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At least 757 records · Page 42

Accomplishments of the Advanced Reusable Technologies (ART) RBCC Project at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center

The focus of the NASA / Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Advanced Reusable Technologies (ART) project is to advance and develop Rocket-Based Combined-Cycle (RBCC) technologies. The ART project began in 1996 as part of the Advanced Space Transportation Program (ASTP). The project is composed of several activities including RBCC engine ground testing, tool development, vehicle / mission studies, and component testing / development. The major contractors involved in the ART project are Aerojet and Rocketdyne. A large database of RBCC ground test data was generated for the air-augmented rocket (AAR), ramjet, scramjet, and ascent rocket modes of operation for both the Aerojet and Rocketdyne concepts. Transition between consecutive modes was also demonstrated as well as trajectory simulation. The Rocketdyne freejet tests were conducted at GASL in the Flight Acceleration Simulation Test (FAST) facility. During a single test, the FAST facility is capable of simulating both the enthalpy and aerodynamic conditions over a range of Mach numbers in a flight trajectory. Aerojet performed freejet testing in the Pebble Bed facility at GASL as well as direct-connect testing at GASL. Aerojet also performed sea-level static (SLS) testing at the Aerojet A-Zone facility in Sacramento, CA. Several flight-type flowpath components were developed under the ART project. Aerojet designed and fabricated ceramic scramjet injectors. The structural design of the injectors will be tested in a simulated scramjet environment where thermal effects and performance will be assessed. Rocketdyne will be replacing the cooled combustor in the A5 rig with a flight-weight combustor that is near completion. Aerojet's formed duct panel is currently being fabricated and will be tested in the SLS rig in Aerojet's A-Zone facility. Aerojet has already successfully tested a cooled cowl panel in the same facility. In addition to MSFC, other NASA centers have contributed to the ART project as well. Inlet testing and parametrics were performed at NASA / Glenn Research Center (GRC) and NASA / Langley Research Center (LaRC) for both the Aerojet and Rocketdyne concepts. LaRC conducted an Air-Breathing Launch Vehicle (ABLV) study for several vehicle concepts with RBCC propulsion systems. LaRC is also performing a CFD analysis of the ramjet mode for both flowpaths based on GASL test conditions. A study was performed in 1999 to investigate the feasibility of performing an RBCC flight test on the NASA / Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) SR-71 aircraft. Academia involvement in the ART project includes parametric RBCC flowpath testing by Pennsylvania State University (PSU). In addition to thrust and wall static pressure measurements, PSU is also using laser diagnostics to analyze the flowfield in the test rig. MSFC is performing CFD analysis of the PSU rig at select test conditions for model baseline and validation. Also, Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) conducted a vision vehicle study using the Aerojet RBCC concept. Overall, the ART project has been very successful in advancing RBCC technology. Along the way, several major milestones were achieved and "firsts" accomplished. For example, under the ART project, the first dynamic trajectory simulation testing was performed and the Rocketdyne engine A5 logged over one hour of accumulated test time. The next logical step is to develop and demonstrate a flight-weight RBCC engine system.

Nelson, Karl W.↗

Acoustic Benefits of Stator Sweep and Lean for a High Tip Speed Fan

A model high-speed fan stage was acoustically tested in the NASA Glenn 9- by 15-Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel at takeoff/approach flight conditions. The fan was designed for a corrected rotor tip speed of 442 m/s (1450 ft/s), and had a powered core, or booster stage, giving the model a nominal bypass ratio of 5. The model also had a simulated engine pylon and nozzle bifurcation contained within the bypass duct. The fan was tested with three stator sets to evaluate acoustic benefits associated with a swept and leaned stator and with a swept integral vane/frame stator which incorporated some of the swept and leaned features as well as eliminated some of the downstream support structure. The baseline fan with the wide chord rotor and baseline stator approximated a current GEAE CF6 engine. A flyover effective perceived noise level (EPNL) code was used to generate relative EPNL values for the various configurations. Flyover effective perceived noise levels (EPNL) were computed from the model data to help project noise benefits. A tone removal study was also performed. The swept and leaned stator showed a 3 EPNdB reduction at lower fan speeds relative to the baseline stator; while the swept integral vane/frame stator showed lowest noise levels at intermediate fan speeds. Removal of the bypass blade passage frequency rotor tone (BPF) showed a 4 EPNdB reduction for the baseline and swept and leaned stators, and a 6 EPNdB reduction for the swept integral vane/ frame stator. Therefore, selective tone removal techniques such as active noise control and/or tuned liner could be particularly effective in reducing noise levels for certain fan speeds.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Development of a Liner Design Methodology and Relevant Results of Acoustic Suppression in the Farfield for Mixer-Ejector Nozzles

