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At least 757 records · Page 42

Flow Control on Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils Using Vortex Generator Jets

Motivation - Higher loading on Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) airfoils: Reduce airfoil count, weight, cost. Increase efficiency, and Limited by suction side separation. Growing understanding of transition, separation, wake effects: Improved models. Take advantage of wakes. Higher lift airfoils in use. Further loading increases may require flow control: Passive: trips, dimples, etc. Active: plasma actuators, vortex generator jets (VGJs). Can increased loading offset higher losses on high lift airfoils. Objectives: Advance knowledge of boundary layer separation and transition under LPT conditions. Demonstrate, improve understanding of separation control with pulsed VGJs. Produce detailed experimental data base. Test and develop computational models.

Volino, Ralph J.↗

Friction Stir Welding

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process invented in 1991 at The Welding Institute in the United Kingdom. A weld is made in the FSW process by translating a rotating pin along a weld seam so as to stir the sides of the seam together. FSW avoids deleterious effects inherent in melting and promises to be an important welding process for any industries where welds of optimal quality are demanded. This article provides an introduction to the FSW process. The chief concern is the physical effect of the tool on the weld metal: how weld seam bonding takes place, what kind of weld structure is generated, potential problems, possible defects for example, and implications for process parameters and tool design. Weld properties are determined by structure, and the structure of friction stir welds is determined by the weld metal flow field in the vicinity of the weld tool. Metal flow in the vicinity of the weld tool is explained through a simple kinematic flow model that decomposes the flow field into three basic component flows: a uniform translation, a rotating solid cylinder, and a ring vortex encircling the tool. The flow components, superposed to construct the flow model, can be related to particular aspects of weld process parameters and tool design; they provide a bridge to an understanding of a complex-at-first-glance weld structure. Torques and forces are also discussed. Some simple mathematical models of structural aspects, torques, and forces are included.

Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.↗

A Brief Introduction to the Theory of Friction Stir Welding

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process invented in 1991 at The Welding Institute in the United Kingdom. A weld is made in the FSW process by translating a rotating pin along a weld seam so as to stir the sides of the seam together. FSW avoids deleterious effects inherent in melting and is already an important welding process for the aerospace industry, where welds of optimal quality are demanded. The structure of welds determines weld properties. The structure of friction stir welds is determined by the flow field in the weld metal in the vicinity of the weld tool. A simple kinematic model of the FSW flow field developed at Marshall Space Flight Center, which enables the basic features of FSW microstructure to be understood and related to weld process parameters and tool design, is explained.

Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.↗

Mitigation of Adverse Effects Caused by Shock Wave Boundary Layer Interactions Through Optimal Wall Shaping

It is known that the adverse effects of shock wave boundary layer interactions in high speed inlets include reduced total pressure recovery and highly distorted flow at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). This paper presents a design method for flow control which creates perturbations in geometry. These perturbations are tailored to change the flow structures in order to minimize shock wave boundary layer interactions (SWBLI) inside supersonic inlets. Optimizing the shape of two dimensional micro-size bumps is shown to be a very effective flow control method for two-dimensional SWBLI. In investigating the three dimensional SWBLI, a square duct is employed as a baseline. To investigate the mechanism whereby the geometric elements of the baseline, i.e. the bottom wall, the sidewall and the corner, exert influence on the flow's aerodynamic characteristics, each element is studied and optimized separately. It is found that arrays of micro-size bumps on the bottom wall of the duct have little effect in improving total pressure recovery though they are useful in suppressing the incipient separation in three-dimensional problems. Shaping sidewall geometry is effective in re-distributing flow on the side wall and results in a less distorted flow at the exit. Subsequently, a near 50% reduction in distortion is achieved. A simple change in corner geometry resulted in a 2.4% improvement in total pressure recovery.

