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At least 307 records · Page 17

Overexpanded Performance of Conical Nozzles with Area Ratios of 6 and 9 With and Without Supersonic External Flow

An investigation of the thrust characteristics and internal pressure distributions of two convergent-divergent 15 deg. half-angle exhaust nozzles having area ratios of 6 and 9 was made in the NASA Lewis 10- by 10-foot supersonic wind tunnel. The tests were conducted at free-stream Mach numbers of 0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 3 to 105. Attempts were made to induce separation of the overexpanded nozzle flow using secondary airflow and a wedge. Nozzle flow expansion under all free-stream conditions followed one-dimensional theory until separation from the nozzle wall occurred. In quiescent air the nozzle flow expanded to a pressure approximately one-half the base pressure before separation. When the nozzles were tested with supersonic external flow at the same effective pressure ratios, the nozzle flow separated with negligible expansion below the base pressure. The effect of a supersonic stream on internal nozzle flow separation characteristics was well defined only at a free-stream Mach number of 2.0. Thrust data at supersonic free-stream conditions indicate that only a small percentage of the ideal nozzle thrust will be available at nozzle pressure ratios below design. However, the overexpanded primary nozzle thrust loss was decreased by injecting large quantities of secondary air near the nozzle exit. In most cases no net gain in thrust resulted from secondary-air injection when the nozzle thrust was compared with the ideal thrust of both the primary and secondary airflows.

Musial, Norman T.↗

LDEF impact craters formed by carbon-rich impactors

Two small craters (number 74, 119 microns, and number 31, 158 microns in diameter) with depth to diameter ratios of about 0.59 and 0.8, respectively, were found in Al from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment tray A11EOOF). Both craters have residues concentrated in the crater bottoms, along the walls, and on top of the overturned rims. Low voltage scanning electron electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were used to obtain high resolution imagery and elemental analysis. Analyses indicate that the impactor for both craters was carbon-rich, as the residues contain mostly C. Silicon, S, and F in low concentrations are present on the Al surface away from the craters and may be, in part, contaminants.

Bunch, T. E.↗

Investigation of forced unsteady separated flows using velocity-vorticity form of Navier-Stokes equations

The phenomenon of forced unsteady separation and eruption of boundary-layer vorticity is a highly-complex, high-Reynolds number flow phenomenon, which abruptly leads to the formation of a dynamic stall vortex as demonstrated earlier by the authors for a NACA 0015 airfoil undergoing constant rate pitch-up motion. This, as well as the results of other researchers, have convincingly demonstrated a complex vortical structure within the state of unsteady separation prior to the evolution of dynamic stall. This phenomenon of vortex eruption, although observed in studying dynamic stall phenomena, is also associated with transition from laminar to turbulence flow and its generic nature has been stressed by many researchers including the present investigators. An unsteady Navier-Stokes (NS) analysis is developed for arbitrarily maneuvering bodies using velocity-vorticity variables; this formulation is nearly form-invariant under a generalized non-inertial coordinate transformation. A fully-implicit uniformly second-order accurate method is used, with the nonlinear convective terms approximated using a biased third-order upwind differencing scheme to be able to simulate higher-Re flows. No explicit artificial dissipation is added. The numerical method is fully vectorized and currently achieves a computational index of 7 micro-seconds per time step per mesh point, using a single processor on a CRAY Y-MP. The simulation results show that the energetic free shear from the leading edge is responsible for the wall viscous layer to abruptly erupt near the center of the counterclockwise rotating eddy in the unsteady boundary layer. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary vortices have been observed before the dynamic stall vortex evolves and gathers its maximum strength. This study will discuss the simulation results of Reynolds number up to Re = 45,000 and will also discuss the efforts of initial acceleration in a specific maneuver, on the evolution of the stall vortex.

Ghia, K. N.↗

Investigation of a strut/endwall interaction in supersonic annular flow

A combined experimental and numerical investigation of strut/endwall interactions within an annular duct having a supersonic core flow has been conducted. Four diamond-shaped struts with a 7 deg half angle were positioned circumferentially equidistant within an annular duct having a gap height of 0.7 strut chords, and an inner-to-outer wall radius ratio of 0.7. Turbulent boundary layers exist on both inner and outer walls of the duct, but have not merged. The core flow upstream of the struts is uniform at a nominal Mach number of 3.0 and a Reynolds number of 3 x 10 exp 5 based on the strut chord length. Experimental results, which include Pitot pressure distributions within the flow field, static pressure distributions on the inner and outer walls of the duct, and oil flow visualization on the centerbody and strut, are presented and compared with CFD predictions. Secondary flows associated with the interactions are examined including the trajectories of the horseshoe vortices formed at the leading and trailing edges of the strut and the trajectories of the vortices formed in the corner of the strut/endwall intersection.

