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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,225 records · Page 68
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Aerodynamic tests and analysis of a turbojet-boosted launch vehicle concept (spacejet) over a Mach number range of 1.50 to 2.86

Results from analytical and experimental studies of the aerodynamic characteristics of a turbojet-boosted launch vehicle concept through a Mach number range of 1.50 to 2.86 are presented. The vehicle consists of a winged orbiter utilizing an area-ruled axisymmetric body and two winged turbojet boosters mounted underneath the orbiter wing. Drag characteristics near zero lift were of prime interest. Force measurements and flow visualization techniques were employed. Estimates from wave drag theory, supersonic lifting surface theory, and impact theory are compared with data and indicate the ability of these theories to adequately predict the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Despite the existence of multiple wings and bodies in close proximity to each other, no large scale effects of boundary layer separation on drag or lift could be discerned. Total drag levels were, however, sensitive to booster locations.

Riebe, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Vortex pairing in a circular jet under controlled excitation. I - General jet response. II - Coherent structure dynamics

Hot-wire and flow visualization studies were performed in three air jets subjected to pure-tone excitation. The instability, vortex roll-up, and transition to the controlled excitation were investigated. The conditions most favorable to vortex parting were determined as a function of the excitation Strouhal number, the Reynolds number, and the initial shear-layer state; it was shown that the rolled-up vortex rings undergo pairing under 'the shear layer mode', and the 'jet-column mode' when the Strouhal numbers based on the initial shear-layer momentum thickness are 0.012 and 0.85, respectively. Coherent ring-like vortical structures could be educed to the end of the potential core; however, the paired vortex becomes weaker with increasing downstream distances. The transverse transport of 'u' momentum by the coherent structures was much larger during the pairing process than in regions where a single vortex is studied.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A discrete vortex method for the non-steady separated flow over an airfoil

A discrete vortex method was used to analyze the separated non-steady flow about a cambered airfoil. The foil flow modelling is based on the thin lifting-surface approach, where the chordwise location of the separation point is assumed to be known from experiments or flow-visualization data. Calculated results provided good agreement when compared with the post-stall aerodynamic data of two airfoils. Those airfoil sections differed in the extent of travel of the separation point with increasing angle of attack. Furthermore, the periodic wake shedding was analyzed and its time-dependent influence on the airfoil was investigated.

Katz, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Evidence of imbedded vortices in a three-dimensional shear flow

Vortex phenomena encountered in an investigation of the streamwise development of the three-dimensional wake region behind the tip of a three-dimensional wedge model are reported. Pressure profiles were measured by pitot probes downstream of a tip with a nearly constant surface pressure level and a nearly continuous surface curvature in a blowdown air tunnel operating at Mach 6. Rather than the simple three-dimensional quasi-parallel shear flow expected, the measurements indicated the presence of a flow with large deficits in longitudinal pitot pressure, which are usually associated with the core region of quasi-steady longitudinal vortices. Vapor screen flow visualizations also support the presence of longitudinal vortices located primarily in the tip region and evidently forming in the vicinity of the wake neck. An increase in overall wake thickness by 100% is also observed. The origin of the vortices as quasi-steady Taylor-Gortler vortices generated in the concavely curved shear layer near the wake neck is considered. It is pointed out that the existence of longitudinal vortexes suggests that three-dimensional turbulence modeling may be much more difficult than previously supposed.

Morrisette, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Modification in drag of turbulent boundary layers resulting from manipulation of large-scale structures

The effects of placing a parallel-plate turbulence manipulator in a boundary layer are investigated by means of flow visualization and hot-wire measurements. The manipulator was found to be effective in inhibiting the intermittent large scale structure of the boundary layer, and the effect persists for at least 70 boundary-layer thicknesses downstream of the manipulator. With the removal of the large scale, there was an observed reduction in the streamwise turbulence intensity levels near the wall. The downstream distribution of the skin friction coefficient, determined from the stream wise change in fluid momentum, was also altered by the introduction of the manipulator. The data from both the visualization and hot wire studies are provided.

