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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.

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At least 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Axisymmetric shapes and stability of isolated charged drops

Axisymmetric equilibrium shapes and stability of isolated charged drops are found by solving simultaneously the Young-Laplace equation for surface shape and the Laplace equation for the electric field. Families of two-, three-, and four-lobed shapes that branch from the trunk family of spheres are treated systematically by means of the Galerkin/finite element method and a tessellation that deforms with the free surface. The results show that at the limit found by Rayleigh in 1882 the spherical family exchanges stability with a family of two-lobed shapes, a transcritically bifurcating family, one arm of which proves to consist of stable shapes. The results are reinforced by those of approximating the stable drop shapes as oblate spheroids. Thus oblate drops carrying charge in excess of the Rayleigh limit ought to be seen in experiments, though none have yet been reported.

Basaran, O. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ground based studies of the vibrational and rotational dynamics of acoustically levitated drops and shells

A substantial amount of experimental data can be gathered on the dynamics of acoustically positioned liquids in a ground-based laboratory and during short duration low-gravity parabolic flights of the KC-135. The preliminary results of a set of measurements of the static shape, of the vibrational spectrum, and the rotation equilibrium shapes of simple drops and liquid shells carried out using ultrasonic levitators working between 19 and 40 kHz is presented. The droplet diameter ranges between 1 and 5 mm, the surface tension of the liquid used varies between 25 and 70 dynes/cm, and the viscosity is changed between 1 to 1,000 cP. Of particular interest is the variation of the frequency of the fundamental mode of shape oscillation with various factors, and the effects of static drop shape deformation on the limit of stability of the axisymmetric shape of a drop in solid-body rotation.

Trinh, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Pressure drop in fully developed, duct flow of dispersed liquid-vapor mixture at zero gravity

The dynamics of steady, fully developed dispersed liquid-vapor flow in a straight duct at 0-g is simulated by flowing water containing n-butyl benzoate droplets. Water and benzoate are immiscible and have identical density at room temperature. The theoretical basis of the simulation is given. Experiments showed that, for a fixed combined flow rate of water and benzoate, the frictional pressure drop is unaffected by large changes in the volume fraction of benzoate drops and their size distribution. Measured power spectra of the static wall pressure fluctuations induced by the turbulent water-benzoate flow also revealed that their dynamics is essentially unaltered by the presence of the droplets. These experimental findings, together with the theoretical analysis, led to the conclusion that the pressure drop in fully developed, dispersed liquid-vapor flow in straight ducts of constant cross section at 0-g is identical to that due to liquid flowing alone at the same total volumetric flow rate of the liquid-vapor mixture and, therefore, can be readily determined.

Sridhar, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Bubble trajectories in rotating drops

The investigation summarized in this paper describes recent normal gravity experiments involving the behavior of compound drops in rotating flows and in particular, the subsequent migration of the less dense phase (air bubble) toward the rotation axis. The data are compared to two models. The first was developed to predict the trajectory of a fluid particle in an infinitely large drop in the presence of both gravitational and rotational fields at the limit of quasi-steady creeping flow. The second predicts the trajectory of a fluid particle in a compound drop in the presence of a rotational field and at the limit of creeping flow. Gravity has not yet been incorporated into this second model.

Brone, D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Acoustic forcing of a liquid drop

The development of systems such as acoustic levitation chambers will allow for the positioning and manipulation of material samples (drops) in a microgravity environment. This provides the capability for fundamental studies in droplet dynamics as well as containerless processing work. Such systems use acoustic radiation pressure forces to position or to further manipulate (e.g., oscillate) the sample. The primary objective was to determine the effect of a viscous acoustic field/tangential radiation pressure forcing on drop oscillations. To this end, the viscous acoustic field is determined. Modified (forced) hydrodynamic field equations which result from a consistent perturbation expansion scheme are solved. This is done in the separate cases of an unmodulated and a modulated acoustic field. The effect of the tangential radiation stress on the hydrodynamic field (drop oscillations) is found to manifest as a correction to the velocity field in a sublayer region near the drop/host interface. Moreover, the forcing due to the radiation pressure vector at the interface is modified by inclusion of tangential stresses.

Lyell, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Liquid drop behavior in dense and dilute clusters

It is argued that models of droplet clusters must be flexible enough to accommodate both dilute and dense configurations, and cluster drop number density influences many of the crucial aspects of combustion. Current models of drop interactions are described, and it is shown that they have limitations that prevent their being used as subgrid models. An approach for modeling drop interactions which has the potential for use as a subgrid model is presented.

Bellan, Josette↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fluid dynamics and solidification of levitated drops and shells

The fluid dynamic investigaton of simple free liquid drops is described based on ground-based and low-gravity experimental results. The behavior of compound drops and liquid shells as described in recent theoretical and experimental studies is discussed. Experimental investigations using both levitation devices and drop tubes are considered in the case of 1-g laboratory investigations, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of both techniques.

