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At least 721 records · Page 40

Correlation function ratios and the identification of space plasma instabilities

Wave-particle transport in a collisionless plasma is due to particle scattering by enhanced fluctuations associated with the growth of instabilities. In particular, relatively short wave-length kinetic instabilities are frequently invoked to explain many different types of plasma transport in space. Although there is an extensive theoretical and simulation literature describing the potential applications of many such instabilities, there are only a few cases of clear-cut identification of kinetic modes in space. The research described in this paper uses linear Vlasov dispersion theory to study correlation functions and dimensionless correlation function ratios for fluctuations or instabilities in three space plasma regimes. This research shows that both the compressibility and the parallel compressibility are likely to be useful in distinguishing modes in the magnetosheath as well as in the plasma sheet boundary layer and that helicity remains a useful identifier of electromagnetic ion/ion instabilities in the foreshock.

Gary, S. P.↗

Transient performance of fan engine with water ingestion

In a continuing investigation on developing and applying codes for prediction of performance of a turbine jet engine and its components with water ingestion during flight operation, including power settings, and flight altitudes and speed changes, an attempt was made to establish the effects of water ingestion through simulation of a generic high bypass ratio engine with a generic control. In view of the large effects arising in the air compression system and the prediffuser-combustor unit during water ingestion, attention was focused on those effects and the resulting changes in engine performance. Under all conditions of operation, whether ingestion is steady or not, it became evident that water ingestion causes a fan-compressor unit to operate in a time-dependent fashion with periodic features, particularly with respect to the state of water in the span and the film in the casing clearance space, at the exit of the machine. On the other hand, the aerodynamic performance of the unit may be considered as quasi-steady once the distribution of water has attained an equilibrium state with respect to its distribution and motion. For purposes of engine simulation, the performance maps for the generic fan-compressor unit were generated based on the attainment of a quasi-steady state (meaning steady except for long-period variations in performance) during ingestion and operation over a wide enough range of rotational speeds.

Murthy, S. N. B.↗

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Subsonic-Flow Fields Beneath Swept and Unswept Wings with Tables of Vortex-Induced Velocities

The flow-field characteristics beneath swept and unswept wings as determined by potential-flow theory are compared with the experimentally determined flow fields beneath swept and unswept wing-fuselage combinations. The potential-flow theory utilized considered both spanwise and chordwise distributions of vorticity as well as the wing-thickness effects. The perturbation velocities induced by a unit horseshoe vortex are included in tabular form. The results indicated that significant chordwise flow gradients existed beneath both swept and unswept wings at zero lift and throughout the lift range. The theoretical predictions of the flow-field characteristics were qualitatively correct in all cases considered, although there were indications that the magnitudes of the downwash angles tended to be overpredicted as the tip of the swept wing was approached and that the sidewash angles ahead of the unswept wing were underpredicted. The calculated effects of compressibility indicated that significant increases in the chordwise variation of flow angles and dynamic-pressure ratios should be expected in going from low to high subsonic speeds.

Alford, William J., Jr.↗

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Subsonic-Flow Fields Beneath Swept and Unswept Wings with Tables or Vortex-induced Velocities

The flow-field characteristics beneath swept and unswept wings as determined by potential-flow theory are compared with the experimentally determined flow fields beneath swept and unswept wing-fuselage combinations. The potential-flow theory utilized considered both spanwise and chordwise distributions of vorticity as well as the wing-thickness effects. The perturbation velocities induced by a unit horseshoe vortex are included in tabular form. The theoretical predictions of the flow-field characteristics were qualitatively correct in all cases considered, although there were indications that the magnitudes of the downwash angles tended to be overpredicted as the tip of the swept wing was approached and that the sidewash angles ahead of the unswept wing were underpredicted. The calculated effects of compressibility indicated that significant increases in the chordwise variation of flow angles and dynamic-pressure ratios should be expected in going from low to high subsonic speeds.

