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At least 829 records · Page 46

Effects of installation of F101 DFE exhaust nozzles on the afterbody-nozzle characteristics of the F-14 airplane

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the effects of F101 DFE (derivative fighter engine) nozzle axial positioning on the afterbody-nozzle longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of the F-14 airplane. The model was tested in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.7 to 1.25 and angles of attack from about -2 to 6 degrees. Compressed air was used to simulate nozzle exhaust flow at jet total-pressure ratios from 1 (jet off) to about 8. The results of the investigation show that for subsonic Mach numbers the intermediate cruise nozzle position of the three positions tested resulted in the lowest drag.

Reubush, D. E.↗

Effects of magnetization on fusion product trapping and secondary neutron spectra

By magnetizing the fusion fuel in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) systems, the required stagnation pressure and density can be relaxed dramatically. This happens because the magnetic field insulates the hot fuel from the cold pusher and traps the charged fusion burn products. This trapping allows the burn products to deposit their energy in the fuel, facilitating plasma self-heating. Here, we report on a comprehensive theory of this trapping in a cylindrical DD plasma magnetized with a purely axial magnetic field. Using this theory, we are able to show that the secondary fusion reactions can be used to infer the magnetic field-radius product, BR, during fusion burn. This parameter, not ρR, is the primary confinement parameter in magnetized ICF. Using this method, we analyze data from recent Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion experiments conducted on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories. We show that in these experiments BR ≈ 0.34(+0.14/−0.06) MG · cm, a ∼ 14× increase in BR from the initial value, and confirming that the DD-fusion tritons are magnetized at stagnation. This is the first experimental verification of charged burn product magnetization facilitated by compression of an initial seed magnetic flux.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of square compression-loaded graphite-epoxy plates with circular cutouts

Results are presented for unidirectional (0, 10)(sub s) and (90,10)(sub s) plates, ((0/90)(sub 5)(sub s)) plates, and for aluminum plates. Results are also presented for ((+/- theta)(sub 6)(sub s)) angle-ply plates for values of theta = 30, 45, and 60 degrees. The results indicate that the change in axial stiffness of a plate at buckling is strongly dependent upon cutout size and plate orthotropy. The presence of a cutout gives rise to an internal load distribution that changes, sometimes dramatically, as a function of cutout size coupled with the plate orthotropy. In the buckled state, the role of orthotropy becomes more significant since bending in addition to membrane orthotropy is present. Most of the plates with cutouts exhibited less postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout, and the postbuckling stiffness decreased with increasing cutout size. However, some of the highly orthotropic plates with cutouts exhibited more postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout. These results suggest the possibility of tailoring the cutout size and the stacking sequence of a composite plate to optimize postbuckling stiffness. It was found that plates with large radius cutouts do exhibit some postbuckling strength. The results also indicate that a cutout can influence modal interaction in a plate. Specifically, results are presented that show a plate with a relatively small cutout buckling at a higher load than the corresponding plate without a cutout, due to modal interaction. Other results are presented that indicate the presence of nonlinear prebuckling deformations, due to material nonlinearity, in the angle-ply plates with theta = 45 and 60 degrees. The nonlinear prebuckling deformations are more pronounced in the plates with theta = 45 degrees and become even more pronounced as the cutout size increases. Results are also presented that show how load-path eccentricity due to improper machining of the test specimens affects the buckling behavior. Some of the plates with cutouts and eccentricity exhibited a snap-through type of buckling behavior.

Nemeth, Michael P.↗

Two-Stage Axial Compressor Rig Designed To Develop and Validate Advanced Aerodynamic Technologies

Future aeropropulsion gas turbine engines must be affordable in addition to being energy efficient and environmentally benign. Progress in aerodynamic design capability is required not only to maximize the specific thrust of next-generation engines without sacrificing fuel consumption, but also to reduce parts count by increasing the aerodynamic loading of the compression system. To meet future compressor requirements, the NASA Glenn Research Center is investigating advanced aerodynamic design concepts that will lead to more compact, higher efficiency, and wider operability configurations than are currently in operation.

