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At least 361 records · Page 20

Sound Assisted Low Temperature Spalling: Upscaling and Throughput

In evaluating the state-of-the-art spalling techniques, the key factor that is missing is the control of crack propagation, which is responsible for low quality wafers due to high surface roughness and Total Thickness Variation, TTV. This project has shown that acoustic waves can alter the conditions at the crack tip during thermal spalling, modifying the propagation speed and the stress field around it (stress intensity factor, K). Both factors are directly related to the roughness of the spalled surface, so as we control speed and stress, we can fine-tune the surface roughness through the entire wafer as suggested by Arakawa.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Effect of inlet ingestion of a wing tip vortex on turbojet stall margin

A two-dimensional inlet and a turbojet engine were investigated in a Mach 0.4 stream so as to ingest the tip vortex of a forward mounted wing. Results show that ingestion of a wing tip vortex by a turbojet engine can cause a large reduction in engine stall margin. The loss in stall compressor pressure ratio was primarily dependent on vortex location and rotational direction and not on total-pressure variations across the compressor face.

Mitchell, G. A.↗

Performance and boundary-layer evaluation of a sonic inlet

Tests were conducted to determine the boundary layer characteristics and aerodynamic performance of a radial vane sonic inlet with a length/diameter ratio of 1 for several vane configurations. The sonic inlet was designed with a slight wavy wall type of diffuser geometry, which permits operation at high inlet Mach numbers (sufficiently high for good noise suppression) without boundary layer flow separation and with good total pressure recovery. A new method for evaluating the turbulent boundary layer was developed to separate the boundary layer from the inviscid core flow, which is characterized by a total pressure variation from hub to tip, and to determine the experimental boundary layer parameters.

Schmidt, J. F.↗

Correlation of part-span damper losses through transonic rotors operating near design point

The design-point losses caused by part-span dampers (PSD) were correlated for 21 transonic axial flow fan rotors that had tip speeds varying from 350 to 488 meters per second and design pressure ratios of 1.5 to 2.0. For these rotors a correlation using mean inlet Mach number at the damper location, along with relevant geometric and aerodynamic loading parameters, predicts the variation of total pressure loss coefficient in the region of the damper to a good approximation.

Roberts, W. B.↗

Upper stages utilizing electric propulsion

The payload capabilities of upper stages using electric propulsion for a LEO to GEO orbit transfer mission are discussed. Payloads are calculated using an established methodology which employs assumptions concerning state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology. The effects on payloads are examined for variations of total mass in LEO (MLEO), thrusting (trip) times, propellant type, specific impulse, and power source specific mass. It is found that the ratios of payload masses to total mass in LEO are insensitive to MLEO, which allows a highly condensed presentation of the overall payload capability. Electric stages are shown capable of delivering payloads in thrusting times less than 50 days with the payloads increasing rapidly with increase in thrusting times. Payload capabilities exceeding those attainable with chemical propulsion are possible using state-of-the-art electric propulsion technology.

Byers, D. C.↗

An algorithm for minimum-cost set-point ordering in a cryogenic wind tunnel

An algorithm for minimum cost ordering of set points in a cryogenic wind tunnel is developed. The procedure generates a matrix of dynamic state transition costs, which is evaluated by means of a single-volume lumped model of the cryogenic wind tunnel and the use of some idealized minimum-costs, which is evaluated by means of a single-volume lumped model of the cryogenic wind tunnel and the use of some idealized minimum-cost state-transition control strategies. A branch and bound algorithm is employed to determine the least costly sequence of state transitions from the transition-cost matrix. Some numerical results based on data for the National Transonic Facility are presented which show a strong preference for state transitions that consume to coolant. Results also show that the choice of the terminal set point in an open odering can produce a wide variation in total cost.

Tripp, J. S.↗

Rate constant for the reaction NH2 + NO from 216 to 480 K

The absolute rate constant was measured by the technique of flash photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (FP-LIF). NH2 radicals were produced by the flash photolysis of ammonia and the fluorescent NH2 photons were measured by multiscaling techniques. At each temperature, the results were independent of variations in total pressure, and flash intensity. The results are compared with previous determinations using the techniques of mass spectrometry, absorption spectroscopy, laser absorption spectroscopy, and laser induced fluorescence. The implications of the results are discussed with regard to combustion, post combustion, and atmospheric chemistry. The results are also discussed theoretically.

