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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 541 records · Page 30

Low-density, high-strength intermetallic matrix composites by XD (trademark) synthesis

A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the potential of particulate composites based on low-density, L1(sub 2) trialuminide matrices for high-temperature applications. The compounds evaluated included Al22Fe3Ti8 (as a multiphase matrix), Al67Ti25Cr8, and Al66Ti25Mn9. The reinforcement consisted of TiB2 particulates. The TiB2 composites were processed by ingot and powder metallurgy techniques. Microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were performed in the hot-pressed and hot-isostatic-pressed condition. The casting were sectioned and isothermally forged into pancakes. All the materials were tested in compression as a function of temperature, and at high temperatures as a function of strain rate. The test results are discussed.

Kumar, K. S.↗

Simulations of free shear layers using a compressible k-epsilon model

A two-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations with a k-epsilon turbulence model are solved numerically to simulate the flows of compressible free shear layers. The appropriate form of k and epsilon equations for compressible flows are discussed. Sarkar's modeling is adopted to simulate the compressibility effects in the k and epsilon equations. The numerical results show that the spreading rate of the shear layers decreases with increasing convective Mach number. In addition, favorable comparison was found between the calculated results and Goebel and Dutton's experimental data.

Yu, S. T.↗

Simulations of free shear layers using a compressible kappa-epsilon model

A two-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equation with a k-epsilon turbulence model is solved numerically to simulate the flow of a compressible free shear layer. The appropriate form of k and epsilon equations for compressible flow is discussed. Sarkar's modeling is adopted to simulate the compressibility effects in the k and epsilon equations. The numerical results show that the spreading rate of the shear layers decreases with increasing convective Mach number. In addition, favorable comparison was found between the calculated results and experimental data.

Yu, S. T.↗

CFD validation of subsonic turbulent planar shear layers

The primary objective of the present study is to assess the limitations and capabilities of RPLUS in predicting the entrainment, mixing, and burning characteristics of a high subsonic planar shear layer; these computations are performed in conjunction with an experiment being conducted at NASA Lewis Research Center. Turbulence is modeled by a two-equation k-epsilon closure modified for compressibility effects. Combustion is modeled by two different models: one in which a finite-rate laminar chemistry model is used for H2-O2 oxidation, and the other based on a composition joint pdf approach to account for the turbulence-chemistry interaction effects. Between upwind and centered differencing schemes, minimal differences are observed for the flow properties of a nonreacting shear layer case studied. In comparison with experimental data, computed growth rates are underpredicted in both reacting and nonreacting cases of a shear layer, but more severely for the reacting flows. However, the qualitative agreement between computation and experiment is reasonably good for the other observable characteristics, and indicative of potential for further improvements.

Lai, H. T.↗

Method for coding low entrophy data

A method of lossless data compression for efficient coding of an electronic signal of information sources of very low information rate is disclosed. In this method, S represents a non-negative source symbol set, (s(sub 0), s(sub 1), s(sub 2), ..., s(sub N-1)) of N symbols with s(sub i) = i. The difference between binary digital data is mapped into symbol set S. Consecutive symbols in symbol set S are then paired into a new symbol set Gamma which defines a non-negative symbol set containing the symbols (gamma(sub m)) obtained as the extension of the original symbol set S. These pairs are then mapped into a comma code which is defined as a coding scheme in which every codeword is terminated with the same comma pattern, such as a 1. This allows a direct coding and decoding of the n-bit positive integer digital data differences without the use of codebooks.

Yeh, Pen-Shu↗

Lattice Dynamics of Colloidal Crystals During Photopolymerization of Acrylic Monomer Matrix

The photoinitiated bulk polymerization process, which has been used recently in the manufacture of solid optical diffraction filters, is examined to understand the dynamics of both the crystalline colloidal arrays (CCA) and the host monomer species. Our analysis indicates that volume shrinkage of the monomer, changes in the dielectric properties of the monomer, and inhomogeneities of polymerization reaction rate across the dispersion during the polymerization process, are the major contributors for observed lattice compression and lattice disorder of the CCA of silica spheres in polymerized acrylic/methacrylic ester films. The effect of orientation of photocell with respect to the radiation source on Bragg diffraction of CCA indicated the presence of convective stirring in the thin fluid system during the photopolymerization that deleteriously affects the periodic array structures. To devise reproducible and more efficient optical filters, experimental methods to minimize or eliminate convective instabilities in monomeric dispersions during polymerization are suggested.

