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At least 847 records · Page 47

Influence of fuel temperature on supersonic mixing and combustion of hydrogen

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of the influence of fuel stagnation temperature on the mixing and reaction of hydrogen injected transverse to a supersonic flow in a duct. The hydrogen fuel was injected stoichiometrically at stagnation temperatures of 300 K and 800 K from a row of five circular orifices in the duct wall. Detailed measurements in the flow at the duct exit are used to determine the overall amount of mixing accomplished at each of three test conditions. Static pressure distributions are used with duct wall temperatures and heat flux in a one-dimensional analysis to deduce the fraction of fuel reacted along the duct. Results from the one-dimensional analyses of the tests with hot fuel indicated slightly more fuel reacted at the exit; however, differences in the accomplished mixing obtained from integrations of exit surveys were small.

Rogers, R. C.↗

Mechanical behavior of carbon-carbon composites

A general background, test plan, and some results of preliminary examinations of a carbon-carbon composite material are presented with emphasis on mechanical testing and inspection techniques. Experience with testing and evaluation was gained through tests of a low modulus carbon-carbon material, K-Karb C. The properties examined are the density - 1.55 g/cc; four point flexure strength in the warp - 137 MPa (19,800 psi) and the fill - 95.1 MPa (13,800 psi,) directions; and the warp interlaminar shear strength - 14.5 MPa (2100 psi). Radiographic evaluation revealed thickness variations and the thinner areas of the composite were scrapped. The ultrasonic C-scan showed attenuation variations, but these did not correspond to any of the physical and mechanical properties measured. Based on these initial tests and a survey of the literature, a plan has been devised to examine the effect of stress on the oxidation behavior, and the strength degradation of coated carbon-carbon composites. This plan will focus on static fatigue tests in the four point flexure mode in an elevated temperature, oxidizing environment.

Rozak, G. A.↗

Evaluation of Delamination Growth Characterization Methods Under Mode I Fatigue Loading

Reliable delamination characterization data for laminated composites are needed for input to analytical models of structures to predict delamination. The double-cantilevered beam (DCB) specimen is used with laminated composites to measure fracture toughness, G(sub Ic), delamination onset strain energy release rate, and growth rate data under cyclic loading. In the current study, DCB specimens of IM7/8552 graphite/epoxy supplied by two different manufacturers were tested in static and fatigue to compare the measured characterization data from the two sources, and to evaluate a proposed ASTM standard for generating Paris Law equations. Static results were used to generate compliance calibration constants for the fatigue data, and a delamination resistance curve, G(sub IR), which was used to determine the effects of fiber-bridging on delamination growth. Specimens were tested in fatigue at a cyclic G(sub Imax) level equal to 50, 40 or 30% of G(sub Ic), to determine a delamination onset curve and delamination growth rate. The delamination onset curve equations had similar exponents and the same trends. Delamination growth rate was calculated by fitting a Paris Law to the da/dN versus G(sub Imax) data. Both a 2-point and a 7-point data reduction method were used and the Paris Law equations were compared. To determine the effects of fiber-bridging, growth rate results were normalized by the delamination resistance curve for each material and compared to the non-normalized results. Paris Law exponents were found to decrease by 31% to 37% due to normalizing the growth data. Normalizing the data also greatly reduced the amount of scatter between the different specimens. Visual data records from the fatigue testing were used to calculate individual compliance calibration constants from the fatigue data for some of the specimens. The resulting da/dN versus G(sub Imax) plots showed much improved repeatability between specimens. Gretchen

Murri, Gretchen B.↗

Determination of load sequence effects on the degradation and failure of composite materials

A theoretical model was established to predict the fatigue behavior of composite materials, with emphasis placed on predictions of the degradation of residual strength and residual stiffness during fatigue cycling. The model parameters were evaluated from three test series including static strength fatigue life and residual strength tests. The tests were applied to two graphite/epoxy laminates. Load sequence effects were emphasized for both laminates and the predicted results agreed quite well with subsequent verification tests. Dynamic as well as static stiffness reduction data were collected by use of a PDP11-03 computer, which performed quite satisfactorily and permitted the recording of a substantial amount of dynamic stiffness reduction data.