Stief, L. J.↗

Remote sensing of atmospheric water content from Bhaskara SAMIR data

The 19.35 GHz and 22.235 GHz passive microwave radiometers (SAMIR) on board the Indian satellite Bhaskara have provided very useful data. From these data has been demonstrated the feasibility of deriving atmospheric and ocean surface parameters such as water vapor content, liquid water content, rainfall rate and ocean surface winds. Different approaches have been tried for deriving the atmospheric water content. The statistical and empirical methods have been used by others for the analysis of the Nimbus data. A simulation technique has been attempted for the first time for 19.35 GHz and 22.235 GHz radiometer data. The results obtained from three different methods are compared with radiosonde data. A case study of a tropical depression has been undertaken to demonstrate the capability of Bhaskara SAMIR data to show the variation of total water vapor and liquid water contents.

Gohil, B. S.↗

An analytical model for the vorticity associated with a transverse jet

A two dimensional model is developed for a turbulent jet injected normally into a uniform crossflow, in which particular emphasis is placed on the contra-rotating vortex pair associated with the jet. By approximating the forces acting on each of the viscous vortices, equations governing the vortex spacing and downstream jet velocity are evolved. No empirical information is incorporated into this model. A description of the variation in total vortex strength is utilized in which vorticity generated by the jet's impulse dominates the farfield. Numerical solution of the governing equations yields results for the vortex trajectory, half spacing, varying circulation, and viscous core size that correlate quite well with experimental data and asymptotic relations. Based on these findings, we conclude that vortex separation and other important characteristics of the jet cross-section are two dimensional and viscous in nature. Hence it becomes possible to predict, on purely theoretical grounds, the behavior of the vortex pair and of the jet itself.

Karagozian, A. R.↗

New high-efficiency silicon solar cells

A design for silicon solar cells was investigated as an approach to increasing the cell open-circuit voltage and efficiency for flat-plate terrestrial photovoltaic applications. This deviates from past designs, where either the entire front surface of the cell is covered by a planar junction or the surface is textured before junction formation, which results in an even greater (up to 70%) junction area. The heavily doped front region and the junction space charge region are potential areas of high recombination for generated and injected minority carriers. The design presented reduces junction area by spreading equidiameter dot junctions across the surface of the cell, spaced about a diffusion length or less from each other. Various dot diameters and spacings allowed variations in total junction area. A simplified analysis was done to obtain a first-order design optimization. Efficiencies of up to 19% can be obtained. Cell fabrication involved extra masking steps for selective junction diffusion, and made surface passivation a key element in obtaining good collection. It also involved photolithography, with line widths down to microns. A method is demonstrated for achieving potentially high open-circuit voltages and solar-cell efficiencies.

Daud, T.↗

Implicit TVD schemes for hyperbolic conservation laws in curvilinear coordinates

The Harten (1983, 1984) total variation-diminishing (TVD) schemes, constituting a one-parameter explicit and implicit, second-order-accurate family, have the property of not generating spurious oscillations when applied to one-dimensional, nonlinear scalar hyperbolic conservation laws and constant coefficient hyperbolic systems. These methods are presently extended to the multidimensional hyperbolic conservation laws in curvilinear coordinates. Means by which to linearize the implicit operator and solution strategies, in order to improve the computation efficiency of the implicit algorithm, are discussed. Numerical experiments with steady state airfoil calculations indicate that the proposed linearized implicit TVD schemes are accurate and robust.

Yee, H. C.↗

Interim Reference Ozone Models for the Middle Atmosphere

A set of models was generated based on six satellite experiments of the monthly latitudinal variations in total column ozone and the vertical structure of ozone from 20 mb to 0.003 mb. Generally, interannual variability in monthly zonal means is only a few percent. Comparisons of measurements using various techniques to measure global ozone reveal very good agreement between the techniques. Agreement between individual satellite experiments and the reference model of monthly zonal means is generally within 10% below altitudes of 0.4 mb. This has allowed the first global model of ozone measurements to be constructed from multiple sets of satellite measurements. The ozone measurements based on the satellite data are in excellent agreement with previous midlatitude mean annual model based on rocket and balloon data. Also, models are provided of the relation between total ozone and vertical structure.

