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At least 901 records · Page 50

Baroclinic instability of flows along sloping boundaries

In the two-layer quasi-geostrophic model with boundaries sloping perpendicular to the basic flow, the ratios of the slopes of the bottom and the top to that of the interface between the fluid layers in the basic state are important parameters in the expression of the growth rate of unstable waves. When Eady's (1949) model is extended to include sloping bottom and top boundaries, the growth rates of unstable waves depend on the ratios of the slopes of the bottom and the top to that of the isentropes of the basic state. For the Eady model with sloping bottom, an important parameter characterizing the instability is the ratio between the vertical and horizontal heat transports by the wave divided by the slope of the isentropes of the basic state. An interpretation of these ratios and their relations clarifies the stabilization of the system for large slopes, the variation of the wavelength of the most unstable wave with the bottom slope, and the destabilization of some short waves for negative bottom slopes. It is found that the most unstable wave of the system has zero vertical energy flux convergence at the sloping bottom.

Mechoso, C. R.↗

CFD application to supersonic/hypersonic inlet airframe integration

Supersonic external compression inlets are introduced, and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes and tests needed to study flow associated with these inlets are outlined. Normal shock wave turbulent boundary layer interaction is discussed. Boundary layer control is considered. Glancing sidewall shock interaction is treated. The CFD validation of hypersonic inlet configurations is explained. Scramjet inlet modules are shown.

Benson, Thomas J.↗

Conditions at the downstream boundary for simulations of viscous incompressible flow

The proper specification of boundary conditions at artificial boundaries for the simulation of time-dependent fluid flows has long been a matter of controversy. A general theory of asymptotic boundary conditions for dissipative waves is applied to the design of simple, accurate conditions at downstream boundary for incompressible flows. For Reynolds numbers far enough below the critical value for linear stability, a scaling is introduced which greatly simplifies the construction of the asymptotic conditions. Numerical experiments with the nonlinear dynamics of vortical disturbances to plane Poiseuille flow are presented which illustrate the accuracy of our approach. The consequences of directly applying the scalings to the equations are also considered.

Hagstrom, Thomas↗

GASCan 2 payload integration

This project, conducted in cooperation with the NASA Advanced Space Design Program, is part of an ongoing effort to place an experiment package into space. The goal of this project is to build and test flight-ready hardware that can be launched from the Space Shuttle. Get Away Special Canister 2 (GASCan 2) consists of three separate experiments. The Ionospheric Properties and Propagation Experiment (IPPE) determines effects of the ionosphere on radio wave propagation. The Microgravity Ignition experiment (MGI) tests the effects of combustion in a microgravity environment. The Rotational Fluid Flow experiment (RFF) examines fluid behavior under varying levels of gravity. This year the following tasks were completed: design of the IPPE antenna, X- and J-cell battery boxes, J-cell battery box enclosure, and structural bumpers; construction of the MGI canisters, MGI mounting brackets, IPPE antenna, and battery boxes; and the selection of the RFF's operating fluid and the analysis of the fluid behavior under microgravity test conditions.

Cody, Dennis J.↗

Influence of Shock Wave on the Flutter Behavior of Fan Blades Investigated

Modern fan designs have blades with forward sweep; a lean, thin cross section; and a wide chord to improve performance and reduce noise. These geometric features coupled with the presence of a shock wave can lead to flutter instability. Flutter is a self-excited dynamic instability arising because of fluid-structure interaction, which causes the energy from the surrounding fluid to be extracted by the vibrating structure. An in-flight occurrence of flutter could be catastrophic and is a significant design issue for rotor blades in gas turbines. Understanding the flutter behavior and the influence of flow features on flutter will lead to a better and safer design. An aeroelastic analysis code, TURBO, has been developed and validated for flutter calculations at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The code has been used to understand the occurrence of flutter in a forward-swept fan design. The forward-swept fan, which consists of 22 inserted blades, encountered flutter during wind tunnel tests at part speed conditions.

