SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WIND TUNNELS - OPEN THROAT”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1979

Evaluation of a wind-tunnel gust response technique including correlations with analytical and flight test results

A wind tunnel technique for obtaining gust frequency response functions for use in predicting the response of flexible aircraft to atmospheric turbulence is evaluated. The tunnel test results for a dynamically scaled cable supported aeroelastic model are compared with analytical and flight data. The wind tunnel technique, which employs oscillating vanes in the tunnel throat section to generate a sinusoidally varying flow field around the model, was evaluated by use of a 1/30 scale model of the B-52E airplane. Correlation between the wind tunnel results, flight test results, and analytical predictions for response in the short period and wing first elastic modes of motion are presented.

Redd, L. T.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Increased Mach Number Capability for the NASA Glenn 10x10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Computational simulations and wind tunnel testing were conducted to explore the operation of the Abe Silverstein Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center at test section Mach numbers above the current limit of Mach 3.5. An increased Mach number would enhance the capability for testing of supersonic and hypersonic propulsion systems. The focus of the explorations was on understanding the flow within the second throat of the tunnel, which is downstream of the test section and is where the supersonic flow decelerates to subsonic flow. Methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were applied to provide details of the shock boundary layer structure and to estimate losses in total pressure. The CFD simulations indicated that the tunnel could be operated up to Mach 4.0 if the minimum width of the second throat was made smaller than that used for previous operation of the tunnel. Wind tunnel testing was able to confirm such operation of the tunnel at Mach 3.6 and 3.7 before a hydraulic failure caused a stop to the testing. CFD simulations performed after the wind tunnel testing showed good agreement with test data consisting of static pressures along the ceiling of the second throat. The CFD analyses showed increased shockwave boundary layer interactions, which was also observed as increased unsteadiness of dynamic pressures collected in the wind tunnel testing.

Wind tunnel↗

NASA NTRS2015

Increased Mach Number Capability for the NASA Glenn 10x10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Diffuser↗

NASA NTRS1939

The Breda Wind Tunnel

A description of the design and construction of the Breda wind tunnel. The tunnel is equipped with a two-meter throat diameter and a 310 kph velocity potential.

Pittoni, Mario↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Wind-US Simulations of the NASA 1507 Inlet Test Case

Steady-state, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed of the NASA 1507 Inlet Test Case from the 6th AIAA Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshop (PAW) held in January 2023 using the Wind-US CFD solver. The simulations were performed with bleed regions modeled as surface patches and the Slater bleed boundary condition models were applied within those regions. Both the constant-plenum-pressure and the fixed-plenum-exit bleed models where applied. The vortex generators were modeled using the Bender-Anderson-Yagle (BAY) vortex generator model. The CFD simulations were performed for inlet engine-face flow ratios varying from supercritical to subcritical inlet operation until inlet unstart. The results of the CFD simulations were compared to wind-tunnel data which included boundary layer profiles, axial static pressure distributions, bleed rates, total pressure recovery performance curves, and engine-face total pressure rake profiles. The CFD simulations were able to match most of the boundary layer rake data near the geometric throat, but the boundary layers on the centerbody were thinner than indicated by the wind-tunnel data. For the supercritical CFD simulations, the engine-face flow ratio was at least 2% to 2.5% lower than indicated by the wind-tunnel data, but still consistent with the level of supercritical bleed. The engine-face flow rates of the wind-tunnel tests had an uncertainty of ±2% which could explain the differences. The supercritical engine-face flow rates of the wind-tunnel data indicated a 5% supercritical bleed rate rather than the reported 7.18% bleed rate. The CFD simulations were able to calculate the maximum total pressure recovery of pt2/pt = 0.907 as observed for the wind-tunnel data. The CFD simulations with the constant-pressure bleed model were able to obtain a much lower engine-face total pressure ratio than indicated by both the wind-tunnel data and the CFD simulations using a fixed-plenum-exit bleed model. The CFD simulations indicated a sharp static pressure rise for the terminal shock rather than a more gradual rise indicated by the wind-tunnel data. The CFD simulations were not able to accurately compute the total pressure variation across the engine-face total pressure rake.

Supersonics↗

NASA NTRS1975

A throat-bypass stability system for a YF-12 aircraft research inlet using self-acting mechanical valves

Results of a wind tunnel investigation are presented. The inlet was modified so that airflow can be removed through a porous cowl-bleed region in the vicinity of the throat. Bleed plenum exit flow area is controlled by relief type mechanical valves. Unlike valves in previous systems, these are made for use in a high Mach flight environment and include refinements so that the system could be tested on a NASA YF-12 aircraft. The valves were designed to provide their own reference pressure. The results show that the system can absorb internal-airflow-transients that are too fast for a conventional bypass door control system and that the two systems complement each other quite well. Increased tolerance to angle of attack and Mach number changes is indicated. The valves should provide sufficient time for the inlet control system to make geometry changes required to keep the inlet started.

