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At least 109 records · Page 6

Design of a variable area diffuser for a 15-inch Mach 6 open-jet tunnel

The Langley 15-inch Mach 6 High Temperature Tunnel was recently converted from a Mach 10 Hypersonic Flow Apparatus. This conversion was effected to improve the capability of testing in Mach 6 air at relatively high reservoir temperatures not previously possible at Langley. Elevated temperatures allow the matching of the Mach numbers, Reynolds numbers, and ratio of wall-to-adiabatic-wall temperatures (TW/Taw) between this and the Langley 20-inch Mach 6 CF4 Tunnel. This ratio is also matched for Langley's 31-inch Mach 10 Tunnel and is an important parameter useful in the simulation of slender bodies such as National Aerospace Plane (NASP) configurations currently being studied. Having established the nozzle's operating characteristics, the decision was made to install another test section to provide model injection capability. This test section is an open-jet type, with an injection system capable of injecting a model from retracted position to nozzle centerline between 0.5 and 2 seconds. Preliminary calibrations with the new test section resulted in Tunnel blockage. This blockage phenomenon was eliminated when the conical center body in the diffuser was replaced. The issue then, is to provide a new and more efficient variable area diffuser configuration with the capability to withstand testing of larger models without sending the Tunnel into an unstart condition. Use of the 1-dimensional steady flow equation with due regard to friction and heat transfer was employed to estimate the required area ratios (exit area / throat area) in a variable area diffuser. Correlations between diffuser exit Mach number and area ratios, relative to the stagnation pressure ratios and diffuser inlet Mach number were derived. From these correlations, one can set upper and lower operating pressures and temperatures for a given diffuser throat area. In addition, they will provide appropriate input conditions for the full 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code for further simulation studies.

Loney, Norman W.↗

Use of the Aromascan(TM) Instrument for Nonsubjective Evaluation of Rodent Spaceflight Hardware

This report describes the verification and utilization of the AromaScan(TM) (Hollis, NH) instrument for the ground-based evaluation of odor containment by various spaceflight habitats developed at NASA's Ames Research Center (ARC). The AromaScan(TM) instrument is an electronic odor detection system consisting of 32 polymer sensors that respond differentially to 10 different chemical groups present in an air sample. The AromaScan(TM) system also includes neural network software for constructing a database of known odors, against which an unknown odor can be compared. At present, the standard method for characterizing rodent odor containment during the development and testing of spaceflight hardware is the use of a human odor assessment panel. However, this can be a very time consuming and costly process, and the results are inherently subjective. The AromaScan(TM) system should produce more consistent and objective results, as well as a cost savings in the long term. To test and verify the AromaScan(TM) instrument, daily air samples will be collected from the exhaust port of rodent habitats, during experiment development tests, then injected into the instrument and used to create a database of recognizable odors. Human sniff tests will be performed in conjunction with the AromaScan(TM) analysis, and the results will be correlated. We will then teach the neural network to differentiate between an acceptable and an unacceptable odor profile, as defined by the human sniff test, and to be able to accurately identify an odor that would not pass a sniff panel. The results of our efforts will be to verify that the AromaScan(TM) system is a valuable alternative to human sniff panel assessments for the early iterative process of designing and testing rodent waste filters for spaceflight. Acceptance by a human panel will remain one of the final criteria for successful rodent habitat development.