Yang, J. N.↗

A Passive Cavity Concept for Improving the Off-Design Performance of Fixed-Geometry Exhaust Nozzles

An investigation was conducted in the model preparation area of the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to study a passive cavity concept for improving the off-design performance of fixed-geometry exhaust nozzles. Passive cavity ventilation (through a porous surface) was applied to divergent flap surfaces and tested at static conditions in a sub-scale, nonaxisymmetric, convergent-divergent nozzle. As part of a comprehensive investigation, force, moment and pressure measurements were taken and focusing schlieren flow visualization was obtained for a baseline configuration and D passive cavity configurations. All tests were conducted with no external flow and high-pressure air was used to simulate jet-exhaust flow at nozzle pressure ratios from 1.25 to approximately 9.50. Results indicate that baseline nozzle performance was dominated by unstable shock-induced boundary-layer separation at off-design conditions, which came about through the natural tendency of overexpanded exhaust flow to satisfy conservation requirements by detaching from the nozzle divergent flaps. Passive cavity ventilation added the ability to control off-design separation in the nozzle by either alleviating separation or encouraging stable separation of the exhaust flow. Separation alleviation offers potential for installed nozzle performance benefits by reducing drag at forward flight speeds, even though it may reduce off-design static thrust efficiency as much as 3.2 percent. Encouraging stable separation of the exhaust flow offers significant performance improvements at static, low NPR and low Mach number flight conditions by improving off-design static thrust efficiency as much as 2.8 percent. By designing a fixed-geometry nozzle with fully porous divergent flaps, where both cavity location and percent open porosity of the flaps could be varied, passive flow control would make it possible to improve off-design nozzle performance across a wide operating range. In addition, the ability to encourage separation on one flap while alleviating it on the other makes it possible to generate thrust vectoring in the nozzle through passive flow control.

Asbury, Scott C.↗

Use of an approximate similarity principle for the thermal scaling of a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector

Full temperature ejector model simulations are expensive, and difficult to implement experimentally. If an approximate similarity principle could be established, properly chosen performance parameters should be similar for both hot and cold flow tests if the initial Mach number and total pressures of the flow field are held constant. Existing ejector data is used to explore the utility of one particular similarity principle; the Munk and Prim similarity principle for isentropic flows. Static performance test data for a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector are analyzed for primary flow temperatures up to 1560 R. At different primary temperatures, exit pressure contours are compared for similarity. A nondimensional flow parameter is then used to eliminate primary nozzle temperature dependence and verify similarity between the hot and cold flow experiments.

Barankiewicz, Wendy S.↗

Use of an approximate similarity principle for the thermal scaling of a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector

Full temperature ejector model simulations are expensive, and difficult to implement experimentally. If an approximate similarity principle could be established, properly chosen performance parameters should be similar for both hot and cold flow tests if the initial Mach number and total pressures of the flow field are held constant. Existing ejector data is used to explore the utility of one particular similarity principle; the Munk and Prim similarity principle for isentropic flows. Static performance test data for a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector are analyzed for primary flow temperatures up to 1560 R. At different primary temperatures, exit pressure contours are compared for similarity. A nondimensional flow paramenter is then used to eliminate primary nozzle temperature dependence and verify similarity between the hot and cold flow experiments.

Barankiewicz, Wendy↗

NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEEN): Thermal Analysis and Testing of the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)

An electric ducted fan system was tested at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Main components of the system include a commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) fan and motor, electronic speed controller, and cooling system. Motor speed, voltage, current, and temperatures were measured in this static ground test of the propulsor. The thermal performance of the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) was also measured using two different methods to cool the ESC: air cooling and cold plate cooling. This propulsor prototype is one of NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEENs) and is designated the ‘QUEEN V1.’ The Quiet Electric Engines are being developed for the 25% scale model of the Subsonic Single Aft Engine (SUSAN) Flight Research Vehicle and are intended to explore the potential of distributed electric propulsion for large regional single-aisle aircraft. Lessons learned will be used to guide development of future QUEEN prototypes and thermal management systems.

