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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

Results of tests on a specimen of the SRB aft skirt heat shield curtain in the MSFC LRLF

A full scale segment of the actual Solid Rocket Booster aft skirt heat shield curtain was tested in the Large Radiant Lamp Facility (LRLF) at Marshall Space Flight Center. The curtain was mounted in the horizontal position in the same manner as it is to be mounted on the SRB. A shaker rig was designed and used to provide a motion of the curtain, simulating that to be caused in flight by vehicle acoustics. Thermocouples were used to monitor curtain materials temperatures. Both ascent and reentry heat loads were applied to the test specimen. All aspects of the test setup performed as expected, and the test was declared successful.

Dean, W. G.↗

Development of advanced high-temperature heat flux sensors. Phase 2: Verification testing

A two-phase program is conducted to develop heat flux sensors capable of making heat flux measurements throughout the hot section of gas turbine engines. In Phase 1, three types of heat flux sensors are selected; embedded thermocouple, laminated, and Gardon gauge sensors. A demonstration of the ability of these sensors to operate in an actual engine environment is reported. A segmented liner of each of two combustors being used in the Broad Specification Fuels Combustor program is instrumented with the three types of heat flux sensors then tested in a high pressure combustor rig. Radiometer probes are also used to measure the radiant heat loads to more fully characterize the combustor environment. Test results show the heat flux sensors to be in good agreement with radiometer probes and the predicted data trends. In general, heat flux sensors have strong potential for use in combustor development programs.

Atkinson, W. H.↗

The UH-1H helicopter icing flight test program - An overview

An ongoing joint NASA/Army program to study the effects of ice accretion on unprotected helicopter rotor aerodynamic performance is discussed. This program integrates flight testing, wind tunnel testing, and analytical modeling. Results are discussed for helicopter flight testing in the Canadian NRC hover spray rig facility to measure rotor aero performance degradation and document rotor ice accretion characteristics. The results of dry wind tunnel testing of airfoil sections with artificial ice accretions and predictions of rotor performance degradation using available rotor performance codes and the wind tunnel data are presented. An alternative approach to conducting future helicopter icing flight programs is discussed.

Shaw, R. J.↗

High-temperature erosion of plasma-sprayed, yttria-stabilized zirconia in a simulated turbine environment

A series of rig calibration and high temperature tests simulating gas path seal erosion in turbine engines were performed at three impingement angles and at three downstream locations. Plasma sprayed, yttria stabilized zirconia specimens were tested. Steady state erosion curves presented for 19 test specimens indicate a brittle type of material erosion despite scanning electron microscopy evidence of plastic deformation. Steady state erosion results were not sensitive to downstream location but were sensitive to impingement angle. At different downstream locations specimen surface temperature varied from 1250 to 1600 C (2280 to 2900 F) and particle velocity varied from 260 to 320 m/s (850 to 1050 ft/s). The mass ratio of combustion products to erosive grit material was typically 240.

Handschuh, R. F.↗

Making a Lightweight Battery Plaque

Plaque formed in porous plastic by electroless plating. Lightweight plaque prepared by electroless plating of porous plastic contains embedded wire or expanded metal grid. Plastic may or may not be filled with soluble pore former. If it contains soluble pore former, treated to remove soluble pore former and increase porosity. Porous plastic then clamped into rig that allows plating solutions to flow through plastic. Lightweight nickel plaque used as electrode substrate for alkaline batteries, chiefly Ni and Cd electrodes, and for use as electrolyte-reservoir plates for fuel cells.

Reid, M. A.↗

Flexible-Rotor Balancing Demonstration

Report describes method for balancing high-speed rotors at relatively low speeds and discusses demonstration of method on laboratory test rig. Method ensures rotor brought up to speeds well over 20,000 r/min smoothly, without excessive vibration amplitude at critical speeds or at operating speed.

