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At least 577 records · Page 32

Flow Past a Descending Balloon

In this report, we present our findings related to aerodynamic loading of partially inflated balloon shapes. This report will consider aerodynamic loading of partially inflated inextensible natural shape balloons and some relevant problems in potential flow. For the axisymmetric modeling, we modified our Balloon Design Shape Program (BDSP) to handle axisymmetric inextensible ascent shapes with aerodynamic loading. For a few simple examples of two dimensional potential flows, we used the Matlab PDE Toolbox. In addition, we propose a model for aerodynamic loading of strained energy minimizing balloon shapes with lobes. Numerical solutions are presented for partially inflated strained balloon shapes with lobes and no aerodynamic loading.

Baginski, Frank↗

A NASTRAN-based computer program for structural dynamic analysis of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

This paper describes a computer program developed for structural dynamic analysis of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT's). It is based on the finite element method through its reliance on NASTRAN for the development of mass, stiffness, and damping matrices of the tower end rotor, which are treated in NASTRAN as separate structures. The tower is modeled in a stationary frame and the rotor in one rotating at a constant angular velocity. The two structures are subsequently joined together (external to NASTRAN) using a time-dependent transformation consistent with the hub configuration. Aerodynamic loads are computed with an established flow model based on strip theory. Aeroelastic effects are included by incorporating the local velocity and twisting deformation of the blade in the load computation. The turbulent nature of the wind, both in space and time, is modeled by adding in stochastic wind increments. The resulting equations of motion are solved in the time domain using the implicit Newmark-Beta integrator. Preliminary comparisons with data from the Boeing/NASA MOD2 HAWT indicate that the code is capable of accurately and efficiently predicting the response of HAWT's driven by turbulent winds.

Lobitz, Don W.↗

Cyclic Symmetry Finite Element Forced Response Analysis of a Distortion-Tolerant Fan with Boundary Layer Ingestion

Accurate prediction of the blade vibration stress is required to determine overall durability of fan blade design under Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) distorted flow environments. Traditional single blade modeling technique is incapable of representing accurate modeling for the entire rotor blade system subject to complex dynamic loading behaviors and vibrations in distorted flow conditions. A particular objective of our work was to develop a high-fidelity full-rotor aeromechanics analysis capability for a system subjected to a distorted inlet flow by applying cyclic symmetry finite element modeling methodology. This reduction modeling method allows computationally very efficient analysis using a small periodic section of the full rotor blade system. Experimental testing by the use of the 8-foot by 6-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel Test facility at NASA Glenn Research Center was also carried out for the system designated as the Boundary Layer Ingesting Inlet/Distortion-Tolerant Fan (BLI2DTF) technology development. The results obtained from the present numerical modeling technique were evaluated with those of the wind tunnel experimental test, toward establishing a computationally efficient aeromechanics analysis modeling tool facilitating for analyses of the full rotor blade systems subjected to a distorted inlet flow conditions. Fairly good correlations were achieved hence our computational modeling techniques were fully demonstrated. The analysis result showed that the safety margin requirement set in the BLI2DTF fan blade design provided a sufficient margin with respect to the operating speed range.

forced response analysis↗

Platform for a swing root turbomachinery blade

A rotor apparatus, comprising a blade having a root adapted to swing laterally within a supporting spindle under impact loading, is provided with a flow path defining platform. The platform comprises an inner shroud extending generally laterally of the blade airfoil portion and adapted to swing laterally. In one embodiment, wherein the blade primarily comprises a laminate of composite filament plies, the inner shroud is bonded to the laminate. An outer shroud, fixed with respect to the supporting spindle, forms a lateral extension of the inner shroud with the blade in its normal operating position. The inner and outer shrouds are provided with a pair of complementary adjacent surfaces contoured to pass in relatively close-fitting relationships to each other when the blade swings under impact loadings.

