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At least 37 records · Page 2

The effect of small-scale roughness on the main flow profile of a laminar boundary layer

The profile distortion due to a single roughness element, to two such elements, and to many elements is investigated. Signal-averaging of the velocity difference due to the roughness being alternately present or absent is employed in order to improve accuracy. The primary objective of examining the distributed-roughness profiles for any evidence of instability-enhancing form is not met, but the results are reconsidered, and relevant hypotheses and suggestions are presented. It is noted that the reason for not meeting the objective of estimating Tollmien-Schlichting amplification from rough-wall profiles is that much of the distortion occurs close to the wall and below the element tops.

Kendall, James M., Jr.↗

Base Heating Sensitivity Study for a 4-Cluster Rocket Motor Configuration in Supersonic Freestream

In support of launch vehicle base heating and pressure prediction efforts using the Loci-CHEM Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics solver, 35 numerical simulations of the NASA TND-1093 wind tunnel test have been modeled and analyzed. This test article is composed of four JP-4/LOX 500 lbf rocket motors exhausting into a Mach 2 - 3.5 wind tunnel at various ambient pressure conditions. These water-cooled motors are attached to a base plate of a standard missile forebody. We explore the base heating profiles for fully coupled finite-rate chemistry simulations, one-way coupled RAMP (Reacting And Multiphase Program using Method of Characteristics)-BLIMPJ (Boundary Layer Integral Matrix Program - Jet Version) derived solutions and variable and constant specific heat ratio frozen flow simulations. Variations in turbulence models, temperature boundary conditions and thermodynamic properties of the plume have been investigated at two ambient pressure conditions: 255 lb/sq ft (simulated low altitude) and 35 lb/sq ft (simulated high altitude). It is observed that the convective base heat flux and base temperature are most sensitive to the nozzle inner wall thermal boundary layer profile which is dependent on the wall temperature, boundary layer s specific energy and chemical reactions. Recovery shock dynamics and afterburning significantly influences convective base heating. Turbulence models and external nozzle wall thermal boundary layer profiles show less sensitivity to base heating characteristics. Base heating rates are validated for the highest fidelity solutions which show an agreement within +/-10% with respect to test data.

Mehta, Manish↗

An experimental investigation of vortex generation in a turbulent boundary layer undergoing adverse pressure gradient

The existence of streamwise vortices in nominally 2-dimensional boundary layers undergoing adverse pressure gradient was investigated. The free stream Mach number was 5.75, the wall to stagnation temperature ratio was 0.63 and the Reynolds number based on free stream conditions was 3.9 x 10 to the 7th power/ft. The model consisted of an axisymmetric compression flare preceded by a cylindrical axially symmetric body. A natural turbulent boundary layer was established well ahead of the compression region. Boundary layer profiles of static pressure, pitot pressure, and stagnation temperature were taken at a surface station with a local inclination of 20 deg. Profile measurements were obtained at various peripheral stations. The measurements revealed zero peripheral variations at the surface of the body and at the edge of the boundary layer. However, distinct wavy pressure variations were observed within the boundary layer profiles, indicating the existence of longitudinal vortex cells within the boundary layer.

Zakkay, V.↗

Computational analysis of plume induced separation

Full Navier-Stokes simulations around axisymmetric boattailed and flared rockets are numerically investigated for plume induced separation phenomenon. At lower altitudes, the plume interaction with the external flow does not cause any flow separation on the body, but at conditions corresponding to higher altitudes large plume induced separation is observed. Addition of a flare to the afterbody limits the extent of separation at high altitudes. Computational solutions for the boattailed axisymmetric geometry are compared with available wind-tunnel and flight data. The effect of forebody ablation is studied by modifying the inflow boundary layer profile. Numerical solutions with thicker boundary layers show significantly greater plume-induced separation compared with nonablating cases. Heat transfer to the wall was computed for the flared afterbody geometry and is presented.

Venkatapathy, Ethiraj↗

Turbulent boundary-layer velocity profiles on a nonadiabatic at Mach number 6.5

Velocity profiles were obtained from pitot-pressure and total-temperature measurements within a turbulent boundary layer on a large sharp-edged flat plate. Momentum-thickness Reynolds number ranged from 2590 to 8860 and wall-to-adiabatic-wall temperature ratios ranged from 0.3 to 0.5. Measurements were made both with and without boundary layer trips. Five methods are evaluated for correlating the measured velocity profiles with the incompressible law-of-the-wall and the velocity defect law. The mixing-length generalization of Van Driest gives the best correlation.

Keener, E. R.↗

Higher modes of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem for boundary layer flows

The discrete spectrum of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem of hydrodynamic stability for boundary layer flows in semi-infinite regions is examined. Related questions concerning the continuous spectrum are also addressed. Emphasis is placed on the stability problem for the Blasius boundary layer profile. A general theoretical result is given which proves that the discrete spectrum of the Orr-Sommerfeld problem for boundary layer profiles (U(y), 0,0) has only a finite number of discrete modes when U(y) has derivatives of all orders. Details are given of a highly accurate numerical technique based on collocation with splines for the calculation of stability characteristics. The technique includes replacement of 'outer' boundary conditions by asymptotic forms based on the proper large parameter in the stability problem. Implementation of the asymptotic boundary conditions is such that there is no need to make apriori distinctions between subcases of the discrete spectrum or between the discrete and continuous spectrums. Typical calculations for the usual Blasius problem are presented.