Trinh, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Rotation of ultrasonically levitated glycerol drops

Ultrasonic levitation is used to suspend single millimeter-size glycerol drops in a rectangular chamber. Audio-frequency laterally standing waves set up in the chamber are used to torque the suspended drops. The shape evolution of the drop under the combined effect of centrifugal forces and the acoustic radiation stress, along with its angular velocity are monitored, using video imaging and light scattering techniques. The results show good qualitative agreement with the theoretically predicted shape evolution as a function of angular velocity.

Biswas, A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis for delamination initiation in postbuckled dropped-ply laminates

The compression strength of dropped-ply, graphite-epoxy laminated plates for the delamination mode of failure is studied by analysis and corroborated with experiments. The nonlinear response of the test specimens is modeled by a geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis. The methodology for predicting delamination is based on a quadratic interlaminar stress criterion evaluated at a characteristic distance from the ply drop-off. The compression strength of specimens exhibiting a linear response is greater than the compression strength of specimens with the same layup exhibiting a geometrically nonlinear response. The analyses for both linear and nonlinear response show that severe interlaminar stress gradients occur in the interfaces at the drop-off because of the thickness/stiffness discontinuity. However, these interlaminar stress distributions are altered in the geometrically nonlinear response such that, with increasing load, their growth at the center of the laminate is retarded while their growth near the unloaded supported edge is increased.

Davila, Carlos G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A model for the evaporation of clusters of drops embedded in jet vortices. I - Steady injection of identical clusters

A model is developed for describing the interaction of vortex-drop clusters in a flowing gaseous jet, convecting downstream from an injection location. Results are presented for a stationary case representing the situation when identical clusters are continuously injected and the injection rate is constant. The results indicate that, in a rich mixture high-drop-number density regime, the mass evaporated from the drops controls the velocity of the cluster-in-vortex as it propagates downstream.

Bellan, J.↗
NASA NTRS1957

Vertical Force-deflection Characteristics of a Pair of 56-inch-diameter Aircraft Tires from Static and Drop Tests with and Without Prerotation

The vertical force-deflection characteristics were experimentally determined for a pair of 56-inch-diameter tires under static and drop-test conditions with and without prerotation. For increasing force, the tires were found to be least stiff for static tests, almost the same as for the static case for prerotation drop tests as long as the tires remain rotating, and appreciably stiffer for drop tests without prerotation.

LOADS, LANDING - IMPACT, LAND↗
NASA NTRS1921

Pressure Drop in Radiator Air Tubes

This report describes a method for measuring the drop in static pressure of air flowing through a radiator and shows (1) a reason for the discrepancy noted by various observers between head resistance and drop in pressure; (2) a difference in degree of contraction of the jet in entering a circular cell and a square cell; (3) the ratio of internal frictional resistance to total head resistance for two representative types; (4) the effect of smoothness of surface on pressure gradient; and (5) the effects of supplying heat to the radiator on pressure gradient. The fact that the pressure gradients are found to be approximately proportional to the square of the rate of flow of air appears to indicate turbulent flow, even in the short tubes of the radiator. It was found that the drop in the static pressure in the air stream through a cellular radiator and the pressure gradient in the air tubes are practically proportional to the square of the air flow in a given air density; that the difference between the head resistance per unit area and the fall of static pressure through the air tubes in radiators is apparent rather than real; and that radiators of different types differ widely in the amount of contraction of the jet at entrance. The frictional resistance was found to vary considerably, and in one case to be two-thirds of the head resistance in the type using circular cells and one-half of the head resistance of the radiator type using square cells of approximately the same dimensions.

Parsons, S R↗
NASA NTRS1952

An empirically derived basis for calculating the area, rate, and distribution of water-drop impingement on airfoils

An empirically derived basis for predicting the area, rate, and distribution of water-drop impingement on airfoils of arbitrary section is presented. The concepts involved represent an initial step toward the development of a calculation technique which is generally applicable to the design of thermal ice-prevention equipment for airplane wing and tail surfaces. It is shown that sufficiently accurate estimates, for the purpose of heated-wing design, can be obtained by a few numerical computations once the velocity distribution over the airfoil has been determined. The calculation technique presented is based on results of extensive water-drop trajectory computations for five airfoil cases which consisted of 15-percent-thick airfoils encompassing a moderate lift-coefficient range. The differential equations pertaining to the paths of the drops were solved by a differential analyzer.

Bergrun, Norman R↗
NASA NTRS1994

A model to predict the conditions for liquid drop breakup and the resultant mean fragment size

The potential significance of drop fragmentation in sprays and other propulsion-related multiphase flows has been noted in the literature. This has motivated recent experimental and theoretical works to: better understand the fundamentals of physics of drop breakup processes, and develop models of drop fragmentation suitable for use in multiphase flow codes. The works summarized below aim to contribute to both sides of this two-pronged attack.

