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At least 289 records · Page 16

Instability of a supersonic shock free elliptic jet

This paper presents a comparison of the measured and the computed spatial stability properties of an aspect ratio 2 supersonic shock free elliptic jet. The shock free nature of the elliptic jet provides an ideal test of validity of modeling the large scale coherent structures in the initial mixing region of noncircular supersonic jets with linear hydrodynamic stability theory. Both aerodynamic and acoustic data were measured. The data are used to compute the mean velocity profiles and to provide a description of the spatial composition of pressure waves in the elliptic jet. A hybrid numerical scheme is applied to solve the Rayleigh problem governing the inviscid linear spatial stability of the jet. The measured mean velocity profiles are used to provide a qualitative model for the cross sectional geometry and the smooth velocity profiles used in the stability analysis. Computational results are presented for several modes of instability at two jet cross sections. The acoustic measurements show that a varicose instability is the jet's perferred mode of motion. The stability analysis predicts that the Strouhal number varies linearly as a function of axial distance in the jet's initial mixing region, which is in good qualitative agreement with previous measurements.

Baty, Roy S.↗

Stabilization of large-scale systems - A spinning flexible spacecraft

Stabilization of high-order constant systems by multilevel control is proposed in the framework of the decomposition-aggregation method for stability analysis of large-scale systems. An 11-order linear model of a spinning flexible spacecraft is stabilized by the method using both the passive and the active stabilization devices. The method can take advantage of the special structural features of the model to provide the best estimate of the stability region for an important parameter which couples the wobble and the spin motion of the spacecraft.

Siljak, D. D.↗

HADY-I, a FORTRAN program for the compressible stability analysis of three-dimensional boundary layers

A computer program HADY-I for calculating the linear incompressible or compressible stability characteristics of the laminar boundary layer on swept and tapered wings is described. The eigenvalue problem and its adjoint arising from the linearized disturbance equations with the appropriate boundary conditions are solved numerically using a combination of Newton-Raphson interative scheme and a variable step size integrator based on the Runge-Kutta-Fehlburh fifth-order formulas. The integrator is used in conjunction with a modified Gram-Schmidt orthonormalization procedure. The computer program HADY-I calculates the growth rates of crossflow or streamwise Tollmien-Schlichting instabilities. It also calculates the group velocities of these disturbances. It is restricted to parallel stability calculations, where the boundary layer (meanflow) is assumed to be parallel. The meanflow solution is an input to the program.

El-Hady, N. M.↗

The equilibrium and stability of the gaseous component of the galaxy, 2

A time-independent, linear, plane and axially-symmetric stability analysis was performed on a self-gravitating, plane-parallel, isothermal layer of nonmagnetic, nonrotating gas. The gas layer was immersed in a plane-stratified field isothermal layer of stars which supply a self-consistent gravitational field. Only the gaseous component was perturbed. Expressions were derived for the perturbed gas potential and perturbed gas density that satisfied both the Poisson and hydrostatic equilibrium equations. The equation governing the size of the perturbations in the mid-plane was found to be analogous to the one-dimensional time-independent Schrodinger equation for a particle bound by a potential well, and with similar boundary conditions. The radius of the neutral state was computed numerically and compared with the Jeans' and Ledoux radius. The inclusion of a rigid stellar component increased the Ledoux radius, though only slightly. Isodensity contours of the neutrual or marginally unstable state were constructed.

Kellman, S. A.↗

The STAGS computer code

Basic information about the computer code STAGS (Structural Analysis of General Shells) is presented to describe to potential users the scope of the code and the solution procedures that are incorporated. Primarily, STAGS is intended for analysis of shell structures, although it has been extended to more complex shell configurations through the inclusion of springs and beam elements. The formulation is based on a variational approach in combination with local two dimensional power series representations of the displacement components. The computer code includes options for analysis of linear or nonlinear static stress, stability, vibrations, and transient response. Material as well as geometric nonlinearities are included. A few examples of applications of the code are presented for further illustration of its scope.

Almroth, B. O.↗

TF34 engine compression system computer study

The stability of the fan and the compressor components was examined individually using linearized and time dependent, one dimensional stability analysis techniques. The stability of the fan core integrated compression system was investigated using a two dimensional compression system model. The analytical equations on which this model was based satisfied the mass, axial momentum, radial momentum, and energy conservation equations for flow through a finite control volume. The results gave an accurate simulation of the flow through the compression system. The speed lines of the components were reproduced; the points of instability were accurately predicted; the locations where the instability was initiated in the fan and the core were indicated; and the variation of the bypass ratio during flow throttling was calculated. The validity of the analytical techniques was then established by comparing these results with test data and with results obtained from the steady state cycle deck.

