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At least 505 records · Page 28

Flow field description for the reaction control system of the Space Shuttle Orbiter

The flow field for the Reaction Control System (RCS) jets of the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been calculated from the nozzle throat to the far-field flow region. The calculations involved the use of recently improved rocket engine nozzle/plume codes and the source flow analytic model. The flow solution is discussed and used to produce impingement forces and moments for surfaces immersed in the flow. The impingement results are compared to calculations involving previous flow solutions in order to evaluate the impingement effects due to the RCS jets during orbital operations.

Alred, J. W.↗

A study of nucleation and growth of thin films by means of computer simulation: General features

Some of the processes involved in the nucleation and growth of thin films were simulated by means of a digital computer. The simulation results were used to study the nucleation and growth kinetics resulting from the various processes. Kinetic results obtained for impingement, surface migration, impingement combined with surface migration, and with reevaporation are presented. A substantial fraction of the clusters may form directly upon impingement. Surface migration results in a decrease in cluster density, and reevaporation of atoms from the surface causes a further reduction in cluster density.

Salik, J.↗

Atomic-oxygen stimulated outgassing (A0034)

The objective of this experiment is to determine if the impingement of atomic oxygen in near-Earth orbit is a major factor in producing optically damaging outgassed products. The expected results will be to obtain samples which have been exposed to atomic oxygen for long durations. Analysis of these samples will determine if the impingement of atomic oxygen on the thermal control surfaces stimulates a significant amount of outgassed products. This experiment will give a clearer picture of the contamination problem and will assist in assuring that future Shuttle payloads, such as the Space Telescope and High-Energy Astronomy Observatory, will not experience Skylab contamination levels. Selected thermal control surfaces will be exposed to the atomic oxygen in near-Earth orbit. Passive collecting samples will collect any induced outgassing resulting from oxygen impingement. The optical condition of the passive samples will be measured using a ground-based integrating sphere reflectometer and a directional reflectometer.

Scott, R. L., Jr.↗

Experimental and analytical investigations into airfoil icing

Methods of analyzing and measuring experimentally the accretion of ice and its effect on airfoil aerodynamic performance are presented. An analytical method for predicting water droplet impingement has been developed and shows the influence of airfoil leading edge radius and thickness on droplet impingement to be significant. Rime ice accretions are predicted including time dependent effects and these shapes compare well to experiment. Scaling water droplet impingement and rime ice accretion is discussed. Predictions of the effect of rime ice on airfoil performance are developed based on empirical and analytical methods. Techniques for measuring and simulating ice accretions for wind tunnel tests compare well to actual iced airfoil aerodynamic data. Data showing the effect of ice on measured airfoil performance using real and simulated ice are presented.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Computation of three-dimensional shock wave and boundary-layer interactions

Computations of the impingement of an oblique shock wave on a cylinder and a supersonic flow past a blunt fin mounted on a plate are used to study three dimensional shock wave and boundary layer interaction. In the impingement case, the problem of imposing a planar impinging shock as an outer boundary condition is discussed and the details of particle traces in windward and leeward symmetry planes and near the body surface are presented. In the blunt fin case, differences between two dimensional and three dimensional separation are discussed, and the existence of an unique high speed, low pressure region under the separated spiral vortex core is demonstrated. The accessibility of three dimensional separation is discussed.

Hung, C. M.↗

Aeroacoustics of advanced STOVL aircraft plumes

This paper summarizes a basic and well-controlled experimental study involving flow visualization and noise measurements to define the acoustic and flow fields of single plumes impinging on a simulated ground plane. The flow visualization was made by strobing a laser light source at the discrete frequencies generated by the impingement of the jets and measured by a nearfield microphone. This enabled visualization of instability waves generated by the interaction between the plumes and the sound generated during impingement, and also by dynamic coupling between the two plumes. These data were acquired as a function of distance between the ground and the nozzle exit. Nearfield acoustic data were acquired simultaneously. Data for nozzle diameters of 0.265 in. and 0.4 in. are described. For selected nozzles, effects of exit boundary layer characteristics and nozzle protrusion through a simulated aircraft body are also presented.

