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At least 361 records · Page 20

Nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator

A nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator vane having a characteristic curve that is characterized by a nonlinear sweep and a nonlinear lean is provided. The stator is in an axial fan or compressor turbomachinery stage that is comprised of a collection of vanes whose highly three-dimensional shape is selected to reduce rotor-stator and rotor-strut interaction noise while maintaining the aerodynamic and mechanical performance of the vane. The nonlinearly stacked low noise turbofan stator vane reduces noise associated with the fan stage of turbomachinery to improve environmental compatibility.

Schuster, William B.↗

Task I: A Computational Model for Short Wavelength Stall Inception and Development In Multi-Stage Compressors

A computational model is presented for simulating axial compressor stall inception and development via disturbances with length scales on the order of several (typically about three) blade pitches. The model was designed for multi-stage compressors in which stall is initiated by these short wavelength disturbances, also referred to as spikes. The inception process described is fundamentally nonlinear, in contrast to the essentially linear behavior seen in so-called modal stall inception . The model was able to capture the following experimentally observed phenomena: (1) development of rotating stall via short wavelength disturbances, (2) formation and evolution of localized short wavelength stall cells in the first stage of a mismatched compressor, (3) the switch from long to short wavelength stall inception resulting from the re-staggering of the inlet guide vane, (4) the occurrence of rotating stall inception on the negatively sloped portion of the compressor characteristic. Parametric investigations indicated that (1) short wavelength disturbances were supported by the rotor blade row, (2) the disturbance strength was attenuated within the stators, and (3) the reduction of inter-blade row gaps can suppress the growth of short wavelength disturbances. It is argued that each local component group (rotor plus neighboring stators) has its own instability point (i.e. conditions at which disturbances are sustained) for short wavelength disturbances, with the instability point for the compressor set by the most unstable component group.

Suder, Kenneth↗

The Effect of Vane-Blade Spacing on Transonic Turbine Stage Performance

This paper presents the results of a computational study on the effect of axial spacing between the vane and blade rows of a transonic turbine stage. The study was performed on the mid-span section of a high-pressure turbine stage using a quasi-3D, unsteady Navier-Stokes solver that provides a fully interactive vane-blade unsteady flow solution. Three different cases were considered, corresponding to axial spacings of 20%, 40%, and 60% of the vane axial chord. The calculated vane and blade pressure distributions for the 40 percent case were found to compare favorably with experimental measurements acquired in a short-duration shock tunnel. In addition, the analysis shows a marked increase in the amplitude of the unsteady pressure fluctuations on the vane and blade surfaces as the spacing decreases. Time-averaged stage adiabatic efficiency predictions for each case are presented to show the effect of spacing on aerodynamic performance.

F J Kelecy↗

A Computational Study of Plume Modeling For Space Launch System Abort Scenarios

This extended abstract details work on Space Launch System (SLS) core stage drag during abort scenarios that is currently being conducted. In the final paper, viscous computational fluid dynamic simulations will be used to study the axial force coefficient on the SLS core stage as a function of its distance to the upstream crew module and launch abort system, the freestream conditions, and the chemical model used to represent the launch abort system abort motor and attitude control motor plumes. In addition, the computational expense of each method will be studied in order to help determine the appropriate trade-off between fidelity and simulation turn around time.

CFD↗

Impact of Periodic Unsteadiness on Performance and Heat Load in Axial Flow Turbomachines

Results of an analytical and experimental investigation, directed at the understanding of the impact of periodic unsteadiness on the time-averaged flows in axial flow turbomachines, are presented. Analysis of available experimental data, from a large-scale rotating rig (LSRR) (low speed rig), shows that in the time-averaged axisymmetric equations the magnitude of the terms representing the effect of periodic unsteadiness (deterministic stresses) are as large or larger than those due to random unsteadiness (turbulence). Numerical experiments, conducted to highlight physical mechanisms associated with the migration of combustor generated hot-streaks in turbine rotors, indicated that the effect can be simulated by accounting for deterministic stress like terms in the time-averaged mass and energy conservation equations. The experimental portion of this program shows that the aerodynamic loss for the second stator in a 1-1/2 stage turbine are influenced by the axial spacing between the second stator leading edge and the rotor trailing edge. However, the axial spacing has little impact on the heat transfer coefficient. These performance changes are believed to be associated with the change in deterministic stress at the inlet to the second stator. Data were also acquired to quantify the impact of indexing the first stator relative to the second stator. For the range of parameters examined, this effect was found to be of the same order as the effect of axial spacing.

Sharma, Om P.↗

Reduced-Weight, Reduced-Backlash Planetary Gearhead Stage

Improved planetary gearhead stage weighs less, produces less backlash, and has greater output torque capacity than conventional planetary gearhead stage of same outside diameter. Also includes axial through-hole used as open optical path or to accommodate wires, optical fibers, pneumatic or hydraulic tubes, mechanical actuator cables, and/or other connections. Prototypical of class of high-torque output stages of compact, lightweight multistage gearheads used in joints of robot arms.

