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At least 919 records · Page 51

Laser fringe anemometry for aero engine components

Advances in flow measurement techniques in turbomachinery continue to be paced by the need to obtain detailed data for use in validating numerical predictions of the flowfield and for use in the development of empirical models for those flow features which cannot be readily modelled numerically. The use of laser anemometry in turbomachinery research has grown over the last 14 years in response to these needs. Based on past applications and current developments, this paper reviews the key issues which are involved when considering the application of laser anemometry to the measurement of turbomachinery flowfields. Aspects of laser fringe anemometer optical design which are applicable to turbomachinery research are briefly reviewed. Application problems which are common to both laser fringe anemometry (LFA) and laser transit anemometry (LTA) such as seed particle injection, optical access to the flowfield, and measurement of rotor rotational position are covered. The efficiency of various data acquisition schemes is analyzed and issues related to data integrity and error estimation are addressed. Real-time data analysis techniques aimed at capturing flow physics in real time are discussed. Finally, data reduction and analysis techniques are discussed and illustrated using examples taken from several LFA turbomachinery applications.

Strazisar, A. J.↗

Laser fringe anemometry for aero engine components

Advances in flow measurement techniques in turbomachinery continue to be paced by the need to obtain detailed data for use in validating numerical predictions of the flowfield and for use in the development of empirical models for those flow features which cannot be readily modelled numerically. The use of laser anemometry in turbomachinery research has grown over the last 14 years in response to these needs. Based on past applications and current developments, the key issues which are involved when considering the application of laser anemometry to the measurement of turbomachinery flowfields are discussed. Aspects of laser fringe anemometer optical design which are applicable to turbomachinery research are briefly reviewed. Application problems which are common to both laser fringe anemometry (LFA) and laser transit anemometry (LTA) such as seed particle injection, optical access to the flowfield, and measurement of rotor rotational position are covered. The efficiency of various data acquisition schemes is analyzed and issues related to data integrity and error estimation are addressed. Real-time data analysis techniques aimed at capturing flow physics in real time are discussed. Finally, data reduction and analysis techniques are discussed and illustrated using examples taken from several LFA turbomachinery applications.

Strazisar, Anthony J.↗

A new scheme for the parameterization of the turbulent planetary boundary layer in the GLAS fourth order GCM

Methods being used to increase the horizontal and vertical resolution and to implement more sophisticated parameterization schemes for general circulation models (GCM) run on newer, more powerful computers are described. Attention is focused on the NASA-Goddard Laboratory for Atmospherics fourth order GCM. A new planetary boundary layer (PBL) model has been developed which features explicit resolution of two or more layers. Numerical models are presented for parameterizing the turbulent vertical heat, momentum and moisture fluxes at the earth's surface and between the layers in the PBL model. An extended Monin-Obhukov similarity scheme is applied to express the relationships between the lowest levels of the GCM and the surface fluxes. On-line weather prediction experiments are to be run to test the effects of the higher resolution thereby obtained for dynamic atmospheric processes.

Helfand, H. M.↗

The 3-Dimensional Inner and Outer Structure of Ejecta Around Eta Carinae as Detected by the STIS

The HST/STIS instrument was used successfully to perform a complete mapping of the Homunculus nebula at two wavelength ranges including H-alpha and H-beta with a spectral resolving power of about 5000 and a spatial resolution of 0.1". The individual spectra were merged to synthesize three-dimensional data cubes that contain a set of images of Eta Car with spatial resolution of 0.10 to 0.251, sliced at velocity increment of 10 -- 30 km/s. For the first time this unique method allows us to diagnose the origin of intrinsic narrow emission structure of the nebula with high spatial and velocity resolution. Our initial analysis revealed the inner emission structure appeared to trace an elongated bipolar shell (possibly other shells as well) with a scale size of an arcsecond (i.e., "little homunculus in the Homunculus"). Furthermore, the mapping data cube revealed that the "fan" or "paddle" -- often referred as the source of peculiar blue-shifted intrinsic emissions including the Strontium cloud -- is not the source of intrinsic emissions. The fan is not even a part of the equatorial disk, but is spatially separated from the peculiar emission structure. Indeed we suggest that the fan is a surface of the Northwest lobe, possibly revealed by a blowout of the equatorial disk. We will use a number of visualization techniques (tomographic animations and simple 3-D models) to show these structures. These new results have strong impact upon future numerical modelings of the Homunculus nebula and of understanding of the evolution of the ejecta powered by the central source(s).

