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At least 325 records · Page 18

Toward the optimization of control of unsteady separation

Regardless of our understanding of the complicated physical process, means can always be found to alter the occurrence and development of unsteady separation. To be able to optimize the control of separation, however, requires the identification of the critical aspects to which the intervention may be focused and achieve the desired result with minimum waste of effort. The Lagrangian analysis of unsteady boundary-layer traces the trajectories of individual fluid particles and reveals the 'bad seeds' that, through extreme deformation in the direction normal to the wall, eventually develop into a virtual barrier and cause the ejection of boundary-layer material into the main stream. It follows logically that separation can be triggered or delayed most effectively by targeting these 'bad seeds.' Since they are normally interior points of the boundary layer, attempts to influence them through the boundary conditions are necessarily indirect. Furthermore, as the strategy has to be the modification of the growing process of the 'bad seeds,' whatever may be the intervention scheme, it needs to be strong enough and early enough. In Shen and Wu, examples of how acceleration/deceleration of the two dimensional body, as well as the moving wall of a rotating cylinder, may affect the development of the bad seed toward separation are shown. In fact it was mentioned therein that the results might be the first step for a feasibility study of the control of unsteady separation. Presented are additional results of applying suction to an impulsively started circular cylinder.

Shen, S. F.↗

Stability of Capillary Surfaces in Rectangular Containers: The Right Square Cylinder

The linearized governing equations for an ideal fluid are presented for numerical analysis for the stability of free capillary surfaces in rectangular containers against unfavorable disturbances (accelerations,i.e. Rayleigh-Taylor instability). The equations are solved for the case of the right square cylinder. The results are expressed graphically in term of a critical Bond number as a function of system contact angle. A critical wetting phenomena in the corners is shown to significantly alter the region of stability for such containers in contrast to simpler geometries such as the right circular cylinder or the infinite rectangular slot. Such computational results provide additional constraints for the design of fluids systems for space-based applications.

Weislogel, M. M.↗

Vortex-Body Interactions: A Critical Assessment. Coupled Gap-Wake Instabilities/Turbulence: A Source of Noise

This program has involved, first of all, a critical state-of-the-art assessment of vortex-body interactions. Then, efforts were focused on experimental investigation on coupled-wake instabilities and turbulence occurring in a two-cylinder system. An extensive review was undertaken on the effect of incident vortices on various types of bodies. These incident vortices have a length scale of the same order of magnitude as the scale of the body. The body can take on various forms, including, for example, a circular cylinder, a blade or a wing. The classes of vortex-body interaction that were critically assessed include: (1) Periodic distortion of the incident (primary) vortex and shedding of secondary vorticity from the surface of the body. (2) Modulated vortex distortion and shedding at a leading-edge or surface due to incidence of a complex system of vortices. (3) Vortex distortion and shedding in presence of body oscillation. (4) Three-dimensional vortex interaction and shedding. For all of these classes of vortex-body interaction, quantitative topologies of the vorticity distributions and streamline patterns were found to be central to a unified description of mechanisms of vortex distortion and shedding. In most cases, it was possible to define relationships between vortex interactions and unsteady loading at the body surface. This phase of the program was an experimental investigation of a two-cylinder system, which simulated a central aspect of a four-wheel bogie on a large-scale commercial aircraft. The overall aim of this experimental research program was to determine the crucial elements of the unsteadiness in the gap and near-wake regions as a function of time using cinema-based techniques. During the research program, various image evaluation techniques were employed. They involved assessment of instantaneous velocity fields, streamline topology and patterns of vorticity. Experiments were performed in a large-scale water channel using a high-resolution version of digital particle image velocimetry. The program has focused on acquisition of images of velocity and vorticity for varying gap widths between the two-cylinder system. As a result of analysis of a relatively large number of images, it is demonstrated that low frequency instabilities can occur in the gap region between the cylinder. These low frequency instabilities are hypothesized to influence the near-wake structure of the entire two-cylinder system. The nature of the unstable shear layers in the gap region involves generation of small-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. These unsteady shear layers then impinge upon the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinders, thereby influencing both the unsteady structure and the time-averaged patterns of the near-wake. Initial efforts have focused on characterization of the patterns of instantaneous and averaged streamlines using topological concepts. The end result of this investigation is a series of documented instantaneous images. They will serve as a basis for various types of post-processing, which will lead to a fuller understanding of the instantaneous and time-averaged unstable-turbulent fields in the gap region and downstream of the two-cylinder system. This further assessment is the focus of a subsequent program.