Scribner, K. A.↗

Custom Unit Pump Design and Testing for the EVA PLSS

This paper describes the effort by the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and Honeywell for NASA to design and test a pre-flight prototype pump for use in the Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) portable life support subsystem (PLSS). Major design decisions were driven by the need to reduce the pump s mass, power, and volume compared to the existing PLSS pump. In addition, the pump must accommodate a much wider range of abnormal conditions than the existing pump, including vapor/gas bubbles and increased pressure drop when employed to cool two suits simultaneously. A positive displacement, external gear type pump was selected because it offers the most compact and highest efficiency solution over the required range of flow rates and pressure drops. An additional benefit of selecting a gear pump design is that it is self priming and capable of ingesting non-condensable gas without becoming air locked. The chosen pump design consists of a 28 V DC, brushless, sealless, permanent magnet motor driven, external gear pump that utilizes a Honeywell development that eliminates the need for magnetic coupling. Although the planned flight unit will use a sensorless motor with custom designed controller, the pre-flight prototype to be provided for this project incorporates Hall effect sensors, allowing an interface with a readily available commercial motor controller. This design approach reduced the cost of this project and gives NASA more flexibility in future PLSS laboratory testing. The pump design was based on existing Honeywell designs, but incorporated features specifically for the PLSS application, including all of the key features of the flight pump. Testing at TEES verified that the pump meets the design requirements for range of flow rates, pressure drop, power consumption, working fluid temperature, operating time, gas ingestion , and restart capability under both ambient and vacuum conditions. The pump operated between 40 and 240 lbm/hr flowrate, 35 to 100 F pump temperature range, and 5 to 10 psid pressure rise. Power consumption of the pump controller at the nominal operating point in both ambient and vacuum conditions was 9.5 W, which was less than the 12 W predicted. Gas ingestion capabilities were tested by injecting 100 cc of air into the fluid line; the pump operated normally throughout this test. The test results contained a number of anomalies, specifically power increases and a few flow stoppages, that prompted TEES and Honeywell to disassemble and inspect the pump. Inspection indicated contamination in the pump and fit issues may have played roles in the observed anomalies. Testing following reassembly indicated that the performance of the pump 1) matched both the predicted performance values, 2) the performance values measured prior to disassembly, and 3) was free of the anomalies noted in the pre-disassembly testing.

Schuller, Michael↗

Custom Unit Pump Development for the EVA PLSS

This paper describes the effort by the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) and Honeywell for NASA to design and test a pre-flight prototype pump for use in the Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) portable life support subsystem (PLSS). Major design decisions were driven by the need to reduce the pump s mass, power, and volume compared to the existing PLSS pump. In addition, the pump must accommodate a much wider range of abnormal conditions than the existing pump, including vapor/gas bubbles and increased pressure drop when employed to cool two suits simultaneously. A positive displacement, external gear type pump was selected because it offers the most compact and highest efficiency solution over the required range of flow rates and pressure drops. An additional benefit of selecting a gear pump design is that it is self priming and capable of ingesting non-condensable gas without becoming air locked. The chosen pump design consists of a 28 V DC, brushless, seal-less, permanent magnet motor driven, external gear pump that utilizes a Honeywell development that eliminates the need for magnetic coupling. The pump design was based on existing Honeywell designs, but incorporated features specifically for the PLSS application, including all of the key features of the flight pump. Testing at TEES verified that the pump meets the design requirements for range of flow rates, pressure drop, power consumption, working fluid temperature, operating time, gas ingestion, and restart capability under both ambient and vacuum conditions. The pump operated at 40 to 240 lbm/hr flow rate, 35 to 100 oF pump temperature, and 5 to 10 psid pressure rise. Power consumption of the pump controller at the nominal operating point in both ambient and vacuum conditions was 9.5 W, which was less than the 12 W predicted. Gas ingestion capabilities were tested by injecting 100 cc of air into the fluid line; the pump operated normally throughout this test.

Schuller, Michael↗

Active Control of Rotating Stall Demonstrated for a Multistage Compressor With Inlet Distortion

