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At least 343 records · Page 19

Exploratory study of vortex-generating devices for turbulent flow separation control

Flow phenomena and the relative performance associated with several devices for controlling turbulent separated flow were investigated at low speeds. Vortex-generating devices examined included: submerged vortex generators (Wheeler doublet and wishbone types), spanwise cylinders, large-eddy breakup devices (LEBU) at small angle of attack (alpha), and vortex-generator jets (VGJ). Dye flow visualization tests in a water tunnel indicated that wishbone vortex generators in the forward orientation shed horseshoe vortices; wishbone vortex generators oriented in the reverse direction and doublet vortex generators shed streamwise counterrotating vortices; a spanwise cylinder located near the wall and LEBUs at alpha = -10 deg produced eddies which rotated with the same sign as the mean vorticity in a turbulent boundary layer; and the most effective VGJs produced streamwise corotating vortices. Comparative wind tunnel tests conducted on a curved backward-facing ramp indicated that transferring momentum from the outer region of a turbulent boundary layer by embedded streamwise vortices is more effective than by transverse vortices for separation control applications.

Lin, J. C.↗

GASP cloud encounter statistics - Implications for laminar flow control flight

The cloud observation archive from the NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP) is analyzed in order to derive the probability of cloud encounter at altitudes normally flown by commercial airliners, for application to a determination of the feasability of Laminar Flow Control (LFC) on long-range routes. The probability of cloud encounter is found to vary significantly with season. Several meteorological circulation features are apparent in the latitudinal distribution of cloud cover. The cloud encounter data are shown to be consistent with the classical midlatitude cyclone model with more clouds encountered in highs than in lows. Aircraft measurements of route-averaged time-in-clouds fit a gamma probability distribution model which is applied to estimate the probability of extended cloud encounter, and the associated loss of LFC effectiveness along seven high-density routes. The probability is demonstrated to be low.

Jasperson, W. H.↗

An overview of recent subsonic laminar flow control flight experiments

This paper presents an overview of wind-tunnel investigations and flight research activities in the United States and Europe devoted to advancing the state-of-the-art and reducing the risk associated with the application of laminar flow control (LFC) technology. The paper highlights LFC research conducted within the last five years.

Collier, F. S., Jr.↗

Control flow guided lock address prefetch and filtering

A method of prefetching target data includes, in response to detecting a lock-prefixed instruction for execution in a processor, determining a predicted target memory location for the lock-prefixed instruction based on control flow information associating the lock-prefixed instruction with the predicted target memory location. Target data is prefetched from the predicted target memory location to a cache coupled with the processor, and after completion of the prefetching, the lock-prefixed instruction is executed in the processor using the prefetched target data.

Mashimo, Susumu↗

Effect of nacelles on aerodynamic characteristics of an executive-jet model with simulated, partial-chord, laminar-flow-control wing glove

Tests were conducted in the Langley High-Speed 7- by 10-Foot Tunnel using a 1/10-scale model of an executive jet to examine the effects of the nacelles on the wing pressures and model longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics. For the present investigation, each wing panel was modified with a simulated, partial-chord, laminar-flow-control glove. Horizontal-tail effects were also briefly examined. The tests covered a range of Mach numbers from 0.40 to 0.82 and lift coefficients from 0.20 to 0.55. Oil-flow photographs of the wing at selected conditions are included.

Campbell, R. L.↗

Flow Control Analysis on the Hump Model with RANS Tools

A concerted effort is underway at NASA Langley Research Center to create a benchmark for Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) codes. both unstructured and structured, against a data set for the hump model with actuation. The hump model was tested in the NASA Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. The CFD codes used for the analyses are the FUN2D (Full Unstructured Navier-Stokes 2-Dimensional) code, the structured TLNS3D (Thin-Layer Navier-Stokes 3-Dimensional) code, and the structured CFL3D code, all developed at NASA Langley. The current investigation uses the time-accurate Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach to predict aerodynamic performance of the active flow control experimental database for the hump model. Two-dimensional computational results verified that steady blowing and suction and oscillatory suction/blowing can be used to significantly reduce the separated flow region on the model. Discrepancies do exist between the CFD results and experimental data in the region downstream of the slot with the largest differences in the oscillatory cases. Overall, the structured CFD codes exhibited similar behavior with each other for a wide range of control conditions, with the unstructured FUN2D code showing moderately different results in the separated flow region for the suction and oscillatory cases.

