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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.

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At least 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

In-flight lift and drag measurements on a first generation jet transport equipped with winglets

A KC-135A aircraft equipped with wing tip winglets was flight tested to demonstrate and validate the potential performance gain of the winglet concept as predicted from analytical and wind tunnel data. Flight data were obtained at cruise conditions for Mach numbers of 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80 at a nominal altitude of 36,000 ft. and winglet configurations of 15 deg cant/-4 deg incidence, 0 deg cant/-4 deg incidence, and baseline. For the Mach numbers tested the data show that the addition of winglets did not affect the lifting characteristics of the wing. However, both winglet configurations showed a drag reduction over the baseline configuration, with the best winglet configuration being the 15 deg cant/-4 deg incidence configuration. This drag reduction due to winglets also increased with increasing lift coefficient. It was also shown that a small difference exists between the 15 deg cant/-4 deg incidence flight and wind tunnel predicted data. This difference was attributed to the pillowing of the winglet skins in flight which would decrease the winglet performance.

Lux, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Multi-wavelength Radio Continuum Emission Studies of Dust-free Red Giants

Multi-wavelength centimeter continuum observations of non-dusty, non-pulsating K spectral-type red giants directly sample their chromospheres and wind acceleration zones. Such stars are feeble emitters at these wavelengths, however, and previous observations have provided only a small number of modest signal-to-noise measurements slowly accumulated over three decades. We present multi-wavelength Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array thermal continuum observations of the wind acceleration zones of two dust-free red giants, Arcturus (alpha Boo: K2 III) and Aldebaran (alpha Tau: K5 III). Importantly, most of our observations of each star were carried out over just a few days, so that we obtained a snapshot of the different stellar atmospheric layers sampled at different wavelengths, independent of any long-term variability. We report the first detections at several wavelengths for each star including a detection at 10 cm (3.0 GHz: S band) for both stars and a 20 cm (1.5 GHz: L band) detection for alpha Boo. This is the first time single (non-binary) luminosity class III red giants have been detected at these continuum wavelengths. Our long-wavelength data sample the outer layers of alpha Boo's atmosphere where its wind velocity is approaching (or possibly has reached) its terminal value and the ionization balance is becoming frozen-in. For alpha Tau, however, our long-wavelength data are still sampling its inner atmosphere, where the wind is still accelerating probably due to its lower mass-loss rate. We compare our data with published semi-empirical models based on ultraviolet data, and the marked deviations highlight the need for new atmospheric models to be developed. Spectral indices are used to discuss the possible properties of the stellar atmospheres, and we find evidence for a rapidly cooling wind in the case of alpha Boo. Finally, we develop a simple analytical wind model for alpha Boo based on our new long-wavelength flux measurements.

chromospheres↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effective mobility limit in small-bubble, low-damping bubble materials

Examination of the implications of the basic equations that govern the motion of bubbles with nonzero winding number (S) yields an unexpected result. Bubble velocity is limited to the speed implied by the effective wall mobility (gamma)r/2S, no matter how large the actual wall mobility. For large bubbles, this limit will not usually be significant. However, for small bubbles (r less than 1 micron) in low-damping materials, this limit will profoundly affect the bubble motion. A derivation of the effect and experimental confirmation of it are presented.

Slusky, S. E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Scattering by Artificial Wind and Rain Roughened Water Surfaces at Oblique Incidences

Rain affects wind retrievals from scatterometric measurements of the sea surface. To depict the additional roughness caused by rain on a wind driven surface, we use a ring-wave spectral model. This enables us to analyse the rain effect on K(u) band scatterometric observations from two laboratory experiments. Calculations based on the small perturbation method provide good simulation of scattering measurements for the rain-only case, whereas for combined wind and rain cases, the boundary perturbation method is appropriate.

Craeye, C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Pioneer Venus 1978

An orbiter and a multiprobe spacecraft will be sent to Venus in 1978 to conduct a detailed examination of the planet's atmosphere and weather. The spin-stabilized multiprobe spacecraft consists of a bus, a large probe and three identical small probes, each carrying a complement of scientific instruments. The large probe will conduct a detailed sounding of the lower atmosphere, obtaining measurements of the clouds, atmospheric structure, wind speed, and atmospheric composition. Primary emphasis will be placed on the planet's energy balance and clouds. The three small probes will provide information on the circulation pattern of the lower atmosphere. The probe bus will provide data on the upper atmosphere and ionosphere down to an altitude of about 120 km. The orbiter is designed to globally map the atmosphere, ionosphere, and the solar wind/ionosphere interaction. In addition, it will utilize radar mapping techniques to study the surface.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1989

Evaluation of unambiguous vector winds from the Seasat scatterometer

In this paper, the vector winds produced by the JPL and the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) ambiguity removal methods are compared for 14 days of overlap, and the data are checked for any systematic differences. This comparison draws attention to some possible sources of error in each data set and provides a first-order evaluation of the quality of the two ambiguity removal techniques. It was found that the directional differences are generally small and random, so that no significant differences occurred between spatially and temporally averaged wind fields constructed from the two data sets.