We have developed a process to predict noise field interior to the ejector and in the farfield for any liner design for a mixer-ejector of arbitrary scale factor. However, a number of assumptions, not verified for the current application, utilized in this process, introduce uncertainties in the final result, especially, on a quantitative basis. The normal impedance model for bulk with perforated facesheet is based on homogeneous foam materials of low resistivity. The impact of flow conditions for HSCT application as well as the impact of perforated facesheet on predicted impedance is not properly accounted. Based on the measured normal impedance for deeper bulk samples (i.e., 2.0 in.) the predicted reactance is much higher compared to the data at frequencies above 2 kHz for T-foam and 200 ppi SiC. The resistance is under predicted at lower frequencies (below 4 kHz) for these samples. Thus, the use of such predicted data in acoustic suppression is likely to introduce inaccuracies. It should be noted that the impedance prediction methods developed recently under liner technology program are not utilized in the studies described in this report due to the program closeout. Acoustic suppression prediction is based on the uniform flow and temperature conditions in a two-sided treated constant area rectangular duct. In addition, assumptions of equal energy per mode noise field and interaction of all frequencies with the treated surface for the entire ejector length may not be accurate. While, the use of acoustic transfer factor minimizes the inaccuracies associated with the prediction for a known test case, the assumption of the same factor for other liner designs and with different linear scale factor ejectors seems to be very optimistic. As illustrated in appendix D that the predicted noise suppression for LSM-1 is lower compared to the measured data is an indication of the above argument. However, the process seems to be more reliable when used for the same scale models for different liner designs as demonstrated for Gen. 1 mixer-ejectors.

Salikuddin, M.↗

Experimental design studies and flow visualization of proportional laminar-flow fluidic amplifiers

The effects of certain parameter variations on the performance characteristics of laminar, proportional, jet-deflection fluidic amplifiers were studied. The matching and staging of amplifiers to obtain high pressure gain was included, but dynamic effects were not. The parameter variations considered were aspect ratio, setback, control length, splitter distance, receiver-duct width, width of center-vent duct, and bias pressure. Usable pressure gains of 19 per stage were achieved, and 5 amplifier stages were integrated to yield an overall pressure gain of 2,000,000.

Hellbaum, R. F.↗

Waterproof Raised Floor Makes Utility Lines Accessible

Floor for laboratories, hospitals and factories waterproof yet allows access to subfloor utilities. Elevated access floor system designed for installations with multitude of diverse utility systems routed under and up through floor and requirement of separation of potentially conflicting utility services. Floor covered by continuous sheet of heat resealable vinyl. Floor system cut open when changes are made in utility lines and ducts. After modifications, floor covering resealed to protect subfloor utilities from spills and leaks.

Cohen, M. M.↗

Flight effects on noise from coaxial dual flow. II - Heated jets

This paper is a continuation of the study described in Part I and deals with the flight effects on noise from heated jets. The present work shows that coaxial exhaust flows with inverted profiles are much quieter than flows with conventional profiles. Among all possible coaxial configurations with only one of the streams heated conventional profile, inverted profile, and the variable stream control engine (VSCE) cycle - and holding constant mass flow and thrust, a VSCE cycle is the best possible engine cycle as it provides over 18-dB reduction in sound pressure level (as compared to noise from a conventional profile cycle) at all angles, both statically and in flight. The study also indicates that, if both the coaxial streams are heated unequally, a duct-burning profile, combined with the variable stream control engine (DB-VSCE) concept, gives rise to a powerful coaxial device which generates the least noise, both statically and in flight. This concept will be of paramount importance as one of the most variable nozzle designs of the future.

Dash, R.↗

On the Use of 3dB Qualification Margin for Structural Parts on Expendable Launch Vehicles

The standard random vibration qualification test used for Expendable Launch Vehicle components is Maximum Predicted Environment (MPE) + 6dB for a duration of 4 times the service life of the part. This can be a severe qualification test for these fatigue-sensitive structures. This paper uses flight data from several launch vehicles to establish that reducing the qualification approach to MPE+3dB for the duration of the peak environment (1x life) is valid for fatigue-sensitive structural components. Items that can be classified as fatigue-sensitive are probes, ducts, tubing, bellows, hoses, and any non-functional structure. Non-functional structure may be flight critical or carry fluid, but it cannot include any moving parts or electronics. This reduced qualification approach does not include primary or secondary structure which would be exclusively designed by peak loads, either transient or quasi-static, that are so large and of so few cycles as to make fatigue a moot point.

