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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

The Multigrid-Mask Numerical Method for Solution of Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations

A multigrid-mask method for solution of incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variable form has been developed. The main objective is to apply this method in conjunction with the pseudospectral element method solving flow past multiple objects. There are two key steps involved in calculating flow past multiple objects. The first step utilizes only Cartesian grid points. This homogeneous or mask method step permits flow into the interior rectangular elements contained in objects, but with the restriction that the velocity for those Cartesian elements within and on the surface of an object should be small or zero. This step easily produces an approximate flow field on Cartesian grid points covering the entire flow field. The second or heterogeneous step corrects the approximate flow field to account for the actual shape of the objects by solving the flow field based on the local coordinates surrounding each object and adapted to it. The noise occurring in data communication between the global (low frequency) coordinates and the local (high frequency) coordinates is eliminated by the multigrid method when the Schwarz Alternating Procedure (SAP) is implemented. Two dimensional flow past circular and elliptic cylinders will be presented to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed method. An interesting phenomenon is found that when the second elliptic cylinder is placed in the wake of the first elliptic cylinder a traction force results in a negative drag coefficient.

Ku, Hwar-Ching↗

A laser velocimeter flow survey above a stalled wing

A laser velocimeter operating in the backscatter mode was used to survey the flow about a stalled wing installed in the Langley V/STOL tunnel. Mean velocities and magnitudes of velocity fluctuations were calculated from measurements of two orthogonal components of velocity. Free shear mixing layers above and below a large separated flow region were defined. Velocity power spectra were calculated at two points in the flow field. The flow-field survey was carried out about a rectangular aspect-ratio-8 wing with an airfoil section. The wing angle of attack was 19.4 deg, the Mach number was 0.148, and the nominal Reynolds number was 1 x 1 million.

Young, W. H., Jr.↗

Test verification of a turbofan partial swirl afterburner

Flamespreading velocities exceeding conventional turbulent flamespreading values were demonstrated in a strong centrifugal flow field. This centrifugal flow field flamespreading concept was integrated into an F100 turbofan engine afterburner by introducing swirling airflow into the afterburner. Successful tests were conducted on F100 Engine P072 at sea level and at altitude conditions in a test chamber. This paper summarizes the design approach, engine design verification tests and performance data. Engine tests showed the swirl afterburner increased fuel-air capability improving combustion stability at adverse conditions for combustion in the engine flight envelope. No engine performance or durability degradation was observed.

Hanloser, K. J.↗

Computation of three-dimensional shock-wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction flows

Solutions of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, employing a two-equation turbulence model, are presented and compared with measurements from a series of supersonic shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction experiments. The test flows include swept-compression corners and axisymmetric bodies with either skewed or segmented conical flares. The solutions correctly predict all major qualitative features of the flow field. However, for flow fields with large separated zones, significant quantitative differences are observed between the computed and experimental results. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

Horstman, C. C.↗

Viscous transonic flow computation over Space Shuttle configuration

A thin-layer Navier-Stokes code capable of predicting steady-state viscous flows is applied to the transonic flow over a Space Shuttle configuration. The code is written in the generalized coordinate system, and the grid-generation code of Fujii (1983) is used for the discretization of the flow field. The flow-field computation is done using the CRAY 1S computer at NASA Ames. The computed result is physically reasonable, even though no experimental data is available for the comparison purpose.

Fujii, K.↗

Study of cluster formation and its effects on Rayleigh and Raman scattering measurements in a Mach 6 wind tunnel

Using a frequency-doubled Nd-YAG pulsed laser and a single-intensified CCD camera, Rayleigh scattering measurements have been performed to study the cluster formation in a Mach 6 wind tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. These studies were conducted both in the free stream and in a model flow field for various flow conditions to gain an understanding of the dependence of the Rayleigh scattering (by clusters) on the local pressures and temperatures in the facility. Using the same laser system, simultaneous measurements of the local temperature have also been performed using the rotational Raman scattering of molecular nitrogen and determined the densities of molecular oxygen and nitrogen by using the vibrational Raman scattering from these species. Quantitative results are presented in detail with emphasis on the applicability of the Rayleigh scattering for obtaining quantitative measurements of molecular densities both in the free stream and in the model flow field.

Shirinzadeh, B.↗

Three dimensional flows in multistage compressors

Current multi-stage turbomachinery design/analysis methods are based on a time-averaged, axisymmetric representation of the flow field. The actual flow field is asymmetric and unsteady due to blade row interactions. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes solvers are limited to single-stage machines for existing computers. Therefore, advanced multi-stage compressors will operate far off-design for portions of the flight regime. The objectives are to provide an experimentally validated average-passage calculation of multistage compressor blade row interactions and an experimentally validated time-accurate calculation of multi-stage compressor blade row interactions. Various aspects of this investigation are presented in viewgraph form.

