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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Effect of delta tabs on mixing and axis switching in jets from asymmetric nozzles

The effect of delta tabs on mixing and the phenomenon of axis switching in free air jets from various asymmetric nozzles was studied experimentally. Flow visualization and Pitot probe surveys were carried out with a set of small nozzles (D = 1.47 cm) at a jet Mach number, Mj = 1.63. Hot wire measurements for streamwise vorticity were carried out with larger nozzles (D = 6.35 cm) at Mj = 0.31. Jet mixing with the asymmetric nozzles, as indicated by the mass fluxes downstream, was found to be higher than that produced by a circular nozzle. The circular nozzle with four delta tabs, however, produced fluxes much higher than that produced by a asymmetric nozzles themselves or by most of the tab configurations tried with them. Even higher fluxes could be obtained with only a few cases, e.g., with 3:1 rectangular nozzle with two large delta tabs placed on the narrow edges. In this case, the jet 'fanned out' at a large angle after going through one axis switch. The axis switching could be either stopped or augmented with suitable choice of the tab configurations. Two mechanisms are identified governing the phenomenon. One, as described in Ref. 12 and referred to here as the omega(sub Theta)-induced dynamics, is due to differential induced velocities of different segments of a rolled up azimuthal vortical structure. The other is the omega(sub x)-induced dynamics due to the induced velocities of streamwise vortex pairs in the flow. While the former dynamics are responsible for rapid axis switching in periodically forced jets, the effect of the tabs is governed mainly by the latter. It is inferred that both dynamics are active in a natural asymmetric jet issuing from a nozzle having an upstream contraction. The tendency for axis switching caused by the omega(sub Theta)-induced dynamics is resisted by the omega(sub x)-induced dynamics, leading to a delayed or no switch over in that case. In jets from orifices and in screeching jets, the omega(sub Theta)-induced dynamics dominate causing a faster switch over.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Rime-, mixed- and glaze-ice evaluations of three scaling laws

This report presents the results of tests at NASA Lewis to evaluate three icing scaling relationships or 'laws' for an unheated model. The laws were LWC x time = constant, one proposed by a Swedish-Russian group and one used at ONERA in France. Icing tests were performed in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) with cylinders ranging from 2.5- to 15.2-cm diameter. Reference conditions were chosen to provide rime, mixed and glaze ice. Scaled conditions were tested for several scenarios of size and velocity scaling, and the resulting ice shapes compared. For rime-ice conditions, all three of the scaling laws provided scaled ice shapes which closely matched reference ice shapes. For mixed ice and for glaze ice none of the scaling laws produced consistently good simulation of the reference ice shapes. Explanations for the observed results are proposed, and scaling issues requiring further study are identified.

Anderson, David N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Vortical structure in a forced plane mixing layer

The objective of this phase of an ongoing study is to obtain detailed three dimensional phase-averaged measurements of forced mixing layer vorticity development and evolution. Acoustic forcing is being used to phase-lock the initial development and subsequent pairing of the span wise vortical structures. Phase averaged measurements of the three velocity components will permit the study of three dimensional vorticity distributions without invoking Taylor's hypothesis which is known to introduce uncertainty. Currently two sine waves, one at the fundamental roll-up frequency and the second, its subharmonic, are being used to force the initial roll-up and first pairing of the span wise rollers. The two dimensional measurements described in this report were obtained in order to determine the best operating conditions for the detailed three dimensional study of the mixing layer undergoing pairing via various pairing mechanisms.

Leboeuf, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A new approach to mixed H2/H infinity controller synthesis using gradient-based parameter optimization methods

In the past few years, the mixed H(sub 2)/H-infinity control problem has been the object of much research interest since it allows the incorporation of robust stability into the LQG framework. The general mixed H(sub 2)/H-infinity design problem has yet to be solved analytically. Numerous schemes have considered upper bounds for the H(sub 2)-performance criterion and/or imposed restrictive constraints on the class of systems under investigation. Furthermore, many modern control applications rely on dynamic models obtained from finite-element analysis and thus involve high-order plant models. Hence the capability to design low-order (fixed-order) controllers is of great importance. In this research a new design method was developed that optimizes the exact H(sub 2)-norm of a certain subsystem subject to robust stability in terms of H-infinity constraints and a minimal number of system assumptions. The derived algorithm is based on a differentiable scalar time-domain penalty function to represent the H-infinity constraints in the overall optimization. The scheme is capable of handling multiple plant conditions and hence multiple performance criteria and H-infinity constraints and incorporates additional constraints such as fixed-order and/or fixed structure controllers. The defined penalty function is applicable to any constraint that is expressible in form of a real symmetric matrix-inequity.