Liou, May-Fun↗

Bridgeport Urban Development: Leveraging NASA Earth Observations and Sociodemographic Data to Assess Urban Heat Vulnerability and Inform Cool Corridors in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Urban environments face hotter temperatures than suburban and rural areas due to higher concentrations of impervious surfaces, heat-retaining buildings, and lack of green space. Bridgeport, Connecticut, which was formerly a national manufacturing hub, is now the densest and most populous city in the state. Bridgeport experiences hotter temperatures, exposing its residents to more extreme temperatures than the surrounding affluent suburbs. Extreme heat affects the health of those exposed to it and intensifies energy demands. Understanding temperature differences is the first step in effectively directing mitigation efforts. Our partner, Groundwork Bridgeport, along with the Yale Urban Design Workshop, are planning a “cool corridors” project, implementing cooling infrastructure to combat urban heat. We used Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor and Landsat 9 Thermal Infrared Sensor-2 data to conduct a Land Surface Temperature analysis in Google Earth Engine for the county of Fairfield. A Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify indicators of social vulnerability in Bridgeport. We used the SOlar and LongWave Environmental Irradiance Geometry model to identify felt heat on the block level to inform where the partner should locate their cooling interventions to ensure they are most effective and equitable. We focused on the East Side of Bridgeport, which we found was 10 degrees hotter than other areas of Bridgeport and the neighboring town of Fairfield. We integrated our findings using Earth observations and additional sociodemographic and climate data into final communication products for our partners which will facilitate their selection of candidate locations for their Cool Corridors project.

Silas Kirsch↗

Reduction of Jet Penetration in a Cross-Flow by Using Tabs

A tab placed suitably on a nozzle that produces a jet in a cross-flow can reduce the penetration of the jet. This effect, achieved when the tab is placed on the windward side of the nozzle relative to the cross flow, may be of interest in film cooling applications. Wind tunnel experiments are carried out, in the momentum ratio (J) range of 10-90, to investigate the tab geometry that would maximize this effect. The preliminary results show that a 'delta tab' having a base width approximately fifty percent of the nozzle diameter may be considered optimum. With a given tab size, the effect is more pronounced at higher J. Reduction in jet penetration by as much as 40% is observed. Comparable reduction in jet penetration is also obtained when a triangular shaped tab is placed flush with the tunnel wall or with its apex tilted down into the jet nozzle (the 'delta tab' being the configuration in which the apex is tilted up). However, the delta tab involves the least flow blockage and pressure loss. Relative to the baseline case, the lateral spreading of the jet is found to be more with the delta tab but less with other orientations of the tab.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Gravitropism in higher plant shoots. IV - Further studies on participation of ethylene

Various hypotheses regarding the influence of ethylene on gravitropism in higher plant shoots were experimentally tested. It was found that ethylene at 1.0 and 10.0 cu cm/cu m decreased the rate of gravitropic bending in cocklebur stems, while 0.1 cm/cu m of ethylene had little effect. Treating cocklebur plants with 1.0 mmol aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, an ethylene synthesis inhibitor) delayed stem bending compared with controls, but adding 0.1 cu cm/cu m ethylene in the surrounding atmosphere partially restored the rate of bending of AVG-treated plants. Virtually all newly synthesized ethylene appeared in bottom halves of horizontal stems, where ethylene concentrations were as much as 100 times those in upright stems or in top halves of horizontal stems. Auxin applied to one side of a vertical stem caused extreme bending away from that side; gibberellic acid, kinetin, and abscisic acid were without effect.

Wheeler, Raymond M.↗

Computational Study of Porous Treatment for Altering Flap Side-Edge Flowfield

Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculations are used to investigate porous side-edge treatment as a passive means for flap noise reduction. Steady-state simulations are used to infer effects of the treatment on acoustically relevant features of the mean flow near the flap side edge. Application of the porous treatment over a miniscule fraction of the wetted flap area (scaling with the flap thickness) results in significantly weaker side-edge vortex structures via modification of the vortex initiation and roll-up processes. At high flap deflections, the region of axial flow reversal associated with the breakdown of the side-edge vortex is also eliminated, indicating an absence of vortex bursting in the presence of the treatment. Potential ramifications of the mean-flow modifications for flap-noise reduction are examined in the light of lessons learned from recent studies on flap noise. Computations confirm that any noise reduction benefit via the porous treatment would be achieved without compromising the aerodynamic effectiveness of the flap. Results of the parameter study contribute additional insight into the measured data from the 7x10 wind tunnel at NASA Ames and provide preliminary guidance for specifying optimal treatment characteristics in terms of treatment location, spatial extent, and flow resistance of the porous skin.