Sunkara, H. B,↗

MHD Energy Bypass Scramjet Performance with Real Gas Effects

The theoretical performance of a scramjet propulsion system incorporating an magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) energy bypass scheme is calculated. The one-dimensional analysis developed earlier, in which the theoretical performance is calculated neglecting skin friction and using a sudden-freezing approximation for the nozzle flow, is modified to incorporate the method of Van Driest for turbulent skin friction and a finite-rate chemistry calculation in the nozzle. Unlike in the earlier design, in which four ramp compressions occurred in the pitch plane, in the present design the first two ramp compressions occur in the pitch plane and the next two compressions occur in the yaw plane. The results for the simplified design of a spaceliner show that (1) the present design produces higher specific impulses than the earlier design, (2) skin friction substantially reduces thrust and specific impulse, and (3) the specific impulse of the MHD-bypass system is still better than the non-MHD system and typical rocket over a narrow region of flight speeds and design parameters. Results suggest that the energy management with MHD principles offers the possibility of improving the performance of the scramjet. The technical issues needing further studies are identified.

Park, Chul↗

Fluid Mechanics of Wing Adaptation for Separation Control

The unsteady fluid mechanics associated with use of a dynamically deforming leading edge airfoil for achieving compressible flow separation control has been experimentally studied. Changing the leading edge curvature at rapid rates dramatically alters the flow vorticity dynamics which is responsible for the many effects observed in the flow.

Chandrasekhara, M. S.↗

Role of Turbulent Prandtl Number on Heat Flux at Hypersonic Mach Numbers

A new turbulence model suited for calculating the turbulent Prandtl number as part of the solution is presented. The model is based on a set of two equations: one governing the variance of the enthalpy and the other governing its dissipation rate. These equations were derived from the exact energy equation and thus take into consideration compressibility and dissipation terms. The model is used to study two cases involving shock wave/boundary layer interaction at Mach 9.22 and Mach 5.0. In general, heat transfer prediction showed great improvement over traditional turbulence models where the turbulent Prandtl number is assumed constant. It is concluded that using a model that calculates the turbulent Prandtl number as part of the solution is the key to bridging the gap between theory and experiment for flows dominated by shock wave/boundary layer interactions.

Gaffney, R. L., Jr.↗

Role of Turbulent Prandtl Number on Heat Flux at Hypersonic Mach Numbers

A new turbulence model suited for calculating the turbulent Prandtl number as part of the solution is presented. The model is based on a set of two equations: one governing the variance of the enthalpy and the other governing its dissipation rate. These equations were derived from the exact energy equation and thus take into consideration compressibility and dissipation terms. The model is used to study two cases involving shock wave/boundary layer interaction at Mach 9.22 and Mach 5.0. In general, heat transfer prediction showed great improvement over traditional turbulence models where the turbulent Prandtl number is assumed constant. It is concluded that using a model that calculates the turbulent Prandtl number as part of the solution is the key to bridging the gap between theory and experiment for flows dominated by shock wave/boundary layer interactions.

Xiao, X.↗

Fatigue Crack Growth in Peened Friction Stir Welds

Friction stir welding induces residual stresses that accelerates fatigue crack growth in the weld nugget. Shot peening over the weld had little effect on growth rate. Laser peening over the weld retarded the growth rate: Final crack growth rate was comparable to the base, un-welded material. Crack tunneling evident from residual compressive stresses. 2195-T8 fracture surfaces were highly textured. Texturing makes comparisons difficult as the material system is affecting the data as much as the processing. Material usage becoming more common in space applications requiring additional work to develop useful datasets for damage tolerance analyses.

Forth, Scott C.↗

Counterflowing Jet Subsystem Design

A counterflowing jet design (a spacecraft and trans-atmospheric subsystem) employs centrally located, supersonic cold gas jets on the face of the vehicle, ejecting into the oncoming free stream. Depending on the supersonic free-stream conditions and the ejected mass flow rate of the counterflowing jets, the bow shock of the vehicle is moved upstream, further away from the vehicle. This results in an increasing shock standoff distance of the bow shock with a progressively weaker shock. At a critical jet mass flow rate, the bow shock becomes so weak that it is transformed into a series of compression waves spread out in a much wider region, thus significantly modifying the flow that wets the outer surfaces, with an attendant reduction in wave and skin friction drag and aerothermal loads.