Aircraft compressors can suffer debilitating consequences as a result of rotating stall and surge events caused by inlet distortions. This is particularly true of aircraft during takeoff, when the compressor is operating at peak performance close to the surge line. Significant research has been conducted by the NASA Glenn Research Center in the area of compressor stability enhancement through active and passive control methods. Most recently, an experiment was conducted at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Research Laboratory on a two-stage fan with inlet guide vanes and inlet distortion. In this joint Small Business Innovation Research effort between Scientific Systems and Glenn, control of rotating stall was demonstrated in a multistage transonic fan. This twostage fan with inlet guide vanes was tested under clean and distorted inlet conditions. The compressor was also configured with a circumferential distortion screen capable of 180 of distortion and with 14 high-velocity injectors upstream of the first rotor. Twelve of these injectors could oscillate up to frequencies of 450 Hz. The additional two injectors were located next to each other and were used in concert with each other as a single, on/off, high-authority actuator. In a first test of injection in this multistage environment, 12 of the valves were opened 50 percent of their full stroke to assess steady injection through the compressor. This baseline injection is shown in the compressor characteristic of the following figure, and stall margin improvements are tracked from this baseline condition. The compressor was then tested with clean inlet conditions using 12 injectors and active control. Pressure disturbances were tracked before rotating stall, and a constant gain control scheme reduced the stalling mass flow by 10.8 percent over the baseline. With the distortion screen present in the inlet, a pole-zero cancellation control scheme was used to achieve a 6.4-percent decrease in stalling mass flow. These improvements also are shown in the figure. In a final experiment, actively controlled, high-frequency injection from the 12 valves was used in conjunction with the high-authority actuators. In this test, the stalling mass flow of the compressor was reduced by 27 percent as indicated in the graph. These results were obtained by injecting less than 2 percent of the total compressor throughflow into the rotor tip region via 14 injection ports. These results mark the first successful demonstration of actively controlled air injection as a stall-control strategy for multistage compressors operating at speeds typical of an actual gas turbine engine. A goal of continuing research is to determine the combination of air-injection parameters and control strategies that are most effective in providing stall control for both clean and distorted inlet flow conditions for multistage environments. Other goals include the demonstration of stall control at many locations along the core compressor and development and application of active stall control strategies that will be integral flightworthy components of onboard engine hardware.

VanSchalkwyk, Christian↗

Experimental Study of an Axisymmetric Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle for Supersonic Aircraft Application

An axisymmetric version of the Dual Throat Nozzle concept with a variable expansion ratio has been studied to determine the impacts on thrust vectoring and nozzle performance. The nozzle design, applicable to a supersonic aircraft, was guided using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics code, PAB3D. The axisymmetric Dual Throat Nozzle concept was tested statically in the Jet Exit Test Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. The nozzle geometric design variables included circumferential span of injection, cavity length, cavity convergence angle, and nozzle expansion ratio for conditions corresponding to take-off and landing, mid climb and cruise. Internal nozzle performance and thrust vectoring performance was determined for nozzle pressure ratios up to 10 with secondary injection rates up to 10 percent of the primary flow rate. The 60 degree span of injection generally performed better than the 90 degree span of injection using an equivalent injection area and number of holes, in agreement with computational results. For injection rates less than 7 percent, thrust vector angle for the 60 degree span of injection was 1.5 to 2 degrees higher than the 90 degree span of injection. Decreasing cavity length improved thrust ratio and discharge coefficient, but decreased thrust vector angle and thrust vectoring efficiency. Increasing cavity convergence angle from 20 to 30 degrees increased thrust vector angle by 1 degree over the range of injection rates tested, but adversely affected system thrust ratio and discharge coefficient. The dual throat nozzle concept generated the best thrust vectoring performance with an expansion ratio of 1.0 (a cavity in between two equal minimum areas). The variable expansion ratio geometry did not provide the expected improvements in discharge coefficient and system thrust ratio throughout the flight envelope of typical a supersonic aircraft. At mid-climb and cruise conditions, the variable geometry design compromised thrust vector angle achieved, but some thrust vector control would be available, potentially for aircraft trim. The fixed area, expansion ratio of 1.0, Dual Throat Nozzle provided the best overall compromise for thrust vectoring and nozzle internal performance over the range of NPR tested compared to the variable geometry Dual Throat Nozzle.

Flamm, Jeffrey D.↗

Utah FORGE 2439: Well 16B(78)-32 Field-Test Data from Mini-Frac Tests

This submittal includes the field-test data collected during stress tests conducted in the Utah FORGE 16B(78)-32 wellbore to measure/characterize the stresses in the geothermal reservoir. The type of stress test performed is referred to as a mini-frac test or a micro-frac test. The test is a hydraulic fracture test that involves injecting a small volume of water into a short interval of the reservoir that is isolated by a straddle packer to create a fracture. The test provides information about the minimum and maximum horizontal stress at the test depths. A total of seven mini-frac tests were performed within the upper (vertical or nearly vertical) section of the 9-5/8-inch diameter uncased wellbore, between depths of 5,202 ft MD [5,202 ft TVD] and 5,980 ft MD [5966.18 ft TVD]. Two types of data were generated as part of the mini-frac tests. The first type of data is time-series data for each mini-frac test (e.g., injection-rate, test-interval pressure), and are contained in the "Mini-Frac Test Data.zip" file below. The second type is geophysical log data, attached below in the "Geophysical Logs.zip" file. Here, two types of image logs and acoustic logs were obtained before and after the mini-frac tests to examine each test depth for visual evidence of induced fracture(s) and to measure the azimuth (orientation) of any observed fractures. The attached Readme file includes the test depth information and contents of each data file included here. Analysis of the field-test data was conducted and is documented in the attached report below.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Surface and Flow Field Measurements on the FAITH Hill Model