Rockwell, Donald↗

The development of laser speckle velocimetry for the study of vortical flows

A research program was undertaken to develop a new experimental technique commonly known as particle image displacement velocity (PIVD) to measure an instantaneous two dimensional velocity field in a selected plane of flow field. This technique was successfully developed and applied to the study of several aerodynamic problems. A detailed description of the technique and a broad review of all the research activity carried out in this field are reported. A list of technical publications is also provided. The application of PIDV to unsteady flows with large scale structures is demonstrated in a study of the temporal evolution of the flow past an impulsively started circular cylinder. The instantaneous two dimensional flow in the transition region of a rectangular air jet was measured using PIDV and the details are presented. This experiment clearly demonstrates the PIDV capability in the measurement of turbulent flows. Preliminary experiments were also conducted to measure the instantaneous flow over a circular bump in a transonic flow. Several other experiments now routinely use PIDV as a non-intrustive measurement technique to obtain instantaneous two dimensional velocity fields.

Krothapalli, A.↗

Investigation of Turbulence in Wind Tunnels by a Study of the Flow About Cylinders

With the assistance and cooperation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics the Bureau of Standards has been engaged for the past year in an investigation of turbulence in wind tunnels, especially in so far as turbulence affects the results of measurements in different wind tunnels. Two methods of making such studies are described in this report together with the results of the use in the 54-inch wind tunnel of the Bureau of Standards. The first method consists in measuring the drag of circular cylinders; the second in measuring the static pressure at some fixed point. Both methods show that the flow is not entirely free from irregularities.

Dryden, H L↗

Radar transponder antenna pattern analysis for the space shuttle

In order to improve tracking capability, radar transponder antennas will soon be mounted on the Shuttle solid rocket boosters (SRB). These four antennas, each being identical cavity-backed helices operating at 5.765 GHz, will be mounted near the top of the SRB's, adjacent to the intertank portion of the external tank. The purpose is to calculate the roll-plane pattern (the plane perpendicular to the SRB axes and containing the antennas) in the presence of this complex electromagnetic environment. The large electrical size of this problem mandates an optical (asymptotic) approach. Development of a specific code for this application is beyond the scope of a summer fellowship; thus a general purpose code, the Numerical Electromagnetics Code - Basic Scattering Code, was chosen as the computational tool. This code is based on the modern Geometrical Theory of Diffraction, and allows computation of scattering of bodies composed of canonical problems such as plates and elliptic cylinders. Apertures mounted on a curved surface (the SRB) cannot be accomplished by the code, so an antenna model consisting of wires excited by a method of moments current input was devised that approximated the actual performance of the antennas. The improvised antenna model matched well with measurements taken at the MSFC range. The SRB's, the external tank, and the shuttle nose were modeled as circular cylinders, and the code was able to produce what is thought to be a reasonable roll-plane pattern.

