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At least 883 records · Page 49
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NASA NTRS1981

A viscous-inviscid interaction model of jet entrainment

A viscous-inviscid interaction model for predicting jet entrainment effects on axisymmetric, nozzle afterbodies at subsonic speeds is presented. The model is based on a displacement thickness correction to the inviscid jet boundary that accounts for mixing-induced streamline deflections in the inviscid region. The displacement correction is shown to be related to the local mass entrainment rate and, for thin mixing layers, the model is shown to be analogous to displacement models used in conventional boundary-layer interaction theory. A method is presented for computing the entrainment rate by an overlaid mixing layer model that accounts for the nonsimilar behavior and pressure gradients occurring in the near field region. An iterative scheme for coupling the model to analyses for the external inviscid flow, the external boundary layer, and the inviscid jet exhaust is also given. Results are presented that illustrate the qualitative behavior of the entrainment interaction under various flow conditions and that demonstrate the validity of the model by comparisons with experiment.

Wilmoth, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Near-wall similarity in a pressure-driven three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer

Mean velocity, measured wall pressure and wall shear stress fields were made in a three dimensional pressure-driven turbulent boundary layer created by a cylinder with trailing edge placed normal to a flat plate floor. The direct force wall shear stress measurements were made with floating element direct force sensing shear meter that responded to both the magnitude and direction of the local wall shear stress. The ability of 10 near wall similarity models to describe the near wall velocity field for the measured flow under a wide range of skewing conditions and a variety of pressure gradient and wall shear vector orientations was used.

Pierce, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The cooling and condensation of flare coronal plasma

A model is investigated for the decay of flare heated coronal loops in which rapid radiative cooling at the loop base creates strong pressure gradients which, in turn, generate large (supersonic) downward flows. The coronal material cools and 'condenses' onto the flare chromosphere. The features which distinguish this model from previous models of flare cooling are: (1) most of the thermal energy of the coronal plasma may be lost by mass motion rather than by conduction or coronal radiation; (2) flare loops are not isobaric during their decay phase, and large downward velocities are present near the footpoints; (3) the differential emission measure q has a strong temperature dependence.

Antiochos, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Turbulent flow in a square-to-round transition

Measurements of turbulent flow in a duct with a cross sectional transition from square to round are presented. Laser Doppler velocimetry was used to measure the mean velocity components, turbulence levels and shear stresses. The boundary layers at the inlet and exit of the transition were approximately 13 percent and 20 percent of the hydraulic diameter respectively, becoming thicker near the corner fillets. The development of secondary flow, of magnitudes up to 7 percent of the bulk velocity is shown. This flow is directed away from the corner fillets and along the periphery of the duct and is associated with the longitudinal curvature of the wall and the related pressure gradients.

Taylor, A. M. K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the stabilization of three-dimensional boundary layers by suction and cooling

A significant reduction in the drag of transonic aircraft can be achieved by using an active method of boundary-layer control to maintain laminar flow on the aerodynamic surfaces. The stabilizing influence of suction for both favorable and adverse pressure gradients is demonstrated by means of the self-similar incompressible three-dimensional boundary layers on yawed wedges. Profile instability is measured by the maximum amplification rate of fixed-frequency disturbances computed according to linearized, locally parallel, spatial stability theory. Suction is found to be more effective in controlling Tollmien-Schlichting instability than stationary cross-flow disturbances. The effectiveness of surface cooling as a method of stabilization is compared with suction for the boundary layers on a transonic 35 deg swept wing of infinite span. It is found from compressible stability theory that when the surface is cooled to a uniform temperature such that the maximum cross-flow velocity is reduced by the same amount as with a uniform suction distribution, the stabilizing effect of cooling on cross-flow disturbances is less than with suction.

Mack, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of an implicit technique to the shock-layer flow around general bodies

The Euler and the parabolic Navier-Stokes equations are solved by an iterative implicit scheme along the body axis for angles of incidence up to 30 deg. A complete solution, including both the inviscid and viscous flows, can be obtained at stations normal to the axis. The technique is developed from a comparatively simple linearization procedure and has an option to iterate between body stations for higher accuracy. Reliable procedures have been introduced to account for the effect of the axial pressure gradient and to adjust the step increment for a given convergence requirement. A blunt-nosed conical and a Shuttle-Orbiter-like configuration were studied extensively and are compared with available laminar boundary-layer solutions and experimental data.

