Results for “wind tunnel experiments” — Page 31

NASA NTRS1991

Meeting Review: Airborne Aerosol Inlet Workshop

Proceedings from the Airborne Aerosol Inlet Workshop are presented. The two central topics of discussion were the role of aerosols in atmospheric processes and the difficulties in characterizing aerosols. The following topics were discussed during the working sessions: airborne observations to date; identification of inlet design issues; inlet modeling needs and directions; objectives for aircraft experiments; and future laboratory and wind tunnel studies.

Baumgardner, Darrel↗

NASA NTRS1992

An assessment of particle velocimetry potential in hypersonic flow

Future progress in the computation of hypersonic flow fields is restricted by the need for a reliable turbulence modeling data base which could be used for the development of empirical models for use in numerical codes. Currently, there are few compressible flow measurements which could be used for this purpose. Procedures for hot wire measurements in hypersonic flows are presently outlined, and assessments are made of the potential for hot wire and laser velocimeter measurements of turbulent fluctuations in hypersonic flow fields. The results of recent experiments conducted in two hypersonic wind tunnels will be presented and comparisons made with previous hot wire turbulence measurements.

Owen, F. K.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Virtual Shaping of a Two-dimensional NACA 0015 Airfoil Using Synthetic Jet Actuator

The Aircraft Morphing Program at NASA Langley envisions an aircraft without conventional control surfaces. Instead of moving control surfaces, the vehicle control systems may be implemented with a combination of propulsive forces, micro surface effectors, and fluidic devices dynamically operated by an intelligent flight control system to provide aircraft maneuverability over each mission segment. As a part of this program, a two-dimensional NACA 0015 airfoil model was designed to test mild maneuvering capability of synthetic jets in a subsonic wind tunnel. The objective of the experiments is to assess the applicability of using unsteady suction and blowing to alter the aerodynamic shape of an airfoil with a purpose to enhance lift and/or to reduce drag. Synthetic jet actuation at different chordwise locations, different forcing frequencies and amplitudes, under different freestream velocities are investigated. The effect of virtual shape change is indicated by a localized increase of surface pressure in the neighborhood of synthetic jet actuation. That causes a negative lift to the airfoil with an upper surface actuation. When actuation is applied near the airfoil leading edge, it appears that the stagnation line is shifted inducing an effect similar to that caused by a small angle of attack to produce an overall lift change.

Chen, Fang-Jenq↗

NASA NTRS2015

Near-Field Acoustic Power Level Analysis of F31/A31 Open Rotor Model at Simulated Cruise Conditions, Technical Report II

Near-field acoustic power level analysis of F31A31 open rotor model has been performed to determine its noise characteristics at simulated cruise flight conditions. The non-proprietary parts of the test data obtained from experiments in the 8x6 supersonic wind tunnel were provided by NASA-Glenn Research Center. The tone and broadband components of total noise have been separated from raw test data by using a new data analysis tool. Results in terms of sound pressure levels, acoustic power levels, and their variations with rotor speed, freestream Mach number, and input shaft power, with different blade-pitch setting angles at simulated cruise flight conditions, are presented and discussed. Empirical equations relating models acoustic power level and input shaft power have been developed. The near-field acoustic efficiency of the model at simulated cruise conditions is also determined. It is hoped that the results presented in this work will serve as a database for comparison and improvement of other open rotor blade designs and also for validating open rotor noise prediction codes.

Broadband↗

NASA NTRS2015

Time-Accurate Unsteady Pressure Loads Simulated for the Space Launch System at Wind Tunnel Conditions

A transonic flow field about a Space Launch System (SLS) configuration was simulated with the Fully Unstructured Three-Dimensional (FUN3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code at wind tunnel conditions. Unsteady, time-accurate computations were performed using second-order Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) for up to 1.5 physical seconds. The surface pressure time history was collected at 619 locations, 169 of which matched locations on a 2.5 percent wind tunnel model that was tested in the 11 ft. x 11 ft. test section of the NASA Ames Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. Comparisons between computation and experiment showed that the peak surface pressure RMS level occurs behind the forward attach hardware, and good agreement for frequency and power was obtained in this region. Computational domain, grid resolution, and time step sensitivity studies were performed. These included an investigation of pseudo-time sub-iteration convergence. Using these sensitivity studies and experimental data comparisons, a set of best practices to date have been established for FUN3D simulations for SLS launch vehicle analysis. To the author's knowledge, this is the first time DDES has been used in a systematic approach and establish simulation time needed, to analyze unsteady pressure loads on a space launch vehicle such as the NASA SLS.

