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At least 973 records · Page 54

Plasma fluctuations in a Kaufman thruster

Measurements of the RMS magnitude, spectra, and cross correlations for the fluctuations in the beam, discharge, and neutralizer keeper currents are presented for a 30 cm diameter dished grid ion thruster for a range of magnetic baffle currents. The ratio of RMS to mean ion beam current varied from 0.04 to 0.23. The spectra of the amplitudes of the beam and discharge current fluctuations were taken up to 9 MHz and show that the predominant amplitudes occur at frequencies of 10 kHz or below. The falloff with increasing frequency is rapid. Frequencies above 100 kHz the spectral levels are 45 kb or more below the maximum peak amplitudes. The cross correlations revealed the ion beam fluctuations to have large radial and axial scales.

Serafini, J. S.↗

Computer program for aerodynamic and blading design of multistage axial-flow compressors

A code for computing the aerodynamic design of a multistage axial-flow compressor and, if desired, the associated blading geometry input for internal flow analysis codes is presented. Compressible flow, which is assumed to be steady and axisymmetric, is the basis for a two-dimensional solution in the meridional plane with viscous effects modeled by pressure loss coefficients and boundary layer blockage. The radial equation of motion and the continuity equation are solved with the streamline curvature method on calculation stations outside the blade rows. The annulus profile, mass flow, pressure ratio, and rotative speed are input. A number of other input parameters specify and control the blade row aerodynamics and geometry. In particular, blade element centerlines and thicknesses can be specified with fourth degree polynomials for two segments. The output includes a detailed aerodynamic solution and, if desired, blading coordinates that can be used for internal flow analysis codes.

Crouse, J. E.↗

Effective Widths of Compression-Loaded Plates With a Cutout

A study of the effects of cutouts and laminate construction on the prebuckling and initial postbuckling stiffnesses, and the effective widths of compression-loaded, laminated-composite and aluminum square plates is presented. The effective-width concept is extended to plates with cutouts, and experimental and nonlinear finite-element analysis results are presented. Behavioral trends are compared for seven plate families and for cutout-diameter-to-plate-width ratios up to 0.66. A general compact design curve that can be used to present and compare the effective widths for a wide range of laminate constructions is also presented. A discussion of how the results can be used and extended to include certain types of damage, cracks, and other structural discontinuities or details is given. Several behavioral trends are described that initially appear to be nonintuitive. The results demonstrate a complex interaction between cutout size and plate orthotropy that affects the axial stiffness and effective width of a plate subjected to compression loads.

Hilburger, Mark W.↗

Major Effects of Nonmetallic Inclusions on the Fatigue Life of Disk Superalloy Demonstrated

The fatigue properties of modern powder metallurgy disk alloys can vary because of the different steps of materials and component processing and machining. Among these variables, the effects of nonmetallic inclusions introduced during the powder atomization and handling processes have been shown to significantly degrade low-cycle fatigue life. The levels of inclusion contamination have, therefore, been reduced to less than 1 part per million in state-of-the-art nickel disk powder-processing facilities. Yet the large quantities of compressor and turbine disks weighing from 100 to over 1000 lb have enough total volume and surface area for these rare inclusions to still be present and limit fatigue life. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects on fatigue life of these inclusions, as part of the Crack Resistant Disk Materials task within the Ultra Safe Propulsion Project. Inclusions were carefully introduced at elevated levels in a nickel-base disk superalloy, U720, produced using powder metallurgy processing. Multiple strain-controlled fatigue tests were then performed on extracted test specimens at 650 C. Analyses were performed to compare the low-cycle fatigue lives and failure initiation sites as functions of inclusion content and fatigue conditions. Powder of the nickel-base superalloy U720 was atomized in argon at Special Metals Corporation, Inc., using production-scale high-cleanliness powder-processing facilities and handling practices. The powder was then passed through a 270-mesh screen. One portion of this powder was set aside for subsequent consolidation without introduced inclusions. Two other portions of this powder were seeded with alumina inclusions. Small, polycrystalline soft (Type 2) inclusions of about 50 mm diameter were carefully prepared and blended into one powder lot, and larger hard (Type 1) inclusions of about 150 mm mean diameter were introduced into the other seeded portion of powder. All three portions of powder were then sealed in separate containers, hot isostatically pressurized, extruded, forged into subscale disks, and heat treated. Low-cycle-fatigue specimens were then extracted, machined, and tested. Fatigue tests were performed at 650 C in closed-loop servohydraulic testing machines using induction heating and axial extensometers. All tests were continued to failure, and fractographic evaluations were performed on all specimens to determine the crack initiation sites. A large majority of the failures in specimens with introduced inclusions occurred at cracks initiating from inclusions at the specimen surface, as shown for each type of inclusion in the following bar chart. The inclusions significantly reduced fatigue life from unseeded material levels, as shown in the bar chart. These effects were found to depend on the strain range, strain ratio, and inclusion size. Tests at lower strain ranges and higher strain ratios resulted in larger effects of inclusions on life. Inclusion effects on life were thereby maximized in tests at the lowest strain range of 0.6 percent and the most positive strain ratio of 0.5. Under these conditions, small Type 2 inclusions reduced life substantially-- about 20 times, whereas large Type 1 inclusions dramatically reduced life 100 times. These results clearly demonstrate that it is essential to include the effects of inclusions for realistic predictions of disk fatigue life. Important issues, including temperature dependence, crack initiation versus propagation, surface treatments, realistic disk features and machining, and realistic disk spin testing will be addressed to accurately model inclusion effects on disk fatigue life. Fatigue life varied from well over 105 cycles for no inclusions to a little over 103 cycles for 100-micrometer inclusions. A single crack initiating at a surface-connected seeded inclusion caused failure in each case.

