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At least 379 records · Page 21

Validation of High-Speed Turbulent Boundary Layer and Shock-Boundary Layer Interaction Computations with the OVERFLOW Code

The capability of the OVERFLOW code to accurately compute high-speed turbulent boundary layers and turbulent shock-boundary layer interactions is being evaluated. Configurations being investigated include a Mach 2.87 flat plate to compare experimental velocity profiles and boundary layer growth, a Mach 6 flat plate to compare experimental surface heat transfer,a direct numerical simulation (DNS) at Mach 2.25 for turbulent quantities, and several Mach 3 compression ramps to compare computations of shock-boundary layer interactions to experimental laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) data and hot-wire data. The present paper describes outlines the study and presents preliminary results for two of the flat plate cases and two small-angle compression corner test cases.

Oliver, A. B.↗

Vortical flow management for improved configuration aerodynamics: Recent experiences

Recent progress in vortex-control applications for alleviating the adverse consequences of three dimensional separation and vortical interactions on slender body/swept wing configurations is reported. Examples include helical separation trip to alleviate the side force due to forebody vortex asymmetry; hinged strakes to avoid vortex breakdown effects; compartmentation of swept leading edge separation to delay the pitch-up instability; under wing vortex trip and vortex trip and vortex flaps for drag reduction at high lift; and an apex-flap trimmer to fully utilize the lift capability of trailing-edge flaps for take off and landing of delta wings. Experimental results on generic wind-tunnel models are presented to illustrate the vortex-management concepts involved and to indicate their potential for enhancing the subsonic aerodynamics of supersonic-cruise type vehicles.

Rao, D. M.↗

Application of advanced grid generation techniques for flow field computations about complex configurations

In the computation of flowfields about complex configurations, it is very difficult to construct a boundary-fitted coordinate system. An alternative approach is to use several grids at once, each of which is generated independently. This procedure is called the multiple grids or zonal grids approach; its applications are investigated. The method conservative providing conservation of fluxes at grid interfaces. The Euler equations are solved numerically on such grids for various configurations. The numerical scheme used is the finite-volume technique with a three-stage Runge-Kutta time integration. The code is vectorized and programmed to run on the CDC VPS-32 computer. Steady state solutions of the Euler equations are presented and discussed. The solutions include: low speed flow over a sphere, high speed flow over a slender body, supersonic flow through a duct, and supersonic internal/external flow interaction for an aircraft configuration at various angles of attack. The results demonstrate that the multiple grids approach along with the conservative interfacing is capable of computing the flows about the complex configurations where the use of a single grid system is not possible.

Kathong, Monchai↗

Climate Models

Climate models is a very broad topic, so a single volume can only offer a small sampling of relevant research activities. This volume of 14 chapters includes descriptions of a variety of modeling studies for a variety of geographic regions by an international roster of authors. The climate research community generally uses the rubric climate models to refer to organized sets of computer instructions that produce simulations of climate evolution. The code is based on physical relationships that describe the shared variability of meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, precipitation rate, circulation, radiation fluxes, etc. Three-dimensional climate models are integrated over time in order to compute the temporal and spatial variations of these parameters. Model domains can be global or regional and the horizontal and vertical resolutions of the computational grid vary from model to model. Considering the entire climate system requires accounting for interactions between solar insolation, atmospheric, oceanic and continental processes, the latter including land hydrology and vegetation. Model simulations may concentrate on one or more of these components, but the most sophisticated models will estimate the mutual interactions of all of these environments. Advances in computer technology have prompted investments in more complex model configurations that consider more phenomena interactions than were possible with yesterday s computers. However, not every attempt to add to the computational layers is rewarded by better model performance. Extensive research is required to test and document any advantages gained by greater sophistication in model formulation. One purpose for publishing climate model research results is to present purported advances for evaluation by the scientific community.

Druyan, Leonard M.↗

A semi-elliptic analysis for 2-D viscous flows through cascade configurations

A semielliptic formulation, termed the interacting parabolized Navier-Stokes (IPNS) formulation, is developed for the analysis of a class of subsonic viscous flows for which streamwise diffusion is negligible but which are significantly influenced by upstream interactions. A two-step alternating-direction-explicit numerical scheme is developed to solve the resulting governing equations efficiently. The quasi-linearization and discretization of the equations are carefully examined so that no artificial viscosity is added externally to the scheme. Various simple channel and cascade flow configurations are examined for several values of Re, thickness ratio and Mach number, in order to establish the applicability of the IPNS model for these flows. With this model, solutions to compressible as well as nearly incompressible flows are obtained without any modification either in the analysis or in the solution procedure.

