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At least 505 records · Page 28

Experimental study of free-shear layer transition above a cavity at Mach 3.5

The transition behavior of a free-shear layer above a cavity with high and low levels of freestream acoustic disturbances has been studied at Mach 3.5. Optical techniques, mean pitot pressure measurements, and hot-wire measurements were employed to detect transition locations. Transition Reynolds numbers of between 363,000 and 530,000 were found, in agreement with previous results. It is suggested that upstream convected disturbances may be at least partially responsible for the insensitivity of transition Reynolds numbers to the freestream acoustic disturbance field.

King, Rudolph A.↗

Transition flight experiments on a swept wing with suction

Flight boundary-layer transition experiments were conducted on a 30-degree swept wing with a perforated leading-edge suction panel. The transition location on the panel was changed by systematically varying the location and amount of suction. Transition from laminar to turbulent flow was due to leading-edge turbulence contamination or crossflow disturbance growth and/or Tollmien-Schlichting disturbance growth, depending on flight condition and suction variation. Amplification factor correlations with transition location were made for various suction configurations using a state-of-the-art linear stability theory which accounts for body and streamline curvature and compressibility.

Maddalon, D. V.↗

Detecting Boundary-Layer Transition In Cold Environments

Transition-detection study conducted in Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel, using specialized hot-film system designed specifically for use in cryogenic wind tunnels. Quantitative transition-location data obtained at nearly cryogenic conditions, 360 degree R (200 K) represents first definitive transition Reynolds numbers obtained in cryogenic wind tunnel. Multichannel data-acquisition system processes data from 40 hot-film sensors by use of desktop computer. Concept enables on-line determination of boundary-layer transition in such cryogenic wind tunnels as National Transonic Facility.

Johnson, C. B.↗

The effects of wall surface defects on boundary-layer transition in quiet and noisy supersonic flow

The design of supersonic vehicles with laminar flow control and vehicles such as the Space Shuttle requires information on allowable transition tolerances to fabrication defects such as discrete surface roughness and waviness. A relatively large data base on the effects of discrete roughness on transition exists for subsonic and supersonic speeds. The existing supersonic wind tunnel transition data are contaminated by wind tunnel noise emanating from the turbulent boundary layers on the nozzle walls. Roughness and waviness transition data obtained in a quiet Mach 3.5 supersonic wind tunnel are compared with those obtained in conventional noisy flows.

Morrisette, E. Leon↗

In-flight boundary-layer transition measurements on a swept wing

Flight tests were conducted at three different altitudes to detect transition on a smoothed test region of a swept-wing business jet wing using surface hot-film sensors and sublimating chemicals. Strong influence of sweep angle on transition location was observed when the aircraft was flown at some sideslip conditions to simulate changes in effective wing sweep angle. No effects of engine noise on transition were measured when different engine power settings were used. Flight instrumentation and ground data analysis techniques are described. Correlation was obtained between the hot-film sensor signals and sublimating chemicals for transition detection. Crossflow vortices were observed for one flight condition. Results of analyzed data for various flight-test conditions are presented.

Ahmed, Anwar↗

Interannual variability in phytoplankton pigment distribution during the spring transition along the west coast of North America

A 5-year time series of coastal zone color scanner imagery (1980-1983, 1986) is used to examine changes in the large-scale pattern of chlorophyll pigment concentration coincident with the spring transition in winds and currents along the west coast of North America. The data show strong interannual variability in the timing and spatial patterns of pigment concentration at the time of the transition event. Interannual variability in the response of pigment concentration to the spring transition appears to be a function of spatial and temporal variability in vertical nutrient flux induced by wind mixing and/or the upwelling initiated at the time of the transition. Interannual differences in the mixing regime are illustrated with a one-dimensional mixing model.

Thomas, A. C.↗

Transitions from Hadley to Rossby flows in internally forced rotating spherical systems

The possibility of global-scale transitions between the Hadley and Rossby atmospheric regimes is investiated using a simple three-dimensional rotating spherical model without a boundary layer structure, bottom topography, or cumulus friction, and the expected occurrence of the Hadley to Rossby transition is demonstrated. It is shown that a transition from Hadley flow to wavenumber-5 Rossby flow is preferred, in agreement with standard baroclinic instability results. This result gives a reasonable Rossby wave bifurcation from the Hadley solution. For the cases examined, it was found that the upper symmetric Hadley regime does not exist and that the Hadley to Rossby transition depends on the values of the eddy viscosities.

