Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “speed”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Constraining the Speed of Sound inside Neutron Stars with Chiral Effective Field Theory Interactions and Observations

Here, the dense matter equation of state (EOS) determines neutron star (NS) structure but can be calculated reliably only up to one to two times the nuclear saturation density, using accurate many-body methods that employ nuclear interactions from chiral effective field theory constrained by scattering data. In this work, we use physically motivated ansatzes for the speed of sound c S at high density to extend microscopic calculations of neutron-rich matter to the highest densities encountered in stable NS cores. We show how existing and expected astrophysical constraints on NS masses and radii from X-ray observations can constrain the speed of sound in the NS core. We confirm earlier expectations that c S is likely to violate the conformal limit of ${c}_{S}^{2}\leqslant {c}^{2}/3$, possibly reaching values closer to the speed of light c at a few times the nuclear saturation density, independent of the nuclear Hamiltonian. If QCD obeys the conformal limit, we conclude that the rapid increase of c S required to accommodate a 2 M ⊙ NS suggests a form of strongly interacting matter where a description in terms of nucleons will be unwieldy, even between one and two times the nuclear saturation density. For typical NSs with masses in the range of 1.2–1.4 M ⊙ , we find radii between 10 and 14 km, and the smallest possible radius of a 1.4 M ⊙ NS consistent with constraints from nuclear physics and observations is 8.4 km. We also discuss how future observations could constrain the EOS and guide theoretical developments in nuclear physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

What Causes the High Apparent Speeds in Chromospheric and Transition Region Spicules on the Sun?

Spicules are the most ubuiquitous type of jets in the solar atmosphere. The advent of high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph ( IRIS ) and ground-based observatories has revealed the presence of very high apparent motions of order 100–300 km s{sup −1} in spicules, as measured in the plane of the sky. However, line of sight measurements of such high speeds have been difficult to obtain, with values deduced from Doppler shifts in spectral lines typically of order 30–70 km s{sup −1}. In this work, we resolve this long-standing discrepancy using recent 2.5D radiative MHD simulations. This simulation has revealed a novel driving mechanism for spicules in which ambipolar diffusion resulting from ion-neutral interactions plays a key role. In our simulation, we often see that the upward propagation of magnetic waves and electrical currents from the low chromosphere into already existing spicules can lead to rapid heating when the currents are rapidly dissipated by ambipolar diffusion. The combination of rapid heating and the propagation of these currents at Alfvénic speeds in excess of 100 km s{sup −1} leads to the very rapid apparent motions, and often wholesale appearance, of spicules at chromospheric and transition region temperatures. In our simulation, the observed fast apparent motions in such jets are actually a signature of a heating front, and much higher than the mass flows, which are of order 30–70 km s{sup −1}. Our results can explain the behavior of transition region “network jets” and the very high apparent speeds reported for some chromospheric spicules.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Predicting Light-Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy as a Function of Highway Speed

The www.fueleconomy.gov website offers information such as window label fuel economy for city, highway, and combined driving for all U.S.-legal light-duty vehicles from 1984 to the present. The site is jointly maintained by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and also offers a considerable amount of consumer information and advice pertaining to vehicle fuel economy and energy related issues. Included with advice pertaining to driving styles and habits is information concerning the trend that as highway cruising speed is increased, fuel economy will degrade. An effort was undertaken to quantify this conventional wisdom through analysis of dynamometer testing results for 74 vehicles at steady state speeds from 50 to 80 mph. Using this experimental data, several simple models were developed to predict individual vehicle fuel economy and its rate of change over the 50-80 mph speed range interval. The models presented require a minimal number of vehicle attributes. The simplest model requires only the EPA window label highway mpg value (based on the EPA specified estimation method for 2008 and beyond). The most complex of these simple model uses vehicle coast-down test coefficients (from testing prescribed by SAE Standard J2263) known as the vehicle Target Coefficients, and the raw fuel economy result from the federal highway test. Statistical comparisons of these models and discussions of their expected usefulness and limitations are offered.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect Of Platooning on Fuel Consumption of Class 8 Vehicles Over a Range of Speeds, Following Distances, and Mass

This research project evaluates fuel consumption results of two Class 8 tractor-trailer combinations platooned together compared to their standalone fuel consumption. A series of ten modified SAE Type II J1321 fuel consumption track tests were performed to document fuel consumption of two platooned vehicles and a control vehicle at varying steady-state speeds, following distances, and gross vehicle weights (GVWs). The steady-state speeds ranged from 55 mph to 70 mph, the following distances ranged from a 20-ft following distance to a 75-ft following distance, and the GVWs were 65K lbs and 80K lbs. All tractors involved had U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay-compliant aerodynamics packages installed, and the trailers were equipped with side skirts. Effects of vehicle speed, following distance, and GVW on fuel consumption were observed and analyzed. The platooning demonstration system used in this study consisted of radar systems, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, vehicle braking and torque control interface, cameras and driver displays. The lead tractor consistently demonstrated an improvement in average fuel consumption reduction as following distance decreased, with results showing 2.7% to 5.3% fuel savings at a GVW of 65k. The trailing vehicle achieved fuel consumption savings ranging from 2.8% to 9.7%; tests during which the engine cooling fan did not operate achieved savings of 8.4% to 9.7%. 'Team' fuel savings, considering the platooned vehicles as one, ranged from 3.7% to 6.4%, with the best combined result being for 55 mph, 30-ft following distance, and 65k GVW.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