Ravenhall, R.↗

Newton-Raphson AC Power Flow Convergence Based on Deep Learning Initialization and Homotopy Continuation

Power flow forms the basis of many power system studies. With the increased penetration of renewable energy, grid planners tend to perform multiple power flow simulations under various operating conditions and not just selected snapshots at peak or light load conditions. Getting a converged AC power flow (ACPF) case remains a significant challenge for grid planners especially in large power grid networks. This paper proposes a two-stage approach to improve Newton-Raphson ACPF convergence and was applied to a 6102 bus Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) system. The first stage utilizes a deep learning-based initializer with data re-training. Here a deep neural network (DNN) initializer is developed to provide better initial voltage magnitude and angle guesses to aid in power flow convergence. This is because Newton-Raphson ACPF is quite sensitive to the initial conditions and bad initialization could lead to divergence. The DNN initializer includes a data re-training framework that improves the initializer's performance when faced with limited training data. The DNN initializer successfully solved 3,285 cases out of 3,899 non-converging dispatch and performed better than random forest and DC power flow initialization methods. ACPF cases not solved in this first stage are then passed through a hot-starting algorithm based on homotopy continuation with switched shunt control. The hot-starting algorithm successfully converged 416 cases out of the remaining 614 non-converging ACPF dispatch. In conclusion, the combined two-stage approach achieved a 94.9% success rate, by converging a total of 3,701 cases out of the initial 3,899 unsolved cases.

Deep learning↗

High frequency flow-structural interaction in dense subsonic fluids

Prediction of the detailed dynamic behavior in rocket propellant feed systems and engines and other such high-energy fluid systems requires precise analysis to assure structural performance. Designs sometimes require placement of bluff bodies in a flow passage. Additionally, there are flexibilities in ducts, liners, and piping systems. A design handbook and interactive data base have been developed for assessing flow/structural interactions to be used as a tool in design and development, to evaluate applicable geometries before problems develop, or to eliminate or minimize problems with existing hardware. This is a compilation of analytical/empirical data and techniques to evaluate detailed dynamic characteristics of both the fluid and structures. These techniques have direct applicability to rocket engine internal flow passages, hot gas drive systems, and vehicle propellant feed systems. Organization of the handbook is by basic geometries for estimating Strouhal numbers, added mass effects, mode shapes for various end constraints, critical onset flow conditions, and possible structural response amplitudes. Emphasis is on dense fluids and high structural loading potential for fatigue at low subsonic flow speeds where high-frequency excitations are possible. Avoidance and corrective measure illustrations are presented together with analytical curve fits for predictions compiled from a comprehensive data base.

Liu, Baw-Lin↗

Countercurrent flow characteristics of next generation solvent in novel 3D printed columns for carbon capture

Solvent based absorption for carbon dioxide capture in a packed column is being considered as an efficient technology for the decarbonization process of point source. Significant efforts are underway to improve the design of packings with the cutting edge 3D printing technology for efficient carbon capture. Accordingly, multiphase flow studies were conducted to assess the performance of novel 3D printed columns with various triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) designs. The effects of solvent properties, liquid and gas loads on the performance of TPMS columns are extensively explored. Hydrodynamics of the potential water-lean solvents (EEMPA) as well as aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solvent for carbon capture are evaluated and compared. The interfacial area and liquid holdup increase with increasing liquid loads (q L ) for TPMS columns. Schwarz column consistently shows the highest liquid holdup value. The EEMPA exhibits higher values for the interfacial area (10–15 %) and liquid holdup (~4 %) in comparison to the MEA. TPMS columns exhibit the intermediate value of dry pressure drop between the random and the structure packed columns. Among selected TPMS columns, the gyroid packing shows the lowest pressure drop. The gas load has marginal impact on the interfacial area at lower value while a higher gas load leads to column’s flooding. Prior to the flooding, the interfacial area in TMPS packings rises with increased gas load at a fixed liquid load except Schwarz packing where interfacial area is incentive to the gas load. Additionally, the liquid holdup and wet pressure drop rise as gas load increases in TPMS columns. Overall, Fisher Koch packing is more susceptible to flood as compared to other TPMS packings. Flow regimes: loading and flooding are also delineated in the TPMS packings.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Aerodynamic loads near cranks, apexes, and tips of thin, lifting wings in incompressible flow

The calculation of the incompressible and irrotational flow in the vicinity of tips and corners of thin, lifting wings is considered. It is shown that the important characteristics of the flow are governed by an eigenvalue problem, which is nonlinear at the trailing edge because of the shed wake (assumed to be in the wing plane). A new solution method was devised because either the existing methods were not valid for the trailing edge case or they would have required excessive amounts of computer time. The new method, which is fundamentally different than the previous ones, was used to calculate solutions for a number of cases, including some for which correct answers had not previously been obtained. Two of these solutions were used to determine the validity of drag and leading-edge-suction distributions near the tips of a delta wing and a swept wing as calculated by using both the vortex lattice method and a kernel function method. The calculations for the swept wing resolved the question of whether or not the induced drag should be zero at the wing tip.

