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NASA NTRS1989

Simulation of radial expansion of an electron beam injected into a background plasma

A 2-D electrostatic particle code was used to study the beam radial expansion of a nonrelativistic electron beam injected from an isolated equipotential conductor into a background plasma. The simulations indicate that the beam radius is generally proportional to the beam electron gyroradius when the conductor is charged to a large potential. The simulations also suggest that the charge buildup at the beam stagnation point causes the beam radial expansion. From a survey of the simulation results, it is found that the ratio of the beam radius to the beam electron gyroradius increases with the square root of beam density and decreases inversely with beam injection velocity. This dependence is explained in terms of the ratio of the beam electron Debye length to the ambient electron Debye length. These results are most applicable to the SEPAC electron beam injection experiments from Spacelab 1, where high charging potential was observed.

Koga, J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Radial response of the burst and transient source experiment

The Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) includes four experiments designed for observe the gamma-ray universe, one of which is the Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE). During the first summer with the BATSE team in 1988, laboratory measurements were completed which test the response of the BATSE modules to gamma-ray sources that are non-axial. The results of these observations are necessary for the correct interpretation of BATSE data obtained after it is put in earth orbit. Subsequent analysis of the data revealed a shift in the centroids of the full-energy photopeaks for angles of incidence between about 70 and 110 degrees. This effect was diagnosed as being due to a radial dependence of the light collecting efficiency of the large-area detector (LAD). Energy-depositing events that occur near the perimeter of the 10-inch radius NaI disc are not as efficiently collected as those events that occur near the disc's center. This radial response is analyzed and in so doing the non-Gaussian shape of the photopeaks seen in the spectra taken at all angles is explained.

Lestrade, John Patrick↗

NASA NTRS1990

An interactive grid generation procedure for axial and radial flow turbomachinery

A combination algebraic/elliptic technique is presented for the generation of three dimensional grids about turbo-machinery blade rows for both axial and radial flow machinery. The technique is built around use of an advanced engineering workstation to construct several two dimensional grids interactively on predetermined blade-to-blade surfaces. A three dimensional grid is generated by interpolating these surface grids onto an axisymmetric grid. On each blade-to-blade surface, a grid is created using algebraic techniques near the blade to control orthogonality within the boundary layer region and elliptic techniques in the mid-passage to achieve smoothness. The interactive definition of bezier curves as internal boundaries is the key to simple construction. This procedure lends itself well to zonal grid construction, an important example being the tip clearance region. Calculations done to date include a space shuttle main engine turbopump blade, a radial inflow turbine blade, and the first stator of the United Technologies Research Center large scale rotating rig. A finite Navier-Stokes solver was used in each case.

Beach, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Radial evolution of solar wind thermal electron distributions due to expansion and collisions

ISEE 3 electron observations near 1 AU show that the solar wind thermal electron temperature anisotropy, T(parallel)/T(perpendicular), is typically 1.0 to 1.5, with densest distributions most nearly isotropic, but is sometimes much higher when density is low. For a small observational subset characterized by high density and low bulk speed, T(perpendicular) can exceed T(parallel). Based on these and other observations, a simple model is proposed for radial evolution of thermal electrons in a structureless solar wind under the influence of Coulomb collisions and geometric expansion in a spiral interplanetary magnetic field. The model, which satisfactorily explains the 1 AU observations, shows that the evolution of electron temperature and T(parallel)/T(perpendicular) is controlled by plasma density, flow speed, and initial temperature, with density the most important factor. The model makes predictions for radial distances other than 1 AU and for high solar latitudes.

Phillips, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Prediction of heat transfer to a thin liquid film in plane and radially spreading flows

The energy equation is incorporated in the solution algorithm of Rahman et al. (1990) to compute the heat transfer to a thin film in the presence or absence of gravity. For a plane flow under zero gravity, it is found that, for both isothermal and uniformly heated walls, the heat transfer coefficient gradually decreases downstream, with Nu-asterisk (the Nusselt number in terms of film height) remaining approximately constant except for regions very close to the entrance. In the case of radial flow under zero gravity, Nu-asterisk is found to decrease monotonically when the plane is uniformly heated. Two different flow regimes are identified in the presence of gravity for both plane and radial flows. The results of the study may be applicable to the design of space-based cooling systems.