Higgins, Wayne R.↗

Large-eddy simulation of transitional channel flow

A large-eddy simulation (LES) of transition in plane channel flow was carried out. The LES results were compared with those of a fine direct numerical simulation (DNS), and with those of a coarse DNS that uses the same mesh as the LES, but does not use a residual stress model. While at the early stages of transition, LES and coarse DNS give the same results: the presence of the residual stress model was found to be necessary to predict accurately mean velocity and Reynolds stress profiles during the late stages of transition (after the second spike stage). The evolution of single Fourier modes is also predicted more accurately by the LES than by the DNS. As small scales are generated, the dissipative character of the residual stress starts to reproduce correctly the energy cascade. As transition progresses, the flow approaches its fully developed turbulent state, the subgrid scales tend towards equilibrium, and the model becomes more accurate.

Piomelli, Ugo↗

Effects of Wing Sweep on In-flight Boundary-layer Transition for a Laminar Flow Wing at Mach Numbers from 0.60 to 0.79

The variable sweep transition flight experiment (VSTFE) was conducted on an F-14A variable sweep wing fighter to examine the effect of wing sweep on natural boundary layer transition. Nearly full span upper surface gloves, extending to 60 percent chord, were attached to the F-14 aircraft's wings. The results are presented of the glove 2 flight tests. Glove 2 had an airfoil shape designed for natural laminar flow at a wing sweep of 20 deg. Sample pressure distributions and transition locations are presented with the complete results tabulated in a database. Data were obtained at wing sweeps of 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 deg, at Mach numbers ranging from 0.60 to 0.79, and at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 35,000 ft. Results show that a substantial amount of laminar flow was maintained at all the wing sweeps evaluated. The maximum transition Reynolds number obtained was 18.6 x 10(exp 6) at 15 deg of wing sweep, Mach 0.75, and at an altitude of 10,000 ft.

Anderson, Bianca Trujillo↗

Choice of gauge in 2-photon 1s-2s transition in atomic hydrogen and pseudostate expansions

The problem of gauge choice in multiphoton transitions in connection with the proper choice of the unperturbed wave functions require to insure gauge invariance was considered. J. Bassani, J. J. Forney, and A. Quattropani considered the case of 2-photon 1s-2s transition rate for hydrogen, using gauges vector E x vector r and vector A x vector p. Exactly the same results were obtained for the two gauges, but the findings indicate that the vector E x vector r interaction tends to the final result with a small number of intermediate states and is therefore the one to be used in any approximate calculation. Whether the so-called pseudostate expansion method works equally well with either gauge was tested. To accomplish this task, in addition to researching the problem, the FORTRAN programming was learned and a FORTRAN program was constructed for the calculation of the dimensionless 2-photon transition probability amplitude D(v) for 1s-2s transition in Hydrogen as a function as a function of the incident photon frequency v in gauge vector E x vector p at certain values of v, using the pseudostate method. However, some puzzling unresolved difficulties were experienced in the calculation. Then should the pseudostate calculations prove successful for gauge vector E x vector r the method will be applied to gauge vector A x vector p. If successful, then the problem is complete.

Shabazz, Abdulalim A.↗

NASA/SPAN and DOE/ESnet-DECnet transition strategy for DECnet OSI/phase 5

The technical issues are examined involved with the transition of very large DECnet networks from DECnet phase IV protocols to DECnet OSI/Phase V protocols. The networks involved are the NASA's Science Internet (NSI-DECnet) and the DOE's Energy Science network (ESnet-DECnet). These networks, along with the many universities and research institutions connected to them, combine to form a single DECnet network containing more than 20,000 transitions and crossing numerous organizational boundaries. Discussion of transition planning, including decisions about Phase V naming, addressing, and routing are presented. Also discussed are transition issues related to the use of non-DEC routers in the network.

Porter, Linda↗

Bypass transition in boundary layers including curvature and favorable pressure gradient effects

Recent studies of 2-D boundary layers undergoing bypass transition were reviewed. Bypass transition is characterized by the sudden appearance of turbulent spots in boundary layer without first the regular, observable growth of disturbances predicted by linear stability theory. There are no standard criteria or parameters for defining bypass transition, but it is known to be the mode of transition when the flow is disturbed by perturbations of sufficient amplitude.

