An Experimental Investigation of Model Parachutes Under Finite Mass Conditions.

Abstract

A two part experimental investigation was undertaken. The first part was to develop testing techniques for a finite mass test fixture. The test fixture is designed such that a model parachute and load are free to move along a wire track through a wind tunnel test section. Also a servomechanism simulated the component of force due to gravity acting on the load. The second part was to test the feasibility of using mass ratios as similarity parameters for wind tunnel testing of model parachutes. Tests were conducted to determine the friction force of the wire track on the test load of varing weights and for varing degrees of lubrication. Graphite lubrication of the wire track reduced the friction force; and adjustments to the servomechanism were developed which compensate for this reduced friction force.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA021877

Entities

People

  • Herbert R. Brown

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Friction
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Lubricants
  • Lubrication
  • Parachutes
  • Servomechanisms
  • Test Fixtures
  • Wind Tunnel Tests
  • Wind Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Control Systems Engineering.