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At least 55 records · Page 3

Control and Augmentation of Passive Porosity through Transpiration Control

A device for controlling pressure loading of a member caused by a fluid moving past the member or the member moving through a fluid. The device consists of a porous skin mounted over the solid surface of the member and separated from the solid surface by a plenum. Fluid from an area exerting high pressure on the member may enter the plenum through the porous surface and exit into an area exerting a lower pressure on the member, thus controlling pressure loading of the member. A transpirational control device controls the conditions within the plenum thus controlling the side force and yaw moment on the forebody.

Banks, Daniel W.↗

Survey of Primary Flow Measurement Parameters at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel

An assessment of the methods and locations used to measure the primary flow conditions in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel was conducted during calibration activities following the facility conversion from a Freon-12 heavy-gas test medium to R-134a. A survey of stagnation pressure, plenum static pressure, and stagnation temperature was undertaken at many pertinent locations in the settling chamber, plenum, and contraction section of the wind tunnel and these measurements were compared to those of the existing primary flow measurement systems. Local flow velocities were measured in the settling chamber using a pitot probe. Results illustrate that small discrepancies exist between measured primary tunnel flow conditions and the survey measurements. These discrepancies in tunnel stagnation pressure, plenum pressure, and stagnation temperature were found to be approximately +/- 1-3 psf and 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit. The propagation of known instrument errors in measured primary flow conditions and its impact on tunnel Mach number, dynamic pressure, flow velocity, and Reynolds number have been investigated analytically and shown to require careful attention when considering the uncertainty in measured test section conditions.

Piatak, David J.↗

METHOD OF PRODUCING AND ACCELERATING AN ION BEAM

A method of producing and accelerating an ion beam comprising the steps of providing a magnetic field with a cusp that opens in an outward direction along a centerline that passes through a vertex of the cusp: providing an ionizing gas that sprays outward through at least one capillary-like orifice in a plenum that is positioned such that the orifice is on the centerline in the cusp, outward of the vortex of the cusp; providing a cathode electron source, and positioning it outward of the orifice and off of the centerline; and positively charging the plenum relative to the cathode electron source such that the plenum functions as m anode. A hot filament may be used as the cathode electron source, and permanent magnets may be used to provide the magnetic field.

Foster, John E.↗

Wind-US Simulations of the NASA 1507 Inlet Test Case

Steady-state, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed of the NASA 1507 Inlet Test Case from the 6th AIAA Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshop (PAW) held in January 2023 using the Wind-US CFD solver. The simulations were performed with bleed regions modeled as surface patches and the Slater bleed boundary condition models were applied within those regions. Both the constant-plenum-pressure and the fixed-plenum-exit bleed models where applied. The vortex generators were modeled using the Bender-Anderson-Yagle (BAY) vortex generator model. The CFD simulations were performed for inlet engine-face flow ratios varying from supercritical to subcritical inlet operation until inlet unstart. The results of the CFD simulations were compared to wind-tunnel data which included boundary layer profiles, axial static pressure distributions, bleed rates, total pressure recovery performance curves, and engine-face total pressure rake profiles. The CFD simulations were able to match most of the boundary layer rake data near the geometric throat, but the boundary layers on the centerbody were thinner than indicated by the wind-tunnel data. For the supercritical CFD simulations, the engine-face flow ratio was at least 2% to 2.5% lower than indicated by the wind-tunnel data, but still consistent with the level of supercritical bleed. The engine-face flow rates of the wind-tunnel tests had an uncertainty of ±2% which could explain the differences. The supercritical engine-face flow rates of the wind-tunnel data indicated a 5% supercritical bleed rate rather than the reported 7.18% bleed rate. The CFD simulations were able to calculate the maximum total pressure recovery of pt2/pt = 0.907 as observed for the wind-tunnel data. The CFD simulations with the constant-pressure bleed model were able to obtain a much lower engine-face total pressure ratio than indicated by both the wind-tunnel data and the CFD simulations using a fixed-plenum-exit bleed model. The CFD simulations indicated a sharp static pressure rise for the terminal shock rather than a more gradual rise indicated by the wind-tunnel data. The CFD simulations were not able to accurately compute the total pressure variation across the engine-face total pressure rake.

Supersonics↗

High pressure real gas effects for helium and nitrogen

Critical flow factor is calculated that permits the isentropic mass-flow rate of the gases through critical flow nozzles to be calculated from plenum conditions. Results include nozzle throat velocity, compressibility factor, entropy, enthalpy, specific heat, and ratios of throat to plenum pressure, density, and temperature.