A series of experimental tests, using both qualitative and quantitative techniques, were conducted to characterize both surface and off-surface flow characteristics of an axisymmetric, modified-cosine-shaped, wall-mounted hill named "FAITH" (Fundamental Aero Investigates The Hill). Two separate models were employed: a 6" high, 18" base diameter machined aluminum model that was used for wind tunnel tests and a smaller scale (2" high, 6" base diameter) sintered nylon version that was used in the water channel facility. Wind tunnel and water channel tests were conducted at mean test section speeds of 165 fps (Reynolds Number based on height = 500,000) and 0.1 fps (Reynolds Number of 1000), respectively. The ratio of model height to boundary later height was approximately 3 for both tests. Qualitative techniques that were employed to characterize the complex flow included surface oil flow visualization for the wind tunnel tests, and dye injection for the water channel tests. Quantitative techniques that were employed to characterize the flow included Cobra Probe to determine point-wise steady and unsteady 3D velocities, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to determine 3D velocities and turbulence statistics along specified planes, Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) to determine mean surface pressures, and Fringe Imaging Skin Friction (FISF) to determine surface skin friction (magnitude and direction). This initial report summarizes the experimental set-up, techniques used, data acquired and describes some details of the dataset that is being constructed for use by other researchers, especially the CFD community. Subsequent reports will discuss the data and their interpretation in more detail

Bell, James H.↗

NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging (NEPP) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Single Event Effects (SEE) Test Guideline Update

The following are updated or new subjects added to the FPGA SEE Test Guidelines manual: academic versus mission specific device evaluation, single event latch-up (SEL) test and analysis, SEE response visibility enhancement during radiation testing, mitigation evaluation (embedded and user-implemented), unreliable design and its affects to SEE Data, testing flushable architectures versus non-flushable architectures, intellectual property core (IP Core) test and evaluation (addresses embedded and user-inserted), heavy-ion energy and linear energy transfer (LET) selection, proton versus heavy-ion testing, fault injection, mean fluence to failure analysis, and mission specific system-level single event upset (SEU) response prediction. Most sections within the guidelines manual provide information regarding best practices for test structure and test system development. The scope of this manual addresses academic versus mission specific device evaluation and visibility enhancement in IP Core testing.

Test guidelines↗

NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Field Programmable Gate Array Single Event Effects Test Guideline Update

The following are updated or new subjects added to the FPGA SEE Test Guidelines manual: academic versus mission specific device evaluation, single event latch-up (SEL) test and analysis, SEE response visibility enhancement during radiation testing, mitigation evaluation (embedded and user-implemented), unreliable design and its affects to SEE Data, testing flushable architectures versus non-flushable architectures, intellectual property core (IP Core) test and evaluation (addresses embedded and user-inserted), heavy-ion energy and linear energy transfer (LET) selection, proton versus heavy-ion testing, fault injection, mean fluence to failure analysis, and mission specific system-level single event upset (SEU) response prediction. Most sections within the guidelines manual provide information regarding best practices for test structure and test system development. The scope of this manual addresses academic versus mission specific device evaluation and visibility enhancement in IP Core testing.

Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)↗

Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) Simulation Techniques for Digital Twin Representation of an Electrical Cable