Rahman, M. M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A scaling law of radial gas distribution in disk galaxies

Based on the idea that local conditions within a galactic disk largely determine the region's evolution time scale, researchers built a theoretical model to take into account molecular cloud and star formations in the disk evolution process. Despite some variations that may be caused by spiral arms and central bulge masses, they found that many late-type galaxies show consistency with the model in their radial atomic and molecular gas profiles. In particular, researchers propose that a scaling law be used to generalize the gas distribution characteristics. This scaling law may be useful in helping to understand the observed gas contents in many galaxies. Their model assumes an exponential mass distribution with disk radius. Most of the mass are in atomic gas state at the beginning of the evolution. Molecular clouds form through a modified Schmidt Law which takes into account gravitational instabilities in a possible three-phase structure of diffuse interstellar medium (McKee and Ostriker, 1977; Balbus and Cowie, 1985); whereas star formation proceeds presumably unaffected by the environmental conditions outside of molecular clouds (Young, 1987). In such a model both atomic and molecular gas profiles in a typical galactic disk (as a result of the evolution) can be fitted simultaneously by adjusting the efficiency constants. Galaxies of different sizes and masses, on the other hand, can be compared with the model by simply scaling their characteristic length scales and shifting their radial ranges to match the assumed disk total mass profile sigma tot(r).

Wang, Zhong↗

NASA NTRS1990

Global and radial variations in the efficiency of massive star formation among galaxies

In order to determine the regions within galaxies which give rise to the most efficient star formation and to test the hypothesis that galaxies with high infrared luminosities per unit molecular mass are efficiently producing high mass stars, researchers have undertaken an H alpha imaging survey in galaxies whose CO distributions have been measured as part of the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (FCRAO) Extragalactic CO Survey. From these images researchers have derived global H alpha fluxes and distributions for comparison with far infrared radiation (FIR) fluxes and CO fluxes and distributions. Here, researchers present results on the global massive star formation efficiency (SFE = L sub H sub alpha/M(H2)) as a function of morphological type and environment, and on the radial distribution of the SFE within both peculiar and isolated galaxies. On the basis of comparison of the global L sub H sub alpha/M(H2) and L sub FIR/M(H2) for 111 galaxies, researchers conclude that environment rather than morphological type has the strongest effect on the global efficiency of massive star formation. Based on their study of a small sample, they find that the largest radial gradients are observed in the interacting/peculiar galaxies, indicating that environment affects the star formation efficiency within galaxies as well.

Allen, Lori E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Performance of a high-work, low-aspect-ratio turbine stator tested with a realistic inlet radial temperature gradient

A 0.767-scale model of a turbine stator designed for the core of a high-bypass-ratio aircraft engine was tested with uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The principal measurements were radial and circumferential surveys of stator-exit total temperature, total pressure, and flow angle. The stator-exit flow field was also computed by using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. Other than temperature, there were no apparent differences in performance due to the inlet conditions. The computed results compared quite well with the experimental results.

Stabe, Roy G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Radial spreading of viscous-gravity currents with solidifying crust

In the present investigation of solidifying-crust effects on the dynamics and surface morphology of radial viscous-gravity currents, polyethylene glycol inflows into the base of a tank holding a cold sucrose solution are used as analogs. As the radial current advanced away from the inlet, its surface solidified and deformed through a combination of folding anf fracturing. When cooling was sufficiently rapid, solid crust formed and caused the spreading rate to increase; progressively colder experiments revealed a sequence of surface morphologies resembling features of cooling lava flows and lava lakes, including multiarmed rift structures with shear offsets and bulbous lobate forms resembling pillow lavas on the ocean floor.

Fink, Jonathan H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mapping the fluid flow and shear near the core surface using the radial and horizontal components of the magnetic field

The problem of calculating the temporal evolution of both the radial and horizontal poloidal components of a field, given an initial field and the flow and shear, is first considered. Attention is then given to the inverse problem of determining the flow and shear, given an initial field and its temporal evolution. The nonuniqueness inherent in such inversions is discussed, and it is shown that part of the nonuniqueness in the shear is closely related to that in the flow derived from just the radial induction equation.

Jackson, Andrew↗

NASA NTRS1991

Three-dimensional calculation of the mixing of radial jets from slanted slots with a reactive cylindrical crossflow

A numerical model that calculates the 3D chemically reacting flowfield in an experimental low emission combustor is described. The ICEd-ALE finite volume computational methodology is employed in this study. Radial jets issuing from slanted slots interact with a cylindrical axially flowing mainstream to produce a bulk swirl velocity downstream of the slot region. The swirl pattern at a given axial station is composed of a clockwise rotating region near the wall and a counterclockwise rotating region extending from the combustor centerline. The jet radial penetration and downstream swirl velocity axial development are shown to depend principally on the jet-to-mainstream momentum flux ratio.