Gabb, Timothy P.↗

Flame radiation

Total radiation and heat flux data was obtained on a combustor liner by advanced instrumentation. If the results obtained by the special instrumentation are considered to be representative of the total radiation and heat flux, then the effect of variation of engine operating parameters and of fuel type can be more easily obtained. The special instrumentation used for these investigations consisted of five total radiometers and two total heat flux gages. The radiometers were arranged axially and circumferentially through sliding air seals in the outer liner. The two heat flux gages were welded in the outer liner between two circumferential radiometers. Static pressures were obtained on both the cold and the hot side of the outer liner in the area of the heat flux gages. Liner metal temperatures were also obtained. The combustor inlet pressure was varied over a nominal range of 0.5 to 2.07 MPa, inlet air temperature from 550 to 670 K, and fuel-air ratio from about 0.015 to 0.040. The two fuels tested were ASTM Jet A and a fuel designated as ERBS V. Results of the tests are discussed.

Wear, J. D.↗

The effect of adding roughness and thickness to a transonic axial compressor rotor

The performance deterioration of a high speed axial compressor rotor due to surface roughness and airfoil thickness variations is reported. A 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) thick rough coating with a surface finish of 2.54-3.18 RMS microns (100-125 RMS microinches) is applied to the pressure and suction surface of the rotor blades. Coating both surfaces increases the leading edge thickness by 10% at the hub and 20% at the tip. Application of this coating results in a loss in efficiency of 6 points and a 9% reduction in the pressure ratio across the rotor at an operating condition near the design point. To separate the effect of thickness and roughness, a smooth coating of equal thickness is also applied to the blade. The smooth coating surface finish is 0.254-0.508 RMS microns (10-20 RMS microinches), compared to the bare metal blade surface finish of 0.508 RMS microns (20 RMS microinches). The smooth coating results in approximately half of the performance deterioration found from the rough coating. Both coatings are then applied to different portions of the blade surface to determine which portions of the airfoil are most sensitive to thickness/roughness variations. Aerodynamic performance measurements are presented for a number of coating configurations at 60%, 80%, and 100% of design speed. The results indicate that thickness/roughness over the first 10% of blade chord accounts for virtually all of the observed performance degradation for the smooth coating, compared to about 70% of the observed performance degradation for the rough coating. The performance deterioration is investigated in more detail at design speed using laser anemometer measurements as well as predictions generated by a quasi-3D Navier-Stokes flow solver which includes a surface roughness model. Measurements and analysis are performed on the baseline blade and the full-coverage smooth and rough coatings. The results indicate that coating the blade causes a thickening of the blade boundary layers. The interaction between the rotor passage shock and the thickened suction surface boundary layer then results in an increase in blockage which reduces the diffusion level in the rear half of the blade passage, thus reducing the aerodynamic performance of the rotor.