Ahuja, K. K.↗

Interaction of an oblique shock wave with turbulent hypersonic blunt body flows

A shock-on-shock interaction near the cowl lip of an engine inlet is studied numerically by solving the compressible full Navier-Stokes equations. The present study focuses on Edney's type III shock interference pattern in which the turbulent free shear layer impinges on the cowl lip (modeled as a cylinder). Van Leer's flux-vector splitting upwind MUSCL scheme is used in the solver with algebraic turbulence models. Turbulent solutions of surface pressures and heat fluxes along the cowl lip are in reasonably good agreement with experiment except in the local shear layer impingement region. The present study showed some indications that higher order turbulent models may be required to improve the solution near the free shear layer impingement region.

Moon, Young J.↗

Icing characteristics of a natural-laminar-flow, a medium-speed, and a swept, medium-speed airfoil

Tests were conducted at the Icing Research Tunnel at the NASA Lewis Research Center to determine the icing characteristics of three modern airfoils, a natural laminar flow, a medium speed and a swept medium speed airfoil. Tests measured the impingement characteristics and drag degradation for angles of attack typifying cruise and climb for cloud conditions typifying the range that might be encountered in flight. The maximum degradation occurred for the cruise angle of attack for the long glaze ice condition for all three airfoils with increases over baseline drag being 486 percent, 510 percent, and 465 percent for the natural laminar flow, the medium speed and the swept medium speed airfoil respectively. For the climb angle of attack, the maximum drag degradation (and extent of impingement) observed were also for the long glaze ice condition, and were 261 percent, 181 percent and 331 percent respectively. The minimum drag degradation (and extent of impingement) occurred for the cruise condition and for the short, rime spray which increases over baseline drag values of 47 percent, 28 percent and 46 percent respectively.

Bidwell, Colin S.↗

Shock interference heating in scramjet engines

Experimental and analytical research sponsored by the NASA Langley Research center and the NASP Structures Technology Maturation Program to define critical aerothermal loads for the NASP engine is summarized. Presented is a review of (1) shock-shock interaction on the engine cowl leading edge that results in a supersonic jet impinging on the leading edge surface and causes the heat transfer rate to be amplified by a factor of 30 or more over the undisturbed (no shock interaction) flow stagnation point heat transfer rate, (2) the effectiveness of supersonic film cooling with and without the effects of an impinging oblique shock wave, and (3) oblique shock impingement in an axial compression corner.

Wieting, Allan R.↗

Icing characteristics of a natural-laminar-flow, a medium-speed, and a swept, medium-speed airfoil

Tests were conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel at the NASA Lewis Research Center to determine the icing characteristics of three modern airfoils: a natural-laminar-flow, a medium-speed, and a swept medium-speed airfoil. The tests measured the impingement characteristics and drag degradation for angles-of-attack typifying cruise and climb for cloud conditions typifying the range that might be encountered in flight. The maximum degradation occurred at the cruise angle-of-attack for the long, glaze ice condition for all three airfoils with increases over baseline drag being 486 percent, 510 percent, and 465 percent for the natural-laminar-flow, the medium-speed, and the swept, medium-speed airfoils, respectively. For the climb angle-of-attack, the maximum drag degradation (and total extent of impingement) observed were also for the long, glaze ice condition and were 261 percent, 181 percent, and 331 percent, respectively. The minimum drag degradation (and extent of impingement) occurred for the cruise condition and for the short, rime spray with increases over baseline drag values being 47 percent, 28 percent, 46 percent, respectively.