Alford, William J , Jr↗

Chandra Imaging of the X-Ray Nebula Powered by Pulsar B1509-58

We present observations with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) powered by the energetic young pulsar B1509-58. These data confirm the complicated morphology of the system indicated by previous observations, and in addition reveal several new components to the nebula. The overall PWN shows a clear symmetry axis oriented at a position angle 150" +- 5" (north through east), which we argue corresponds to the pulsar spin axis. We show that a previously identified radio feature matches well with the overall extent of the X-ray PWN, and propose the former as the long-sought radio nebula powered by the pulsar. We further identify a bright collimated feature, at least 4' long, lying along the nebula's main symmetry axis; we interpret this feature as a physical outflow from the pulsar, and infer a velocity for this jet of greater than 0.2c. The lack of any observed counterjet implies that the pulsar spin axis is inclined at -30" to the line of sight, contrary to previous estimates made from lower resolution data. We also identify a variety of compact features close to the pulsar. A pair of semicircular X-ray arcs lie 17" and 30" to the north of the pulsar; the latter arc shows a highly polarized radio counterpart. We show that these features can be interpreted as ion compression wisps in a particle-dominated equatorial flow, and use their properties to infer a ratio of electromagnetic to particle energy in pairs at the wind shock 0.005, similar to that seen in the Crab Nebula. We further identify several compact knots seen very close to the pulsar; we use these to infer cr < 0.003 at a separation from the pulsar of 0.1 pc.

Gaensler, B. M.↗

Hot-Wire Probe for Compressible Subsonic Flow

Probe measures velocity, density, and total temperature fluctuations. Three-wire probe used with each wire operating at different overheat ratio. Technique extendable into transonic and low supersonic flow regimes without difficulty except for those problems usually associated with lengthy calibration and possible wire breaking.

Stainback, P. C.↗

Viscous relaxation of a compressible spherical shell

Analytical solutions for analyzing viscous relaxation of a compressible mantle to surface loading are developed. Two different models are considered: one in which the density step of the core-mantle boundary is held fixed and the other in which the mass of the earth remains invariant with respect to variations of equation of state parameters. For thermodynamic parameters characteristic of the mantle, relaxation times of the fundamental and first overtone modes change by no more than about 30 percent for degree less than four. For a given initial depression, the ratio between the velocity in the lower mantle and that at the surface is bigger for incompressible models than for compressible models. Eigenfunctions between the two models also differ in appearance throughout the mantle, with the incompressible ones being larger for the second model. These results would suggest that the resolution of mantle viscosity may be impaired by the smaller excitation in the lower mantle due to effects of mantle compressibility.

Li, Guoying↗

Long-term Isothermal Aging Effects on Weight Loss, Compression Properties, and Dimensions of T650-35 Fabric-reinforced PMR-15 Composites-data

A cooperative program was conducted with the General Electric Aircraft Engines plant in Evendale, Ohio, to study the effects of long-term isothermal aging at elevated temperatures on compression and thermal durability properties of T650 35 fabric-reinforced PMR 15 composites. This degradation study was conducted over an approximate time period of 3 1/2 yr. The aging temperatures were 204, 260, 288, 316, and 343 C. Specimens of different dimensions were evaluated. Specimens with ratios of the cut edge to total surface area of 0.03 to 0.89 were fabricated and aged. The aged and unaged specimens were tested in compression as specified in Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics (ASTM D695M). Thickness changes, degraded surface layer growth, weight loss, and failure modes were monitored and recorded. All property changes were thickness dependent.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗

Prospects and Limitations of Predicting Fuel Ignition Properties from Low-Temperature Speciation Data