Hosny, W. M.↗

Vibration/Libration Interaction Dynamics During the Orbiter Based Deployment of Flexible Members

Essential features of a general formulation for studying librational dynamics of a large class of spacecraft during deployment of flexible members are reviewed. The formulation is applicable to a variety of missions ranging from deployment of antennas, booms and solar panels to manufacturing of trusses for space platforms using the space shuttle. The governing nonlinear, non-autonomous and coupled equations of motion are extremely difficult to solve even with the help of a computer, not to mention the cost involved. To get some appreciation as to the complex interactions between flexibility, deployment and attitude dynamics as well as to help pursue stability and control analysis, the equations are linearized about their nominal deflected equilibrium configuration. The procedure is applied to the Space Shuttle based deployment of boom and plate-like members. Results suggest substantial influence of the inertia parameter, flexural rigidity of the appendages, orbit eccentricity, deployment velocity, initial conditions, etc. on the system response. The results should prove useful in planning of the Orbiter based experiments aimed at assessing effectiveness of procedures for studying dynamics and control of flexible orbiting members.

Modi, V. J.↗

An analysis of the stability of the compressible Ekman boundary layer

The linear stability problem for the compressible Ekman boundary layer common to rotating fluids is formulated and the stability properties determined numerically. Three classes of unstable waves are identified (called class A, B, and C), their properties are described. The class C waves have only recently been reported in the literature and are present only in compressible Ekman boundary layers. Most of the calculations presented here are for uranium hexafluoride gas; however, critical Reynolds numbers are also computed for air and ammonia gas. Compressibility is generally found to decrease the critical Reynolds number for each class of wave. A comparison of results for the three different gases shows the stability to be largely unaffected by changes in the gas properties. Maximum growth rate calculations for each wave show the class A and B waves to be the dominant instabilities.

Spall, J. R.↗

Robust, nonlinear, high angle-of-attack control design for a supermaneuverable vehicle

High angle-of-attack flight control laws are developed for a supermaneuverable fighter aircraft. The methods of dynamic inversion and structured singular value synthesis are combined into an approach which addresses both the nonlinearity and robustness problems of flight at extreme operating conditions. The primary purpose of the dynamic inversion control elements is to linearize the vehicle response across the flight envelope. Structured singular value synthesis is used to design a dynamic controller which provides robust tracking to pilot commands. The resulting control system achieves desired flying qualities and guarantees a large margin of robustness to uncertainties for high angle-of-attack flight conditions. The results of linear simulation and structured singular value stability analysis are presented to demonstrate satisfaction of the design criteria. High fidelity nonlinear simulation results show that the combined dynamics inversion/structured singular value synthesis control law achieves a high level of performance in a realistic environment.

Adams, Richard J.↗

Implementation, Realization and an Effective Solver of Two-Equation Turbulence Models

Currently, when the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are solved using turbulence modeling, most often the one-equation model of Spalart and Allmaras is used. Then, it is only necessary to solve the RANS equations in conjunction with a single transport equation for modeling turbulence. For this model, considerable assessment and analysis has been performed, allowing the possibility of a reliable solution method for an eddy viscosity required to compute the Reynolds stresses in the RANS equations. Such evaluation along with analysis has not been achieved to realize similar performance with two-equation models of the k-w type. The primary objective of this paper is to present and discuss the components of an effective numerical algorithm for solving the RANS equations and the two transport equations of k-w type turbulence models. All the important details of the turbulence model as actually implemented are given, which is sometimes not done in various papers considering such modeling. The viability and effectiveness of this solution algorithm are demonstrated by solving both two-dimensional and three-dimensional aerodynamic flows. In all applications, a linear rate of convergence without oscillations or other evidence of unstable behavior is observed. This behavior is also particularly true when the proposed algorithm is applied to systematically renewed mesh sequences, which is generally not observed with algorithms solving more than one transport equation. Thus, numerical integration errors are systematically reduced, allowing for a significantly more reliable assessment of the effectiveness of the turbulence model. Additionally, in this paper, analysis of the solution algorithm, including linear stability, is also performed for a particular flow problem.

Turbulence↗

Linear stability of compressible Taylor-Couette flow

A temporal stability analysis of compressible Taylor-Couette flow is presented. The viscous flow studied in this paper is contained between two concentric cylinders of infinite length, which are rotating with different angular velocities and are kept at different surface temperatures. The effects of differential rotation and temperature difference on the stability of Taylor-Couette flow are contrasted for a range of Mach numbers ranging from incompressible to Mach 3.0. The relative motion of the cylinders dramatically affects the characteristics of the Couette flow at the onset of instability. The flow is stabilized or destabilized depending upon the temperature ratio and speeds of the two cylinders. Independent of Mach number and temperature ratio, increasing Reynolds number generally promotes a destabilizing effect, indicating the inviscid nature of the Taylor-Couette flow.

