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At least 973 records · Page 54

End-wall boundary layer prediction for axial compressors

An integral boundary layer procedure was developed for the computation of viscous and secondary flows along the annulus walls of an axial compressor. The procedure is an outgrowth and extension of the pitch-averaged methods of Mellor and Horlock. In the present work secondary flow theory is used to develop approximations for the velocity profiles inside a rotating blade row and for the blade force deficit terms in the momentum integral equations. The computer code based on this procedure was iteratively coupled to a quasi-one-dimensional model for the external inviscid flow. Computed results are compared with measurements in a compressor cascade.

Sockol, P. M.↗

'GAIM' - Gas-addition, impedance-matched arc driver

A conceptual view for a GAIM energy/driver system to maximize shock-tube performance through efficient interfacing of the energy source with the gas dynamics of the arc driver is presented. Electrical and arc-chamber requirements are evaluated utilizing two new computer codes. One code calculates the shock wave generated for a selected time rate and magnitude of arc-energy input; the other computes the values of external circuit elements required to produce the selected energy input, with the driver represented as the load element of the electrical discharge circuit. Results indicate that the energy-storage capability and the driver arrangement needed to produce the highest shock Mach number can be achieved by means of driver gas addition and by impedance matching (GAIM). Design criteria are presented for arc energy requirements necessary to produce given shock-wave speeds. Shock velocities as high as the 70 km/sec required for simulating Jovian entry now seem possible in shock-tube operation. Practical implementation of a GAIM system is discussed.

Dannenberg, R. E.↗

Multiphysics Code Demonstrated for Propulsion Applications

The utility of multidisciplinary analysis tools for aeropropulsion applications is being investigated at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The goal of this project is to apply Spectrum, a multiphysics code developed by Centric Engineering Systems, Inc., to simulate multidisciplinary effects in turbomachinery components. Many engineering problems today involve detailed computer analyses to predict the thermal, aerodynamic, and structural response of a mechanical system as it undergoes service loading. Analysis of aerospace structures generally requires attention in all three disciplinary areas to adequately predict component service behavior, and in many cases, the results from one discipline substantially affect the outcome of the other two. There are numerous computer codes currently available in the engineering community to perform such analyses in each of these disciplines. Many of these codes are developed and used in-house by a given organization, and many are commercially available. However, few, if any, of these codes are designed specifically for multidisciplinary analyses. The Spectrum code has been developed for performing fully coupled fluid, thermal, and structural analyses on a mechanical system with a single simulation that accounts for all simultaneous interactions, thus eliminating the requirement for running a large number of sequential, separate, disciplinary analyses. The Spectrum code has a true multiphysics analysis capability, which improves analysis efficiency as well as accuracy. Centric Engineering, Inc., working with a team of Lewis and AlliedSignal Engines engineers, has been evaluating Spectrum for a variety of propulsion applications including disk quenching, drum cavity flow, aeromechanical simulations, and a centrifugal compressor flow simulation.

Lawrence, Charles↗

Parallelizing OVERFLOW: Experiences, Lessons, Results

The computer code OVERFLOW is widely used in the aerodynamic community for the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. Current trends in computer systems and architectures are toward multiple processors and parallelism, including distributed memory. This report describes work that has been carried out by the author and others at Ames Research Center with the goal of parallelizing OVERFLOW using a variety of parallel architectures and parallelization strategies. This paper begins with a brief description of the OVERFLOW code. This description includes the basic numerical algorithm and some software engineering considerations. Next comes a description of a parallel version of OVERFLOW, OVERFLOW/PVM, using PVM (Parallel Virtual Machine). This parallel version of OVERFLOW uses the manager/worker style and is part of the standard OVERFLOW distribution. Then comes a description of a parallel version of OVERFLOW, OVERFLOW/MPI, using MPI (Message Passing Interface). This parallel version of OVERFLOW uses the SPMD (Single Program Multiple Data) style. Finally comes a discussion of alternatives to explicit message-passing in the context of parallelizing OVERFLOW.

Jespersen, Dennis C.↗

Wall-function boundary conditions in the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for complex compressible flows

To make computer codes for two-dimensional compressible flows more robust and economical, wall functions for these flows, under adiabatic conditions, have been developed and tested. These wall functions have been applied to three two-equation models of turbulence. The tests consist of comparisons of calculated and experimental results for transonic and supersonic flow over a flat plate and for two-dimensional and axisymmetrical transonic shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction flows with and without separation. The calculations are performed with an implicit algorithm that solves the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. It is shown that results obtained agree very well with the data for the complex compressible flows tested, provided criteria for use of the wall functions are followed. The expected savings in cost of the computations and improved robustness of the code were achieved.

Viegas, J. R.↗

Verification and Validation Data for Computational Unsteady Aerodynamics

Computational Unsteady Aerodynamics computer codes are being increasingly used. In order to validate their results they must be tested against valid experimental data. The present report aims at collecting reliable experimental data on unsteady aerodynamics and presenting them in a form which permits use for verification of codes. For ease of handling, the data are also presented in machine readable form (CD-ROM). Data on increasingly complex generic forms were selected and the following categories are covered: flutter, buffet, stability and control, dynamic stall, cavity flows, store separation. Computational solutions are included in order to permit evaluation of codes and analysis of solutions which differ from experimental data.

Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT)Task Group↗

Modeling techniques for transonic airfoils

In the present comparative study of computer codes for the modeling of two-dimensional, single element airfoil sections for various section geometry classes, two of the codes use vortex singularities methods to obtain the potential flow solution while the remainder solve the full inviscid potential flow equations by means of finite differencing techniques that allow results to be obtained for transonic flow about an airfoil which includes weak shocks. Computational results are presented for a symmetrical airfoil section, a conventional section, and a supercritical one. Icing condition applications of the models are noted. The model codes' range of applicability and agreement with each other and experimental results, as well as their computer run times and memory requirements, are noted.

Petrie, S. L.↗

The Navy/NASA Engine Program (NNEP89): A user's manual

An engine simulation computer code called NNEP89 was written to perform 1-D steady state thermodynamic analysis of turbine engine cycles. By using a very flexible method of input, a set of standard components are connected at execution time to simulate almost any turbine engine configuration that the user could imagine. The code was used to simulate a wide range of engine cycles from turboshafts and turboprops to air turborockets and supersonic cruise variable cycle engines. Off design performance is calculated through the use of component performance maps. A chemical equilibrium model is incorporated to adequately predict chemical dissociation as well as model virtually any fuel. NNEP89 is written in standard FORTRAN77 with clear structured programming and extensive internal documentation. The standard FORTRAN77 programming allows it to be installed onto most mainframe computers and workstations without modification. The NNEP89 code was derived from the Navy/NASA Engine program (NNEP). NNEP89 provides many improvements and enhancements to the original NNEP code and incorporates features which make it easier to use for the novice user. This is a comprehensive user's guide for the NNEP89 code.

Plencner, Robert M.↗

Transonic flow theory of airfoils and wings

There are plans to use the supercritical wing on the next generation of commercial aircraft so as to economize on fuel consumption by reducing drag. Computer codes have served well in meeting the consequent demand for new wing sections. The possibility of replacing wind tunnel tests by computational fluid dynamics is discussed. Another approach to the supercritical wing is through shockless airfoils. A novel boundary value problem in the hodograph plane is studied that enables one to design a shockless airfoil so that its pressure distribution very nearly takes on data that are prescribed.

Garabedian, P. R.↗

Atmospheric-wake vortex interactions

The interactions of a vortex wake with a turbulent stratified atmosphere are investigated with the computer code WAKE. It is shown that atmospheric shear, turbulence, and stratification can provide the dominant mechanisms by which vortex wakes decay. Computations included the interaction of a vortex wake with a viscous ground plane. The observed phenomenon of vortex bounce is explained in terms of secondary vorticity produced on the ground. This vorticity is swept off the ground and advected about the vortex pair, thereby altering the classic hyperbolic trajectory. The phenomenon of the solitary vortex is explained as an interaction of a vortex with crosswind shear. Here, the vortex having the sign opposite that of the sign of the vorticity in the shear is dispersed by a convective instability. This instability results in the rapid production of turbulence which in turn disperses the smoke marking the vortex.

Bilanin, A. J.↗

End-wall boundary layer prediction for axial compressors

An integral boundary layer procedure has been developed for the computation of viscous and secondary flows along the annulus walls of an axial compressor. The procedure is an outgrowth and extension of the pitch-averaged methods of Mellor and Horlock. In the present work secondary flow theory is used to develop approximations for the velocity profiles inside a rotating blade row and for the blade force deficit terms in the momentum integral equations. The computer code based on this procedure has been iteratively coupled to a quasi-one-dimensional model for the external inviscid flow. Computed results are compared with measurements in a compressor cascade.

Sockol, P. M.↗

Double-multiple streamtube model for Darrieus in turbines

An analytical model is proposed for calculating the rotor performance and aerodynamic blade forces for Darrieus wind turbines with curved blades. The method of analysis uses a multiple-streamtube model, divided into two parts: one modeling the upstream half-cycle of the rotor and the other, the downstream half-cycle. The upwind and downwind components of the induced velocities at each level of the rotor were obtained using the principle of two actuator disks in tandem. Variation of the induced velocities in the two parts of the rotor produces larger forces in the upstream zone and smaller forces in the downstream zone. Comparisons of the overall rotor performance with previous methods and field test data show the important improvement obtained with the present model. The calculations were made using the computer code CARDAA developed at IREQ. The double-multiple streamtube model presented has two major advantages: it requires a much shorter computer time than the three-dimensional vortex model and is more accurate than multiple-streamtube model in predicting the aerodynamic blade loads.

Paraschivoiu, I.↗

Validation of viscous and inviscid computational methods for turbomachinery components

An assessment of several three-dimensional computer codes used at the NASA Lewis Research Center is presented. Four flow situations are examined, for which both experimental data and computational results are available. The four flows form a basis for the evaluation of the computational procedures. It is concluded that transonic rotor flow at peak efficiency conditions may be calculated with a reasonable degree of accuracy, whereas, off-design conditions are not accurately determined. Duct flows and turbine cascade flows may also be computed with reasonable accuracy whereas radial inflow turbine flow remains a challenging problem.

