Engineering topics

Davis, David O.

Publications and source records attributed to Davis, David O..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2017

Blockage Testing in the NASA Glenn 225 Square Centimeter Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The starting characteristics for three different model geometries were tested in the Glenn Research Center 225 Square Centimeter Supersonic Wind Tunnel. The test models were tested at Mach 2, 2.5 and 3 in a square test section and at Mach 2.5 again in an asymmetric test section. The results gathered in this study will help size the test models and inform other design features for the eventual implementation of a magnetic suspension system.

entry vehicles↗

NASA NTRS2016

Feasibility Study for Implementing Magnetic Suspension in the Glenn Research Center 225 cm2 Supersonic Wind Tunnel for Testing the Dynamic Stability of Blunt Bodies

The implementation of a magnetic suspension system in the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) 225 cm2 Supersonic Wind Tunnel would be a powerful test technique that could accurately determine the dynamic stability of blunt body entry vehicles with no sting interference. This paper explores initial design challenges to be evaluated before implementation, including defining the lowest possible operating dynamic pressure and corresponding model size, developing a compatible video analysis technique, and incorporating a retractable initial support sting.

dynamic stability↗

NASA NTRS2015

Effects of Distortion on Mass Flow Plug Calibration

A numerical, and experimental investigation to study the effects of flow distortion on a Mass Flow Plug (MFP) used to control and measure mass-flow during an inlet test has been conducted. The MFP was first calibrated using the WIND-US flow solver for uniform (undistorted) inflow conditions. These results are shown to compare favorably with an experimental calibration under similar conditions. The effects of distortion were investigated by imposing distorted flow conditions taken from an actual inlet test to the inflow plane of the numerical simulation. The computational fluid dynamic (CFD) based distortion study only showed the general trend in mass flow rate. The study used only total pressure as the upstream boundary condition, which was not enough to define the flow. A better simulation requires knowledge of the turbulence structure and a specific distortion pattern over a range of plug positions. It is recommended that future distortion studies utilize a rake with at least the same amount of pitot tubes as the AIP rake.

Inlets↗

NASA NTRS2015

Numerical Calibration of Mass Flow Plug for Inlet Testing

A simple control volume model has been developed to calculate the discharge coefficient through a mass flow plug (MFP) and validated with a calibration experiment. The maximum error of the model within the operating region of the MFP is 0.54%. The control volume analysis developed work is comprised of a sequence of flow calculations through the MFP. The model uses the MFP geometry and operating pressure and temperature to couple continuity, momentum, energy, an equation of state, and wall shear. The discharge coefficient calculation also includes the effects of boundary layer growth, including the reduction in cross-sectional flow area as characterized by the boundary layer displacement thickness. The last calculation in the sequence uses an integral method to calculate the growth of the boundary layer, from which the displacement thickness is then determined. The result of these successive calculations is an accurate one-dimension model of the velocity, pressure, and temperature through the MFP. For comparison, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) calibration is shown, which when compared to the presented numerical model, had a lower accuracy with a maximum error of 1.35% in addition to being slower by a factor of 100."

Flow Measurement↗

NASA NTRS2015

CFD Validation Experiment of a Mach 2.5 Axisymmetric Shock-Wave Boundary-Layer Interaction

Preliminary results of an experimental investigation of a Mach 2.5 two-dimensional axisymmetric shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) are presented. The purpose of the investigation is to create a SWBLI dataset specifically for CFD validation purposes. Presented herein are the details of the facility and preliminary measurements characterizing the facility and interaction region. The results will serve to define the region of interest where more detailed mean and turbulence measurements will be made.

Superonic Flow↗

NASA NTRS2015

CFD Validation Experiment of a Mach 2.5 Axisymmetric Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction

Experimental investigations of specific flow phenomena, e.g., Shock Wave Boundary-Layer Interactions (SWBLI), provide great insight to the flow behavior but often lack the necessary details to be useful as CFD validation experiments. Reasons include: 1.Undefined boundary conditions Inconsistent results 2.Undocumented 3D effects (CL only measurements) 3.Lack of uncertainty analysis While there are a number of good subsonic experimental investigations that are sufficiently documented to be considered test cases for CFD and turbulence model validation, the number of supersonic and hypersonic cases is much less. This was highlighted by Settles and Dodsons [1] comprehensive review of available supersonic and hypersonic experimental studies. In all, several hundred studies were considered for their database.Of these, over a hundred were subjected to rigorous acceptance criteria. Based on their criteria, only 19 (12 supersonic, 7 hypersonic) were considered of sufficient quality to be used for validation purposes. Aeschliman and Oberkampf [2] recognized the need to develop a specific methodology for experimental studies intended specifically for validation purposes.