Corke, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Schlieren with a laser diode source

The use of a laser diode as a light source for a schlieren system designed to study phase objects such as a wind-tunnel flow is explored. A laser diode schlieren photograph and a white light schlieren photograph (zirconium arc source) are presented for comparison. The laser diode has increased sensitivity, compared with light schlieren, without appreciable image degradiation, and is an acceptable source for schlieren flow visualization.

Burner, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effects of vortex flaps on the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of an arrow wing

Tests were conducted in the Langley 12-foot low-speed wind-tunnel to determine the longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic effects of plain and tabbed vortex flaps on a flat-plate, highly swept arrow-wing model. Flow-visualization studies were made using a helium-bubble technique. Static forces and moments were measured over an angle-of-attack range from 0 deg to 50deg for sideslip angles of 0 deg and + or - 4 deg.

Yip, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Investigations of flowfields found in typical combustor geometries

Measurements and computations are being applied to an axisymmetric swirling flow, emerging from swirl vanes at angle phi, entering a large chamber test section via a sudden expansion of various side-wall angles alpha. New features are: the turbulence measurements are being performed on swirling as well as nonswirling flow; and all measurements and computations are also being performed on a confined jet flowfield with realistic downstream blockage. Recent activity falls into three categories: (1) Time-mean flowfield characterization by five-hole pitot probe measurements and by flow visualization; (2) Turbulence measurements by a variety of single- and multi-wire hot-wire probe techniques; and (3) Flowfield computations using the computer code developed during the previous year's research program.

Lilley, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Mass and Momentum Turbulent Transport Experiments with Confined Coaxial Jets

Downstream mixing of coaxial jets discharging in an expanded duct was studied to obtain data for the evaluation and improvement of turbulent transport models currently used in a variety of computational procedures throughout the propulsion community for combustor flow modeling. Flow visualization studies showed four major shear regions occurring; a wake region immediately downstream of the inlet jet inlet duct; a shear region further downstream between the inner and annular jets; a recirculation zone; and a reattachment zone. A combination of turbulent momentum transport rate and two velocity component data were obtained from simultaneous measurements with a two color laser velocimeter (LV) system. Axial, radial and azimuthal velocities and turbulent momentum transport rate measurements in the r-z and r-theta planes were used to determine the mean value, second central moment (or rms fluctuation from mean), skewness and kurtosis for each data set probability density function (p.d.f.). A combination of turbulent mass transport rate, concentration and velocity data were obtained system. Velocity and mass transport in all three directions as well as concentration distributions were used to obtain the mean, second central moments, skewness and kurtosis for each p.d.f. These LV/LIF measurements also exposed the existence of a large region of countergradient turbulent axial mass transport in the region where the annular jet fluid was accelerating the inner jet fluid.

Johnson, B. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Flow through aligned sequential orifice type inlets

Chocked flow rate and pressure profile data were taken and studied for configurations consisting of four axially aligned, sequential orifice inlets of 0.5 length diameter ratio with separation distances of 0.66 and 32 diameters. A flow coefficient - reduced temperature plot represents the flow rate data for the two cases. At a separation distance of 32 diameters the pressure profiles dropped sharply at the entrance and partially recovered within each orifice - the exception being at low temperatures, where fluid jetting through the last orifice occurred. At a separation distance of 0.66 diameter fluid jetting was prevalent at the lower inlet temperatures. These results are in qualitative agreement with data for four axially aligned, sequential Borda inlets and for tubes with single sharp edge orifice or Borda inlets to L/D's of 105 and with a water flow visualization study.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Influence of the Reynolds number on normal forces of slender bodies of revolution

Comprehensive force, moment, and pressure distribution measurements as well as flow visualization experiments were carried out to determine the influence of the Reynolds number on nonlinear normal forces of slender bodies of revolution. Experiments were performed in transonic wind tunnels at angles of attack up to 90 deg in the Mach number range 0.5 to 2.2 at variable Reynolds numbers. The results were analysed theoretically and an empirical theory was developed which describes the test results satisfactory.