Williams, K. E.↗

Design and Analysis of a Double Wall, Water Cooled Window for Accelerator Based Mo-99 Production

The electron accelerator based Mo-99 production technique requires the use of Rhodotrons to generate 38 MeV, 6.32 mA pulsed electron beams. The introduction of the pulsed beam structure has introduced fatigue concerns in the vacuum-helium windows that did not exist previously for electron beam production via linear accelerators. Previous analysis has shown that temperature fluctuations of approximately 100°C above and below the steady state operating temperature of ~500°C will occur within the windows. A water cooled window will eliminate this concern by reducing the primary mechanical stress due to the 300-psig helium pressure load as well as the secondary thermally induced stress. Although a water cooled window was considered years ago, the complexities of adding an additional water line was unattractive until now. A double wall, water cooled window has been designed and analyzed for this reason. The water cooled window design is shown to decrease the helium-side window temperature to as low as 125°C, while the vacuum-side window is maintained at 161°C at a water flow rate of 3.2 GPM. These low steady state temperatures reduce the thermal stress of the helium-side window significantly. Also, the primary mechanical stress has been reduced by roughly 50% due to the reduced pressure gradient across the helium-side window (150-psig water and 300-psig helium). Considering a Mo-99 production loss of roughly 1%, the water cooled window is a drastic improvement over the previous helium cooled designs and should be greatly considered for future upgrades and redesign.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

A comparison of measured and predicted test flow in an expansion tube with air and oxygen test gases

Simultaneous time-resolved measurements of temperature, density, pitot pressure, and wall pressure in both air and O2 test gases were obtained in the Langley pilot model expansion tube. These tests show nonequilibrium chemical and vibrational relaxation significantly affect the test-flow condition. The use of an electromagnetic device to preopen the secondary diaphragm before the arrival of the primary shock wave resulted in an improvement in the agreement between the measured pitot pressure and the value inferred from measured density and interface velocity. Boundary-layer splitter plates used to reduce the wall boundary layer show that this disagreement in the measured and inferred pitot pressures is not a result of boundary-layer effects.

Aaggard, K. V.↗

Flow in sigmoid diffusers of moderate curvature

Developing laminar and turbulent flows have been measured in two diffusers with S- and C-shaped center-lines, small divergence angle and moderate curvature. The square inlet cross-section expanded in the plane of curvature to a rectangle with an exit-to-inlet area ratio of 1.5. Laser-Doppler anemometry was used to measure three velocity components and, in turbulent flow, the associated fluctuations and cross-correlations. Wall static pressure measurements are also reported. Flow visualization did not reveal the presence of any recirculation regions. Pressure-driven secondary flows are present in both ducts, but are generally smaller than those measured in similar ducts of uniform cross-section area.

Rojas, J.↗

Numerical experiments on subcritical transition mechanisms

A spectral algorithm for simulating three-dimensional, incompressible, parallel shear flows is described. It applies to the channel, to the parallel boundary layer, and to other shear flows with one wall-bounded and two periodic directions. Simulations performed for the channel identify the one nonlinear interaction which is crucial to the secondary instability. Moreover, it is shown that subharmonic instability ensues for Reynolds numbers as low as 1500. Simulations performed for the heated water boundary layer reveal the operation of the secondary instability in this controlled flow.

Zang, T. A.↗

Fluidic scale model multi-plane thrust vector control test results

An experimental investigation has been conducted at the NASA Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel Static Test Facility to determine the concept feasibility of using fluidics to achieve multiplane thrust vector control in a 2D convergent-divergent (2D-CD) fixed aperture nozzle. Pitch thrust vector control is achieved by injection of flow through a slot in the divergent flap into the primary nozzle flow stream. Yaw vector control results from secondary air delivered tangentially to vertical Coanda flaps. These flaps are offset laterally and aligned parallel to the primary nozzle side walls. All tests were conducted at static (no external flow) conditions. Flow visualization was conducted using a paint flow technique and Focus Schlieren. Significant levels of pitch deflection angles (19 deg) were achieved at low pressure ratios and practical levels (14 deg) resulted at typical intermediate power settings. The ability of the Coanda surface blowing concept to produce yaw deflection was limited to NPR not greater than 4.