Medan, R. T.↗

Unsteady aerodynamic modeling for arbitrary motions

Results indicating that unsteady aerodynamic loads derived under the assumption of simple harmonic motions executed by airfoil or wing can be extended to arbitrary motions are summarized. The generalized Theodorsen (1953) function referable to loads due to simple harmonic oscillations of a wing section in incompressible flow, the Laplace inversion integral for unsteady aerodynamic loads, calculations of root loci of aeroelastic loads, and analysis of generalized compressible transient airloads are discussed.

Edwards, J. W.↗

Blade loading and spanwise effects on the near and far wake characteristics of a compressor rotor blade

An experimental investigation of the blade loading and spanwise effects on the rotor wake is presented. The investigation was limited to a study of a low subsonic and incompressible wake flow found downstream of a lightly loaded rotor. Measurements were made with a tri-axial hot wire probe mounted in the stationary frame of reference at six radial and nine axial positions. At each measurement location, the rotor was run at different operating conditions to discern the effects of blade loading on the wake. Near and far wake measurements are given, including mean velocity and turbulence intensity characteristics. The loading and spanwise effects on rotor wake characteristics were found to be substantial.

Reynolds, B.↗

Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Static Aeroelastic Loads and Deflections of a Thin 45 deg Delta Wing in Supersonic Flow

Wind tunnel tests showing the effects of static aeroelasticity for a thin 45 degree delta wing in supersonic flow are presented and compared with theory in the Mach number range 1.30 t o 4.00. Calculated deformations, normal-force coefficients, and pitching-moment coefficients based on a linearized potential theory for subsonic leading edges at a Mach number of 1.30 and a linearized potential theory for supersonic leading edges at Mach numbers of 1.64, 3.00, and 4.00 are shown to compare favorably with the wind-tunnel results. Calculations of these same deformations and coefficients based on piston theory are shown to compare satisfactorily with experiment at a Mach number of 4.00 but not so well at a Mach number of 3.00. A factor modification of piston theory is suggested which improves the correlation of these results with experiment and also with the potential-theory results.

Bennett, Floyd V.↗

Some examples of unsteady transonic flows over airfoils

A finite difference flutter analysis is presented for the NACA 64A-410 airfoil at M equals 0.72, where the incidence is abruptly changed from 2 to 4 degrees. The effect of gust loads is studied, and the unsteady flow adjusting process is displayed. The semi-implicit procedure of Ballhaus and Lomax (1974) is used to solve the small disturbance transonic potential equation. The physical aspects of the results, rather than the numerical details, are emphasized.

Ballhaus, W. F.↗

Propulsion Aeroelastic Analysis Developed for Flutter and Forced Response

The NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field develops new technologies to increase the fuel efficiency of aircraft engines, improve the safety of engine operation, reduce emissions, and reduce engine noise. With the development of new designs for fans, compressors, and turbines to achieve these goals, the basic aeroelastic requirements are that there should be no flutter (self-excited vibrations) or high resonant blade stresses (due to forced response) in the operating regime. Therefore, an accurate prediction and analysis capability is required to verify the aeroelastic soundness of the designs. Such a three-dimensional viscous propulsion aeroelastic analysis capability has been developed at Glenn with support from the Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) program. This newly developed aeroelastic analysis capability is based on TURBO, a threedimensional unsteady aerodynamic Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbomachinery code developed previously under a grant from Glenn. TURBO can model the viscous flow effects that play an important role in certain aeroelastic problems such as flutter with flow separation, flutter at high loading conditions near the stall line (stall flutter), flutter in the presence of shock and boundary-layer interaction, and forced response due to wakes and shock impingement. In aeroelastic analysis, the structural dynamics representation of the blades is based on normal modes. A finite-element analysis code is used to calculate these in-vacuum vibration modes and the associated natural frequencies. In an aeroelastic analysis using the TURBO code, flutter and forced response are modeled as being uncoupled. To calculate if a blade row will flutter, one prescribes the motion of the blade to be a harmonic vibration in a specified in-vacuum normal mode. An aeroelastic analysis preprocessor is used to generate the displacement field required for the analysis. The work done by aerodynamic forces on the vibrating blade during a cycle of vibration is calculated. If this work is positive, the blade is dynamically unstable, since it will extract energy from the flow, leading to an increase in the blade s oscillation amplitude. The forced-response excitations on a blade row are calculated by modeling the flow through two adjacent blade rows using the TURBO code. The blades are assumed to be rigid. As an option, a single blade row can be modeled with the upstream blade row influence represented by a time-varying disturbance (gust) at the inlet boundary. The unsteady forces on a blade row from such analyses are used in a structural analysis along with the blade structural dynamics characteristics and aerodynamic damping associated with blade vibration to calculate the resulting dynamic stresses on the blade.