Winowich, N. S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Aircraft radial-belted tire evaluation

An overview is given of the ongoing joint NASA/FAA/Industry Surface Traction And Radial Tire (START) Program being conducted at NASA Langley's Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility (ALDF). The START Program involves tests using three different tire sizes to evaluate tire rolling resistance, braking, and cornering performance throughout the aircraft ground operational speed range for both dry and wet runway surfaces. Preliminary results from recent 40 x 14 size bias-ply, radial-belted, and H-type aircraft tire tests are discussed. The paper concludes with a summary of the current program status and planned ALDF test schedule.

Yager, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Fixture For Testing Ball Bearings Under Radial Loads

Proposed fixture for mounting large ball bearings during tests facilitates application of variable, known radial loads, and prevent gross movement of bearing radial or axial directions. Load applied through Belleville spring washers to collar restrained by carrier ring. Load applied smoothly because collar and outer race of bearing flex in carrier ring. Inner race mounted on shaft rotated during application load.

Gibson, John↗

NASA NTRS1991

The radial velocity search for extrasolar planets

Radial velocity measurements are being made to search for planets orbiting stars other than the Sun. The reflex acceleration induced on stars by planets can be sensed by measuring the small, slow changes in the line-of-site velocities of stars. To detect these planetary perturbations, the data series must be made on a uniform instrumental scale for as long as it takes a planet to orbit its star. A spectrometer of extreme stability and unprecedented sensitivity to changes in stellar radial velocities was operated.

Mcmillan, Robert S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Description of a Pressure Measurement Technique for Obtaining Surface Static Pressures of a Radial Turbine

The aerodynamic performance of a solid uncooled version of a cooled radial turbine was evaluated in the Small Engine Components Test Facility Turbine rig at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Specifically, an experiment was conducted to rotor surface static pressures. This was the first time surface static pressures had been measured on a radial turbine at NASA Lewis. These pressures were measured by a modified Rotating Data Package (RDP), a standard product manufactured by Scanivalve, Inc. Described here are the RDP, and the modifications that were made, as well as the checkout, installation, and testing procedures. The data presented are compared to analytical results obtained from NASA's MERIDL TSONIC BLAYER (MTSB) code.

Dicicco, L. Danielle↗

NASA NTRS1991

A comparison of the calculated and experimental off-design performance of a radial flow turbine

Off design aerodynamic performance of the solid version of a cooled radial inflow turbine is analyzed. Rotor surface static pressure data and other performance parameters were obtained experimentally. Overall stage performance and turbine blade surface static to inlet total pressure ratios were calculated by using a quasi-three dimensional inviscid code. The off design prediction capability of this code for radial inflow turbines shows accurate static pressure prediction. Solutions show a difference of 3 to 5 points between the experimentally obtained efficiencies and the calculated values.

Tirres, Lizet↗

NASA NTRS1992

On radial oscillations in viscous accretion discs surrounding neutron stars

Radial oscillations resulting from axisymmetric perturbations in viscous accretion disks surrounding neutron stars in X-ray binary systems have been investigated. Within the framework of the alpha-viscosity model a series of hydrodynamic calculations demonstrates that the oscillations are global for alpha of about 1. On the other hand, for alpha of 0.4 or less, the oscillations are local and confined to the disk boundaries. If viscous stresses acting in the radial direction are included, however, it is found that the disk can be stabilized. The application of such instabilities in accretion disks, without reference to the boundary layer region between the neutron star (or magnetosphere) and the inner edge of the disk, to the phenomenology of quasi-periodic oscillations is brought into question.

Chen, Xingming↗

NASA NTRS1992

Surface photometry of disk galaxies at 60 and 100 microns - Radial gradients in dust temperature in optically thin disks

Surface, aperture, and grid photometry are performed at 60 and 100 microns for a sample of 28 nearby, large angular size galaxies. The spatial resolution of the data is 0.5-2.0 kpc, which allows for a coarse investigation of predicted radial gradients in physical dust temperature. A model is derived which predicts a drop of 3 K for every optical scale length, and this model agrees well with the data. In addition, for a subsample of 16 galaxies the radial profile at 60 microns is directly compared with that in the B or I band. The model predicts that optically thick disks should have scale lengths a factor of two smaller at 60 microns compared to B. In the optically thin case, the scale lengths are about equal except for the effect of the gradient in dust temperature. Virtually all of the data support the prediction of the optically thin case. Finally, 10 galaxies in the sample have sufficient angular sizes to allow for a coarse 2D spatial mapping of the 60/100 microns flux ratio. These maps clearly reveal that, when present, small amounts of hot dust dominate the emission at 60 microns and effectively mask the existence of a much larger amount of cold dust.

Bothun, Gregory D.↗