Hathaway, Michael D.↗

Numerical Analysis of Intra-Cavity and Power-Stream Flow Interaction in Multiple Gas-Turbine Disk-Cavities

A numerical analysis methodology and solutions of the interaction between the power stream and multiply-connected multi-cavity sealed secondary flow fields are presented. Flow solutions for a multi-cavity experimental rig were computed and compared with experimental data of Daniels and Johnson. The flow solutions illustrate the complex coupling between the main-path and the cavity flows as well as outline the flow thread that exists throughout the subplatform multiple cavities and seals. The analysis also shows that the de-coupled solutions on single cavities is inadequate. The present results show trends similar to the T-700 engine data that suggests the changes in the CDP seal altered the flow fields throughout the engine and affected the engine performance.

Athavale, M. M.↗

Study of Cluster Formation and its Effects on Rayleigh and Raman Scattering Measurements in a Mach 6 Wind Tunnel

Using a frequency-doubled Nd-YAG pulsed laser and a single-intensified CCD camera, Rayleigh scattering measurements have been performed to study the cluster formation in a Mach 6 wind tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center. These studies were conducted both in the free stream and in a model flow field for various flow conditions to gain an understanding of the dependence of the Rayleigh scattering (by clusters) on the local pressures and temperatures in the facility. Using the same laser system, we have also performed simultaneous measurements of the local temperature using the rotational Raman scattering of molecular nitrogen and determined the densities of molecular oxygen and nitrogen by using the vibrational Raman scattering from these species. Quantitative results will be presented in detail with emphasis on the applicability of the Rayleigh scattering for obtaining quantitative measurements of molecular densities both in the free stream and in the model flow field.

Shirinzadeh, B.↗

Experimental results on a wall interference correction method with interface measurements

A wall interference assessment and correction method for subsonic two-dimensional wind tunnel testing is presented. This method calculates a pressure coefficient and angle of attack correction based on velocity measurements on interfaces inside of the wind tunnel. A mathematical representation of the test article is not required. An experimental verification of the suggested technique is given. A NACA 0012 airfoil is tested at a Mach number of 0.70 and at two different angles of attack. Calculated blockage corrections show reasonable agreement with results based on Hackett's method. Corrected surface pressures compare favorably to free-air flow field data if the tunnel flow field is subsonic. The present wall interference correction method can be applied to transonic tunnel flow fields with some restrictions. Errors are estimated and it is shown that the expected error in calculating the pressure coefficient correction on the model surface is in the order of the error of pressure coefficient measurement on interfaces. Necessary testing equipment in existing tunnels can easily be modified if the present method is applied.

Lo, C. F.↗

Transport Analysis & Optimization in a MW-Scale CO2 Electrolyzer (Final Report)

As Twelve continues to scale up their CO2 electrolyzers, both in the size of a single cell and in the number of cells used in a stack, thermal management becomes a growing concern, since excess heat can affect reaction yield and accelerate degradation. In this project, we aim to computationally explore how the anode flow fields used in Twelve’s CO2 electrolyzers function as heat exchangers. In particular, using a homogenized model of a CO2 electrolyzer, we first estimate the amount of heat generated in a cell. Then, we develop a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the so-called “flow field”, i.e. a flow manifold, based on Twelve’s CAD drawings, to evaluate how these flow fields perform as a heat exchanger for the generated heat. We explore both a single cell and a 3-cell stack operating in parallel, where heat generated in one cell can now be transferred to another cell. We evaluate how performance is affected when environmental heat losses are taken into account. Finally, we leverage topology optimization to explore the types of design features a computational optimization algorithm would suggest to supplement our intuition. Overall, our work aims to provide design recommendations for CO2 electrolyzer flow fields and provides a foundation for future studies of flow field optimization.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Measurements of store forces and moments and cavity pressures for a generic store in and near a box cavity at subsonic and transonic speeds

An experimental force and moment study was conducted in the Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel for a generic store in and near rectangular box cavities contained in a flat-plate configuration at subsonic and transonic speeds. Surface pressures were measured inside the cavities and on the flat plate. The length-to-height ratios were 5.42, 6.25, 10.83, and 12.50. The corresponding width-to-height ratios were 2.00, 2.00, 4.00, and 4.00. The free-stream Mach number range was from 0.20 to 0.95. Surface pressure measurements inside the cavities indicated that the flow fields for the shallow cavities were either closed or transitional near the transitional/closed boundary. For the deep cavities, the flow fields were either open or near the open/transitional boundary. The presence of the store did not change the type of flow field and had only small effects on the pressure distributions. For transitional or open transitional flow fields, increasing the free-stream Mach number resulted in large reductions in pitching-moment coefficient. Values of pitching-moment coefficient were always much greater for closed flow fields than for open flow fields.