Ly, Uy-Loi↗
NASA NTRS1994

Simultaneous three-dimensional velocity and mixing measurements by use of laser Doppler velocimetry and fluorescence probes in a water tunnel

A water tunnel investigation was conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of a laser-based instrument that can measure velocity and fluorescence intensity simultaneously. Fluorescence intensity of an excited fluorescent dye is directly related to concentration level and is used to indicate the extent of mixing in flow. This instrument is a three-dimensional laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) in combination with a fluorometer for measuring fluorescence intensity variations. This capability allows simultaneous flow measurements of the three orthogonal velocity components and mixing within the same region. Two different flows which were generated by two models were studied: a generic nonaxisymmetric nozzle propulsion simulation model with an auxiliary internal water source that generated a jet flow and an axisymmetric forebody model with a circular sector strake that generated a vortex flow. The off-body flow fields around these models were investigated in the Langley 16- by 24-Inch Water Tunnel. The experimental results were used to calculate 17 quantities that included mean and fluctuating velocities, Reynolds stresses, mean and fluctuating dye fluorescence intensities (proportional to concentration), and fluctuating velocity and dye concentration correlations. An uncertainty analysis was performed to establish confidence levels in the experimental results. In general, uncertainties in mean velocities varied between 1 and 7 percent of free-stream velocity; uncertainties in fluctuating velocities varied between 1 and 5 percent of reference values. The results show characteristics that are unique to each type of flow.

Neuhart, Dan H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A Type 2 supernovae constraint on neutrino(sub e) - neutrino(sub s) mixing

The role of a resonant nu(e) - nu(s) oscillation is discussed in the event of a supernova explosion. It is concluded that a significant nu(e) - nu(s) mixing may hinder the ability of the supernova to explode. It may also cool the proto-neutron star too quickly with respect to the observed cooling time of several seconds. The constraints on the nu(e) - nu(s) mixing parameters based on the above arguments are calculated.

Shi, X.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Nonlinear interaction between a pair of oblique modes in a supersonic mixing layer: Long-wave limit

The nonlinear interaction between a pair of symmetric, oblique, and spatial instability modes is studied in the long-wave limit using asymptotic methods. The base flow is taken to be a supersonic mixing layer whose Mach number is such that the corresponding vortex sheet is marginally stable according to Miles' criterion. It is shown that the amplitude of the mode obeys a nonlinear integro-differential equation. Numerical solutions of this equation show that, when the obliqueness angle is less than pi/4, the effect of the nonlinearity is to enhance the growth rate of the instability. The solution terminates in a singularity at a finite streamwise location. This result is reminiscent of that obtained in the vicinity of the neutral point by other authors in several different types of flows. On the other hand, when the obliqueness angle is more than pi/4, the streamwise development of the amplitude is characterized by a series of modulations. This arises from the fact that the nonlinear term in the amplitude equation may be either stabilizing or destabilizing, depending on the value of the streamwise coordinate. However, even in this case the amplitude of the disturbance increases, though not as rapidly as in the case for which the angle is less than pi/4. Quite generally then, the nonlinear interaction between two oblique modes in a supersonic mixing layer enhances the growth of the disturbance.

Balsa, Thomas F.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The effect of mixed mode precracking on the mode 1 fracture toughness of composite laminates

We subjected double cantilever beam specimens from four different composite materials to mixed-mode precracking. Three different precracking mode 1 to mode 2 ratios were used--1 to 4, 1 to 1, and 4 to 1. Following precracking the specimens were tested for mode I fracture toughness. The mixed-mode precracking often influenced the mode 1 toughness and its influence persisted for as much as 60 mm of mode 1 crack growth. We tested composites with untoughened matrices, composites with rubber-toughened matrices, and composites with interlayer toughening. Depending on material type and precracking mode ratio, the precracking could cause either a significant increase or a significant decrease in the mode 1 fracture toughness.

Shankar, Prashanth↗
NASA NTRS1994

The boundary layer of Mars: Fluxes, stability, turbulent spectra, and growth of the mixed layer

Spectra of wind from high-frequency measurements in the Martian atmospheric surface layer, along with the diurnal variation of the height of the mixed surface layer, are calculated for the first time for Mars. Heat and momentum fluxes, stability, and z(sub 0) are estimated for early spring from a surface temperature model and from Viking Lander 2 temperatures and winds at 44 deg N, using Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. Flow distortion by the lander is also taken into account. Model spectra for two measuring heights and three surface roughnesses are calculated using the depth of the mixed layer and the surface-layer parameters. These experiments indicate that z(sub 0) probably lies between 1.0 and 3.0 cm, and most likely is closer to 1.0 cm. The spectra are adjusted to simulate aliasing and high-frequency rolloff, the latter caused by both the sensor response and the large Kolmogorov length on Mars. Since the spectral models depend on the surface parameters, including the estimated surface temperature, their agreement with the calculated spectra indicates that the surface-layer estimates are self-consistent. This agreement is especially noteworthy in that the inertial subrange is virtually absent in the Martian atmosphere at this height, due to the large Kolmogorov length scale. These analyses extend the range of applicability of terrestrial results and demonstrate that it is possible to estimate the effects of severe aliasing of wind measurements, to produce models that agree well with the measured spectra. The results show that similarity theory developed for Earth applies to Mars, and that the spectral models are universal.