Hartmann, K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Experimental study of turbulence in blade end wall corner region

Corner flows and wall pressure fluctuations, design and fabrication of the test model, preliminary resuls on boundary layer, flow visualization, turbulence intensity and spectra measurements are presented. The design consideration and fabrication report on the newly built wind tunnel to be used for subsequent continuation of the research effort is also presented.

Raj, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Flow through axially aligned sequential apertures of the orifice and Borda types

Choked flow rate and pressure profile data were taken and studied for two axially aligned sequential configurations consisting of: (1) Four Borda type inlets of 1.9 1/D with two separation distances of 0.8 and 30 diameters. (2) Four orifice type inlets of 0.5 1/D with two separation distances of 0.66 and 32 diameters. A flow-coefficient reduced-temperature plot can be used to represent the flow rate data for each geometry. At the larger separation distances, the pressure profiles dropped sharply at the entrance and partially recovered within each of the Borda and orifice inlet configurations; the exception being the last inlet where at low entrance temperatures, fluid jetting could occur. For the smaller spacings fluid jetting was prevalent throughout each of the inlet configurations at lower inlet temperatures. These results are in qualitative agreement with data of tubes with single Borda or sharp-edge orifice type inlets to 105 1/D and water flow visualization studies.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An experimental study of separated flow on a finite wing

The flow field associated with the formation of a mushroom shaped trailing edge stall cell on a low-aspect-ratio (AR = 4.0) wing was investigated in a series of low speed wind tunnel tests (Reynolds number based on 15.2 cm chord = 480,000). Flow field surveys of the separation bubble and wake of a partially stalled and fully stalled wing were completed using a hot-wire probe, a split-film probe, and a directional sensitive pressure probe. A new color video display technique was developed to display the flow field survey data. Photographs were obtained of surface oil flow patterns and smoke flow visualization

Winkelmann, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Interim review of the Energy Efficient Engine /E3/ Program

The NASA-sponsored Energy Efficient Engine (E3) Program, which is now in its fourth year, is assessed from the viewpoint of one of its research contractors. Attention is given to the development status of the shroudless fan, segmented combustor and exhaust mixer components which are encompassed by the program. The shroudless fan blades are two-thirds hollow for lightness, and are fabricated by means of plies and cores subjected to hot isostatic pressing diffusion bonding. The combustor's segmented liner is cast from turbine blade materials. Exhaust mixer flow visualization tests are described. Consideration is given to the effects of integrating the technology described with the low and high pressure advanced turbines whose development is also part of the E3 program.

Gardner, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Dynamic load measurements with delta wings undergoing self-induced roll-oscillations

The aerodynamic forces acting on a delta wing, mounted on a free-to-roll sting-balance apparatus, were measured. Two wing planforms having leading edge sweeps of 76 and 80 deg were tested, but only the wing with the 80 deg sweep would undergo periodic self-induced roll oscillation. The time dependent forces and roll angles for this wing were then recorded for various test conditions. In these tests a considerable drop in the average normal force of the free-to-roll wing was measured, relative to the normal force obtained in the static tests. Also, the helium-bubble flow visualization technique was used to gain some insight into the periodic motion of the separated leading edge vortices.

Levin, D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

High angle-of-attack characteristics of a forward-swept wing fighter configuration

The NASA-Langley Research Center is currently investigating the high angle-of-attack characteristics of a forward-swept wing fighter technology demonstrator in a cooperative program with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The program includes static and dynamic wind-tunnel force tests, free-flight model tests, spin-tunnel tests, and piloted simulation. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying the contributions of the forward-swept wing to the configuration aerodynamics at high angles of attack. Results are presented to illustrate the wing contributions in terms of aerodynamic stability, flow visualization, and observation of free-flight characteristics.

Grafton, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effect of tip vanes on the performance and flow field of a rotor in hover

Tests run with a single bladed model rotor with a vane located at the tip of the blade indicated significantly increased performance under certain test conditions. Data reveal that a figure of merit increase of over one third occurred in hover. Flow visualization using smoke revealed that a pair of vortices sprung from the blade tip and the vane tip. The vane tip vortex tended to roll up and over the primary vortex. The vortices in the wake became much less well defined with the tip vane configurations.

Velkoff, H. R.↗