Chelton, Dudley B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Mesoscale history of a small patch of clear air turbulence.

Sequential analyses of data from a network of eight special rawinsonde stations 100 km apart demonstrate the important effects of mesoscale disturbances in a 2.5-hr episode of light-to-moderate clear air turbulence (CAT). The most significant feature was the development of two turbulent fields below and above a 2-km region of a wind minimum which passed over Wallops Island, Va., near 1530 GMT on Feb. 4, 1970. The small scale of these features precludes their detection in the standard 12-hr observation sequence. The rawinsonde network utilized, which incorporates fine-scale details in both space and time, is adequate to provide a very useful current CAT depiction and an excellent source for the preparation of a short-range forecast of CAT.

Boucher, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Sensitivity of the structure of untripped mixing layers to small changes in initial conditions

An experimental study was conducted concerning the influence of small changes in initial conditions on the near- and far-field evolution of the three-dimensional structure of a plan mixing layer. A two-stream mixing layer with a velocity ratio of 0.6 was generated with the initial boundary layers on the splitter plate laminar and was nominally two-dimensional. The initial conditions were changed slightly by interchanging the high- and low-speed sides of the wind tunnel, while maintaining the same velocities, and hence velocity ratio. This resulted in small changes in the initial boundary layer properties, and the perturbations present in the boundary layers were interchanged between the high- and low-speed sides for the two cases. The results indicate that, even with this relatively minor change in initial conditions, the near-field regions of the two cases differ significantly. The peak Reynolds stress levels in the near-field differ by up to 100 percent, and this is attributed to a difference in the location of the initial spanwise vortex roll-up. In addition, the positions and shapes of the individual streamwise vortical structures differ for the two cases, although the overall structures differ for the two cases, although the overall qualitative description of these structures is comparable. The subsequent reorganization and decay of the streamwise vortical structures is very similar for the two cases. As a result, in the far field, both mixing layers achieve similar structure, yielding comparable growth rates, Reynolds stress, distribution, and spectral content.

Plesniak, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Accretion Disk Wind in the Black Hole GRS 1915 + 105

We report on a 120 kiloseconds Chandra/HETG spectrum of the black hole GRS 1915+105. The observation was made during an extended and bright soft state in 2015 June. An extremely rich disk wind absorption spectrum is detected, similar to that observed at lower sensitivity in 2007. The very high resolution of the third-order spectrum reveals four components to the disk wind in the Fe K band alone; the fastest has a blueshift of v = 0.03 c (velocity equals 0.03 the speed of light). Broadened reemission from the wind is also detected in the first-order spectrum, giving rise to clear accretion disk P Cygni profiles. Dynamical modeling of the re-emission spectrum gives wind launching radii of r approximately equal to 10 (sup 2-4) GM (Gravitational constant times Mass) divided by c (sup 2) (the speed of light squared). Wind density values of n approximately equal to 10 (sup 13-16) per cubic centimeter are then required by the ionization parameter formalism. The small launching radii, high density values, and inferred high mass outflow rates signal a role for magnetic driving. With simple, reasonable assumptions, the wind properties constrain the magnitude of the emergent magnetic field to be B approximately equal to 10 (sup 3-4) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven via magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure from within the disk and B approximately equal to 10 (sup 4-5) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven by magnetocentrifugal acceleration. The MHD estimates are below upper limits predicted by the canonical alpha-disk model. We discuss these results in terms of fundamental disk physics and black hole accretion modes.

accretion↗
NASA NTRS1989

A semiempirical model for the red supergiant's wind in Zeta Aurigae systems

A semiempirical model for the wind in four Zeta Aur binary systems is developed, basing the analyses on the velocity function, nonthermal velocities, and upper limits to Ne/N(H) inferred from observations of the winds from the cool supergiants. The model assumes that the energy fluxes needed to drive the wind are supplied by Alfven waves, since the acoustic wave flux estimated from line broadening is too low. The damping scale length of the waves, is found to change from very small values near the star to larger values of the order of the local radius further out in the wind. The temperature structure and hydrogen ionization are derived for these models. Limits to the stellar magnetic field are found, as well as a necessary constraint for the existence of cool massive winds, suggesting that the dividing line in the H-R diagram is where this constraint is violated.

Kuin, N. P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A new approach for determining fully empirical altimeter wind speed model functions

A statistical technique is developed for determining fully empirical model functions relating altimeter backscatter (sigma(sub 0)) measurements to near-surface neutral stability wind speed. By assuming that sigma(sub 0) varies monotonically and uniquely with wind speed, the method requires knowledge only of the separate, rather than joint distribution functions of sigma(sub 0) and wind speed. Analytic simplifications result from using a Weibull distribution to approximate the global ocean wind speed distribution; several different wind data sets are used to demonstrate the validity of the Weibull approximation. The technique has been applied to 1 year of Geosat data. Validation of the new and historical model functions using an independent buoy data set demonstrates that the present model function not only has small overall bias and root mean square (RMS) errors, but yields smaller systematic error trends with wind speed and pseudowave age than previously published models. The present analysis suggests that generally accuracte altimeter model functions can be derived without the use of colocated measurements, nor is additional significant wave height information measured by the altimeter necessary.