Tillman, James E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Quasi-horizontal transport and mixing in the Antarctic stratosphre

The quasi-horizontal transport and mixing properties of the Antarctic stratosphere are investigated with a simi-Lagrangian transport model and a 'contour advection' technique for the winter and spring of 1992 using analyzed winds from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office data assimiliation system. Transport calculations show that passive tracers are well mixed inside the polar vortex as well as in the midlatitude 'surf zone.' A the vortex edge, strong radial gradients in the tracer fields are well preserved, and their evolutions follow that of the potential vorticity until some time after the breakdown of the polar vortex. In the middle stratosphere there is little tracer exchange across the vortex edge in August and September. Some vortex air is eroded into the surf zone in filamentary form in October, and very strong exchange of air occurs between high and middle latitudes in November. In the lower stratosphere the vortex is not so isolated from the midlatitudes as in the middle stratosphere, and there is more mass exchange across the vortex edge. Calculations of the lengthening of material contours using the contour advection technique show that in the middle stratosphere, strong stirring (i.e., stretching and folding of material elements) occurs in the inner vortex, while the strongest stirring occurs in the midlatitude surf zone and the weakest occurs at the vortex edge. In the lower strtosphere, strong stirring occurs in the inner vortex. Stirring is moderate at the vortex edge and in the midlatitudes.

Chen, Ping↗
NASA NTRS1995

New model atmospheres for very cool white dwarfs with mixed H/He and pure He compositions

New model atmosphere calculations for very cool white dwarfs with mixed H/He and pure He compositions are presented. The hydrogen-rich models incorporate improved cross section calculations of the collision-induced absorption by molecular hydrogen due to collisions with H2, H, and He. The effects associated with variations in the effective temperature (T(sub eff) greater than or equal to 4000 and less than or equal to 10,000 K), the surface gravity (log g greater than or equal to 7.5 and less than or equal to 9.5), and the chemical composition (N(He)/N(H) greater than or equal to O and less than or equal to 100) are investigated. Results from earlier calculations are confirmed qualitatively, but a more detailed comparison reveals large quantitative deviations. Cool white dwarfs with mixed H/He chemical compositions are shown to be easily recognizable from their predicted strong infrared flux deficiency. Pure helium model calculations are described as well. These include a modified version of the recently developed equation of state of D. Saumon and G. Chabrier. Nonideal effects brought about by various equations of state are explored in detail. For the purpose of this analysis, a model of pressure ionization based on an accurate description of the interactions in a mostly atomic helium fluid is developed. The effects of pressure ionization are shown to be the most important issue in the model calculations. A critical discussion of previous generations of pure helium model calculations is presented. Finally, broadband color indices are provided for the complete model grid.

Bergeron, P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Enhanced mixing of multiple supersonic rectangular jets by synchronized screech

The objective of the present work is to study the mixing characteristics of a linear array of supersonic rectangular jets under conditions of screech synchronization. The screech synchronization at a fully expanded jet Mach number of 1.61 is achieved by a precise adjustment of the internozzle spacing. To our knowledge, such an experiment on the resonant mixing of screech synchronized multiple rectangular jets has not been reported before. The results are compared with the case where the screech was suppressed in the multijet configuration.

Taghavi, R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Analysis of ocean color components within stratified and well-mixed waters of the western English Channel

In situ pigment and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) data from two distinct hydrographic regions of the western English Channel are used to explore the possible marine DOC contamination of the past satellite estimates of phytoplankton biomass. To compare with field measurements, the individual spectral contributions of DOC, pigments, and water to the total diffuse attenuation coefficient, K(sub par), are summed on a quantum basis within stratified waters near Plymouth, England; and for the spectrally averaged diffuse attenuation coefficient, K(sub d), on an energy basis within tidally mixed waters near Roscoff, France. In addition, coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) images from 1979 to 1986 were used to compute DOC concentrations for comparison with in situ values. Our analysis suggests that almost 50% of the color signal of satellite-sensed pigments may be attributed to absorption by marine colored DOC (CDOC) within the English Channel. These results compare favorably to the in situ DOC measurements off Plymouth, but not to off-Roscoff measurements, suggesting that there may be more CDOC in the stratified waters and more nonabsorbing DOC in the tidally mixed waters.