Radcliff, Roger↗

Final Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with one of the flat walls of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the microwave resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. We have developed a continuum electromechanics model of the microwave resonant cavity transducer performance. The deflection of the membrane is calculated using equations from the theory of plates and shells for deflection of radially constrained thin circular disk under uniform load. The microwave frequency shift is calculated using the equations from the microwave cavity perturbation theory. The transducer model was validated with proof-of-concept experimental data of water flow sensing with a Brass 360 right circular cylinder with 22.2mm diameter and 203µm thick wall. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole in TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Subsequently, we have performed a preliminary proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in high temperature liquid sodium in environment. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator with the same dimensions as for the Brass 360 cavity. The resonator for high temperature liquid sodium test was machined from stainless steel 316 and electroplated with silver on the interior surfaces. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm WR-42 brass waveguide enclosed in a protective SS316 tube. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. The liquid sodium setup consists of a cylindrical vessel with a center feed line, where a transducer inserted through the top cap of the vessel measures velocity of the impinging liquid jet. The sodium flow sensing study was performed in a liquid sodium vessel at 340°C temperature and ambient pressure. The flow rate was changed by varying sodium pump power, and a frequency shift of several hundred kHz was observed. The transducer was removed after 70 days of testing. No visual damage was observed, and the electromagnetic response remained the same. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with a center feed, and with dimensions similar to those of the liquid sodium setup. Water flow sensing was performed before and after liquid sodium test. The responses in both cases are similar and agree with COMSOL computer simulations. Because long-term (multi-year) experimental tests of transducer resilience to harsh environment are not practical, we have developed a probabilistic model of creep to estimate transducer resilience to the harsh environment. The probabilistic model considers diffusion creep under the condition of high temperature and low stress, where the stress and temperature are allowed to be random variables with Gaussian distributions. Using the probabilistic model, we estimate inelastic membrane deflections due to creep for several temperature ranges. We conclude that for temperatures less than 650°C, creep has negligible long-term effect on the transducer performance.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Estimation of Hydrodynamic Impact Loads and Pressure Distributions on Bodies Approximating Elliptical Cylinders with Special Reference to Water Landings of Helicopters

An approximate method for computing water loads and pressure distributions on lightly loaded elliptical cylinders during oblique water impacts is presented. The method is of special interest for the case of emergency water landings of helicopters. This method makes use of theory developed and checked for landing impacts of seaplanes having bottom cross sections of V and scalloped contours. An illustrative example is given to show typical results obtained from the use of the proposed method of computation. The accuracy of the approximate method was evaluated through comparison with limited experimental data for two-dimensional drops of a rigid circular cylinder at a trim of 0 degrees and a flight -path angle of 90 degrees. The applicability of the proposed formulas to the design of rigid hulls is indicated by the rough agreement obtained between the computed and experimental results. A detailed computational procedure is included as an appendix.

Schnitzer, Emanuel↗

Mechanisms of flow control with the unsteady bleed technique

The unsteady bleed technique (a.k.a. internal acoustic forcing) has been shown to be an effective method for control of separation on low Reynolds number airfoils, blunt-end cylinders aligned axially with the flow, cylinders aligned perpendicular to the flow, and forebody geometries at high angles of attack. In many of these investigations, the mechanism for the control has been attributed to enhancement of the shear layer (Kelvin-Helmholtz) instability by the unsteady component of the forcing. However, this is not the only possible mechanism, nor may it be the dominant mechanism under some conditions. In this work it is demonstrated that at least two other mechanisms for flow control are present, and depending on the location and the amplitude of the forcing, these may have significant impact on the flow behavior. Experiments were conducted on a right-circular cylinder with a single unsteady bleed slot aligned along the axis of the cylinder. The effects of forcing frequency, forcing amplitude, and slot location on the azimuthal pressure distribution were studied. The results suggest that a strong vortical structure forms near the unsteady bleed slot when the slot location is upstream of the boundary layer separation point. The structure is unsteady, since it is created by the unsteady forcing. The 'vortex' generates a sizeable pressure spike (C(sub p) = -3.0) in the time-averaged pressure field immediately downstream of the slot. In addition to the pressure spike, the boundary layer separation location moves farther downstream when the forcing is activated. Delay of the separation is believed to be a result of enhancing the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. When forcing is applied in a quiescent wind tunnel, a weak low-pressure region forms near the slot that is purely the result of the second-order streaming effect.