ResStock Measure Documentation: Residential Variable-Speed Geothermal Heat Pump (4.4 COP, 30.9 EER)

The goal of this work is to develop energy efficiency, demand flexibility, and other retrofit end-use load shapes (electricity, gas, propane, or fuel oil) that cover a majority of the high-impact, market-ready (or nearly market-ready) measures. "Measures" refers to retrofits that can be applied to buildings during modeling. An "end-use savings shape" is the difference in energy consumption between a baseline building and a building with an energy efficiency, demand flexibility, or other retrofit measure applied. It results in a time-series profile that is broken down by end use and fuel (electricity or on-site gas, propane, or fuel oil use) at each time step. ResStock (TM) is a highly granular, physics-based, bottom-up model that uses multiple data sources, statistical sampling methods, and advanced building energy simulations to estimate the annual subhourly energy consumption of the residential building stock across the United States. The baseline model intends to represent the U.S. residential building stock as it existed in 2018. Technical documentation for the inputs and assumptions in the baseline building stock model is available in Reyna et al. (2025). Calibration and validation of the baseline model results are available in the final technical report of the End-Use Load Profiles project (Wilson et al. 2022). This documentation focuses on a single end-use savings shape measure: Residential Variable-Speed Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP). This document provides the relevant new modeling information for variable-speed systems not previously covered in either the single-stage or two-stage documents. Variable-speed GHPs represent the most efficient option available for this technology: They provide the most savings, with up to 46% for the applicable portion of the housing stock, compared to 31% for less efficient single-stage GHPs. Additional results shown here detail how the savings change for sections of the housing stock with different base heating fuels and in different climate zones, and they show the savings potential by state for both heating and cooling. Utility bills and electric panel impacts are also shown and discussed.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1967

Design concept to decrease relative speed of ball bearings

Intermediate ring decreases the rolling speed of a ball bearing relative to the rotational speed of the shaft. It has raceways on its inner and outer peripheries and an additional row of balls. The modification permits operation at much higher shaft speeds than usual.

Jesman, S.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Contribution to methods for calculating the flow about thin lifting wings at transonic speeds: Analytic expressions for the far field

The problem of determining the small-disturbance flow about two-dimensional airfoils at transonic speeds has been successfully treated by the process of matching a numerical solution of the near field to analytic expressions for the far field. The three-dimensional problem, it would appear, can be treated in a similar way with the aid of algorithms adapted to high-speed and high-capacity computers. The far-field potential for both lifting and nonlifting three-dimensional wings at transonic speeds is developed herein for a subsonic free stream. This potential could be used for a three-dimensional-wing computation similar to the computation made for the two-dimensional wing.

Klunker, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Circuit performance of a parasitic-loading digital speed controller for a 400-hertz turbine-driven alternator

Parasitic speed controllers are used in space power electrical generating systems to maintain the speed of the turbine-driven alternators within specified limits. Selected subcircuits for a solid state parasitic-loading speed controller were assembled and tested. The test results as obtained to date consist of the performance evaluation of the frequency reference and the period counter subcircuits. These circuits performed as expected.

Ryan, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Theoretical calculation of plane wave speeds for alkali metals under pressure.

Theoretical calculations of the variation with pressure of small amplitude plane wave speeds are performed for sodium and potassium at zero temperature. The results obtained for wave speeds associated with volume dependent second-order elastic coefficients show better agreement with experimental data than for wave speeds associated with shear dependent coefficients. This result is believed to be due to omission of the band structure correction to the strain energy density.

Eftis, J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Speed-dependent collisional width and shift parameters in spectral profiles.

Derivation of an expression for the spectral profile, termed a speed-dependent Voigt profile (SDVP), taking into account speed-dependent shift and width parameters which are calculated on the basis of an active atom-perturber interaction. It is shown that an analysis of line shapes in terms of simple Voigt profiles (rather than the SDVP) may lead to considerable errors in the determination of characteristic atomic parameters, especially in systems where the perturber to active atom mass ratio is large. It is also noted that the speed-dependent shift leads to an asymmetrical profile, and such a profile is displayed.

Berman, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Automatic speed control of highway traffic

Vehicle control system monitors all vehicles in its range, and automatically slows down speeding vehicles by activating governor in vehicle. System determines only maximum speed; speeds below maximum are controlled by vehicle operator. Loss of transmitted signal or activation of emergency over-ride will open fuel line and return control to operator.

