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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Effects of high subsonic flow on sound propagation in a variable-area duct

The propagation of sound in a converging-diverging duct containing a quasi-one-dimensional steady flow with a high subsonic throat Mach number was studied. The behavior of linearized acoustic theory at the throat of the duct was shown to be singular. This singularity implies that linearized acoustic theory is invalid. The explicit singular behavior was determined and used to sketch the development (by the method of matched asymptotic expansions) of a nonlinear theory for sound propagation in a sonic throat region.

Callegari, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Non-linear effects on sound propagation in a variable area duct carrying high subsonic Mach number flows

The general one-dimensional non-linear equation for the acoustic velocity potential in a variable area duct carrying high subsonic Mach number flows is presented and solved numerically using an implicit finite difference scheme. For the linearized equation with no flow, the present scheme is compared with the exact solution and the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method with excellent agreement for dimensionless time periods. Non-linear solutions are more sensitive to Mach numbers and exciting amplitudes and less sensitive to exciting frequencies. In general, non-linear effects can be safely neglected for low Mach number flows but must be accounted for when high Mach number flows are encountered.

Lumsdaine, E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The use of Levy-Lees variables in three-dimensional boundary-layer flows

A method for solving a general class of three-dimensional boundary layer flows is developed. In the development, Levy-Lees variables are extended to three dimensions and equations are placed in these similarity variables. An implicit finite difference scheme which is stable for negative transverse velocities is used to solve these equations. The method developed is applied to obtain solutions for sharp and spherically blunted circular cones at angle of attack. Longitudinal and transverse distributions are presented for these cases. Good agreement is found with the results obtained by other numerical schemes and the experimental data of Tracy, for sharp circular cones at angle of attack. For spherically blunted cones at angle of attack, the results are in good agreement with axisymmetric sphere results up to the region where spherical symmetry holds.

Vatsa, V. N.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Variable-area nozzle automatically controls fluid flow

Simple, passive nozzle requires no active control system to vary injection area. Injection area changes with changing pressure, thereby allowing greater flow as pressure increases. As pressure drop across nozzle is decreased, spring action of segments causes them to move inward, decreasing the flow area.

Conrad, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Jet model for slot film cooling with effect of free-stream and coolant turbulence

An analysis was performed utilizing the model of a wall jet for obtaining equations that will predict slot film-cooling efficiency under conditions of variable turbulence intensity, flow, and temperature. The analysis, in addition to assessing the effects of the above variables, makes a distinction between an initial region and a fully developed region. Such a distinction is important in determining the role that the turbulence intensity of the coolant plays in effecting film-cooling effectiveness in the area of the slot exit. The results of the analysis were used in the correlation of the results of a well-designed film-cooling experiment. The result of the analysis and experiment was equations that predicted film-cooling efficiency within + or - 4% average deviation for lateral free-stream turbulence intensities up to 24% and blowing rates up to 1.9. These equations should be useful in determining the optimum quantity of cooling air requried for protecting the wall of a combustor.

Simon, Frederick F.↗
NASA NTRS1959

On Fully Developed Channel Flows: Some Solutions and Limitations, and Effects of Compressibility, Variable Properties, and Body Forces

An examination of the effects of compressibility, variable properties, and body forces on fully developed laminar flow has indicated several limitations on such streams. In the absence of a pressure gradient, but presence of a body force (e.g., gravity), an exact fully developed gas flow results. For a liquid this follows also for the case of a constant streamwise pressure gradient. These motions are exact in the sense of a Couette flow. In the liquid case two solutions (not a new result) can occur for the same boundary conditions. An approximate analytic solution was found which agrees closely with machine calculations.In the case of approximately exact flows, it turns out that for large temperature variations across the channel the effects of convection (due to, say, a wall temperature gradient) and frictional heating must be negligible. In such a case the energy and momentum equations are separated, and the solutions are readily obtained. If the temperature variations are small, then both convection effects and frictional heating can consistently be considered. This case becomes the constant-property incompressible case (or quasi-incompressible case for free-convection flows) considered by many authors. Finally there is a brief discussion of cases wherein streamwise variations of all quantities are allowed but only a such form that independent variables are separable. For the case where the streamwise velocity varies inversely as the square root distance along the channel a solution is given.