Li, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A quasi-three-dimensional blade surface boundary layer analysis for rotating blade rows

A quasi-three-dimensional approximation has been developed for a blade boundary layer which involves the calculation of the effect of nonzero pressure gradients, turbulent flow, and blade twist, but includes only a simple coupling between streamlines. The resulting set of equations is solved using Keller's box scheme. The solution scheme is checked against available incompressible flow solutions and then applied to a NASA low aspect ratio transonic compressor stage for which extensive experimental and computational data are available. It is found that the three-dimensional boundary layer separates significantly sooner and has a much larger influence on rotor performance than would be expected from a two-dimensional analysis.

Thompkins, W. T., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of self-induced magnetic force in a coronal loop transient

The distribution of the self-induced magnetic force in a section of a model coronal loop is examined and it is found that an axial current produces a pointwise magnetic force in the direction toward the axis of the loop. The direction of the pointwise magnetic force indicates that the effect of this force, acting alone, is to cause a contraction of the cross section of the magnetic loop toward the axis, but not the translation motion of the loop as a whole. It is concluded that forces other than the self-induced magnetic force, such as thermal force of pressure gradient or extra-induced magnetic force of magnetic buoyancy, must be involved in the acceleration mechanisms for the heliocentrifugal motion of coronal transients.

Yeh, T.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Numerical simulation of transonic flows in diffusers

Numerical simulations were made of two-dimensional transonic flows in diffusers, including flow separation induced by a shock or adverse pressure gradient. The mass-averaged, time-dependent, compressible Navier-Stokes equations, simplified by the thin-layer approximation, were solved using MacCormack's hybrid method. The eddy-viscosity formulation was described by the Wilcox-Rubesin's two-equation, k-omega model. Detailed comparison of the computed results with measurements showed good agreement in all cases, including one with massive separation induced by a strong shock. The computation correctly predicted the details of a distinct lambda shock pattern, closely duplicating the configuration observed experimentally in spark-schlieren photographs.

Liou, M.-S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Computerized three-dimensional aerodynamic design of a lifting rotor blade

A three-dimensional, inviscid, full-potential lifting rotor code was used to demonstrate that pressure distributions on both advancing and retreating blades could be significantly improved by perturbing local airfoil sections. The perturbations were described by simple geometric shape functions. To illustrate the procedure, an example calculation was made at a forward flight speed of 85 m/sec (165 knots) and an advance ratio of 0.385. It was found that a minimum of three shape functions was required to improve the pressures without producing undesirable secondary effects in high-speed forward flight on a hypothetical modern rotor blade initially having an NLR-1 supercritical airfoil. Reductions in the shock strength on the advancing blade could be achieved, while simultaneously lessening leading-edge pressure gradients on the retreating blade. The major blade section modifications required were blunting of the upper surface leading edge and some reshaping of the blade's upper surface resulting in moderately thicker airfoils.

Tauber, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Wind-tunnel results for a modified 17-percent-thick low-speed airfoil section

Wind-tunnel tests were conducted in the Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel to evaluate the effects on performance of modifying a 17-percent-thick low-speed airfoil. The airfoil contour was altered to reduce the pitching-moment coefficient by increasing the forward loading and to increase the climb lift-drag ratio by decreasing the aft upper surface pressure gradient. The tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.07 to 0.32, a chord Reynolds number range 1.0 x 10 to the 6th power to 12.0 x 10 to the 6th power, and an angle-of-attack range from about -10 deg to 20 deg.

Mcghee, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A title-gap flow model for use in aerodynamic loads assessment of space shuttle thermal protection system: Parallel gap faces

The problem of predicting aerodynamic loads on the insulating tiles of the space shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) is discussed and seen to require a method for predicting pressure and mass flux in the gaps between tiles. A mathematical model of the tile-gap flow is developed, based upon a slow viscous (Stokes) flow analysis, and is verified against experimental data. The tile-gap pressure field is derived from a solution of the two-dimensional Laplace equation; the mass-flux vector is then calculated from the pressure gradient. The means for incorporating this model into a lumped-parameter network analogy for porous-media flow is given. The means for incorporating this model into a lumped-parameter network analogy for porous-media flow is given. The flow model shows tile-gap mass flux to be very sensitive to the gap width indicating a need for coupling the TPS flow and tile displacement calculation. Analytical and experimental work to improve TPS flow predictions and a possible shuttle TPS hardware modification are recommended.

