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At least 307 records · Page 17

Infrared radiometer for measuring thermophysical properties of wind tunnel models

An infrared radiometer is described which was developed to measure temperature rises of wind tunnel models undergoing transient heating over a temperature range of -17.8 C to 260 C. This radiometer interfaces directly with a system which measures the effective thermophysical property square root of rho ck. It has an output temperature fluctuation of 0.26 C at low temperatures and 0.07 C at high temperatures, and the output frequency response of the radiometer is from dc to 400 hertz.

Corwin, R. R.↗

Bubbly flow model for the dynamic characteristics of cavitating pumps

The recent experimental transfer matrices obtained by Ng and Brennen (1978) for some axial flow pumps revealed some dynamic characteristics which were unaccounted for by any existing theoretical analysis; their visual observations suggested that the bubbly cavitating flow in the blade passages could be responsible for these effects. A theoretical model of the dynamic response of this bubbly blade-passage flow is described in the present paper. Void-fraction fluctuations in this flow result not only from pressure fluctuations but also because the fluctuating angle of attack causes fluctuations in the rate of production of bubbles near the leading edge. The latter causes kinematic waves which interact through the boundary conditions with the dynamic waves caused by pressure fluctuation. The resulting theoretical transfer functions which results are in good qualitative agreement with the experiments; with appropriate choices of two parameters good quantitative agreement is also obtained. The theoretical model also provides one possible explanation of the observation that the pump changes from an essentially passive dynamic element in the absence of cavitation to a progressively more active element as the extent of cavitation increases.

Brennen, C.↗

The infinite line pressure probe

The infinite line pressure probe provides a means for measuring high frequency fluctuating pressures in difficult environments. A properly designed infinite line probe does not resonate; thus its frequency response is not limited by acoustic resonance in the probe tubing, as in conventional probes. The characteristics of infinite line pressure probes are reviewed and some applications in turbine engine research are described. A probe with a flat-oval cross section, permitting a constant-impedance pressure transducer installation, is described. Techniques for predicting the frequency response of probes with both circular and flat-oval cross sections are also cited.

Englund, D. R.↗

The infinite line pressure probe

The infinite line pressure probe provides a means for measuring high frequency fluctuating pressures in difficult environments. A properly designed infinite line probe does not resonate; thus its frequency response is not limited by acoustic resonance in the probe tubing, as in conventional probes. The characteristics of infinite line pressure probes are reviewed and some applications in turbine engine research are described. A probe with a flat-oval cross section, permitting a constant-impedance pressure transducer installation, is described. Techniques for predicting the frequency response of probes with both circular and flat-oval cross sections are also cited.

Englund, D. R.↗

Thermoacoustic environments to simulate reentry conditions

Aerothermal environments as encountered during the reentry of spaceplanes or during the cruise of hypersonic aircrafts represent complex loading conditions for the external structures of those vehicles. In order to shield against the aerodynamic heating a special Thermal Protection System (TPS) is required which is designed as a light weight structure to reduce the weight penalty. TPS is therefore vulnerable to vibroacoustic fatigue caused by the pressure fluctuations of the environment. Because of the complex interactions between the loading forces and the resulting structural response which make an analytical treatment difficult and in order to provide means for fatigue testing IABG has designed and built a thermoacoustic facility which recently became operational. The facility is capable to produce surface temperatures up to 1.300 C at sound pressure levels up to 160 dB. This paper describes the design of the facility, some operational test work it also deals with problems associated with the facility instrumentation.

Bayerdoerfer, Gerhard↗

Flight Test Measurements From The Tu- 144LL Structure/Cabin Noise Experiment

During the period September 1997 to February 1998, the Tupolev 144 Supersonic Flyine Laboratory was used to obtain data for the purpose of enlarging the data base used by models for the prediction of cabin noise in supersonic passenger airplanes. Measured were: turbulent boundary layer pressure fluctuations on the fuselage in seven instrumented window blanks distributed over the length of the fuselage; structural response with accelerometers on skin panels close to those window blanks-, interior noise with microphones at the same fuselage bay stations as those window blanks. Flight test points were chosen to cover much of the TU- 144's flight envelope, as well as to obtain as large a unit Reynolds number range as possible at various Mach numbers: takeoff, landing, six subsonic cruise conditions, and eleven supersonic conditions up to Mach 2. Engine runups and reverberation times were measured with a stationary aircraft. The data in the form of time histories of the acoustic signals, together with auxiliary data and basic MATLAB processing modules, are available on CD-R disks.

Rizzi, Stephen A.↗

Hypergravity-Induced Changes in Hematological and Lymphocyte Function Parameters in a Mouse Model

The purpose of this study was to quantify hypergravity-induced changes in hematological and lymphocyte characteristics. Mice were subjected to 1, 2, and 3G and euthanized on days 1 , 4, 7, 10, and 21. The data show that increased gravitational force resulted in persistent hypothermia. Red blood cell (RBC) counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin were reduced by day 21, whereas hemoglobin and RBC volume were low at most times of measurement. A transient increase was noted in platelet numbers in the 3G group. Fluctuations in spontaneous blastogenesis of lymphocytes were dependent upon centrifugation time and not gravity. Changes in splenocyte responses to T and B cell mitogens due to gravity were also noted. Cytokine production was primarily affected during the first week; IL-2, IL-4 and TNF-alpha were increased, whereas IFN-gamma was decreased. These findings indicate that altered gravity can influence both hematological and functional variables that may translate into serious health consequences.