Maslen, Stephen H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Use of optical edge and optical flow rate: Information in the perception and control of ground velocity

Previous research (Denton, 1980; Larish & Flach, 1990; Owen, Wolpert, & Warren, 1984; Awe & Johnson, 1989) suggests that people will use one or both of two optical variables as information for the perception and/or regulation of ground velocity. The first variable, global optical flow rate (FR), reflects the angular optical speed, and is proportional to the observer's ground velocity scaled in altitude units, i.e. velocity divided by altitude. Therefore, flow rate is a reliable indicator of ground velocity only under the condition of constant altitude. The second variable, optical edge rate (ER), reflects ground velocity as the frequency at which the optically specified ground edges pass across some optical region. Therefore, edge rate is an accurate indicator of ground velocity when altitude varies, but not when texture density varies. Since both flow rate and edge rate can vary independently of forward ground velocity, accurate ground-velocity control may depend upon using the best optical variable.

Johnson, Walter W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Validation Experiments for Turbulent Separation over an Axisymmetric Body of Revolution

Historically, the flow physics involved with most turbulent separated flows have presented fundamental challenges to validating numerical approaches. As recognized by the CFD Vision 2030 study commissioned by NASA, validation of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models and other scale-resolving methods for turbulent separated flow requires data from advanced, high-fidelity experiments designed specifically for CFD implementation. In accordance with this effort, a new test platform, referred to as the NASA Axisymmetric Afterbody, was designed to obtain detailed measurements of the flow field undergoing a smooth, adverse pressure gradient induced separation for a fixed Reynolds number, Re = 180,000. The parametric body offers a range of flow states progressing from fully attached, to incipient separation, and finally to small-scale separated flow based on variable afterbody geometries. In an initial effort to evaluate RANS turbulence model capabilities, the present configurations of the axisymmetric model host a mild adverse pressure gradient over the contoured boattail section, inducing incipient turbulent separation, as well as a slightly larger adverse pressure gradient, inducing a small-scale region of turbulent separation. Experiments include steady pressure measurements and 2-D PIV to provide the preliminary dataset for simulation studies, which examine the effect of variable grid domains and RANS turbulence models. This is done in an effort to understand and evaluate the critical variability between solutions for the present model configurations. Results indicate potential discrepancies may be due to the effect of the square tunnel test section walls, relatively large blockage ratio, and slight variability in reference parameters. Ongoing work will focus on higher fidelity experimental campaigns to obtain surface flow visualizations and Stereo-Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) to deliver higher spatial resolution of the three-dimensional flow field to aid turbulence modelers.

Validation↗
NASA NTRS1978

Equations of motion and two-equation turbulence model for plane or axisymmetric turbulent flows in body-oriented orthogonal curvilinear coordinates and mass-averaged dependent variables

The full Navier-Stokes time-dependent, compressible, turbulent, mean-flow equations in mass-averaged variables for plane or axisymmetric flow are presented. The equations are derived in a body-oriented, orthogonal, curvilinear coordinate system. Turbulence is modelled by a system of two equations for mass-averaged turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate proposed. These equations are rederived and some new features are discussed. A system of second order boundary layer equations is then derived which includes the effects of longitudinal curvature and the normal pressure gradient. The Wilcox and Chambers approach is used in considering effects of streamline curvature on turbulence phenomena in turbulent boundary layer type flows. Their two-equation turbulence model with curvature terms are rederived for the cases considered in the present report. The derived system equations serves as a basis for an investigation of problems where streamline curvature is of the order of the characteristic length in the longitudinal direction.

Sislian, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1971

An exact closed form solution for constant area compressible flow with friction and heat transfer

The well-known differential equation for the one-dimensional flow of a compressible fluid with heat transfer and wall friction has no known solution in closed form for the general case. This report presents a closed form solution for the special case of constant heat flux per unit length and constant specific heat. The solution was obtained by choosing the square of a dimensionless flow parameter as one of the independent variables to describe the flow. From this exact solution, an approximate simplified form is derived that is applicable for predicting subsonic flow performance characteristics for many types of constant area passages in internal flow. The data included in this report are considered sufficiently accurate for use as a guide in analyzing and designing internal gas flow systems.