Williams, D. R.↗

Pressure measurements on an ogive-cylinder at high angles of attack with laminar, transitional, or turbulent separation

This paper reports results from pressure tests on an ogive-cylinder in the low-turbulence 12-foot pressure wind tunnel. The results consist of pressure distributions over a wide range of Reynolds numbers and angles of attack. The tests encompassed a complete coverage of different roll orientations shown to be essential in order to fully define all the possible flow conditions. When the various roll-angle results are combined, it is possible to interpret the effects of changing angle of attack or Reynolds number. Two basic mechanisms for producing asymmetric flow are identified. One mechanism operates in both the laminar and the fully turbulent separation regimes; this mechanism is the one qualitatively described by the impulsive flow analogy. The other mechanism occurs only in the transitional separation regime. This asymmetric flow has the same form as that in the two-dimensional crossflow on a circular cylinder in the transitional flow regime. Finally, these results make it possible to draw up critical Reynolds number boundaries between the laminar, transitional, and fully turbulent separation regimes throughout the angle-of-attack range from 20 to 90 deg.

Lamont, P. J.↗

Pressures Around an Inclined Ogive Cylinder with Laminar, Transitional, or Turbulent Separation

This paper reports results From comprehensive pressure tests on an ogive cylinder in the low-turbulence 12-ft pressure wind tunnel at Ames Research Center. The results consist of detailed pressure distributions over a wide range of Reynolds numbers (0.2 x 10(exp 6) to 4.0 x 10(exp 6)) and angles of attack (20 to 90 deg). Most important, the tests encompassed a complete coverage of different roll orientations. This variation of roll orientation is shown to be essential in order to fully define all the possible flow conditions. When the various roll-angle results are combined, it is possible to interpret correctly the effects of changing angle of attack or Reynolds number. Two basic mechanisms for producing asymmetric flow are identified. One mechanism operates in both the laminar and the fully turbulent separation regimes; this mechanism Is the one qualitatively described by the impulsive flow analogy. The other mechanism occurs only in the transitional separation regime. This asymmetric flow has the same form as that found in the two-dimensional cross flow on a circular cylinder in the transitional flow regime. Finally, these results make it possible to draw up critical Reynolds number boundaries between the laminar, transitional, and fully turbulent separation regimes throughout the angle-of-attack range from 20 to 90 deg.

Lamont, P. J.↗

Data-driven variational multiscale reduced order models

We propose a new data-driven reduced order model (ROM) framework that centers around the hierarchical structure of the variational multiscale (VMS) methodology and utilizes data to increase the ROM accuracy at a modest computational cost. The VMS methodology is a natural fit for the hierarchical structure of the ROM basis: In the first step, we use the ROM projection to separate the scales into three categories: (i) resolved large scales, (ii) resolved small scales, and (iii) unresolved scales. In the second step, we explicitly identify the VMS–ROM closure terms, i.e., the terms representing the interactions among the three types of scales. In the third step, we use available data to model the VMS–ROM closure terms. Thus, instead of phenomenological models used in VMS for standard numerical discretizations (e.g., eddy viscosity models), we utilize available data to construct new structural VMS–ROM closure models. Specifically, we build ROM operators (vectors, matrices, and tensors) that are closest to the true ROM closure terms evaluated with the available data. We test the new data-driven VMS–ROM in the numerical simulation of four test cases: (i) the 1D Burgers equation with viscosity coefficient v = 10 -3 ; (ii) a 2D flow past a circular cylinder at Reynolds numbers, Re = 100, Re = 500, and Re= 1000; (iii) the quasi-geostrophic equations at Reynolds number Re = 450 and Rossby number Ro = 0.0036; and (iv) a 2D flow over a backward facing step at Reynolds number Re = 1000. The numerical results show that the data-driven VMS–ROM is significantly more accurate than standard ROMs.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Transverse impact by RCCs on S-glass and Kevlar® FRC strips