Viken, Sally A.↗

A preliminary design study of a laminar flow control wing of composite materials for long range transport aircraft

The results of an aircraft wing design study are reported. The selected study airplane configuration is defined. The suction surface, ducting, and compressor systems are described. Techniques of manufacturing suction surfaces are identified and discussed. A wing box of graphite/epoxy composite is defined. Leading and trailing edge structures of composite construction are described. Control surfaces, engine installation, and landing gear are illustrated and discussed. The preliminary wing design is appraised from the standpoint of manufacturing, weight, operations, and durability. It is concluded that a practical laminar flow control (LFC) wing of composite material can be built, and that such a wing will be lighter than an equivalent metal wing. As a result, a program of suction surface evaluation and other studies of configuration, aerodynamics, structural design and manufacturing, and suction systems are recommended.

Swinford, G. R.↗

Performance tests of a gas blending system based on mass-flow controllers

The system provides many of the gas mixtures required for calibrating analytical instruments used in engine exhaust gas analysis and is capable of blending from one to four additive gases with either of two carrier gases in concentrations from 20 ppm to 50%. Two mixtures can be flowing simultaneously. Performance tests were made to determine the stability accuracy of the system while it was in limited use for a period of 2 years. The accuracy of the blender was measured by comparing binary mixtures from the blender with National Bureau of Standards standard reference materials. Analytical instruments were used to make these comparisons. The expected accuracy of 2% was obtained in some of the tests, by the majority showed a systematic biAs of -5%. Although these tests revealed subtle instabilities in the flow controllers that contributed to the random scatter of data, the accuracy of wet test meters and bubble flowmeters used for calibration is marginal for this purpose. A simple procedure is recommended that should enable the full potential of the system to be realized.

Evans, A., Jr.↗

Flight Services and Aircraft Access: Active Flow Control Vertical Tail and Insect Accretion and Mitigation Flight Test

This document serves as the final report for the Flight Services and Aircraft Access task order NNL14AA57T as part of NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project ITD12A+. It includes descriptions of flight test preparations and execution for the Active Flow Control (AFC) Vertical Tail and Insect Accretion and Mitigation (IAM) experiments conducted on the 757 ecoDemonstrator. For the AFC Vertical Tail, this is the culmination of efforts under two task orders. The task order was managed by Boeing Research & Technology and executed by an enterprise-wide Boeing team that included Boeing Research & Technology, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Defense and Space and Boeing Test and Evaluation. Boeing BR&T in St. Louis was responsible for overall Boeing project management and coordination with NASA. The 757 flight test asset was provided and managed by the BCA ecoDemonstrator Program, in partnership with Stifel Aircraft Leasing and the TUI Group. With this report, all of the required deliverables related to management of this task order have been met and delivered to NASA as summarized in Table 1. In addition, this task order is part of a broader collaboration between NASA and Boeing.

Whalen, Edward A.↗

Nitrile/Buna N Material Failure Assessment for an O-Ring used on the Gaseous Hydrogen Flow Control Valve (FCV) of the Space Shuttle Main Engine