Sturas, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Application of a Planar Doppler Velocimetry System to a High Reynolds Number Compressible Jet

A Planar Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system has been constructed and used to investigate the instantaneous turbulent velocity structure of a round high-speed compressible air jet with a low-speed co-flow. The exit condition was Mach=0.85 at ambient pressure, yielding a Reynolds number of about 650,000 on diameter. The PDV system was installed at NASA Langley Research Center in the Small Anechoic Jet Facility (SAJF), a chamber in which both the acoustic and aerodynamic properties of jets can be studied. For this test, the goal was to gather data which can be used to relate the turbulence structure of the jet to the levels and character of the acoustic noise produced by the jet. The current PDV system can acquire single-velocity-component, single-shot, planar images (15ns exposures) at 30 Hz. For this paper, the primary data set consists of 240 frames of velocity data acquired with both the jet and the low-speed co-flow seeded with light-scattering articles. Thus, velocities could be measured everywhere in the jet shear layer, both in the jet fluid and in the entrained co-flow. Some data were also taken with only the jet flow seeded. These provided mixing concentration images along with the reduced velocity fields. Other images were taken with only the co-flow seeded. These produced unique quantitative images of high speed entrainment. Optical "laser speckle" noise is the largest source of random noise in pulsed PDV systems. Components for the PDV imaging system were specifically selected to minimize speckle noise. To reduce systematic velocity errors due to laser drift, a frequency monitoring reference leg with a temperature-tuned reference iodine cell, was employed. In the course of this study, a novel flow seeder was developed. It enabled continuously variable seeding of the flow with particles of Sheared Pyrogenic Amorphous Hydrophobic Silica (SPAHS). The seeder comprised a dry fluidized bed hopper and a supersonic nozzle "pickup." Shearing action in the pickup dispersed the seed material in an exceptionally fine cloud (approximately 0.3 micron). These particles followed the flow well, did not clump or cake on screens or model surfaces, and were not susceptible to evaporation. Because of the refractory nature of the particles, SPAHS seeding should also be applicable to anticipated future testing at high temperatures.

Smith, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The turbulent mean-flow, Reynolds-stress, and heat flux equations in mass-averaged dependent variables

The time-dependent, turbulent mean-flow, Reynolds stress, and heat flux equations in mass-averaged dependent variables are presented. These equations are given in conservative form for both generalized orthogonal and axisymmetric coordinates. For the case of small viscosity and thermal conductivity fluctuations, these equations are considerably simpler than the general Reynolds system of dependent variables for a compressible fluid and permit a more direct extension of low speed turbulence modeling to computer codes describing high speed turbulence fields.

Rubesin, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Causes of Interannual to Decadal Variability of Gila River Streamflow over the Past Century

Study region: The Gila River, New Mexico, is characterized by two peaks in streamflow: one in the winter-spring (December-May), and summer (August-September). The region is influenced both by Pacific SST variability as well as the North American Monsoon. Study focus: The mechanisms responsible for the variability of the winter-spring and summer streamflow peaks are investigated by correlation of streamflow with precipitation and sea surface temperature for 1928-2012. Decadal variability in the flow record is examined for a longer term perspective on Gila River streamflow using tree ring-based reconstructions of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). New hydrological insights for the region: Results indicate a strong influence of winter-spring precipitation and Pacific SST anomalies on the winter-spring streamflow, with El Nino conditions in the Pacific causing increased precipitation and streamflow. Decadal Pacific variability helps explain the transition from high winter flow in the late 20th century to lower flows in the most recent decade. The summer streamflow has a somewhat weaker correlation with precipitation and Pacific SST than the winter-spring streamflow. Its variability is more likely influenced by local North American Monsoon precipitation variability. PDSI and SPI reconstructions indicate much more severe and extended periods of droughts and pluvials in past centuries as well as periods of concurrent winter and summer drought.

drought↗
NASA NTRS1985

On the mixing of a row of jets with a confined crossflow

Mean temperature profiles calculated with an interactive microcomputer code which evaluates dilution-zone design alternatives are presented to show the effects of flow and geometric variables on the mixing of a single row of jets injected through sharp-edged orifices into a uniform flow of a different temperature in a constant area duct. In addition, this program is used to calculate profiles for opposed rows of jets with their centerlines in-line, by assuming that the confining effect of an opposite wall is equivalent to that of a plane of symmetry between opposed jets.

