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At least 649 records · Page 36

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NASA NTRS2003

Trailing Vortex Measurements in the Wake of a Hovering Rotor Blade with Various Tip Shapes

This work examined the wake aerodynamics of a single helicopter rotor blade with several tip shapes operating on a hover test stand. Velocity field measurements were conducted using three-component laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). The objective of these measurements was to document the vortex velocity profiles and then extract the core properties, such as the core radius, peak swirl velocity, and axial velocity. The measured test cases covered a wide range of wake-ages and several tip shapes, including rectangular, tapered, swept, and a subwing tip. One of the primary differences shown by the change in tip shape was the wake geometry. The effect of blade taper reduced the initial peak swirl velocity by a significant fraction. It appears that this is accomplished by decreasing the vortex strength for a given blade loading. The subwing measurements showed that the interaction and merging of the subwing and primary vortices created a less coherent vortical structure. A source of vortex core instability is shown to be the ratio of the peak swirl velocity to the axial velocity deficit. The results show that if there is a turbulence producing region of the vortex structure, it will be outside of the core boundary. The LDV measurements were supported by laser light-sheet flow visualization. The results provide several benchmark test cases for future validation of theoretical vortex models, numerical free-wake models, and computational fluid dynamics results.

Martin, Preston B.↗

NASA NTRS2018

A Review of Distributed Electric Propulsion Concepts for Air Vehicle Technology

The emergence of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) concepts for aircraft systems has enabled new capabilities in the overall efficiency, capabilities, and robustness of future air vehicles. Distributed electric propulsion systems feature the novel approach of utilizing electrically-driven propulsors which are only connected electrically to energy sources or power-generating devices. As a result, propulsors can be placed, sized, and operated with greater flexibility to leverage the synergistic benefits of aero-propulsive coupling and provide improved performance over more traditional designs. A number of conventional aircraft concepts that utilize distributed electric propulsion have been developed, along with various short and vertical takeoff and landing platforms. Careful integration of electrically-driven propulsors for boundary-layer ingestion can allow for improved propulsive efficiency and wake-filling benefits. The placement and configuration of propulsors can also be used to mitigate the trailing vortex system of a lifting surface or leverage increases in dynamic pressure across blown surfaces for increased lift performance. Additionally, the thrust stream of distributed electric propulsors can be utilized to enable new capabilities in vehicle control, including reducing requirements for traditional control surfaces and increasing tolerance of the vehicle control system to engine-out or propulsor-out scenarios. If one or more turboelectric generators and multiple electric fans are used, the increased effective bypass ratio of the whole propulsion system can also enable lower community noise during takeoff and landing segments of flight and higher propulsive efficiency at all conditions. Furthermore, the small propulsors of a DEP system can be installed to leverage an acoustic shielding effect by the airframe, which can further reduce noise signatures. The rapid growth in flight-weight electrical systems and power architectures has provided new enabling technologies for future DEP concepts, which provide flexible operational capabilities far beyond those of current systems. While a number of integration challenges exist, DEP is a disruptive concept that can lead to unprecedented improvements in future aircraft designs.

electric propulsion↗

DOE OSTI2015

A comparison of numerical simulations and analytical theory of the dynamics of interacting magnetic vortices

Magnetostatic interactions between vortices in closely spaced planar structures are important for applications including vortex-based magnonic crystals and spin torque oscillator networks. Analytical theories that include magnetostatic interaction effects have been proposed but have not yet been rigorously tested. Here, we compare micromagnetic simulations of the dynamics of magnetic vortices confined in three disks in an equilateral triangle configuration to analytical theories that include coupling. Micromagnetic simulations show that the magnetostatic coupling between the disks leads to splitting of the gyrotropic resonance into three modes and that the frequency splitting increases with decreasing separation. The temporal profiles of the magnetization depend on the vortex polarities and chiralities; however, the frequencies depend only on the polarity combinations and will fall into one of two categories: all polarities equal or one polarity opposite to the others, where the latter leads to a larger frequency splitting. Although the magnitude of the splitting observed in the simulations is larger than what is expected based on purely dipolar interactions, a simple analytical model that assumes dipole-dipole coupling captures the functional form of the frequency splitting and the motion patterns just as well as more complex models.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

NASA NTRS1989

A theoretical formulation of wave-vortex interactions

A unified theoretical formulation for wave-vortex interaction, designated the '(omega, Pi) framework,' is presented. Based on the orthogonal decomposition of fluid dynamic interactions, the formulation can be used to study a variety of problems, including the interaction of a longitudinal (acoustic) wave and/or transverse (vortical) wave with a main vortex flow. Moreover, the formulation permits a unified treatment of wave-vortex interaction at various approximate levels, where the normal 'piston' process and tangential 'rubbing' process can be approximated dfferently.

