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At least 505 records · Page 28

Evaluation of two analytical methods for the prediction of inlet flow fields in the vicinity of generalized forebodies

An investigation of the capability of two computer programs to simulate transonic and supersonic flows about representative fighter aircraft forebodies has been carried out for purpose of predicting flow fields in the vicinity of typical inlet locations. Each computer program is described as to its features and usage, and results are compared with comprehensive wind tunnel data. Although both computer codes were inviscid, results show that the gross aerodynamic effects of the forebody, with and without a wing, can be simulated fairly well. Further work is needed to include the effects of viscosity including vortex shedding.

Yaros, S. F.↗

Assessing the Capability of Doppler Global Velocimetry to Measure Vortical Flow Fields

A new measurement technique, Doppler global velocimetry, has been described along with results from an experimental investigation of a vortical flow field. The results of this investigation, when compared to conventional laser velocimeter measurements, indicate that this technique is capable of describing the global velocity field within a measurement plane in real time. Further investigations are being conducted to correct the deficiencies described and to refine the measurement technique for flight applications.

Usry, Jimmy W.↗

Computer prediction of three-dimensional potential flow fields in which aircraft propellers operate: Computer program description and users manual

A method was developed for predicting the potential flow velocity field at the plane of a propeller operating under the influence of a wing-fuselage-cowl or nacelle combination. A computer program was written which predicts the three dimensional potential flow field. The contents of the program, its input data, and its output results are described.

Jumper, S. J.↗

Accelerating the computation of steady state solutions for non-equilibrium, chemically reacting flow fields

The objective of the study is to develop a technique for accelerating the computation of steady state solutions for nonequilibrium chemically reacting flow fields using the time marching method. To achieve this, a better initial condition is introduced for the time marching scheme to achieve a faster convergence to the steady state solution. This is done by replacing the source terms of the original system of equations, which are responsible for the sitffness, by approximate source terms. It is shown that the saving in computation time increases in direct proportion to the stiffness of the flow model, with a factor of 10 increase in convergence rate observed for the models tested in this study.

Krispin, Jacob↗

Measurements of the unsteady flow field within the stator row of a transonic axial-flow fan. II - Results and discussion

Unsteady velocity field measurements made within the stator row of a transonic axial-flow fan are presented. Measurements were obtained at midspan for two different stator blade rows using a laser anemometer. The first stator row consists of double circular-arc airfoils with a solidity of 1.68. The second features controlled-diffusion airfoils with a solidity of 0.85. Both were tested at design-speed peak efficiency conditions. In addition, the controlled-diffusion stator was also tested at near stall conditions. The procedures developed here are used to identify the rotor wake generated and unresolved unsteadiness from the velocity measurements (rotor wake generated unsteadiness refers to the unsteadiness generated by the rotor wake velocity deficit and unresolved unsteadiness refers to all remaining unsteadiness which contributes to the spread in the distribution of velocities such as vortex shedding, turbulence, etc.). Auto and cross correlations of these unsteady velocity fluctuations are presented to show their relative magnitude and spatial distributions. Amplification and attenuation of both rotor wake generated and unresolved unsteadiness are shown to occur within the stator blade passage.

Hathaway, M. D.↗

Laser velocimeter measurements of the flow fields around single- and counter-rotation propeller models

A two-component LV system was used to make detailed measurements of the flow field around both a single-rotation and a counter-rotation propeller/nacelle. The conditions measured for the single-rotation tractor configuration include two different blade angles and two propeller advance ratios, and for the counter-rotation propeller configuration include both pusher and tractor mounts. The measurements show the increasing slipstream velocities and contraction with increasing blade angle and with decreasing advance ratios. Data for the counter-rotation system show that the aft propeller turns the flow in the opposite direction from the front propeller. Additionally, the LV system was used as a diagnostic tool to provide data to explain the large side force measured on the propeller/nacelle at angle-of-attack.