Choudhari, Meelan↗

Blowing Flap Experiment: PIV Measurements

PIV measurements of the flow in the region of a flap side edge are presented for several flap configurations. The test model is a NACA 63(sub 2)-215 Hicks Mod-B main element airfoil with a half-span Fowler flap. Air is blown from small slots located along the flap side edge on either the top, bottom or side surfaces. The test set up is described and flow measurements for a baseline and three blowing flap configurations are presented. The effects that the flap tip jets have on the structure of the flap side edge flow are discussed for each of the flap configurations tested. The results indicate that blowing air from a slot located along the top surface of the flap greatly weakened the top vortex system and pushed it further off the top surface. Blowing from the bottom flap surface kept the strong side vortex further outboard while blowing from the side surface only strengthened the flap vortex system. It is concluded that blowing from the top or bottom surfaces of the flap may lead to a reduction of flap side edge noise.

Hutcheson, Florence V.↗

Orientation of human optokinetic nystagmus to gravity: a model-based approach

Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) was induced by having subjects watch a moving display in a binocular, head-fixed apparatus. The display was composed of 3.3 degrees stripes moving at 35 degrees/s for 45 s. It subtended 88 degrees horizontally by 72 degrees vertically of the central visual field and could be oriented to rotate about axes that were upright or tilted 45 degrees or 90 degrees. The head was held upright or was tilted 45 degrees left or right on the body during stimulation. Head-horizontal (yaw axis) and head-vertical (pitch axis) components of OKN were recorded with electro-oculography (EOG). Slow phase velocity vectors were determined and compared with the axis of stimulation and the spatial vertical (gravity axis). With the head upright, the axis of eye rotation during yaw axis OKN was coincident with the stimulus axis and the spatial vertical. With the head tilted, a significant vertical component of eye velocity appeared during yaw axis stimulation. As a result the axis of eye rotation shifted from the stimulus axis toward the spatial vertical. Vertical components developed within 1-2 s of stimulus onset and persisted until the end of stimulation. In the six subjects there was a mean shift of the axis of eye rotation during yaw axis stimulation of approximately 18 degrees with the head tilted 45 degrees on the body. Oblique optokinetic stimulation with the head upright was associated with a mean shift of the axis of eye rotation toward the spatial vertical of 9.2 degrees. When the head was tilted and the same oblique stimulation was given, the axis of eye rotation rotated to the other side of the spatial vertical by 5.4 degrees. This counterrotation of the axis of eye rotation is similar to the "Muller (E) effect," in which the perception of the upright is counterrotated to the opposite side of the spatial vertical when subjects are tilted in darkness. The data were simulated by a model of OKN with a "direct" and "indirect" pathway. It was assumed that the direct visual pathway is oriented in a body, not a spatial frame of reference. Despite the short optokinetic after-nystagmus time constants, strong horizontal to vertical cross-coupling could be produced if the horizontal and vertical time constants were in proper ratio and there were no suppression of nystagmus in directions orthogonal to the stimulus direction. The model demonstrates that the spatial orientation of OKN can be achieved by restructuring the system matrix of velocity storage. We conclude that an important function of velocity storage is to orient slow-phase velocity toward the spatial vertical during movement in a terrestrial environment.

Non-NASA Center↗

PIV Measurements on a Blowing Flap

PIV measurements of the flow in the region of a flap side edge are presented for several blowing flap configurations. The test model is a NACA 63(sub 2)-215 Hicks Mod-B main-element airfoil with a half-span Fowler flap. Air is blown from small slots located along the flap side edge on either the top, bottom or side surfaces. The test set up is described and flow measurements for a baseline and three blowing flap configurations are presented. The effects that the flap tip jets have on the structure of the flap side edge flow are discussed for each of the flap configurations tested. The results indicate that blowing air from a slot located along the top surface of the flap greatly weakened the top vortex system and pushed it further off the top surface. Blowing from the bottom flap surface kept the strong side vortex further outboard while blowing from the side surface only strengthened the vortex system or accelerated the merging of the side vortex to the flap top surface. It is concluded that blowing from the top or bottom surfaces of the flap may lead to a reduction of flap side edge noise.

