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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

Theory of wing sections of arbitrary shape

This report presents a solution of the problem of the theoretical flow of a frictionless incompressible fluid past airfoils of arbitrary forms. The velocity of the 2-dimensional flow is explicitly expressed for any point of the surface, and for any orientation, by an exact expression containing a number of parameters which are functions of the form only and which may be evaluated by convenient graphical methods. The method is particularly simple and convenient for bodies of streamline forms. The results have been applied to typical airfoils and compared with experimental data.

Theodorsen, Theodore↗

Control of a supersonic reattaching shear layer

A reattaching supersonic shear layer was perturbed by transverse air injection, and the effects were investigated using flow visualization. It was found that shear layer mixing was increased and that the shock system was strongly disturbed due to the heightened three dimensionality of the flow. Mixing enhancement was also achieved in an incompressible downstream-facing step flow using the same blowing procedure.

Poggie, J.↗

Numerical study of laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct with and without guide vanes

The purpose of this study is to examine in detail incompressible laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct with and without guide vanes and to investigate the effects of vanes on the flow characteristics. To perform this study, an implicit finite difference code cast in general curvilinear coordinates is further developed. The code is based on the method of pseudo-compressibility and utilize ADI or implicit approximate factorization algorithm to achieve computational efficiency. Method of segmental sweeping is developed to overcome the multiple-zone problem due to imposition of guide vanes. In the present study, several test cases have been computed. These test cases include laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct without and with two or three guide vanes. The study reveals that: (1) there exists large recirculation zones inside the duct if no vanes are present; (2) properly shaped and positional guide vanes are effective in eliminating flow separation; and (3) laminar and turbulent flows have similar flow features. But turbulent flow has less total pressure drop.

Lin, S.-J.↗

Incompressible Navier-Stokes Simulation Procedure for a Wingtip Vortex Flow Analysis

The pacing items to reach the highly desirable goal of obtaining computationally accurate flow simulation of a wingtip vortex include; super-computer development, solver accuracy, grid generation and turbulence modeling. In these four areas, many advances have been made but the fact remains that most wing computations are, at best, five percent accurate (in drag coefficient, for example). This level of accuracy has been sufficient for many purposes such as airfoil design, rudimentary wing design, and some forms of optimization. However, this accuracy level will not allow commercial aircraft designers to extract the remaining few percent of efficiency theoretically possible for conventional aircraft configurations. Thus further research is needed, particularly in the areas of solver development and turbulence modeling, to advance the state of the art of viscous computational techniques as applied to problems in aerodynamics. During the course of this study, a substantial amount of measured and computed results have been acquired. In this paper, only a small selection of experimental and computational results will be presented. This paper will outline and discuss a simulation procedure for a wingtip vortex flow analysis using the method of artificial compressibility to solve the three-dimensional, incompressible, Navier-Stokes equations (INS3D-UP).

Jennifer Dacles-Mariani↗

An investigation of chaotic Kolmogorov flows

A two dimensional flow governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with a steady spatially periodic forcing (known as the Kolmogorov flow) is numerically simulated. The behavior of the flow and its transition states as the Reynolds number (Re) varies is investigated in detail, as well as a number of the flow features. A sequence of bifurcations is shown to take place in the flow as Re varied. Two main regimes of the flow were observed: small and large scale structure regimes corresponding to different ranges of Re. Each of the regimes includes a number of quasiperiodic, chaotic, and relaminarization windows. In addition, each range contains a chaotic window with non-ergodic chaotic attractors. Spatially disordered, but temporally steady states were discovered in large scale structure regime. Features of the diverse cases are displayed in terms of the temporal power spectrum, Poincare sections and, where possible, Lyapunov exponents and Kaplan-Yorke dimension.

Platt, N.↗

An investigation of chaotic Kolmogorov flows

A two dimensional flow governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with a steady spatially periodic forcing (known as the Kolmogorov flow) is numerically simulated. The behavior of the flow and its transition states as the Reynolds number (Re) varies is investigated in detail, as well as a number of the flow features. A sequence of bifurcations is shown to take place in the flow as Re varied. Two main regimes of the flow were observed: small and large scale structure regimes corresponding to different ranges of Re. Each of the regimes includes a number of quasiperiodic, chaotic, and relaminarization windows. In addition, each range contains a chaotic window with non-ergodic chaotic attractors. Spatially disordered, but temporally steady states were discovered in large scale structure regime. Features of the diverse cases are displayed in terms of the temporal power spectrum, Poincare sections and, where possible, Lyapunov exponents and Kaplan-Yorke dimension.

