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Daily Test Logs - Week 3 - March 8 to March
12
Don't forget to checkout the
Wright Flyer Photos page !!!
Test logs are created by the Test Manager (Pete
Zell) each day that a test is "in the tunnel". Entries in the test
logs are made when important events occur, when tasks are completed and
when milestones are accomplished. S ometimes entries are made once every
couple hours, sometimes once per hour, and sometimes with only minutes
in between - it all depends on what's happening with the test! At the
end of the day, Pete lists the tasks that we plan to do the following
day.
The log is posted on a computer network so that anyone
at Ames Research Center who is interested in the progress of the
test can get up to the minute information about what is happening. At
the end of each day, we will post a summary of the daily test log on this
webpage so that you, too, can track the progress of the test!
Jump to a specific test day:
March 8, March 9, March
10, March 11, March 12
Friday,
March 12
Executive Summary
It was decided to perform a short-term repair on the
machine so that the Wright Flyer test can continue. So, the test will
resume on Monday at 15:00. NASA and AIAA personnel continue to review
and analyze the data that has already been collected.
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Thursday, March 11
Executive Summary
During the normal wind tunnel start this morning for
the test running in the 80x120 test section of the wind tunnel, a problem
was noted with the motor and generator that are used to create power to
start and run the six wind producing fans at low speed. Since the Wright
Flyer test runs at low speed, this machine is critical to the test. The
probable cause of the problem was found by 16:30 and plans were put in
place to fix it tomorrow (Friday) and over the weekend.
As a result of the above, the Wright Flyer won't run
tonight and probably not tomorrow. While this is a disappointment for
the AIAA Team and NASA personnel, this sort of interruption can be a blessing
in disguise. Everyone has been working very hard amassing large amounts
of data and there hasn't been a lot of time to analyze it. Over the next
three days both NASA and AIAA personnel will review and analyze the data
to make sure they are getting the information they need. If there are
questions about the data itself or what the data is showing, the run matrix
for next week will probably be changed. If unexpected results are found,
then the plan for the rest of the test might be changed also.
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Wednesday, March 10
See photos from today's
work!!
Executive Summary
We completed two wind-on run sequences tonight. The
model looked very good. We have completed the propulsion phase of the
test and will remove propellers tomorrow.
The AIAA Team would like to take the propellers off
while the 80x120 crew is on lunch break. Joe and Scotty, please coordinate
the access time with them. It will require the Renegade person-lift and
Action Items
General
-
Continue to assess data. (AIAA/Hange)
-
Address TDRs #5 and #6. (N-Prime staff)
-
Check out why the motor is dropping out around
340 rpm. ( McCusker/Electricians)
Log:
| 15:00 |
Start of shift |
| 15:30 |
Morning meeting |
| 16:00 |
Verified that the sting is deflected -0.39 degrees at the balance
block when the sting resolver is set at 0.0 degrees. The digital inclinometer
we are using has no zero offset when used upright. If you invert it
(180 degrees) there is about a .4 degree zero offset to contend with.
Our angle of attack zero and sting deflection data and approach is
sound. |
| 17:00 |
Taking repeat balance load point data (Run #12). |
| 17:20 |
Sewing up some seams on the trailing edge. Gluing down a rudder
mount block. Starting pre-runs |
| 18:38 |
Drive start for Run #13. This run contained canard, rudder, and
wing warp sweeps at 1 degree angle of attack, no power, at 25 kts.
We then proceeded into run #14 which also contained canard, rudder,
and wing warp sweeps at 1 degree angle of attack, at 340 propeller
rpm, at 25 kts. Run #13 went slowly due to inexperience with setting
the control surfaces. We went up to 352 rpm at the end of the runs
to see if the motor power is sound. It looked very good. Took a data
point there. Got about 8 lbs. of additional thrust between 344 and
352 rpm. |
| 20:38 |
Normal stop on tunnel and model. |
| 20:50 |
Breaking for dinner. Team meeting set for 21:45 |
| 20:50 |
Team meeting. Discussed the following items: |
-
The motor was found to be hot to the touch after
the run. Determined that the temperature was acceptable for the length
of run and the power setting.