Suder, Kenneth L.↗

Performance of Axial-Flow Supersonic Compressor of the XJ55-FF-1 Turbojet Engine. IV - Analysis of Compressor Operation over a Range of Equivalent Tip Speeds from 801 to 1614 Feet Per Second

An investigation was conducted to determine the performance characteristics of the axial-flow supersonic compressor of the XJ55-FF-1 turbojet engine. An analysis of the performance of the rotor was made based on detailed flow measurements behind the rotor. The compressor apparently did not obtain the design normal-shock configuration in this investigation. A large redistribution of mass occurred toward the root of the rotor over the entire speed range; this condition was so acute at design speed that the tip sections were completely inoperative. The passage pressure recovery at maximum pressure ratio at 1614 feet per second varied from a maximum of 0.81 near the root to 0.53 near the tip, which indicated very poor efficiency of the flow process through the rotor. The results, however, indicated that the desired supersonic operation may be obtained by decreasing the effective contraction ratio of the rotor blade passage.

Graham, Robert C.↗

Plasma fluctuations in a Kaufman thruster

Measurements of the RMS magnitude, spectra and cross-correlations for the fluctuations in the beam, discharge and neutralizer keeper currents are presented for a 30-cm diameter dished grid ion thrustor for a range of magnetic baffle currents and up to 2.0 amperes beam current. The ratio of RMS to mean ion beam current varied from 0.04 to 0.23. The spectra of the amplitudes of the beam and discharge current fluctuations were taken up to 9 MHz and show that the predominant amplitudes occur at frequencies of 10 kHz or below. The fall-off with increasing frequency is rapid. Frequencies above 100 kHz the spectral levels are 45 kb or more below the maximum peak amplitudes. The cross-correlations revealed the ion beam fluctuations to have large radial and axial scales which implied that the beam fluctuates as a whole or 'in-phase.' The cross-correlations of the beam and neutralizer keeper current fluctuations indicated the neutralizer contributions to the beam fluctuations to be small, but not negligible. The mode of operation of the thrustor (values of beam and magnetic baffle currents) was significant in determining the RMS magnitude and spectral shape of the beam fluctuations. The major oscillations were not found to be directly dependent on the power conditioner inverter frequencies.

Serafini, J. S.↗

Turbulence measurements in a rectangular jet

The paper deals with hot-wire measurements in a rectangular incompressible jet issuing into a medium at rest. The flow field of the jet was found to be characterized by the presence of three distinct regions with respect to the mean axial velocity on the center line, referred to as potential core region, two-dimensional type region, and axisymmetric type region. The onset of the second region appears to be at downstream locations where the shear layers from the short dimension of the nozzle meet. Similarly, the center line velocity decay is first of axisymmetric nature at a downstream location where the two shear layers from the long dimension of the nozzle meet. The conditions for the existence of a rectangular jet of an aspect ratio of 16.7 with the laminar tophat profile at the exit are identified.

Krothapalli, A.↗

Magnetically driven jets and winds

Four equations for the origin and propagation of nonrelativistic jets and winds are derived from the basic conservation laws of ideal MHD. The axial current density is negative in the vicinity of the axis and positive at larger radii; there is no net current because this is energetically favored. The magnetic field is essential for the jet solutions in that the zz-component of the magnetic stress acts, in opposition to gravity, to drive matter through the slow magnetosonic critical point. For a representative self-consistent disk/jet solution relevant to a protostellar system, the reaction of the accreted mass expelled in the jets is 0.1, the ratio of the power carried by the jets to the disk luminosity is 0.66, and the ratio of the boundary layer to disk luminosities is less than about 0.13. The star's rotation rate decreases with time even for rotation rates much less than the breakup rate.

Lovelace, R. V. E.↗

Hybrid time–frequency domain dual-probe coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for simultaneous temperature and pressure measurements in compressible flows via spectral fitting

