Yeyiicle Dynamics Associated with Submarine Rescue 



K = 310,000 lbs /ft 



C = 44,000 Ibs-secVft^ 



(1=0.1 lbs/lb for wet rubber on steel 



TESTS TO MEASURE FLOW INTERACTION FORCES 



Because of the complex flow phenomena, tests were required 

 to obtain measurements of the forces applied to the DSRV during the 

 mating sequence with probable currents of to 1.5 knots, wherein 

 the flow forces are dependent on the approach attitude of the rescue 

 vehicle, the orientation of the bottomed submarine, and the proximity 

 of the two bodies. 



In order to obtain meaningful experimental data, the following 

 test requirements had to be satisfied: 



(1) The tests had to be performed at full scale Reynolds 

 numbe r , and 



(2) The environmental conditions had to be known. 



Test Facility 



The operating characteristics of existing hydromechanic test 

 facilities were investigated to determine the facility most suited 

 to conduct the test program. Because of the stringent combination 

 of test conditions, i.e. , (1) test operating Reynolds number range of 

 2 to 6X10® per foot, (2) rescue vehicle angles -of- attack up to 45°, 

 and (3) varying proximity of two bodies in the test channel, it was 

 determined that the test requirements extended beyond the operating 

 characteristics of all hydromechanics laboratories. However, the 

 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Ames) 12-foot vari- 

 able pressure low turbulence wind tunnel was capable of meeting 

 all the test requirements. The Ames Research Center is located at 

 the Moffett Field Naval Air Station at Mountain View, California. 

 The DSRV test program was conducted at this facility, which operates 

 at subsonic speeds up to approximately Mach 1.0, The facility was 



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