After the rollout of Space Shuttle Discovery in April 2005 in preparation for return-to-flight, there was a failure of the Orbiter (OV-103) helium signature leak test in the gaseous hydrogen (GH2) system. Leakage was attributed to the Flow Control Valve (FCV) in Main Engine 3. The FCV determined to be the source of the leak for OV-103 is designated as LV-58. The nitrile/Buna N rubber O-ring seal was removed from LV-58, and failure analysis indicated radial cracks providing leak paths in one quadrant. Cracks were eventually found in 6 of 9 FCV O-rings among the three Shuttle Orbiters, though none were as severe as those for LV-58, OV-103. Testing by EM10 at MSFC on all 9 FCV O- rings included: laser dimensional, Shore A hardness and properties from a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and an Instron tensile machine. The following test data was obtained on the cracked quadrant of the LV-58, OV-103 O-ring: (1) the estimated compression set was only 9.5%, compared to none for the rest of the O-ring; (2) Shore A hardness for the O.D. was higher by almost 4 durometer points than for the rest of the O-ring; and (3) DMA data showed that the storage/elastic modulus E was almost 25% lower than for the rest of the O-ring. Of the 8 FCV O-rings tested on an Instron, 4 yielded tensile strengths that were below the MIL spec requirement of 1350 psi-a likely influence of rubber cracking. Comparisons were made between values of modulus determined by DNA (elastic) and Instron (Young s). Each nitrile/Buna N O-ring used in the FCV conforms to the MIL-P-25732C specification. A number of such O-rings taken from shelf storage at MSFC and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) were used to generate a reference curve of DMA glass transition temperature (Tg) vs. shelf storage time ranging from 8 to 26 years. A similar reference curve of TGA onset temperature (of rubber weight loss) vs. shelf storage time was also generated. The DMA and TGA data for the used FCV O-rings were compared to the reference curves. Correlations were also made between the DMA modulus (at 22 C) and Shore A hardness for all 9 of the FCV O-rings used among the three Shuttle Orbiters. The radial cracking in the FCV O-rings was determined to be due to ozone attack, as nitrile/Buna N rubber is susceptible to such attack. Nitrile/Buna N material under MIL-P25732C should be used in a hydraulic fluid environment to help protect it from cracking. However, the FCV O-rings were used in an air only environment. The FCV design has as much as a 9-mil gap that allows the O.D. of the O-ring to be directly exposed to ozone, pressurized air and some elevated temperatures, accelerating the weathering process that leads to O-ring cracking. Space Shuttle flights will likely not continue past 2010. Therefore, Shuttle management decided to continue using the nitrile/Buna N material for the FCVs, but have each O-ring replaced after 3 years to minimize any chances for crack initiation.

Wingard, Doug↗

Pressure distributions from subsonic tests of an advanced laminar-flow-control wing with leading- and trailing-edge flaps

An unswept, semispan wing model equipped with full-span leading- and trailing-edge flaps was tested in the Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to determine the effect of high-lift components on the aerodynamics of an advanced laminar-flow-control (LFC) airfoil section. Chordwise pressure distributions near the midsemispan were measured for four configurations: cruise, trailing-edge flap only, and trailing-edge flap with a leading edge Kreuger flap of either 0.10 or 0.12 chord. Part 1 of this report presents a representative sample of the plotted pressure distribution data for each configuration tested. Part 2 (under separate cover) presents the entire set of plotted and tabulated pressure distribution data. The data are presented without analysis.

Applin, Zachary T.↗

Pressure distributions from subsonic tests of an advanced laminar-flow-control wing with leading- and trailing-edge flaps

An unswept, semispan wing model equipped with full-span leading- and trailing-edge flaps was tested in the Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to determine the effect of high-lift components on the aerodynamics of an advanced laminar-flow-control (LFC) airfoil section. Chordwise pressure distributions near the midsemispan were measured for four configurations: cruise, trailing-edge flap only, and trailing-edge flap with a leading-edge Krueger flap of either 0.10 or 0.12 chord. Part 1 of this report (under separate cover) presents a representative sample of the plotted pressure distribution data for each configuration tested. Part 2 presents the entire set of plotted and tabulated pressure distribution data. The data are presented without analysis.

Applin, Zachary T.↗

Wind farm flow control: prospects and challenges

Abstract. Wind farm control has been a topic of research for more than two decades. It has been identified as a core component of grand challenges in wind energy science to support accelerated wind energy deployment and to transition to a clean and sustainable energy system for the 21st century. The prospect of collective control of wind turbines in an array, to increase energy extraction, reduce structural loads, improve the balance of systems, reduce operation and maintenance costs, etc. has inspired many researchers over the years to propose innovative ideas and solutions. However, practical demonstration and commercialization of some of the more advanced concepts has been limited by a wide range of challenges, which include the complex physics of turbulent flows in wind farms and the atmosphere, uncertainties related to predicting structural load and failure statistics, and the highly multi-disciplinary nature of the overall design optimization problem, among others. In the current work, we aim at providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the art and outstanding challenges, thus identifying the key research areas that could further enable commercial uptake and success of wind farm control solutions. To this end, we have structured the discussion on challenges and opportunities into four main areas: (1) insight in control flow physics, (2) algorithms and AI, (3) validation and industry implementation, and (4) integrating control with system design (co-design).