Using chemical kinetic modeling and statistical analysis, we investigate the possibility of correlating key chemical “markers”–typically small molecules–formed during very lean (φ ~ 0.001) oxidation experiments with near-stoichiometric (φ ~ 1) fuel ignition properties. One goal of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of designing a fuel-screening platform, based on small laboratory reactors that operate at low temperatures and use minimal fuel volume. Buras et al. [Combust. Flame2020,216, 472–484] have shown that convolutional neural net (CNN) fitting can be used to correlate first-stage ignition delay times (IDTs) with OH/HO2 measurements during very lean oxidation in low-T flow reactors with better than factor-of-2 accuracy. In this work, we test the limits of applying this correlation-based approach to predict the low-temperature heat release (LTHR) and total IDT, including the sensitivity of total IDT to the equivalence ratio, φ. We demonstrate that first-stage IDT can be reliably correlated with very lean oxidation measurements using compressed sensing (CS), which is simpler to implement than CNN fitting. LTHR can also be predicted via CS analysis, although the correlation quality is somewhat lower than for first-stage IDT. In contrast, the accuracy of total IDT prediction at φ = 1 is significantly lower (within a factor of 4 or worse). Furthermore, these results can be rationalized by the fact that the first-stage IDT and LTHR are primarily determined by low-temperature chemistry, whereas total IDT depends on low-, intermediate-, and high-temperature chemistry. Oxidation reactions are most important at low temperatures, and therefore, measurements of universal molecular markers of oxidation do not capture the full chemical complexity required to accurately predict the total IDT even at a single equivalence ratio. As a result, we find that φ-sensitivity of ignition delay cannot be predicted at all using solely correlation with lean low-T chemical speciation measurements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Evolution of global and local deformation in additively manufactured octet truss lattice structures

Additively manufactured lattice truss structures, often referred to as architected cellular materials, present significant advantages over conventional structures due to their unique characteristics such as high strength-to-weight ratios and surface area-to-volume ratios. These geometrically complex structures, however, come with concomitant challenges for qualification and inspection. In this study, compression testing interrupted with micro-computed tomography inspection was conducted to monitor the evolution of global and local deformation throughout the loading process of 304L stainless steel octet truss lattice structures. Both two- and three-dimensional image analysis techniques were leveraged to characterize geometric heterogeneities resulting from the laser powder bed fusion manufacturing process as well as track the structure throughout deformation. Variations from model-predicted behavior resulting from these heterogeneities are considered relative to the predicted and actual responses of the structures during compression to better understand, model, and predict the octet truss lattice structure compression response.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Solar Wind Turbulence from 1 to 45 au. III. Anisotropy of Magnetic Fluctuations in the Inertial Range Using Voyager and ACE Observations

We examine both Voyager and Advanced Composition Explorer magnetic field measurements at frequencies that characterize the inertial range and evaluate the anisotropy of the fluctuations as they relate to both the compressive component and underlying wavevector anisotropy of the turbulence. The magnetic fluctuation anisotropy as it relates to the compressive component is directly dependent upon both the plasma beta of the thermal proton component and the ratio of magnetic fluctuation magnitude to the strength of the mean magnetic field. This has been seen before at 1 au. The magnetic fluctuation anisotropy in the plane perpendicular to the mean magnetic field, which is a measure of the anisotropy of the underlying wavevector distribution, should depend on the angle between the mean magnetic field and the radial direction and should be confined to values between one and the index of the power spectrum, which is typically 5/3. Our results show that the average of this anisotropy exceeds the value of the spectral index and is out of bounds with the theory. Although the results are suggestive of past analyses, we find that spherical expansion of the turbulence may offer at least a partial explanation of the apparent amplification of this measured anisotropy.

heliosphere↗

Exhaust-nozzle characterisitcs for a twin-jet variable-wing-sweep fighter airplane model at Mach numbers to 2.2

A wind-tunnel investigation has been conducted to determine the exhaust-nozzle aerodynamic and propulsive characteristics for a twin-jet variable-wing-sweep fighter airplane model. The powered model was tested in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel and in the Langley 4-foot supersonic pressure tunnel at Mach numbers to 2.2 and at angles of attack from about minus 2 to 6 deg. Compressed air was used to simulate the nozzle exhaust flow at values of jet total-pressure ratio from approximately 1 (jet off) to about 21. Effects of configuration variables such as speed-brake deflection, store installation, and boundary-layer thickness on the the nozzle characteristics were also investigated.

Reubush, D. E.↗

Collapsing cloud models for Bok globules

The dynamic collapse of rotating gas clouds is calculated for a wide range of initial conditions. Properties of cloud models are compared with observed radio and optical properties of Bok globules, to test the hypothesis that globules undergo collapse and to determine parameters which are not easily observed. Five of the six globules studied are consistent with collapse models. It is inferred that these objects have masses of about 100 solar masses and ages smaller than their free-fall times. Inferred initial densities are much larger than minimum densities for gravitational collapse, suggesting that collapse is initiated by strong external compression or that globules are fragments of larger condensed clouds. Values inferred for the (C-13)O/H2 ratio are smaller than previous estimates and depend strongly on cloud density.