Ohm, Timothy R.↗

Effect of casing treatment on performance of an inlet stage for a transonic multistage compressor

An inlet stage of a transonic compressor was tested with three rotor tip casing treatment configurations: blade angle slots, circumferential grooves, and axial skewed slots. Significant increases in both rotor and stage total pressure ratio, total temperature ratio, efficiency, flow range, and very large improvements in stall margin were obtained with all three casing treatment configurations. The greatest improvement in performance was achieved with axial skewed slots.

Urasek, D. C.↗

Deuterostome evolution: early development in the enteropneust hemichordate, Ptychodera flava

Molecular and morphological comparisons indicate that the Echinodermata and Hemichordata represent closely related sister-phyla within the Deuterostomia. Much less is known about the development of the hemichordates compared to other deuterostomes. For the first time, cell lineage analyses have been carried out for an indirect-developing representative of the enteropneust hemichordates, Ptychodera flava. Single blastomeres were iontophoretically labeled with Dil at the 2- through 16-cell stages, and their fates followed through development to the tornaria larval stage. The early cleavage pattern of P. flava is similar to that of the direct-developing hemichordate, Saccoglossus kowalevskii, as well as that displayed by indirect-developing echinoids. The 16-celled embryo contains eight animal "mesomeres," four slightly larger "macromeres," and four somewhat smaller vegetal "micromeres." The first cleavage plane was not found to bear one specific relationship relative to the larval dorsoventral axis. Although individual blastomeres generate discrete clones of cells, the appearance and exact locations of these clones are variable with respect to the embryonic dorsoventral and bilateral axes. The eight animal mesomeres generate anterior (animal) ectoderm of the larva, which includes the apical organ; however, contributions to the apical organ were found to be variable as only a subset of the animal blastomeres end up contributing to its formation and this varies from embryo to embryo. The macromeres generate posterior larval ectoderm, and the vegetal micromeres form all the internal, endomesodermal tissues. These blastomere contributions are similar to those found during development of the only other hemichordate studied, the direct-developing enteropneust, S. kowalevskii. Finally, isolated blastomeres prepared at either the two- or the four-cell stage are capable of forming normal-appearing, miniature tornaria larvae. These findings indicate that the fates of these cells and embryonic dorsoventral axial properties are not committed at these early stages of development. Comparisons with the developmental programs of other deuterostome phyla allow one to speculate on the conservation of some key developmental events/mechanisms and propose basal character states shared by the ancestor of echinoderms and hemichordates.

NASA Discipline Evolutionary Biology↗

Summary of Investigations of Mark 25 Aerial-Torpedo Turbine

The power plant from a Mark 25 aerial torpedo was investigated both as a two-stage turbine and as a single-stage modified turbine to determine the effect on overall performance of nozzle size and shape, first-stage rotor-blade configuration, and axial nozzle-rotor running clearance. Performance was evaluated in terms of brake, rotor, and blade efficiencies. All the performance data were obtained for inlet total to outlet static pressure ratios of 8, 15 (design), and 20 with inlet conditions maintained constant at 95 pounds per square inch gage and 1000 F for rotor speeds from approximately 6000 to 18,000 rpm.

Schum, Harold J.↗

Stage-by-Stage and Parallel Flow Path Compressor Modeling for a Variable Cycle Engine

This paper covers the development of stage-by-stage and parallel flow path compressor modeling approaches for a Variable Cycle Engine. The stage-by-stage compressor modeling approach is an extension of a technique for lumped volume dynamics and performance characteristic modeling. It was developed to improve the accuracy of axial compressor dynamics over lumped volume dynamics modeling. The stage-by-stage compressor model presented here is formulated into a parallel flow path model that includes both axial and rotational dynamics. This is done to enable the study of compressor and propulsion system dynamic performance under flow distortion conditions. The approaches utilized here are generic and should be applicable for the modeling of any axial flow compressor design.

Parallel Flow Path modeling↗

Aerodynamic Performance of a Supersonic Throughflow Fan Stage With a Convergent Flow Path

The results from an experimental evaluation of a supersonic throughflow (SSTF) fan stage with a convergent flow path are presented. The stage was designed for a pressure ratio of 2.46 at a tip speed of 1350 ft/s and an inlet Mach number 2.00. The stage was tested with flows at subsonic and supersonic inlet axial Mach numbers and with rotor speeds from 40 to 110 percent of design speed. The fan stage overall performance characteristics, as well as details of its performanc characteristics downstream of the stator vanes, are presented. These measurements were obtained with radially and circumferentially traversing probes. At the design condition, the measured overall pressure ratio was 2.366, and the corresponding adiabatic efficiency was 0.610. Transition from subsonic to supersonic flow was demonstrated at 80, 100 and 110 percent of design speed. At the design condition, the radial distribution of energy addition (temperature ratio) from the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations is in excellent agreement with the measured values. The predicted pressure distributions agree reasonably well with those measured.