Srivastava, Rakesh↗

Broken Ergodicity in MHD Turbulence in a Spherical Domain

Broken ergodicity (BE) occurs in Fourier method numerical simulations of ideal, homogeneous, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. Although naive statistical theory predicts that Fourier coefficients of fluid velocity and magnetic field are zero-mean random variables, numerical simulations clearly show that low-wave-number coefficients have non-zero mean values that can be very large compared to the associated standard deviation. In other words, large-scale coherent structure (i.e., broken ergodicity) in homogeneous MHD turbulence can spontaneously grow out of random initial conditions. Eigenanalysis of the modal covariance matrices in the probability density functions of ideal statistical theory leads to a theoretical explanation of observed BE in homogeneous MHD turbulence. Since dissipation is minimal at the largest scales, BE is also relevant for resistive magnetofluids, as evidenced in numerical simulations. Here, we move beyond model magnetofluids confined by periodic boxes to examine BE in rotating magnetofluids in spherical domains using spherical harmonic expansions along with suitable boundary conditions. We present theoretical results for 3-D and 2-D spherical models and also present computational results from dynamical simulations of 2-D MHD turbulence on a rotating spherical surface. MHD turbulence on a 2-D sphere is affected by Coriolus forces, while MHD turbulence on a 2-D plane is not, so that 2-D spherical models are a useful (and simpler) intermediate stage on the path to understanding the much more complex 3-D spherical case.

Shebalin, John V.↗

NASA Supersonics Research — Leading Toward Quiet Supersonic Flight!!

- Brief history of supersonic flight - Shock waves and sonic booms - Sonic boom pressure signatures and loudness - Tools for studying quiet supersonic flight - CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) - Wind tunnels - Flight test - Quesst Mission - X-59 airplane - Mission profile - Flight simulations - Wind tunnel data validations - Video: Supersonic flight research leading to Quesst

sonic boom↗

NASA Supersonics Research and the X-59 — How They Will Benefit You!!

- Brief history of supersonic flight - Shock waves and sonic booms - Sonic boom pressure signatures and loudness - Tools for studying quiet supersonic flight - CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) - Wind tunnels - Flight test - Quesst Mission - X-59 airplane - Mission profile - Flight simulations - Wind tunnel data validations - Video: Supersonic flight research leading to Quesst

sonic boom↗

Particle Acceleration by Dense Impulsive Structures Moving in Ambient Magnetospheric Plasma. 3-D Hybrid Kinetic Modeling and MMS Observations

High resolution observations of dense plasma impulsive structures moving through an ambient background magnetospheric flows were captured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The observations show particle heating and acceleration, shock-like wave formation, and whistler wave excitation inside the interface between the dense impulsive plasma structures and the ambient plasma. A multiscale hybrid kinetic simulation provides an explanation of the observed wave-particle interactions with the assumption that the dense plasma structures may be represented by plasma clouds which are formed at the magnetopause layer due to reconnection processes. Plain Language Summary: Dense, impulsive plasma structures moving through a background plasma were captured by the NASA Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. The observations show that the dense structures can generate strong perturbations in the electromagnetic field and shock-like waves. Interactions between these electromagnetic waves and the particles results in particle acceleration. 3-D hybrid kinetic modeling (particle description for ions and fluid description for electrons) was used to investigate the plasma physics of the observed structures. It was assumed that the plasma clouds were formed by magnetic field reconnection inside the magnetopause, which is the interface between the solar wind particles and the cold low-density magnetospheric plasma. The work helps us understand the plasma environment at the interface between the Earth and solar wind, near planetary moons, within astrophysical explosions, and possibly at the interface between the solar wind and local interstellar medium.

A. S. Lipatov↗

Nasa Supersonics Research and the X-59 —To Enable Future Supersonic Travel!

