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At least 55 records · Page 3

Comparison of Numerically Simulated and Experimentally Measured Performance of a Rotating Detonation Engine

A quasi-two-dimensional, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of a rotating detonation engine (RDE) is described. The simulation operates in the detonation frame of reference and utilizes a relatively coarse grid such that only the essential primary flow field structure is captured. This construction and other simplifications yield rapidly converging, steady solutions. Viscous effects, and heat transfer effects are modeled using source terms. The effects of potential inlet flow reversals are modeled using boundary conditions. Results from the simulation are compared to measured data from an experimental RDE rig with a converging-diverging nozzle added. The comparison is favorable for the two operating points examined. The utility of the code as a performance optimization tool and a diagnostic tool are discussed.

combustion↗

Evolution of a Planar Wake in Adverse Pressure Gradient

In the interest of improving the predictability of high-lift systems at maximum lift conditions, a series of fundamental experiments were conducted to study the effects of adverse pressure gradient on a wake flow. Mean and fluctuating velocities were measured with a two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter. Data were obtained for several cases of adverse pressure gradient, producing flows ranging from no reversed flow to massively reversed flow. While the turbulent Reynolds stresses increase with increasing size of the reversed flow region, the gradient of Reynolds stress does not. Computations using various turbulence models were unable to reproduce the reversed flow.

Wake↗

Heat Transfer and Interfacial Flow Physics of Microgravity Flow Boiling in Single-Side-Heated Rectangular Channel with Subcooled Inlet Conditions – Experiments Onboard the International Space Station

This study is the culmination of a long-term collaborative effort between researchers from the Purdue University Boiling and Two-Phase Flow Laboratory (PU-BTPFL) and the NASA Glenn Research Center to investigate gravitational effects on flow boiling and flow condensation. The science and design concepts for this large-scale effort were initiated in 2011 and included several studies detailing various aspects of two-phase fluid physics in both Earth gravity and microgravity, culminating in construction of the large-scale experimental facility named “Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE)”. The experiment was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in August 2021. Following the successful installation of FBCE, equipped with the Flow Boiling Module (FBM), onboard the ISS and completion of several safety checks, flow boiling experiments were performed for five months from February 2022 until July 2022. This resulted in a large flow boiling database covering broad ranges of operating parameters and heating configurations spanning several research objectives. This study investigates microgravity flow boiling of n-perfluorohexane with subcooled inlet in a single-side-heated rectangular channel of dimensions 114.6-mm heated length, 2.5-mm heated width, and 5.0-mm height. Key operating parameters investigated are mass velocity (199.90 – 3200.13 kg/m 2 s), inlet subcooling (0.10 – 45.76°C), and inlet pressure (113.30 – 164.29 kPa). Images and image sequences acquired via high-speed-video are presented to elucidate the interfacial flow physics. To analyze and explain the effects of various parameters in microgravity, heat transfer results are presented as flow boiling curves, streamwise profiles of wall temperature and heat transfer coefficient, and parametric trends of local and averaged heat transfer coefficient. Mass velocity and inlet subcooling significantly influenced most of the aforementioned aspects of flow boiling, whereas effects of inlet pressure were comparatively insignificant. Although the data and observed flow physics might be different, the parametric effects and trends in microgravity are similar to vertical upflow in Earth gravity. Some cases, especially low mass velocities, high heat fluxes, and large degrees of inlet subcooling, experienced temporally anomalous flow behaviors caused by two-phase flow instabilities manifesting as flow reversals and resulted in deviations in overall trends. Severe thermodynamic non-equilibrium is observed throughout the channel. Overall, FBCE’s ISS experiments were successful for subcooled inlet with single-sided heating of rectangular channel, and the collected data well established the various effects on flow boiling physics in highly controlled long-term microgravity conditions.

flow boiling↗

Noise tests of a high-aspect-ratio slot nozzle with various V-gutter target thrust reversers