Dunham, D. M.↗

Study of VTOL in ground-effect flow field including temperature effect

Detailed pressure, temperature, and velocity data were obtained for twin-fan configurations in-ground-effect and flow models to aid in predicting pressures and upwash forces on aircraft surfaces were developed. For the basic experiments, 49.5 mm-diameter jets were used, oriented normal to a simulated round plane, with pressurized, heated air providing a jet. The experimental data consisted of: (1) the effect of jet height and temperature on the ground, model, and upwash pressures, and temperatures, (2) the effect of simulated aircraft surfaces on the isolated flow field, (3) the jet-induced forces on a three-dimensional body with various strakes, (4) the effects of non-uniform coannular jets. For the uniform circular jets, temperature was varied from room temperature (24 C) to 232 C. Jet total pressure was varied between 9,300 Pascals and 31,500 Pascals. For the coannular jets, intended to represent turbofan engines, fan temperature was maintained at room temperature while core temperature was varied from room temperature to 437 C. Results are presented.

Hill, W. G.↗

Three dimensional flow field inside compressor rotor, including blade boundary layers

The space marching code was modified in order to be able to predict the flow field inside a rotor passage, including the blade and hub wall boundary layers. The basic changes incorporated are modifications of the equations so that the code can handle three dimensional configurations with changes in the radial direction (for example changes in stagger angle, blade camber and thickness), extensions and modifications in order to implement a physically realistic turbulence model such as a k sigma model and an algebraic Reynolds stress model.

Pouagare, M.↗

Vorticity-streamfunction formulation of unsteady incompressible flow past a cylinder - Sensitivity of the computed flow field to the location of the outflow boundary

The influence of the location of the outflow computational boundary on the unsteady incompressible flow past a circular cylinder at Reynolds number 100 is examined. The vorticity-streamfunction formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is used in all computations. Two types of outflow boundary conditions are subjected to a series of tests in which the domain length is gradually reduced. The traction-free condition performs well in most cases and allows the outflow boundary to be located as close as 6.5 cylinder diameters from the body. The other boundary condition type is not as forgiving, but has the advantage of being simpler to implement and can still provide reasonably accurate solutions. It is also observed that both condition types can influence the flow field strongly and globally when the boundary is brought closer than 2.5 diameters from the body. In such cases the temporal periodicity of the solution is lost.

Behr, M.↗

Computation of supersonic flow fields about bodies in coning motion using a shock-capturing finite-difference technique.

A numerical method for computing the nonlinear inviscid flow field surrounding a body performing coning motion is described. The method permits accurate computation of the aerodynamic moment due to one of the four motions characterizing an arbitrary nonplanar motion. Results of computations for a slender circular cone in coning motion are presented, and show good agreement with experiment for angles of attack up to twice the cone half angle. The computational results display significant departure of the side moment from the linear theory value with increasing angle of attack, but agree well with experimental measurements. This indicates that the initial nonlinear behavior of the aerodynamic moment is determined primarily by the inviscid flow.

Schiff, L. B.↗

Mach number and flow-field calibration at the advanced design propeller location on the JetStar airplane

Advanced design propellers on a JetStar aircraft were tested at NASA Ames Research Center's Dryden Flight Research Facility. A calibration of the flow field at the test location to obtain local Mach number and flow direction was performed. A pitot-static probe and flow direction vane installation was installed and tested at Mach 0.3 to 0.8 and altitudes from 3000 m (10,000 ft) to 9100 m (30,000 ft). Local Mach number and flow direction relationships were obtained and related to their noseboom counterparts. Effects of varying angles of sideslip to + or - 3 deg. were investigated.

Webb, L. D.↗

Supersonic-nitrogen flow-field measurements with the resonant Doppler velocimeter

The application of the resonant Doppler velocimeter (RDV) for obtaining the mean velocity, temperature, and pressure measurements and flow-field visualization in a supersonic free nitrogen jet is reported. This method utilizes laser-induced fluorescence to determine the spectral absorption of an atomic or molecular species seeded into the flow. A narrow linewidth tunable laser is directed into the flow and the total fluorescence from any point is obtained as the laser is tuned. The velocity of the flow is obtained from the Doppler shifted absorption frequency, and the temperature and pressure of the gas are determined from line broadening measurements. Results are presented for the use of this technique to determine the velocity, temperature, and pressure of the flow of sodium atoms seeded into a supersonic nitrogen jet. It is concluded that the visible signal is sufficiently intense for spatially resolved flow visualization purposes.

