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At least 397 records · Page 22

Effect of Inlet Air Distortion on the Steady-State and Surge Characteristics of an Axial-Flow Turbojet Compressor

An investigation was conducted in an altitude test chamber to determine the effects of inlet airflow distortion on the compressor steady-state and surge characteristics of a high-pressure ratio, axial-flow turbojet engine. Circumferential-type inlet flow distortions were investigated, which covered a range of distortion sector angles from 20 deg to 168 deg and distortion levels up to 22 percent. The presence of inlet airflow distortions at the compressor face resulted in a substantial increase in the local pressure ratio in the distorted region, primarily for the inlet stages. The local pressure ratio in the distorted region for the inlet stages increased as either the distortion sector angle decreased or the percent distortion increased. The average compressor-surge pressure ratio was much more sensitive to inlet airflow distortions at lower engine speeds than at engine speeds near rated. Hence, compressor-surge margin reduction due to inlet airflow distortion was quite severe at the lower engine speeds. Although the average compressor-surge pressure ratio was generally reduced with inlet flow distortion, local pressure ratios across the distorted sector of the compressor were obtained during surge and were significantly greater than the normal compressor-surge pressure ratio. This was a result of increased loading of the inlet stages in the distorted region.

Ciepluch, Carl C.↗

Steady-State Squeezing in the Micromaser Cavity Field

It is shown that the radiation field in the presently operated micromaser cavity may be squeezed when pumped with polarized atoms. The squeezing is in the steady state field corresponding to the action similar to that of the conventional micromaser, with the effect of cavity dissipation during entire t(sub c) = tau + t(sub cav).

Nayak, N.↗

A Co-Simulation Framework for Steady-State Analyses of Multiple Droop-based MTdc Grids in Continental-Scale Systems

The growing scale and complexity of planning continental hybrid ac and multi-terminal dc (MTdc) systems require scalable steady-state modeling and analysis approaches not currently available in commercial tools. This paper presents a comprehensive multi-fidelity model-conversion framework that enables the efficient transition of MTdc grid models from production cost modeling (PCM) and approximated ac power flow to detailed ac–MTdc power flow for large-scale planning studies. The core of this framework is a scalable co-simulation approach that, for the first time, enables power flow analysis in continental-scale ac–MTdc systems. It seamlessly couples commercial ac solvers with a detailed MTdc grid model that incorporates droop-based control and current-limiting strategies of multiple meshed MTdc grids. Leveraging this capability, an evaluation framework to systematically assess and compare different MTdc power redispatch strategies under ac and dc contingencies is introduced. The proposed framework and algorithm are evaluated using a combined Western and Eastern Interconnection system with 11 MTdc grids of various sizes, showing a coherent transition from PCM to detailed ac–MTdc power flow and improved system performance in voltage regulation and line overload mitigation following typical contingencies.

Nguyen, Quan H.↗

Steady-state and transient operation of a heat-pipe radiator system

Data obtained on a VCHP heat-pipe radiator system tested in a vacuum environment were studied. Analyses and interpretation of the steady-state results are presented along with an initial analysis of some of the transient data. Particular emphasis was placed on quantitative comparisons of the experimental data with computer model simulations. The results of the study provide a better understanding of the system but do not provide a complete explanation for the observed low VCHP performance and the relatively flat radiator panel temperature distribution. The results of the study also suggest hardware, software, and testing improvements.

Sellers, J. P.↗

Steady-state solution to the conduction problem of a spherical balloon radiometer, phases 1 and 2

A satellite system proposed for observing the earth's radiation balance employing spherical balloon radiometers is investigated. In the steady-state condition of radiative equilibrium, the magnitudes of absorbed external irradiances are sensed by internal radiometers mounted on the skin of each balloon. The temperatures of the radiometers are monitored as a measure of the balloons' internal irradiances (equal to absorbed external irradiances) and telemetered to earth. The effect of the magnitude of irradiant sources, balloon thickness, and thermal conductivity on the conduction of heat is assessed mathematically in order to determine its impact on measurement accuracy. Results indicate that observations are acceptable during daytime and nighttime modes of operation.