This study aims to isolate interactions between plies and tows and reveal fundamental physics involved in transverse impact on fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) structures. Composite strips were sectioned from large panels and characterized by optical photography, three-dimensional synchrotron X-ray computed tomography, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Each strip was impacted perpendicularly by a right circular cylinder (RCC) projectile at a velocity ranging from ~ 150 to 600 m/s. The global strip behavior, as well as localized deformation and failure of the strip near the projectile corner, were both captured by high-speed optical imaging. S-Glass FRC strips were observed to fail in tension ahead of the RCC projectiles’ flat surfaces while Kevlar® FRC strips fractured at the projectile corners. The concept of critical velocity region previously used for impact on yarns was introduced to define different failure modes of each composite strip type. The strip damage extent was found to increase with the impact velocity and reach the maximum at the upper limit of the critical velocity region. Above the critical velocity region, the damage extent decreased with impact velocity. Wave propagations and load histories in the composite strips during impact were quantified and compared with Smith’s theory. Finally, critical velocities of single fibers, yarns, and composite strips and ballistic limits of single-ply and multi-ply composite panels were compared to provide insight into the design of impact-resistant fabrics and composites.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Slender-body approach for computing second-order wave loads in the frequency domain

This work presents a slender-body approach to evaluate the second-order wave loads acting on a floating structure in the frequency domain. The approach is in the same spirit as the common use of Morison’s equation to approximate the wave loads without solving the radiation/diffraction problem. To do so, we employ Rainey’s equation, which can be seen as an extension of the inertial part of Morison’s equation to include nonlinear effects. We introduce modifications to Rainey’s formulation in order to evaluate wave kinematics at the mean body position instead of the original approach of considering instantaneous displacements. We also propose a simple approximation to partially account for wave scattering effects on the second-order loads based on the analytical solution of a surface-piercing bottom-mounted vertical circular cylinder. Though limited to structures composed of cylinders, this slender-body approach is orders of magnitude faster than computing second-order wave coefficients with a radiation/diffraction code. We implemented this approach for difference-frequency (slow drift) loads in an open-source frequency-domain floating wind turbine model. We present comparisons against results obtained with radiation/diffraction theory for three reference floating wind turbine designs: the OC3-Hywind spar, the OC4-DeepCwind semisubmersible, and the VolturnUS-S semisubmersible. In general, the results show that the proposed slender-body approach with the correction to approximate wave scattering effects provides useful estimations of the difference-frequency wave loads and the resulting motions of the floater.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Assessments of epistemic uncertainty using Gaussian stochastic weight averaging for fluid-flow regression

Here, we use Gaussian stochastic weight averaging (SWAG) to assess the epistemic uncertainty associated with neural-network-based function approximation relevant to fluid flows. SWAG approximates a posterior Gaussian distribution of each weight, given training data, and a constant learning rate. Having access to this distribution, it is able to create multiple models with various combinations of sampled weights, which can be used to obtain ensemble predictions. The average of such an ensemble can be regarded as the 'mean estimation', whereas its standard deviation can be used to construct 'confidence intervals', which enable us to perform uncertainty quantification (UQ) with regard to the training process of neural networks. We utilize representative neural-network-based function approximation tasks for the following cases: (i) a two-dimensional circular-cylinder wake; (ii) the DayMET dataset (maximum daily temperature in North America); (iii) a three-dimensional square-cylinder wake; and (iv) urban flow, to assess the generalizability of the present idea for a wide range of complex datasets. SWAG-based UQ can be applied regardless of the network architecture, and therefore, we demonstrate the applicability of the method for two types of neural networks: (i) global field reconstruction from sparse sensors by combining convolutional neural network (CNN) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP); and (ii) far-field state estimation from sectional data with two-dimensional CNN. We find that SWAG can obtain physically-interpretable confidence-interval estimates from the perspective of epistemic uncertainty. This capability supports its use for a wide range of problems in science and engineering.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Hydrokinetic energy harvesting from slow currents using flow-induced oscillations