Yunis, Isam↗

Plants Clean Air and Water for Indoor Environments

Wolverton Environmental Services Inc., founded by longtime government environmental scientist B.C. "Bill" Wolverton, is an environmental consulting firm that gives customers access to the results of his decades of cutting-edge bioremediation research. Findings about how to use plants to improve indoor air quality have been published in dozens of NASA technical papers and in the book, "How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office." The book has now been translated into 12 languages and has been on the shelves of bookstores for nearly 10 years. A companion book, "Growing Clean Water: Nature's Solution to Water Pollution," explains how plants can clean waste water. Other discoveries include that the more air that is allowed to circulate through the roots of the plants, the more effective they are at cleaning polluted air; and that plants play a psychological role in welfare in that people recover from illness faster in the presence of plants. Wolverton Environmental is also working in partnership with Syracuse University, to engineer systems consisting of modular wicking filters tied into duct work and water supplies, essentially tying plant-based filters into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Also, the company has recently begun to assess the ability of the EcoPlanter to remove formaldehyde from interior environments. Wolverton Environmental is also in talks with designers of the new Stennis Visitor's Center, who are interested in using its designs for indoor air-quality filters

Source record↗

Integral lift engine preliminary design

A preliminary mechanical design of a complete lift fan engine system is reported. A description of the lift fan engine, layout drawings of the components and complete engine, and a discussion of the design analyses and results are presented. The design features and areas of analysis include fan and compressor rotor blades of composite construction, a combustor folded over the compressor, relatively high-temperature blades in the high-pressure turbine, the first stage of the low-pressure turbine used for bearing support and ducting of lubricant to the bearings, a complete lubrication system, critical speeds of the shafting, and vibration and flutter of the blading.

Pratt, W.↗

Cylindrical diffuser performance using a truncated plug nozzle

Cylindrical diffuser performance for a truncated plug nozzle without external flow was tested in a blowdown wind tunnel. The nozzle was designed for an exit Mach number of 1.9 and the plug was conical in shape from the throat and converged to the axis of symmetry at an angle of 10 degrees. The diffuser section was fashioned into two 13.97 cm lengths to facilitate boring of the duct diameter and to allow for testing of two different duct lengths. A slotted hypotube was installed in the base of the diffuser to measure pressure distribution down the centerline of the diffuser. The data obtained included: the typical centerline and sidewall pressure ratio variation along the diffuser, cell pressure ratio vs overall pressure ratio for long and short diffusers and a comparison of minimum experimental cell pressure ratio vs area ratio.

Galanga, F. L.↗

Heat transfer enhancement in channels with turbulence promoters

Repeated rib-roughness elements have been used in advanced turbine cooling designs to enhance the internal heat transfer. Often the ribs are perpendicular to the main flow direction so that they have an angle-of-attack of 90 degrees. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of rib angle-of-attack on the pressure drop and the average heat-transfer coefficients in the fully developed turbulent air flow in a square duct with two opposite rib-roughened walls for Reynolds numbers varied from 7,000 to 90,000. The rib height-to-equivalent diameter ratio was kept at a constant value of 0.063, the rib pitch-to-height ratio was varied from 10 to 20, and the rib angle-of-attack (alpha) was varied from 90 to 60 deg to 45 to 30 deg, respectively. The thermal-performance comparison indicated that the increased heat conductance for the rib with an oblique angle to the flow (alpha = 45 deg - 30 deg) was about 10-20 percent higher than the rib with a 90 deg angle to the flow, and the pumping power requirement for the angled rib was about 20-50 percent lower than the transverse rib. Semi-empirical correlations for friction factor and heat-transfer coefficients were developed to account for rib spacing and rib angle. The correlations can be used in the design of turbine-blade cooling passages.

Han, J. C.↗

Effect of inlet temperature and pressure on emissions from a premixing gas turbine primary zone combustor

Experiments were conducted to determine the performance of a premixing prevaporizing gas turbine primary zone combustor design over a range of combustor inlet temperatures from 700 to 1000 K and a range of inlet pressures from 40 to 240 N/sq cm. The 1 meter long combustor could be operated at pressures up to and including 120 N/sq cm without autoignition in the premixing duct or flashback from the stabilized combustion zone. Autoignition occurred in the mixer tube at the 240 N/sq cm pressure level with an entrance temperature of 830 K and a mixer residence time of 4 msec. Measured NOx level, combustion inefficiency, and hydrocarbon emission index correlated well with adiabatic flame temperature. The NOx levels varied from approximately 0.2 to 2.0 g NO2/kg fuel at combustion inefficiencies from 4 to 0.04 percent, depending upon adiabatic flame temperature and pressure. Measured NOx levels were sensitive to pressure. Tests were made at equivalence ratios ranging from 0.35 to 0.65. The overall total pressure drop for the configuration varied slightly with reference velocity and equivalence ratio, but never exceeded 3 percent.