-
We still have the wing rock. Noted that it seemed
to smooth out a bit at both wing warp extremes. plus/minus2 degrees
of wing warp produces roughly plus/minus 6500 inch lbs. of rolling
moment.
-
Noted that we have some slop in the rudder readout.
Will check it out.
-
Noted that the velocity and dynamic pressure are
reading out correctly on real time. Craig reported that he is still
not seeing the correct Q going into N-Prime however.
-
The wind sensor direction output is still not
reading properly into N-Prime.
-
We need to move the control surface actuator boxes
closer to Craig for better position feedback (This was done).
-
We need to measure the skid angle of attack relative
to the balance block.
-
Craig reported that the data conversions from
body to wind axis look good as well as the implementation of sting
deflections and weight tares. The problems with the data right now
are related to not having a good Q reading and with wind tunnel wall
corrections.
| 22:15 |
Measured the angle of attack of the skids and found them to be at
0.0 degrees. Also checked the rudder calibration and found no problems.
Performed pre-runs. |
| 23:04 |
Drive start for Runs #15-17. Tried several times to get the propellers
up to 340 rpm. The motor cut out just below the required setting approximately
5 times. Decided to make the run at 300 rpm instead. Performed an
alpha sweep at 25 kts and 300 propeller rpm (Run #15). Performed a
beta sweep between -8 degrees and +6 degrees at 25 kts, 1degree angle
of attack, and 300 propeller rpm (Run #16). Performed an alpha sweep
at 25 kts, -4 degrees yaw, and 300 propeller rpm (Run #17). |
| 00:34 |
Normal stop. Securing facility. End of shift. |
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Tuesday, March 9
See photos from today's
work!!
Executive Summary
We completed two wind-on run sequences tonight. The
model looked very good and the tunnel ran great. Expanded the envelope
to include yawing from -8 degrees to 6 degrees. Had some problems with
the 400Hz power system.
Action Items
General
-
Continue to assess data. (AIAA/Hange)
-
Address TDRs #5 and #6. (N-Prime staff)
-
Check out why the motor is dropping out around
340 rpm. ( McCusker/Electricians)
Log:
| 15:00 |
Start of shift |
| 15:30 |
Morning meeting |
| 16:00 |
Verified that the sting is deflected -0.39 degrees at the balance
block when the sting resolver is set at 0.0 degrees. The digital inclinometer
we are using has no zero offset when used upright. If you invert it
(180 degrees) there is about a .4 degree zero offset to contend with.
Our angle of attack zero and sting deflection data and approach is
sound. |
| 17:00 |
Taking repeat balance load point data (Run #12). |
| 17:20 |
Sewing up some seams on the trailing edge. Gluing down a rudder
mount block. Starting pre-runs |
| 18:38 |
Drive start for Run #13. This run contained canard, rudder, and
wing warp sweeps at 1 degree angle of attack, no power, at 25 kts.
We then proceeded into run #14 which also contained canard, rudder,
and wing warp sweeps at 1 degree angle of attack, at 340 propeller
rpm, at 25 kts. Run #13 went slowly due to inexperience with setting
the control surfaces. We went up to 352 rpm at the end of the runs
to see if the motor power is sound. It looked very good. Took a data
point there. Got about 8 lbs. of additional thrust between 344 and
352 rpm. |
| 20:38 |
Normal stop on tunnel and model. |
| 20:50 |
Breaking for dinner. Team meeting set for 21:45 |
| 20:50 |
Team meeting. Discussed the following items: |
-
The motor was found to be hot to the touch after
the run. Determined that the temperature was acceptable for the length
of run and the power setting.
-
We still have the wing rock. Noted that it seemed
to smooth out a bit at both wing warp extremes. plus/minus2 degrees
of wing warp produces roughly plus/minus 6500 inch lbs. of rolling
moment.
-
Noted that we have some slop in the rudder readout.
Will check it out.
-
Noted that the velocity and dynamic pressure are
reading out correctly on real time. Craig reported that he is still
not seeing the correct Q going into N-Prime however.
-
The wind sensor direction output is still not
reading properly into N-Prime.