Cheng, S.↗

Analytical and experimental investigation of flow fields of annular jets with and without swirling flow

Analytical and experimental studies were performed to define the flowfield of annular jets, with and, without swirling flow. The analytical model treated configurations with variations of flow angularities, radius ratio, and swirl distributions. Swirl distributions characteristic of stator vanes and rotor blade rows, where the total pressure and swirl distributions are related were incorporated in the mathematical model. The experimental studies included tests of eleven nozzle models, both with and, without swirling exhaust flow. Flowfield surveys were obtained and used for comparison with the analytical model. This comparison of experimental and analytical studies served as the basis for evaluation of several empirical constants as required for application of the analysis to the general flow configuration. The analytical model developed during these studies is applicable to the evaluation of the flowfield and overall performance of the exhaust of statorless lift fan systems that contain various levels of exhaust swirl.

Simonson, M. R.↗

Computational and experimental aftbody flow fields for hypersonic, airbreathing configurations with scramjet exhaust flow simulation

Computational results are presented for three issues pertinent to hypersonic, airbreathing vehicles employing scramjet exhaust flow simulation. The first issue consists of a comparison of schlieren photographs obtained on the aftbody of a cruise missile configuration under powered conditions with two-dimensional computational solutions. The second issue presents the powered aftbody effects of modeling the inlet with a fairing to divert the external flow as compared to an operating flow-through inlet on a generic hypersonic vehicle. Finally, a comparison of solutions examining the potential of testing powered configurations in a wind-off, instead of a wind-on, environment, indicate that, depending on the extent of the three-dimensional plume, it may be possible to test aftbody powered hypersonic, airbreathing configurations in a wind-off environment.

Huebner, Lawrence D.↗

The ground vortex flow field associated with a jet in a cross flow impinging on a ground plane for uniform and annular turbulent axisymmetric jets

An experimental study was conducted of the impingement of a single circular jet on a ground plane in a cross flow. This geometry is a simplified model of the interaction of propulsive jet exhaust from a V/STOL aircraft with the ground in forward flight. Jets were oriented normal to the cross flow and ground plane. Jet size, cross flow-to-jet velocity ratio, ground plane-to-jet board spacing, and jet exit turbulence level and mean velocity profile shape were all varied to determine their effects on the size of the ground vortex interaction region which forms on the ground plane, using smoke injection into the jet. Three component laser Doppler velocimeter measurements were made with a commercial three color system for the case of a uniform jet with exit spacing equal to 5.5 diameters and cross flow-to-jet velocity ratio equal to 0.11. The flow visualization data compared well for equivalent runs of the same nondimensional jet exit spacing and the same velocity ratio for different diameter nozzles, except at very low velocity ratios and for the larger nozzle, where tunnel blockage became significant. Variation of observed ground vortex size with cross flow-to-jet velocity ratio was consistent with previous studies. Observed effects of jet size and ground plane-to-jet board spacing were relatively small. Jet exit turbulence level effects were also small. However, an annular jet with a low velocity central core was found to have a significantly smaller ground vortex than an equivalent uniform jet at the same values of cross flow-to-jet velocity ratio and jet exit-to-ground plane spacing. This may suggest a means of altering ground vortex behavior somewhat, and points out the importance of proper simulation of jet exit velocity conditions. LV data indicated unsteady turbulence levels in the ground vortex in excess of 70 percent.

Cavage, William M.↗

The Three Dimensional Flow Field at the Exit of an Axial-Flow Turbine Rotor

A systematic and comprehensive investigation was performed to provide detailed data on the three dimensional viscous flow phenomena downstream of a modem turbine rotor and to understand the flow physics such as origin, nature, development of wakes, secondary flow, and leakage flow. The experiment was carried out in the Axial Flow Turbine Research Facility (AFTRF) at Penn State, with velocity measurements taken with a 3-D LDV System. Two radial traverses at 1% and 10% of chord downstream of the rotor have been performed to identify the three-dimensional flow features at the exit of the rotor blade row. Sufficient spatial resolution was maintained to resolve blade wake, secondary flow, and tip leakage flow. The wake deficit is found to be substantial, especially at 1% of chord downstream of the rotor. At this location, negative axial velocity occurs near the tip, suggesting flow separation in the tip clearance region. Turbulence intensities peak in the wake region, and cross- correlations are mainly associated with the velocity gradient of the wake deficit. The radial velocities, both in the wake and in the endwall region, are found to be substantial. Two counter-rotating secondary flows are identified in the blade passage, with one occupying the half span close to the casino and the other occupying the half span close to the hub. The tip leakage flow is well restricted to 10% immersion from the blade tip. There are strong vorticity distributions associated with these secondary flows and tip leakage flow. The passage averaged data are in good agreement with design values.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