Volino, R. J.↗

Steady-state plasma transition in the Venus ionosheath

The results of an extended analysis of the plasma and electric field data of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) are presented. The persistent presence of a plasma transition embedded in the flanks of the Venus ionosheath between the bow shock and the ionopause is reported. This transition is identified by the repeated presence of characteristic bursts in the 30 kHz channel of the electric field detector of the PVO. The observed electric field signals coincide with the onset of different plasma conditions in the inner ionosheath where more rarified plasma fluxes are measured. The repeated identification of this intermediate ionosheath transition in the PVO data indicates that it is present as a steady state feature of the Venus plasma environment. The distribution of PVO orbits in which the transition is observed suggests that it is more favorably detected in the vicinity of and downstream from the terminator.

Perez-De-tejada, H.↗

Instability and transition; Proceedings of the Workshop, Hampton, VA, May 15-June 9, 1989. Vols. 1 & 2

The proceedings of the workshop on instability and transition, sponsored by the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering and the Langley Research Center, during May-June 1989 are presented. The proceedings contain panel discussions and the research papers resulting from the collaborative projects started during the workshop and completed shortly thereafter. Six panels are represented: theory, low-speed experiment, high-speed experiment, computation, receptivity, and roughness panels. Focus is concentrated on receptivity, advanced asymptotics, boundary-layer stability, free shear flows, compressible stability and transition, transition simulation, and transition modeling. The panel summaries and the position papers by the panelists as well as research papers of the experiment group and the receptivity group are discussed.

Hussaini, M. Y.↗

Suggested future directions in high-speed transition experimental research

Historical developments in the area of high-speed experimental transition research are outlined, and future directions in this area as determined by the panel membership are listed. The directions include measurement and modeling of initial disturbance fields, both in ground facilities and flight, for all modes; development of advanced high-speed instrumentation for disturbance field measurements, measurements of the details of receptivity in multitudinous flows; further development and use of high-speed quiet tunnels; stability and transition studies for multitudinous flows; detailed studies of the transitional region for boundary layers, free flows, vortices separated flows, corner flows, etc.; and studies of flow-chemistry effects on transition phenomena. Applied research such areas as the physics of perforated-surface suction stabilization and the resolution of anomalies in the existing high-speed database is also suggested.

Bushnell, Dennis↗

Transition research using flight experiments

The paper deals with flight experiments as a means of obtaining proper transition information in an uncontaminated environment. Flight transition experiments performed in the early to middle 1950s using rocket-propelled vehicles are outlined. It is noted that the standards for research quality experiments on stability and transition are no different for flight studies than for wind-tunnel experiments. The guidelines formulated by the U.S. Boundary Layer Transition Study Group are listed. Attention is focused on the relationship between the model design and the measurement of disturbance environment, the maintenance and monitoring of test and model-surface conditions, and a need for high data-sampling rates.

Reshotko, Eli↗

Rotational and vibrational effects in the E 1Sigma(+)g-X 1Sigma(+)g two-photon transitions of H2, HD, and D2

This paper reports a theoretical study of the dependence of the E 1Sigma(+)g v(E) = 0, J-X 1Sigma(+)g, v(X),J transitions in H2, HD, and D2 on the initial vibrational and rotational quantum numbers v(X) and J. The results demonstrate the concerted nature of two-photon transitions. The magnitude of the two-photon transition moment increases with v(X) between 0 and 2, then decreases rapidly at higher v(X). The J dependence of the two-photon transition moment is most strongly affected by the changes in vibrational wave functions caused by centrifugal distortion of the vibrational potential. It is shown that the J variation can be used as a probe of resonant tunneling in the double-well potential of the E,F state.

Huo, Winifred M.↗

A review of the regional geophysics of the Arizona Transition Zone

A review of existing geophysical information and new data presented in this special section indicate that major changes in crustal properties between the Basin and Range and Colorado Plateau occur in, or directly adjacent to, the region defined as the Arizona Transition Zone. Although this region was designated on a physiographic basis, studies indicate that it is also the geophysical transition between adjoining provinces. The Transition Zone displays anomalous crustal and upper mantle seismic properties, shallow Curie isotherms, high heat flow, and steep down-to-the-plateau Bouguer gravity gradients. Seismic and gravity studies suggest that the change in crustal thickness, from thin crust in the Basin and Range to thick crust in the Colorado Plateau, may occur as a series of steps rather than a planar surface. Anomalous P wave velocities, high heat flow, shallow Curie isotherms, and results of gravity modeling suggest that the upper mantle is heterogeneous in this region. A relatively shallow asthenosphere beneath the Basin and Range and Transition Zone contrasted with a thick lithosphere beneath the Colorado Plateau would be one explanation that would satisfy these geophysical observations.

Hendricks, J. D.↗