Stallings, Robert L., Jr.↗

Field Effect Flow Control in a Polymer T-Intersection Microfluidic Network

We present a study of induced pressure pumping in a polymer microchannel due to differential electroosmotic flow @OF) rates via field-effect flow control (FEFC). The experimental results demonstrate that the induced pressure pumping is dependent on the distance of the FEFC gate from the cathodic gate. A proposed flow model based on a linearly-decaying zeta potential profile is found to successfully predict experimental trends.

Sniadecki, Nathan J.↗

Doppler global velocimetry

A new program to develop a Doppler Global Velocimeter (DGV) for application in the High angle-of-Attack Technology Program is discussed. The Flight research instrument system will make non-intrusive multicomponent velocity measurements of the vortical flow field around an aircraft in flight. The DGV will provide a means to obtain airborne experimental data to evaluate and refine computational fluid dynamic models and to correlate with wind-tunnel data sets. The primary use of the instrument system will be to provide a flexible research tool to map the 3D velocity field at various locations around an aircraft during high angle-of-attack maneuvers at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds. Other potential applications may include shock definition and interactions, external stores flow interactions, rotary flow field definition, non-steady flow field definition, measurement of inlet and duct flow field, and measurement of hypersonic flow field in flight.

Usry, Jim↗

Laser velocimetry in highly three-dimensional and vortical flows

The need for experimentally determined 3-D velocity information is crucial to the understanding of highly 3-dimensional and vortical flow fields. In addition to gaining an understanding of the physics of flow fields, a correlation of velocity data is needed for advanced computational modelling. A double pass method for acquiring 3-D flow field information using a 2-D laser velocimeter (LV) is described. The design and implementation of a 3-D LV with expanded capabilities to acquire real-time 3-D flow field information are also described. Finally, the use of such an instrument in a wind tunnel study of a generic fighter configuration is described. The results of the wind tunnel study highlight the complexities of 3-D flow fields, particularly when the vortex behavior is examined over a range of angles of attack.

Novak, C. J.↗

Transonic analysis of the F-16A with under-wing fuel tanks - An application of the TranAir full-potential code

Initial results obtained using the TranAir transonic full-potential code are presented for a fully configured F-16A geometry, including two 370-gal under-wing fuel tanks, at freestream Mach numbers of 0.6 and 0.9 and angle of attack of 4 deg. The geometry is modeled using surface panels, and the flow field is defined by a rectangular array of flow-field grid points. The paneled geometry is embedded within this rectangular flow field. By avoiding the use of surface-conforming flow-field grids, the modeling generality afforded by surface panels can be utilized to analyze very complex configurations in the transonic flow regime.

Madson, Michael D.↗

Synthetic Jets in Quiescent Air

An oscillatory jet with zero net mass flow is generated by a cavity-pumping actuator. Among the three test cases selected for the Langley CFD validation workshop to assess the current CFD capabilities to predict unsteady flow fields, this basic oscillating jet flow field is the least complex and is selected as the first test case. Increasing in complexity, two more cases studied include jet in cross flow boundary layer and unsteady flow induced by suction and oscillatory blowing with separation control geometries. In this experiment, velocity measurements from three different techniques, hot-wire anemometry, Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), documented the synthetic jet flow field. To provide boundary conditions for computations, the experiment also monitored the actuator operating parameters including diaphragm displacement, internal cavity pressure, and internal cavity temperature.

Yao, C. S.↗

A Novel Approach for Reducing Rotor Tip-Clearance Induced Noise in Turbofan Engines

Rotor tip-clearance induced noise, both in the form of rotor self noise and rotor-stator interaction noise , constitutes a significant component of total fan noise. Innovative yet cost effective techniques to suppress rotor-generated noise are, therefore, of foremost importance for improving the noise signature of turbofan engines. To that end, the feasibility of a passive porous treatment strategy to positively modify the tip-clearance flow field is addressed. The present study is focused on accurate viscous flow calculations of the baseline and the treated rotor flow fields. Detailed comparison between the computed baseline solution and experimental measurements shows excellent agreement. Tip-vortex structure, trajectory, strength, and other relevant aerodynamic quantities are extracted from the computed database. Extensive comparison between the untreated and treated tip-clearance flow fields is performed. The effectiveness of the porous treatment for altering the rotor-tip vortex flow field in general and reducing the intensity of the tip vortex, in particular, is demonstrated. In addition, the simulated flow field for the treated tip clearly shows that substantial reduction in the intensity of both the shear layer roll-up and boundary layer separation on the wall is achieved.

Khorrami, Mehdi R.↗