The results of experiments on the noise generated by a 1.33- by 91.4 cm slot nozzle with various V-gutter reversers, and some thrust measurements are presented. The experiments were conducted with near-ambient temperature jets at nozzle pressure ratios of 1.25 to 3.0, yielding jet velocities of about 190 to 400 m/sec. At pressure ratios of 2 or less, the reversers, in addition to being noisier than the nozzle alone, also had a more uniform directional distribution and more high-frequency noise. At pressure ratios above 2, the nozzle alone generated enough shock noise that the levels were about the same as for the reversers. The maximum overall sound pressure level and the effective overall sound power level both varied with the sixth power of jet velocity over the range tested. The data were scaled up to a size suitable for reversing the wing-flap slot nozzle flow of a 45 400-kg augmentor-wing-type airplane on the ground, yielding perceived noise levels well above 95 PNdB on a 152-m sideline.

Stone, J. R.↗

Measurements in a separation bubble on an airfoil using laser velocimetry

An experimental investigation was conducted to measure the reverse flow within the transitional separation bubble that forms on an airfoil at low Reynolds numbers. Measurements were used to determine the effect of the reverse flow on integrated boundary-layer parameters often used to model the bubble. Velocity profile data were obtained on an NACA 663-018 airfoil at angle of attack of 12 deg and a chord Reynolds number of 140,000 using laser Doppler and single-sensor hot-wire anemometry. A new correlation is proposed based on zero velocity position, since the Schmidt (1986) correlations fail in the turbulent portion of the bubble.

Fitzgerald, Edward J.↗

Tonlé Sap Food Security & Agriculture III: Evaluating Changes in Ecosystem Vitality and Freshwater Health in the Tonlé Sap Basin using Remotely Sensed Data

Tonlé Sap Lake, located in Cambodia, Southeast Asia, is one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. With the unique reverse flow hydrology of the Tonlé Sap River, this freshwater system contains rich biodiversity and provides critical freshwater resources for the local community. Overfishing, stronger seasonality, drought, dam construction, forest fires, and untreated industrial domestic sewage threaten the ecosystem vitality and economic success of Tonlé Sap. In collaboration with Conservation International and the Cambodian Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology’s Tonlé Sap Authority, we calibrated and finalized remotely-sensed proxies for sub-indicators of the Freshwater Health Index (FHI). We used NASA Earth observation data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). These datasets were used in RS proxies and a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model that previous teams developed for sub-indicators of FHI. They included landcover, bank modification, and water quality metrics. It was determined that the ground water storage in Tonlé Sap Lake exhibited a slight declining trend over from April 1st, 2002 to February 3rd, 2017. To calculate chlorophyll-a concentration in the Tonlé Sap Lake, we used Copernicus Global Land Service mission data which provided a Trophic State Index of the lake. Between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2020, the lake and surrounding region within the study area boundary displayed a slight decrease in vegetation density and consistently high chlorophyll-a concentrations. The SWAT model calculated nitrogen and phosphorus content measured in outlet points of the lake. We demonstrated that remotely sensed data is valuable for providing additional information for the FHI, but is not fully capable of replacing its in situ counterpart. We also concluded the water quantity is on a slowly declining trend within the basin.

Joey Lindsay↗

Two-equation turbulence modeling of oscillatory boundary layers

Three time-dependent turbulent boundary layer problems are treated using a k-epsilon turbulence model. The flows are characterized by large pressure gradients and either reversing or rotating wall shear stress vectors. Two existing and one new near-wall formulations are tested. The computed results are compared with data from Direct Numerical Simulations of the same flows. In one case previously unpublished DNS-data are given. It is found that the k-epsilon model can provide good predictions for the wall shear as well as profiles of velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and dissipation. The crucial part is the choice of near-wall terms.