Holdeman, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Computation of three-dimensional flows using two stream functions

An approach to compute 3-D flows using two stream functions is presented. The method generates a boundary fitted grid as part of its solution. Commonly used two steps for computing the flow fields are combined into a single step in the present approach: (1) boundary fitted grid generation; and (2) solution of Navier-Stokes equations on the generated grid. The presented method can be used to directly compute 3-D viscous flows, or the potential flow approximation of this method can be used to generate grids for other algorithms to compute 3-D viscous flows. The independent variables used are chi, a spatial coordinate, and xi and eta, values of stream functions along two sets of suitably chosen intersecting stream surfaces. The dependent variables used are the streamwise velocity, and two functions that describe the stream surfaces. Since for a 3-D flow there is no unique way to define two sets of intersecting stream surfaces to cover the given flow, different types of two sets of intersecting stream surfaces are considered. First, the metric of the (chi, xi, eta) curvilinear coordinate system associated with each type is presented. Next, equations for the steady state transport of mass, momentum, and energy are presented in terms of the metric of the (chi, xi, eta) coordinate system. Also included are the inviscid and the parabolized approximations to the general transport equations.

Greywall, Mahesh S.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Climatology, Natural Cycles, and Modes of Interannual Variability of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet as Assimilated by the GEOS-1 Data Analysis System

Despite the fact that the low-level jet of the southern Great Plains (the GPLLJ) of the U.S. is primarily a nocturnal phenomenon that virtually vanishes during the daylight hours, it is one of the most persistent and stable features of the low-level continental flow during the warm-season months, May through August. We have first used significant-level data to validate the skill of the GEOS-1 Data Assimilation System (DAS) in realistically detecting this jet and inferring its structure and evolution. We have then carried out a 15-year reanalysis with the GEOS-1 DAS to determine and validate its climatology and mean diurnal cycle and to study its interannual variability. Interannual variability of the GPLLJ is much smaller than mean diurnal and random intraseasonal variability and comparable in magnitude, but not location, to mean seasonal variability. There are three maxima of interannual low-level meridional flow variability of the GPLLJ over the upper Great Plains, southeastern Texas, and the western Gulf of Mexico. Cross-sectional profiles of mean southerly wind through the Texas maximum remain relatively stable and recognizable from year to year with only its eastward flank showing significant variability. This variability, however, exhibits a distinct, biennial oscillation during the first six years of the reanalysis period and only then. Each of the three variability maxima corresponds to a spatially coherent, jet-like pattern of low-level flow interannual variability. There are three prominent modes of interannual. variability. These include the intermittent biennial oscillation (IBO), local to the Texas maximum. Its signal is evident in surface pressure, surface temperature, ground wetness and upper air flow, as well. A larger-scale continental convergence pattern (CCP) of covariance, exhibiting strong anti-correlation between the flow near the Texas and the upper Great Plains variability maxima, is revealed only when the IBO is removed from the interannual time series. A third, subtropical mode of covariance is associated with the Gulf of Mexico variability maximum. Significant interannual anti-correlations of the southeasterly flow over the Arizona/New Mexico region with the CCP and the subtropical mode are enhanced when restricted to the month of July. These anti-correlations may relate to an observed out-of-phase precipitation relationship between the Great Plains and the southwestern U.S.. The typical duration of interannual low-level meridional wind anomalies within a given season increases over the continent with decreasing latitude from two to three weeks over the upper Great Plains to six to seven weeks over eastern Texas.

Helfand, H. M.↗