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At least 271 records · Page 15

A review of natural lightning - Experimental data and modeling

A critical review is presented of the currents and the electric and magnetic fields characteristic of each of the salient discharge processes which make up cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning. Emphasis is placed on the more recent work in which measured waveform variation is in the microsecond and submicrosecond range, since it is this time-scale that is of primary importance in lightning/aircraft interactions. The state-of-the-art of the modeling of lightning currents and fields is discussed in detail. A comprehensive bibliography is given of all literature relating to both lightning measurements and models.

Uman, M. A.↗

A possible explanation for the present difference between linear noise theory and experimental data for supersonic helical tip speed propellers

High speed turboprops are attractive candidates for future aircraft because of their high propulsive efficiency. However, the noise of their propellers may create a cabin environment problem for the aircraft powered by these propellers. The noise of some propeller models was measured, and predictions of the noise using a method based on the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkins equation were made. The predictions and data agree well at lower helical tip Mach numbers but deviate above Mach 1.0. Some possible reasons why the theory does not predict the data and focuses on improvement of the aerodynamic inputs as the most likely remedy are investigated. In particular, it is proposed that an increase in the drag and a decrease in the lift near the tip of the blade where the majority of the noise is generated, is warranted in the input to the theory.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

A new method for determining acoustic-liner admittance in a rectangular duct with grazing flow from experimental data

A method is developed for determining acoustic liner admittance in a rectangular duct with grazing flow. The axial propagation constant, cross mode order, and mean flow profile is measured. These measured data are then input into an analytical program which determines the unknown admittance value. The analytical program is based upon a finite element discretization of the acoustic field and a reposing of the unknown admittance value as a linear eigenvalue problem on the admittance value. Gaussian elimination is employed to solve this eigenvalue problem. The method used is extendable to grazing flows with boundary layers in both transverse directions of an impedance tube (or duct). Predicted admittance values are compared both with exact values that can be obtained for uniform mean flow profiles and with those from a Runge Kutta integration technique for cases involving a one dimensional boundary layer.

Watson, W. R.↗

Pressure filtration of ceramic pastes. 4: Treatment of experimental data

The use of data processing method based on the algorithm proposed by Kalman and its application to the filtration process at constant pressure are described, as well as the advantages of this method. This technique is compared to the least squares method. The operation allows the precise parameter adjustment of the equation in direct relationship to the specific resistance of the cake.

Torrecillas, A. S.↗

Analysis of experimental data on interstellar antiprotons in the light of measurements of high-energy electrons and He-3 nuclei

The interstellar antiproton calculations were reexamined in view of the recent progress in measurements of interstellar electrons and He(3) nuclei. It was found that the divergence between the predicted antiproton flux and the existing datum at very low energies is increased. The proposed nonuniform galactic disk (NUGD) model qualitatively explains the unexpectedly large flux of interstellar antiprotons. Some ambiguities existed in the prototype of the model. It was unclear what fraction of observed antiprotons is of local origin. Previously the value of cosmic ray escape pathlength was suggested with quite a large arbitrariness.

Tan, L. C.↗

An experimental data base for material selection and design of high-speed, high-pressure, oxygen turbomachinery

New technologies for space-based, reusable, throttleable, cryogenic, orbit transfer propulsion are being evaluated. A variable-thrust (200 to 3000 lbF), 2000 psi chamber pressure, LO2/LH2 engine has been selected to demonstrate the 20-hour, 500-restart life goal, and a specific impulse of 480 lbF-sec/lbM. The advanced design uses warm oxygen to power a fully integrated turbopump that delivers 4500 psi LO2. The selected engine cycle provides the following advantages over conventional expander cycle designs which use H2 to drive the LH2 and LO2 pumps; higher engine operating pressures and performance in a smaller envelope, lower turbine operating temperatures, elimination of interpropellant seals and purges, and an extended throttling range. The design approach and results of testing to characterize materials for use in high-pressure gaseous oxygen are discussed. Test methods include particle impact testing in a sonic-flow, hot GO2 streams and forced, high-speed friction rubbing testing. Materials are exposed to oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres at pressures of 100, 1000, and 3000 psi to identify separately the gas cooling effects from the metal oxidation effects at the rubbing surface. The selection of candidate design materials is based on an analytical parameter defined as the burn factor. Typical materials tested include carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel, copper, and monel alloys.

