Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Nagel, Robert T..
Fixture facilitates calibration of three-dimensional sideflow thermal anemometer probes. With fixture, probe oriented at number of angles throughout its design range. Readings calibrated as function of orientation in airflow. Calibration repeatable and verifiable.
Three configurations of a model counter rotating propeller manipulate the blade tip flow by: placing the CRP at angle of attack, installing shrouds, and turning the upstream blades to provide forward sweep. Flow visualization and flow measurements with thermal anemometry show no evidence of a tip vortex; however, a leading edge vortex was detected on aft swept blades. The modifications served to alter the strength and/or path of the leading edge vortex. The vortical flow is eliminated by forward sweep on the upstream propeller blades. Far field acoustic data from each test indicate only small influences on the level and directivity of the BPFs. The interaction tone at the sum of the two BPF's was significantly altered in a consistent manner. As the vortex system varied, the interaction tone was affected: far field noise levels in the forward quandrant increased and the characteristic noise minimum near the plane of rotation became less pronounced and in some cases were eliminated. If the forward propeller leading edge vortex system does not impact the rear propeller in the standard manner, a net increase in the primary interaction tone occurs for the model tested. If the leading edge vortex is removed, the interaction tone increases.
The aerodynamic interaction between the forward and rear rotors in a counter rotating propeller (CRP) system, has been examined using a conditional sampling technique applied to three-dimensional thermal anemometer data. The technique effectively freezes the rotors in any desired relative position and provides the inter-rotor flow field. Axial, radial and circumferential mean flow between rotors is shown relative to the 'fixed' forward rotor for various 'fixed' aft rotor positions. Acoustic far field noise data have also been collected for the same operating conditions. The acoustic results are presented with emphasis on the blade passing frequencies and interaction tone of the CRP.
Thermal anemometer measurements were obtained from a stationary hot film probe mounted between the forward and aft rotors of a model CRP. Data were obtained at several locations between rotors. To establish the rotor-rotor interaction flow mechanism, a method of conditional sampling has been developed which effectively fixes the forward rotor position in time or space and permits averaging the mean wake at any fixed rotor angular location. By 'fixing' the position of the forward blades, one can track the disturbance of the forward rotor as the rear rotor moves by. The decay and spreading of the forward blade wakes and the upstream propagation of the rear blade disturbance are shown along with the interaction of the flow disturbances from the two sets of blades.
Proper acoustic excitation of a single large-eddy break-up device can increase the resulting drag reduction and, after approximately 40 to 50 delta downstream, provide net drag reduction. Precise optimization of the input time delay, amplitude and response threshold is difficult but possible to achieve. Drag reduction is improved with optimized conditions. The possibility of optimized processing strongly suggests a mechanism which involves interaction of the acoustic waves and large eddies at the trailing edge of the large eddy break-up device. Although the mechanism for spreading of this phenomenon is unknown, it is apparent that the drag reduction effect does tend to spread spanwise as the flow convects downstream. The phenomenon is not unique to a particular blade configuration or flow velocity, although all data have been obtained at relatively low Reynolds numbers. The general repeatibility of the results for small configuration changes serves as verification of the phenomenon.
An experimental program in which the effectiveness of a single large eddy break up (LEBU) blade is enhanced by proper acoustic excitation is described. Acoustic waves are generated in response to the incident large scale eddies and directed at the blade trailing edge through the test surface floor below the manipulator blade. The acoustic input is phase locked to the incident flow. Control of the acoustic input apparently allows enhancement of the large eddy cancellation process leading to a decrease of skin friction coefficient. Control of this process with acoustic excitation indicates that vortex unwinding is the mechanism for large eddy destruction in the boundary layer. A deeper understanding of this phenomena could lead to better drag reduction technology and further understanding of the physics of the turbulent boundary layer.