Cole, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

A throat-bypass stability system for a YF-12 aircraft research inlet using self-acting mechanical valves

Results of a wind tunnel investigation are presented. The inlet was modified so that airflow can be removed through a porous cowl-bleed region in the vicinity of the throat. Bleed plenum exit flow area is controlled by relief type mechanical valves. Unlike valves in previous systems, these are made for use in a high Mach flight environment and include refinements so that the system could be tested on a NASA YF-12 aircraft. The valves were designed to provide their own reference pressure; hence, do not respond to slowly varying disturbances. However, the results show that the system can absorb internal-airflow-transients that are too fast for a conventional bypass door control system and that the two systems complement each other quite well. Increased tolerance to angle of attack and Mach number changes is indicated. The valves should provide sufficient time for the inlet control system to make geometry changes required to keep the inlet started.

Cole, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Analysis and design of a ceramic nozzle insert for the Langley 8-foot high temperature structures tunnel

An analysis is presented of various ceramic design concepts intended to improve nozzle throat life and tunnel performance in the hypersonic Langley 8-Foot High-Temperature Structures Tunnel, which uses methane-air combustion products as the wind-tunnel test medium. Calculations of the axial pressure distribution and heating rates in the air-cooled nozzle throat are presented, and desirable characteristics of a ceramic material to be used in the nozzle throat are outlined, including high-temperature strength, thermal shock and erosion resistance, low conductivity and low thermal expansion. Ceramic nozzle throat design concepts are then examined, with attention given to monolithic and layered constructions of cast ceramics, reaction-bonded materials and a fiber-reinforced silica-silica ceramic. Results of a finite element analysis of the temperatures and stresses characteristic of the various concepts are then presented which indicate the monolithic silica-silica and the layered silica-silica/reaction bonded silicon nitride concepts to be the most promising of those investigated.

Robinson, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Acoustic characteristics of two hybrid inlets at forward speed

A wind tunnel investigation of the acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of two hybrid inlets installed on a JT15D-1 turbofan engine was performed. The hybrid inlets combined moderate throat Mach number and wall acoustic treatment to suppress the fan inlet noise. Acoustic and aerodynamic data were recorded over a range of flight and engine operating conditions. In a simulated flight environment, the hybrid inlets provided significant levels of suppression at both design and off-design throat Mach numbers with good aerodynamic performance. A comparison of inlet noise at quasi-static and forward-speed conditions in the wind tunnel showed a reduction in the fan tones, demonstrating the flight cleanup effect. High angles of attack produced slight increases in fan noise at the high acoustic directivity angles.

Falarski, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Wind tunnel flow generation section

A flow generation section for a wind tunnel test facility is described which provides a uniform flow for the wind tunnel test section over a range of different flow velocities. The throat of the flow generation section includes a pair of opposed boundary walls which are porous to the flowing medium in order to provide an increase of velocity by expansion. A plenum chamber is associated with the exterior side of each of such porous walls to separate the same from ambient pressure. A suction manifold is connected by suction lines with each one of the chambers. Valves are positioned in each of the lines to enable the suction manifold to be independently varied.

Sorensen, N. E.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Inlet total pressure loss due to acoustic wall treatment

The effect of diffuser wall acoustic treatment on inlet total pressure loss was experimentally determined. Data were obtained by testing an inlet model with 10 different acoustically treated diffusers differing only in the design of the Helmholtz resonator acoustic treatment. Tests were conducted in a wind tunnel at forward velocities to 41 meters per second for inlet throat Mach numbers of .5 to .8 and angles of attack as high as 50 degrees. Results indicate a pressure loss penalty due to acoustic treatment that increases linearly with the porosity of the acoustic facing sheet. For a surface porosity of 14 percent the total pressure loss was 21 percent greater than that for an untreated inlet.

Miller, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Inlet total pressure loss due to acoustic wall treatment

Experimental determination of the effect of diffuser wall acoustic treatment on inlet total pressure loss. Data were obtained by testing an inlet model with 10 different acoustically treated diffusers differing only in the design of the Helmholtz resonator acoustic treatment. Tests were conducted in a wind tunnel at forward velocities to 41 meters per second for inlet throat Mach numbers of .5 to .8 and angles of attack as high as 50 degrees. Results indicate a pressure loss penalty due to acoustic treatment that increases linearly with the porosity of the acoustic facing sheet. For a surface porosity of 14% the total pressure loss was 21% greater than that for an untreated inlet. The penalty resulting from treatment increased for average throat Mach numbers above approximately .7 where local regions of sonic or supersonic surface flow were encountered. Pressure loss over the treatment was not affected by the presence of noise.