To harness marine hydrokinetic energy from slow flows, which constitute the majority of currents, tides, and rivers, new Passive Turbulence Control (PTC), consisting of large turbulence stimulators, is tested experimentally on circular cylinders on springs. Here, this study experimentally investigates the effect of PTC on the onset of Flow-Induced Oscillations (FIO) and particularly the relative onset of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) and galloping. Experiments are conducted in the Low Turbulence Free Surface Water Channel, University of Michigan. Fixed are: mass ratio m* = 1.48, aspect ratio l/D = 10.29, and total damping ratio ζ = 0.04. Parameters are: cylinder diameter D, spring stiffness K, PTC location and height, and flow speed U$\in$[0.36 m/s-1.45 m/s]. Placing the leading edge of PTC at 40–60° induces high amplitude FIO while placement at 10–20° suppresses FIO. As PTC height increases, VIV and galloping initiate earlier and exhibit higher amplitude with a steeper slope. Lower spring stiffness initiates VIV earlier by reducing the oscillator natural frequency in water. Even though large PTC maintained its effectiveness in initiating galloping early, it has no effect on the earlier initiation of VIV, which starts at a nearly fixed reduced velocity. Lower spring stiffness and large PTC enable power generation at low current speed (0.2 m/s).

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Low energy neutron light output characterization of EJ301D and deuterated stilbene with a comparison of light output characterization methods

The neutron-induced light yield of a 2.54 cm diameter by 2.54 cm long right circular cylinder of EJ301D and a (5.08 cm)3 custom made cube of deuterated trans-stilbene-d12 (d-stilbene) were measured over incident neutron energies from 300 keV to 2.2 MeV and 200 keV to 2.4 MeV, respectively. The measurements were performed using a time-of-flight experiment with a Cf-252 source and an approximately 1.5 m flight path. We compare three light output spectrum full energy deposition edge estimation methods: (1) simulating the neutron energy spectrum edge and fitting it to the light output spectrum, (2) using the inflection point of the light output spectrum edge (derivative method, a.k.a. Kornilov’s method), and (3) using an empirical model fit to the edge of the light output spectrum. Both the derivative and equation fit methods do not account for physical processes such as multiple neutron scattering in the detectors. They instead rely on assumptions about the linear shape continuum shape of the light output spectrum and the direct correlation between the location of the spectrum’s inflection point and maximum energy deposition. These assumptions were found to introduce bias into those methods when tested against simulated spectra with known edge locations. When tested against measured spectra the derivative method was found to differ from the simulation fit by greater than 30% at low energies with large discontinuities for adjacent data points above 800 keV incident neutron energy. The empirical equation fitting method was found to also exhibit bias of a similar magnitude, but with significantly more continuous behavior, especially with the lower count data of the smaller volumed EJ301D scintillator. Experimental light output yield for this neutron energy range is reported using the simulated spectrum fitting method because it includes physics neglected by the other methods, and did not exhibit the bias observed in the other methods

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Reinforcement learning for bluff body active flow control in experiments and simulations

Significance Reinforcement learning (RL) has been applied effectively in games and robotic manipulation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of RL in experimental fluid mechanics by applying it to reduce the drag of circular cylinders in turbulent flow, a canonical fluid–structure interaction problem. Although physics agnostic, RL managed to reduce the drag by 30 % or reach another specified optimum point very quickly. Following this discovery, we used high-fidelity simulations to probe the underlying physical mechanisms so that the discovered control techniques can be generalized to other similar flow problems. More broadly, RL-guided active control can lead to efficient exploration of additional flow-control strategies in experimental fluid mechanics, potentially paving the way for accelerating scientific discovery and different designs in flow-related engineering problems.

42 ENGINEERING↗