Klingman, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Solar wind temperature and speed

Averaging on a time scale of several solar rotations, the solar wind proton temperature, T, increases monotonically with bulk speed V. This macroscale T-V relation does not change appreciably with solar cycle. The temperatures corresponding to intervals of increasing speed are only approximately 15% higher than those corresponding to decreasing speeds, indicating that the macroscale T-V relation is not appreciably affected by stream interactions. On a time scale of a tenth of a solar rotation, there are time dependent T(t) - V(t) relations which are closely related to the stream profiles. These T(t) - V(t) relations can meaningfully be resolved into two components - the macroscale T-V relation and systematic, time-dependent deviations from the macroscale relation. These results support the view that the macroscale T-V relation is not appreciably affected by non-steady, interplanetary processes, but is determined rather by the proton heating mechanism.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Overall and blade-element performance of a transonic compressor stage with multiple-circular-arc blades at tip speed of 419 meters per second

A 50-centimeter-diameter axial-flow transonic compressor stage with multiple-circular-arc blades was designed and tested to study the effects of blade shape on efficiency and stall margin. At design speed, peak efficiency of 0.80 occurred at an equivalent weight flow of 29.0 kilograms per second. Measured total pressure ratio and total temperature ratio at peak efficiency were 1.69 and 1.20, respectively. The stall margin at design speed and an equivalent weight flow of 29.0 kilograms per second was 9 percent. The measured stall margin at design weight flow and speed was 15 percent. A comparison of rotor performance made with and without the stator showed a decrease in pressure ratio, peak efficiency, and maximum weight flow with the addition of the stator.

Kovich, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Low speed wind tunnel investigation of a large scale lift fan STOL transport model

The low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of large scale V/STOL transport models with lift fan and lift-cruise fan propulsion systems are discussed. The model of this investigation had two fans mounted side by side in the nose section of the fuselage. This permitted a reasonably deep inlet on the inboard side of each fan while the outboard side had a fairly shallow inlet. Lift-cruise fans were installed on the aft section of the fuselage. Hood-type deflection ducts were used to turn the fan flow from the cruise direction to the lift direction for STOL performance. Fan performance is shown for all four fans both statically and with crossflow. Longitudinal force and moment results are shown for a representative tip speed (forward speed) range through wing supported flight. Lateral-directional characteristics are also presented. The results are presented without analysis.

Atencio, A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High loading, low speed fan study, 5

A low speed, low noise, single stage fan was designed and tested. Design pressure ratio was 1.5 at a rotor tip speed of 1000 ft/sec. No inlet guide vane was used, the rotor stator was spaced and the number of rotor and stator airfoils was selected for low noise. Tests were conducted with uniform and distorted inlet flows. Stall margin of the initial design was too low for practical application. Airfoil slots and boundary layer and endwall devices did not improve stall margin sufficiently. A redesigned stator with reduced loadings increased stall margin, giving a fan efficiency of 0.883, 15% stall margin, and a 1.474 pressure radio at a specific flow of 41.7 lb/sec sq ft. Casing treatment over rotor tips improved stall margin with distorted inlet flow; vortex generators did not. Blade passing frequency noise increased with rotor relative Mach number. No supersonic fan noise was measured below 105% of design speed. Slotting airfoils, casing treatments, and a reduction of the ratio (number-stators/number-rotors) from (2n + 16) to (2n + 2) had no significant effects on noise.

Keenan, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Overall and blade-element performance of a multiple-circular-arc bladed transonic compressor rotor with tip speed of 1375 feet per second

The design and experimental performance of a 20-inch-diameter multiple-circular-arc bladed axial-flow transonic compressor rotor is presented. Radial surveys of the flow conditions were made. At design speed the peak efficiency was 0.882 and occurred at a weight flow of 64.0 pounds per second. At this point the total-pressure and total-temperature ratios were 1.79 and 1.205, respectively. The stall margin at design speed was 8 percent based on weight flows and total-pressure ratios at experimental peak efficiency and near stall. The measured stall margin was 20 percent at design weight flow and speed.

Kovich, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Basic principles of variable speed drives

An understanding of the principles which govern variable speed drive operation is discussed for successful drive application. The fundamental factors of torque, speed ratio, and power as they relate to drive selection are discussed. The basic types of variable speed drives, their operating characteristics and their applications are also presented.

Loewenthal, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Maxometers (peak wind speed anemometers)

An instrument for measuring peak wind speeds under severe environmental conditions is described, comprising an elongated cylinder housed in an outer casing. The cylinder contains a piston attached to a longitudinally movable guided rod having a pressure disk mounted on one projecting end. Wind pressure against the pressure disk depresses the movable rod. When the wind reaches its maximum speed, the rod is locked by a ball clutch mechanism in the position of maximum inward movement. Thereafter maximum wind speed or pressure readings may be taken from calibrated indexing means.

Kaufman, J. W.↗