Platt, N.↗

Wind Flow Simulation Around NASA KSC Vehicle Assembly Building

A model of the wind flow conditions around Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Vehicle Assembly Building (VA B) is presented. An incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver was used to compute the flow field around fixed Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) buildings and structures. The 3-D flow field. including velocity magnitude and velocity vectors, was established to simulate the localized wind speeds and directions at specified locations in and around LC-39 buildings and structures. The results of this study not only help explain the physical phenomena of the flow patterns around LC-39 buildings but also are useful to the Shuttle personnel. Current Operations and Maintenance Requirements and Specifications (OMRS) for vehicle transfer operations are based on empirically derived historical data, and no detailed mathematical analysis of wind conditions around LC-39 structures has ever been accomplished.

Vu, B. T.↗

Segmented multigrid domain decomposition solutions for three dimensional viscous recirculating flows

A segmented multigrid domain decomposition strategy is combined with a pressure-based form of flux-vector discretization for 3D incompressible and compressible viscous flow applications. A pressure-based form of flux-vector splitting is applied to the Navier-Stokes (NS) equations, which are represented by an implicit lowest-order reduced NS system and a purely diffusive higher-order deferred corrector. A trapezoidal or boxlike form of discretization insures that all mass conservation properties are satisfied at interfacial and outflow boundaries, even for this primitive-variable nonstaggered grid computation. Improvements in gridding strategy are presented by allowing for disjoint subdomains that provide optimal resolution of disparate flow features.

Srinivasan, Kumar↗

The Streamline Pattern in the Vicinity of an Oblique Airfoil

A method for determining the streamwise flow pattern of a nonviscous incompressible fluid about an oblique airfoil from the corresponding flow pattern about the airfoil in normal position is presented and illustrated in two examples. The method can be extended to account approximately for compressibility effects by applying the Prandtl-Glauert correction factor to the flow pattern that is normal to the leading edge of the airfoil. The method is expected to be useful in determining the shape of a fuselage or nacelle having a minimum of interference with the flow over a swept-back wing.

Watkins, Charles E↗

A procedure for computation of fully stalled flows in two-dimensional passages

A procedure is described for computation of incompressible, steady, two-dimensional flows in fully stalled diffusers with plenum exit. The procedure is successful in predicting pressure distributions and patterns to the accuracy of the data. The procedure employs a zonal model; this maintains close connections between the modeling and the physics thereby providing insight into critical aspects of modeling separated flows. The procedure presented is also convenient for computing unstalled flows in passages with turbulent boundary layers for either direct or indirect design problems. Computing times are well within engineering feasibility. The concepts developed can be extended to other classes of separated flows; some of these extensions have already been completed and are referenced.

Woolley, R. L.↗

Flow Analysis of Space Shuttle Feed Line 17-inch Disconnect Valve

A steady incompressible three-dimensional viscous flow analysis has been conducted for the Space Shuttle External Tank/Orbiter propellant feed line disconnect flapper valves with upstream elbows. The full Navier-Stokes code, INS3D, is modified to handle interior obstacles. Grids are generated by SVTGD3D code. Two dimensional initial grids in the flow cross section with and without the flappers are improved by elliptic smoothing to provide better orthogonality, clustering and smoothness to the three dimensional grid. The flow solver is tested for stability and convergence in the presence of interior flappers. An under-relaxation scheme has been incorporated to improve the solution stability. Important flow characteristics such as secondary flows, recirculation, vortex and wake regions, and separated flows are observed. Computed values for forces, moments, and pressure drop are in satisfactory agreement with water flow test data covering a maximum tube Reynolds number of 3.5 x 10(exp 6). The results will serve as a guide to improved design and enhanced testing of the disconnect.