Royce D. Moore↗

Aerodynamic Characteristics at a Mach Number of 3.10 of Several Fourth-Stage Shapes of the Scout Research Vehicle

A wind-tunnel investigation was made at a Mach number of 3.10 (Reynolds number per foot of 16.3 x 10(exp 6) to 16.9 x 10(exp 6)) to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of various modifications of the payload section of the fourth stage of the Scout research vehicle. It was found that, for the combination of stages 3 and 4, increasing the size of the nose of the basic Scout to provide a cylindrical section of the same diameter as the third stage increased the normal-force slope by about 30 percent, the axial force by about 39 percent, and moved the center of pressure forward by about one fourth-stage base diameter. By reducing the diameter of the cylinder, at about one nose length behind the base of the enlarged nose frustum, to that of the basic Scout and thereafter retaining the shape of the basic Scout, the center of pressure was moved rearward by about one-half fourth-stage base diameter at the expense of an additional 19-percent increase in axial force. A spike-hemisphere configuration had the largest forces and moments and the most forward center-of-pressure location of the configurations considered. Except for the axial force and pitching-moment slope, the experimental trends or magnitudes could not be estimated with the desired accuracy by Newtonian or-slender body theory.

Jaquet, Byron M.↗

Stage-by-Stage and Parallel Flow Path Compressor Modeling for a Variable Cycle Engine, NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program - Commercial Supersonic Technology Project - AeroServoElasticity

This paper covers the development of stage-by-stage and parallel flow path compressor modeling approaches for a Variable Cycle Engine. The stage-by-stage compressor modeling approach is an extension of a technique for lumped volume dynamics and performance characteristic modeling. It was developed to improve the accuracy of axial compressor dynamics over lumped volume dynamics modeling. The stage-by-stage compressor model presented here is formulated into a parallel flow path model that includes both axial and rotational dynamics. This is done to enable the study of compressor and propulsion system dynamic performance under flow distortion conditions. The approaches utilized here are generic and should be applicable for the modeling of any axial flow compressor design accurate time domain simulations. The objective of this work is as follows. Given the parameters describing the conditions of atmospheric disturbances, and utilizing the derived formulations, directly compute the transfer function poles and zeros describing these disturbances for acoustic velocity, temperature, pressure, and density. Time domain simulations of representative atmospheric turbulence can then be developed by utilizing these computed transfer functions together with the disturbance frequencies of interest.

Compressor Modeling Modeling↗

Modifications that improve performance of a double annular combustor at simulated engine idle conditions

Techniques were evaluated to determine if simple combustor modifications could be used to reduce the engine ground idle emissions of a double annular combustor designed for Mach 3.0 cruise operation. These techniques were radial fuel staging, the use of radial-inflow rather than axial-flow air swirlers, and the optimization of fuel-nozzle spray angle and differential pressure. Radial fuel staging and the use of radial-inflow air swirlers significantly improved performance at two ground idle test conditions simulating both low- and high-compression ratio engines.

Schultz, D. F.↗

The temporal development of hollow cathode discharges

The temporal development of hollow cathode discharges was studied by means of electrical and optical diagnostic techniques. The results indicate that the discharge develops in two stages. The initial breakdown occurs along the longest straight path of the system, i.e., from the anode to the bottom of the cathode hole. This predischarge is confined to a narrow filament along the axis and carries a current of up to hundreds of milliamperes. The resulting distortion of the electric field in the cathode hole is assumed to cause a radial breakdown from the filamentary plasma on the axis to the edge of the cathode hole. After this second breakdown, an increase in current by more than three orders of magnitude is observed. Measurements with axial magnetic fields support the two-stage model.

Ngo, Mai T.↗

Application of an unsteady Navier-Stokes solver to transonic turbine design

This study presents a numerical evaluation of the performance of the first stage of a new-generation turbine design. The numerical method solves the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations using a system of patched grids. Three-dimensional effects of stream-tube contraction are also modeled. The study focuses on the effects of axial gap variation on the unsteady rotor-stator interactions and on stage performance. Results are presented for three different axial gaps. The results indicate that the unsteady interactions can be very large in this design. These interactions affect not only the stage efficiency but also substantially alter the time-averaged features of the flow. In particular, for the case of the smallest axial gap, it was found that there was an unsteady shock on the stator suction surface which spanned the gap region and impinged upon the moving rotor airfoils.

Rangwalla, Akil A.↗