Larosiliere, Louis M.↗

Implementation of moire-schlieren deflectometry on a small scale fast capillary plasma discharge

We present the results of an implementation of a refractive diagnostic to study fast dynamics in capillary discharges. It consists of a moire-schlieren deflectometry technique that provides a quantitative analysis of the refractive index gradients. The technique is composed of an angular deflection mapping system (moire deflectometry) and a spatial Fourier filter (schlieren). Temporal resolution of 12 ps, 50 {mu}m of spatial resolution and minimum detectable gradient of ({nabla}n{sub e}){sub min}=6x10{sup 18}cm{sup -4} were obtained. With these parameters, a large aspect ratio capillary discharge of 15 ns half period current was studied; the diagnostic was implemented axially along the alumina tube of 1.6 mm inner diameter and 21 mm length. The detectable electron density for these conditions was 1x10{sup 17}cm{sup -3}. From the interpretation of the fringe displacement, we are able to measure the velocity of the radial compression wave and the compression ratio due to the Lorentz force. On axis, electron densities of the order of 5x10{sup 17}cm{sup -3} were obtained at the time of maximum soft x-ray emission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Modeling the one-dimensional imager of neutrons (ODIN) for neutron response functions at the Sandia Z facility

The one-dimensional imager of neutrons (ODIN) at the Sandia Z facility consists of a 10-cm block of tungsten with rolled edges, creating a slit imager with slit widths of either 250, 500, or 750 μm. Designed with a 1-m neutron imaging line of sight, we achieve about 4:1 magnification and 500-μm axial spatial resolution. The baseline inertial confinement fusion concept at Sandia is magnetized liner inertial fusion, which nominally creates a 1-cm line source of neutrons. ODIN was designed to determine the size, shape, and location of the neutron producing region, furthering the understanding of compression quality along the cylindrical axis of magnetized liner implosions. Challenges include discriminating neutrons from hard x-rays and gammas with adequate signal-to-noise in the 2 × 10 12 deuterium-deuterium (DD) neutron yield range, as well as understanding the point spread function of the imager to various imaging detectors (namely, CR-39). Modeling efforts were conducted with MCNP6.1 to determine neutron response functions for varying configurations in a clean DD neutron environment (without x-rays or gammas). Configuration alterations that will be shown include rolled-edge slit orientation and slit width, affecting the resolution and response function. The experiment to determine CR-39 neutron sensitivity, with and without a high density polyethylene (n, p) converter, an edge spread function, and resolution will be discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A numerical method for computing three dimensional viscous supersonic flow fields about slender bodies

A numerical method is presented for the calculation of steady, three-dimensional, viscous, compressible flow fields about slender bodies at angle of attack and at supersonic speeds. Approximations are introduced in modeling the flow in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the flow fields calculated with the program were computed with a model that permits viscous crossflow together with inviscid axial flow. An analysis of the errors introduced by such a treatment is presented. Numerical calculations were made and compared with experimental results for an ogive-cylinder and an airplane fuselage configuration. Generally, good agreement with experiment was obtained. However, boundary layer separation and body vortex positions differed from experimental locations on the ogive-cylinder, and the shock induced by the fuselage canopy was predicted at a slightly different location.

Walitt, L.↗

Device for use in loading tension members

The indicator is characterized by an elongated elastic body having extended from the opposite ends of threaded shanks adapted to selected tension members. A pair of external shoulders, one of which is axially displaceable relative to the other, and a rigid tubular sleeve interposed between said shoulders are included. Tension is applied to the elastic body for imparting strain. The movable shoulder can be advanced into abutting engagement with the sleeve, whereby the sleeve is placed in compression once the tensile forces are removed from the shanks. A reapplication of tensile forces equal to the initially applied tensile forces removes the sleeve from compression, whereby the sleeve is freed for rotation for thus indicating the magnitude of the applied tensile forces.

Appleberry, W. T.↗

Numerical simulation of aerothermal loads in hypersonic engine inlets due to shock impingement

The effect of shock impingement on an axial corner simulating the inlet of a hypersonic vehicle engine is modeled using a finite-difference procedure. A three-dimensional dynamic grid adaptation procedure is utilized to move the grids to regions with strong flow gradients. The adaptation procedure uses a grid relocation stencil that is valid at both the interior and boundary points of the finite-difference grid. A linear combination of spatial derivatives of specific flow variables, calculated with finite-element interpolation functions, are used as adaptation measures. This computational procedure is used to study laminar and turbulent Mach 6 flows in the axial corner. The description of flow physics and qualitative measures of heat transfer distributions on cowl and strut surfaces obtained from the analysis are compared with experimental observations. Conclusions are drawn regarding the capability of the numerical scheme for enhanced modeling of high-speed compressible flows.

