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At least 631 records · Page 35

The Design of a High-Q, MACH-5 Nozzle for the Langley 8-Foot HTT

A new nozzle has ben designed for the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel. The new nozzle was designed with a Mach-5 exit flow at a Mach-5 flight-enthalpy test condition and has a smaller throat area than the existing Mach-5 nozzle which significantly increases the range of dynamic pressures that can be achieved in the facility. The nozzle was designed using the NASA Langley IMOCND computer program which solves the potential equation using the classical method of characteristics. Several axisymmetric nozzle contours were generated and evaluated using viscous computational fluid dynamics. A number of items were considered in the evaluation, including flow uniformity, thermal and structural design, manufacturing schedule and cost. Once the final contour was selected, studies were done to determine the effects of manufacturing irregularities (steps and cavities at joints). These studies were done to develop manufacturing specifications and assembly tolerances.

Gaffey, Richard L., Jr.↗

Validation of a Computational Model for the SLS Core Stage Oxygen Tank Diffuser Concept and the Low Profile Diffuser - An Advanced Development Design for the SLS

The Low Profile Diffuser (LPD) project originated as an award from the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Advanced Development (ADO) office to the Main Propulsion Systems Branch (ER22). The task was created to develop and test an LPD concept that could produce comparable performance to a larger, traditionally designed, ullage gas diffuser while occupying a smaller volume envelope. Historically, ullage gas diffusers have been large, bulky devices that occupy a significant portion of the propellant tank, decreasing the tank volume available for propellant. Ullage pressurization of spacecraft propellant tanks is required to prevent boil-off of cryogenic propellants and to provide a positive pressure for propellant extraction. To achieve this, ullage gas diffusers must slow hot, high-pressure gas entering a propellant tank from supersonic speeds to only a few meters per second. Decreasing the incoming gas velocity is typically accomplished through expansion to larger areas within the diffuser which has traditionally led to large diffuser lengths. The Fluid Dynamics Branch (ER42) developed and applied advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis methods in order to mature the LPD design from and initial concept to an optimized test prototype and to provide extremely accurate pre-test predictions of diffuser performance. Additionally, the diffuser concept for the Core Stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) was analyzed in a short amount of time to guide test data collection efforts of the qualification of the device. CFD analysis of the SLS diffuser design provided new insights into the functioning of the device and was qualitatively validated against hot wire anemometry of the exterior flow field. Rigorous data analysis of the measurements was performed on static and dynamic pressure data, data from two microphones, accelerometers and hot wire anemometry with automated traverse. Feasibility of the LPD concept and validation of the computational model were demonstrated by the test data.

Brodnick, Jacob↗

Threshold windspeeds for sand on Mars - Wind tunnel simulations

Wind friction threshold speeds for particle movement were determined in a wind tunnel operating at martian surface pressure with a 95 percent CO2 and 5 percent air atmosphere. The relationship between friction speed and free-stream velocity is extended to the critical case for Mars of momentum thickness Reynolds numbers between 425 and 2000. It is determined that the dynamic pressure required to initiate saltation is nearly constant for pressures between 1 bar and 4 mb for atmospheres of both air and CO2.

Greeley, R.↗

Experimental Studies of Flutter of Buckled Rectangular Panels at Mach Numbers from 1.2 to 3.0 Including Effects of Pressure Differential and of Panel Width-Length Ratio

Experimental panel flutter data have been obtained at Mach numbers from 1.2 to 3.0 for buckled rectangular panels and the effect of a pressure differential has been determined. Increasing the pressure differential was effective in eliminating flutter on most of the panels tested. The effects of the variables in the panel flutter parameter ((square root of m(exp 2) -1) * (E/q))(exp 1/3) t/l (where M is the Mach number, q is the dynamic pressure, E is Young's modulus, and t and l are the panel thickness and length, respectively) were investigated for buckled panels clamped on the front and rear edges and a critical value of this parameter of 0.44 is indicated at zero pressure differential when the panel width-length ratio is 0.69. An estimated flutter boundary is presented for buckled panels clamped on four edges, with width-length ratios of 0.21 to 4.0. This boundary shows that the panel width is more significant than the panel length when the ratio of width to length is less than approximately 0.5. Panels clamped on four edges and buckled in two half waves in the direction of flow were found to be particularly susceptible to flutter. The results of limited tests on panels with applied damping, curvature, and lengthwise stiffeners are also presented and discussed.

