Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Breakup”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Droplet field visualization and characterization via digital image analysis

This paper describes techniques that have been developed at JPL for visualization and measurements of droplet fields in a moving airstream. The techniques have been applied to a variety of problems which include simulation of heavy rain conditions in a wind tunnel, engine ingestion of wheel spray, analysis of fuel nozzle sprays and aerodynamic breakup of non-Newtonian liquids. The approach pursued here is direct imaging using a pulsed laser illumination source, followed by digital processing of photographic images. A laser double pulse technique has been used for determination of droplet velocities. Laser induced fluorescence has been used to enhance droplet definition in photographic images. The image processing software developed is capable of distinguishing between out-of-focus and in-focus drops, retaining only the latter for size determination.

Hernan, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The role of three-dimensional shapes in the break-up of charged drops

The nonlinear dynamics of nonaxisymmetric inviscid charged conducting drops near the Rayleigh charge limit (R = 4) is investigated analytically. It is shown that only axisymmetric spheroid drops bifurcate from the sphere family when the charge is increased, that oblate spheroids at R greater than 4 are unstable to nonaxisymmetric disturbances governing drop breakup, and that prolate spheroids at R less than 4 are unstable only to axisymmetric disturbances tending to increase the length of the drop along its symmetry axis. The effects of external electric fields and rigid-body rotation are also analyzed, and the solutions for the amplitude equations at R just less than 4 (equivalent to the dynamical equations of the Henon-Heiles Hamiltonian) are explored.

Natarajan, R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Polar stratospheric optical depth observed between 1978 and 1985

Observations of the stratospheric optical depth at 1.0 micron obtained for high latitudes are presented for a 7-year period. Weekly averaged data determined from measurements made by the Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement experiment from October 1978-1985 show that the overall yearly values in both polar regions are controlled by volcanic perturbations, with most volcanic effects being experienced in Arctic latitudes. Conservatively, peak values found in the Antarctic region were approximately 0.02 and in the Arctic region about 0.55. Probable values for these regions are estimated to be 0.26 and 0.11, respectively. The weekly averaged data also show the seasonal fluctuations due to microphysical and dynamical processes. Comparison of the optical depth record with a weekly averaged 50-mbar temperature record indicates that polar stratospheric clouds are present in the southern high latitudes each year near this level from early June to early September. A depression observed in the optical depth record each austral spring season is believed to be the result of the downward displacement of particles caused by subsidence and sedimentation during the course of winter. Following the breakup of the vortex, optical depth values increase as aerosol is transported poleward. These features are noted to be present in the Arctic region as well, but on a smaller scale because of the satellite sampling methodology and the averaging scheme employed.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Agreement between experimental and theoretical effects of nitrogen gas flowrate on liquid jet atomization

Two-phase flows were investigated by using high velocity nitrogen gas streams to atomize small-diameter liquid jets. Tests were conducted primarily in the acceleration-wave regime for liquid jet atomization, where it was found that the loss of droplets due to vaporization had a marked effect on drop-size measurements. In addition, four identically designed two-fluid atomizers were fabricated and tested for similarity of spray profiles. A scattered-light scanner was used to measure a characteristic drop diameter, which was correlated with nitrogen gas flowrate. The exponent of 1.33 for nitrogen gas flowrate is identical to that predicted by atomization theory for liquid jet breakup in the acceleration-wave regime. This is higher than the value of 1.2 which was previously obtained at a smapling distance of 4.4 cm downstream of the atomizer. The difference is attributed to the fact that drop-size measurements obtained at a 2.2 cm sampling distance are less affected by vaporization and dispersion of small droplets and therefore should give better agreement with atomization theory. Profiles of characteristic drop diameters were also obtained by making at least five line-of-sight measurements across the spray at several horizontal positions above and below the center line of the spray.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Satellite color observations of spring blooming in Bering Sea shelf waters during the ice edge retreat in 1980

The temporal and spatial development of the ice-edge bloom and the spring open-water bloom on the eastern Bering Sea shelf was studied using CZCS images of the eastern Bering Sea between April 27 and July 22, 1980. Images of the Norton Sound area taken during the period of ice breakup show that the influence of ice melt on phytoplankton growth is particularly significant where the ice is actively melting. Significant levels (5-30 mg/cu m) of chlorophyll could be seen trailing the ice pack as it melted and moved northward and westward in late April and early May. In the ice-free eastern Bering Sea midsummer image, a northwesterly oriented band of high pigment concentration was seen in the area of the outer domain, suggesting periodic offshore movements of shelf waters.