We demonstrate a hybrid time–frequency spectroscopic method for simultaneous temperature/pressure measurements in nonreacting compressible flows with known gas composition. Hybrid femtosecond–picosecond, pure-rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), with two independent, time-delayed probe pulses, is deployed for single-laser-shot measurements of temperature and pressure profiles along an ∼ <#comment/> 5 -mm line. The theory of dual-probe CARS is presented, along with a discussion of the iterative fitting of experimental spectra. Temperature is obtained from spectra acquired with an early, near-collision-free probe time delay ( τ <#comment/> 1 = 0 p s ) and pressure from spectra obtained at probe delays of τ <#comment/> 2 = 150 − <#comment/> 1000 p s , where collisions significantly impact the spectral profile. Unique solutions for temperature and pressure are obtained by iteratively fitting the two spectra to account for small collisional effects observed for the near zero probe delay spectrum. A dual-probe pure-rotational CARS system, in a 1D line-imaging configuration, is developed to demonstrate effectively the simultaneous temperature and pressure profiles recorded along the axial centerline of a highly underexpanded jet. The underexpanded air jet permits evaluation of this hybrid time–frequency domain approach for temperature and pressure measurements across a wide range of low-temperature–low-pressure conditions of interest in supersonic ground-test facilities. Single-laser-shot measurement precisions in both quantities and pressure measurement accuracy are systematically evaluated in the quiet zone upstream of the Mach disk. Precise thermometry approaching 1%−2% is observed in regions of high CARS signal-to-noise ratios. Pressure measurements are optimized at probe time delays where the ratio of the late probe delay to the Raman lifetime exceeds four ( τ <#comment/> 2 / τ <#comment/> R > <#comment/> 4 ). The impact of low-temperature Raman linewidths on CARS pressure measurements is evaluated, and comparisons of CARS pressures obtained with our recent low-temperature pure-rotational Raman linewidth data and extrapolated high-temperature Q -branch linewidths are presented. Considering all measurements with τ <#comment/> 2 / τ <#comment/> R ≥ <#comment/> 4.0 , measured pressures were on average 7.9% of the computed isentropic values with average shot-to-shot deviations representing a combination of instrument noise and fluid fluctuations of 5.0%.

Retter, Jonathan E.↗

Multi-airfoil Navier-Stokes simulations of turbine rotor-stator interaction

An accurate numerical analysis of the flows associated with rotor-stator configurations in turbomachinery can be extremely helpful in optimizing the performance of turbomachinery. In this study the unsteady, thin-layer, Navier-Stokes equations in two spatial dimensions are solved on a system of patched and overlaid grids for a rotor-stator configuration from an axial turbine. The governing equations are solved using a finite-difference, upwind algorithm that is set in an iterative, implicit framework. Results in the form of pressure contours, time-averaged pressures, unsteady pressure amplitudes and phase are presented. The numerical results are compared with experimental data and the agreement is found to be good. The results are also compared with those of an earlier study which used only one rotor and one stator. The current study uses multiple rotors and stators and a pitch ratio that is much closer to the experimental ratio. Consequently the results of this study are found to be closer to the experimental data.

Rai, Man Mohan↗

Stress Calculations for Carbon Nanotubes

Atomic stresses were calculated for carbon nanotubes under strain conditions. Graphitic tubules with radii ranging from approximately 2 to 11 Angstroms and two different tubule structures with varying atomic orientations were included in the calculations. Elongations and contractions were applied in the axial direction and atomic stress values were calculated for infinitely long tubules. The calculations were carried out using Brenner's function which was developed for carbon species. Results indicate that the stress is tensile in the radial direction while it is compressive in the tangential direction. Variations in stress values in the direction of the cylindrical aids were investigated as a function of applied strain. Furthermore, using the stress-strain curve (calculated based on atomic considerations), the values of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for nanotubules were also estimated.

Halicioglu, Timur↗

A theory of post-stall transients in axial compression systems. II - Application

Using the theory developed in Part I, calculations have been carried out to show the evolution of the mass flow, pressure rise, and rotating-stall cell amplitude during compression system post-stall transients. In particular, it is shown that the unsteady growth or decay of the stall cell can have a significant effect on the instantaneous compressor pumping characteristic and hence on the overall system behavior. A limited parametric study is carried out to illustrate the impact of different system features on transient behavior. It is shown, for example, that the ultimate mode of system response, surge or stable rotating stall, depends not only on the B parameter, but also on the compressor length-to-radius ratio. Small values of this latter quantity tend to favor the occurrence of surge, as do large values of B. Based on the analytical and numerical results, several specific topics are suggested for future research on post-stall transients.

