EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRACKED RAM AIR CUSHION VEHICLE

The results of an experimental and theoretical investigation of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a tracked ram air cushion vehicle are presented. Experiments have been conducted both in a wind tunnel with a model and section of guideway and with the same model propelled along a 300-foot guideway. Experimental results are presented for the dependence of the lift, drag, and pitching moment of the model on model height above the guideway and winglet gap, providing basic data necessary for the analysis of longitudinal stability and ride qualities of the concept. The stability derivatives determined from the moving-model experiments have agreed well with the wind tunnel results. A theory is presented which shows good agreement with the experimental results for the stability derivatives.

• Corporate Authors:

  Princeton University

  Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  Princeton, NJ  United States  08544

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Curtiss, H C
  • PUTMAN, W F
• Publication Date: 1978-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 112 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamic lift; Aerodynamics; Air cushion vehicles; Drag; Intelligent transportation systems; Mathematical models; Ride quality; Stability (Mechanics); Towing devices; Tracked air cushion vehicles; Wind tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Aerodynamic characteristics; Aerodynamic tests; Longitudinal stability; Mechanical guides; Ram wing vehicles; Towed bodies
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175282
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TSC-OST-77-35 Intrm Rpt., AMS-TR-1318
• Contract Numbers: DOT-TSC-682
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 18 1978 12:00AM