Miller, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1960

Mixing Characteristics Downstream of Core Region of High-Temperature Axisymmetric Jets Exhausting Into Transonic and Supersonic Streams

A series of rocket motors with varying exit to throat area ratios was tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel to determine the effects of mixing on jet diameter and temperature decay at large distances (x/d > 30) from the nozzle exit. An approximate method to account for effects of the initial expansion was evolved. It was determined that the combustion efficiency has an important effect on jet spreading, since the unburned products can burn downstream of the nozzle. The data showed considerable scatter; however, mixing rates were, in general, lower than those observed for subsonic jets. Data for angles of attack of 5 and 10 deg are also presented, giving the respective centerline shift and temperature decay as a function of axial distance.

Huff, Ronald G.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Effect of entry-lip design on aerodynamics and acoustics of high throat Mach number inlets for the quiet, clean, short-haul experimental engine

Results of scale model tests of high-throat-Mach-number inlets designed to suppress inlet-emitted engine machinery noise produced in a V/STOL wind tunnel are presented. A vacuum system was used to induce inlet airflow with a siren as a noise source. Inlet mass flow was 11.68 kilograms (25.75 lb. min) per second at a throat Mach number of 0.79. The effect of entry-lip design (contraction ratio and diameter ratio) on inlet total-pressure recovery, steady-state pressure distortion, performance at high incidence angles, and noise suppression was determined. With proper entry-lip design, total-pressure recovery in excess of 0.988 could be obtained statically at an average throat Mach number of 0.79. Total-pressure distortion was 5 percent. The reduction in the siren tone sound pressure level transmitted through the inlet was 10 to 14 db relative to that measured at throat Mach 0.6.

Miller, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Inviscid Design of Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Nozzles for a Real Gas

A straightforward procedure has been developed to quickly determine an inviscid design of a hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle when the test crash is both calorically and thermally imperfect. This real gas procedure divides the nozzle into four distinct parts: subsonic, throat to conical, conical, and turning flow regions. The design process is greatly simplified by treating the imperfect gas effects only in the source flow region. This simplification can be justified for a large class of hypersonic wind tunnel nozzle design problems. The final nozzle design is obtained either by doing a classical boundary layer correction or by using this inviscid design as the starting point for a viscous design optimization based on computational fluid dynamics. An example of a real gas nozzle design is used to illustrate the method. The accuracy of the real gas design procedure is shown to compare favorably with an ideal gas design based on computed flow field solutions.

Korte, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Investigation of flow fields within large scale hypersonic inlet models

Analytical and experimental investigations were conducted to determine the internal flow characteristics in model passages representative of hypersonic inlets for use at Mach numbers to about 12. The passages were large enough to permit measurements to be made in both the core flow and boundary layers. The analytical techniques for designing the internal contours and predicting the internal flow-field development accounted for coupling between the boundary layers and inviscid flow fields by means of a displacement-thickness correction. Three large-scale inlet models, each having a different internal compression ratio, were designed to provide high internal performance with an approximately uniform static-pressure distribution at the throat station. The models were tested in the Ames 3.5-Foot Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at a nominal free-stream Mach number of 7.4 and a unit free-stream Reynolds number of 8.86 X one million per meter.

Gnos, A. V.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Improved Insert For Variable Mach Number

Nozzle insert lowers wind-tunnel mach number while maintaining excellent flow quality. Essential components of improved design include sonic first throat, expansion surface, variable boundary-layer bleed, insert itself, and existing, unchanged, contour of nozzle. Modification involves creation of secondary throat and critical addition of boundary-layer bleed path between insert and original tunnel wall. Enables quick change of mach number in existing facility at relatively low cost and requires no special contouring of existing nozzle. Represents simple and cost-effective method of altering mach number in any supersonic wind tunnel.

Puster, Richard L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Low-speed aerodynamic performance of 50.8-centimeter-diameter noise-suppressing inlets for the Quiet, Clean, Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE)

Two basic inlet concepts, a high throat Mach number (0.79) design and a low throat Mach number (0.60) design, were tested with four diffuser acoustical treatment designs that had face sheet porosity ranging from 0 to 24 percent for the high Mach number inlet and 0 to 28 percent for the low Mach number inlet. The tests were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel at free stream velocities of 0, 41, and 62 m/sec and angles of attack to 50 deg. Inlet throat Mach number was varied about the design value. Increasing the inlet diffuser face sheet porosity resulted in an increase in total pressure loss in the boundary layer for both the high and low Mach number inlet designs, however, the overall effect on inlet total pressure recovery of 0.991 at the design throat Mach number, a free stream velocity of 41 m/sec, and an angle of attack of 50 deg; Inlet flow separation at an angle of attack of 50 deg was encountered with only one inlet configuration the high Mach number design with the highest diffuser face sheet porosity (24 percent).

Abbott, J. M.↗