Bakhle, Milind A.↗

Active Flow Control Stator With Coanda Surface

Active Flow Control increases the permissible aerodynamic loading. Curved surface near the trailing edge ("Coanda surface"): a) increases turning -> higher pressure ratio. b) controls boundary layer separation -> increased surge margin. Objective: Reduce the number of vanes or compressor stages. Constraints: 1. In a real compressor, the vane must still function entirely without blowing. 2. Maintain the flow exit angle of the reference stator despite the resulting increase in stator loading.

Guendogdu↗

Evolving Maturation of the Series-Bosch System

Human exploration missions to Mars and other destinations beyond low Earth orbit require highly robust, reliable, and maintainable life support systems that maximize recycling of water and oxygen. In order to meet this requirement, NASA has continued the development of a Series-Bosch System, a two stage reactor process that reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen (H2) to produce water and solid carbon. Theoretically, the Bosch process can recover 100% of the oxygen (O2) from CO2 in the form of water, making it an attractive option for long duration missions. The Series Bosch system includes a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reactor, a carbon formation reactor (CFR), an H2 extraction membrane, and a CO2 extraction membrane. In 2016, the results of integrated testing of the Series Bosch system showed great promise and resulted in design modifications to the CFR to further improve performance. This year, integrated testing was conducted with the modified reactor to evaluate its performance and compare it with the performance of the previous configuration. Additionally, a CFR with the capability to load new catalyst and remove spent catalyst in-situ was built. Flow demonstrations were performed to evaluate both the catalyst loading and removal process and the hardware performance. The results of the integrated testing with the modified CFR as well as the flow demonstrations are discussed in this paper.

Stanley, Christine↗

Evolving Maturation of the Series-Bosch System

Human exploration missions to Mars and other destinations beyond low Earth orbit require highly robust, reliable, and maintainable life support systems that maximize recycling of water and oxygen. In order to meet this requirement, NASA has continued the development of a Series-Bosch System, a two stage reactor process that reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen (H2) to produce water and solid carbon. Theoretically, the Bosch process can recover 100% of the oxygen (O2) from CO2 in the form of water, making it an attractive option for long duration missions. The Series Bosch system includes a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reactor, a carbon formation reactor (CFR), an H2 extraction membrane, and a CO2 extraction membrane. In 2016, the results of integrated testing of the Series Bosch system showed great promise and resulted in design modifications to the CFR to further improve performance. This year, integrated testing was conducted with the modified reactor to evaluate its performance and compare it with the performance of the previous configuration. Additionally, a CFR with the capability to load new catalyst and remove spent catalyst in-situ was built. Flow demonstrations were performed to evaluate both the catalyst loading and removal process and the hardware performance. The results of the integrated testing with the modified CFR as well as the flow demonstrations are discussed in this paper.

Abney, Morgan B.↗

Application of unsteady lifting surface theory to propellers in forward flight

Development of a theory for determining the aerodynamic forces for unsteady, compressible subsonic flow on a propeller in forward flight. The acceleration potential method is used in developing the basic downwash integral equation which governs the flow. This integral equation is solved by the doublet-lattice method, which consists of placing 'load' lines at certain locations on the chord and satisfying the downwash condition at other selected positions. The examples presented include the spanwise and chordwise loading on a rotating propeller for incompressible flow, an example of compressible flow calculations, and, finally, a calculation illustrating the loss of aerodynamic damping of a propeller blade due to the passage of the blade over its own wake.

Hammond, C. E.↗

Active control of vaneless diffuser rotating stall

Experiments were carried out to study the feasibility of active stabilization of vaneless diffuser rotating stalls. Pressure fluctuation at the diffuser inlet was monitored and used to control the rotating stall. AC control flow, which is produced by a load speaker, was introduced into the diffuser at the inlet. It is shown that the rotating stall can be suppressed when the phase of the control flow has a certain relation with the phase of the rotating stall. By considering the energy flux due to the AC control flow, it is shown that the rotating stall is suppressed when the control flow has the phase such that the energy is subtracted out from the diffuser flow. Discussions are made on the relations between the energy flux and the amplitude of the pressure fluctuation due to the rotating stalls.

Yoshida, Yoshiki↗