Sylvester, Maurice A.↗

Aerothermodynamic Environments Definition for the Mars Science Laboratory Entry Capsule

An overview of the aerothermodynamic environments definition status is presented for the Mars Science Laboratory entry vehicle. The environments are based on Navier-Stokes flowfield simulations on a candidate aeroshell geometry and worst-case entry heating trajectories. Uncertainties for the flowfield predictions are based primarily on available ground data since Mars flight data are scarce. The forebody aerothermodynamics analysis focuses on boundary layer transition and turbulent heating augmentation. Turbulent transition is expected prior to peak heating, a first for Mars entry, resulting in augmented heat flux and shear stress at the same heatshield location. Afterbody computations are also shown with and without interference effects of reaction control system thruster plumes. Including uncertainties, analysis predicts that the heatshield may experience peaks of 225 W/sq cm for turbulent heat flux, 0.32 atm for stagnation pressure, and 400 Pa for turbulent shear stress. The afterbody heat flux without thruster plume interference is predicted to be 7 W/sq cm on the backshell and 10 W/sq cm on the parachute cover. If the reaction control jets are fired near peak dynamic pressure, the heat flux at localized areas could reach as high as 76 W/sq cm on the backshell and 38 W/sq cm on the parachute cover, including uncertainties. The final flight environments used for hardware design will be updated for any changes in the aeroshell configuration, heating design trajectories, or uncertainties.

Edquist, Karl T.↗

A lifting surface theory in rotational flow

The partial differential equation for small disturbance steady rotational flow in three dimensions is solved through an integral equation approach. The solution is obtained by using the method of weighted residuals. Specific applications are directed to wings in nonuniform subsonic parallel streams with velocity varying in vertical and spanwise directions and to airfoils in nonuniform freestream. Comparison with limited known results indicates that the present method is reasonably accurate. Numerical results for the lifting pressure of airfoil, lift, induced drag, and pitching moments of airfoil, lift, induced drag, and pitching moments of elliptic, rectangular, and delta wings in a jet, wake, or monotonic sheared stream are presented. It is shown that, in addition to the effect of local dynamic pressures, a positive velocity gradient tends to enhance the lift.

Shiau, M. J.↗

Explosive Event in MON-3 Oxidizer System Resulting from Pressure Transducer Failure

In 2003, a Druck(Registered Trademark) pressure transducer failed catastrophically in a test system circulating nitrogen tetroxide at NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility. The cause of the explosion was not immediately obvious since the wetted areas of the pressure transducer were constructed of materials compatible with nitrogen tetroxide. Chemical analysis of the resulting residue and a materials analysis of the diaphragm and its weld zones were used to determine the chain of events that led to the catastrophic failure. Due to excessive dynamic pressure loading in the test system, the diaphragm in the pressure transducer suffered cyclic failure and allowed the silicon oil located behind the isolation diaphragm to mix with the nitrogen tetroxide. The reaction between these two chemicals formed a combination of 2,4-di and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, which are shock sensitive explosives that caused the failure of the pressure transducer. Further research indicated numerous manufacturers offer similar pressure transducers with silicone oil separated from the test fluid by a thin stainless steel isolation diaphragm. Caution must be exercised when purchasing a pressure transducer for a particular system to avoid costly failures and test system contamination.

Baker, David L.↗

Collaborative Proposal: Improving Understanding of the Internal Structure and Dynamics of Deep Convection Using ARM Observations and Large Eddy Simulations (Final progress report)

This is the final technical report for the DOE Atmospheric System Research funded project entitled "Collaborative Proposal: Improving Understanding of the Internal Structure and Dynamics of Deep Convection Using ARM Observations and Large Eddy Simulations". This project addressed several science questions related to the structure and behavior of deep convective clouds in the atmosphere. It applied knowledge gained from this work to improve the deep cumulus convection parameterization in the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Specific outcomes related to the project include an improved understanding of: (1) how convective cloud environments regulate the size of thermals reaching the upper troposphere, and hence the shallow-to-deep convective transition; (2) the role of dynamic pressure forcing in thermal and convective cloud evolution; and (3) the role of vertical wind shear on the behavior of moist thermals and the transition from shallow to deep convection. Although the primary motivation of this project was to improve basic understanding of thermal dynamics in atmospheric convection, an important component of this work was using this improved understanding to modify the representation of entrainment and vertical velocity profiles in the Zhang-McFarlane cumulus parameterization used in CESM. This work also had a strong observational component, with analyses of Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) observations to characterize thermal characteristics and behavior. Observations collected during the ARM-supported CACTI field project were used with high-resolution simulations to explore environmental controls on deep convection initiation. Data from the ARM-supported MC3E field project were also used to evaluate the representation of updraft vertical velocities in the Zhang-McFarlane cumulus parameterization. This project directly supported the training of two post-doctoral researchers and led to 16 peer-reviewed published papers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Flux-driven simulations of self-generated radial electric fields and transition to improved confinement regime