Ramamurti, R.↗

Cooperative control theory and integrated flight and propulsion control

This report documents the activities and research results obtained under a grant (NAG3-998) from the NASA Lewis Research Center. The focus of the research was the investigation of dynamic interactions between airframe and engines for advanced ASTOVL aircraft configurations, and the analysis of the implications of these interactions on the stability and performance of the airframe and engine control systems. In addition, the need for integrated flight and propulsion control for such aircraft was addressed. The major contribution of this research was the exposition of the fact that airframe and engine interactions could be present, and their effects could include loss of stability and performance of the control systems. Also, the significance of two directional, as opposed to one-directional, coupling was identified and explained. A multi variable stability and performance analysis methodology was developed, and applied to several candidate aircraft configurations. Also exposed was the fact that with interactions present along with some integrated control approaches, the engine command/limiting logic (which represents an important non-linear component of the engine control system) can impact closed-loop airframe/engine system stability. Finally, a brief investigation of control-law synthesis techniques appropriate for the class of systems was pursued, and it was determined that multi variable techniques, included model-following formulations of LQG and/or H (infinity) methods showed promise. However, for practical reasons, decentralized control architectures are preferred, which is an architecture incompatible with these synthesis methods.

Schmidt, David K.↗

Challenges in Scaling Analysis from Coupons to Elements in 3D Woven Composites for a Launch Vehicle End-Ring Structure

The limitations of structural design with 3D woven composites based on homogenized material models characterized using coupon test data, representative unit cell analysis, or a combination of the two are discussed in the context of a space launch system (SLS)-scale end ring. Selected building block test configurations at the coupon, element, and subcomponent scales are described in detail. Highly instrumented tests and X-ray computed tomography inspections are used to characterize the structural behavior and associated damage progression with increasing load. It is shown that a single homogenized material constitutive relationship, applied at coupon and element scale, is not sufficient to model the structural response observed in both tests. In fact, substantially different stress-strain laws are required to predict the response of the coupon and element scale specimens, despite similar loading conditions. A model with discrete representation of the binder tows and cohesive interfaces to model matrix cracking shows much better agreement with the test data at the two length scales. Thus, evidence is provided showing that predictive structural analysis of 3D woven composites requires discrete representation of the tows, matrix cracking morphology, and their interactions in the structural configuration. With accurate knowledge of the element scale behavior, engineering approximations readily enable analysis scale-up to the subcomponent level.

Andrew C Bergan↗

Interim noise correlation for some OTW configurations using external jet-flow deflectors

Jet flap interaction acoustic data obtained statically from a model-scale study of STOL-OTW configurations with a conical nozzle mounted above the wing and using various external deflectors to provide jet-flow attachment are correlated. The acoustic data are correlated in terms that consider the jet/flap interaction noise contributions associated primarily with fluctuating lift, trailing edge, and configuration wake noise sources. Variables considered include deflector geometry, flap setting and wing size. Finally, the configuration overall noise levels are related to static lift and thrust measurements in order to provide insight into possible acoustic/aerodynamic performance trade-off benefits.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

An investigation of shock wave turbulent boundary layer interaction with bleed through slanted slots

Flow-field characteristics are simulated numerically in an oblique shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions with six different bleed slot configurations. The strong conservation-law form of the 2D compressible Navier-Stokes equations and the k-epsilon equations are solved throughout the interaction region and inside the bleed slot. The computed results are presented for a normal and 20-deg slanted bleed slots at three different locations, upstream, across and downstream of the impingement point of an oblique shock of sufficient strength to cause boundary layer separation without bleed. The detailed flow characteristics in the interaction zone and inside the bleed slot are compared for the different bleed slot configurations. The resulting surface pressure and shear stress distributions as well as the boundary layer characteristics downstream of the interaction region are also presented for the mix bleed configurations at different bleed mass flows up to choking.

Hamed, A.↗

Applications of computer graphics to aircraft synthesis

The history of the development of an aircraft configuration synthesis program using interactive computer graphics was described. A system based on time-sharing was compared to two different concepts based on distributed computing.

