Flow visualization and motion analysis for a series of four sequential brush seals
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Braun, M. J.↗
Engineering topics
Hendricks, R. C.
Publications and source records attributed to Hendricks, R. C..
Development of advanced seals for space propulsion turbomachinery
Current activities in seals for space propulsion turbomachinery that the NASA Lewis Research Center sponsors are surveyed. The overall objective is to provide the designer and researcher with the concepts and the data to control seal dynamics and leakage. Included in the program are low-leakage seals, such as the brush seal, the 'ceramic rope' seal, low-leakage seals for liquid oxygen turbopumps, face seals for two phase flow, and swirl brakes for stability. Two major efforts are summarized: a seal dynamics in rotating machinery and an effort in seal code development.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Flow visualization in a single simulated brush seal
A method to visualize and characterize the complex flow fields in brush seals is presented. A configuration characteristic of the brush seal confined in a two-dimensional tunnel with water as the working fluid was studied. Visualization of the flow field revealed regions that are characteristically jetting, vortical, and crossflow and exist upstream, downstream or within the seal. Such flows are engendered by variations in fiber void that are spatial and temporal and affect changes in seal leakage and stability. While the effects of interface motion and cylindrical configuration have not been considered herein, it is believed that the observed flow fields characterize flow phenomenology in brush seals.
Braun, M. J.↗
Effects of brush seal morphology on leakage and pressure drops
Research on brush seals which was undertaken earlier by Braun et al. (1990) is continued. Particular attention is given to the effects of brush positioning, design, and morphology on sealing surfaces, fluid leakage, and associated pressure drops. It is found that both the structure and the design of the brush are important to its performance. High resistance to the flow of the brush/fence combination can result in catastrophic failure of the brush, while at lower flow resistances, the failure is more gradual.
Braun, M. J.↗
Paramagnetic propellant orientation
Deep space or low earth orbital propellant tanks require a fluid orientation system prior to engine firing or transfer. Some propellants such as cryogenic hydrogen, oxygen, and air are paramagnetic and respond to electromagnetic fields. A simple magnetic scheme is described for propellant orientation and a video tape presentation is provided that demonstrates some effects of magnetic fields on liquid air and oxygen in a low gravity simulator using the Leidenfrost phenomenon. When these Leidenfrost drops intersect the field lines, their flight paths are altered, some directly into the poles, some to the edges, and others move out of the field.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Some preliminary results of brush seal/rotor interference effects on leakage at zero and low rpm using a tapered-plug rotor
Some preliminary brush seal leakage results for ambient-temperature air are presented. Data for four nominal brush-rotor radial clearances of -0.09, -0.048, -0.008, and 0.035 mm were taken by using a tapered plug rotor at 0 and 400 rpm with rotor runout of 0.127 mm peak to peak. The brush seal nominal bore diameter was 38 mm with 0.05-mm bristles at 200 bristles/mm of circumference and a 0.61-mm fence height. Leakages were greater than predicted, but agreement was reasonable. Leakage rates were not significantly altered by hysteresis or inlet flow variations. Visualization studies showed that the bristles followed the 400-rpm excitation, and loading studies indicated that bristles slid relative to one another.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
A bulk flow model of a brush seal system
Fibers can be readily fabricated into a variety of seal configurations that are compliant and responsive to high speed or lightly loaded systems. A linear, circular, or contoured brush seal system is a contact seal consisting of the bristle pattern and hardened interface. When compared to a labyrinth seal, the brush seal system is superior and features low leakage, dynamic stability, and permits compliant structures. But in turn, the system usually requires a hardened smooth interface and permits only limited pressure drops. Wear life and wear debris for operations with static or dynamic excitation are largely undetermined. A seal system involves control of fluid within specific boundaries. The brush and rub ring (or rub surface) form a seal system. Design similitudes, a bulk flow model, and rub ring (interface) coatings are discussed. The bulk flow model calculations are based on flows in porous media and filters. The coatings work is based on experience and expanded to include current practice.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Simulation of brush insert for leading-edge-passage convective heat transfer