Giordano, J.↗

Overview of solid particle LV seeding techniques used at UTRC

Due to the failure of existing seeders to meet the stringent specifications required for benchmark experiments in high pressure, high temperature, rapidly accelerating flowfields, an effort is made to improve an existing solid particle seeder. The goal is to produce a more monodisperse seed from the 0.3 micro alumina powder with more than 99 percent of the particles in the submicron range while maintaining a high seeding rate. Coiled-wire inserts are installed within the ends of the nitrogen injection lines in the primary seeder to produce swirling conical jets to vigorously agitate the seed bed. A secondary swirler, constructed from a 25 cm length of 3.8 cm ID steel pipe having threaded end caps, is connected to the output line of the primary seeder. The seeded nitrogen from the primary seeder is injected tangentially at near sonic velocity into the secondary swirler 9.4 cm above its base. Independently controlled auxiliary nitrogen used to increase the swirl in the secondary chamber is also injected tangentially 2.5 cm below the seeded nitrogen lines. Large seed particles are collected by bleeds in the swirler cap and directed overboard. The remaining seeded nitrogen is collected on the center line of the secondary swirler and ducted to the rig.

Patrick, W. P.↗

Hot section viewing system

The objective of the hot section viewing program is to develop a prototype optical system for viewing the interior of a gas turbine combustor during high temperature, high pressure operation in order to produce a visual record of some causes of premature hot section failures. The program began by identifying and analyzing system designs that would provide clearest images while being able to survive the hostile environment inside the combustion chamber. Different illumination methods and computer techniques for image enhancement and analysis were examined during a preliminary test phase. In the final phase of the program the prototype system was designed and fabricated and is currently being tested on a high pressure combustor rig.

Morey, W. W.↗

Turbine blade and vane heat flux sensor development, phase 2

The development of heat flux sensors for gas turbine blades and vanes and the demonstration of heat transfer measurement methods are reported. The performance of the heat flux sensors was evaluated in a cylinder in cross flow experiment and compared with two other heat flux measurement methods, the slug calorimeter and a dynamic method based on fluctuating gas and surface temperature. Two cylinders, each instrumented with an embedded thermocouple sensor, a Gardon gauge, and a slug calorimeter, were fabricated. Each sensor type was calibrated using a quartz lamp bank facility. The instrumented cylinders were then tested in an atmospheric pressure combustor rig at conditions up to gas stream temperatures of 1700K and velocities to Mach 0.74. The test data are compared to other measurements and analytical prediction.

Atkinson, W. H.↗

Liquid droplet radiator program at the NASA Lewis Research Center

The NASA Lewis Research Center and the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) are jointly engaged in a program for technical assessment of the Liquid Droplet Radiator (LDR) concept as an advanced high performance heat ejection component for future space missions. NASA Lewis has responsibility for the technology needed for the droplet generator, for working fluid qualification, and for investigating the physics of droplets in space; NASA Lewis is also conducting systems/mission analyses for potential LDR applications with candidate space power systems. For the droplet generator technology task, both micro-orifice fabrication techniques and droplet stream formation processes have been experimentally investigated. High quality micro-orifices (to 50 micron diameter) are routinely fabricated with automated equipment. Droplet formation studies have established operating boundaries for the generation of controlled and uniform droplet streams. A test rig is currently being installed for the experimental verification, under simulated space conditions, of droplet radiation heat transfer performance analyses and the determination of the effect radiative emissivity of multiple droplet streams. Initial testing has begun in the NASA Lewis Zero-Gravity Facility for investigating droplet stream behavior in microgravity conditions. This includes the effect of orifice wetting on jet dynamics and droplet formation. Results for both Brayton and Stirling power cycles have identified favorable mass and size comparisons of the LDR with conventional radiator concepts.

Presler, A. F.↗

Role of molybdenum in the Na sub 2SO sub 4 induced corrosion of superalloys at high temperatures

Sodium sulfate induced corrosion of a molybdenum containing nickel-base superalloy, Udimet 700, was studied in laboratory furnace tests and in a high velocity (Mach 0.3) burner rig. The effect of SO2 content in the atmosphere on the corrosion behavior in the laboratory furnace tests was determined. Catastrophic corrosion occurs only when the melt contains MoO3 in addition to Na2SO4 and Na2MoO4. The conditions under which catastrophic corrosion occurs are identified and a mechanism is described to explain the catastrophic corrosion.

Misra, A. K.↗

Demonstration test of burner liner strain measuring system

A demonstration test was conducted for two systems of static strain measurement that had been shown to have potential for application jet engine combustors. A modified JT12D combustor was operated in a jet burner test stand while subjected simultaneously to both systems of instrumentation, i.e., Kanthal A-1 wire strain gages and laser speckle photography. A section of the burner was removed for installation and calibration of the wire gages, and welded back into the burner. The burner test rig was modified to provide a viewing port for the laser speckle photography such that the instrumented section could be observed during operation. Six out of ten wire gages survived testing and showed excellent repeatability. The extensive precalibration procedures were shown to be effective in compensating for the large apparent strains associated with these gages. Although all portions of the speckle photography system operated satisfactorily, a problem was encountered in the form of optical inhomogeneities in the hot, high-pressure gas flowing by the combustor case which generate large and random apparent strain distributions.