Ishibashi, Kazunori↗

Using a numerical cumulus ensemble model as a tool for studying cloud processes

A numerical cumulus ensemble model is presented, which covers a large area, and resolves individual cumulus clouds. The clouds produced by the model simulation are illustrated. Scatter plots of cloud amount vs relative humidity are examined. Plans for a cumulus ensemble model study on the effects of boundary layer processes on cloud formation are discussed.

Krueger, Steven K.↗

A two-dimensional model of plasma expansion in the ionosphere

A systematic parameter study is conducted of the motion of artificial plasma clouds across the geomagnetic field at ionospheric altitudes. The study is based on a two-dimensional numerical model. Taken into consideration are the effects solar cycle variations on the cloud evolution, as well as the effects of seasonal and geomagnetic activity conditions, and variations in the ionospheric release conditions. The effects of magnetospheric electric fields and thermospheric winds are also considered. The plasma cloud model and related assumptions are discussed, and numerical results are presented.

Ma, T.-Z.↗

Initialization of mesoscale models - The possible impact of remotely sensed data

Little or no improvement appears to have been achieved in mesoscale numerical prediction. This has been blamed on inherent unpredictability, insufficient spatial resolution, inadequate parameterization of important physical processes, and errors in the numerical discretization of the governing hydrodynamic equations. Attention is presently given to the more fundamental difficulty of forecasting when present conditions are not known with sufficient accuracy, and to the matching of remotely sensed sounding-capability satellite and all-weather Doppler radar data with mesoscale numerical models. This matching is not straightforward; simple and variational forms of four-dimensional assimilation, and Kalman filtering, are suggested approaches but their practical testing remains to be accomplished. The most severe problem faced is that of the temperature and humidity profiles' vertical resolution.

Gal-Chen, T.↗

Low-frequency sound propagation modeling over a locally-reacting boundary using the parabolic approximation

There is substantial interest in the analytical and numerical modeling of low-frequency, long-range atmospheric acoustic propagation. Ray-based models, because of frequency limitations, do not always give an adequate prediction of quantities such as sound pressure or intensity levels. However, the parabolic approximation method, widely used in ocean acoustics, and often more accurate than ray models for lower frequencies of interest, can be applied to acoustic propagation in the atmosphere. Modifications of an existing implicit finite-difference implementation for computing solutions to the parabolic approximation are discussed. A locally-reacting boundary is used together with a one-parameter impedance model. Intensity calculations are performed for a number of flow resistivity values in both quiescent and windy atmospheres. Variations in the value of this parameter are shown to have substantial effects on the spatial variation of the acoustic signal.

Robertson, J. S.↗

MAMI: Modeling of the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Atmosphere System

Major emphasis of the investigation was the development of theoretical and numerical models of the aurora and of high latitude ionospheric processes. In particular: (1) the NCAR TIGCM (Thermosphere-Ionosphere Global Circulation Model) was updated to include mid and low latitude electrodynamics (this version is called TIE-GCM); (2) the NCAR TIE-GCM was modified to include a more realistic representation of the aurora; (3) the UAF auroral electron transport model was modified to include local acceleration processes; (4) a local ionospheric and auroral model (AURORA) was developed to allow detailed studies of the aurora; (5) a proton-hydrogen transport code has been developed to model proton aurora; and (6) a theory for the production of suprathermal atoms and ions in the upper atmosphere was developed and applied to studies of atomic nitrogen transport and helium escape on open field lines. These models enable us to devise schemes for tile interpretation and quantitative analysis of data obtained by the POLAR spacecraft. Parameterizations were formulated and are available to the GGS investigators. The UVI and VIS teams have adopted these parameterizations and include them in their data analysis. We have developed software for the quantitative interpretation of UVI and VIS images. After the launch of the POLAR satellite we used the image data from UVI and VIS in combination with ground based data from SuperDARN and incoherent scatter radars, magnetometers, and in situ observations from DMSP and NOAA satellites to characterize the state of the ionosphere. A number of event studies have been carried out in cooperation with other CGS theory teams.