Johnson, R. C.↗

Molybdenum-UO2 cerment irradiation at 1145 K

Two molybdenum-UO2 cermet fuel pins were fission heated in a helium-cooled loop at a temperature of 1145 K and to a total burnup of 5.3 % of the U-235. After irradiation the fuel pins were measured to check dimensional stability, punctured at the plenums to determine fission gas release, and examined metallographically to determine the effect of irradiation. Burnup was determined in several sections of the fuel pin. The results of the postirradiation examination indicated: (1) There was no visible change in the fuel pins on irradiation under the above conditions. (2) The maximum swelling of the fuel pins was less than 1%. (3) There was no migration of UO2 and no visible interaction between the molybdenum and the UO2. (4) Approximately 12% of the fission gas formed was released from the cermet cone into the gas plenum.

Mcdonald, G.↗

Flow tests of a single fuel element coolant channel for a compact fast reactor for space power

Water flow tests were conducted on a single-fuel-element cooling channel for a nuclear concept to be used for space power. The tests established a method for measuring coolant flow rate which is applicable to water flow testing of a complete mockup of the reference reactor. The inlet plenum-to-outlet plenum pressure drop, which approximates the overall core pressure drop, was measured and correlated with flow rate. This information can be used for reactor coolant flow and heat transfer calculations. An analytical study of the flow characteristics was also conducted.

Springborn, R. H.↗

Laboratory hood design

A supply air hood is described that provides a curtain of clean air just outside of the hood surface for protection of the operator. The design consists of an overhead plenum which extends out from the hood with tapered sides extending from the plenum to the bench, a slotted baffle plate and two perforated plates with offset holes, dust filters, and a special deflector plate. The latter introduces less than 4 cubic feet flow per minute through the special perforated area so that a sweeping effort is almost always maintained at bench level. Performance tests indicate that even under adverse exhaust conditions some of the supply air may be lost to the room, but none of the air within the hood that represents contaminated flow is entrained or displayed so that it enters the work area. This hood operates with an efficiency of about 90% exhaust for supplied air.

Chamberlin, R. I.↗

Ablative system

A carrier liquid containing ablative material bodies is connected to a plenum chamber wall with openings to a high temperature environment. The liquid and bodies pass through the openings of the wall to form a self replacing ablative surface. The wall is composed of honeycomb layers, spheres containing ablative whiskers or wads, and a hardening catalyst for the carrier liquid. The wall also has woven wicks of ablative material fibers that extend through the wall openings and into plenum chamber which contains the liquid.

Gray, V. H.↗

Drying apparatus for photographic sheet material

An elongated drying chamber is provided with transport means for carrying photographic sheet material edgewise with the sheets in end-to-end relationship past a plurality of tubes that issue drying air streams. The tubes are slotted a distance equal to substantially the full width of the sheet material for complete, gentle drying by sheets of air. A common plenum supplies the tubes with heated air; the air is directed from the tube slots at a pronounced angle to the sheet surface to provide for arraying the tubes close to the surface for maximum drying effect while minimizing the danger of mechanical interference between the edges of the sheets and the slots in the tubes. The driver for the transport is housed in an enclosure between the plenum and the drying chamber; an air return duct is provided along another side to complete insulation of the drying chamber from ambient conditions.

Epstein, P.↗

Venting characteristics of gaseous helium and nitrogen discharging into a free stream at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.57

An experimental investigation was conducted in the Lewis Research Center 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel to compare the effects on discharge coefficient of venting gaseous helium and gaseous nitrogen into a free stream. The test was conducted from Mach 0.06 to 1.57 with the vent mounted in a flat plate. The plate was strut mounted to the tunnel ceiling and at a 0 angle of attack. The gases were discharged from a plenum chamber through a 2.54-centimeter (1.00-in.) diameter vent. The ratio of local static pressure to plenum pressure was varied from 0.51 to 0.975. The ratio of boundary layer thickness to vent diameter varied from a maximum of 1.34 at Mach 0.60 to a minimum of 0.55 at Mach 1.37.

Johns, A. L.↗

Improvements in the slotted-wall boundary condition

It is shown that the form of the slotted wind tunnel wall boundary condition can be obtained directly from the ideal slot conditions without specification of the cross-sectional geometry of the slot. The treatment of flat slots is generalized so that configurations with sidewalls in the plenum can be treated. It is shown that these variations do not change the slotted-wall boundary condition significantly. It is concluded that the effects of slot sidewalls and separation in the plenum on the coefficient of the slotted-wall boundary condition are small compared to the effect of the slat on the tunnel side.

Barnwell, R. W.↗

Advanced porous transonic wind-tunnel nozzles

Advances in the design and control of the porous bleed flow distribution along the nozzle walls solves the problem of nonuniform flow at off-design conditions. This is accomplished in a two dimensional nozzle with porous parallel sidewalls backed with a single plenum chamber and employing a sliding compartment wall or backed with multiple plenum chambers within which the pressure can be controlled.