Roffe, G.↗

Test results of the Chrysler upgraded automotive gas turbine engine: Initial design

The upgraded engine as built to the original design was deficient in power and had excessive specific fuel consumption. A high instrumented version of the engine was tested to identify the sources of the engine problems. Analysis of the data shows the major problems to be low compressor and power turbine efficiency and excessive interstage duct losses. In addition, high HC and CO emission were measured at idle, and high NOx emissions at high energy speeds.

Horvath, D.↗

Acoustic Testing of a High-Tip-Speed Fan with Bypass-Duct Liners

Under a pair of Space Act Agreements between NASA and Honeywell Aerospace, a model-scale (22 in.-diameter fan) acoustic wind tunnel test was carried out in the fall of 2014 in the NASA Glenn Research Center 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. The goal was to obtain acoustic pressure measurements for far-field, inlet and exit rotating rake, and in-duct microphone locations. This supersonic-tip-speed fan was tested in three bypass duct configurations: hard-wall, traditional liner, and advanced multiple-degree-of-freedom. Limited aerodynamic data was collected to verify the expected operating conditions. Preliminary analysis of the acoustic data finds it suitable for use in evaluating current NASA and Honeywell Aerospace acoustic tools and liner design practices.

Noise↗

Acoustic Testing of a High-Tip-Speed Fan with Bypass-Duct Liners - Overview

Under a pair of Space Act Agreements between NASA and Honeywell Aerospace, a model-scale (22 in.-diameter fan) acoustic wind tunnel test was carried out in the fall of 2014 in the NASA Glenn Research Center 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. The goal was to obtain acoustic pressure measurements for far-field, inlet and exit rotating rake, and in-duct microphone locations. This supersonic-tip-speed fan was tested in three bypass duct configurations: hard-wall, traditional liner, and advanced multiple-degree-of-freedom. Limited aerodynamic data was collected to verify the expected operating conditions. Preliminary analysis of the acoustic data finds it suitable for use in evaluating current NASA and Honeywell Aerospace acoustic tools and liner design practices. This report provides an overview of the test and some preliminary findings.

Miller, Christopher J.↗

Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics and Aircraft System Noise Flight Research Test: NASA Overview

Motivations and the formulation of the objectives are described for an ambitious flight research test conducted in collaboration between NASA and The Boeing Company. The Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics and Aircraft System Noise Flight Research Test was executed by the Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program with an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 aircraft. Five key technical approaches are described that were used to accomplish the more unconventional and challenging objectives of the research. In addition to the modern technology of the 787, these include evaluating multiple acoustic shielding and reflection effects using both the wing and fuselage in straight flight and banking flight paths, hardwalling the aft duct liner, and utilizing an extensive instrumentation array both on the ground and on the aircraft. The research level version of NASA’s aircraft system noise prediction capability including a new acoustic scattering method were used to confirm the technical approaches and provide guidance for the detailed design of instrumentation and flight test plans. Initial comparisons are shown of flight test data to predictions using the research level of NASA’s Aircraft Noise Prediction Program. Significant prediction challenges are revealed when compared to these high-quality data, while major progress is shown both in the measurement and the prediction of propulsion airframe aeroacoustic effects in flight. This comparison marks the first rigorous validation with modern flight test data and establishes a basis to further understand and quantify the state of NASA’s current capability and to develop improvements in the fidelity of aircraft system noise predictions. The context of multiple coordinated companion research papers is described as well as future plans for the continued analysis of this flight research data.

Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustics↗

Plasma torch igniter for scramjets

A small, uncooled plasma torch was developed and used in combination with an injector designed to study ignition and flameholding in hydrogen-fueled supersonic flows. The plasma torch was operated on mixtures of hydrogen and argon with total flows of 10 to 70 scfh. The fuel injector design consisted of five small upstream pilot fuel injectors, a rearward facing step for recirculation, and three main fuel injectors downstream of the step. The plasma torch was located in the recirculation region, and all injection was perpendicular to the Mach 2 stream. Both semi-freejet and ducted tests were conducted. The experimental results indicate that a low power plasma torch operating on a 1:1 volumetric mixture of hygrogen and argon and located in the recirculation zone fueled by the upstream pilot fuel injectors is a good igniter for flow conditions simulating a flight Mach number of 3.7. The total temperature required to autoignite the hydrogen fuel for this injector geometry was 2640 R. The injector configuration was shown to be a good flameholder over a wide range of total temperature. Spectroscopic measurements were used to verify the presence of air total temperatures below 1610 R.

Wagner, Timothy C.↗