Greitzer, E. M.↗

Effect of coaxial nozzle wear on catchment efficiency in direct energy deposition built components

Laser based Direct Energy Deposition (DED) systems using metallic powder feedstock are recognized as a promising manufacturing method for their ability to shorten production cycles and create complex part geometries. Components are built by generating a melt pool with a high-power laser beam while material is coaxially injected and left to solidify. An impediment to large scale use of DED lies in poor powder catchment efficiency, the condition in which a portion of injected powder escapes the melt pool resulting in a ratio of decreased printed material mass to mass of supplied feedstock. The wear state of a coaxial nozzle on a DED system within a hybrid manufacturing machine tool has been observed to decrease catchment efficiency over time. Herein this study investigates this effect by adapting flow visualization techniques to an in-situ process monitoring format, the implementation of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, and deposition testing. Nozzle geometric defects due to wear are identified and categorized, and the impact of nozzle tip wear, resulting in axial tip reduction, on powder catchment efficiency is proven by multiple calculation methods. A linear correlation between catchment efficiency and powder stream diameter is identified, causing a 15–20% loss in efficiency sustained over incremental nozzle tip reduction up to − 1 mm. These results provide a foundation for further study of wear effects and Zero defect manufacturing solutions for powder fed DED systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Controlling morphology and improving reproducibility of magnetized liner inertial fusion experiments

X-ray imaging indicates magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) stagnation columns have a complicated quasi-helical structure with significant variations in x-ray brightness along the column. In this work, we describe MagLIF experiments aimed at controlling these stagnation structures by varying the initial liner geometry and composition. First, by varying the initial aspect ratio of the liner, we demonstrate a change in the stagnation structures that is consistent with helical magneto Rayleigh–Taylor (MRT) instabilities feedthrough from the outer-to-inner surfaces of the liner. Second, to minimize the seed for such instabilities, we incorporate a dielectric coating on the outer surface of the beryllium liner, which has previously been shown to reduce the growth of the electrothermal instability, a likely seed for MRT growth. Using this coating, we achieve a stagnation column with significantly reduced helical structure and axial variation in x-ray brightness. We discuss how this coating changes the evolution of structures through stagnation along with the spatial uniformity of neutron production. Finally, we show that these more uniform stagnations also result in improved reproducibility in stagnation temperatures and primary DD neutron yield.

Ampleford, D. J. (ORCID:0000000237422421)↗

Δ$\textit{K}=0 \textit{M}1$ Excitation Strength of the Well-Deformed Nucleus 164 Dy from $\textit{K}$ Mixing

We report the size of a Δ$\textit{K}=0 \textit{M}1$ excitation strength has been determined for the first time in a predominantly axially deformed even-even nucleus. It has been obtained from the observation of a rare $\textit{K}$-mixing situation between two close-lying $J^π = 1^+$ states of the nucleus 164 Dy with components characterized by intrinsic projection quantum numbers $\textit{K}$ = 0 and $\textit{K}$ = 1. Nuclear resonance fluorescence induced by quasimonochromatic linearly polarized γ-ray beams provided evidence for $\textit{K}$ mixing of the 1 + states at 3159.1(3) and 3173.6(3) keV in excitation energy from their γ-decay branching ratios into the ground-state band. The Δ$\textit{K}$ = 0 transition strength of $B(M1; 0^+_1 → 1^+_{K=0}) = 0.008(1)μ^2_N$ was inferred from a mixing analysis of their $\textit{M}$1 transition rates into the ground-state band. It is in agreement with predictions from the quasiparticle phonon nuclear model. This determination represents first experimental information on the $\textit{M}$1 excitation strength of a nuclear quantum state with a negative $\mathcal{R}$-symmetry quantum number.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

On the bulk compaction of brittle granular materials, part I: SeS analysis of axial compression to 4000 MPa

The bulk compaction of granular materials has been studied for decades to interpret and manage responses for soils and powder-based component fabrication, and geophysical, celestial, and ballistic impact. Their bulk or macroscopic compaction response is limited by what occurs at the granular or microstructural scale. Motivation existed to more closely examine that association specific to granular brittle materials (e.g., ceramics and glasses). That examination is offered in a series of three companion papers where Part I describes a new supplemental analysis adopted to bulk compaction response involving relatively high compaction stresses (4000 MPa). Bulk compactions of vitreous silicates and crystalline quartzes were interpreted in three ways, including that of a new analysis that considers the product of void ratio (e) and stress (S) as a function of S, hereafter referred to as “SeS analysis”. In conclusion, the SeS analysis was found to be an informative supplement to conventional bulk compaction analyses because it provides more consistent higher sensitivity for the identification of bulk density rate increase with increasing compaction (softening); a rate increase that arises from the cumulative effect of the onsets and progression of compaction-induced yielding, fracture or comminution, densification, phase change, or combinations thereof occurring at the granular or microstructural scale.

compaction↗