Keating, G. M.↗

Excitation of the Earth's Chandler wobble by southern oscillation/El Nino, 1900-1979

The southern oscillation/El Nino (ENSO) is the single most prominent interannual signal in global atmospheric/oceanic fluctuations. The following question is addressed: how important is the angular momentum carried by ENSO in exciting the Earth's Chandler wobble? The question is attacked through a statistical analysis of the coherence spectra (correlation as a function of frequency) between two data sets spanning 1900 to 1979-the southern oscillation index (SOI) time series and the excitation function psi (with x-component psi sub x and y-component psi sub y) of the Chandler wobble derived from the homogeneous ILS (International Latitude Service) polar motion data. The coherence power and phase in the Chandler frequency band (approx. 0.79 to 0.89 cpy) are studied. It is found that, during 1900 to 1979 the coherence between SOI and psi sub x is significant well over the 95% confidence threshold whereas that between SOI and psi sub y is practically nil. Quantitatively, the coherence study shows that ENSO provides some 20% of the observed Chandler wobble excitation power. Since earlier investigations have shown that the total atmospheric/oceanic variation can account for the Chandler wobble excitation at about 20% level, the implication is that ENSO maybe an important (interannual) part of the atmospheric/oceanic variation that is responsible for the Chandler wobble excitation during 1900 to 1979.

Chao, B. F.↗

Operating envelope charts for the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic wind tunnel

To take full advantage of the unique Reynolds number capabilities of the 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (0.3-m TCT) at the NASA Langley Research Center, it was designed to accommodate test sections other than the original, octagonal, three-dimensional test section. A 20- by 60-cm two-dimensional test section was installed in 1976 and was extensively used, primarily for airfoil testing, through the fall of 1984. The tunnel was inactive during 1985 so that a new test section and improved high speed diffuser could be installed in the tunnel circuit. The new test section has solid adaptive top and bottom walls to reduce or eliminate wall interference for two-dimensional testing. The test section is 33- by 33-cm in cross section at the entrance and is 142 cm long. In the planning and running of past airfoil tests in the 0.3-m TCT, the use of operating envelope charts have proven very useful. These charts give the variation of total temperature and pressure with Mach number and Reynolds number. The operating total temperature range of the 0.3-m TCT is from about 78 K to 327 K with total pressures ranging from about 17.5 psia to 88 psia. This report presents the operating envelope charts for the 0.3-m TCT with the adaptive wall tes t section installed. They were all generated based on a 1-foot chord model. The Mach numbers vary from 0.1 to 0.95.

Rallo, R. A.↗

A new design concept for indraft wind-tunnel inlets with application to the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex

The present inlet design concept for an indraft wind tunnel, which is especially suited to applications for which a specific test section flwo quality is required with minimum inlet size, employs a cascade or 'vaneset' to control flow at the inlet plane, so that test section total pressure variation is minimized. Potential flow panel methods, together with empirical pressure loss predictions, are used to predict inlet cascade performance. This concept has been used to develop an alternative inlet design for the 80 x 120-ft wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Experimental results show that a short length/diameter ratio wind tunnel inlet furnishing atmospheric wind isolation and uniform test section flow can be designed.

Ross, J. C.↗

A new design concept for indraft wind-tunnel inlets with application to the national full-scale aerodynamic complex

The present inlet design concept for an indraft wind tunnel, which is especially suited to applications for which a specific test section flow quality is required with minimum inlet size, employs a cascade or vaneset to control flow at the inlet plane, so that test section total pressure variation is minimized. Potential flow panel methods, together with empirical pressure loss predictions, are used to predict inlet cascade performance. This concept has been used to develop an alternative inlet design for the 80 x 120-ft wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Experimental results show that a short length/diameter ratio wind tunnel inlet furnishing atmospheric wind isolation and uniform test section flow can be designed.

Ross, James C.↗

Navier-Stokes analyses of the redistribution of inlet temperature distortions in a turbine

The flow exiting the combustor and entering the turbine of a gas turbine engine is known to contain both spatial and temporal variations in total temperature. Although historically it has been presumed that the turbine rotor responded to the average temperature, recent experimental evidence has demonstrated that the rotor actually separated the hotter and cooler streams of fluid so that the hotter fluid migrated toward the pressure surface and the cooler fluid migrated toward the suction surface. In the present study a time-accurate, two-dimensional, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes analysis of a turbine stage was used to analyze this phenomenon. The rough qualitative agreement between the measured and the computed results indicated that the analysis had successfully captured many of the important features of the flow.

Rai, Man Mohan↗