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At least 181 records · Page 10

Heat transfer, thermal control, and heat pipes

This volume provides information on recent progress in spacecraft thermal control and the supporting disciplines of conduction, thermal radiation, and heat pipe theory and application. Four problem areas are considered: conduction heat transfer, radiation heat transfer, thermal control, and heat pipes. The topics covered include finite-element methodology for transient conduction/forced-convection thermal analysis; effects of surface finish on thermal contact resistance between different materials; mathematical models for wide-band nongray gas radiation in spherical and cylindrical geometries; thermal design, analysis and testing of the Shuttle remote manipulator arm; porous heat pipe; and transient behavior of liquid trap heat-pipe thermal diodes. Also discussed is the thermal design concept for a high-resolution UV spectrometer.

Olstad, W. B.↗

Cold-air performance of compressor-drive turbine of Department of Energy upgraded automobile gas turbine engine. 2: Stage performance

The aerodynamic performance of the compressor-drive turbine of the DOE upgraded gas turbine engine was determined in low temperature air. The as-received cast rotor blading had a significantly thicker profile than design and a fairly rough surface finish. Because of these blading imperfections a series of stage tests with modified rotors were made. These included the as-cast rotor, a reduced-roughness rotor, and a rotor with blades thinned to near design. Significant performance changes were measured. Tests were also made to determine the effect of Reynolds number on the turbine performance. Comparisons are made between this turbine and the compressor-drive turbine of the DOE baseline gas turbine engine.

Roelke, R. J.↗

Engineering and fabrication cost considerations for cryogenic wind tunnel models

Design and fabrication cost drivers for cryogenic transonic wind tunnel models are defined. The major cost factors for wind tunnel models are model complexity, tolerances, surface finishes, materials, material validation, and model inspection. The cryogenic temperatures require the use of materials with relatively high fracture toughness but at the same time high strength. Some of these materials are very difficult to machine, requiring extensive machine hours which can add significantly to the manufacturing costs. Some additional engineering costs are incurred to certify the materials through mechanical tests and nondestructive evaluation techniques, which are not normally required with conventional models. When instrumentation such as accelerometers and electronically scanned pressure modules is required, temperature control of these devices needs to be incorporated into the design, which requires added effort. Additional thermal analyses and subsystem tests may be necessary, which also adds to the design costs. The largest driver to the design costs is potentially the additional static and dynamic analyses required to insure structural integrity of the model and support system.

Boykin, R. M., Jr.↗

Thermal conductance of pressed contacts at liquid helium temperatures

The thermal contact conductance of a 0.4 micrometer surface finish OFHC copper sample pair has been investigated from 1.6 to 3.8 K for a range of applied contact forces up to 670 N. Experimental data have been fitted to the relation Q = the integral alpha T to the nth power dt by assuming that the thermal contact conductance is a simple power function of the sample temperature. It has been found that the conductance is proportional to T squared and that conductance increases with an increase in applied contact force. These results confirm earlier work.

Salerno, L. J.↗

Exposure to space radiation of high-performance infrared multilayer filters and materials technology experiments (A0056)

Infrared multilayer interface filter which were used in satellite radiometers were examined. The ability of the filters to withstand the space environment in these applications is critical. An experiment on the LDEF subjects the filters to authoritative spectral measurements following space exposure to ascertain their suitability for spacecraft use and to permit an understanding of degradation mechanisms. The understanding of the effects of prolonged space exposure on spacecraft materials, surface finishes, and adhesive systems is important to the spacecraft designer. Materials technology experiments and experiment on infrared multilayer filters are discussed.

Seeley, J. S.↗

Design of high-Reynolds-number flat-plate experiments in the NTF

The design of an experiment to measure skin friction and turbulent boundary-layer characteristics at Reynolds numbers exceeding one billion is described. The experiment will be conducted in a zero-pressure-gradient flow on a flat plate in the National Transonic Facility. The development of computational codes to analyze the aerodynamic loads and the blockage is documented. Novel instrumentationn techniques and models, designed to operate in cryogenic environments, are presented. Special problems associated with aerodynamic loads, surface finish, and hot-wire anemometers are discussed.