Chiarelli, Charles↗

Growth Characteristics Downstream of a Shallow Bump: Computation and Experiment

Measurements of the velocity field created by a shallow bump on a wall revealed that an energy peak in the spanwise spectrum associated with the driver decays and an initially small-amplitude secondary mode rapidly grows with distance downstream of the bump. Linear theories could not provide an explanation for this growing mode. The present Navier-Stokes simulation replicates and confirms the experimental results. Insight into the structure of the flow was obtained from a study of the results of the calculations and is presented.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗

Experimental/Analytical Characterization of the RBCC Rocket-Ejector Mode

The experimental/analytical research work described here addresses the rocket-ejector mode (Mach 0-2 operational range) of the RBCC engine. The experimental phase of the program includes studying the mixing and combustion characteristics of the rocket-ejector system utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques. A two-dimensional variable geometry rocket-ejector system with enhanced optical access was utilized as the experimental platform. The goals of the experimental phase of the research being conducted at Penn State are to: (a) systematically increase the range of rocket-ejector understanding over a wide range of flow/geometry parameters and (b) provide a comprehensive data base for evaluating and anchoring CFD codes. Concurrent with the experimental activities, a CFD code benchmarking effort at Marshall Space Flight Center is also being used to further investigate the RBCC rocket-ejector mode. Experiments involving the single rocket based optically-accessible rocket-ejector system have been conducted for Diffusion and Afterburning (DAB) as well as Simultaneous Mixing and Combustion configurations. For the DAB configuration, air is introduced (direct-connect) or ejected (sea-level static) into a constant area mixer section with a centrally located gaseous oxygen (GO2)/gaseous hydrogen (GH2) rocket combustor. The downstream flowpath for this configuration includes a diffuser, an afterburner and a final converging nozzle. For the SMC configuration, the rocket is centrally located in a slightly divergent duct. For all tested configurations, global measurements of the axial pressure and heat transfer profiles as well as the overall engine thrust were made. Detailed measurements include major species concentration (H2 O2 N2 and H2O) profiles at various mixer locations made using Raman spectroscopy. Complementary CFD calculations of the flowfield at the experimental conditions also provide additional information on the physics of the problem. These calculations are being conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center to benchmark the FDNS code for RBCC engine operations for such configurations. The primary fluid physics of interests are the mixing and interaction of the rocket plume and secondary flow, subsequent combustion of the fuel rich rocket exhaust with the secondary flow and combustion of the injected afterburner flow. The CFD results are compared to static pressure along the RBCC duct walls, Raman Spectroscopy specie distribution data at several axial locations, net engine thrust and entrained air for the SLS cases. The CFD results compare reasonably well with the experimental results.

Ruf, J. H.↗

Analysis of the Spread Across Liquid-5 (SAL-5) Experiment Failure to Fill Properly During Flight

When a pool of flammable liquid is ignited, the flame spread rate can vary widely depending on the initial fuel temperature, pool geometry, ambient atmospheric conditions, and gravitational level. There is substantial decades-old debate in the scientific literature about the role of gravity in these phenomena. The objective of the research was to measure ignition and flame spread across liquid pools in both normal and microgravity with and without forced airflow, and to obtain detailed thermal and velocity field data for comparison to a predictive numerical model that is concurrently being developed. To that end, an experiment known as Spread Across Liquids 5 (SAL 5) was designed to be conducted in a low-gravity environment on a sounding rocket. Unfortunately, during the sounding rocket flight the fuel tray for the experiment failed to fill properly prior to ignition. The primary cause of the failure to fill properly is the geometry of the fuel tray; that is, the presence of the gaps on the side walls and the sharp edge around the thermocouple through-holes. The contamination resulting from the cleaning process is a strong secondary factor which would have prevented proper, timely filling had the primary cause not been present.

Allen, Jeffrey Stuart↗

Three-Dimensional Navier-Stokes Simulations with Two-Equation Turbulence Models of Intersecting Shock-Waves/Turbulent Boundary Layer at Mach 8.3

An investigation of the numerical simulation with two-equation turbulence models of a three-dimensional hypersonic intersecting (SWTBL) shock-wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction flow is presented. The flows are solved with an efficient implicit upwind flux-difference split Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes code. Numerical results are compared with experimental data for a flow at Mach 8.28 and Reynolds number 5.3x10(exp 6) with crossing shock-waves and expansion fans generated by two lateral 15 fins located on top of a cold-wall plate. This experiment belongs to the hypersonic database for modeling validation. Simulations show the development of two primary counter-rotating cross-flow vortices and secondary turbulent structures under the main vortices and in each corner singularity inside the turbulent boundary layer. A significant loss of total pressure is produced by the complex interaction between the main vortices and the uplifted jet stream of the boundary layer. The overall agreement between computational and experimental data is generally good. The turbulence modeling corrections show improvements in the predictions of surface heat transfer distribution and an increase in the strength of the cross-flow vortices. Accurate predictions of the outflow flowfield is found to require accurate modeling of the laminar/turbulent boundary layers on the fin walls.