Freilich, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

On the computation of two- and three-dimensional steady transonic flows by relaxation methods

The paper is concerned with the application of the Murman and Cole (1971) relaxation scheme to steady, inviscid transonic flow problems in two and three dimensions. This scheme, which automatically accounts for weak shock waves, uses separate difference operators in elliptic and hyperbolic regions. The details of the scheme are described in terms of the original small disturbance formulation of Murman and Cole. In particular, Murman's recent (1973) introduction of fully conservative difference operators to obtain the correct shock jumps is examined. The extension to treating the exact isentropic equation is then covered with special attention given to Jameson's (to appear) rotated difference scheme for supersonic flow regions. The bulk of the discussion is related to two-dimensional procedures, and some comparisons with experiment are made, with emphasis on the effects of viscosity and wind-tunnel walls. Application of the Murman-Cole scheme is then discussed for small disturbances in three dimensions.

Bailey, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Investigation of thermal protection systems effects on viscid and inviscid flow fields for manned entry systems

Procedures and methods for predicting aerothermodynamic heating to delta orbiter shuttle vehicles were reviewed. A number of approximate methods were found to be adequate for large scale parameter studies, but are considered inadequate for final design calculations. It is recommended that final design calculations be based on a computer code which accounts for nonequilibrium chemistry, streamline spreading, entropy swallowing, and turbulence. It is further recommended that this code be developed with the intent that it can be directly coupled with an exact inviscid flow field calculation when the latter becomes available. A nonsimilar, equilibrium chemistry computer code (BLIMP) was used to evaluate the effects of entropy swallowing, turbulence, and various three dimensional approximations. These solutions were compared with available wind tunnel data. It was found study that, for wind tunnel conditions, the effect of entropy swallowing and three dimensionality are small for laminar boundary layers but entropy swallowing causes a significant increase in turbulent heat transfer. However, it is noted that even small effects (say, 10-20%) may be important for the shuttle reusability concept.

Bartlett, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The results of a high-speed wind tunnel test to investigate the effects of the NASA refan JT8D engine nacelles on the stability and control characteristics of the Boeing 727 airplane

A high speed wind tunnel test was conducted to investigate the effects of the NASA Refan JT8D engine nacelles on the stability and control characteristics of the Boeing 727 airplane. The test was performed at the Calspan Corporation 8x8 ft. (2.44x2.44 m.) transonic wind tunnel. Both the 727-200 and -100 models were tested. A small nose-down pitching moment increment and a slight increase in longitudinal stability were noted due to the Refan nacelles. The directional stability of the 727-200 airplane increased up to 10 percent. A smaller improvement was observed on the 727-100 model. In general, the high speed stability and control characteristics of the basic airplane are not significantly altered by the Refan nacelle installation.

Kupcis, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Review of US Navy VSTOL handling qualities requirements

Handling qualities requirements for V/STOL operations from small ships are considered in terms of the ship operating environment. Turbulence, wind over the deck, ship motion, visibility, and severe weather and sea conditions are among the factors discussed.

Hutchings, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Verification studies of Seasat-A satellite scatterometer /SASS/ measurements

Two comparisons between Seasat-A satellite scatterometer (SASS) data and surface truth, obtained from the Gulf of Alaska Seasat Experiment and the Joint Air-Sea Interaction program, have been made to determine the behavior of SASS and its algorithms. The performance of SASS was first evaluated irrespective of the algorithms employed to convert the SASS data to geophysical parameters, which was done by separating the backscatter measurements into small bins of incidence and azimuth angles and polarity and regression against wind speed measurements. The algorithms were then tested by comparing their predicted slopes and y intercepts with those derived from the regressions, and by comparing each SASS backscatter measurement with the backscatter derived from the algorithms, and the given wind velocity from the observations. It was shown that SASS was insensitive to winds at high incidence angles for horizontal polarizations. Fairly high correlations were found between backscatter and wind speeds. The algorithms functioned well at mid-ranges of incidence angle and backscattering coefficient.

Halberstam, I.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ground cloud air quality effects

The effects of the ground cloud associated with launching of a large rocket on air quality are discussed. The ground cloud consists of the exhaust emitted by the rocket during the first 15 to 25 seconds following ignition and liftoff, together with a large quantity of entrained air, cooling water, dust and other debris. Immediately after formation, the ground cloud rises in the air due to the buoyant effect of its high thermal energy content. Eventually, at an altitude typically between 0.7 and 3 km, the cloud stabilizes and is carried along by the prevailing wind at that altitude. For the use of heavy lift launch vehicles small quantities of nitrogen oxides, primarily nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, are expected to be produced from a molecular nitrogen impurity in the fuel or liquid oxygen, or from entrainment and heating of ambient air in the hot rocket exhaust. In addition, possible impurities such as sulfur in the fuel would give rise to a corresponding amount of oxidation products such as sulfur dioxide.

Brubaker, K. L.↗