Justesen, Peter↗

The 727 airplane target thrust reverser static performance model test for refanned JT8D engines

The results of a scale model static performance test of target thrust reverser configurations for the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT8D-100 series engine are presented. The objective of the test was to select a series of suitable candidate reverser configurations for the subsequent airplane model wind tunnel ingestion and flight controls tests. Test results indicate that adequate reverse thrust performance with compatible engine airflow match is achievable for the selected configurations. Tapering of the lips results in loss of performance and only minimal flow directivity. Door pressure surveys were conducted on a selected number of lip and fence configurations to obtain data to support the design of the thrust reverser system.

Chow, C. T. P.↗

Differential analysis for the turbulent boundary layer on a compressor blade element (including boundary-layer separation)

A two-dimensional differential analysis is developed to approximate the turbulent boundary layer on a compressor blade element with strong adverse pressure gradients, including the separated region with reverse flow. The predicted turbulent boundary layer thicknesses and velocity profiles are in good agreement with experimental data for a cascade blade, even in the separated region.

Schmidt, J. F.↗

Measurement of Flow Pattern Within a Rotating Stall Cell in an Axial Compressor

Effective active control of rotating stall in axial compressors requires detailed understanding of flow instabilities associated with this compressor regime. Newly designed miniature high frequency response total and static pressure probes as well as commercial thermoanemometric probes are suitable tools for this task. However, during the rotating stall cycle the probes are subjected to flow direction changes that are far larger than the range of probe incidence acceptance, and therefore probe data without a proper correction would misrepresent unsteady variations of flow parameters. A methodology, based on ensemble averaging, is proposed to circumvent this problem. In this approach the ensemble averaged signals acquired for various probe setting angles are segmented, and only the sections for probe setting angles close to the actual flow angle are used for signal recombination. The methodology was verified by excellent agreement between velocity distributions obtained from pressure probe data, and data measured with thermoanemometric probes. Vector plots of unsteady flow behavior during the rotating stall regime indicate reversed flow within the rotating stall cell that spreads over to adjacent rotor blade channels. Results of this study confirmed that the NASA Low Speed Axial Compressor (LSAC) while in a rotating stall regime at rotor design speed exhibits one stall cell that rotates at a speed equal to 50.6 percent of the rotor shaft speed.

Lepicovsky, Jan↗

Operations of the Optical Communications Demonstration for the Orion EM-2 Mission

The GSFC implementation of an Optical Communication System to demonstrate an operational optical communication link for Orion EM-2. It will serve as a base for providing an operational optical communications capability for future Orion missions. GSFC plans to maintain a development path for the optical communication flight terminal to allow commercialization and implementation on future Orion missions. The Orion optical module part of the optical communications flight terminal and its control electronics have a common architecture with the ILLUMA-T optical terminal provided by GSFC for use on the ISS. The plan is to flow data from Orion through the Optical Communication Fight Terminal to the Optical Communication Ground Terminal and reverse. NASA's Orion spacecraft is an exploratory vehicle designed for longer-duration flights beyond the Moon. Following Orion's Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), during which the spacecraft will travel beyond the Moon, enter a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon and return to Earth unmanned, Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2) will see a crewed spacecraft complete a slightly different flight path. First crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, currently targeting a June 30, 2022 launch. The mission involves: One revolution in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) parking orbit to verify basic Orion systems functionality and deploy solar arrays. A single 42-hour Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) intermediate checkout orbit allows characterization of the Orion vehicle system performance prior to committing to a cis-lunar flight. Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn using Orion Service Module (SM) main engine, which sends Orion on a lunar flyby and free return. Skip reentry at lunar return velocities to splashdown off the coast of San Diego. Total mission duration is approximately 10 days. EM-2 is the first crewed mission of the Orion Spacecraft that crew brings more video up/downloads, file transfers, and real-time chats with family back home and high-rate communications enables live HD streaming for Crew conferences, Public Affairs Office (PAO) events, and significant mission events. Also still collecting vehicle data on numerous Orion subsystems via Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) allows large data volume returns sooner for DFI and future science payloads, as opposed to waiting for end-of-mission. O2O is a demonstration of operational utility system tested as a Developmental Test Objective (DTO) and not required to meet mission requirements/success/ Flight Test Objectives (FTO). EM-2 architecture is as close to future mission operational architecture as possible.Orion subsystems (video, DFI, etc.) expected to generate ~250 GB of data in the first 24 hours of flight. Total data generated over the mission estimated to be more than 400 GBUsing S-Band alone, Orion limited to ~ 6GB of data downlink per day. Because of this limitation, Orion is planning to limit live video downlinks on EM-1 in order to downlink high priority fileswith 1 hour/day of Optical Communication, Orion could downlink ~6x more data per day (~ 36GB/day).The optical communication system is capable of multiple data rates up to at least 80 Mbps downlink for the transfer of Orion data to Earth while Orion is operating in the lunar vicinity.