Dwoyer, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Developing flow in S-shaped ducts. 1: Square cross-section duct

Laser-Doppler velocimetry was used to measure the laminar and turbulent flow in an S-duct formed with two 22.5 deg sectors of a bend with ratio of mean radius of curvature to hydraulic diameter of 7.0. The boundary layers at the inlet to the bend were about 25% and 15% of the hydraulic diameter for the laminar and turbulent flows, respectively. Pressure-driven secondary flows develop in the first half of the S-duct and persist into the second half but are largely reversed by the exit plane as a consequence of the change in the sense of curvature. There is, however, a region near the outer wall of the second bend where the redistribution of the streamwise isotachs results in a reinforcement of the secondary flow which was established in the first half of the S-duct. The net redistribution of the streamwise isotachs is comparable to that occurring in unidirectional bends of stronger curvature. The wall pressure distribution was also measured for the turbulent flow and quantifies the expected large variations in the longitudinal pressure gradient distributions which occur at different radial locations.

Taylor, A. M. K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Computation of incompressible, three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers and comparison with experiment

Incompressible three dimensional, turbulent boundary layer (3DTBL) experiments were simulated numerically by integrating the boundary layer equations together with an algebraic eddy viscosity turbulence model. For the flow treated, the downstream portion, where the crossflow was large, was not predicted with the present computational method; the flow was significantly influenced by elliptic flow field effects. Departures from the boundary layer concept are indicated. Calculations agreed reasonably well with the mean flow development up to separation. In one experiment the normal pressure gradients were found to be neligible in regions with large skewing and allowed testing turbulence models using the boundary layer equations. The simulation of this flow compared favorably with the experimental data throughout the flow field and suggested the applicability of algebraic eddy viscosity models for 3DTBLs.

Mueller, U. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Some aspects of calculating flows about three-dimensional subsonic inlets

Various three dimensional inlet models were calculated based on the potential flow model. Results are presented in the forms of surface static pressure, flow angularity, surface flow pattern, and inlet flow field. It is indicated that the extension of the lower lip can reduce the adverse pressure gradient and increase the flow separation bound.

Kao, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Wind tunnel measurements of three-dimensional wakes of buildings

Measurements relevant to the effect of buildings on the low level atmospheric boundary layer are presented. A wind tunnel experiment was undertaken to determine the nature of the flow downstream from a gap between two transversely aligned, equal sized models of rectangular cross section. These building models were immersed in an equilibrium turbulent boundary layer which was developed on a smooth floor in a zero longitudinal pressure gradient. Measurements with an inclined (45 degree) hot-wire were made at key positions downstream of models arranged with a large, small, and no gap between them. Hot-wire theory is presented which enables computation of the three mean velocity components, U, V and W, as well as Reynolds stresses. These measurements permit understanding of the character of the wake downstream of laterally spaced buildings. Surface streamline patterns obtained by the oil film method were used to delineate the separation region to the rear of the buildings for a variety of spacings.

Logan, E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Influence of surface static-pressure orifices on boundary-layer transition

An investigation of the interaction of a laminar boundary layer and surface static-pressure orifices was conducted on a natural laminar flow airfoil. The effects of both favorable and adverse pressure gradients were studied at Reynolds numbers based on airfoil chord from approximately 500,000 to 6,000,000 with Mach number varying accordingly from about 0.03 to 0.42. The smaller the diameter of the orifice, the less likely it will cause premature transition. Locating the orifices in a chord-wise row aligned with the flow appears to have an additive, adverse effect on transition. Tube length-to-orifice diameter ration does not seem to have a consistent influence on transition.

Somers, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the growth of turbulent regions in laminar boundary layers

Turbulent spots evolving in a laminar boundary layer on a nominally zero pressure gradient flat plate are investigated. The plate is towed through an 18 m water channel, using a carriage that rides on a continuously replenished oil film giving a vibrationless tow. Turbulent spots are initiated using a solenoid valve that ejects a small amount of fluid through a minute hole on the working surface. A novel visualization technique that utilizes fluorescent dye excited by a sheet of laser light is employed. Some new aspects of the growth and entrainment of turbulent spots, especially with regard to lateral growth, are inferred from the present experiments. To supplement the information on lateral spreading, a turbulent wedge created by placing a roughness element in the laminar boundary layer is also studied both visually and with probe measurements. The present results show that, in addition to entrainment, another mechanism is needed to explain the lateral growth characteristics of a turbulent region in a laminar boundary layer. This mechanism, termed growth by destabilization, appears to be a result of the turbulence destabilizing the unstable laminar boundary layer in its vicinity. To further understand the growth mechanisms, the turbulence in the spot is modulated using drag-reducing additives and salinity stratification.

Gad-El-hak, M.↗