Alter, Stephen J.↗

NASA NTRS2021

Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition on Blunted Cones at Angle of Attack

Experimental studies of cones at several high-speed facilities have demonstrated that, for small nosetip bluntness, transition onset over a circular cone moves upstream along the leeward side and downstream along the windward side, but this trend may be reversed at large bluntness values, where transition onset moves downstream along the leeward side and upstream along the windward side. A theoretical and numerical investigation is performed to characterize the effects of nose bluntness on disturbance amplification over the circular cone for several angles of attack, with the goal of understanding the potential physical mechanisms behind the experimental observations. The three-dimensional laminar basic states over a 1.5 m long, 7-degree half-angle cone with 9.525 mm nosetip radius are computed for selected angles of attack values and freestream conditions that are selected to match the Mach 10 experiments conducted within the Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). The solutions at a freestream unit Reynolds number of 17.1 million per meter are used to perform detailed instability analyses for angles of attack equal to 0, 1, 3, and 5 degrees. Results indicate that the linear amplification of stationary crossflow waves along inflection lines may begin to influence transition along the acreage of the cone for angles of attack equal to or larger than 5 degrees. The measured trend in transition front with respect to increasing angle of attack is found to be consistent with the predicted increase in the amplification factors for Mack mode disturbances along the streamline trajectories. The increase in Mack mode amplification along the windward ray for higher angles of attack is shown to be the result of a progressively earlier entropy-layer swallowing. Computations also indicate that the transition amplification factor along the windward ray is not constant and increases with the angle of attack and that the transition #-factors along the leeward ray are rather small. The nonmodal analysis for zero degrees angle of attack shows that entropy-layer disturbances with appreciably strong energy growth can coexist with Mack mode instabilities at the measured transition location.

boundary layer transition↗

NASA NTRS2021

Hypersonic Boundary-Layer Transition on Blunted Cones at Angle of Attack

Experimental studies of cones at several high-speed facilities have demonstrated that, for small nosetip bluntness, transition onset over a circular cone moves upstream along the leeward side and downstream along the windward side, but this trend may be reversed at large bluntness values, where transition onset moves downstream along the leeward side and upstream along the windward side. A theoretical and numerical investigation is performed to characterize the effects of nose bluntness on disturbance amplification over the circular cone for several angles of attack, with the goal of understanding the potential physical mechanisms behind the experimental observations. The three-dimensional laminar basic states over a 1.5 m long, 7-degree half-angle cone with 9.525 mm nosetip radius are computed for selected angles of attack values and freestream conditions that are selected to match the Mach 10 experiments conducted within the Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9 at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). The solutions at a freestream unit Reynolds number of 17.1 million per meter are used to perform detailed instability analyses for angles of attack equal to 0, 1, 3, and 5 degrees. Results indicate that the linear amplification of stationary crossflow waves along inflection lines may begin to influence transition along the acreage of the cone for angles of attack equal to or larger than 5 degrees. The measured trend in transition front with respect to increasing angle of attack is found to be consistent with the predicted increase in the amplification factors for Mack mode disturbances along the streamline trajectories. The increase in Mack mode amplification along the windward ray for higher angles of attack is shown to be the result of a progressively earlier entropy-layer swallowing. Computations also indicate that the transition amplification factor along the windward ray is not constant and increases with the angle of attack and that the transition #-factors along the leeward ray are rather small. The nonmodal analysis for zero degrees angle of attack shows that entropy-layer disturbances with appreciably strong energy growth can coexist with Mack mode instabilities at the measured transition location.