Villere, K. R.↗

A micrographic study of bending failure in five thermoplastic/carbon fiber composite laminates

The local deformation and failure sequences of five thermoplastic matrix composites were microscopically observed while bending the samples in a small fixture attached to a microscope stage. The themoplastics are polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfone, and polyetheretherketone. Comparison was made to an epoxy matrix composite, 5208/T-300. Laminates tested are (0/90) sub 2S, with outer ply fibers parallel to the beam axis. Four point bending was used at a typical span-to-thickness ratio of 39:1. It was found that all of the thermoplastic composites failed by abrupt longitudinal compression buckling of the outer ply. Very little precursory damage was observed. Micrographs reveal typical fiber kinking associated with longitudinal compression failure. Curved fracture surfaces on the fibers suggest they failed in bending rather than direct compression. Delamination was suppressed in the thermoplastic composites, and the delamination that did occur was found to be the result of compression buckling, rather than visa-versa. Microbuckling also caused other subsequent damage such as ply splitting, transverse ply shear failure, fiber tensile failure, and transverse ply cracking.

Yurgartis, S. W.↗

Effects of the installation and operation of jet-exhaust yaw vanes on the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics of the F-14 airplane

A wind tunnel investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the effects of the installation and use of jet exhaust yaw vanes on the longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics of the F-14 aircraft. The model was tested at Mach numbers from 0.70 to 1.25 at angles of attack from 0 deg to 4.3 deg. Compressed air was used to simulate nozzle exhaust flow from jet off up to a nozzle pressure ratio of 8. The results of the investigation show that the yaw vanes can augment the rudders to provide directional control, but further investigation will be necessary to optimize the deflection schedule associated with the various nozzle power settings.

Reubush, David E.↗

Spatial stability of a compressible mixing layer

Presented are the results of a study of the inviscid spatial stability of a parallel compressible mixing layer. The parameters of this study are the Mach number of the moving stream, the ratio of the temperature of the stationary stream to that of the moving stream, the frequency and the direction of propagation of the disturbance wave. Stability characteristics of the flow as a function of these parameters are given. It is shown that if the Mach number exceeds a critical value there are always two groups of unstable waves. One of these groups is fast with phase speeds greater than 1/2, and the other is slow with speeds less than 1/2. Phase speeds for the neutral and unstable modes are given, as well as growth rates for the unstable modes. It is shown that three dimensional modes have the same general behavior as the two dimensional modes but with higher growth rates over some range of propagation direction. Finally, a group of very low frequency unstable modes was found for sufficiently large Mach numbers. These modes have very low phase speeds but large growth rates.

Jackson, T. L.↗

A micrographic study of bending failure in five thermoplastic-carbon fibre composite laminates

The local deformation and failure sequences of five thermoplastic matrix composites were microscopically observed while bending the samples in a small fixture attached to a microscope stage. The thermoplastics are polycarbonate, polysulfane, polyphenylsulfide, polyethersulfane, and polyetheretherketone. Comparison was made to an epoxy matrix composite, 5208/T-300. Laminates tested are (0/90) sub 2S, with outer ply fibers parallel to the beam axis. Four point bending was used at a typical span-to-thickness ratio of 39:1. It was found that all of the thermoplastic composites failed by abrupt longitudinal compression buckling of the outer ply. Very little precursory damage was observed. Micrographs reveal typical fiber kinking associated with longitudinal compression failure. Curved fracture surfaces on the fibers suggest they failed in bending rather than direct compression. Delamination was suppressed in the thermoplastic composites, and the delamination that did occur was found to be the result of compression buckling, rather than vice-versa. Microbuckling also caused other subsequent damage such as ply splitting, transverse ply shear failure, fiber tensile failure, and transverse ply cracking.

Yurgartis, S. W.↗