Bidwell, Colin S.↗

Comparison of turbulence models for powered-lift flow fields

The development of a practical turbulence model for the complex flows with strong streamline curvature associated with powered-lift aircraft was investigated. The approach was to modify existing models that were compatible with the widely used kappa-epsilon model already available in an existing 3D Navier-Stokes code. The state-of-the-art of current turbulence models was examined. Several models that provide curvature corrections to the kappa-epsilon model were numerically investigated. An algebraic Reynolds stress model, which provides additional physics, was also examined. Test cases including an impinging jet, an impinging jet in a crossflow, and two adjacent impinging jets with the resultant upwash fountain were calculated. The first two test cases could be modeled reasonsbly well with some of the models. The upwash fountain could not be modeled with sufficient accuracy, which is consistent with the findings of other investigators.

Roberts, Donald W.↗

An experimental study of the sources of fluctuating pressure loads beneath swept shock/boundary-layer interactions

An experimental research program providing basic knowledge and establishing a database on the fluctuating pressure loads produced on aerodynamic surfaces beneath three dimensional shock wave/boundary layer interactions is described. Such loads constitute a fundamental problem of critical concern to future supersonic and hypersonic flight vehicles. A turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate is subjected to interactions with swept planar shock waves generated by sharp fins at angle of attack. Fin angles from 10 to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3 and 4 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. Miniature Kulite pressure transducers flush-mounted in the flat plate are used to measure interaction-induced wall pressure fluctuations. The distributions of properties of the pressure fluctuations, such as their ring levels, amplitude distributions, and power spectra, are also determined. Measurements were made for the first time in the aft regions of these interactions, revealing fluctuating pressure levels as high as 160 dB. These fluctuations are dominated by low frequency (0-5 kHz) signals. The maximum ring levels in the interactions show an increasing trend with increasing interaction strength. On the other hand, the maximum ring levels in the forward portion of the interactions decrease linearly with increasing interaction sweep back. These ring pressure distributions and spectra are correlated with the features of the interaction flowfield. The unsteadiness of the off-surface flowfield is studied using a new, non-intrusive technique based on the shadow graph method. The results indicate that the entire lambda-shock structure generated by the interaction undergoes relatively low-frequency oscillations. Some regions where particularly strong fluctuations are generated were identified. Fluctuating pressure measurements are also made along the line of symmetry of an axisymmetric jet impinging upon a flat plate at an angle. This flow was chosen as a simple analog to the impinging jet region found in the rear portion of the shock wave/boundary layer interactions under study. It is found that a sharp peak in ring pressure level exists at or near the mean stagnation point. It is suggested that the phenomena responsible for this peak may be active in the swept interactions as well, and may cause the extremely high fluctuating pressures observed in the impinging jet region in the present experimental program.

Settles, G. S.↗

A six degree of freedom, plume-fuel optimal trajectory planner for spacecraft proximity operations using an A* node search

Spacecraft proximity operations are complicated by the fact that exhaust plume impingement from the reaction control jets of space vehicles can cause structural damage, contamination of sensitive arrays and instruments, or attitude misalignment during docking. The occurrence and effect of jet plume impingement can be reduced by planning approach trajectories with plume effects considered. An A* node search is used to find plume-fuel optimal trajectories through a discretized six dimensional attitude-translation space. A plume cost function which approximates jet plume isopressure envelopes is presented. The function is then applied to find relative costs for predictable 'trajectory altering' firings and unpredictable 'deadbanding' firings. Trajectory altering firings are calculated by running the spacecraft jet selection algorithm and summing the cost contribution from each jet fired. A 'deadbanding effects' function is defined and integrated to determine the potential for deadbanding impingement along candidate trajectories. Plume costs are weighed against fuel costs in finding the optimal solution. A* convergence speed is improved by solving approach trajectory problems in reverse time. Results are obtained on a high fidelity space shuttle/space station simulation. Trajectory following is accomplished by a six degree of freedom autopilot. Trajectories planned with, and without, plume costs are compared in terms of force applied to the target structure.