Hutcheson, Florence V.↗

Correlated energy uncertainties in reaction rate calculations

Monte Carlo methods can be used to evaluate the uncertainty of a reaction rate that arises from many uncertain nuclear inputs. However, until now no attempt has been made to find the effect of correlated energy uncertainties in input resonance parameters. Our goal is to investigate the impact of correlated resonance energy uncertainties on reaction rates. Using a combination of numerical and Monte Carlo variation of resonance energies, the effect of correlations are investigated. Five reactions are considered: two fictional, illustrative cases and three reactions whose rates are of current interest. The effect of correlations in resonance energies depends on the specific reaction cross section and temperatures considered. When several resonances contribute equally to a reaction rate, and when they are located on either side of the Gamow peak, correlations between their energies dilute their effect on reaction rate uncertainties. If they are both located above or below the maximum of the Gamow peak, however, correlations between their resonance energies can increase the reaction rate uncertainties. This effect can be hard to predict for complex reactions with wide and narrow resonances contributing to the reaction rate.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Primate translational vestibuloocular reflexes. IV. Changes after unilateral labyrinthectomy

The effects of unilateral labyrinthectomy on the properties of the translational vestibuloocular reflexes (trVORs) were investigated in rhesus monkeys trained to fixate near targets. Translational motion stimuli consisted of either steady-state lateral and fore-aft sinusoidal oscillations or short-lasting transient displacements. During small-amplitude, steady-state sinusoidal lateral oscillations, a small decrease in the horizontal trVOR sensitivity and its dependence on viewing distance was observed during the first week after labyrinthectomy. These deficits gradually recovered over time. In addition, the vertical response component increased, causing a tilt of the eye velocity vector toward the lesioned side. During large, transient lateral displacements, the deficits were larger and longer lasting. Responses after labyrinthectomy were asymmetric, with eye velocity during movements toward the side of the lesion being more compromised. The most profound effect of the lesions was observed during fore-aft motion. Whereas responses were kinematically appropriate for fixation away from the side of the lesion (e.g., to the left after right labyrinthectomy), horizontal responses were anticompensatory during fixation at targets located ipsilateral to the side of the lesion (e.g., for targets to the right after right labyrinthectomy). This deficit showed little recovery during the 3-mo post-labyrinthectomy testing period. These results suggest that inputs from both labyrinths are important for the proper function of the trVORs, although the details of how bilateral signals are processed and integrated remain unknown.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗

Onset of kinetic effects on Rayleigh–Taylor instability: Advective–diffusive asymmetry

In nature and engineering applications, the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) occurs over a wide range of Atwood, Reynolds, Mach, and Knudsen numbers. At low Atwood, Mach, and Knudsen numbers, the classic advective instability causes quasi-symmetric bubble and spike growth on the two sides of the interface. However, recent findings suggest that at high degrees of rarefaction, advective effects are suppressed and molecular diffusion leads to planar growth of the density fronts on either side of the interface. This study aims to investigate the flow physics of the transition from advective to diffusive behavior, focusing on the onset of the kinetic effects. Using the gas kinetic methodology, RTI is simulated over a range of Knudsen and Mach numbers in the transition regime. The simulation results reveal the various stages of transformation from advective instability to diffusive transport. For the first time, the study demonstrates the existence of a Knudsen–Mach parameter regime where the bubble side exhibits advective instability, while the other side shows a planar density front due to molecular diffusion, rather than the canonical advective spike shape. The dominance of different mechanisms on the two sides of the interface leads to the advective–diffusive asymmetry. In conclusion, the findings of this study can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of RTI over a wide range of Mach and Knudsen numbers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Smartly Optimizing Crystallinity, Compatibility, and Morphology for Polymer Solar Cells by Small Molecule Acceptor with Unique 2D-EDOT Side Chain