Schoenman, L.↗

Comparison of computations and experimental data for leading edge vortices - Effects of yaw and vortex flaps

Computations are presented using the conical Euler equations for swept delta wings with leading edge vortices. All the wings have sharp leading edges swept at 75 degrees to the freestream. In addition to an idealized flat plate model, geometrical features also included are thickness, centerbody, and two vortex flaps. Freestream Mach numbers of 1.7 to 2.8, angles of attack of 10 and 12 degrees, and angles of yaw of 0 and 8 degrees are considered. The computations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with surface pressure data and vapor screen pictures recently obtained at NASA Langley Research Center. The comparisons indicate that the dominant features of these flows are adequately modeled by the Euler equations, but viscous models are needed for the surface boundary layer and secondary separations.

Murman, E. M.↗

Comparison of computations and experimental data for leading edge vortices - Effects of yaw and vortex flaps

Computations are presented using the conical Euler equations for swept delta wings with leading edge vortices. All the wings have sharp leading edges swept at 75 degrees to the freestream. In addition to an idealized flat plate model, geometrical features also included are thickness, centerbody, and two vortex flaps. Freestream Mach numbers of 1.7 to 2.8, angles of attack of 10 and 12 degrees, and angles of yaw of 0 and 8 degrees are considered. The computations are compared with pitot pressure traverses for one case. Other calculations are compared with surface pressure data and vapor screen pictures recently obtained at NASA Langley Research Center. The comparisons indicate that the dominant features of these flows are adequately modeled by the Euler equations, but viscous models are needed for the surface boundary layer and secondary separations.

Murman, E. M.↗

Propfan experimental data analysis

A data reduction method, which is consistent with the performance prediction methods used for analysis of new aircraft designs, is defined and compared to the method currently used by NASA using data obtained from an Ames Res. Center 11 foot transonic wind tunnel test. Pressure and flow visualization data from the Ames test for both the powered straight underwing nacelle, and an unpowered contoured overwing nacelle installation is used to determine the flow phenomena present for a wind mounted turboprop installation. The test data is compared to analytic methods, showing the analytic methods to be suitable for design and analysis of new configurations. The data analysis indicated that designs with zero interference drag levels are achieveable with proper wind and nacelle tailoring. A new overwing contoured nacelle design and a modification to the wing leading edge extension for the current wind tunnel model design are evaluated. Hardware constraints of the current model parts prevent obtaining any significant performance improvement due to a modified nacelle contouring. A new aspect ratio wing design for an up outboard rotation turboprop installation is defined, and an advanced contoured nacelle is provided.

Vernon, David F.↗

The thermoluminescence sensitivity-metamorphism relationship in ordinary chondrites - Experimental data on the mechanism and implications for terrestrial systems

Hydrothermal annealing experiments have been performed on samples of the Sharps meteorite in order to investigate the mechanism responsible for the metamorphism-related, 10-to-the-5th-fold range in the thermoluminescence (TL) sensitivity in ordinary chondrites. Duplicate 50 mg samples of meteorite were annealed under the following conditions: (1) 168 h at 785 C and 1 kbar; (2) the same time, temperature and pressure, but with 2 wt pct water; (3) 174 h at 855 C and 0.77 kbar with 2 wt pct water and 2 molal sodium disilicate (NadiSi); (4) the same time, temperature and pressure as the preceding samples, but with 10 wt pct H2O and 2 molal NadiSi. Samples annealed under the first three sets of conditions showed little or no change in their TL sensitivities, however the samples annealed with 10 wt pct water and 2 molal NadiSi showed a three-fold to 10-fold increase in TL sensitivity, and the temperature of the TL peak was suggestive of feldspar in the high-temperature form. It is suggested that these data are consistent with the TL sensitivity-metamorphism relationship in ordinary chondrites being due to the formation of the TL phosphor, feldspar, by the crystallization of chondrule glass.

Guimon, R. K.↗

Description of an aircraft lightning and simulated nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) threat based on experimental data

Lightning data obtained by measuring the surface electromagnetic fields on a CV-580 research aircraft during 48 lightning strikes between 1500 and 18,000 feet in central Florida during the summers of 1984 and 1985, and nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) data obtained by surface electromagnetic field measurements using a 1:74 CV-580 scale model, are presented. From one lightning event, maximum values of 3750 T/s for the time rate of change of the surface magnetic flux density, and 4.7 kA for the peak current, were obtained. From the simulated NEMP test, maximum values of 40,000 T/s for the time rate of change of the surface magnetic flux density, and 90 A/sq m for the total normal current density, were found. The data have application to the development of a military aircraft lightning/NEMP standard.