Wert, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Interlaminar stress analysis of dropped-ply laminated plates and shells by a mixed method

A mixed method of approximation based on Reissner's variational principle is developed for the linear analysis of interlaminar stresses in laminated composites, with special interest in laminates that contain terminated internal plies (dropped-ply laminates). Two models are derived, one for problems of generalized plane deformation and the other for the axisymmetric response of shells of revolution. A layerwise approach is taken in which the stress field is assumed with an explicit dependence on the thickness coordinate in each layer. The dependence of the stress field on the thickness coordinate is determined such that the three-dimensional equilibrium equations are satisfied by the approximation. The solution domain is reduced to one dimension by integration through the thickness. Continuity of tractions and displacements between layers is imposed. The governing two-point boundary value problem is composed of a system of both differential and algebraic equations (DAE's) and their associated boundary conditions. Careful evaluation of the system of DAE's was required to arrive at a form that allowed application of a one-step finite difference approximation. A two-stage Gauss implicit Runge-Kutta finite difference scheme was used for the solution because of its relatively high degree of accuracy. Patch tests of the two models revealed problems with solution accuracy for the axisymmetric model of a cylindrical shell loaded by internal pressure. Parametric studies of dropped-ply laminate characteristics and their influence on the interlaminar stresses were performed using the generalized plane deformation model. Eccentricity of the middle surface of the laminate through the ply drop-off was found to have a minimal effect on the interlaminar stresses under longitudinal compression, transverse tension, and in-plane shear. A second study found the stiffness change across the ply termination to have a much greater influence on the interlaminar stresses.

Harrison, Peter N.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Nonlinear dynamics of drops and bubbles and chaotic phenomena

Nonlinear phenomena associated with the dynamics of free drops and bubbles are investigated analytically, numerically and experimentally. Although newly developed levitation and measurement techniques have been implemented, the full experimental validation of theoretical predictions has been hindered by interfering artifacts associated with levitation in the Earth gravitational field. The low gravity environment of orbital space flight has been shown to provide a more quiescent environment which can be utilized to better match the idealized theoretical conditions. The research effort described in this paper is a closely coupled collaboration between predictive and guiding theoretical activities and a unique experimental program involving the ultrasonic and electrostatic levitation of single droplets and bubbles. The goal is to develop and to validate methods based on nonlinear dynamics for the understanding of the large amplitude oscillatory response of single drops and bubbles to both isotropic and asymmetric pressure stimuli. The first specific area on interest has been the resonant coupling between volume and shape oscillatory modes isolated gas or vapor bubbles in a liquid host. The result of multiple time-scale asymptotic treatment, combined with domain perturbation and bifurcation methods, has been the prediction of resonant and near-resonant coupling between volume and shape modes leading to stable as well as chaotic oscillations. Experimental investigations of the large amplitude shape oscillation modes of centimeter-size single bubbles trapped in water at 1 G and under reduced hydrostatic pressure, have suggested the possibility of a low gravity experiment to study the direct coupling between these low frequency shape modes and the volume pulsation, sound-radiating mode. The second subject of interest has involved numerical modeling, using the boundary integral method, of the large amplitude shape oscillations of charged and uncharged drops in the presence of a static or time-varying electric field. Theoretically predicted non linearity in the resonant frequency of the fundamental quadrupole mode has been verified by the accompanying experimental studies. Additional phenomena such as hysteresis in the frequency response of ultrasoncially levitated droplets in the presence of a time varying electric field, and mode coupling in the oscillations of ultrasonically modulated droplets, have also been uncovered. One of the results of this ground-based research has been the identification and characterization of phenomena strictly associated with the influence of the gravitational field. This has also allowed us to identify the specific requirements for potential microgravity investigations yielding new information not obtainable on Earth.

Trinh, Eugene H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Unsteady spot heating of a drop in a microgravity environment

The unsteady localized spot heating of a liquid drop under zero-g conditions is examined theoretically. This pertains to space experiments to measure thermal properties of materials and the purpose here is to predict the thermal behavior of such systems. Spot heating can be achieved by a laser beam focused on a small region of the drop surface. The present theoretical model deals with situations of weak Marangoni flows, whereby the thermal transport is conduction dominated. The heat flow in the drop is treated as unsteady while the surrounding gaseous region is considered to be quasisteady. The ensuing thermally driven flow is analyzed in the Stokes regime.

Sadhal, Satwindar Singh↗
NASA NTRS1996

Pendant-Drop Surface-Tension Measurement On Molten Metal

Method of measuring surface tension of molten metal based on pendant-drop method implemented in quasi-containerless manner and augmented with digital processing of image data. Electrons bombard lower end of sample rod in vacuum, generating hanging drop of molten metal. Surface tension of drop computed from its shape. Technique minimizes effects of contamination.

Man, Kin Fung↗