Jackson, Mark Charles↗

The Effects of Vortex Ingestion on the Flow in a Diffusing S-duct

An experimental study of the effects of an ingested vortex on the flowfield of a diffusing S-duct is reported. The vortex is generated through the use of a stationary pinwheel device mounted upstream of the diffusing S-duct. Three test conditions vary the location of the vortex in the duct inlet crossplane. For each condition of ingested vortex, a baseline S-duct and an S-duct with an array of vortex generators is examined. The data taken consist of duct inlet and exit crossplane surveys of velocity and total pressure. Duct surface flow visualization and static pressure are also recorded. The data acquired in these tests are compared to identical S-duct data taken in the absence of the ingested vortex. The ingested vortex is observed to have a strong influence on the flowfield inside (and exiting) the S-duct, but only when the vortex impinges at the inlet crossplane location coincident with the crossplane location of downstream flow separation within the duct. When the ingested vortex impinges at this location it reduces the extent of flowfield separation inside the baseline duct and promotes stronger crossflow in the exit plane of both the baseline duct and the duct with installed vortex generators. This enhanced crossflow also strengthens the vortices shed from the vortex generators. The other impingement locations of the ingested vortex are found to produce little effect on the flowfield of the duct with or without vortex generators.

Wendt, B. J.↗

Experimental studies of shock-wave/wall-jet interaction in hypersonic flow

Experimental studies have been conducted to examine slot film cooling effectiveness and the interaction between the cooling film and an incident planar shock wave in turbulent hypersonic flow. The experimental studies were conducted in the 48-inch shock tunnel at Calspan at a freestream Mach number of close to 6.4 and at a Reynolds number of 35 x 10(exp 6) based on the length of the model at the injection point. The Mach 2.3 planar wall jet was generated from 40 transverse nozzles (with heights of both 0.080 inch and 0.120 inch), producing a film that extended the full width of the model. The nozzles were operated at pressures and velocities close to matching the freestream, as well as at conditions where the nozzle flows were over- and under-expanded. A two-dimensional shock generator was used to generate oblique shocks that deflected the flow through total turnings of 11, 16, and 21 degrees; the flows impinged downstream of the nozzle exits. Detailed measurements of heat transfer and pressure were made both ahead and downstream of the injection station, with the greatest concentration of measurements in the regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction. The major objectives of these experimental studies were to explore the effectiveness of film cooling in the presence of regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction and, more specifically, to determine how boundary layer separation and the large recompression heating rates were modified by film cooling. Detailed distributions of heat transfer and pressure were obtained in the incident shock/wall-jet interaction region for a series of shock strengths and impingement positions for each of the two nozzle heights. Measurements were also made to examine the effects of nozzle lip thickness on cooling effectiveness. The major conclusion from these studies was that the effect of the cooling film could be readily dispersed by relatively weak incident shocks, so the peak heating in the recompression region was not significantly reduced by even the largest levels of film cooling. For the case studies in the absence of film cooling, the interaction regions were unseparated. However, adding film cooling resulted in regions of boundary layer separation induced in the film cooling layer -- the size of which regions first increased and then decreased with increased film cooling. Surprisingly, the size of the separated regions and the magnitude of the recompression heating were not strongly influenced by the thickness of the cooling film, nor by the point of shock impingement relative to the exit plane of the nozzles. The lip thickness was found to have little effect on cooling effectiveness. Measurements with and in the absence of shock interaction were compared with the results of earlier experimental studies and correlated in terms of the major parameters controlling these flows.