Stetson, K. A.↗

Recent developments in rotary-balance testing of fighter aircraft configurations at NASA Ames Research Center

Two rotary balance apparatuses were developed for testing airplane models in a coning motion. A large scale apparatus, developed for use in the 12-foot Pressure Wind Tunnel primarily to permit testing at high Reynolds numbers, was recently used to investigate the aerodynamics of 0.05-scale model of the F-15 fighter aircraft. Effects of Reynolds number, spin rate parameter, model attitude, presence of a nose boom, and model/sting mounting angle were investigated. A smaller apparatus, which investigates the aerodynamics of bodies of revolution in a coning motion, was used in the 6-by-6 foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel to investigate the aerodynamic behavior of a simple representation of a modern fighter, the Standard Dynamic Model (SDM). Effects of spin rate parameter and model attitude were investigated. A description of the two rigs and a discussion of some of the results obtained in the respective tests are presented.

Malcolm, G. N.↗

Effects of surface chemistry on hot corrosion life

Burner rig tests were conducted under the following conditions: 900 C, hourly thermal cycling, 0.5 ppm sodium as NaCl in the gas stream, and Mach 0.3 velocity. The alloys tested were Udimet 700 (U700) and Rene 80, uncoated and with RT21, Codep, or NiCoCrAlY coatings. The tests, up to 1000 hours, included specimens in the as-processed condition and after aging at 1100 C in oxidizing or inert environments for up to 600 hours. Coil-inductance changes were measured for periodic nondestructive inspection of speciments and found useful in the following course of corrosion. Typical sulfidation observed in all cases was similar to that observed in service-run turbine components. Aging at 1100 C caused severe decrease in the hot corrosion life of RT21 and Codep coatings and a significant but lesser decrease in the life of NiCoCrAlY coatings. The extent of these decreases was much greater for all three coatings on U700 than on Rene substrates. A coating hot corrosion life-predicitin model was proposed. The model requires time/temperature information for a turbine component at takeoff conditions as well as environmental contaminant information.

Fryxell, R. E.↗

Oxidizer heat exchanger component testing

As part of the RL10 Rocket Engine Product Improvement Program, Oxidizer Heat Exchanger (OHE) stages 1, 2, and 3 were designed and fabricated during late 1983 and early 1984. The purpose of the OHE is to provide gaseous oxygen to the propellant injector for stable engine operation at tank head idle and pumped idle operating modes. This report summarizes the OHE stages 1 and 3 rig testing, and includes the separation of the stage 1-and-2 assembly and the remanifolding of stage 1. The OHE performance analysis and analytical model modifications for both stages are also presented. The flow tests were accomplished during the time period from 9 October 1984 to 12 November 1984.

Kmiec, T.↗

Simulation of non-linear bearing forces for post-stability investigation

Different types of bearing designs were developed to improve dynamic properties of rotor-bearing systems. Elliptical bearings, multisleeve bearings, tilting pad and other designs such as herringbone groove were utilized to increase resistance to the onset of self excited vibrations. Experimental trials are costly, two alternative methods are used to gain a qualitative insight. The first one creates mathematical model and applies both a digital or an analog computer simulation. The second one investigates phenomena occurring on the laboratory rig with the bearing replaced by an electronic simulating device, working in a feedback loop, which produces forces,which are functions of journal displacement and velocity. The simulated hydrodynamic forces are produced according to assumed characteristics matched to the bearing type. The principal benefit of the analog simulation is that nonlinear characteristics of a subsystem are precisely identified and mathematical methods applied for a wide class of problems are checked on the experimental installation.

Parszewski, Z. A.↗

Modeling of elastically mounted vertical rotor

The evaluation of the dynamic behavior of a rotating system is possible by means of modal parameters (Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors). A mixed analytical and experimetal approach is used to identify the modal parameters of a specially designed test rig. The modal identification is done both for nonrotating as well as rotating systems. These modal parameters are used to validate a developed Finite Element Model.

Dana, S. S.↗