House, F. B.↗

Unsteady heat transfer and direct comparison to steady-state measurements in a rotor-wake experiment

Circumferentially local and time-resolved heat transfer measurements were obtained for a circular cylinder in crossflow located downstream of a rotating spoked wheel wake generator in a steady flow tunnel. The unsteady heat transfer effects were obtained by developing an extension of a thin film gauge technique employed to date exclusively in short-duration facilities. The time-average thin film results and conventional steady-state heat transfer measurements were compared. Time-averaged wake-induced stagnation heat transfer enhancement levels above the nowake case were about 10% for the four cylinder Reynolds numbers. This enhancement level was nearly independent of bar passing frequency and was related directly to the time integral of the heat transfer spikes observed at the bar passing frequency. It is observed that the wake-induced heat transfer spikes have peak magnitudes averaging 30 to 40% above the interwake heat transfer level.

Obrien, J. E.↗

Unsteady heat transfer and direct comparison to steady-state measurements in a rotor-wake experiment

Circumferentially local and time-resolved heat transfer measurements were obtained for a circular cylinder in crossflow located downstream of a rotating spoked wheel wake generator in a steady flow tunnel. The unsteady heat transfer effects were obtained by developing an extension of a thin film gauge technique employed to date exclusively in short-duration facilities. The time-average thin film results and conventional steady-state heat transfer measurements were compared. Time-averaged wake-induced stagnation heat transfer enhancement levels above the nowake case were about 10 percent for the four cylinder Reynolds numbers. This enhancement level was nearly independent of bar passing frequency and was related directly to the time integral of the heat transfer spikes observed at the bar passing frequency. It is observed that the wake-induced heat transfer spikes have peak magnitudes averaging 30 to 40 percent above the interwake heat transfer level.

Obrien, J. E.↗

Steady-state analysis of a faulted three-phase four-wire system supplying induction motors with neutrals connected and other single-phase line-to-neutral loads

Four wire Wye connected ac power systems exhibit peculiar steady state fault characteristics when the fourth wire of three phase induction motors is connected. The loss of one phase of power source due to a series or shunt fault results in currents higher than anticipated on the remaining two phases. A theoretical approach to compute the fault currents and voltages is developed. A FORTRAN program is included in the appendix.

Wood, M. E.↗

Fundamentals of dendritic solidification. I - Steady-state tip growth. II - Development of sidebranch structure

Systematic measurements of dendrite tip radius and growth velocity in succinonitrile reveal that consideration of dendrite tip stability should be incorporated into the heat transfer theory to determine the steady-state dendritic growth condition. The dendritic stability criterion measured is 2 alpha d0/VR squared = 0.0195, where V is the dendritic growth velocity, R is the dendritic tip radius, alpha is the liquid thermal diffusivity, and d0 is a capillary length defined in the text. Several dendritic stability models are reviewed and discussed in comparison to the present experimental results.

Huang, S.-C.↗

Acceleration to a steady state for the Euler equations

A multistage Runge-Kutta method is analyzed for solving the Euler equations exterior to an airfoil. Highly subsonic, transonic and supersonic flows are evaluated. Various techniques for accelerating the convergence to a steady state are introduced and analyzed.

Turkel, E.↗

Macrosegregation During Steady-State Arrayed Growth of Dendrites in Directionally Solidified Pb-Sn Alloys

The paper examines the growth parameter dependence of the longitudinal macrosegregation due to interdendritic thermosolutal convection during directional solidification of Pb-Sn alloys with a steady-state dendritic arrayed morphology. The experimentally observed longitudinal macrosegregation can be described by an empirical parameter, effective partition coefficient (kE), obtained from Cs = kEC0(1 - fs) super KI-1, where the original tin content is C0 and that corresponding to the fraction distance solidified (Fs) is Cs. Channel formation is strongly associated with the onset of thermosolutal convection in the interdendritic melt. The critical effective Rayleigh number for the onset of channel formation is about 0.07.