Wu, J. Z.↗

DOE OSTI2019

Quantizing a solitonic string

Quite often the zero mode dynamics on solitonic vortices are described by a non-conformal effective world-sheet sigma model (WSSM). We address the problem of solitonic string quantization in this case. As well-known, only critical strings with conformal WSSMs are self-consistent in ultra-violet (UV) domain. Thus, we look for the appropriate UV completion of the low-energy non-conformal WSSM. We argue that for the solitonic strings supported in well-defined bulk theories the UV complete WSSM has a UV fixed point which can be used for string quantization. As an example, we consider BPS non- Abelian vortices supported by four-dimensional (4D) N = 2 SQCD with the gauge group U(N) and Nf quark multiplets where N f ≥ N. In addition to translational moduli the non-Abelian vortex under consideration carries orientational and size moduli. Their low- energy dynamics are described by a two-dimensional N = (2, 2) supersymmetric weighted model, namely, WCP (N, N f – N ). Given our UV completion of this WSSM we find its UV fixed point. The latter defines a superconformal WSSM. We observe two cases in which this conformal WSSM, combined with the free theory for four translational moduli, has ten-dimensional target space required for superstrings to be critical.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS2015

Trailing Vortex-Induced Loads During Close Encounters in Cruise

The trailing vortex induced aerodynamic loads on a Falcon 20G business jet flying in the wake of a DC-8 are predicted to provide a preflight estimate of safe trail distances during flight test measurements in the wake. Static and dynamic loads on the airframe flying in the near wake are shown at a matrix of locations, and the dynamic motion of the Falcon 20G during traverses of the DC-8 primary trailing vortex is simulated. Safe trailing distances for the test flights are determined, and optimum vortex traverse schemes are identified to moderate the motion of the trailing aircraft during close encounters with the vortex wake.

Mendenhall, Michael R.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Measurements of the Early Development of Trailing Vorticity from a Rotor

The wake behind a two-bladed model rotor in light climb was measured using particle image velocimetry, with particular emphasis on the development of the trailing vortex during the first revolution of the rotor. The distribution of vorticity was distinguished from the slightly elliptical swirl pattern. Peculiar dynamics within the "void" region may explain why the peak vorticity appeared to shift away from the center as the vortex aged, suggesting the onset of instability. The swirl and axial velocities (which reached 44% and 12% of the rotor tip speed, respectively) were found to be asymmetric relative to the vortex center. In particular, the axial flow was composed of two concentrated zones moving in opposite directions. The radial distribution of the circulation rapidly increased in magnitude until reaching a point just beyond the core radius, after which the rate of growth decreased significantly. The core-radius circulation increased slightly with wake age, but the large-radius circulation appeared to remain relatively constant. The radial distributions of swirl velocity and vorticity exhibit self-similar behaviors, especially within the core. The diameter of the vortex core was initially about 10% of the rotor-blade chord, but more than doubled its size after one revolution of the rotor.

McAlister, Kenneth W.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Rotor Wake Development During the First Revolution

The wake behind a two-bladed model rotor in light climb was measured using particle image velocimetry, with particular emphasis on the development of the trailing vortex during the first revolution of the rotor. The distribution of vorticity was distinguished from the slightly elliptical swirl pattern. Peculiar dynamics within the void region may explain why the peak vorticity appeared to shift away from the center as the vortex aged, suggesting the onset of instability. The swirl and axial velocities (which reached 44 and 12 percent of the rotor-tip speed, respectively) were found to be asymmetric relative to the vortex center. In particular, the axial flow was composed of two concentrated zones moving in opposite directions. The radial distribution of the circulation rapidly increased in magnitude until reaching a point just beyond the core radius, after which the rate of growth decreased significantly. The core-radius circulation increased slightly with wake age, but the large-radius circulation appeared to remain relatively constant. The radial distributions of swirl velocity and vorticity exhibit self-similar behaviors, especially within the core. The diameter of the vortex core was initially about 10 percent of the rotor-blade chord, but more than doubled its size after one revolution of the rotor. According to vortex models that approximate the measured data, the core-radius circulation was about 79 percent of the large-radius circulation, and the large-radius circulation was about 67 percent of the maximum bound circulation on the rotor blade. On average, about 53 percent of the maximum bound circulation resides within the vortex core during the first revolution of the rotor.