- Brief history of supersonic flight - Shock waves and sonic booms - Sonic boom pressure signatures and loudness - Tools for studying quiet supersonic flight - CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) - Wind tunnels - Flight test - Quesst Mission - X-59 airplane - Mission profile - Flight simulations - Wind tunnel data validations - Video: Supersonic flight research leading to Quesst

sonic boom↗

Subsurface stress criticality associated with fluid injection and determined using machine learning

Machine-learning methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine critical state or other parameters related to fluid-driven failure of a terrestrial locale impacted by anthropogenic activities such as hydraulic fracturing, hydrocarbon extraction, wastewater disposal, or geothermal harvesting. Acoustic emission, seismic waves, or other detectable indicators of microscopic processes are sensed. A classifier is trained using time series of microscopic data along with corresponding data of critical state or failure events. In disclosed examples, random forests and artificial neural networks are used, and grid-search or EGO procedures are used for hyperparameter tuning. Once trained, the classifier can be applied to live data from a fluid injection locale in order to assess a frictional state, assess seismic hazard, assess permeability, make predictions regarding a future fluid-driven failure event, or drive engineering solutions for mitigation or remediation. Variations are disclosed.

Johnson, Paul Allan↗

The electron beam instability revisited: Growth above and below f sub p

The growth of electrostatic waves near the plasma frequency (fp) due to an unstable electron beam is investigated by solving the unmagnetized electrostatic dispersion equation numerically. The numerical solutions are compared with analytic theories for reactive (or fluid-type) and kinetic versions of the beam instability, and for the O'Neil/Malmberg connection of the beam and Langmuir modes. Conditions for growth significantly above or below fp are given. Three general results are found: (1) The unstable waves do not grow on a mode with Langmuir dispersion except in the limit of a very dilute beam with growth on O'Neil/Malmberg's connected mode; (2) The properties of the unstable mode depend strongly on beam parameters such as beam density, speed and temperature; and (3) The frequency of maximum growth frequently lies significantly above or below fp, and differs significantly from that predicted by the Langmuir dispersion relation. Results imply important consequences for theories of strong turbulence and nonlinear wave-wave processes, and observational identification of fp from observed wave frequencies.

Cairns, I. H.↗

A thermodynamic analysis of hypervelocity impacts on metals

Hypervelocity impacts on solid surfaces generate and propagate shock waves and create extreme density, pressure, and temperature conditions. Understanding hypervelocity impacts requires a multi-physics approach at the intersection of fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and quantum theory, which has the capability of spanning multiple different dominating physics regimes. These strong shock conditions found in hypervelocity impacts are studied in the context of high-speed collisions between spacecraft and meteoroids and debris. We study the problem of hypervelocity impacts on metals with the lens of understanding the processes that lead to the creation of an impact generated plasma. In order to characterize the impacting particle as well as its threat to spacecraft from the subsequent radiating plasma an analysis was performed that highlights how the kinetic energy of the impactor is deposited into a target, how the shock wave and shocked material in the target evolve, and how these effects can lead towards the creation of an impact plasma through heating. The analysis suggests that at low velocities the majority of the energy from a hypervelocity impact is stored in reversible elastic energy and does not contribute to strong heating. At higher impact velocities, nucleus and electron thermal components dominate, increasing the energy available for ionization. Overall, this work provides the complete set of state variable initial conditions for any study of hypervelocity impact plasma expansion and its effects.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Utah FORGE: Fault Shear Reactivation Experimental Data for Fluid Injection-Rate Controls on Seismic Moment