Rustan, Pedro L., Jr.↗

Collisional interchange instability. II - A comparison of the numerical simulations with the in situ experimental data

A two-dimensional model applicable to F region ionosphere plasma instabilities has been developed and described in a companion paper. Here the model is applied to equatorial F region irregularities and is tested against rocket and satellite data. As a diagnostic, simulated data sets are created which are similar to the one-dimensional measurements of plasma density performed by space probes and the Fourier transform of these data is taken in the same manner and used by the space experimentors. Unlike previous simulations of this phenomenon, an inherent anisotropy is found in the instability development which is mirrored in the in situ data. Evidence that the shallow spectral slopes which often characterize spread F rocket spectra near the F peak may be due to a change in the angle between the rocket velocity vector and the characteristic directions in the medium is presented.

Kelley, M. C.↗

Boundary-layer stability analysis of NLF and LFC experimental data at subsonic and transonic speeds

NASA-Lewis has conducted wind tunnel experiments to ascertain the effectiveness of state-of-the-art in natural laminar flow (NLF) and LFC airfoils for subsonic and transonic speeds, such as the NLF(1)-0414F and the SCLFC(1)-0513F. Attention is given to the effects of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) and/or crossflow linear mechanisms amplifying small disturbances to generate turbulence. It is found that the incompressible TS transitional n-factors were generally in the 9-12 range, in agreement with earlier correlation studies; the TS instability was the dominant instability mode on a swept-planform LFC airfoil over the entire range of test conditions.

Berry, Scott A.↗

On ice shape prediction methodologies and comparison with experimental data

Comparisons are made between the analysis of Wilder (1969), Bragg (1982), and the ice shape predictions of LEWICE given a specific airfoil geometry and set of meteorological conditions. Also, comparisons are made between the actual ice shapes as found in flight tests of the NASA Lewic RC Twin Otter and that predicted by the approximate methods noted earlier and LEWICE. Further, an investigation of two important parameters in the analysis of LEWICE has been made. Time stepping and initial surface roughness has been varied to identify any trends in the results. Guidelines have been identified for the correlation of these two parameters with the results in terms of atmospheric conditions. The range of meteorological conditions chosen, such as droplet diameter, free air temperature, and liquid water content has allowed rime, mixed, and glaze ice shapes at the leading edge of an airfoil to be investigated.

Korkan, K. D.↗

A study of ice shape prediction methodologies and comparison with experimental data

Current analytical ice shape prediction methods are described and evaluated. The analyses of Gray (1958), Wilder (1969), and Bragg (1982) are compared with the prediction of the LEWICE computer analysis. The effects of time stepping and initial surface roughness on analysis predictions are studied utilizing the prediction methods and flight data. Rime, mixed, and glazed ice shapes at the leading edge of an airfoil are analyzed. It is observed that there is no change in ice shape prediction if ice accumulation is less than 0.01, a minimum of 2 time steps is need to incorporate time dependent behavior into the analysis, and the LEWICE analysis provided the most accurate predictions.

Korkan, K. D.↗

The use of artificial neural networks in experimental data acquisition and aerodynamic design

It is proposed that an artificial neural network be used to construct an intelligent data acquisition system. The artificial neural networks (ANN) model has a potential for replacing traditional procedures as well as for use in computational fluid dynamics validation. Potential advantages of the ANN model are listed. As a proof of concept, the author modeled a NACA 0012 airfoil at specific conditions, using the neural network simulator NETS, developed by James Baffes of the NASA Johnson Space Center. The neural network predictions were compared to the actual data. It is concluded that artificial neural networks can provide an elegant and valuable class of mathematical tools for data analysis.

Meade, Andrew J., Jr.↗

The application of experimental data to blade wake interaction noise prediction

Blade wake interaction noise (BWI) has been defined as the broadband noise generated by the ingestion of turbulent trailing tip vortices by helicopter rotors. This has been shown to be the dominant contributor to the subjectively important part of the acoustic spectrum for the approach stage of a helicopter flyover. A prediction method for BWI noise based on the calculated trailing vortex trajectories has been developed and estimates of the vortex turbulence have been made. These measurements were made on a trailing vortex from a split wing arrangement and did not give the spectrum of the velocity fluctuations. A recent experiment carried out to measure the turbulence associated with a trailing vortex and the application of the results to BWI noise prediction is described.

Glegg, Stewart A. L.↗