Fabrication of Composite Propfan Blades for a Cruise Missile Wind Tunnel Model

Fabrication of Composite Propfan Blades for a Cruise Missile Wind Tunnel Model
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 30
Release: 2018-08-20
Genre:
ISBN: 9781722227272

This report outlines the procedures that were employed in fabricating prototype graphite-epoxy composite prop fan blades. These blades were used in wind tunnel tests that investigated prop fan propulsion system interactions with a missile airframe in order to study the feasibility of an advanced-technology-propfan-propelled missile. Major phases of the blade fabrication presented include machining of the master blade, mold fabrication, ply cutting and assembly, blade curing, and quality assurance. Specifically, four separate designs were fabricated, 18 blades of each geometry, using the same fabrication technique for each design. Fite, E. Brian Glenn Research Center RTOP 535-03-10...

Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing of Composite Propfan Blades for a Cruise Missile Wind Tunnel Model

Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing of Composite Propfan Blades for a Cruise Missile Wind Tunnel Model
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 76
Release: 2018-07-08
Genre:
ISBN: 9781722313821

One of the propulsion concepts being investigated for future cruise missiles is advanced unducted propfans. To support the evaluation of this technology applied to the cruise missile, a joint DOD and NASA test project was conducted to design and then test the characteristics of the propfans on a 0.55-scale, cruise missile model in a NASA wind tunnel. The configuration selected for study is a counterrotating rearward swept propfan. The forward blade row, having six blades, rotates in a counterclockwise direction, and the aft blade row, having six blades, rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed from aft of the test model. Figures show the overall cruise missile and propfan blade configurations. The objective of this test was to evaluate propfan performance and suitability as a viable propulsion option for next generation of cruise missiles. This paper details the concurrent computer aided design, engineering, and manufacturing of the carbon fiber/epoxy propfan blades as the NASA Lewis Research Center. Thorp, Scott A. and Downey, Kevin M. Glenn Research Center...