Tewari, S. N.↗

Design improvements for a recirculating reactor: Enhanced temperature measurement and sample-isolated reactivity in steady-state kinetic studies

Building upon a previous recirculating reactor design [S.A. Tenney, K. Xie, J.R. Monnier, A. Rodriguez, R.P. Galhenage, S. Audrey, D.A. Chen, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 84, 104101 (2013)], we present significant improvements that address key limitations in steady-state kinetic measurements for heterogeneous catalysis. The enhanced reactor design features direct sample heating with a focused IR lamp and temperature measurement in direct contact with the sample, enabling more accurate temperature control and improved kinetic analysis. A critical advancement is the isolation of sample reactivity from reactor wall contributions, ensuring that only the sample contributes to measured reaction rates. This was a limitation in earlier designs where the entire reactor contributed to the observed reactivity. The system incorporates a bypass flow cell for direct comparison with powder catalysts under identical conditions using a standard plug-flow reactor configuration. We demonstrate these capabilities through CO oxidation experiments on Pt(111) single crystals and graphene-passivated Pt(111), highlighting the system's ability to differentiate catalytic activity in model systems and directly compare them with high surface area powder catalysts. This reactor is particularly suited for thin films and low surface area catalysts that are not effectively evaluated in traditional flow reactors, especially for samples with low numbers of active sites or slow reaction rates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

First lithium experiments in HIDRA and evidence of helium retention during quasi-steady-state stellarator plasma operations

Recent experiments in Hybrid Illinois Device for Research and Applications (HIDRA) have had operational discharges between t discharge = 60 and 1000 s using electron cyclotron resonant heating (ECRH) of the plasma. This means that quasi-steady-state plasma discharges reach conditions to study long-pulse plasma material interactions (PMIs). The newly commissioned HIDRA-Material Analysis Test-stand PMI diagnostic is used to place a drop of lithium onto a heated tungsten surface, transfer the sample in-vacuo and expose it in a helium plasma. Helium is of interest as there is an open question to whether lithium will be able to remove helium ash in real fusion devices. The introduction of the W-Li sample in HIDRA resulted in evaporation of lithium into the helium plasma during a 600 s pulse and caused a reduction of over 90% in neutral pressure during the discharge. It was also observed that the plasma density and temperature increased by over 2.5 times. Using spectroscopy and a helium collisional radiative model, the peak temperature and density of the helium plasma can be monitored during the discharge. During lithium evaporation, as significant lithium ionization occurs, there is a 85% drop in the HIDRA vessel neutral pressure, despite a constant flow rate of He gas. This reduction in neutral pressure is supported by spectroscopy data with corresponding reductions in He I line intensities (587 nm, 667 nm, 706 nm, and 728 nm), as well as those of other impurities. At one point in the discharge a lithium plasma is created, as indicated by an increase in Li + emission and a complete reduction in He + emission, but the electron density jumps from ne = 3 × 10 18 m –3 to over ne = 8 × 10 18 m –3 while the core temperature stays relatively constant between Te = 16 eV and 20 eV. Once lithium has completely evaporated from the sample and the majority of the ionized lithium has diffused from the plasma to the vessel walls, pressure and spectroscopy data paired with He collisional radiative model calculations shows a re-establishment of a helium plasma in a low recycling regime. In this regime, the density drops down to ne = 2 × 10 18 m –3 and the electron temperature increases from T e = 20 eV to over T e = 50 eV indicating an increase in helium heating efficiency. This is also indicated by the He+ emission re-establishing and having a higher intensity. Here, we show the results from the first lithium campaign in HIDRA. In the presence of lithium, and in particular when lithium ions are present, the helium disappears from the plasma via an as of yet unknown complex relationship that needs to be further studied. The most likely explanation is that the lithium ions are distributed around the vessel and able to trap helium to the surface turning HIDRA into a large gettering surface. These results have potential implications on future plasma facing component design using liquid lithium for impurity and recycling control using limiters and divertors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Acoustic Steady-State Excitation Spatial Spectroscopy (ASSESS)