McAlister, Kenneth W.↗

DOE OSTI2024

The Hard Life of Floatovoltaics: Modeling Wind-Driven Oscillations of Floating Solar Panels

Modern, thin photovoltaic (PV) panels for solar power are susceptible to high stress loads in windy conditions. Manufacturers are eager to determine optimal installation practices to reduce these loads, including in the relatively new practice of installing PV on floating structures located on artificial and natural lakes. As part of our effort to develop simulation capabilities for stress on such floating PV systems, we here present our combined model-simulation approach, which simulates the dynamic wind loading and uses modeled elements to capture both the hydrodynamic and mooring-line forces. We discuss the forces important for our model and the challenges inherent in our simulation. Of particular interest is our model of the hysteresis response displayed by the attached mooring lines, which are engineered to damp motion and oscillation of the floating panel system. We validate our approach against the benchmark problem of vortex-induced vibration of a cylinder, which is driven by the same dynamic forces present in floating PV panels.

floating↗

DOE OSTI2018

Dynamics of Coupled Magnetic Vortices in Trilayer Conducting Nanocylinder

Solving numerically the generalized Landau–Lifshitz equation, we have carried out the micromagnetic investigation of the dynamics of two dipole-coupled magnetic vortices in a trilayer nanocolumn under the action of the external magnetic field directed perpendicular to the sample plane and spin-polarized electric field. The possible existence of different regimes of vortex motion, depending on the polarized current, is demonstrated. The current dependence of the oscillation frequency for the case of stationary dynamics of coupled vortices with the same frequency has been established. The possibility of controlling the frequency of the stationary vortex motion and tuning the control current amplitude by the external magnetic field is shown. Using the analytical method for simplified description of the dynamics of coupled vortices, the current and magnetic-field dependences of the frequency have been obtained, which are qualitatively consistent with the numerical data.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Photon acceleration of high-intensity vector vortex beams into the extreme ultraviolet

Extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light sources allow for the probing of bound electron dynamics on attosecond scales, interrogation of high-energy-density matter, and access to novel regimes of strong-field quantum electrodynamics. Despite the importance of these applications, coherent XUV sources remain relatively rare, and those that do exist are limited in their peak intensity and spatio-polarization structure. Here, we demonstrate that photon acceleration of an optical vector vortex pulse in the moving density gradient of an electron beam–driven plasma wave can produce a high-intensity, tunable-wavelength XUV pulse with the same vector vortex structure as the original pulse. Quasi-3D, boosted-frame particlein- cell simulations show the transition of optical vector vortex pulses with 800-nm wavelengths and intensities below 10 18 W/cm 2 to XUV vector vortex pulses with 36-nm wavelengths and intensities exceeding 10 20 W/cm 2 over a distance of 1.2 cm. The XUV pulses have sub-femtosecond durations and nearly flat phase fronts. The production of such high-quality, high-intensity XUV vector vortex pulses could expand the utility of XUV light as a diagnostic and driver of novel light–matter interactions.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1986

A three-dimensional viscous flow analysis for the helicopter tip vortex generation process about square and round tipped blades

The tip vortex flow field occurring in the vicinity of the tip region of a helicopter rotor blade is a very complicated three-dimensional, viscous flow phenomenon. The details of the flow in the tip region can have a major effect in determining the generated rotor noise and can significantly effect the performance and dynamic loading of the rotor blade. The three-dimensional viscous subsonic tip vortex generation processes is investigated by a numerical procedure which allows spatial forward-marching integration, utilizing flow approximations from the velocity-decomposition approach of Briley and McDonald. The approach has been applied to compute the laminar and turbulent tip vortex flows for a constant thickness slab airfoil with a square tip, a constant thickness slab airfoil with a half round tip and a NACA 0012 airfoil with a half round tip. The basic mechanism of the tip vortex generation process as well as the prediction of vortex appearance, strength and secondary flow shown by the calculations are in qualitative agreement with experimental results.

Lin, S.-J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A three-dimensional viscous flow analysis for the helicopter tip vortex generation problem

The tip vortex flow field occurring in the vicinity of the tip region of a a helicopter rotor blade is a very complicated three-dimensional, viscous flow phenomenon. The details of the flow in the tip region can have a major effect in determining the generated rotor noise and can significantly affect the performance and dynamic loading of the rotor blade. The three-dimensional viscous subsonic tip vortex generation processes is investigated by a numerical procedure which allows spatial forward-marching integration, utilizing flow approximations from the velocity-decomposition approach of Briley and McDonald. The approach has been applied to compute the laminar and turbulent tip vortex flows for a constant thickness slab airfoil with a square tip, a constant thickness slab airfoil with a half round tip and a NACA 0012 airfoil with a half round tip. The basic mechanism of the tip vortex generation process as well as the prediction of vortex appearance, strength and secondary flow shown by the calculations are in qualitative agreement with experimental results.