Turbulence Modeling↗

NASA NTRS2014

Calibration of the NASA Glenn Research Center 16 in. Mass-Flow Plug

The results of an experimental calibration of the NASA Glenn Research Center 16 in. Mass-Flow Plug (MFP) are presented and compared to a previously obtained calibration of a 15 in. Mass-Flow Plug. An ASME low-beta, long-radius nozzle was used as the calibration reference. The discharge coefficient for the ASME nozzle was obtained by numerically simulating the flow through the nozzle from the WIND-US code. The results showed agreement between the 15 and 16 in. MFPs for area ratios (MFP to pipe area ratio) greater than 0.6 but deviate at area ratios below this value for reasons that are not fully understood. A general uncertainty analysis was also performed and indicates that large uncertainties in the calibration are present for low MFP area ratios.

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Effect of Boundary-Layer Bleed Hole Inclination Angle and Scaling on Flow Coefficient Behavior

Phase II data results of the Fundamental Inlet Bleed Experiments study at NASA Glenn Research Center are presented which include flow coefficient behavior for 21 bleed hole configurations. The bleed configurations are all round holes with hole diameters ranging from 0.795 to 6.35 mm, hole inclination angles from 20deg to 90deg, and thickness-to-diameter ratios from 0.25 to 2.0. All configurations were tested at a unit Reynolds number of 2.46 10(exp 7)/m and at discrete local Mach numbers of 1.33, 1.62, 1.98, 2.46, and 2.92. Interactions between the design parameters of hole diameter, hole inclination angle, and thickness-to-diameter as well as the interactions between the flow parameters of pressure ratio and Mach number upon the flow coefficient are examined, and a preliminary statistical model is proposed. An existing correlation is also examined with respect to this data.

Eichorn, Michael B.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Research on Supersonic Inlet Bleed

Phase I data results of the Fundamental Inlet Bleed Experiments project at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) are presented which include flow coefficient results for two single-hole boundary-layer bleed configurations. The bleed configurations tested are round holes at inclination angles of 90deg and 20deg both having length-to-diameter ratios of 2.0. Results were obtained at freestream Mach numbers of 1.33, 1.62, 1.98, 2.46, and 2.92 and unit Reynolds numbers of 0.984, 1.89, and 2.46 10(exp 7)/m. Approach boundary-layer data are presented for each flow condition and the flow coefficient results are compared to existing multi-hole data obtained under similar conditions. For the 90deg hole, the single and multi-hole distributions agree fairly well with the exception that under supercritical operation, the multi-hole data chokes at higher flow coefficient levels. This behavior is also observed for the 20deg hole but to a lesser extent. The 20deg hole also shows a markedly different characteristic at subcritical operation. Also presented are preliminary results of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of both configurations at the Mach 1.33 and a unit Reynolds number of 2.46 10(exp 7)/m. Comparison of the results shows the agreement to be very good.

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Calibration of the NASA GRC 16 In. Mass-Flow Plug

The results of an experimental calibration of the NASA Glenn Research Center 16 in. Mass-Flow Plug (MFP) are presented and compared to a previously obtained calibration of a 15 in. Mass-Flow Plug. An ASME low-beta, long-radius nozzle was used as the calibration reference. The discharge coefficient for the ASME nozzle was obtained by numerically simulating the flow through the nozzle from the WIND-US code. The results showed agreement between the 15 in. and 16 in. MFPs for area ratios (MFP to pipe area ratio) greater than 0.6 but deviate at area ratios below this value for reasons that are not fully understood. A general uncertainty analysis was also performed and indicates that large uncertainties in the calibration are present for low MFP area ratios.

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Fundamental Inlet Bleed Experiments (FIBE) Overview

No abstract available

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Parametric Inlet Tested in Glenn's 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel

The Parametric Inlet is an innovative concept for the inlet of a gas-turbine propulsion system for supersonic aircraft. The concept approaches the performance of past inlet concepts, but with less mechanical complexity, lower weight, and greater aerodynamic stability and safety. Potential applications include supersonic cruise aircraft and missiles. The Parametric Inlet uses tailored surfaces to turn the incoming supersonic flow inward toward an axis of symmetry. The terminal shock spans the opening of the subsonic diffuser leading to the engine. The external cowl area is smaller, which reduces cowl drag. The use of only external supersonic compression avoids inlet unstart--an unsafe shock instability present in previous inlet designs that use internal supersonic compression. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical systems to control unstart, which reduces weight. The conceptual design was conceived by TechLand Research, Inc. (North Olmsted, OH), which received funding through NASA s Small-Business Innovation Research program. The Boeing Company (Seattle, WA) also participated in the conceptual design. The NASA Glenn Research Center became involved starting with the preliminary design of a model for testing in Glenn s 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (10 10 SWT). The inlet was sized for a speed of Mach 2.35 while matching requirements of an existing cold pipe used in previous inlet tests. The parametric aspects of the model included interchangeable components for different cowl lip, throat slot, and sidewall leading-edge shapes and different vortex generator configurations. Glenn researchers used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for three-dimensional, turbulent flow analysis to further refine the aerodynamic design.

