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At least 559 records · Page 31

Phase equilibria of advanced technology uranium silicide-based nuclear fuel

The phases in uranium-silicide binary system were evaluated in regards to their stabilities, phase boundaries, crystal structures, and phase transitions. The results from this study were used in combination with a well assessed literature to optimize the U-Si phase diagram using the CALPHAD method. A thermodynamic database was developed, which could be used to guide nuclear fuel fabrication, could be incorporated into other nuclear fuel thermodynamic databases, or could be used to generate data required by fuel performance codes to model fuel behavior in normal or off-normal reactor operations. The U 3 Si 2 and U 3 Si 5 phases were modeled using the Compound Energy Formalism model with 3 sublattices to account for the variation in composition. The crystal structure used for the USi phase was the tetragonal with an I4/mmm space. Above 450°C, the U 3 Si 5 phase was modeled. The composition of the USi 2 phase was adjusted to USi 1.84 . The calculated invariant reactions and the enthalpy of formation for the stoichiometric phases were in agreement with experimental data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

SOME RECENT RESULTS ON THE BUCKLING MECHANISM OF SPHERICAL CAPS

The curve of pressure versus deformation for a spherical cap subjected to external pressure is frequently assumed to be similar to that of Fig. 1. Here P is a loading parameter and D(P) is a measure of the deformation (e.g. maximum displacement). This curve implies that for P > P(U) and for P < P(L) there is only one equilibrium state. For each P in P(L) < P < P(U) there are three equilibrium states and the cap must buckle at some P in this interval. We call P(L) and P(U), respectively, the upper and lower buckling loads. Points on the branch 0U correspond to unbuckled equilibrium states, those on the branch LN to buckled states and those on UL to unstable states.

BUCKLING↗

Stability of Goertler vortices in boundary layers

A formal analysis of Goertler-type instability is presented. The boundary-layer and disturbance equations are formulated in a general, orthogonal, curvilinear system of coordinates constructed from the inviscid flow over a curved surface. Effects of curvature on the boundary-layer flow are analyzed. The basic approximation for the disturbance equations is presented and solved numerically. Previous analyses are discussed and compared with our analysis. It is shown that the general system of coordinates developed in this analysis and the correct order-of-magnitude analysis of the disturbance velocities with two velocity scales leads to a rational foundation for future work in Goertler vortices.

Floryan, J. M.↗

Effect of suction and blowing on boundary-layer transition

The effects of wall blowing and suction on boundary-layer stability and transition are studied on a flat plate. Titanium panels, in which 0.063 mm diameter holes were drilled on 0.635 mm centers, are inserted on the plate. Suction level and distribution are variable. Disturbances are introduced by means of a vibrating ribbon and measurements of both mean-flow and disturbance-flow velocities are made with a hot wire. Disturbance amplitudes are measured as a function of Reynolds number, frequency, and suction characteristics and compared with the previous Dynapore results of Reynolds and Saric. Transition measurements under natural and forced conditions are also made. The stabilizing effects of suction are documented. It is also shown that very high local flow rates through the suction holes (which approach a hole Reynolds number of 300) do not destabilize the flow. On the other hand, weak blowing lowers the transition Reynolds number but is found not to cause serious problems.

Saric, W. S.↗

Natural laminar flow data from full-scale flight and wind-tunnel experiments

Experimental results obtained at NASA Langley during studies of natural laminar flow (NLF) over commercially produced aircraft surfaces are reported. The general aviation aircraft examined were light aircraft, yet displayed NLF extents close to the maximum available and equivalent to high performance business aircraft flying envelopes. Sublimating chemicals and acoustic detection techniques were employed to measure the boundary layer transition. Theoretical predictions of boundary layer stability were found to match well with the experimental data, with consideration given to both swept wings and the amplitudes of allowable waves on the airfoil surfaces. The presence of the NLF on the airfoil surfaces confirmed the benefits available from use of composite materials for airfoil surfaces.

Holmes, B. J.↗

Minimizing Convection During Crystal Growth

Buoyant convection during crystal growth from solution minimized in experiment cell using boundary-layer stabilizing configurants such as downward isothermal growth or upward growth into thermal gradient.

Shlichta, P. J.↗

COSAL: A black-box compressible stability analysis code for transition prediction in three-dimensional boundary layers

A fast computer code COSAL for transition prediction in three dimensional boundary layers using compressible stability analysis is described. The compressible stability eigenvalue problem is solved using a finite difference method, and the code is a black box in the sense that no guess of the eigenvalue is required from the user. Several optimization procedures were incorporated into COSAL to calculate integrated growth rates (N factor) for transition correlation for swept and tapered laminar flow control wings using the well known e to the Nth power method. A user's guide to the program is provided.

Malik, M. R.↗

Natural laminar flow flight experiments on a swept-wing business jet

Flight test experiments have been conducted to measure the extent and nature of laminar flow on a smoothed test region of a swept-wing business jet. Surface hot film anemometers and sublimating chemicals were used for transition detection. Surface pressure distributions were measured using pressure belts. Instrumentation techniques and problems are presented. Correlation was obtained between the hot film and sublimating chemicals for transition detection. Taylor-Goertler vortices were observed for some flight conditions. Boundary layer stability analysis is being conducted using measured pressure distributions to determine the correlation possible for transition prediction on swept wings.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

DC-10 winglet flight evaluation

The results of a flight evaluation of winglets on a DC-10 Series 10 aircraft are presented. For sensitive areas of comparison, effects of winglets were determined back to back with and without winglets. Basic and reduced span winglet configurations were tested. After initial encounter with low speed buffet, a number of acceptable configurations were developed. For maximum drag reduction at both cruise and low speeds, lower winglets were required, having leading edge devices on upper and lower winglets for the latter regime. The cruise benefits were enhanced by adding outboard aileron droop to the reduced span winglet aircraft. Winglets had no significant impact on stall speeds, high speed buffet boundary, and stability and control characteristics. Flutter test results agreed with predictions and ground vibration data. Flight loads measurement also agreed with predictions.