Maynard, Nancy G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effect of mass-velocity on liquid jet atomization in Mach 1 gasflow

Interacting two-phase flow in four differently sized pneumatic two-fluid atomizers was investigated to determine the effect of gas mass-velocity on the Sauter mean diameter of sprays produced by small diameter liquid jets breaking up in high velocity gas flow. Tests were conducted primarily in the acceleration-wave regime for liquid jet atomization, where it was found that the loss of droplets due to vaporization had a marked effect on drop size measurements. A scattered-light scanner, developed at NASA Lewis Research Center, was used to measure the Sauter mean diameter, D sub 32, which was correlated with nitrogen gas mass-velocity to give the following expression: D (sup -1)(sub 32) = 11.7(rho (sub n) V (sub n)) (sup 1.33). The exponent 1.33 for the gas mass-velocity is identical to that predicted by atomization theory for liquid jet breakup in the acceleration-wave regime.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nonlinear Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interaction in boundary layers

The nonlinear reaction between two oblique 3-D Tollmein-Schlichting (TS) waves and their induced streamwise-vortex flow is considered theoretically for an imcompressible boundary layer. The same theory applies to the destabilization of an incident vortex motion by subharmonic TS waves, followed by interaction. The scales and flow structure involved are addressed for high Reynolds numbers. The nonlionear interaction is powerful, starting at quite low amplitudes with a triple-deck structure for the TS waves but a large-scale structure for the induced vortex, after which strong nonlinear amplification occurs. This includes nonparallel-flow effects. The nonlinear interaction is governed by a partial differential system for the vortex flow coupled with an ordinary-differential one for the TS pressure. The solution properties found sometimes produce a breakup within a finite distance and sometimes further downstream, depending on the input amplitudes upstream and on the wave angles, and that then leads to the second stages of interaction associated with higher amplitudes, the main second stages giving either long-scale phenomena significantly affected by nonparallelism or shorter quasi-parallel ones governed by the full nonlinear triple-deck response.

Hall, P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Debris flows of the Simud-Tiu outflow system of Mars

It is seen that the magnitude of geologic happenings are commonly quite different between the Earth and Mars because of differences in the makeup and breakup of their crusts. By assessing the differences, and the similarities, between planets, the geologic history of Mars can be more fully understood. The identification of debris-flow deposits in channels of Mars, for example, helps to establish which of several competing explanations for the origin of the channels actually occurred. In turn, the Earth is viewed in new, and commonly enlightening perspectives. By the way, it is fortunate that on Earth, thick sequences of impact ejected are not found that could be transformed into the monstrous debris flows that have devastated the Martian surface.

Tanaka, Kenneth L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Radiatively driven winds from magnetic, fast-rotating stars - Wolf-Rayet stars?

An analytical procedure is developed to solve the MHD equations for a stellar wind in the strong-magnetic-field, optically thick limit for hot stars. The slow-mode, Alfven, and fast-mode critical points are modified by the radiation terms in the force equation but in a manner that can be easily treated. Once the velocities and distances are known at the critical points, the streamline constants are determined in a straight-forward manner. This shows the structure of the wind with a relatively simple numerical scheme. The magnetic field and a radiation parameter specify the terminal wind velocity. High rotation rates and a modified slow-mode critical point close to the stellar surface determine the high mass-loss rates. Wolf-Rayet stars are modeled with 1000-G fields but require stellar rotational velocities approaching breakup values. The physical conditions that correspond to Wolf-Rayet models are so rare that another mechanism must be operating in these winds.

Nerney, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1987

Field-aligned electron flux oscillations that produce flickering aurora

Measurements of energetic electrons that produce flickering aurora were made by a pair of sounding rockets, launched during a slowly evolving auroral breakup. Both payloads passed through a broad inverted-V structure. A component of the electron distribution function was closely aligned with the magnetic field over a broad energy range that extended from low energies up to the inverted-V differential energy flux peak. Measurements of the field-aligned component showed the presence of order of magnitude coherent flux oscillations. Source altitudes between 4000 and 8000 km were derived from velocity dispersion of the flux oscillations.

Mcfadden, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Secular cooling of the earth as a source of intraplate stress

As a result of secular cooling and contraction of the earth, an increasingly extensional horizontal stress is imposed on the central portions of the plates. While the rate of increase of this stress is small in most situations, it is enhanced for large plates and during any episodes of accelerated global cooling. This source of stress may have contributed to the rifting and breakup of long-lived supercontinental plates.

Solomon, Sean C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

All-theoretical prediction of cabin noise due to impingement of propeller vortices on a wing structure

Reported calculations of structure-borne cabin noise for a small twin engine aircraft powered by tractor propellers rely on the following three-stage methodological breakup of the problem: (1) the unsteady-aerodynamic prediction of wing lift harmonics caused by the whipping action of the vortex system trailed from each propeller; (2) the associated wing/fuselage structural response; (3) the cabin noise field for the computed wall vibration. The first part--the estimate of airloads--skirts a full-fledged aeroelastic situation by assuming the wing to be fixed in space while cancelling the downwash field of the cutting vortices. The model is based on an approximate high-frequency lifting-surface theory justified by the blade rate and flight Mach number of application. Its results drive a finite-element representation of the wing accounting for upper and lower skin surfaces, spars, ribs, and the presence of fuel. The fuselage, modeled as a frame-stiffened cylindrical shell, is bolted to the wing.