Firas G Asfoor↗

Measurements and predictions of flyover and static noise of a TF30 afterburning turbofan engine

The noise of the TF30 afterburning turbofan engine in an F-111 airplane was determined from static (ground) and flyover tests. A survey was made to measure the exhaust temperature and velocity profiles for a range of power settings. Comparisons were made between predicted and measured jet mixing, internal, and shock noise. It was found that the noise produced at static conditions was dominated by jet mixing noise, and was adequately predicted by current methods. The noise produced during flyovers exhibited large contributions from internally generated noise in the forward arc. For flyovers with the engine at nonafterburning power, the internal noise, shock noise, and jet mixing noise were accurately predicted. During flyovers with afterburning power settings, however, additional internal noise believed to be due to the afterburning process was evident; its level was as much as 8 decibels above the nonafterburning internal noise. Power settings that produced exhausts with inverted velocity profiles appeared to be slightly less noisy than power settings of equal thrust that produced uniform exhaust velocity profiles both in flight and in static testing.

Burcham, F. W., Jr.↗

Measuring the Internal Environment of Solid Rocket Motors During Ignition

A new instrumentation system has been developed to measure the internal environment of solid rocket test motors during motor ignition. The system leverages conventional, analog gages with custom designed, electronics modules to provide safe, accurate, high speed data acquisition capability. To date, the instrumentation system has been demonstrated in a laboratory environment and on subscale static fire test motors ranging in size from 5-inches to 24-inches in diameter. Ultimately, this system is intended to be installed on a full-scale Reusable Solid Rocket Motor. This paper explains the need for the data, the components and capabilities of the system, and the test results.

Weisenberg, Brent↗

Sub-Scale Orion Parachute Test Results from the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 80- By 120-ft Wind Tunnel

A two-week test campaign was conducted in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 80 x 120-ft Wind Tunnel in support of Orion parachute pendulum mitigation activities. The test gathered static aerodynamic data using an instrumented, 3-tether system attached to the parachute vent in combination with an instrumented parachute riser. Dynamic data was also gathered by releasing the tether system and measuring canopy performance using photogrammetry. Several canopy configurations were tested and compared against the current Orion parachute design to understand changes in drag performance and aerodynamic stability. These configurations included canopies with varying levels and locations of geometric porosity as well as sails with increased levels of fullness. In total, 37 runs were completed for a total of 392 data points. Immediately after the end of the testing campaign a down-select decision was made based on preliminary data to support follow-on sub-scale air drop testing. A summary of a more rigorous analysis of the test data is also presented.

Anderson, Brian P.↗

Flexible joints for thrust vector control

Flexible joints have been used to achieve thrust vector control over a wide range of sizes of nozzles and have been demonstrated successfully in bench tests and static firings, and are operational on two motors. From these many joints the problems of flexible joints have been defined as establishment of the movable nozzle envelope, definition of the actuation power requirements, definition of the mechanical properties of joint materials, adhesive bonding, test methods, and quality control. These data and problem solutions are contained in a large number of reports. Data relating to joint configuration, design requirements, materials selection, joint design, structural analysis, manufacture, and testing are summarized.

Woodberry, R. F. H.↗

On the Loading Rate Dependence of Environment-assisted Cracking in Sensitized AA5456-H116 Exposed to Marine Environments

The influence of the applied loading rate (dK/dt) on the environment-assisted cracking (EAC) behavior of sensitized AA5456-H116 in 0.6 M NaCl at applied potentials ranging from −800 to −900 mV_SCE is assessed via a rising-K testing framework. The applied potential strongly affects the dK/dt-dependence of EAC with results suggesting a minimal influence for potentials more positive than −830 mVSCE and a stronger dK/dt-dependence for potentials more negative than −830 mV_SCE. Crack growth rates measured using rising versus static K testing are compared, which demonstrates that rising K methods consistently yield conservative EAC metrics with increased efficiency.