Included are experimental data recorded from shear experiments that specifically explore the link between fluid-injection rate and seismic moment resulting from shear reactivation of laboratory faults. Raw mechanical data from three experiments are included alongside corresponding MATLAB scripts that import and plot the data, as well as use it to calculate shear and normal stress. Experiments are performed on 2.5-3 inch long granitoid cores from the Utah FORGE EGS demonstration site, containing a single inclined fracture with small-scale roughness added to the fracture surface. The raw data included here were recorded from an aluminum triaxial pressure vessel (TEMCO) configured with three independent servo-controlled pumps, with distilled water used as the working fluid. The pumps control confining pressure, upstream pore pressure, and axial pressure, with each pump connected to a LabView interface to record applied pressures, cumulative injected water volumes, and pump flow rates. The downstream outlet from the fracture is closed to allow pressurization, which is measured by an external pressure transducer. A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) attached to the axial piston measures axial displacement, from which we calculate shear displacement along the fracture. Additionally, P-wave transducers are used to record acoustic signatures, where acoustic emission events and maximum amplitudes are compared against seismic moment and shear slip velocity. Fluid injection rates range between 0.05 mL/min, 0.25 mL/min, and 0.75 mL/min for each experiment. Along-fault pressure distributions are progressively less uniform as injection rates increase, representing a switch from steady-state to transient conditions. Triggered shear displacement is used as a proxy for seismic moment and is indexed against cumulative injection volume and rate. Each experiment is performed under constant shear stress conditions, and the sample is fully saturated with DI water. Axial and confining stresses are applied to 3 MPa through pressure-stepping in 500 kPa increments. The pore pressure is held constant at 200 kPa prior to initiating the experiment, and initial axial displacement is recorded. The axial stress is then increased to initiate shear mobilization during the loading phase (run-in) until a peak steady state is achieved. The initial shear stress is reduced to approximately 80% of the peak shear stress by decreasing the axial stress, then held constant for the duration of each experiment.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Combined Gravity Gradient and Jitter Accelerations Acting on Liquid-Vapor Interface Oscillations in Reduced Gravity

The dynamical behavior of fluids affected by the asymmetric combined gravity gradient and jitter accelerations, in particular the effect of surface tension on partially-filled rotating fluids applicable to a full-scale Gravity Probe-B Spacecraft dewar tank, have been investigated. Three different cases of accelerations, one gravity gradient-dominated, one equally weighted between gravity gradient and jitter, and the others gravity jitter-dominated are studied. Results of slosh wave excitation along the liquid-vapor interface induced by gravity gradient-dominated acceleration indicate that the gravity gradient-dominated acceleration is equivalent to the combined effect of a twisting force and torsional moment acting on the spacecraft. Results of the slosh wave excitation along the liquid vapor interface induced by gravity jitter-dominated acceleration indicate that the gravity jitter-dominated acceleration is equivalent to time-dependent oscillatory forces which push the bubble in the combined directions of down-and-up and sideward -and-middleward as the bubble is rotating with respect to rotating dewar axis. This study discloses the slosh wave excitation along the liquid-vapor interface driven by the combined effects of gravity gradient and jitter accelerations which are two major driving forces affecting the stability of the fluid system in microgravity.

Hung, R. J.↗

Ion streaming instabilities with application to collisionless shock wave structure

The electromagnetic dispersion relation for two counterstreaming ion beams of arbitrary relative strength flowing parallel to a dc magnetic field is derived. The beams flow through a stationary electron background and the dispersion relation in the fluid approximation is unaffected by the electron thermal pressure. The dispersion relation is solved with a zero net current condition applied and the regions of instability in the k-U space (U is the relative velocity between the two ion beams) are presented. The parameters are then chosen to be applicable for parallel shocks. It was found that unstable waves with zero group velocity in the shock frame can exist near the leading edge of the shock for upstream Alfven Mach numbers greater than 5.5. It is suggested that this mechanism could generate sufficient turbulence within the shock layer to scatter the incoming ions and create the required dissipation for intermediate strength shocks.

Golden, K. I.↗

Effects of Coulomb collisions on lower hybrid drift waves inside a laboratory reconnection current sheet

We have developed a local, linear theoretical model for lower hybrid drift waves that can be used for plasmas in the weakly collisional regime. Two cases with typical plasma and field parameters for the current sheet of the magnetic reconnection experiment have been studied. For a case with a low electron beta (β e =0.25, high guide field case), the quasi-electrostatic lower hybrid drift wave is unstable, while the electromagnetic lower hybrid drift wave has a positive growth rate for a high-β e case (β e =8.9, low guide field case). For both cases, including the effects of Coulomb collisions reduces the growth rate but collisional impacts on the dispersion and growth rate are limited (≲20%).

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