Meyers, Johan (ORCID:0000000228284397)↗

Comparative Study of Active Flow Control Strategies for Lift Enhancement of a Simplified High-Lift Configuration

Numerical simulations have been performed for a simplified high-lift (SHL) version of the Common Research Model (CRM) configuration, where the Fowler flaps of the conventional high-lift (CRM-HL) configuration are replaced by a set of simple hinged flaps. These hinged flaps are equipped with integrated modular active flow control (AFC) cartridges on the suction surface, and the resulting geometry is known as the CRM-SHL-AFC configuration. The main objective is to make use of AFC devices on the CRM-SHL-AFC configuration to recover the aerodynamic performance (lift) of the CRM-HL configuration. In the current paper, a Lattice Boltzmann method-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, known as PowerFLOWQ® is used to simulate the entire flow field associated with the CRM-SHL-AFC configuration equipped with several different types of AFC devices. The transonic version of the PowerFLOWQ® code that has been validated for high speed flows is used to accurately simulate the flow field generated by the high-momentum actuators required to mitigate reversed flow regions on the suction surfaces of the main wing and the flap. The numerical solutions predict the expected trends in aerodynamic forces as the actuation levels are increased. More efficient AFC systems and actuator arrangements emerged based on the parametric studies performed prior to a Fall 2018 wind tunnel test. Preliminary comparisons of the numerical solutions for lift and surface pressures are presented here with the experimental data, demonstrating the usefulness of CFD for predicting the flow field and lift characteristics of AFC-enabled high-lift configurations.

Vatsa, Veer N.↗

Flow Control on Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils Using Vortex Generator Jets

Motivation - Higher loading on Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) airfoils: Reduce airfoil count, weight, cost. Increase efficiency, and Limited by suction side separation. Growing understanding of transition, separation, wake effects: Improved models. Take advantage of wakes. Higher lift airfoils in use. Further loading increases may require flow control: Passive: trips, dimples, etc. Active: plasma actuators, vortex generator jets (VGJs). Can increased loading offset higher losses on high lift airfoils. Objectives: Advance knowledge of boundary layer separation and transition under LPT conditions. Demonstrate, improve understanding of separation control with pulsed VGJs. Produce detailed experimental data base. Test and develop computational models.

Volino, Ralph J.↗

Hybrid laminar flow control experiments in the NASA - Ames, 11-foot tunnel

It was proposed to design and conduct experiments in the NASA-Ames Research Center, 11-foot wind tunnel, that would assess the role of freestream turbulence and surface roughness on swept-wing transition to turbulence. The work was to be a cooperative effort that had direct application to hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) airfoils. The first part of the proposed work, initiated in FY92 and continued into FY93, concentrated on the design of such an experiment whose results may be compared with results obtained in other wind-tunnel facilities. At the same time, concurrent work in the Arizona State University (ASU) Unsteady Wind Tunnel would be conducted on the effects of surface roughness. The second part of the work, which was to be initiated in FY94, would have consisted of experiments conducted in both the 11-foot tunnel at NASA-Ames and the ASU Unsteady Wind Tunnel. However, this work was not continued. This report summarizes the experimental design considerations and some preliminary experiments that made up the first part of the work.

Saric, William S.↗

Structural tests and development of a laminar flow control wing surface composite chordwise joint

The dramatic increases in fuel costs and the potential for periods of limited fuel availability provided the impetus to explore technologies to reduce transport aircraft fuel consumption. NASA sponsored the Aircraft Energy Efficiency (ACEE) program beginning in 1976 to develop technologies to improve fuel efficiency. The Lockheed-Georgia Company accomplished under NAS1-16235 Laminar-Flow-Control (LFC) Wing Panel Structural Design and Development (WSSD); design, manufacturing, and testing activities. An in-depth preliminary design of the baseline 1993 LFC wing was accomplished. A surface panel using the Lockheed graphite/epoxy integrated LFC wing box structural concept was designed. The concept was shown by analysis to be structurally efficient and cost effective. Critical details of the surface and surface joint was demonstrated by fabricating and testing complex, concept selection specimens. The Lockheed-Georgia Company accomplishments, Development of LFC Wind Surface Composite Structures (WSCS), are documented. Tests were conducted on two CV2 panels to verify the static tension and fatigue strength of LFC wing surface chordwise joints.

Lineberger, L. B.↗