Lin, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Arctic Ozone Depletion from UARS MLS Measurements

Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) measurements of ozone during four Arctic winters are compared. The evolution of ozone in the lower stratosphere is related to temperature, chlorine monoxide (also measured by MLS), and the evolution of the polar vortex. Lagrangian transport calculations using winds from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office's Stratosphere-Troposphere Data Assimilation system are used to estimate to what extent the evolution of lower stratospheric ozone is controlled by dynamics. Observations, along with calculations of the expected dynamical behavior, show evidence for chemical ozone depletion throughout most of the Arctic lower stratospheric vortex during the 1992-93 middle and late winter, and during all of the 1994-95 winter that was observed by MLS. Both of these winters were unusually cold and had unusually cold and had unusually strong Arctic polar vortices compared to meteorological data over the past 17 years.

UARS MLS↗

NASA NTRS2011

Study of Anti-Vortex Baffle Effect in Suppressing Swirling Flow in LOX Tank

Experimental results describing the hydraulic dynamic pump transfer matrix (Yp) for a cavitating J-2X oxidizer turbopump inducer+impeller tested in subscale waterflow are presented. The transfer function is required for integrated vehicle pogo stability analysis as well as optimization of local inducer pumping stability. Dynamic transfer functions across widely varying pump hydrodynamic inlet conditions are extracted from measured data in conjunction with 1D-model based corrections. Derived Dynamic transfer functions are initially interpreted relative to traditional Pogo pump equations. Water-to-liquid oxygen scaling of measured cavitation characteristics are discussed. Comparison of key dynamic transfer matrix terms derived from waterflow testing are made with those implemented in preliminary Ares Upper Stage Pogo stability modeling. Alternate cavitating pump hydraulic dynamic equations are suggested which better reflect frequency dependencies of measured transfer matrices.

Yang, H. Q.↗

DOE OSTI2014

Electron acoustic wave driven vortices with non-Maxwellian hot electrons in magnetoplasmas

Linear dispersion characteristics of the Electron Acoustic Wave (EAW) and the corresponding vortex structures are investigated in a magnetoplasma in the presence of non-Maxwellian hot electrons. In this regard, kappa and Cairns distributed hot electrons are considered. It is noticed that the nonthermal distributions affect the phase velocity of the EAW. Further, it is found that the phase velocity of EAW increases for Cairns and decreases for kappa distributed hot electrons. Nonlinear solutions in the form of dipolar vortices are also obtained for both stationary and non-stationary ions in the presence of kappa distributed hot electrons and dynamic cold electrons. It is found that the amplitude of the nonlinear vortex structures also reduces with kappa factor like the electron acoustic solitons.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1990

Incompressible spatially-developing free-shear flows

The first goal of this research is to understand the dynamics of three dimensional vortical structures, especially the interaction of the ribs and two dimensional rollers. Because of vortex stretching effects, this requires accurate and well resolved simulations. Another goal is to distinguish temporally- and spatially-growing shear layers in terms of the dynamics and observed vortical structures. This is important since the former is much easier to compute, but the error incurred in using temporal results for certain applications is unknown. The third goal is to investigate the effects of asymmetry on passive scalar mixing and fast-chemistry product formation. In this report a brief summary of a new numerical method is presented, followed by results for mixing layers and wake flows.

Buell, J. C.↗

DOE OSTI2016

Crossing fields in thin films of isotropic superconductors

We study interactions of perpendicular and longitudinal magnetic fields in niobium films of different thickness in a wide range of temperatures below the superconducting transition temperature ( T C ) . In 100 nm Nb film at all temperatures the longitudinal field H || practically does not influence the dynamics of the normal flux. However, in 200nm Nb film, a considerable anisotropy in the vortex motion is found with advanced propagation of the normal flux along H || at T>TC/2 and the preferential jump-wise growth of the thermo-magnetic flux dendrites across H || at T < T C . Appearance of the in-plane vortices and their cutting-reconnection with tilted vortices induced by the normal field H || is the reason of the observed anisotropy in the thicker film. Absence of the in-plane vortices and much smaller tilt of vortices generated by H || explain the isotropic normal flux dynamics in the thinner film. Lastly, our results open a new way of manipulating both slow vortex motion and fast thermo-magnetic avalanches.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