Povinelli, L. A.↗

An Euler aerodynamic method for leading-edge vortex flow simulation

The current capabilities and the future plans for a three dimensional Euler Aerodynamic Method are described. The basic solution algorithm is based on the finite volume, Runge-Kutta pseudo-time-stepping scheme of FLO-57. Several modifications to improve accuracy and computational efficiency were incorporated and others are being investigated. The computer code is used to analyze a cropped delta wing at 0.6 Mach number and an arrow wing at 0.85 Mach number. Computed aerodynamic parameters are compared with experimental data. In all cases, the configuration is impulsively started and no Kutta condition is applied at sharp edges. The results indicate that with additional development and validation, the present method will be a useful tool for engineering analysis of high speed aircraft.

Raj, P.↗

Validation of viscous and inviscid computational methods for turbomachinery components

An assessment of several three-dimensional computer codes used at the NASA Lewis Research Center is presented. Four flow situations are examined, for which both experimental data and computational results are available. The four flows form a basis for the evaluation of the computational procedures. It is concluded that transonic rotor flow at peak efficiency conditions may be calculated with a reasonable degree of accuracy, whereas, off-design conditions are not accurately determined. Duct flows and turbine cascade flows may also be computed with reasonable accuracy whereas radial inflow turbine flow remains a challenging problem.

Povinelli, L. A.↗

The Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel - A facility dedicated to code validation

Computational fluid dynamics code validation requirements are discussed together with the need for close interaction between experiment and code development. Code validation experiments require a great deal of data and for the experiments to be successful, a highly-productive research facility is required. A description is provided of the NASA Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel (BART); especially the instrumentation and experimental techniques that make the facility ideally suited to code validation experiments. Results are presented from recent tests which illustrate the techniques used in BART.

Sellers, William L., III↗

Recent Trends in the Analysis of Quasioptical Systems

The recent trend in microwave instruments is the use of multiple millimeter and submillimeter wavelength bands. These systems are typically analyzed by using physical optics, Gaussian beams or ray tracing techniques. Physical optics offers high accuracy at the expense of computation time. This trade-off becomes particularly apparent in the analysis of multiple reflector antennas, such as beam waveguide antennas, where physical optics is used to compute the current on each reflector from the current on the previous reflector. At the other end of the spectrum is ray tracing approaches that ignore diffraction effects entirely. These methods are fast but sacrifice the ability to predict some effects accurately. An intermediate approach is to use an appropriate set of expansion functions to model the field between the reflectors. If the set is chosen wisely only a few coefficients need to be determined from each reflector current. The field is then computed at the next reflector through the use of the expansion functions and their coefficients rather than by using the previous reflector current. For a beam waveguide system with no enclosing tubes an excellent set of expansion functions is the Gaussian beam mode set. In many cases a preliminary design which includes the effects on diffraction may be obtained by considering only the fundamental mode and a thin lens model for the reflectors. Higher-order modes are included to model the effects of the curved reflector, which include asymmetric distortion of the beam, cross polarization, and beam truncation. This paper describes a computer code implementing higher-order Gaussian beam scattering by multiple reflector systems. There are four essential steps in the algorithm. (1) Compute the current on the first reflector using physical optics using either a feed model or by an incident set of Gaussian beam modes. (2) Find the direction of propagation for the reflected Gaussian beam-set using ray tracing. (3) Determine the waist size and location for the output beam set by examining the amplitude and phase distribution of the current on the reflector. (4) Compute the amplitudes of the individual modes in the output mode set. These steps are then repeated for each addition reflector in the chain. In each of these cases the previous Gaussian beam set provides the input field for the current calculation. Details of the four steps discussed above will be discussed. Examples will compare results from the Gaussian beam approach to pure physical optics, illustrating both its merits and limitations. Hybrid approaches capable of eliminating some of the limitations will also be discussed.

Hoppe, D. J.↗

Modeling of three-dimensional mixing and reacting ducted flows

A computer code, based upon a finite element solution algorithm, was developed to solve the governing equations for three-dimensional, reacting boundary region, and constant area ducted flow fields. Effective diffusion coefficients are employed to allow analyses of turbulent, transitional or laminar flows. The code was used to investigate mixing and reacting hydrogen jets injected from multiple orifices, transverse and parallel to a supersonic air stream. Computational results provide a three-dimensional description of velocity, temperature, and species-concentration fields downstream of injection. Experimental data for eight cases covering different injection conditions and geometries were modeled using mixing length theory (MLT). These results were used as a baseline for examining the relative merits of other mixing models. Calculations were made using a two-equation turbulence model (k+d) and comparisons were made between experiment and mixing length theory predictions. The k+d model shows only a slight improvement in predictive capability over MLT. Results of an examination of the effect of tensorial transport coefficients on mass and momentum field distribution are also presented. Solutions demonstrating the ability of the code to model ducted flows and parallel strut injection are presented and discussed.

Zelazny, S. W.↗