Slater, John W.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Experiments with Turbulent Jets at Mach Number 0.9

A systematic investigation of the structure of turbulent jets before their interaction with shock or expansion waves was undertaken during the last year. In particular compressibility and density effects in circular jets issuing in still air were investigated experimentally. Jets with nitrogen, helium, and krypton gases at 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 Mach numbers were investigated in detail. Particle Image Velocimetry technique was developed, tested, and used to obtain qualitative information of the two-dimensional velocity field on a plane inside the flow field, which was illuminated by a laser sheet. The motion of particles was recorded by a CCD camera, which was appropriately triggered to capture two images within a fraction of a microsecond. Statistical averaging of the data at each location reduced the large amount of acquired data. It was found that the spreading rate of the jets was reduced with increased Mach numbers or increased density ratio. It was also found that decay rates of centerline Mach numbers are higher in gases with reduced density ratio. Mach number fluctuations appear to decrease with increasing Mach number of the flow. It has been proposed that the reason for this behavior is the reduction of vortex stretching activities with increased Mach number.

Agui, Juan↗

NASA NTRS2000

High Resolution Experiments of Compressible Turbulence Interacting With Shock Waves

Most of the second year of our research program focused on exploring the potentially favorable the effects of expansion waves on homogeneous and isotropic turbulence, which is formed downstream of a grid. Expansion waves are associated with compressible flows and may reduce the drag over airfoils by suppressing turbulence. In the very few previous investigations of interactions of turbulence with expansion waves the effects due to stabilizing streamline curvature substantially masked the effects of turbulence suppression due to flow expansion though the waves. In the present flow configuration planar expansion waves interact with grid generated turbulence in our high-resolution shock tube research facility. This approach will assess directly the effects of the interaction on turbulence. The first objective of our study was to identify the nature of expansion waves present in our shock tube facility. Our time-dependent numerical simulations of the flow in our facility indicated the existence of two regions of traveling expansion waves. The system of expansion waves utilized in this investigation is generated by the exiting shock wave and the induced flow behind it at the end of the driver. Several new measuring techniques are being developed which are capable of providing velocity-gradient-related quantities in compressible flows for the first time.

Agui, Juan↗

NASA NTRS1997

Effect of Flow Misalignment and Multi-Hole Interaction on Boundary-Layer Bleed Hole Flow Coefficient Behavior

The effect of flow misalignment on the flow coefficient behavior of a 20 deg. boundary-layer bleed hole and the effect of the interaction between two 90 deg. bleed holes separated by two hole diameters on flow coefficient behavior has been studied experimentally. Both tests were run at freestream Mach numbers of 0.61, 1.62 and 2.49. The flow misalignment study was conducted over a range of 0 to 30 deg. The results show that neither flow misalignment nor hole interaction has much effect on the flow coefficient for the subsonic case. For the supersonic cases, flow misalignment causes significant degradation in the performance of the slant hole. For the supersonic normal hole interaction cases, depending on the hole orientation, either an increase or decrease in overall flow coefficient was observed. The largest change in flow coefficient, 6% increase at near choke conditions, occurred when the holes were oriented in line with the flow direction.

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Experimental Investigation of Crossing Shock Wave-Turbulent Boundary Layer-Bleed Interaction

Results of an experimental investigation of a symmetric crossing shock wave/turbulent boundary layer/bleed interaction are presented for a freestream unit Reynolds number of 1.68 x 10(exp 7)/m, a Mach number of 2.81, and deflection angles of 8 degrees. The data obtained in this study are bleed mass flow rate using a trace gas technique, qualitative information in the form of oil flow visualization, flow field Pitot pressures, and static pressure measurements using pressure sensitive paint. The main objective of this test is two-fold. First, this study is conducted to explore boundary layer control through mass flow removal near a large region of separated flow caused by the interaction of a double fin-induced shock wave and an incoming turbulent boundary layer. Also, a comprehensive data set is needed for computational fluid dynamics code validation.

Kim, Hyun↗

NASA NTRS1994

Turbulent Flow In A Circular-To-Rectangular Transition Duct

NASA technical memorandum describes experiments and analysis of experimental data pertaining to subsonic, turbulent flow of air in duct that includes gradual transition from circular cross section at inlet to rectangular cross section at outlet. Study intended to support further research on physics of flow, by providing comprehensive set of data for calibration and verification of computer codes for simulation of transition-duct flows and mathematical models of turbulence in flows in which effects of curvature of streamlines important.

Davis, David O.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ethylene Trace-gas Techniques for High-speed Flows

Three applications of the ethylene trace-gas technique to high-speed flows are described: flow-field tracking, air-to-air mixing, and bleed mass-flow measurement. The technique involves injecting a non-reacting gas (ethylene) into the flow field and measuring the concentration distribution in a downstream plane. From the distributions, information about flow development, mixing, and mass-flow rates can be dtermined. The trace-gas apparatus and special considerations for use in high-speed flow are discussed. A description of each application, including uncertainty estimates is followed by a demonstrative example.

Davis, David O.↗