Carmichael, R. L.↗

Measurement of the positron-electron reaction which produces a gamma ray pair in the region psi/3684/

An experiment was conducted to measure gamma ray pairs produced in the electron-positron reaction in the region of psi(3684) resonance. The apparatus consisted of two identical spectrometers mounted in a collinear configuration about the beam interaction region. Graphs are presented for the coplanarity angle between reconstructed gamma ray directions, for the scattering and energy deposition of gamma rays in the two crystals used, and for the observed rate of annihilation reactions as a function of center of mass energy.

Hughes, E. B.↗

Diagonal dominance for the multivariable Nyquist array using function minimization

A new technique for the design of multivariable control systems using the multivariable Nyquist array method was developed. A conjugate direction function minimization algorithm is utilized to achieve a diagonal dominant condition over the extended frequency range of the control system. The minimization is performed on the ratio of the moduli of the off-diagonal terms to the moduli of the diagonal terms of either the inverse or direct open loop transfer function matrix. Several new feedback design concepts were also developed, including: (1) dominance control parameters for each control loop; (2) compensator normalization to evaluate open loop conditions for alternative design configurations; and (3) an interaction index to determine the degree and type of system interaction when all feedback loops are closed simultaneously. This new design capability was implemented on an IBM 360/75 in a batch mode but can be easily adapted to an interactive computer facility. The method was applied to the Pratt and Whitney F100 turbofan engine.

Leininger, G. G.↗

The trapped radiation belts of Jupiter

The preliminary results from the Trapped Radiation Detector instruments of the University of California at San Diego aboard Pioneers 10 and 11 for making measurements in the Jupiter magnetosphere are reviewed. Attention is given to the instrument and the flyby trajectories and results of the following investigations are presented: interplanetary electrons of Jovian origin, the configuration of the magnetosphere, interactions between the trapped radiation belts and Jupiter's satellites, (absorption of trapped radiation, the effect of angular dimensions, and the injection of energetic radiation), the behavior of electrons in the inner Jupiter magnetosphere, and multiple peaks near Pioneer 11 periapsis.

Fillius, W.↗

Development of small bore, high speed tapered roller bearing

The performance of four rolling bearing configurations for use on the input pinion shaft of a proposed commercial helicopter transmission was evaluated. The performance characteristics of a high speed tapered roller bearing operating under conditions comparable to those existing at this input pinion shaft were defined. The tapered roller bearing shaft support configuration was developed for the gearbox using commercially available bearing designings. The configuration was optimized and interactive thermomechanically system analyzed. Automotive pinion quality tapered roller bearings were found to be reliable under load and speed conditions in excess of those anticipated in the helicopter transmission. However, it is indicated that the elastohydrodynamic lubricant films are inadequate.

Morrison, F. R.↗

Qualification of the flight-critical AFTI/F-16 digital flight control system

Qualification considerations for assuring the safety of a life-critical digital flight control system include four major areas: systems interactions, verification, validation, and configuration control. The AFTI/F-16 design, development, and qualification illustrate these considerations. In this paper, qualification concepts, procedures, and methodologies are discussed and illustrated through specific examples.

Mackall, D. A.↗

Human factors in equipment development for the Space Shuttle - A study of the general purpose work station

The results of a human factors test to assay the suitability of a prototype general purpose work station (GPWS) for biosciences experiments on the fourth Spacelab mission are reported. The evaluation was performed to verify that users of the GPWS would optimally interact with the GPWS configuration and instrumentation. Six male subjects sat on stools positioned to allow assimilation of the zero-g body posture. Trials were run concerning the operator viewing angles facing the console, the console color, procedures for injecting rates with dye, a rat blood cell count, mouse dissection, squirrel monkey transfer, and plant fixation. The trials were run for several days in order to gage improvement or poor performance conditions. Better access to the work surface was found necessary, together with more distinct and better located LEDs, better access window latches, clearer sequences on control buttons, color-coded sequential buttons, and provisions made for an intercom system when operators of the GPWS work in tandem.

Junge, M. K.↗

Shuttle system ascent aerodynamic and plume heating

The shuttle program provided a challenge to the aerothermodynamicist due to the complexity of the flow field around the vehicle during ascent, since the configuration causes multiple shock interactions between the elements. Wind tunnel tests provided data for the prediction of the ascent design heating environment which involves both plume and aerodynamic heating phenomena. The approach for the heating methodology based on ground test firings and the use of the wind tunnel data to formulate the math models is discussed.

Foster, L. D.↗