Optical Communication↗

Analysis of dynamic stall using unsteady boundary-layer theory

The unsteady turbulent boundary layer and potential flow about a pitching airfoil are analyzed using numerical methods to determine the effect of pitch rate on the delay in forward movement of the rear flow reversal point. An explicit finite difference scheme is used to integrate the unsteady boundary layer equations, which are coupled at each instant of time to a fully unsteady and nonlinear potential flow analysis. A substantial delay in forward movement of the reversal point is demonstrated with increasing pitch rate, and it is shown that the delay results partly from the alleviation of the gradients in the potential flow, and partly from the effects of unsteadiness in the boundary layer itself. The predicted delay in flow-reversal onset, and its variation with pitch rate, are shown to be in reasonable agreement with experimental data relating to the delay in dynamic stall. From the comparisons it can be concluded (a) that the effects of time-dependence are sufficient to explain the failure of the boundary layer to separate during the dynamic overshoot, and (b) that there may be some link between forward movement of the reversal point and dynamic stall.

Scruggs, R. M.↗

Probe For Measuring Dynamic Gas Temperature In Reversing Flows

In proposed technique for determining time-varying temperature of flowing gas, raw measurements of three thermocouples of different sizes processed by relatively simple data-reduction software. Three-thermocouple technique overcomes limitation of single-thermocouple technique.

Fralick, Gustave C.↗

Three-dimensional flow field in a turbine nozzle passage

Detailed measurements were taken in the nozzle of a low speed single stage axial flow turbine at two axial planes inside the nozzle and on the nozzle and endwall surfaces. Velocity, turbulence and angle measurements were taken at midchord with an LDV while a five hole probe was used to measure the pressure, velocities and angles just upstream of the trailing edge. Nozzle surface and endwall static pressures were also measured. These measurements were compared to measurements previously completed at two axial planes downstream of the nozzle. The results show that at midchord, the secondary flow seems to be weak and it is in the early stages of development. Just upstream of the trailing edge, the secondary flow is clearly visible. The radially inward flow near the suction surface augments the casing passage vortex, while counteracting the hub passage vortex. Traveling downstream, the casing passage vortex remains strong while at the hub, the radially inward flow of the suction surface boundary layer has reversed direction due to the rotating hub. The blade static pressures and the passage averaged velocities compare well with Katsanis' quasi-three-dimensional code. These and other data are presented, interpreted and synthesized to understand the nozzle flow field.

Zaccaria, M.↗

A sun-aligned arc observed by DMSP and AE-C

On May 12, 1977, 8 minutes after a DMSP satellite photographed a sun-aligned auroral arc in the southern polar cap, AE-C crossed over the same arc. Precipitating electrons were observed with a peak energy flux of 0.94 erg per sq cm s but with no clear monoenergetic beam, and coincident ion precipitation was measured at energies of a few keV. A very sharp ion convection reversal was found coincident with the particle precipitation and embedded in a region of constant antisunward flow. Magnetic field data indicate that the arc occurred during the recovery phase of a weak magnetic storm, with the IMF in a toward sector and the Z component nearly zero. The data are consistent with a source of particles at altitudes of the order of 5-8 R(E) on field lines containing the plasma sheet boundary layer. The electron spectra do not indicate the existence of an electrostatic potential along the magnetic field lines projecting from the arc. The electrodynamic properties associated with the arc appear to be consistent with a simple model in which field-aligned currents are required along any boundary where the horizontal ionospheric current diverges.

