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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Dynamic alignment and selective decay in MHD

Under some circumstances, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence will evolve toward a state in which the velocity fields and magnetic fields are aligned or anti-aligned. We propose a mechanism for this effect and illustrate with numerical computations. Under some other circumstances, the energy appears to decay selectively toward a minimum energy state in which the kinetic energy has disappeared. It has not been possible so far to identify a boundary in the phase space which divides the two regimes.

Matthaeus, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The large-time behavior of the scalar, genuinely nonlinear Lax-Friedrichs scheme

The Lax-Friedrichs scheme, approximating the scalar, genuinely nonlinear conservation law u sub t + f sub x (u) = 0 where f(u) is, say, strictly convex double dot f dot a sub asterisk 0 is studied. The divided differences of the numerical solution at time t do not exceed 2 (t dot a sub asterisk) to the -1. This one-sided Lipschitz boundedness is in complete agreement with the corresponding estimate one has in the differential case; in particular, it is independent of the initial amplitude in sharp contrast to liner problems. It guarantees the entropy compactness of the scheme in this case, as well as providing a quantitive insight into the large-time behavior of the numerical computation.

Tadmor, E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

N-person differential games. Part 2: The penalty method

The equilibrium strategy for N-person differential games can be found by studying a min-max problem subject to differential systems constraints. The differential constraints are penalized and finite elements are used to compute numerical solutions. Convergence proof and error estimates are given. Numerical results are also included and compared with those obtained by the dual method.

Chen, G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Turbulent compressible convection in a deep atmosphere. I - Preliminary two-dimensional results

The turbulent convection of a compressible fluid in a deep atmosphere is simulated by two-dimensional numerical computations, displaying coexisting 'cells' whose sizes range from the total depth of the convection zone to the smallest scale height at the top. While the largest cells traverse the entire zone, smaller ones are clustered near the top. The vertical correlation length of the vertical velocity is proportional to the local pressure or density scale height, in a way reminiscent of the concept of mixing length.

Chan, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Shock noise features using the SCIPVIS code

The numerical computational supersonic jet plume model SCIPVIS was analyzed in order to determine its effectiveness for predicting the complicated flow structure associated with supersonic shock containing jet plumes. The analysis focused on assessing the applicability of using this code for predicting the broadband shock noise radiation. The analysis was carried out for several exit Mach number cases (including 1.00, 1.41, and 1.99) covering both underexpanded and overexpanded flow conditions. The three primary turbulence closure models incorporated in the SCIPVIS code were utilized for comparisons to measured plume static pressure distributions. Among other results, the prediction of plume static pressures for all three nozzle exit Mach numbers was found to perform exceptionally well when compared with experimental data for both underexpanded and overexpanded cases. Computations performed using this code for calculating the average shock wavelength for the 1.99 exit Mach number case were shown to provide an excellent prediction of the peak frequency for broadband shock noise. The spatial variation of the turbulent kinetic energy was found to be in qualitative agreement with wedge hot-film measurements.

Seiner, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Gain optimization with nonlinear controls

An algorithm has been developed for the analysis and design of controls for nonlinear systems. The technical approach is to use statistical linearization to model the nonlinear dynamics of a system. A covariance analysis is performed to determine the behavior of the dynamical system and a quadratic cost function. Expressions for the cost function and its derivatives are determined so that numerical optimization techniques can be applied to determine optimal feedback laws. The primary application for this report is centered about the design of controls for nominally linear systems but where the controls are saturated or limited by fixed constraints. The analysis is general however and numerical computation requires only that the specific nonlinearity be considered in the analysis.

Slater, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An experimental and numerical investigation of the impingement of an oblique shock wave on a body of revolution

Attention is given to the experimental study and numerical simulation of the impingement of oblique shock wave on a cylinder, in order both to document the complex three-dimensional shock wave and boundary layer interaction occurring in practical problems (such as stores carriage interference in a supersonic tactical aircraft) and to conduct a critical comparison of experimental measurements and numerical computations for such complex flows. A thin layer approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations was solved by means of a mixed explicit-implicit scheme. Experimental measurements reveal a highly complex flow field with two distinct adjacent separation zones, regions of high cross flow, and multiply reflected shocks and expansion fans.

Brosh, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A miniature, directional surface-fence gage for three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer measurements

A new miniature (3.175 mm overall diameter) surface-fence gage was developed to measure simultaneously the magnitude and direction of wall shear stress under three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers. Two fence elements were placed orthogonal to each other on the end surface of the gage. The gage was calibrated for its directional and magnitude sensitivities. It was then tested under an axisymmetric swirling boundary layer, subject to a sudden transverse strain. The advantage of the gage was demonstrated, and excellent agreement was obtained with the results from surface oil flow interferometry and velocity field measurements. The results also compared well with numerical computations.

Higuchi, H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Modelling of TGS growth in space

Attention is called to the necessity of programming the temperature downward in order to maintain a constant growth rate in the absence of convection. Trial and error numerical computations are performed to find the first approximation for the required isothermal dissolution period, linear ramp, and polynomial temperature variation period. The linear ramp rate is limited by the specified maximum temperature gradient. The isothermal dissolution turns out to be unnecessary. The linear ramp must be stopped before the polynomial period is begun in order to avoid overshooting the specified maximum growth rate. After a few hours, the temperature profile approaches steady-state behavior.