Ramakrishnan, R.↗

Fabrication of surrogate oxide spent fuel with various cracking patterns and design of an axial gas transport apparatus

In this article, understanding gas transport behavior in nuclear fuel rods is important for the design, performance, and safety of nuclear fuels. Surrogate materials help enable efficient research by reducing both the costs and the amount of time required. A parametric study using Darcy’s law is completed that demonstrates the feasibility of observing pressure decay over short 13-to-15-cm specimens to enable full characterization of the fabricated specimens using x-ray computed tomography. This paper demonstrates that thermally shocked and mechanically compressed alumina pellets produce surrogate samples whose various cracking patterns are representative of the severity of cracking observed as a function of burnup in irradiated nuclear fuels. Furthermore, image analyses of the cracking patterns—in conjunction with gas transport testing using surrogate samples—affords a valuable accelerated basis for developing gas transport simulations.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Fast-ignition transport studies: Realistic electron source, integrated particle-in-cell and hydrodynamic modeling, imposed magnetic fields

Transport modeling of idealized, cone-guided fast ignition targets indicates the severe challenge posed by fast-electron source divergence. The hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) code Zuma is run in tandem with the radiation-hydrodynamics code Hydra to model fast-electron propagation, fuel heating, and thermonuclear burn. The fast electron source is based on a 3D explicit-PIC laser-plasma simulation with the PSC code. This shows a quasi two-temperature energy spectrum and a divergent angle spectrum (average velocity-space polar angle of 52 Degree-Sign ). Transport simulations with the PIC-based divergence do not ignite for >1 MJ of fast-electron energy, for a modest (70 {mu}m) standoff distance from fast-electron injection to the dense fuel. However, artificially collimating the source gives an ignition energy of 132 kJ. To mitigate the divergence, we consider imposed axial magnetic fields. Uniform fields {approx}50 MG are sufficient to recover the artificially collimated ignition energy. Experiments at the Omega laser facility have generated fields of this magnitude by imploding a capsule in seed fields of 50-100 kG. Such imploded fields will likely be more compressed in the transport region than in the laser absorption region. When fast electrons encounter increasing field strength, magnetic mirroring can reflect a substantial fraction of them and reduce coupling to the fuel. A hollow magnetic pipe, which peaks at a finite radius, is presented as one field configuration which circumvents mirroring.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Determination of Yield and Flow Surfaces for Inconel 718 Under Axial-Torsional Loading at Temperatures Up to 649 C

An experimental program to determine flow surfaces has been established and implemented for solution annealed and aged IN718. The procedure involved subjecting tubular specimens to various ratios of axial-torsional stress at temperatures between 23 and 649 C and measuring strain with a biaxial extensometer. Each stress probe corresponds to a different direction in stress space, and unloading occurs when a 30 microstrain (1 micro eplison = 10(exp -6) mm/mm) offset is detected. This technique was used to map out yield loci in axial-torsional stress space. Flow surfaces were determined by post-processing the experimental data to determine the inelastic strain rate components. Surfaces of constant inelastic strain rate (SCISRS) and surfaces of constant inelastic power (SCIPS) were mapped out in the axial-shear stress plane. The von Mises yield criterion appeared to closely fit the initial loci for solutioned IN718 at 23 C. However, the initial loci for solutioned IN718 at 371 and 454 C, and all of the initial loci for aged IN718 were offset in the compression direction. Subsequent loci showed translation, distortion, and for the case of solutioned IN718, a slight cross effect. Aged IN718 showed significantly more hardening behavior than solutioned IN718.

Gil, Christopher M.↗

Neutron yield enhancement and suppression by magnetization in laser-driven cylindrical implosions

In inertial confinement fusion, an externally applied magnetic field can reduce heat losses in the compressing fuel thereby increasing neutron-averaged ion temperatures and neutron yields. Yet, magnetization is only beneficial if the magnetic pressure remains negligible compared to the fuel pressure. Experiments and three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of cylindrical implosions on the OMEGA laser show ion temperature and neutron yield enhancements of up to 44% and 67%, respectively. As the applied, axial magnetic field is increased to nearly 30T, both experiments and simulations show yield degradation. For magnetized, cylindrical implosions, there exists an optimal magnetic field that maximizes the increase in yield. Limiting the fuel convergence ratio by preheating the fuel can further increase the benefit of magnetization. The findings demonstrate that it is possible to create a plasma with a density of order 1 g/cm 3 and an ion temperature greater than 1 keV with a magnetic pressure comparable to the thermal pressure, a new regime for laser-produced plasmas on OMEGA.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Novel penta-graphene nanotubes: strain-induced structural and semiconductor–metal transitions

Research into novel one-dimensional (1D) materials and associated structural transitions is of significant scientific interest. It is widely accepted that a 1D system with a short-range interaction cannot have 1D phase transition at finite temperature. In this paper, we propose a series of new stable carbon nanotubes by rolling up penta-graphene sheets, which exhibit fascinating well-defined 1D phase transitions triggered by axial strain. Our first-principles calculations show that such penta-graphene nanotubes (PGNTs) are dynamically stable by phonon calculations, but transform from a tri-layer structure to a highly defective single-walled nanotube at low temperature in molecular dynamics simulations. We show that moderate compressive strains can drive structural transitions of (4,4), (5,5), and (6,6) PGNTs, during which the distances of neighboring carbon dimers in the inner shell have a sudden drop, corresponding to dimer–dimer nonbonding to bonding transitions. After such transition, the tubes become much more thermally stable and undergo semiconductor–metal transitions under increasing strain. The band gaps of PGNTs are not sensitive to chirality whereas they can be tuned effectively from visible to short-wavelength infrared by appropriate strain, making them appealing materials for flexible nano-optoelectronics. In conclusion, these findings provide useful insight into unusual phase transitions in low-dimensional systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shock-vortex interaction over a 65-degree delta wing in transonic flow