A desired morphology is essential for achieving efficient polymer solar cells. Donors and acceptors with appropriate crystallization can lead to a suitable phase-separated morphology for effective photocurrent generation process. Inspired by the success of Y6 acceptors and the 2D side chain engineering on popular polymer donors and small molecule acceptors, the usage of unique 2D 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) side chains on Y6 to regulate its crystallinity, compatibility, and thus the related blend morphology is explored. Here, in this study, two molecules of BTP-EDOT-4F and BTP-EDOT-4Cl with such unique 2D EDOT side chains are designed and synthesized. Due to the advantage of EDOT side chain, when these molecules are blended with PM6, the decent power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 16.78% and 15.87% are obtained. Furthermore, BTP-EDOT-4F is selected as the third component and added into PM6:L8-BO binary system to form ternary blends. The optimized crystallinity, compatibility, and morphology of such ternary blend are discovered in the presence of BTP-EDOT-4F, which enables efficient exciton dissociation and charge transport as well as decreased recombination, resulting in higher short circuit current density (J sc ) and fill factor. Finally, the outstanding PCE of 18.56% is achieved in ternary blends containing PM6, L8-BO, and BTP-EDOT-4F.

2D EDOT side chains↗

Three-dimensional shielding effects on charged particle fluences measured in the P0006 experiment in LDEF

The azimuthal and polar angle distribution of the galactic cosmic ray particles (mostly relativistic iron) was measured in the main stack and four side stacks of the P0006 experiment located on the west end of the LDEF satellite. A clear shadowing effect of the radiation shielding of the LDEF satellite is found. The total fluence of stopping protons (mostly primary, trapped particles) was measured as a function of the position in the main and side stacks of the P0006 experiment. Experimental results are compared with theoretical calculations and the effect of the strong location dependence of particle fluences is explained by the three dimensional shielding model of the P0006 stack. Through comparisons between experimental results and calculations, this work will lead to the refinement of the radiation environment computational models.

Csige, I.↗

Transient Side Load Analysis of Out-of-Round Film-Cooled Nozzle Extensions

There was interest in understanding the impact of out-of-round nozzle extension on the nozzle side load during transient startup operations. The out-of-round nozzle extension could be the result of asymmetric internal stresses, deformation induced by previous tests, and asymmetric loads induced by hardware attached to the nozzle. The objective of this study was therefore to computationally investigate the effect of out-of-round nozzle extension on the nozzle side loads during an engine startup transient. The rocket engine studied encompasses a regeneratively cooled chamber and nozzle, along with a film cooled nozzle extension. The computational methodology is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, and transient inlet boundary flow properties derived from an engine system simulation. Six three-dimensional cases were performed with the out-of-roundness achieved by three different degrees of ovalization, elongated on lateral y and z axes: one slightly out-of-round, one more out-of-round, and one significantly out-of-round. The results show that the separation line jump was the primary source of the peak side loads. Comparing to the peak side load of the perfectly round nozzle, the peak side loads increased for the slightly and more ovalized nozzle extensions, and either increased or decreased for the two significantly ovalized nozzle extensions. A theory based on the counteraction of the flow destabilizing effect of an exacerbated asymmetrical flow caused by a lower degree of ovalization, and the flow stabilizing effect of a more symmetrical flow, created also by ovalization, is presented to explain the observations obtained in this effort.

Wang, Ten-See↗

Pretest Comprehensive Analysis for the Urban Air Mobility Side-by-Side Test Stand

The Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Side-by-Side Test Stand (SBS) is a two-rotor test stand designed and built at NASA Ames Research Center under the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Project. The SBS entered service in the wind tunnel in the latter part of 2021 and allows for the experimental analysis of rotor-rotor interactions for UAM vehicles of the side-by-side variety. The SBS will allow investigation of the effect of numerous variables such as rotor lateral separation, rotor collective pitch, model pitch angle (𝛼), rotor rotation direction, and flight speed. This paper presents performance predictions for the SBS. These predictions, which were generated using CAMRAD II, provided increased assurance of the safe operational limits of the system. Additionally, these results, when compared with future data, will be used for validation of the computational models.

Comprehensive Analysis↗