The evolution of plasma profiles and radial electric fields in the edge of tokamaks during a transition to an improved confinement regime is explored in an unfavorable configuration based on self-consistent, flux-driven simulations of reduced Braginskii models with ion pressure dynamics. The edge plasma response to the heating power is explored by varying the heat source strength. The energy transfer from turbulent to mean flows is induced by the large-amplitude fluctuations as the power input becomes sufficiently strong. It is found that ion pressure fluctuations play an important role in the generation of the Reynolds power. Consequently, the plasma spontaneously forms radial electric fields localized at the edge, which reduces the radial correlation and amplitudes of edge fluctuations. An edge temperature pedestal also forms while the density profiles remain nearly unchanged, featuring an I-mode-like regime.

Physics↗

Status of two studies on active control of aeroelastic response at NASA Langley Research Center

The application of active control technology to the suppression of flutter was successfully demonstrated during two recent studies in the Langley transonic dynamics tunnel. The first study involved the implementation of an aerodynamic-energy criterion, using both leading- and trailing-edge controls, to suppress flutter of a simplified delta-wing model. Use of this technique resulted in an increase in the flutter dynamic pressure of approximately 12 percent for this model at a Mach number of 0.9. Analytical methods used to predict the open- and closed-loop behavior of the model are also discussed. The second study, which is a joint effort with the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, was conducted to establish the effect of active flutter suppression on a model of the Boeing B-52 Configured Vehicle (CCV). Some preliminary results of this study indicate significant improvements in the damping associated with the critical flutter mode.

Abel, I.↗

Results of a landing gear loads test using a 0.0405-scale model (16-0) of the space shuttle orbiter in the Rockwell International NAAL wind tunnel (OA163B), volume 1

Aerodynamic loads on a sting mounted 0.045-scale representation of the 140C outer mold line space shuttle orbiter configuration were measured to verify orbiter landing gear system pressure loading and hinge moment levels. Pressure, force, and hinge moment data, recorded over smaller increments of the landing gear deployment schedule to insure data accuracy and to investigate the effects of asymmetric gear deployment on all parameters, are presented. Tests were conducted at a Mach number of 0.17, and freestream dynamic pressure of 42.5 psf, and a Reynolds number per unit length of 1.2 million foot. Angle of attack variation was -2 to 10 degrees while angles of sideslip varied from -5 to 5 degrees.

Mennell, R. C.↗

Mantle flow pressure and the angle of subduction - Non-Newtonian corner flows

Corner flows of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids are used to model the flow in a subduction zone which is viscously driven by the motions of the converging plates and the descending slab. The pressures induced by the flow tend to lift the slab up beneath the overriding plate thereby offsetting the tendency of gravity to align the slab with the vertical. The low angles of subduction observed in Peru and Central Chile may be the result of strong dynamic pressures forcing the slab up against the overriding plate. Viscous coupling between the overriding plate and the downgoing slab is essential if the nonvertical dips of slabs are a consequence of the balance between gravitational and pressure torques. For a Newtonian mantle, shear stresses and pressures on the top of the slab are comparable. If the mantle is non-Newtonian, however, the pressures greatly exceed the shear stresses, for most acute dip angles. Thus frictional forces on the top and bottom surfaces of slabs are less important in resisting slab descent into a non-Newtonian mantle than they are in resisting penetration into a Newtonian mantle.

Tovish, A.↗

Characteristics of the Marslike limit of the Venus-solar wind interaction

The response of the Venus ionosphere to the solar wind when the latter exceeds the peak thermal pressure in the Venus ionosphere is characterized on the basis of observations from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. At these times, the Venus ionosphere becomes increasingly magnetized until the total ionospheric pressure matches that of the solar wind. The ionopause becomes less distinct and asymptotically approaches a limiting altitude of about 220 km for extremely high pressures. When the ionopause is low, the hot regions of electrons which occurs within the ionopause gradient extends to lower altitudes. The ion temperatures show little change, and there is no discernible increase in plasma wave activity at the ionopause. The Venus observations at high dynamic pressure provide a framework for reassessing the available Mars observations. In particular, this study shows that solar wind standoff without sufficient ionospheric plasma pressure cannot by itself be used as evidence for a planetary magnetic field.