Bardina, J. E.↗

An experimental study of heat transfer in a large-scale turbine rotor passage

An experimental study of the heat transfer distribution in a turbine rotor passage was conducted in a large-scale, ambient temperature, rotating turbine model. Heat transfer was measured for both the full-span suction and pressure surfaces of the airfoil as well as for the hub endwall surface. The objective of this program was to document the effects of flow three-dimensionality on the heat transfer in a rotating blade row (vs a stationary cascade). Of particular interest were the effects of the hub and tip secondary flows, tip leakage and the leading-edge horseshoe vortex system. The effect of surface roughness on the passage heat transfer was also investigated. Midspan results are compared with both smooth-wall and rough-wall finite-difference two-dimensional heat transfer predictions. Contour maps of Stanton number for both the rotor airfoil and endwall surfaces revealed numerous regions of high heat transfer produced by the three-dimensional flows within the rotor passage. Of particular importance are regions of local enhancement (as much as 100 percent over midspan values) produced on the airfoil suction surface by the secondary flows and tip-leakage vortices and on the hub endwall by the leading-edge horseshoe vortex system.

Blair, Michael F.↗

Advanced flight control system study

A fly by wire flight control system architecture designed for high reliability includes spare sensor and computer elements to permit safe dispatch with failed elements, thereby reducing unscheduled maintenance. A methodology capable of demonstrating that the architecture does achieve the predicted performance characteristics consists of a hierarchy of activities ranging from analytical calculations of system reliability and formal methods of software verification to iron bird testing followed by flight evaluation. Interfacing this architecture to the Lockheed S-3A aircraft for flight test is discussed. This testbed vehicle can be expanded to support flight experiments in advanced aerodynamics, electromechanical actuators, secondary power systems, flight management, new displays, and air traffic control concepts.

Hartmann, G. L.↗

Optimal Micro-Vane Flow Control for Compact Air Vehicle Inlets

The purpose of this study on micro-vane secondary flow control is to demonstrate the viability and economy of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimally design micro-vane secondary flow control arrays, and to establish that the aeromechanical effects of engine face distortion can also be included in the design and optimization process. These statistical design concepts were used to investigate the design characteristics of "low unit strength" micro-effector arrays. "Low unit strength" micro-effectors are micro-vanes set at very low angles-of-incidence with very long chord lengths. They were designed to influence the near wall inlet flow over an extended streamwise distance, and their advantage lies in low total pressure loss and high effectiveness in managing engine face distortion. Therefore, this report examines optimal micro-vane secondary flow control array designs for compact inlets through a Response Surface Methodology.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

Laser Doppler measurements of laminar and turbulent flow in a pipe bend

The streamwise components of velocity in the flow through a ninety degree bend of circular cross section for which the ratio of radius of curvature to diameter is 2.8 were measured. The development of strong pressure driven secondary flow in the form of a pair of counter rotating vortices in the steamwise direction is shown. Refractive index matching at the fluid wall interface was not employed; the displacement of the measurement volume due to refraction is allowed for in simple geometrical calculations.

Enayet, M. M.↗

Nonlinear Reynolds stress model for turbulent shear flows

A nonlinear algebraic Reynolds stress model, derived using the renormalization group, is applied to equilibrium homogeneous shear flow and fully developed flow in a square duct. The model, which is quadratically nonlinear in the velocity gradients, successfully captures the large-scale inhomogeneity and anisotropy of the flows studied. The ratios of normal stresses, as well as the actual magnitudes of the stresses are correctly predicted for equilibrium homogeneous shear flow. Reynolds normal stress anisotropy and attendant turbulence driven secondary flow are predicted for a square duct. Profiles of mean velocity and normal stresses are in good agreement with measurements. Very close to walls, agreement with measurements diminishes. The model has the benefit of containing no arbitrary constants; all values are determined directly from the theory. It seems that near wall behavior is influenced by more than the large scale anisotropy accommodated in the current model. More accurate near wall calculations may well require a model for anisotropic dissipation.

Barton, J. Michael↗