Current and proposed high speed aircraft have high leading edge heat transfer (to 160 MW/sq m, 100 Btu/sq in/sec) and surface temperatures to 1370 K (2000 F). Without cooling, these surfaces could not survive. In one proposal the coolant hydrogen is circulated to the leading edge through a passage and returned to be consumed by the propulsion system. Simulated flow studies and visualizations have shown flow separation within the passage with a stagnation locus that isolates a zone of recirculation at the most critical portion of the passage, namely the leading edge itself. A novel method is described for mitigating the flow separation and the isolated recirculation zones by using a brush insert in the flow passage near the leading edge zone, thus providing a significant increase in heat transfer.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Paramagnetic propellant orientation
Deep space or low earth orbital propellant tanks require a fluid orientation system prior to engine firing or transfer. Some propellants such as cryogenic hydrogen, oxygen, and air are paramagnetic and respond to electromagnetic fields. A simple magnetic scheme is described for propellant orientation and a video tape presentation is provided that demonstrates some effects of magnetic fields on liquid air and oxygen in a low gravity simulator using the Leidenfrost phenomenon. When these Leidenfrost drops intersect the field lines, their flight paths are altered, some directly into the poles, some to the edges, and others move out of the field.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Some preliminary results of brush seal/rotor interference effects on leakage at zero and low RPM using a tapered-plug rotor
Some preliminary brush seal leakage results for ambient temperature air are presented. Data for four nominal brush rotor radial clearances of -0.09, -0.048, -0.008, and 0.035 mm were taken by using a tapered plug rotor at 0 and 400 rpm with rotor runout of 0.127 mm peak to peak. The brush seal nominal bore diameter was 38 mm with 0.05 mm bristles at 200 bristles/mm of circumference and a 0.61 mm fence height. Leakages were greater than predicted, but agreement was reasonable. Leakage rates were not significantly altered by hysteresis or inlet flow variations. Visualization studies showed that the bristles followed the 400 rpm excitation, and loading studies indicated that bristles slid relative to one another.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Qualitative investigation of cryogenic injected shock dissipation
The injection of fluid nitrogen into the flow discharged from a two-dimensional, ambient, static-temperature and static pressure Mach = 2.7 nitrogen flow tunnel was observed. A bow shock stands approximately one diameter off the end of the 3.2 mm o.d. x 1.6 mm i.d. injection tube placed directly into the tunnel exhaust. Cryogenic injection creates a high density region in the injected region and within the bow shock wake but the standoff distance remains unchanged. However as the temperature reaches a critical value the sharp shock interface begins to fade resembling the density gradient seen at the interface of a supercritical fluid and the shock interface begins to move into the supersonic stream. As the injection temperature decreases, the interface continues to move into the supersonic stream and becomes more diffuse; the shock interface can not be distinguished. The phenomena is completely reversible.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
A qualitative view of cryogenic fluid injection into high speed flows
The injection of supercritical pressure, subcritical temperature fluids, into a 2-D, ambient, static temperature and static pressure supersonic tunnel and free jet supersonic nitrogen flow field was observed. Observed patterns with fluid air were the same as those observed for fluid nitrogen injected into the tunnel at 90 deg to the supersonic flow. The nominal injection pressure was of 6.9 MPa and tunnel Mach number was 2.7. When injected directly into and opposing the tunnel exhaust flow, the observed patterns with fluid air were similar to those observed for fluid nitrogen but appeared more diffusive. Cryogenic injection creates a high density region within the bow shock wake but the standoff distance remains unchanged from the gaseous value. However, as the temperature reaches a critical value, the shock faded and advanced into the supersonic stream. For both fluids, nitrogen and air, the phenomena was completely reversible.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Flow visualization and quantitative velocity and pressure measurements in simulated single and double brush seals
A method to visualize and characterize the complex flow fields in simulated single and double brush seals is presented. The brush seal configuration was tested in a gravity fed water tunnel and a pump driven pressurized oil tunnel. Visualization of the flow field revealed regions that are characteristically river jetting, vortical, crossflow and exist upstream, downstream or within the seal. Such flows are especially engendered by variations in fiber void that are spatial and temporal and affect changes in seal leakage and stability. While the effects of interface motion and cylindrical configuration have not been considered herein, it is believed that the observed flow fields and pressure drop patterns characterize flow phenomenology in brush seals. The axial pressure profiles upstream, across and downstream of the brush have been measured under a variety of inlet pressure conditions and the ensuing pressure maps are presented and discussed. Through the application of the Full Flow Field Tracking method developed by the authors, the flow patterns and the accompanying fluid velocities inside the brush were non-intrusively determined and graphically reconstructed.