-
We need to move the control surface actuator boxes
closer to Craig for better position feedback (This was done).
-
We need to measure the skid angle of attack relative
to the balance block.
-
Craig reported that the data conversions from
body to wind axis look good as well as the implementation of sting
deflections and weight tares. The problems with the data right now
are related to not having a good Q reading and with wind tunnel wall
corrections.
| 22:15 |
Measured the angle of attack of the skids and found them to be at
0.0 degrees. Also checked the rudder calibration and found no problems.
Performed pre-runs. |
| 23:04 |
Drive start for Runs #15-17. Tried several times to get the propellers
up to 340 rpm. The motor cut out just below the required setting approximately
5 times. Decided to make the run at 300 rpm instead. Performed an
alpha sweep at 25 kts and 300 propeller rpm (Run #15). Performed a
beta sweep between -8 degrees and +6 degrees at 25 kts, 1degree angle
of attack, and 300 propeller rpm (Run #16). Performed an alpha sweep
at 25 kts, -4 degrees yaw, and 300 propeller rpm (Run #17). |
| 00:34 |
Normal stop. Securing facility. End of shift. |
Top of Page
Monday, March 8
See photos from today's
work!!
Executive Summary:
We completed a thrust calibration and two wind-on
runs tonight. The model looked very good. We did experience a bit of wing
rock. The balance was well within limits though. The AIAA Team is very
excited about finally having some data to look at after all these years.
Tomorrow we are having a web broadcast from the 40x80
test section between 10 and 11 am. Craig Hange and Liza Coe are the hosts.
Please stay out of the test section because they need a quiet set.
Action Items:
General
-
Assess first packet of data and develop Tuesday
run plans. (AIAA/Hange)
-
Address TDRs #5 and #6. (N-Prime staff) *N-PRIME
is the primary tunnel data system
-
Repair loose cable. (AIAA)
Log:
| 15:00 |
Start of shift |
| 15:30 |
Morning meeting |
| 16:00 |
Taking repeat balance load point data |
| 16:20 |
Set for thust calibration - Run #9: Took data at 150, 200, 250,
300 propeller rpm. As we were raising to 340 rpm, the power to the
motor dropped out. Had the same problem several times at different
rpm settings. Determined that we can get to 340 rpm and stay below
our frequency limit (barely). |
| 18:30 |
Start pre-run checklists. |
| 18:50 |
Tunnel start for Run #10. Velocity sweep up to 27 kts and alpha
sweep at 27 kts (0 degrees to 6 degrees and -4 degrees to 0 degrees).
Nice smooth operation. The propellers started free-wheeling from straight
up and down at about 20-22 kts. This run was done at 5% air exchange. |
| 20:17 |
Normal stop. Tunnel ran great. |
| 20:30 |
Break for dinner |
| 21:30 |
Team meeting. We discussed observations from the run: |
-
We noted some unsteadiness of the west wind sensor
direction. Decided to run at 0 air exchange to see if it is related.
-
We noted a wing rock at around 0 degrees alpha
and 27 kts.
-
We noted that the fabric stretched during the
run and has some ripples now with no wind. The AIAA Team expected
it.
-
The tuft views under the wing were a bit difficult
to scan. We will consider moving the floor camera back.
-
We had a problem with the Velocity indication
on real time. See TDR #5.
-
The wind directions east and west are not reading
properly into N-Prime. See TDR #6.
| 22:26 |
Drive start for Run #11. Velocity sweep at 2 degrees alpha with
the propellers rotating at 300 rpm (0% air exchange). Then we did
a power sweep at 27 kts and 1 degree alpha. At the end of the run
we did an alpha sweep between 1 degree and 0 degrees, in .2 degree
increments at 27 kts with propellers rotating at 340 prm. The purpose
of this run was to scope out where the appropriate alpha, velocity,
and thrust points are to best simulate the 1903 flight. Noted a loose
cable between the east wing and skids. Determined the cable to be
redundant and decided to continue. |
| 23:37 |
Normal stop. Good run. |
| 00:00 |
Decided to go off and look at the data before making any decisions
for runs tomorrow. |
| 00:30 |
End of shift. |
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