Gridley, Daila S.↗

Analysis of the Amplitude Response of a Two-Point and a Multi-Point Focused Laser Differential Interferometer

Experiments were performed with two different focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) instruments to assess the relative amplitude response of each instrument to a traveling shockwave generated by a laser spark in air. The first FLDI instrument generated two slightly-separated measurement points, with each measurement point providing sensitivity to density fluctuations induced by the shockwave. By performing a cross-correlation between the signals obtained from each measurement point, the phase velocity of density fluctuations can be obtained. The second FLDI instrument generated a measurement line that was oriented parallel to the shockwave direction of travel with the resulting interference pattern sampled at multiple equally-spaced points along the line. As a result, this instrument provides density fluctuation measurement capability at multiple points simultaneously. When the measurement line is oriented parallel to the shockwave direction of travel, the phase velocity, rate of change of the phase velocity, and acceleration of density fluctuations traveling along each line can be obtained by performing a cross-correlation between points along the line. Numerical computations of the shockwave generated by the laser spark are used to simulate the response of each instrument and are compared to the experimental results. High-speed schlieren imaging has also been performed and is compared with the FLDI measurements and computational results.

Brett F. Bathel↗

Analysis of the Amplitude Response of a Two-Point and a Multi-Point Focused Laser Differential Interferometer

Experiments were performed with two different focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) instruments to assess the relative amplitude response of each instrument to a traveling shockwave generated by a laser spark in air. The first FLDI instrument generated two slightly-separated measurement points, with each measurement point providing sensitivity to density fluctuations induced by the shockwave. By performing a cross-correlation between the signals obtained from each measurement point, the phase velocity of density fluctuations can be obtained. The second FLDI instrument generated a measurement line that was oriented parallel to the shockwave direction of travel with the resulting interference pattern sampled at multiple equally-spaced points along the line. As a result, this instrument provides density fluctuation measurement capability at multiple points simultaneously. When the measurement line is oriented parallel to the shockwave direction of travel, the phase velocity, rate of change of the phase velocity, and acceleration of density fluctuations traveling along each line can be obtained by performing a cross-correlation between points along the line. Numerical computations of the shockwave generated by the laser spark are used to simulate the response of each instrument and are compared to the experimental results. High-speed schlieren imaging has also been performed and is compared with the FLDI measurements and computational results.

Interferometry↗

Measurements and Computations of Second-Mode Instability Waves in Three Hypersonic Wind Tunnels

High-frequency pressure-fluctuation measurements were made in AEDC Tunnel 9 at Mach 10 and the NASA Langley 15-Inch Mach 6 and 31-Inch Mach 10 tunnels. Measurements were made on a 7deg-half-angle cone model. Pitot measurements of freestream pressure fluctuations were also made in Tunnel 9 and the Langley Mach-6 tunnel. For the first time, second-mode waves were measured in all of these tunnels, using 1-MHz-response pressure sensors. In Tunnel 9, second-mode waves could be seen in power spectra computed from records as short as 80 micro-s. The second-mode wave amplitudes were observed to saturate and then begin to decrease in the Langley tunnels, indicating wave breakdown. Breakdown was estimated to occur near N approx. equals 5 in the Langley Mach-10 tunnel. The unit-Reynolds-number variations in the data from Tunnel 9 were too large to see the same processes. In Tunnel 9, the measured transition locations were found to be at N = 4.5 using thermocouples, and N = 5.3 using 50-kHz-response pressure sensors. What appears to be a very long transitional region was observed at a unit Reynolds number of 13.5 million per meter in Tunnel 9. These results were consistent with the high-frequency pressure fluctuation measurements. High-frequency pressure fluctuation measurements indicated that transition did occur in the Langley Mach-6 tunnel, but the location of transition was not precisely determined. Unit Reynolds numbers in the Langley Mach-10 tunnel were too low to observe transition. More analysis of this data set is expected in the future.

Berridge, Dennis C.↗

Characteristics of the NASA Lewis bumpy torus plasma generated with high positive or negative applied potentials

The toroidal ring of plasma contained in the NASA Lewis bumpy-torus superconducting magnet facility may be biased to positive or negative potentials approaching 50 kilovolts by applying direct-current voltages of the respective polarity to 12 or fewer of the midplane electrode rings. The electric fields which are responsible for heating the ions by E/B drift then point radially outward or inward. The low-frequency fluctuations below the ion cyclotron frequency appeared to be dominated by rotating spokes.