Hochmann, Herschel T.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Effect of a delta tab on fine scale mixing in a turbulent two-stream shear layer

The fine scale mixing produced by a delta tab in a shear layer has been studied experimentally. The tab was placed at the trailing edge of a splitter plate which produced a turbulent two-stream mixing layer. The tab apex tilted downstream and into the high speed stream. Hot-wire measurements in the 3-D space behind the tab detailed the three velocity components as well as the small scale population distributions. These small scale eddies, which represent the peak in the dissipation spectrum, were identified and counted using the Peak-Valley-Counting technique. It was found that the small scale populations were greater in the shear region behind the tab, with the greatest increase occurring where the shear layer underwent a sharp turn. This location was near, but not coincident, with the core of the streamwise vortex, and away from the region exhibiting maximum turbulence intensity. Moreover, the tab increased the most probably frequency and strain rate of the small scales. It made the small scales smaller and more energetic.

Foss, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Mixing of Multiple Jets with a Confined Subsonic Crossflow in a Cylindrical Duct

This paper summarizes NASA-supported experimental and computational results on the mixing of a row of jets with a confined subsonic crossflow in a cylindrical duct. The studies from which these results were derived investigated flow and geometric variations typical of the complex 3-D flowfield in the combustion chambers in gas turbine engines. The principal observations were that the momentum-flux ratio and the number of orifices were significant variables. Jet penetration was critical, and jet penetration decreased as either the number of orifices increased or the momentum-flux ratio decreased. It also appeared that jet penetration remained similar with variations in orifice size, shape, spacing, and momentum-flux ratio when the number of orifices was proportional to the square-root of the momentum-flux ratio. In the cylindrical geometry, planar variances are very sensitive to events in the near wall region, so planar averages must be considered in context with the distributions. The mass-flow ratios and orifices investigated were often very large (mass-flow ratio greater than 1 and ratio of orifice area-to-mainstream cross-sectional area up to 0.5), and the axial planes of interest were sometimes near the orifice trailing edge. Three-dimensional flow was a key part of efficient mixing and was observed for all configurations. The results shown also seem to indicate that non-reacting dimensionless scalar profiles can emulate the reacting flow equivalence ratio distribution reasonably well. The results cited suggest that further study may not necessarily lead to a universal 'rule of thumb' for mixer design for lowest emissions, because optimization will likely require an assessment for a specific application.

Holdeman, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Mixed composition materials suitable for vacuum web sputter coating

Ion beam sputter deposition techniques were used to investigate simultaneous sputter etching of two component targets so as to produce mixed composition films. Although sputter deposition has been largely confined to metals and metal oxides, at least one polymeric material, poly-tetra-fluorethylene, has been demonstrated to produce sputtered fragments which repolymerize upon deposition to produce a highly cross-linked fluoropolymer resembling that of the parent target Fluoropolymer-filled silicon dioxide and fluoropolymer-filled aluminum oxide coatings have been deposited by means of ion beam sputter coat deposition resulting in films having material properties suitable for aerospace and commercial applications. The addition of fluoropolymer to silicon dioxide films was found to increase the hydrophobicity of the resulting mixed films; however, adding fluoropolymer to aluminum oxide films resulted in a reduction in hydrophobicity, thought to be caused by aluminum fluoride formation.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Preconditioned Mixed Spectral Element Methods for Elasticity and Stokes Problems

Preconditioned iterative methods for the indefinite systems obtained by discretizing the linear elasticity and Stokes problems with mixed spectral elements in three dimensions are introduced and analyzed. The resulting stiffness matrices have the structure of saddle point problems with a penalty term, which is associated with the Poisson ratio for elasticity problems or with stabilization techniques for Stokes problems. The main results of this paper show that the convergence rate of the resulting algorithms is independent of the penalty parameter, the number of spectral elements Nu and mildly dependent on the spectral degree eta via the inf-sup constant. The preconditioners proposed for the whole indefinite system are block-diagonal and block-triangular. Numerical experiments presented in the final section show that these algorithms are a practical and efficient strategy for the iterative solution of the indefinite problems arising from mixed spectral element discretizations of elliptic systems.

Pavarino, Luca F.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Recent Development of Multigrid Algorithms for Mixed and Noncomforming Methods for Second Order Elliptical Problems

Multigrid algorithms for nonconforming and mixed finite element methods for second order elliptic problems on triangular and rectangular finite elements are considered. The construction of several coarse-to-fine intergrid transfer operators for nonconforming multigrid algorithms is discussed. The equivalence between the nonconforming and mixed finite element methods with and without projection of the coefficient of the differential problems into finite element spaces is described.

Chen, Zhangxin↗