Luhmann, J. G.↗

Application of a Flush Airdata Sensing System to a Wing Leading Edge (LE-FADS)

The feasibility of locating a flush airdata sensing (FADS) system on a wing leading edge where the operation of the avionics or fire control radar system will not be hindered is investigated. The leading-edge FADS system (LE-FADS) was installed on an unswept symmetrical airfoil and a series of low-speed wind-tunnel tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. As a result of the tests it is concluded that the aerodynamic models formulated for use on aircraft nosetips are directly applicable to wing leading edges and that the calibration process is similar. Furthermore, the agreement between the airdata calculations for angle of attack and total pressure from the LE-FADS and known wind-tunnel values suggest that wing-based flush airdata systems can be calibrated to a high degree of accuracy. Static wind-tunnel tests for angles of attack from -50 deg to 50 deg and dynamic pressures from 3.6 to 11.4 lb/sq ft were performed.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

Space shuttle main engine definition (phase B). Volume 5: Valves and interconnects

The steady state thermodynamic cycle balance of the single preburner staged combustion engine, coupled with dynamic transient analyses, dictated in detail the location and requirements for each valve defined in this volume. Valve configuration selections were influenced by overall engine and vehicle system weight and failure mode determinations. Modulating valve actuators are external to the valve and are line replaceable. Development and satisfactory demonstration of a high pressure dynamic shaft seal has made this configuration practical. Pneumatic motor driven actuators that use engine pumped hydrogen gas as the working fluid are used. The helium control system is proposed as a module containing a cluster of solenoid actuated valves. The separable couplings and flanges are designed to assure minimum leakage with minimum coupling weight. The deflection of the seal surface in the flange is defined by finite element analysis that has been confirmed with test data. The seal design proposed has passed preliminary pressure cycling and thermal cycling tests.

Schultz, D. F.↗

Application of a flush airdata sensing system to a wing leading edge (LE-FADS)

This paper investigates the feasibility of locating a flush air-data sensing (FADS) system on a wing leading edge where the operation of the avionics or fire control radar system will not be hindered. The leading-edge FADS system (LE-FADS) was installed on an unswept symmetrical airfoil, and a series of low-speed wind-tunnel tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the system. As a result of the tests it is concluded that the aerodynamic models formulated for use on aircraft nosetips are directly applicable to wing leading edges and that the calibration process is similar. Furthermore, the agreement between the air-data calculations for angle of attack and total pressure from the LE-FADS and known wind-tunnel values suggest that wing-based flush air-data systems can be calibrated to a high degree of accuracy. Static wind-tunnel tests for angles of attack from -50 to 50 deg and dynamic pressures from 3.6 to 11.4 lb/sq ft were performed.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗

The Effect of Various Wing-Gun Installations on the Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Airplane Model Equipped with an NACA Low-Drag Wing, Special Report

An investigation was made in the NACA 19-foot pressure wind tunnel to determine the effect of various win-gun installation on the aerodynamic characteristics of a model with an NACA low-drag wing. Measurements were made of lift and drag over an angle-of-attack range and for several values of dynamic pressure on a four-tenths scale model of a high-speed airplane equipped with the low-drag wing and with various wing-gun installations. Two installations were tested: one in which the blast tube and part of the gun barrel protrude ahead of the wing and another in which the guns is mounted wholly within the wing. Two types of openings for the latter installation were tested. For each installation three simulated guns were mounted in each wing. The results are given in the form of nondimensional coefficients. The installations tested appear to have little effect on the maximum-lift coefficient of the model. However, the drag coefficient shows a definite change. The least adverse effect was obtained with the completely internal mounting and small nose entrance. The results indicate that a properly designed wing-gun installation will have very little adverse effect on the aerodynamic characteristics of the low-drag wing.

Muse, Thomas C.↗

Effect of Air Swirler Configuration on Lean Direct Injector Flow Structure and Combustion Performance with a 7-Point Lean Direct Injector Array

Studies of various injector configurations in a 7-point Lean Direct Injector (LDI) array are reported for both non-reacting (cold) flow and for Jet-A/air reacting flows. For cold flow, central recirculation zone (CRZ) formation is investigated and for reacting flows, combustor operability and dynamics are of interest. 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are described for the cold flow experiments and flame chemiluminescence imaging and dynamic pressure results are discussed for the reacting flow cases. PIV results indicate that for this configuration the close spacing between swirler elements leads to strong interaction that affects whether a CRZ forms, and pilot recess and counter-swirl helps to isolate swirlers from one another. Dynamics results focus on features identified near 500-Hz.

aircraft combustors↗