Saric, W. S.↗

Nozzle optimization study for quiet supersonic wind tunnels

In the present study of the effects of operational factors and nozzle design parameters on the size of the quiet test section in several Mach 3.5 wind tunnel nozzles, the test results from a rapid expansion pilot nozzle with boundary layer removal slots upstream of the throat have shown that the low stream noise levels required for transition research are only obtainable with laminar nozzle wall boundary layers. Six different nozzles were evaluated, including a flat wall radial flow nozzle and a novel rod-wall nozzle. Attention is given to rms surface finish effects on quiet test region length.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

Effects of nozzle design parameters on the extent of quiet test flow at Mach 3.5

Tests results at the NASA Langley Research Center, involving a Mach 3.5 pilot quiet tunnel, have shown that laminar-layered nozzle walls improve boundary layer stability and reduce stream disturbance levels caused by eddy Mach wave radiation. This type of wall design is required to obtain transition Reynolds numbers on tests models as high as those previously observed in supersonic flight vehicles. The Mach 3.5 pilot nozzle wall boundary layers were tested for Tollmein-Schlichting and Goertler linear amplification, and, in an analysis of Goertler vortices in two axisymmetric Mach 5 nozzles, transition values were found to vary. These values were applied to several nozzles with similar throat heights but different expansion rates. Among the nozzles included in the study, a flat-wall radial flow nozzle and a proposed rod-wall nozzle were tested. For the highest test unit Reynolds number, it was determined that the nozzle wall surface finish should not exceed 0.3 micron. Oil flow studies have indicated that Goertler vortex disturbances were the dominant mechanism causing transition on the walls of the pilot nozzle.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

Dent-Removing Tool

Small dents in metal parts and structures evened out quickly with aid of simple tool. User first tack welds tip of slide rod to dent. Next, user slides hammer away from dent so hammer strikes flange at end of rod. Impact of hammer pulls out dent. Hammering repeated until dented metal even with surrounding surface. Slide rod unwelded, and surface finish restored.

Leipham, T.↗

Nozzle wall roughness effects on free-stream noise and transition in the pilot low-disturbance tunnel

An investigation at Mach 3.5 into the effects of nozzle wall roughness on free stream pressure fluctuations and cone transition Reynolds numbers was conducted in the pilot low disturbance tunnel at the Langley Research Center. Nozzle wall roughness caused by either particle deposits or imperfections in surface finish increased free stream noise levels and reduced the transition Reynolds numbers on a cone mounted in the test rhombus.

Creel, T. R., Jr.↗

Filters for Submillimeter Electromagnetic Waves

New manufacturing process produces filters strong, yet have small, precise dimensions and smooth surface finish essential for dichroic filtering at submillimeter wavelengths. Many filters, each one essentially wafer containing fine metal grid made at same time. Stacked square wires plated, fused, and etched to form arrays of holes. Grid of nickel and tin held in brass ring. Wall thickness, thickness of filter (hole depth) and lateral hole dimensions all depend upon operating frequency and filter characteristics.

Berdahl, C. M.↗

The design, fabrication and delivery of a manipulator foot restraint mockup for space telescope development testing

The Manipulator Foot Restraint (MFR) is a subsystem of the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) which plays a major role in servicing the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in orbit. Flight drawings were used to construct the MFR to guarantee that the mockup components were functionally equivalent to the flight MFR. Material surface finishes and tolerances that were compatible to the Neutral Buoyance Simulator (NBS) environment were used. Recommendation for improvements are discussed.

Hollingsworth, M. A.↗

Surface roughness studies for wind tunnel models used in high Reynolds number testing

This paper focuses on stylus and optical techniques for the measurement of surface roughness in wind tunnel models. The stylus instruments provide detailed information, such as surface profiles and area maps, that may then be used either to calculate statistical properties (i.e., the rms surface roughness) or to study individual surface peaks or other features. By contrast, certain optical techniques yield area-averaged statistical properties of the surface roughness directly. Two instruments that use the technique of optical angular scattering are compared. One is a research instrument that has been developed to study the basic scattering phenomena by testing the optical theories and surface models used in inverse calculations of statistical roughness parameters. The second instrument is more compact and is under development as a hand held, on-line device to be used during manufacture of wind tunnel models for the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. The scattering geometries for the two instruments are compared and results from these instruments and the stylus technique are shown for roughness specimens that are typical of the surface finish of wind tunnel models.