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Observations and Modeling of the Transient General Circulation of the North Pacific Basin

Because of recent progress in satellite altimetry and numerical modeling and the accumulation and archiving of long records of hydrographic and meteorological variables, it is becoming feasible to describe and understand the transient general circulation of the ocean (i.e., variations with spatial scales larger than a few hundred kilometers and time scales of seasonal and longer-beyond the mesoscale). We have carried out various studies in investigation of the transient general circulation of the Pacific Ocean from a coordinated analysis of satellite altimeter data, historical hydrographic gauge data, scatterometer wind observations, reanalyzed operational wind fields, and a variety of ocean circulation models. Broadly stated, our goal was to achieve a phenomenological catalogue of different possible types of large-scale, low-frequency variability, as a context for understanding the observational record. The approach is to identify the simplest possible model from which particular observed phenomena can be isolated and understood dynamically and then to determine how well these dynamical processes are represented in more complex Oceanic General Circulation Models (OGCMs). Research results have been obtained on Rossby wave propagation and transformation, oceanic intrinsic low-frequency variability, effects of surface gravity waves, pacific data analyses, OGCM formulation and developments, and OGCM simulations of forced variability.

McWilliams, James C.↗

The use of geomagnetic field models in magnetic surveys

The importance of global geomagnetic field models for the reduction of magnetic surveys is discussed. It is demonstrated that a numerical model with adequate secular variation correction, provides a suitable representation of the regional field. The limitations of the presently available models are reported, with emphasis on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field.

Regan, R. D.↗

Sympathetic reaction tests and analyses

The critical separation distances for explosive reactions of a solid rocket propellant were measured. Explosive reactions included low order explosion, low order detonation, and high order detonation. The effects of sample size, shape, damage and temperature on sympathetic reaction were determined experimentally. The sympathetic detonation of small cubes of solid rocket propellant was modelled numerically, using the Eulerian reactive hydrodynamic code 2DE with Forest Fire burn rates. The model was applied to cubes of 2.54 - 7.62 cm (1 - 3 in.), with agreement between calculated and experimental results.

Ricardson, D. E.↗

On modeling dilution jet flowfields

This paper compares temperature field measurements from selected experiments on a single row, and opposed rows, of jets injected into a ducted crossflow with profiles calculated using an empirical model based on assumed vertical profile similarity and superposition, and distributions calculated with a 3-D elliptic code using a standard K-E turbulence model. The empirical model predictions are very good within the range of the generating experiments, and the numerical model resultings, although exhibiting too little mixing, correctly describe the effects of the principal flow and geometric variables.

Holdeman, J. D.↗

On modeling dilution jet flowfields

This paper compares temperature field measurements from selected experiments on a single row, and opposed rows, of jets injected into a ducted crossflow with profiles calculated using an empirical model based on assumed vertical profile similarity and superposition, and distributions calculated with a 3-D elliptic code using a standard K-E turbulence model. The empirical model predictions are very good within the range of the generating experiments, and the numerical model results, although exhibiting too little mixing, correctly describe the effects of the principal flow and geometric variables.

Holdeman, J. D.↗

Two-dimensional interaction of vortices with a blade

The problem of blade-vortex interaction is studied experimentally and numerically. Vortices are generated in the laboratory by pitching an airfoil upstream of the model. LDV measurements are obtained in the neighborhood of the leading edge of the airfoil. Ensemble-averaged velocity vector fields and vorticity contours are thus constructed. A vortex is modeled numerically by a cloud of discrete ideal point vortices. The problem is solved via a Joukowski transformation. The interaction of distributed vorticity with the leading edge of the airfoil is examined.

Poling, David R.↗

Behavior in normal and reduced gravity of an enclosed liquid/gas system with nonuniform heating from above

The temperature and velocity fields have been investigated for a single-phase gas system and a two-layer gas-and-liquid system enclosed in a circular cylinder being heated suddenly and nonuniformly from above. The transient response of the gas, liquid, and container walls was modelled numerically in normal and reduced gravity (10 to the -5 g). Verification of the model was accomplished via flow visualization experiments in 10 cm high by 10 cm diameter plexiglass cylinders.

Ross, H. D.↗

Sea breeze: Induced mesoscale systems and severe weather

Sea-breeze-deep convective interactions over the Florida peninsula were investigated using a cloud/mesoscale numerical model. The objective was to gain a better understanding of sea-breeze and deep convective interactions over the Florida peninsula using a high resolution convectively explicit model and to use these results to evaluate convective parameterization schemes. A 3-D numerical investigation of Florida convection was completed. The Kuo and Fritsch-Chappell parameterization schemes are summarized and evaluated.

Nicholls, M. E.↗