Hoffman, R. A.↗

The response of ionospheric convection in the polar cap to substorm activity

We report multi-instrument observations during an isolated substorm on 17 October 1989. The European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar operated in the SP-UK-POLI mode measuring ionospheric convection at latitudes 71 deg Lambda - 78 deg Lambda. Sub-Auroral Magnetometer Network (SAMNET) and the EISCAT Magnetometer Cross provide information on the timing of substorm expansion phase onset and subsequent intensifications, as well as the location of the field aligned and ionospheric currents associated with the substorm current wedge. Interplanetary Monitoring Platform-8 (IMP-8) magnetic field data are also included. Evidence of a substorm growth phase is provided by the equatorward motion of a flow reversal boundary across the EISCAT radar field of view at 2130 MLT, following a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). We infer that the polar cap expanded as a result of the addition of open magnetic flux in the tail lobes during this interval. The flow reversal boundary, which is a lower limit to the polar cap boundary, reached an invariant latitude equatorward of 71 deg Lambda by the time of the expansion phase onset. We conclude that the substorm onset region in the ionosphere, defined by the westward electrojet, mapped to a part of the tail radially earthward of the boundary between open and closed magnetic flux, the distant neutral line. Thus the substorm was not initiated at the distant neutral line, although there is evidence that it remained active during the expansion phase.

Lester, M.↗

Ablative Rocket Deflector Testing and Computational Modeling

A deflector risk mitigation program was recently conducted at the NASA Stennis Space Center. The primary objective was to develop a database that characterizes the behavior of industry-grade refractory materials subjected to rocket plume impingement conditions commonly experienced on static test stands. The program consisted of short and long duration engine tests where the supersonic exhaust flow from the engine impinged on an ablative panel. Quasi time-dependent erosion depths and patterns generated by the plume impingement were recorded for a variety of different ablative materials. The erosion behavior was found to be highly dependent on the material s composition and corresponding thermal properties. For example, in the case of the HP CAST 93Z ablative material, the erosion rate actually decreased under continued thermal heating conditions due to the formation of a low thermal conductivity "crystallization" layer. The "crystallization" layer produced near the surface of the material provided an effective insulation from the hot rocket exhaust plume. To gain further insight into the complex interaction of the plume with the ablative deflector, computational fluid dynamic modeling was performed in parallel to the ablative panel testing. The results from the current study demonstrated that locally high heating occurred due to shock reflections. These localized regions of shock-induced heat flux resulted in non-uniform erosion of the ablative panels. In turn, it was observed that the non-uniform erosion exacerbated the localized shock heating causing eventual plume separation and reversed flow for long duration tests under certain conditions. Overall, the flow simulations compared very well with the available experimental data obtained during this project.

Allgood, Daniel C.↗

Field-aligned currents observed by the OGO 5 and Triad satellites

The existence of field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer as a permanent feature of the magnetosphere is investigated. Magnetic field observations from Triad at 800 km altitude and from OGO 5 in the high-altitude magnetosphere are examined. Results indicate that in the morning half of the boundary layer, currents flow into the ionosphere, and that the current direction is reversed in the afternoon half of the layer. The Triad data further indicate that the net current is a maximum near 1500 MLT and that there may be a secondary maximum during early morning hours. According to the Isis 2 electron observations, the locations of these maximums of field-aligned net current roughly match those of two maximums in the isointensity contours for 150 ev electrons. It is proposed that the polar cap boundary current is driven by a current generator in the magnetotail, or ultimately in the solar wind. It is suggested that the large scale field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer are associated with the dominance of protons on the morning side and of electrons on the afternoon side near the poleward edge of the precipitation zone along the auroral oval.

Sugiura, M.↗