Boundary Layer Transition↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Computational Investigation of the Effect of Chemistry on Mars Supersonic Retropropulsion Environments

Retropropulsion ground tests require significant compromises on physical scale, instrumentation, configuration, and environments. Matching the full Martian environment is simply not possible on Earth. Ground tests of retropropulsion configurations thus far have neglected effects of chemistry due to physical constraints of wind tunnel models and facilities; most experiments use inert simulant gases at relatively low temperatures. As such, a strong reliance on high-fidelity computational analyses is required to expand the knowledge of retropropulsion aerodynamics. In this work, we investigate the effects of chemistry using scale-resolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with finite-rate chemistry and a graphics processing unit (GPU)-enabled implementation of the NASA FUN3D flow solver on a human-scale Mars lander concept at supersonic freestream conditions. Results are compared to previous perfect gas simulations.

retropropulsion↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Computational Investigation of the Effect of Chemistry on Mars Supersonic Retropropulsion Environments

Retropropulsion ground tests require significant compromises on physical scale, instrumentation, configuration, and environments. Matching the full Martian environment is simply not possible on Earth. Ground tests of retropropulsion configurations thus far have neglected effects of chemistry due to physical constraints of wind tunnel models and facilities; most experiments use inert simulant gases at relatively low temperatures. As such, a strong reliance on high-fidelity computational analyses is required to expand the knowledge of retropropulsion aerodynamics. In this work, we investigate the effects of chemistry using scale-resolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with finite-rate chemistry and a graphics processing unit (GPU)-enabled implementation of the NASA FUN3D flow solver on a human-scale Mars lander concept at supersonic freestream conditions. Results are compared to previous perfect gas simulations.

retropropulsion↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Computational Investigation of the Effect of Chemistry on Mars Retropropulsion Environments using a Massively Parallel GPU Approach

In this work, we investigate the effects of chemistry on a human-scale Mars lander concept using scale-resolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with finite-rate chemistry and a graphics processing unit (GPU)-enabled implementation of the NASA FUN3D flow solver, enabling run-times of a few days for the simulations presented. Simulations are carried out on Summit at Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility using thousands of GPUs. Retropropulsion ground tests require significant compromises on physical scale, instrumentation, configuration, and environments. Ground tests of retropropulsion configurations thus far have neglected effects of chemistry due to physical constraints of wind tunnel models and facilities; most experiments use inert simulant gases at low temperatures. As such, a strong reliance on high-fidelity computational analyses such as those presented in this work is required to expand the knowledge of retropropulsion aerodynamics. An overview of the GPU approach will be presented. Results are compared to a previous scaled perfect gas (air) campaign.

retropropulsion↗

NASA NTRS1986

Feasibility study of optical boundary layer transition detection method

A high sensitivity differential interferometer was developed to locate the region where the boundary layer flow undergoes transition from laminar to turbulent. Two laboratory experimental configurations were used to evaluate the performance of the interferometer: open shear layer, and low speed wind tunnel turbulent spot configuration. In each experiment, small temperature fluctuations were introduced as the signal source. Simultaneous cold wire measurements were compared with the interferometer data. The comparison shows that the interferometer is sensitive to very weak phase variations in the order of 0.001 the laser wavelength. An attempt to detect boundary layer transition over a flat plate at NASA-Langley Unitary Supersonic Wind Tunnel using the interferometer system was performed. The phase variations during boundary layer transition in the supersonic wind tunnel were beyond the minimum signal-to-noise level of the instrument.

Azzazy, M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Transonic pressure measurements and comparison of theory to experiment for three arrow-wing configurations

Wind tunnel tests of arrow-wing body configurations consisting of flat, twisted, and cambered twisted wings, as well as a variety of leading and trailing edge control surface deflections, were conducted at Mach numbers from 0.4 to 1.05 to provide an experimental pressure data base for comparison with theoretical methods. Theory to experiment comparisons of detailed pressure distributions were made using state of the art attached flow methods. Conditions under which these theories are valid for these wings are presented.

Manro, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Future requirements of wind tunnels for Computational Fluid Dynamics code verification

The role of experiment in the development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for external aerodynamic flow-field prediction is discussed. Requirements for code verification from two sources pacing the development of CFD are described: (1) the need for developing adequate flow modeling, and (2) the need for establishing confidence in the use of CFD for predicting complex flows. The type of data needed to meet these needs differs in detail and scope and leads to definite wind tunnel requirements. Recent examples of testing to assess and develop turbulence models, and to verify code development are used to establish future requirements of wind tunnel testing for CFD verification.

