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At least 109 records · Page 6

On the Numerical Convergence to Steady State of Hypersonic Flows Over Bodies with Concavities

Two recent numerical studies of hypersonic flows over bodies with concavities revealed problems with convergence to a steady state with an oft-used application of local-time-stepping. Both simulated flows showed a time-like, periodic shedding of vortices in a subsonic domain bounded by supersonic external flow although the simulations, using local-time-stepping, were not time accurate. Simple modifications to the numerical algorithm were implemented to enable implicit, first-order accurate in time simulations. Subsequent time-accurate simulations of the two test problems converged to a steady state. The baseline algorithm and modifications for temporal accuracy are described. The requirement for sub-iterations to achieve convergence is demonstrated. Failure to achieve convergence without time accuracy is conjectured to arise from temporal errors being continuously refocused into a subsonic domain.

Gnoffo, Peter A.↗

Evaluation of thermochemical models for particle and continuum simulations of hypersonic flow

Computations are presented for one-dimensional, strong shock waves that are typical of those that form in front of a reentering spacecraft. The fluid mechanics and thermochemistry are modeled using two different approaches. The first employs traditional continuum techniques in solving the Navier-Stokes equations. The second approach employs a particle simulation technique (the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, DSMC). The thermochemical models employed in these two techniques are quite different. The present investigation presents an evaluation of thermochemical models for nitrogen under hypersonic flow conditions. Four separate cases are considered that are dominated in turn by vibrational relaxation, weak dissociation, strong dissociation and weak ionization. In near-continuum, hypersonic flow, the nonequilibrium thermochemical models employed in continuum and particle simulations produce nearly identical solutions. Further, the two approaches are evaluated successfully against available experimental data for weakly and strongly dissociating flows.

Boyd, Iain D.↗

The simulation of hypersonic flow using a zonal approach

The development of a Navier-Stokes code for the simulation of hypersonic flow will be described. The code uses a zonal philosophy which helps alleviate the grid generation problem for complex configurations and allows an efficient solution procedure. The code has been used to simulate equilibrium flow past a simple generic hypersonic configuration. Validation of the code on a blunt cone has also been conducted.

Flores, Jolen↗

A 3-D Nodal-Averaged Gradient Approach for Unstructured-Grid Cell-Centered Finite-Volume Methods for Application to Turbulent Hypersonic Flow

A 2-D nodal weighted least-squares gradient method and a related face-averaged nodal gradient approach that were developed for use with triangular grids are extended to 3-D for use with tetrahedral grids. In addition, a method, developed in 2-D, to stabilize the iterative convergence of these methods on quadrilateral cells is described and extended to 3-D and remedies are investigated to determine the nodal gradient averaging approach most suitable for use with grids made up of hexahedral, prismatic, pyramidal and tetrahedral cells. Moreover, due to an interest in hypersonic flow, a robust multidimensional gradient limiter procedure that is consistent with the stencil used to construct the nodal gradients is described. Finally, we demonstrate that the resulting 3-D methods are sufficiently robust for use in scramjet computations through the solution of three canonical turbulent hypersonic flow problems as well as a physically realistic 3-D scramjet inlet geometry.

Jeffery A White↗

Three-Dimensional Aeroelastic and Aerothermoelastic Behavior in Hypersonic Flow

The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic behavior of three-dimensional configurations in hypersonic flow regime are studied. The aeroelastic behavior of a low aspect ratio wing, representative of a fin or control surface on a generic hypersonic vehicle, is examined using third order piston theory, Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics. The sensitivity of the aeroelastic behavior generated using Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics to parameters governing temporal accuracy is also examined. Also, a refined aerothermoelastic model, which incorporates the heat transfer between the fluid and structure using CFD generated aerodynamic heating, is used to examine the aerothermoelastic behavior of the low aspect ratio wing in the hypersonic regime. Finally, the hypersonic aeroelastic behavior of a generic hypersonic vehicle with a lifting-body type fuselage and canted fins is studied using piston theory and Euler aerodynamics for the range of 2.5 less than or equal to M less than or equal to 28, at altitudes ranging from 10,000 feet to 80,000 feet. This analysis includes a study on optimal mesh selection for use with Euler aerodynamics. In addition to the aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented, three time domain flutter identification techniques are compared, namely the moving block approach, the least squares curve fitting method, and a system identification technique using an Auto-Regressive model of the aeroelastic system. In general, the three methods agree well. The system identification technique, however, provided quick damping and frequency estimations with minimal response record length, and therefore o ers significant reductions in computational cost. In the present case, the computational cost was reduced by 75%. The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented illustrate the applicability of the CFL3D code for the hypersonic flight regime.

McNamara, Jack J.↗

Asymmetric hypersonic flow

A general method for the analysis of the inviscid asymmetric hypersonic flow fields enveloping smooth bodies of general shape is given. The method is based on the assumption of a thin shock layer which yields an expression for pressure in generalized Mises coordinates. Numerical results for elliptic cones at angle of attack are shown to compare well with experiments and other theories. The computing logic for a blunt body is described, and a limiting solution at the stagnation point is presented.

Maslen, S. H.↗

NASA Ames's electric arc-driven shock tube facility and research on nonequilibrium phenomena in low density hypersonic flows

Basic requirements for a ground test facility simulating low density hypersonic flows are discussed. Such facilities should be able to produce shock velocities in the range of 10-17 km/sec in an initial pressure of 0.010 to 0.050 Torr. The facility should be equipped with diagnostics systems to be able to measure the emitted radiation, characteristic temperatures and populations in various energy levels. In the light of these requirements, NASA Ames's electric arc-driven low density shock tube facility is described and available experimental diagnostics systems and computational tools are discussed.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

Second-order small disturbance theory for hypersonic flow over power-law bodies

A mathematical method for determining the flow field about power-law bodies in hypersonic flow conditions is developed. The second-order solutions, which reflect the effects of the second-order terms in the equations, are obtained by applying the method of small perturbations in terms of body slenderness parameter to the zeroth-order solutions. The method is applied by writing each flow variable as the sum of a zeroth-order and a perturbation function, each multiplied by the axial variable raised to a power. The similarity solutions are developed for infinite Mach number. All results obtained are for no flow through the body surface (as a boundary condition), but the derivation indicates that small amounts of blowing or suction through the wall can be accommodated.

Townsend, J. C.↗

Effects of nose bluntness and angle of attack on slender bodies in hypersonic flows

The effects of angle of attack and nose bluntness on the flow field and wall quantities are investigated for hypersonic flows of air over slender bodies. The bodies considered are slender cones and straight biconic configurations. The numerical procedures used are based on the solution of complete Navier-Stokes equations in the nose region and parabolized Navier-Stokes equations in the downstream region. Results are obtained for a wide range of free stream conditions in which the gas behind the shock is treated as perfect. The flow field variables and surface quantities show significant differences when the angle of attack and nose bluntness are varied. The postshock flow field is studied in detail from the contour plots of Mach number, density, and temperature. Flow separation is observed on the leeward plane for an on-axis, 12.84 deg/7 deg (fore-cone and aft-cone angles) biconic geometry at 12 deg angle of attack. Also, the windward and leeward heating rates for the fore-cone section decrease by a factor of four and five, respectively, when the nose bluntness is increased by an order of magnitude. The effect of nose bluntness for slender cone persists as far as 200 nose radii downstream.

Tiwari, S. N.↗