Kandula, Max↗

Incompressible Navier-Stokes, GMRES, and Multi-Element Airfoils

The talk will discuss current work in developing and applying the INS2D and INS3D flow solvers to problems in high-lift aerodynamics, primarily multi-element airfoils. These flow solvers solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using the method of artificial compressibility. High-lift system flowfields are perhaps the most challenging aeronautical configurations for CFD. Difficulties with convergence for multi-element configurations using fine-grid overset meshes has led to research in using Krylov-space iterative matrix solvers. In particular, a Generalized Minimum Residual (GMRES) solver has found to be a dramatic improvement over a previously used Gauss-Seidal line-relaxation solver.

Rogers, Stuart↗

Numerical simulation of flow path in the oxidizer side hot gas manifold of the Space Shuttle main engine

The purpose of this study is to examine in detail incompressible laminar and turbulent flows inside the oxidizer side Hot Gas Manifold of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. To perform this study, an implicit finite difference code cast in general curvilinear coordinates is further developed. The code is based on the method of pseudo-compressibility and utilize ADI or implicit approximate factorization algorithm to achieve computational efficiency. A multiple-zone method is developed to overcome the complexity of the geometry. In the present study, the laminar and turbulent flows in the oxidizer side Hot Gas Manifold have been computed. The study reveals that: (1) there exists large recirculation zones inside the bowl if no vanes are present; (2) strong secondary flows are observed in the transfer tube; and (3) properly shaped and positioned guide vanes are effective in eliminating flow separation.

Lin, S. J.↗

Navier-Stokes calculation of the flow around simplified LOX posts arrays

The steady laminar flow around the Space Shuttle main engine main injector LOX posts is investigated by using a three dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver and a multiblock technique to calculate the flow around simplified LOX post arrays. Post flow physics and loads are examined. The effect of multiple posts, shields and a secondary post row is calculated.

Williams, M.↗

Experimental and computational studies of unsteady viscous flows

This paper describes progress in validating incompressible Navier-Stokes codes using image-processed flow-field data. Solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations using a predictor/corrector scheme are compared directly with experimental data. A uniform asymptotic expansion is used as an initial condition in order to correctly capture the initial growth of the vortex sheet. With the aid of an experimental study in a tow tank using the particle streak visualization method, measured and computed velocity vectors are compared directly. Comparison of the velocity data with computations shows little effect of initial conditions and varying grid geometry on the predictive capabilities.

Davis, S.↗

High Fidelity Simulations of Unsteady Flow through Turbopumps and Flowliners

High fidelity computations were carried out to analyze the orbiter LH2 feedline flowliner. Computations were performed on the Columbia platform which is a 10,240-processor supercluster consisting of 20 Altix nodes with 512 processor each. Various computational models were used to characterize the unsteady flow features in the turbopump, including the orbiter Low-Pressure-Fuel-Turbopump (LPFTP) inducer, the orbiter manifold and a test article used to represent the manifold. Unsteady flow originating from the orbiter LPFTP inducer is one of the major contributors to the high frequency cyclic loading that results in high cycle fatigue damage to the gimbal flowliners just upstream of the LPFTP. The flow fields for the orbiter manifold and representative test article are computed and analyzed for similarities and differences. The incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver INS3D, based on the artificial compressibility method, was used to compute the flow of liquid hydrogen in each test article.

Kiris, Cetin C.↗

High Fidelity Simulations for Unsteady Flow Through the Orbiter LH2 Feedline Flowliner

High fidelity computations were carried out to analyze the orbiter M2 feedline flowliner. Various computational models were used to characterize the unsteady flow features in the turbopump, including the orbiter Low-Pressure-Fuel-Turbopump (LPFTP) inducer, the orbiter manifold and a test article used to represent the manifold. Unsteady flow originating from the orbiter LPFTP inducer is one of the major contributors to the high frequency cyclic loading that results in high cycle fatigue damage to the gimbal flowliners just upstream of the LPFTP. The flow fields for the orbiter manifold and representative test article are computed and analyzed for similarities and differences. An incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver INS3D, based on the artificial compressibility method, was used to compute the flow of liquid hydrogen in each test article.

Kiris, Cetin C.↗