Safely launching and landing spacecraft, especially reusable spacecraft, requires detailed inspections of the launch vehicle to identify potential manufacturing and service-induced flaws. As an automated full-structure ultrasonic scanning technology, Acoustic Steady-State Excitation Spatial Spectroscopy (ASSESS) can rapidly and non-intrusively detect a wide variety of defects in applications where identifying subtle flaws is paramount. ASSESS is a non-destructive evaluation technology that leverages continuous excitation and laser Doppler vibrometry to make fast, high-quality inspections at stand-off distances. The ASSESS technology has undergone extensive laboratory testing and several field tests specific to oil and gas and additive manufacturing applications. We seek a commercialization partner to fund aerospace application-specific R&D and product development through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).

42 ENGINEERING↗

Acceleration to a steady state for the Euler equations

A multi-stage Runge-Kutta method is analyzed for solving the Euler equations exterior to an airfoil. Highly subsonic, transonic and supersonic flows are evaluated. Various techniques for accelerating the convergence to a steady state are introduced and analyzed.

Turkel, E.↗

Investigation of Altitude Ignition, Acceleration, and Steady-State Operation with a Single Combustor of a J47 Turbojet Engine

An investigation was conducted with a single combustor from a J47 turbojet engine using weathered aviation gasoline and several spark-plug modifications to determine altitude ignition, acceleration, and steady state operating characteristics. Satisfactory ignition was obtained with two modifications of the original opposite-polarity spark plug up to and including an altitude of 40,003 feet at conditions simulating equilibrium windmilling of the engine at a flight speed of 400 miles per hour. At a simulated altitude of 30,000 feet, satisfactory ignition was obtained over a range of simulated engine speeds. No significant effect of fuel temperature on ignition limits was observed over a range of fuel temperatures from 80 deg to -52 deg F. At an altitude of 30,000 feet, the excess temperature rise available for acceleration at low engine speeds was limited by the ability of the combustor to produce temperature rise, whereas at high engine speeds the maximum allowable turbine-inlet temperature became the restricting factor. Altitude operational limits increased from about 51,500 feet at 55 percent of rated engine speed to about 64,500 feet at 85 percent of rated speed. Combustion efficiencies varied from 59.0 to 92.6 percent over the range investigated and decreased with a decrease in engine speed and with an increase in altitude; higher efficiencies would have been obtained if lower altitudes had been investigated. Comparisons were made of the combustion efficiencies of weathered aviation gasoline and MIL-F-5616 fuel at altitudes of 30,000 and 40,000 feet. Combustion efficiencies obtained with MIL-F-5616 fuel were 8 percent higher at rated engine speed and 14 percent lower at 55 percent of rated speed than those obtained with weathered aviation gasoline.

Cook, William P.↗

Dissipative Floquet Dynamics: from Steady State to Measurement Induced Criticality in Trapped-ion Chains

Quantum systems evolving unitarily and subject to quantum measurements exhibit various types of non-equilibrium phase transitions, arising from the competition between unitary evolution and measurements. Dissipative phase transitions in steady states of time-independent Liouvillians and measurement induced phase transitions at the level of quantum trajectories are two primary examples of such transitions. Investigating a many-body spin system subject to periodic resetting measurements, we argue that many-body dissipative Floquet dynamics provides a natural framework to analyze both types of transitions. We show that a dissipative phase transition between a ferromagnetic ordered phase and a paramagnetic disordered phase emerges for long-range systems as a function of measurement probabilities. A measurement induced transition of the entanglement entropy between volume law scaling and sub-volume law scaling is also present, and is distinct from the ordering transition. The two phases correspond to an error-correcting and a quantum-Zeno regimes, respectively. The ferromagnetic phase is lost for short range interactions, while the volume law phase of the entanglement is enhanced. An analysis of multifractal properties of wave function in Hilbert space provides a common perspective on both types of transitions in the system. Our findings are immediately relevant to trapped ion experiments, for which we detail a blueprint proposal based on currently available platforms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