Braun, M. J.↗
Numerical modeling of flows in simulated brush seal configurations
The two-dimensional flow field in a linear brush seal configuration is modeled and the flow field determined numerically using an FEM model consisting of a matrix of 6 x 6 uniformly spaced circular bristles with a uniform flow field upstream of the simulated brush element. Results from the numerical model are compared to earlier work for a circular seal of similar configuration. Temporal disturbance of the upstream flow field is studied to elucidate system dynamics; however, only the local velocity field is investigated. The effect of tangential flow at the upstream boundary is also studied. Tangential flow produces changes in the pressure applied to the bristle but has little effect on the axial flow rates.
Mullen, R. L.↗
Flow visualization and motion analysis for a series of four sequential brush seals
Applying the Full Flow Field Tracking (FFFT) method, the flow patterns and the accompanying fluid velocities inside a series of brushes were nonintrusively determined and graphically reconstructed. The visualized flow field revealed regions that are characteristically river-jetting, vortical, and crossflow, and exist upstream, downstream, or within the seal. These flows are especially engendered by variations in fiber void that are spatial and temporal and affect changes in seal leakage and stability. The deformation of the upper half of each of the four sequential brushes as a function of upstream pressure and mass flow was determined. The axial pressure variation across the set of four brushes and the mass flow as a function of the pressure drops are also presented.
Braun, M. J.↗
Flow visualization in a simulated brush seal
A method to visualize and characterize the complex flow fields in simulated brush seals is presented. The brush seal configuration was tested in a water and then in an oil tunnel. The visualization procedure revealed typical regions that are rivering, jetting, vortical or lateral flows and exist upstream, downstream or within the seal. Such flows are engendered by variations in fiber void that are spatial and temporal and affect changes in seal leakage and stability. While the effects of interface motion for linear or cylindrical configurations have not been considered herein, it is believed that the observed flow fields characterize flow phenomenology in both circular and linear brush seals. The axial pressure profiles upstream, across and downstream of the brush in the oil tunnel have been measured under a variety of inlet pressure conditions and the ensuing pressure maps are presented and discussed.
Braun, M. J.↗
Qualitative investigation of cryogenic fluid injection into a supersonic flow field
The behavior of liquid nitrogen injected into a supersonic nitrogen flow field was investigated using an experimental apparatus in which a Mach 2.7 2D gas nitrogen tunnel is coupled with a high-pressure cryogenic source. Observations were monitored and recorded via a video camera and a motion picture camera. It was found that the penetration of a supersonic flow field by injection of liquid nitrogen is strongly dependent on the flow Mach number, the cryogen injection pressure (Pi/Pc), the injector configuration, and the cryogen temperature. For a 2D gaseous N2, Mach 2.7 tunnel, with cryogen injection Pi/Pc approaching 2, the injected fluid penetration for the 1/8-in. injection port approached one half of the tunnel width at 90-deg injection, and one fourth of the tunnel width at 20-deg injection.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
A laser based computer aided non-intrusive technique for full field flow characterization in macroscopic curved channels
This paper presents the application of a laser based, computer aided image processing technique for the nonintrusive evaluation of field velocities and accelerations in a 180 deg curved channel geometry, characteristic of inlet passages of the cowls of airbreathing aircraft engines. The method based on the illumination of the test section with a laser generated planar sheet of light, allows microscopic or macroscopic surveillance of fluid flow across or along large cross sections for relatively long (greater than 1 sec) periods of time. The method is Lagrangian in concept and permits identification and tracking of the same particle, thus facilitating construction of more comprehensive trajectories and the calculation of velocities and accelerations.
Braun, M. J.↗