperature of the charge" (p. 1).
Torsional stability of aluminum alloy seamless tubing
Torsion tests were made on 51ST aluminum-alloy seamless tubes having diameter-to-thickness ratios of from 77 to 139 and length-to-diameter ratios of from 1 to 60. The torsional strengths developed in the tubes which failed elastically (all tubes having lengths greater than 2 to 6 times the diameter) were in most cases within 10 percent of the value indicated by the theories of Donnel, Timoshenko, and Sturm, assuming a condition of simply supported ends.
Wind-tunnel investigation of NACA 23012, 23021, and 23030 airfoils with various sizes of split flap
Report presents the results of an investigation made in the NACA 7 by 10-foot wind tunnel of large-chord NACA and 23021, and 23030 airfoils with split flaps 10, 20, 30, and 40 percent of the wing chord to determine the section aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoils as affected by airfoil thickness, flap chord, and flap deflection. The complete section aerodynamic characteristics of all the combinations tested are given in the form of graphs of lift, drag, and pitching-moment coefficients, and certain applications to aerodynamic design are discussed.
A Theoretical Study of the Moment on a Body in a Compressible Fluid
"The extension to a compressible fluid of Lagally's theorem on the moment on a body in an incompressible fluid and Poggi's method of treating the flow of compressible fluids are employed for the determination of the effect of compressibility on the moment of an arbitrary body. Only the case of the two-dimensional subsonic flow of an ideal compressible fluid is considered. As examples of the application of the general theory, two well-known systems of profiles are treated; namely the elliptic profile and the symmetrical Joukowski profiles with sharp trailing edges" (p. 581).
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