Roth, J. R.↗

Observational and modeling studies of the influence of snow anomalies on the atmospheric circulation

Current research on the effects of snow covers on the atmosphere over short term, interannual, and decadal timescales is reviewed. Data obtained show that anomalies of snow cover are clearly associated with significant local anomalies of air temperature, at least in the lowest 100-200 mb. The duration of the local anomalies generally ranges from several days to several weeks and is often limited by the weekly and monthly fluctuation of the snow anomalies. The snow-hydrology-soil moisture feedback is capable of producing a meaningful response in the atmosphere during spring and summer.

Walsh, John E.↗

The effects of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on resonance absorption layers in coronal loops

One of the long-standing uncertainties in the wave-resonance theory of coronal heating is the stability of the resonance layer. The wave motions in the resonance layer produce highly localized shear flows which vary sinusoidally in time with the resonance period. This configuration is potentially susceptible to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI), which can enhance small-scale structure and turbulent broadening of shear layers on relatively rapid ideal timescales. We have investigated numerically the response of a characteristic velocity profile, derived from resonance absorption models, to finite fluid perturbations comparable to photospheric fluctuations. We find that the KHI primarily should affect long (approximately greater than 6 x 10(exp 4) km) loops where higher velocity flows (M approximately greater than 0.2) exist in resonance layers of order 100 km wide. There, the Kelvin-Helmholtz growth time is comparable to or less than the resonance quarter-period, and the potentially stabilizing magnetic effects are not felt until the instability is well past the linear growth stage. Not only is the resonance layer broadened by the KHI, but also the convective energy transport out of the resonance layer is increased, thus adding to the efficiency of the wave-resonance heating process. In shorter loops, e.g., those in bright points and compact flares, the stabilization due to the magnetic field and the high resonance frequency inhibit the growth of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability beyond a minimal level.

Karpen, Judith T.↗

A Simple Model for the Evolution of Multi-Stranded Coronal Loops

We develop and analyze a simple cellular automaton (CA) model that reproduces the main properties of the evolution of soft X-ray coronal loops. We are motivated by the observation that these loops evolve in three distinguishable phases that suggest the development, maintainance, and decay of a self-organized system. The model is based on the idea that loops are made of elemental strands that are heated by the relaxation of magnetic stress in the form of nanoflares. In this vision, usually called "the Parker conjecture" (Parker 1988), the origin of stress is the displacement of the strand footpoints due to photospheric convective motions. Modeling the response and evolution of the plasma we obtain synthetic light curves that have the same characteristic properties (intensity, fluctuations, and timescales) as the observed cases. We study the dependence of these properties on the model parameters and find scaling laws that can be used as observational predictions of the model. We discuss the implications of our results for the interpretation of recent loop observations in different wavelengths. Subject headings: Sun: corona - Sun: flares - Sun: magnetic topology - Sun: X-rays, gamma rays

Fuentes, M. C. Lopez↗

Development of Buffet Functions using Frequency-Dependent Coherence Factors

Launch vehicle transonic buffet environments produce large fluctuating pressures on the surface of the vehicle. Transonic buffet occurs as a launch vehicle passes through the transonic regime, typically Mach 0.8 to 1.2, where phenomena such as flow separation and shock dynamics produce large fluctuating pressures. The unsteady aerodynamic forces produced by these phenomena can excite both global and local vehicle structural response. The consequences of incorporating poorly characterized buffet forces into the design process can range from inefficient structures that can reduce the vehicle capabilities to undersized structures that, in the worst case scenario, may result in structural failure (Refs. 1, 2, 3). It is thus imperative to appropriately characterize the transonic buffet environment.

buffet↗

Hypersonic Fluid-Thermal-Structural Interactions on a Compression Ramp with an Embedded Compliant Panel

The fluid-thermal-structural interactions of a compliant panel embedded in a compression ramp are explored experimentally at Mach 6. The panel structural response is investigated for turbulent and transitional shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions at five distinct interaction strengths and up to four different pressure differentials. Upstream of the compression corner, fast-response piezoresistive pressure transducers show the feedback of the panel vibrations and static deflection on the upstream pressure fluctuations. The magnitude of the pressure fluctuation rms shows a reduction in the upstream disturbances when a pressure differential is applied across the compliant panel. Photogrammetry and IR thermography are used simultaneously to measure the panel deformations and surface temperature. Panel deformation, frequency shifting, and frequency bifurcation are consistent with post-thermal-buckling behavior.

hypersonic↗

A simple model for 100 K-year oscillations in glaciation

A simple climatic model which produces glaciation cycles of 100 K periods in response to forcing by 20 K, 40 K, and 100 K periods is described. The model is based on Milankovitch's (1930) hypothesis that glaciation fluctuations are forced by orbital variation and the associated change in insolation. The sea ice/snow cover line for the model, and the relation between heat variations and the ice/snow line are analyzed. The sea ice/snow cover line for the model is between the pole and 53 deg latitude and the line's position is the forcing for the glaciation cycle. Examples of the model's response to forcing are presented and evaluated. The negative glaciation permitted by the model is studied. The role of CO2 feedback in the glaciation cycle is investigated.

Lindzen, R. S.↗