Source record↗

Stability characteristics of a supersonic boundary layer and their relation to the position of the laminar-turbulent transition point

By comparing the calculated results with experimental data, it is demonstrated that the position of the laminar-boundary transition point of a boundary layer can be estimated by using the e-exp-n method. The effect of the Mach number, pressure gradient, and heat transfer on the laminar-turbulent transition is discussed. It is found that under conditions of strong cooling, the effect of the pressure gradient on the position of the transition point is less pronounced than in the absence of heat transfer.

Lysenko, V. I.↗

DC-10 winglet flight evaluation

Results of a flight evaluation of winglets on a DC-10 Series 10 aircraft are presented. For sensitive areas of comparison, effects of winglets were determined back-to-back with and without winglets. Basic and reduced-span winglet configurations were tested. After initial encounter with low-speed buffet, a number of acceptable configurations were developed. For maximum drag reduction at both cruise and low speeds, lower winglets were required, having leading edge devices on upper and lower winglets for the latter regime. The cruise benefits were enhanced by adding outboard aileron droop to the reduced-span winglet aircraft. Winglets had no significant impact on stall speeds, high-speed buffet boundary, and stability and control. Flutter test results agreed with predictions and ground vibration data. Flight loads measurement, provided in a concurrent program, also agreed with predictions. It was estimated that a production version of the aircraft, using the reduced-span winglet and aileron droop, would yield a 3-percent reduction in fuel burned with capacity payload. This range was 2% greater than with winglets. A 5% reduction in takeoff distance at maximum takeoff weight would also result.

Taylor, A. B.↗

A new method of imposing boundary conditions for hyperbolic equations

A new method to impose boundary conditions for pseudospectral approximations to hyperbolic equations is suggested. This method involves the collocation of the equation at the boundary nodes as well as satisfying boundary conditions. Stability and convergence results are proven for the Chebyshev approximation of linear scalar hyperbolic equations. The eigenvalues of this method applied to parabolic equations are shown to be real and negative.

Funaro, D.↗

Low-disturbance wind tunnels

During the past years, there was an extensive program under way at the Langley Research Center to upgrade the flow quality in several of the large wind tunnels. This effort has resulted in significant improvements in flow quality in these tunnels and has also increased the understanding of how and where changes in existing and new wind tunnels are most likely to yield the desired improvements. As part of this ongoing program, flow disturbance levels and spectra were measured in several Langley tunnels before and after modifications were made to reduce acoustic and vorticity fluctuations. A brief description of these disturbance control features is given for the Low-Turbulence Pressure Tunnel, the 4 x 7 Meter Tunnel, and the 8 Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel. To illustrate typical reductions in disturbance levels obtained in these tunnels, data from hot-wire or acoustic sensors are presented. A concept for a subsonic quiet tunnel designed to study boundary layer stability and transition is also presented. Techniques developed at Langley in recent years to eliminate the high intensity and high-frequency acoustic disturbances present in all previous supersonic wind tunnels are described. In conclusion, the low-disturbance levels present in atmospheric flight can now be simulated in wind tunnels over the speed range from low subsonic through high supersonic.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

Laminar Flow Aircraft Certification

Various topics telative to laminar flow aircraft certification are discussed. Boundary layer stability, flaps for laminar flow airfoils, computational wing design studies, manufacturing requirements, windtunnel tests, and flow visualization are among the topics covered.

Williams, Louis J.↗

Low-Reynolds number aerodynamics research at NASA Langley Research Center

The present status of various types of low-Reynolds number aerodynamics research being conducted at the Fluid Dynamics Branch of NASA Langley Research Center is reviewed. The facilities, testing techniques, airfoil design, and experimental verification are addressed, and ongoing studies of laminar separation bubbles, boundary layer stability and transition control, and low-Reynolds number juncture flow are discussed. The possibility of improving vehicle characteristics at low Reynolds numbers and the general trends of the most promising research in these areas are examined.

Harvey, William D.↗

Transonic Symposium: Theory, Application, and Experiment, volume 1, part 2

In order to assess the state of the art in transonic flow disciplines and to glimpse at future directions, NASA-Langley held a Transonic Symposium. Emphasis was placed on steady, three dimensional external, transonic flow and its simulation, both numerically and experimentally. The symposium included technical sessions on wind tunnel and flight experiments; computational fluid dynamic applications; inviscid methods and grid generation; viscous methods and boundary layer stability; and wind tunnel techniques and wall interference. This, being volume 1, is unclassified.

Foughner, Jerome T., Jr.↗

A new method of imposing boundary conditions in pseudospectral approximations of hyperbolic equations

A new method to impose boundary conditions for pseudospectral approximations to hyperbolic equations is suggested. This method involves the collocation of the equation at the boundary nodes as well as satisfying boundary conditions. Stability and convergence results are proven for the Chebyshev approximation of linear scalar hyperbolic equations. The eigenvalues of this method applied to parabolic equations are shown to be real and negative.

Funaro, D.↗

Stability of three-dimensional boundary layers

The present evaluation of three-dimensional flows notes that the presence of such disturbance sources as roughness could favor the stationary mode, and that end-conditions may inhibit traveling disturbances in the experiments reported; alternatively, the theory could be inadequate. In general, uncertainties remain as to the definition of transition in three dimensions. It remains important to ascertain whether the formation of three-dimensional structures and characteristic stages will occur, as in two-dimensional flow transition. The possibilities and mechanisms for secondary instabilities also remain to be determined.

Reed, Helen L.↗