Farr, Rebecca↗

Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program, Version 6.0

The Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) is a finite-volume based general-purpose computer program for analyzing steady state and time-dependant flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and concentrations in a complex flow network. The program is capable of modeling real fluids with phase changes, compressibility, mixture thermodynamics, conjugate heat transfer between solid and fluid, fluid transients, pumps, compressors and external body forces such as gravity and centrifugal. The thermo-fluid system to be analyzed is discretized into nodes, branches, and conductors. The scalar properties such as pressure, temperature, and concentrations are calculated at nodes. Mass flow rates and heat transfer rates are computed in branches and conductors. The graphical user interface allows users to build their models using the 'point, drag, and click' method; the users can also run their models and post-process the results in the same environment. The integrated fluid library supplies thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties of 36 fluids, and 24 different resistance/source options are provided for modeling momentum sources or sinks in the branches. This Technical Memorandum illustrates the application and verification of the code through 25 demonstrated example problems.

Majumdar, A. K.↗

Modern CFD applications for the design of a reacting shear layer facility

The RPLUS2D code, capable of calculating high speed reacting flows, was adopted to design a compressible shear layer facility. In order to create reacting shear layers at high convective Mach numbers, hot air streams at supersonic speeds, rendered by converging-diverging nozzles, must be provided. A finite rate chemistry model is used to simulate the nozzle flows. Results are compared with one-dimensional solutions at chemical equilibrium. Additionally, a two equation turbulence model with compressibility effects was successfully incorporated with the RPLUS code. The model was applied to simulate a supersonic shear layer. Preliminary results show favorable comparisons with the experimental data.

Yu, S. T.↗

High-speed pitch angle sorter

A high-speed method was developed to compress the two-dimensional angular distribution of space particles gathered by space plasma instrumentation into the angle distribution, where the pitch angle is polar angle with respect to the ambient magnetic field. The pitch angle sorter can handle rates of up to 2 MHz and it is designed to accommodate high angular resolution plasma analyzers that are placed on a rotating spacecraft. This compression is achieved by relying on digitally encoded lookup tables to eliminate all arithmetic operations while applying the high symmetry of this compression to reduce the amount of digital memory.

Keller, John W.↗

Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) - Version 6

The Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) is a finite-volume based general-purpose computer program for analyzing steady state and time-dependent flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and concentrations in a complex flow network. The program is capable of modeling real fluids with phase changes, compressibility, mixture thermodynamics, conjugate heat transfer between solid and fluid, fluid transients, pumps, compressors, flow control valves and external body forces such as gravity and centrifugal. The thermo-fluid system to be analyzed is discretized into nodes, branches, and conductors. The scalar properties such as pressure, temperature, and concentrations are calculated at nodes. Mass flow rates and heat transfer rates are computed in branches and conductors. The graphical user interface allows users to build their models using the 'point, drag, and click' method; the users can also run their models and post-process the results in the same environment. The integrated fluid library supplies thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties of 36 fluids, and 24 different resistance/source options are provided for modeling momentum sources or sinks in the branches. Users can introduce new physics, non-linear and time-dependent boundary conditions through user-subroutine.

Majumdar, Alok↗

Compression-ignition engine tests of several fuels

The tests reported in this paper were made to devise simple engine tests which would rate fuels as to their comparative value and their suitability for the operating conditions of the individual engine on which the tests are made. Three commercial fuels were used in two test engines having combustion chambers with and without effective air flow. Strictly comparative performance tests gave almost identical results for the three fuels. Analysis of indicator cards allowed a differentiation between fuels on a basis of rates of combustion. The same comparative ratings were obtained by determining the consistent operating range of injection advance angle for the three fuels. The difference in fuels is more pronounced in a quiescent combustion chamber than in one with high-velocity air flow. A fuel is considered suitable for the operating conditions of an engine with a quiescent combustion chamber if it permits the injection of the fuel to be advanced beyond the optimum without exceeding allowable knock or allowable maximum cylinder pressures.

Spanogle, J A↗