Transonic flow over a 65-deg swept-back, sharp-edged, cropped delta wing is investigated computationally using the time-accurate solution of the unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations with an implicit, upwind, flux-difference splitting, finite-volume scheme. Coarse and fine O-H grids are used to obtain the solution. The grid consists of 125 x 85 x 84 points in the wrap-around, normal, and axial directions, respectively. The results are presented for an angle of attack of 20 deg Mach number of 0.85 and Reynolds number of 3.23 x 10 exp 6. With the fine grid, the results show that a system of shocks has been captured over the upper wing surface and that the leading-edge vortex core experiences an unsteady supersonic vortex breakdown after passing through a spanwise shock near the wing trailing edge. The computed results at a certain time are in good agreement with the experimental data. Topological aspects of the vortex breakdown flowfield are also presented and discussed.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

Cryogenic Pressure Control Modeling for Ellipsoidal Space Tanks in Reduced Gravity

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to simulate pressure control of an ellipsoidal-shaped liquid hydrogen tank under external heating in low gravity. Pressure control is provided by an axial jet thermodynamic vent system (TVS) centered within the vessel that injects cooler liquid into the tank, mixing the contents and reducing tank pressure. The two-phase cryogenic tank model considers liquid hydrogen in its own vapor with liquid density varying with temperature only and a fully compressible ullage. The axisymmetric model is developed using a custom version of the commercially available FLOW-3D software and simulates low gravity extrapolations of engineering checkout tests performed at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1999 in support of the Solar Thermal Upper Stage Technology Demonstrator (STUSTD) program. Model results illustrate that stable low gravity liquid-gas interfaces are maintained during all phases of the pressure control cycle. Steady and relatively smooth ullage pressurization rates are predicted. This work advances current low gravity CFD modeling capabilities for cryogenic pressure control and aids the development of a low cost CFD-based design process for space hardware.

Hedayat, Ali↗

Cryogenic Pressure Control Modeling for Ellipsoidal Space Tanks

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to simulate pressure control of an ellipsoidal-shaped liquid hydrogen tank under external heating in normal gravity. Pressure control is provided by an axial jet thermodynamic vent system (TVS) centered within the vessel that injects cooler liquid into the tank, mixing the contents and reducing tank pressure. The two-phase cryogenic tank model considers liquid hydrogen in its own vapor with liquid density varying with temperature only and a fully compressible ullage. The axisymmetric model is developed using a custom version of the commercially available FLOW-31) software. Quantitative model validation is ,provided by engineering checkout tests performed at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1999 in support of the Solar Thermal Upper Stage_ Technology Demonstrator (STUSTD) program. The engineering checkout tests provide cryogenic tank self-pressurization test data at various heat leaks and tank fill levels. The predicted self-pressurization rates, ullage and liquid temperatures at discrete locations within the STUSTD tank are in good agreement with test data. The work presented here advances current CFD modeling capabilities for cryogenic pressure control and helps develop a low cost CFD-based design process for space hardware.

Lopez, Alfredo↗

Analysis of magnetically immersed electron guns with non-adiabatic fields

Electron diode guns, which have strongly varying magnetic or electric fields in a cathode-anode gap, were investigated in order to generate laminar electron beams with high current density using magnetically immersed guns. By creating a strongly varying radial electric field in a cathode-anode gap of the electron gun, it was demonstrated that the optical properties of the gun can be significantly altered, which allows the generation of a laminar, high-current electron beam with relatively low magnetic field on the cathode. The relatively high magnetic compression of the electron beam achieved by this method is important for producing electron beams with high current density. A similar result can be obtained by inducing a strong variation of the magnetic field in a cathode-anode gap. It was observed that creating a dip in the axial magnetic field in the cathode-anode gap of an adiabatic electron gun has an optical effect similar to guns with strong variation of radial electric field. By analyzing the electron trajectories angles and presenting the results in a gun performance map different geometries of magnetically immersed electron guns with non-adiabatic fields are compared with each other and with a more traditional adiabatic electron gun. Some advantages and limitations of guns with non-adiabatic fields are outlined. In conclusion, the tests results of non-adiabatic electron gun with modified magnetic field are presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