Kao, Kai-Hsiung↗

On-orbit frequency stability analysis of the GPS NAVSTAR-1 quartz clock and the NAVSTARs-6 and -8 rubidium clocks

An on-orbit frequency stability performance analysis of the GPS NAVSTAR-1 quartz clock and the NAVSTARs-6 and -8 rubidium clocks is presented. The clock offsets were obtained from measurements taken at the GPS monitor stations which use high performance cesium standards as a reference. Clock performance is characterized through the use of the Allan variance, which is evaluated for sample times of 15 minutes to two hours, and from one day to 10 days. The quartz and rubidium clocks' offsets were corrected for aging rate before computing the frequency stability. The effect of small errors in aging rate is presented for the NAVSTAR-8 rubidium clock's stability analysis. The analysis includes presentation of time and frequency residuals with respect to linear and quadratic models, which aid in obtaining aging rate values and identifying systematic and random effects. The frequency stability values were further processed with a time domain noise process analysis, which is used to classify random noise process and modulation type.

Mccaskill, T. B.↗

Aeroelastic Analysis of Highly Flexible Wings with Linearized Frequency-Domain Aerodynamics

Flutter analysis of configurations with geometric structural nonlinearities typically is done with time-domain analysis. The results from this process are computationally expensive and can yield cumbersome results that may be difficult to manage/interpret. Compared to time-domain methods, frequency-domain flutter analysis can provide additional insight into the characteristics of a flutter stability problem. By linearizing the aeroelastic problem about the nonlinear equilibrium state, this work applies frequency-domain aeroelastic analysis to the Pazy wing, the subject of the Large Deformation Working Group in the Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop. Generalized aerodynamic forces (GAFs) are computed with both a doublet-lattice method and a computational fluid dynamics solver at a range of reduced frequencies as well as a range of dynamic pressures to account for the dependence of the mode shapes on the nonlinear equilibrium state. These GAFs are used in a p-k flutter solver, which is modified to handle the dependence of the stiffness matrix and GAFs on the dynamic pressure.

Bret K Stanford↗

Combustion stability analysis of preburners in liquid propellant rocket engines during shutdown

A linearized one-dimensional lumped-parameter model capable of predicting the occurrence of the low frequency combustion instability (chugging) experienced during preburner shutdown in the Space Shuttle Main Engines is discussed, and predictions are compared with NASA experimental results. Results from a parametric study of parameters including chamber pressure, fuel and oxygen temperatures, and the effective bulk modulus of the liquid oxidizer suggest that chugging is probably affected by conditions at shutdown through the fuel and oxidizer temperatures. It is suggested that chugging is initiated when the fuel, oxidizer, and helium temperature and flow rates pass into an unstable region, and that chugging may be terminated by decaying pressures.

Lim, Kair-Chuan↗

Computer-aided-analysis of linear control system robustness

Stochastic robustness is a simple technique used to estimate the stability and performance robustness of linear, time-invariant systems. The use of high-speed graphics workstations and control system design software in stochastic robustness analysis is discussed and demonstrated. It is shown that stochastic robustness makes good use of modern computational and graphic tools, and it is easily implemented using commercial control system design and analysis software.

Stengel, Robert F.↗

Incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of LFC experimental data for sub-critical Mach numbers

An incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of Laminar Flow Control (LFC) experimental data was completed and the results are presented. This analysis was undertaken for three reasons: to study laminar boundary-layer stability on a modern swept LFC airfoil; to calculate incompressible design limits of linear stability theory as applied to a modern airfoil at high subsonic speeds; and to verify the use of linear stability theory as a design tool. The experimental data were taken from the slotted LFC experiment recently completed in the NASA Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel. Linear stability theory was applied and the results were compared with transition data to arrive at correlated n-factors. Results of the analysis showed that for the configuration and cases studied, Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) amplification was the dominating disturbance influencing transition. For these cases, incompressible linear stability theory correlated with an n-factor for TS waves of approximately 10 at transition. The n-factor method correlated rather consistently to this value despite a number of non-ideal conditions which indicates the method is useful as a design tool for advanced laminar flow airfoils.

Berry, S. A.↗

Analysis of implicit second-order upwind-biased stencils

Truncation error and stability properties of several implicit upwind schemes for the two-dimensional Euler equations are examined. The schemes use linear data reconstruction methods to achieve second-order flux integrations where the implicit Jacobian operators are first order. The stability properties of the schemes are examined by a Von Neumann analysis of the linearized, constant-coefficient Euler equations. The choice of the data reconstruction method used to evaluate the flux integral has a dramatic effect on the convergence properties of the implicit solution method. In particular, the typical one-dimensional data reconstruction methods used with structured grids exhibit poor convergence properties compared to the unstructured grid method considered. Of the schemes examined, the one with the superior convergence properties is well-suited for both unstructured and structured grids, which has important implications for the design of implicit methods.

Roberts, Thomas W.↗