Lakin, W. D.↗

The development of crossflow vortices on a 45 degree swept wing

Three-dimensional boundary-layer experiments are currently being conducted on a 45 deg swept wing in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel. Crossflow-dominated transition is produced via a model with contoured end liners to simulate infinite swept-wing flow. Fixed-wavelength stationary and traveling crossflow vortex are observed. The stationary vortex wavelengths vary with Reynolds number as predicted by linear-stability theory, but with observed wavelengths which are about 25 percent smaller than theoretically predicted. The frequencies of the most-amplified moving waves are in agreement with linear-stability theory; traveling waves at higher frequencies than predicted are also observed. These higher-frequency waves may be harmonics of the primary crossflow waves generated by a parametric resonance phenomena. Boundary-layer profiles measured at several spanwise locations show streamwise disturbance profiles characteristic of the crossflow instability. Near the transition location, severe distortions of the laminar boundary-layer profiles are observed. Mean-profile measurements are compared to theoretical predictions.

Mousseux, Marc C.↗

Transition correlations in three-dimensional boundary layers

The stability and transition characteristics of three-dimensional boundary-layer flows are examined. First, the flow over a rotating cone is considered computationally. An increase of stagnation temperature is found to be only slightly stabilizing. Parameter studies on the simple rotating-cone geometry provide a large database of three-dimensional boundary-layer profiles and associated stability characteristics. To determine the possibility of correlating transition location with parameters based purely on basic-state three-dimensional boundary-layer profile characteristics, an empirical transition location of N = 9 is assumed. Transition location does not correlate with the traditional crossflow Reynolds number. A more appropriate definition for crossflow Reynolds number is found and termed R(sub cf(new)). This new parameter appears to correlate for transition location when plotted against maximum crossflow velocity. Then, the flow over a yawed cone is considered experimentally. The correlation results obtained from the rotating-cone work are applied to the actual measured transition locations on two different yawed-cone models under various angle-of-attack conditions in two different experimental facilities and are verified. This correlation is only suggested as a tool for preliminary transition prediction and design in three-dimensional boundary layers; once a preliminary shape is selected, further linear stability theory or parabolized stability equation calculations are strongly urged.

Reed, Helen L.↗

Numerical studies of transverse curvature effects on transonic flow stability

A numerical study of transverse curvature effects on compressible flow temporal stability for transonic to low supersonic Mach numbers is presented for axisymmetric modes. The mean flows studied include a similar boundary-layer profile and a nonsimilar axisymmetric boundary-layer solution. The effect of neglecting curvature in the mean flow produces only small quantitative changes in the disturbance growth rate. For transonic Mach numbers (1-1.4) and aerodynamically relevant Reynolds numbers (5000-10,000 based on displacement thickness), the maximum growth rate is found to increase with curvature - the maximum occurring at a nondimensional radius (based on displacement thickness) between 30 and 100.

Macaraeg, M. G.↗

Experimental investigation of boundary layers in an axisymmetric, Mach 2.5, mixed-compression inlet

An experimental investigation has been made of the boundary layer flow in a supersonic axisymmetric inlet. The inlet was designed for Mach 2.5 and had a 60 percent internal supersonic area contraction. Porous bleed regions were incorporated into both the cowl and centerbody for boundary-layer control. Five bleed configurations were studied; these included bleed regions upstream of, across, and downstream of the experimentally determined shock-impingement points. The tests were conducted at tunnel unit Reynolds numbers of 8.2 million and 2.7 million per meter. Static-pressure measurements were made along the internal inlet surfaces. In addition to locating the position of the shocks, these measurements also showed local regions of expansion resulting from the suction bleed. Boundary-layer profiles were measured with translating pitot pressure probes located on both sides of the shock-impingement points on the cowl and centerbody. These measurements showed that the boundary-layer profiles were distorted in the vicinity of the terminal shock.

Hingst, W. R.↗

A Comparison of Boundary Layer Wind Profilers for Use with Space Launch Vehicles

The United States Air Force (USAF) operates two space launch ranges, the Eastern Range (ER) and the Western Range (WR). The ER is primarily located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and the WR is located at the Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). Multiple systems are used to measure the atmosphere at both ranges, including a suite of 915-Mhz (megahertz) Doppler Radar Wind Profilers (DRWP). The 915-MHz DRWPs are used to measure winds in the lowest few kilometers of the atmosphere, primarily in the boundary layer. Boundary layer winds are important during launch, and observations of such can be used as input to toxic dispersion and low-level abort trajectory models. However, these 915-MHz systems are nearing the end of their service life and need to be replaced by systems with similar, or greater, capabilities. The USAF funded evaluations of two systems: a 449-MHz DRWP and a Lidar. Both systems were stationed at each range for separate periods of approximately three months from November 2017 through May 2018. The USAF also funded NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Natural Environments Branch (NE) to evaluate wind output from the two systems. MSFC NE conducted analysis to demonstrate the system’s wind accuracy relative to measurements from the Automated Meteorological Profiling System (AMPS) (Divers et al., 2000), data availability, and Effective Vertical Resolution (EVR).