Sorensen, N. E.↗

Slotted test section dynamics of the NTF

A dynamic model of the National Transonic Facility (NTF) section and plenum chamber was developed. The model serves as a means for determining the dynamic performance of the NTF and the subsequent design of optimal control configurations, and is of one dimensional flow type as to facilitate computer simulation. The model allows for the simulation of the effects of test section blockage, boundary layer losses, slot flow required for supersonic flow generation, reentry flap position, and auxiliary plenum suction.

Gumas, G.↗

Design and calibration of slotted walls for transonic airfoil wind tunnels

The traditional procedure for estimating the performance of slotted walls for airfoil wind tunnels is reviewed, and a modification which improves the accuracy of this procedure is described. Unlike the traditional procedure, the modified procedure indicates that the design of airfoil wind-tunnel walls which induce minimal blockage and streamline-curvature effects is feasible. The design and testing of such a slotted wall is described. It is shown experimentally that the presence of a model can affect the plenum pressure and thus make the use of the plenum pressure as a calibration reference questionable. Finally, an ONERA experiment which shows the effect of the sidewall boundary layer on the measured model normal force is discussed.

Barnwell, R. W.↗

Stagnation region gas film cooling: Spanwise angled injection from multiple rows of holes

The stagnation region of a cylinder in a cross flow was used in experiments conducted with both a single row and multiple rows of spanwise angled (25 deg) coolant holes for a range of the coolant blowing ratio with a freestream to wall temperature ratio approximately equal to 1.7 and R(eD) = 90,000. Data from local heat flux measurements are presented for injection from a single row located at 5 deg, 22.9 deg, 40.8 deg, 58.7 deg from stagnation using a hole spacing ratio of S/d(o) = 5 and 10. Three multiple row configurations were also investigated. Data are presented for a uniform blowing distribution and for a nonuniform blowing distribution simulating a plenum supply. The data for local Stanton Number reduction demonstrated a lack of lateral spreading by the coolant jets. Heat flux levels larger than those without film cooling were observed directly behind the coolant holes as the blowing ratio exceeded a particular value. The data were spanwise averaged to illustrate the influence of injection location, blowing ratio and hole spacing. The large values of blowing ratio for the blowing distribution simulating a plenum supply resulted in heat flux levels behind the holes in excess of the values without film cooling. An increase in freestream turbulence intensity from 4.4 to 9.5 percent had a negligible effect on the film cooling performance.

Luckey, D. W.↗

Full-scale study of the cooling system aerodynamics of an operating piston engine installed in a light aircraft wing panel

Measurements of the drag and of the nacelle internal pressures on a wing and nacelle that housed a horizontally opposed piston engine were made in the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. These tests are follow-ons to earlier tests made with the same wing and nacelle but in which the engine was replaced with an electric motor and an adjustable orifice plate. In the initial tests the orifice plate was used to control the rate of cooling-air flow through the nacelle and thereby to simulate a range of gasoline engine types. Good agreement was found between the results of those tests and of the test reported here. Also, the upper and lower plenum pressure and cooling-air flow rate were found to be related by conventional equations used to represent the flow through orifices. Tests were run with three cooling air inlet sizes over a free-stream velocity range from 50 to 150 knots, an angle of attack range from 0 deg to 10 deg, and a cowl-flap deflection range from 0 deg to 30 deg. The data were analyzed by computing a flow coefficient similar to that used in the analysis of orifices. It was found that all of the flow coefficient values fell within a band that varied linearly with inlet area. The linear mean line through this band provides an estimate of the relationship between cooling-air flow rate and upper plenum pressure over a wide range of test conditions.

Corsiglia, V. R.↗

Application of laser anemometry to cryogenic wind tunnels

The installation and tests conducted with the laser Doppler and transit anemometer in the 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel are described. Using residual particulates in the flow field, a series of free stream velocity measurements were conducted which agreed to within 1-percent of predicted values for a range of Mach numbers, 0.2 to 0.85, and temperatures, 100 to 250 K. Measurements about a shock wave provided an estimate of scattering particulate size of 4 microns or less. The particle concentration is approximately 3 x 10 to the 5th to 1.6 x 10 to the 6th/cu m. Necessary isolation of the plenum wall windows from ambient air with slightly positive pressure of dry nitrogen gas to prevent condensation on the window surface was achieved. This was accomplished through the use of large enclosures fixed to the tunnel wall. A second method used an additional sheet of thin plate glass to create the dry gas pocket next to the plenum window. The installation of a laser anemometer in the National Transonic Facility is examined. The laser transit anemometer has been tentatively selected for the initial entry because of its compact laser-optics package.

Hunter, W. W., Jr.↗