Martinez, R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Propagation of charge-neutral beams in space - Modifications when negative ions are present

Two-dimensional (three velocity component) electrostatic simulations are used to investigate the properties of a charge-neutral beam consisting of H(+), H(-), and electrons which will be used in the Beams on Rockets (BEAR) experiment to be launched in late 1987 or early 1988. For cross-field injection and beam densities much greater than the ambient plasma density, the beam splits into two approximately charge-neutral beams: a H(+)-e(-) beam that propagates down the field lines and a H(+)-H(-) beam that propagates at nearly the initial beam velocity on time scales less than the ion gyroperiod. Because of this splitting, space-charge oscillations are induced in the H(+)-H(-) component, which lead to its breakup. At lower beam densities, particularly when the beam electron density is less than about the density of the ambient plasma, the ambient plasma response reduces the space-charge fields as the beam splits and the space-charge oscillations are suppressed.

Winglee, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The fix for tough spots

Modern turbulence-control techniques are discussed. Particular atention is given to retrofit techniques such as riblets and large-eddy breakup (LEBU) devices which use passive elements suitable for a variety of existing vehicles with minimum added complexity. Riblets are small flow-aligned grooves in the aircraft skin that damp turbulence and reduce skin friction; the mechanism of riblet drag reduction derives from the enhancement of turbulence-altering, transverse viscous forces by strong spanwise surface geometry gradients. LEBUs are thin plates or ribbons suspended in a turbulent boundary layer to sever or break up the large vortices that form the convoluted outer edge of the layer. Other turbulence-control techniques are discussed, including one that involves the injection of control vortices into the turbulent boundary layer to modify or substitute for large-eddy structures.

Anders, John B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Slender wing theory including regions of embedded total pressure loss

An aerodynamic theory of the flow about slender delta wings is described. The theory includes a treatment of the self-consistent development of the vortex wake patterns above the wing necessary to maintain smooth flow at the wing edges. The paper focuses especially on the formation within the wake of vortex 'cores' as embedded regions of total pressure loss, fed and maintained by umbilical vortex sheets emanating from the wing edges. Criteria are developed for determining the growing size and location of these cores, as well as the distribution and strength of the vorticity within them. In this paper, however, the possibility of vortex breakup is omitted. The aerodynamic consequences of the presence and evolution of the cores and the associated wake structure are illustrated and discussed. It is noted that wake history effects can have substantial influence on the distribution of normal force on the wing as well as on its magnitude.

Mccune, James E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Angular momentum in stars - The Kraft curve revisited

The relationship between angular momentum and stellar mass for stars earlier than F0 has been rederived using current stellar models and rotational velocities. The form of the relationship is the same as found by Kraft (1970), but that the exponent of the power-law fit is higher. It is shown that the derived relation is consistent with the mean rotational velocity being the same fraction of the equatorial breakup velocity for all masses. By extending this correlation to low masses, the mean initial angular momentum for low-mass stars is estimated.

Kawaler, Steven D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mass loss from rapidly rotating magnetic protostars

It is proposed that bipolar outflows from young stellar objects originate from a protostar rotating at breakup at its equator because it is being spun up by an adjoining accretion disk. Mass outflow at an appreciable fraction of the infall rate from a surrounding molecular cloud core onto the star and disk can be driven centrifugally if the protostar has a sufficiently strong magnetic field. The expansion of the flow toward the rotational poles may provide a collimation mechanism for focusing an ordinary stellar wind into optical jets.

Shu, Frank H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Measurements of several atmospheric gases above the South Pole in December 1986 from high-resolution 3- to 4-micron solar spectra

This paper reports the quantitative analysis of absorption features of a number of atmospheric gases in 0.02/cm resolution 3- to 4-micron solar spectra recorded at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The measurements were obtained shortly after the austral spring ozone minimum and define, for the first time, the ambient levels of the species immediately following the breakup of the polar vortex. The retrieved total vertical column amounts in molecules per sq cm are: 2.4 + or - 0.4 x 10 to the 21st for H2(O-16), 4.5 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 18th for H2(O-18), 3.9 + or - 0.4 x 10 to the 17th for HDO, 2.1 + or - 0.2 x 10 to the 19th for CH4, 5.1 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 21st for CO2, 3.9 + or - 0.4 x 10 to the 18th for N2O, and 3.7 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 15th for C2H6. Identification of (C-12)H3D absorption features and a search for H2CO absorption in the spectral data are also described.

Goldman, Aaron↗