Vortex research facility improvements and preliminary density stratification effects on vortex wakesRecent modernization of NASA's Vortex Research Facility is described. The facility has a 300-ft test section, scheduled for a 300-ft extension, with constant test speeds of the model up to 100 ft/sec. The data acquisition hardware and software improvements included the installation of a 24-channel PCM system onboard the research vehicle, and a large dedicated 16-bit minicomputer. Flow visualization of the vortex wake in the test section is by particle seeding, and a thin sheet of argon laser light perpendicular to the line of flight; detailed flow field measurements are made with a laser velocimeter optics system. The improved experimental capabilities of the facility were used in a study of atmospheric stratification effects on wake vortex decay, showing that the effects of temperature gradient must be taken into account to avoid misleading conclusions in wake vortex research.
Document ID
19850037331
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Satran, D. R. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Holbrook, G. T. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Greene, G. C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Neuhart, D. (NASA Langley Research Center; Kentron International, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)