Holden, Michael S.↗

Experimental studies of shock-wave/wall-jet interaction in hypersonic flow, part A

Experimental studies have been conducted to examine slot film cooling effectiveness and the interaction between the cooling film and an incident planar shock wave in turbulent hypersonic flow. The experimental studies were conducted in the 48-inch shock tunnel at Calspan at a freestream Mach number of close to 6.4 and at a Reynolds number of 35 x 10(exp 6) based on the length of the model at the injection point. The Mach 2.3 planar wall jet was generated from 40 transverse nozzles (with heights of both 0.080 inch and 0.120 inch), producing a film that extended the full width of the model. The nozzles were operated at pressures and velocities close to matching the freestream, as well as at conditions where the nozzle flows were over- and under-expanded. A two-dimensional shock generator was used to generate oblique shocks that deflected the flow through total turnings of 11, 16, and 21 degrees; the flows impinged downstream of the nozzle exits. Detailed measurements of heat transfer and pressure were made both ahead and downstream of the injection station, with the greatest concentration of measurements in the regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction. The major objectives of these experimental studies were to explore the effectiveness of film cooling in the presence of regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction and, more specifically, to determine how boundary layer separation and the large recompression heating rates were modified by film cooling. Detailed distributions of heat transfer and pressure were obtained in the incident-shock/wall-jet interaction region for a series of shock strengths and impingement positions for each of the two nozzle heights. Measurements were also made to examine the effects of nozzle lip thickness on cooling effectiveness. The major conclusion from these studies was that the effect of the cooling film could be readily dispersed by relatively weak incident shocks, so the peak heating in the recompression region was not significantly reduced by even the largest levels of film cooling. For the case studies in the absence of film cooling, the interaction regions were unseparated. However, adding film cooling resulted in regions of boundary layer separation induced in the film cooling layer, the size of which regions first increased and then decreased with increased film cooling. Surprisingly, the size of the separated regions and the magnitude of the recompression heating were not strongly influenced by the thickness of the cooling film, nor by the point of shock impingement relative to the exit plane of the nozzles. The lip thickness was found to have little effect on cooling effectiveness. Measurements with and in the absence of shock interaction were compared with the results of earlier experimental studies and correlated in terms of the major parameters controlling these flows.

Holden, Michael S.↗

Pressure-sensing performance of upright cylinders in a Mach 10 boundary-layer

An experimental research program to provide basic knowledge of the pressure-sensing performance of upright, flushported cylinders in a hypersonic boundary layer is described. Three upright cylinders of 0.25-, 0.5- and l.0-in. diameters and a conventional rake were placed in the test section sidewall boundary layer of the 31 Inch Mach 10 Wind Tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. Boundary-layer pressures from these cylinders were compared to those measured with a conventional rake. A boundary-layer thickness-to-cylinder-diameter ratio of 8 proved sufficient to accurately measure an overall pressure profile and ascertain the boundary-layer thickness. Effects of Reynolds number, flow angularity, and shock wave impingement on pressure measurement were also investigated. Although Reynolds number effects were negligible at the conditions studied, flow angularity above 10 deg significantly affects the measured pressures. Shock wave impingement was used to investigate orifice-to-orifice pressure crosstalk. No crosstalk was measured. The lower pressure measured above the oblique shock wave impingement showed no influence of the higher pressure generated at the lower port locations.

Johnson, Steven↗

Load measurement system with load cell lock-out mechanism

In the frame work of the project Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment (SPIFEX), a Load Measurement System was developed and fabricated to measure the impingement force of Shuttle Reaction Control System (RCS) jets. The Load Measurement System is a force sensing system that measures any combination of normal and shear forces up to 40 N (9 lbf) in the normal direction and 22 N (5 lbf) in the shear direction with an accuracy of +/- 0.04 N (+/- 0.01 lbf) Since high resolution is required for the force measurement, the Load Measurement System is built with highly sensitive load cells. To protect these fragile load cells in the non-operational mode from being damaged due to flight loads such as launch and landing loads of the Shuttle vehicle, a motor driven device known as the Load Cell Lock-Out Mechanism was built. This Lock-Out Mechanism isolates the load cells from flight loads and re-engages the load cells for the force measurement experiment once in space. With this highly effective protection system, the SPIFEX load measurement experiment was successfully conducted on STS-44 in September 1994 with all load cells operating properly and reading impingement forces as expected.

Le, Thang↗