Marvin, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS2001

National Transonic Facility Wall Pressure Calibration Using Modern Design of Experiments (Invited)

The Modern Design of Experiments (MDOE) has been applied to wind tunnel testing at NASA Langley Research Center for several years. At Langley, MDOE has proven to be a useful and robust approach to aerodynamic testing that yields significant reductions in the cost and duration of experiments while still providing for the highest quality research results. This paper extends its application to include empty tunnel wall pressure calibrations. These calibrations are performed in support of wall interference corrections. This paper will present the experimental objectives, and the theoretical design process. To validate the tunnel-empty-calibration experiment design, preliminary response surface models calculated from previously acquired data are also presented. Finally, lessons learned and future wall interference applications of MDOE are discussed.

Underwood, Pamela J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Simulation of hypersonic scramjet exhaust

A plan and some preliminary analysis for the accurate simulation of pressure distributions on the afterbody/nozzle portions of a hypersonic scramjet vehicle are described. The objectives fulfilled were to establish the standards of similitude for a hydrogen/air scramjet exhaust interacting with a vehicle afterbody, determine an experimental technique for validation of the procedures that will be used in conventional wind tunnel facilities, suggest a program of experiments for proof of the concept, and explore any unresolved problems in the proposed simulation procedures. It is shown that true enthalpy, Reynolds number, and nearly exact chemistry can be provided in the exhaust flow for the flight regime from Mach 4 to 10 by a detonation tube simulation. A detailed discussion of the required similarity parameters leads to the conclusion that substitute gases can be used as the simulated exhaust gas in a wind tunnel to achieve the correct interaction forces and moments.

Oman, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1948

Altitude-Wind-Tunnel Investigation of a 3000-Pound-Thrust Axial-Flow Turbojet Engine: Analysis of Effects of Inlet Pressure Losses - 6

The losses in the inlet air ducts, the diffusers, and the de-icing equipment associated with turbojet engine installations cause a reduction in the total pressure at the inlet of the engine and result in reduced thrust and increased specific fuel consumption. An analytical evaluation of the effects of inlet losses on the net thrust and the fuel economy of a 3000-pound-thrust axial flow turbojet engine with a two-stage turbine is presented. The analysis is based on engine performance characteristics that were determined from experiments in the NACA Cleveland altitude wind tunnel. The experimental investigation did not include tests in which inlet losses were systematically varied, but the effects of these losses can be accurately estimated from the experimentally determined performance characteristics of the engine.

Sanders, Newell D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Selected experiments in laminar flow: An annotated bibliography

Since the 1930s, there have been attempts to reduce drag on airplanes by delaying laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition. Experiments conducted during the 1940's, while successful in delaying transition, were discouraging because of the careful surface preparation necessary to meet roughness and waviness requirements. The resulting lull in research lasted nearly 30 years. By the late 1970s, airframe construction techniques had advanced sufficiently that the high surface quality required for natural laminar flow (NLF) and laminar flow control (LFC) appeared possible on production aircraft. As a result, NLF and LFC research became widespread. This report is an overview of that research. The experiments summarized herein were selected for their applicability to small transonic aircraft. Both flight and wind tunnel tests are included. The description of each experiment is followed by corresponding references. Part One summarizes NLF experiments; Part Two deals with LFC and hybrid laminar flow control (HLFC) experiments.

Drake, Aaron↗

NASA NTRS2007

Impact of Fluidic Chevrons on Supersonic Jet Noise

The impact of fluidic chevrons on broadband shock noise and mixing noise for single stream and coannular jets was investigated. Air was injected into the core flow of a bypass ratio 5 nozzle system using a core fluidic chevron nozzle. For the single stream experiments, the fan stream was operated at the wind tunnel conditions and the core stream was operated at supersonic speeds. For the dual stream experiments, the fan stream was operated at supersonic speeds and the core stream was varied between subsonic and supersonic conditions. For the single stream jet at nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) below 2.0, increasing the injection pressure of the fluidic chevron increased high frequency noise at observation angles upstream of the nozzle exit and decreased mixing noise near the peak jet noise angle. When the NPR increased to a point where broadband shock noise dominated the acoustic spectra at upstream observation angles, the fluidic chevrons significantly decreased this noise. For dual stream jets, the fluidic chevrons reduced broadband shock noise levels when the fan NPR was below 2.3, but had little or no impact on shock noise with further increases in fan pressure. For all fan stream conditions investigated, the fluidic chevron became more effective at reducing mixing noise near the peak jet noise angle as the core pressure increased.

Henderson, Brenda↗