Liu, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An EBIC equation for solar cells

When an electron beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) impinges on an N-P junction, the generation of electron-hole pairs by impact ionization causes a characteristic short circuit current I(sc) to flow. The I(sc), i.e., EBIC (electron beam induced current) depends strongly on the configuration used to investigate the cell's response. In this paper the case where the plane of the junction is perpendicular to the surface is considered. An EBIC equation amenable to numerical computations is derived as a function of cell thickness, source depth, surface recombination velocity, diffusion length, and distance of the junction to the beam-cell interaction point for a cell with an ohmic contact at its back surface. It is shown that the EBIC equation presented here is more general and easier to use than those previously reported. The effects of source depth, ohmic contact, and diffusion length on the normalized EBIC characteristic are discussed.

Luke, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Error Correction for Tandem Data-Transmission Paths

Mathematical analysis for digital data transmission calculates optimum number of binary error-correcting repeaters to install in given number of wideband channel links. Asymptotic results compared to computed numerical results.

Posner, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An experimental investigation of the impingement of a planar shock wave on an axisymmetric body at Mach 3

An experimental study of the flow caused by a planar shock wave impinging obliquely on a cylinder is presented. The complex three dimensional shock wave and boundary layer interaction occurring in practical problems, such as the shock wave impingement from the shuttle nose on an external fuel tank, and store carriage interference on a supersonic tactical aircraft were investigated. A data base for numerical computations of complex flows was also investigated. The experimental techniques included pressure measurements and oil flow patterns on the surface of the cylinder, and shadowgraphs and total and static pressure surveys on the leeward and windward planes of symmetry. The complete data is presented in tabular form. The results reveal a highly complex flow field with two separation zones, regions of high crossflow, and multiple reflected shocks and expansion fans.

Brosh, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Calculation of vertical and ramp-assisted takeoffs for supersonic cruise fighters

A procedure that allows rapid preliminary evaluations of the vertical, short, and normal takeoff performance of supersonic cruise aircraft concepts was developed into a numerical computer program. The program is used to determine the effects on takeoff performance of various parameters, such as thrust-weight ratio, wing loading, thrust vector angle, and flap setting. Ramp-assisted takeoffs for overloaded configurations typical of a ground-attack mission are included. The effects of wind on the takeoff performance are also considered.

Liu, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Identification of aerosol composition from multi-wavelength lidar measurements

This paper seeks to develop the potential of lidar for the identification of the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols. Available numerical computations suggest that aerosols can be identified by the wavelength dependence of aerosol optical properties. Since lidar can derive the volume backscatter coefficient as a function of wavelength, a multi-wavelength lidar system may be able to provide valuable information on the composition of aerosols. This research theoretically investigates the volume backscatter coefficients for the aerosol classes, sea-salts, and sulfates, as a function of wavelength. The results show that these aerosol compositions can be characterized and identified by their backscatter wavelength dependence. A method to utilize multi-wavelength lidar measurements to discriminate between compositionally different thin aerosol layers is discussed.

Wood, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Turbulence and surface heat transfer near the stagnation point of a circular cylinder in turbulent flow

A turbulent boundary layer flow analysis of the momentum and thermal flow fields near the forward stagnation point due to a circular cylinder in turbulent cross flow is presented. Turbulence modeling length scale, anisotropic turbulence initial profiles and boundary conditions were identified as functions of the cross flow turbulence intensity and the boundary layer flow far field velocity. These parameters were used in a numerical computational procedure to calculate the mean velocity, mean temperature, and turbulence double correlation profiles within the flow field. The effects of the cross flow turbulence on the stagnation region momentum and thermal flow fields were investigated. This analysis predicted the existing measurements of the stagnation region mean velocity and surface heat transfer rate with cross flow Reynolds number and turbulence intensity less than 250,000 and 0.05, respectively.

Wang, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analytical description of an imperfect Fabry-Perot etalon

A novel method is presented for the investigation of Fabry-Perot etalon defects, incorporating the effects of microsurface imperfection, bowing, and departure from parallelism, as well as the effect of finite aperture on the etalon, into the perturbation function. The tolerance imperfections of reflective layers can be incorporated into the transfer coefficients of a noncorrugated thin-film system, and any defect can be investigated either separately or in combination with others through the use of the appropriate analytical or numerical simulation of the corrugated function. In the context of numerical computation, the present method permits the simulation and evaluation of different specific situations. The expressions derived for the transfer coefficients of a corrugated, equidistant thin film system may be applicable to other branches of applied optics.

Prikryl, I.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Pitch angle diffusion in the Jovian magnetodisc

Using a linear approximation to the field variation and a mathematical technique for distorting the orbit integration into the complex gyrophase plane, a formula is derived for the nonadiabatic change in magnetic moment. This change varies as the cosine of the particle gyrophase at the equator, so that if a particle traverses the equator several times with different values of this gyrophase, it suffers randomly correlated values for the nonadiabatic change in magnetic moment. The algebraic formula for this nonadiabatic change is found to be in excellent agreement with previous numerical computations. The phase space density, averaged over several bounce periods, is found to satisfy a diffusion equation in pitch angle. The diffusion coefficient is dependent on particle energy, pitch angle, and the field line along which the particles are moving.

Birmingham, T. J.↗