Orcutt, John M.↗

A numerical investigation into the effects of compressibility and total enthalpy difference on the development of a laminar free shear layer.

A method is presented for integrating numerically the equations of motion for a compressible free shear layer developing from a boundary-layer profile of arbitrary shape. Sutherland's law is used to determine the coefficient of viscosity and the Prandtl number is taken as 0.72. Calculated results are reported for free-stream Mach numbers ranging from 0 to 10 and for stagnation-enthalpy ratios ranging from 0 to 5.0. The effects of varying the initial boundary-layer profile and of a discontinuity in temperature at the origin are also studied. The results include graphs showing the development of dividing-streamline velocity, of local Nusselt number, and of dividing-streamline location.

Carpenter, P. W.↗

Experimental study of the use of vortex generators to reduce fluctuating pressure loads in shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions

Fluctuating wall pressure measurements have been made in a separated shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction produced by an unswept compression corner in a Mach 5 flow. Wheeler doublet vortex generators were placed 15.8 boundary layer thicknesses upstream of the corner to study their effect on the fluctuating pressure loads produced by the translating separation shock. The vortex generators produced significant three-dimensionality in an otherwise two-dimensional interaction. They reduced the upstream influence and the length of the region of shock motion by 60% and 64%, respectively, decreased the maximum wall pressure rms by 23%, and shifted the fluctuations to a higher frequency band. The maximum fraction of energy in the 100-500 Hz frequency band is decreased by 11%. These changes are due to a fuller boundary layer profile, a weaker separation shock, and increased boundary layer turbulence causing increased separation shock jitter.

Barter, John W.↗

Porous and Microporous Honeycomb Composites as Potential Boundary-Layer Bleed Materials

Results of an experimental investigation are presented in which the use of porous and microporous honeycomb composite materials is evaluated as an alternate to perforated solid plates for boundary-layer bleed in supersonic aircraft inlets. The terms "porous" and "microporous," respectively, refer to bleed orifice diameters roughly equal to and much less than the displacement thickness of the approach boundary-layer. A Baseline porous solid plate, two porous honeycomb, and three microporous honeycomb configurations are evaluated. The performance of the plates is characterized by the flow coefficient and relative change in boundary-layer profile parameters across the bleed region. The tests were conducted at Mach numbers of 1.27 and 1.98. The results show the porous honeycomb is not as efficient at removing mass compared to the baseline. The microporous plates were about equal to the baseline with one plate demonstrating a significantly higher efficiency. The microporous plates produced significantly fuller boundary-layer profiles downstream of the bleed region for a given mass flow removal rate than either the baseline or the porous honeycomb plates.

Davis, D. O.↗

Direct simulation of high-speed mixing layers

A computational study of a nonreacting high-speed mixing layer is performed. A higher order algorithm with sufficient grid points is used to resolve all relevant scales. In all cases, a temporal free-stream disturbance is introduced. The resulting flow is time-sampled to generate a statistical cross section of the flow properties. The studies are conducted at two convective Mach numbers, three free-stream turbulence intensities, three Reynolds numbers, and two types of initial profiles-hyperbolic tangent (tanh) and boundary layer. The boundary-layer profile leads to more realistic predictions of the transition processes. The predicted transition Reynolds number of 0.18 x 10(exp 6) compares well with experimental data. Normalized vortex spacings for the boundary-layer case are about 3.5 and compare favorably with the 1.5 to 2.5 found in experimental measurements. The tanh profile produces spacings of about 10. The growth rate of the layer is shown to be moderately affected by the initial disturbance field, but comparison with experimental data shows moderate agreement. For the boundary-layer case, it is shown that noise at the Strouhal number of 0.007 is selectively amplified and shows little Reynolds number dependence.

Mukunda, H. S.↗

Effects of Mach number on pitot-probe displacement in a turbulent boundary layer

Experimental pitot-probe-displacement data have been obtained in a turbulent boundary layer at a local free-stream Mach number of 4.63 and unit Reynolds number of 6.46 million meter. The results of this study were compared with lower Mach number results of previous studies. It was found that small probes showed displacement only, whereas the larger probes showed not only displacement but also distortion of the shape of the boundary-layer profile. The distortion pattern occurred lower in the boundary layer at the higher Mach number than at the the lower Mach number. The maximum distortion occurred when the center of the probe was about one probe diameter off the test surface. For probes in the wall contact position, the indicated Mach numbers were, for all probes tested, close to the true profile. Pitot-probe displacement was found to increase significantly with increasing Mach number.

Allen, J. M.↗