Vorburger, T. V.↗

Design requirements for the NASA Langley supersonic low-disturbance wind tunnel

The high intensity, high frequency acoustic disturbances that cause large adverse boundary layer transition effects on test models in conventional supersonic wind tunnels consist of finite length wavelets radiating from eddies in the turbulent boundary layers of the wind tunnel walls. NASA Langley has undertaken 'quiet' supersonic tunnel research that demonstrates the ability to maintain laminarity at high unit Reynolds numbers on limited upstream regions of the nozzle wall boundary layers in small, Mach 3.0, 3.5, and 5.0 pilot tunnels. The high level acoustic disturbances are then eliminated, and the transition Reynolds numbers measured on cones approach those for atmospheric flight. Attention is presently given to the design requirements that can be extrapolated from these results for a large wind tunnel facility; high quality air filtering, noise attenuation, nozzle coordinate accuracy, and surface finish, are quantified with pilot tunnel data.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

Measuring Contact Thermal Conductances at Low Temperatures

Instrument measures thermal conductance of pressed contacts in liquid helium. Makes measurements automatically as function of force on pairs of brass samples having various surface finishes. Developed as part of effort to determine heat-transfer characteristics of bolted joints on cryogenically cooled focal planes in infrared equipment. Cylindrical chamber hangs from cover plate in bath of liquid helium. Inside chamber rocker arm applies controlled force to samples. Upper sample made slightly wider than lower one so two samples remain in complete contact even under slight lateral misalignment.

Salerno, Louis J.↗

Composition optimization of chromium carbide based solid lubricant coatings for foil gas bearings at temperatures to 650 C

A test program to determine the optimum composition of chromium carbide based solid lubricant coatings for compliant gas bearings is described. The friction and wear properties of the coatings are evaluated using a foil gas bearing test apparatus. The various coatings were prepared by powder blending, then plasma sprayed onto Inconel 718 test journals and diamond ground to the desired coating thickness and surface finish. The journals were operated against preoxidized nickel-chromium alloy foils. The test bearings were subjected to repeated start/stop cycles under a 14 kPa (2 psi) bearing unit load. The bearings were tested for 9000 start/stop cycles or until the specimen wear reached a predetermined failure level. In general, the addition of silver and eutectic to the chromium carbide base stock significantly reduced foil wear and increased journal coating wear. The optimum coating composition, PS212 (70 wt% metal bonded Cr3C2, 15 wt% Ag, 15% BaF2/CaF2 eutectic), reduced foil wear by a factor of two and displayed coating wear well within acceptable limits. The load capacity of the bearing using the plasma-sprayed coating prior to and after a run-in period was ascertained and compared to polished Inconel 718 specimens.

Dellacorte, Christopher↗

Materials for Advanced Turbine Engines (MATE). Project 4: Erosion resistant compressor airfoil coating

The ability of coatings to provide at least a 2X improvement in particulate erosion resistance for steel, nickel and titanium compressor airfoils was identified and demonstrated. Coating materials evaluated included plasma sprayed cobalt tungsten carbide, nickel carbide and diffusion applied chromium plus boron. Several processing parameters for plasma spray processing and diffusion coating were evaluated to identify coating systems having the most potential for providing airfoil erosion resistance. Based on laboratory results and analytical evaluations, selected coating systems were applied to gas turbine blades and evaluated for surface finish, burner rig erosion resistance and effect on high cycle fatigue strength. Based on these tests, the following coatings were recommended for engine testing: Gator-Gard plasma spray 88WC-12Co on titanium alloy airfoils, plasma spray 83WC-17Co on steel and nickel alloy airfoils, and Cr+B on nickel alloy airfoils.

Rashid, J. M.↗

Construction of a multilayered X-ray telescope for solar coronal studies from space

The construction and testing of soft x-ray Ritchey-Chretien aplanatic telescope which is to be flown on a NASA sounding rocket in 1986 for very high resolution studies of the solar corona are discussed. Goals include figuring, polishing and measuring the mirror surfaces to tolerances exceding the 5000 A wavelength diffraction limit while achieving a superpolished surface finish, and the development of a structural design to withstand the rigors of the launch. Multilayer coatings are used to achieve usable reflectivity in the soft X-ray regime, and the design goal is for spatial resolution of 1/4 sec. Future applications are discussed.

Golub, L.↗