Al-Mg↗

NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEEN): Summary of the Acoustic Tests of the QUEEN V1

Noise produced by an electric ducted fan system was measured in tests at the NASA Glenn Research Center Acoustical Testing Laboratory. Main components of the system include a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf fan, shroud, motor, and Electronic Speed Controller, plus a custom-designed inlet bellmouth, and four experimental inlet duct acoustic liners. Fan speed and noise were measured in this static ground test of the propulsor. This propulsor prototype is one of NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEENs) and is designated the ‘QUEEN V1.’ The Quiet Electric Engines are being developed for the 25% scale model of the Subsonic Aft Engine (SUSAN) Flight Research Vehicle and are intended to explore the potential of distributed electric propulsion for large single-aisle aircraft. Results indicated that inlet duct acoustic liners reduced tone and broadband noise as compared to a hardwall inlet duct. Predicted performance of the honeycomb liner compared well with measurements from an array of far field microphones. Inlet acoustic liners are just one method for mitigating noise for electric ducted fans for aircraft propulsion systems. Lessons learned will be used to guide development of future QUEEN prototypes. Results of a thermal test of the Electronic Speed Controller are presented in a separate report.

Aircraft propulsion and power↗

NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEEN): Summary of the Acoustic Tests of the QUEEN V1

Noise produced by an electric ducted fan system was measured in tests at the NASA Glenn Research Center Acoustical Testing Laboratory. Main components of the system include a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf fan, shroud, motor, and Electronic Speed Controller, plus a custom-designed inlet bellmouth, and four experimental inlet duct acoustic liners. Fan speed and noise were measured in this static ground test of the propulsor. This propulsor prototype is one of NASA’s Quiet Electric ENgines (QUEENs) and is designated the ‘QUEEN V1.’ The Quiet Electric Engines are being developed for the 25% scale model of the Subsonic Aft Engine (SUSAN) Flight Research Vehicle and are intended to explore the potential of distributed electric propulsion for large single-aisle aircraft. Results indicated that inlet duct acoustic liners reduced tone and broadband noise as compared to a hardwall inlet duct. Predicted performance of the honeycomb liner compared well with measurements from an array of far field microphones. Inlet acoustic liners are just one method for mitigating noise for electric ducted fans for aircraft propulsion systems. Lessons learned will be used to guide development of future QUEEN prototypes. Results of a thermal test of the Electronic Speed Controller are presented in a separate report.

Aircraft propulsion and power↗

Development and test of advanced composite components. Center Directors discretionary fund program

This report describes the design, analysis, fabrication, and test of a complex bathtub fitting. Graphite fibers in an epoxy matrix were utilized in manufacturing of 11 components representing four different design and layup concepts. Design allowables were developed for use in the final stress analysis. Strain gage measurements were taken throughout the static load test and correlation of test and analysis data were performed, yielding good understanding of the material behavior and instrumentation requirements for future applications.

Faile, G.↗

Titanium honeycomb acoustic lining structural and thermal test report

The results are presented of static, fatigue and thermal testing of titanium honeycomb acoustic panels representing the acoustic tailpipe for the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT8D Refan engine which is being studied for use on the Boeing 727-200 airplane. Test specimens represented the engine and tailpipe flange joints, the rail to which the thrust reverser is attached and shear specimens of the tailpipe honeycomb. Specimens were made in four different batches with variations in configuration, materials and processes in each. Static strength of all test specimens exceeded the design ultimate load requirements. Fatigue test results confirmed that aluminum brazed titanium, as used in the Refan tailpipe design, meets the fatigue durability objectives. Quality of welding was found to be critical to life, with substandard welding failing prematurely, whereas welding within the process specification exceeded the panel skin life. Initial fatigue testing used short grip length bolts which failed prematurely. These were replaced with longer bolts and subsequent testing demonstrated the required life. Thermal tests indicate that perforated skin acoustic honeycomb has approximately twice the heat transfer of solid skin honeycomb.

Joynes, D.↗

Centaur D-1A nose fairing jettison test

An experimental investigation was conducted to verify the functional and structural capability of the Centaur D-1A nose fairing. A full-scale flight-type nose fairing was jettisoned at the Lewis Research Center Space Power Chamber at simulated altitude. Two complete jettisons of the nose fairing were performed, one without aft helper springs and one with aft helper springs. A ''static'' rotation test was also performed to verify capability of the helper springs and to allow clearance measurements between the nose fairing and spacecraft envelope mock-up at certain discrete nose fairing rotation angles. Nose fairing trajectories, structural deflections, clearances, and hinge forces during jettison are presented. Data from subsequent Centaur D-1A flights, relative to nose fairing jettisons, are compared with the experimental results.

Prati, W. M.↗