Simulation of cable system response to frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) tests can be instrumental to understanding these tests and the nature and influence of various cable anomalies on test signatures. Reflectometry simulations are based upon a finite element representation of cable conductors and insulation to produce an S-parameter at each evaluated frequency. The aggregate collection of cable model S-parameters can simulate the influence on a test signal injected into a physical cable. Such an approach was undertaken in this work to produce a digital twin simulation of a low-voltage electrical cable. The electrical cable digital twin examined the influence of test simulation parameters and the relative influence of cable anomalies, including thermal aging, water or moisture exposure, water or moisture ingress, and other anomalies. The digital twin in this work included modeling of the conductors, insulation, jacket, and surrounding environment (air, water, etc.). The digital twin could be expanded to include cable bends, junctions and splices, branch or T systems, and termination impedances of motors or instruments. Observations and conclusions of this work include: 1. Fully 3D digital twin simulation of an electrical cable using an FDR approach is possible. However, there are tradeoffs between simulation fidelity and solution time, which must be balanced to ensure the simulation solves in an adequate amount of time (e.g., less than 20 minutes). Simulation parameters to balance include frequency bandwidth, number of frequencies, mesh density, connection impedance, and permittivity tolerance. 2. The digital twin simulation can explain FDR sensitivity to various cable anomalies, including entry and exit from an oven or water bath. 3. The digital twin simulation FDR response attenuates with distance along the cable and is further affected by the frequency bandwidth, which is similar to that observed with physical measurements. 4. The resolution of the digital twin FDR peaks increased with increasing bandwidth and with increasing number of frequencies, again similar to physical measurements. 5. The presence of multiple anomalies in the digital twin does not substantially attenuate the FDR response to anomalies located beyond the first encountered anomaly and impedance mismatch. 6. Spectral variation of the permittivity did not have a significant effect on the FDR response compared to a fixed nominal value. 7. Extension of the digital twin to 1000 ft still allowed for detection of distal anomalies near the far end of the electrical cable from the instrument connection point. 8. The ARENA test bed facilitates efficient NDE evaluations of well understood cable anomalies with various NDE methods without risking actual plant damage.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

An Overview of Research Activity at the Launch Systems Testbed

This paper summarizes the acoustic testing and analysis activities at the Launch System Testbed (LST) of Kennedy Space Center (KSC). A major goal is to develop passive methods of mitigation of sound from rocket exhaust jets with ducted systems devoid of traditional water injection. Current testing efforts are concerned with the launch-induced vibroacoustic behavior of scaled exhaust jets. Numerical simulations are also developed to study the sound propagation from supersonic jets in free air and through enclosed ducts. Scaling laws accounting for the effects of important parameters such as jet Mach number, jet velocity, and jet temperature on the far-field noise are investigated in order to deduce full-scale environment from small-scale tests.

Vu, Bruce↗

Fluid property and operational effects on swirl injector atomization

Results of atomization tests of rocket injection elements are correlated in terms of the test fluid properties and the injection element operating conditions. The type of element modeled has a central, swirling liquid oxidizer flow; and a coaxial, axial gaseous fuel flow. Results of the correlations describe the effect of geometry, fluid properties, and operating conditions on liquid atomization. The ranges of test conditions allow reasonable extrapolation to actual high-pressure engine operating conditions. At such conditions, the swirl element should produce exceptionally finely-atomized and well-distributed spray for high combustion performance. United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) completed a test program to measure fluid spray atomization, in terms of droplet size and droplet size distributions, for swirling-flow injection elements. Element sizes and dimensions covered ranges of dimensions representative of typical cryogenic (O2/H2) liquid rocket engine practice. Relevant dimensions include the element diameter, the tangential-entry metering slot length, and the coastal fuel slot radial gap. Test fluids included water, simulated Jet-A, and Freon 113. These fluids cover ranges of properties which include or approach those of liquid oxygen. Gaseous nitrogen simulated the coaxial gaseous hydrogen fuel flow.

Cox, G. B., Jr.↗

Evaluation of scramjet combustor performance using cold nonreactive mixing tests

Results of cold supersonic ducted mixing tests are presented and compared with results of hot mixing and combustion tests obtained using the same apparatus. Two strut injectors are evaluated, one with injectors parallel to the free-stream direction and one with perpendicular injectors. Detailed flow surveys are used to determine the degree of mixing accomplished in the cold flow tests. In the hot flow tests, the amount of mixing and reaction is inferred from survey data and comparison of wall static pressures with one-dimensional flow calculations. These comparisons show that cold mixing results can be used to predict combustion results. In some cases, such as the normal injection strut tested, cold mixing efficiency and combustion efficiency are identical. In other cases, transport models developed from cold flow results can be applied to predict the effects of higher temperature mixing and reaction. Cold flow surveys are also used to determine detailed flow characteristics not readily measured in hot flows.

Mcclinton, C. R.↗