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At least 127 records · Page 7

Investigation of Spherical-Wave-Initiated Flow Fields Around Bodies

Measurements of the velocity flow fields and vortex movements have been made about various simple blunt models undergoing spherical blast waves with a positive overpressure of 4 pounds per square inch. A bullet-optical method was used to determine flow velocities and is applied to velocity fields in which the gradients are largely normal to the free-stream direction. The velocity flow fields are shown at various flow times following passage of the blast front for different models. Vortex movements with time are compared for square-bar models of various aspect ratios. Corner sharpness had no discernible effect on the overall disturbed velocity fields or vortex movements for the square-box models used.

McFarland, Donald R.↗

The Effect of Projectile Density and Disruption on the Crater Excavation Flow-Field

The ejection parameters of material excavated by a growing crater directly relate to the subsurface excavation flow-field. The ejection angles and speeds define the end of subsurface material streamlines at the target surface. Differences in the subsurface flow-fields can be inferred by comparing observed ejection parameters of various impacts obtained using three-dimensional particle image velocimetry (3D PIV). The work presented here investigates the observed ejection speeds and angles of material ejected during vertical (90 impact angle) experimental impacts for a range of different projectile types. The subsurface flow-fields produced during vertical impacts are simple when compared with that of oblique impacts, affected primarily by the depth of the energy and momentum deposition of the projectile. This depth is highly controlled by the projectile/target density ratio and the disruption of the projectile (brittle vs. ductile deformation). Previous studies indicated that cratering efficiency and the crater diameter/depth ratio were affected by projectile disruption, velocity, and the projectile/target density ratio. The effect of these projectile properties on the excavation flow-field are examined by comparing different projectile materials.

Anderson, Jennifer L. B.↗

Comparison of Inflation Processes at the 1859 Mauna Loa Flow, HI, and the McCartys Flow Field, NM

Basaltic lavas typically form channels or tubes during flow emplacement. However, the importance of sheet flow in the development of basalt ic terrains received recognition over the last 15 years. George Walke r?s research on the 1859 Mauna Loa Flow was published posthumously in 2009. In this paper he discusses the concept of endogenous growth, or inflation, for the distal portion of this otherwise channeldominated lava flow. We used this work as a guide when visiting the 1859 flow to help us better interpret the inflation history of the McCartys flow field in NM. Both well preserved flows display similar clues about the process of inflation. The McCartys lava flow field is among the you ngest (approx.3000 yrs) basaltic lava flows in the continental United States. It was emplaced over slopes of <1 degree, which is similar to the location within the 1859 flow where inflation occurred. Although older than the 1859 flow, the McCartys is located in an arid environ ment and is among the most pristine examples of sheet flow morphologies. At the meter scale the flow surface typically forms smooth, undula ting swales that create a polygonal terrain. The literature for simil ar features includes multiple explanatory hypotheses, original breakouts from adjacent lobes, or inflation related upwarping of crust or sa gging along fractures that enable gas release. It is not clear which of these processes is responsible for polygonal terrains, and it is po ssible that one explanation is not the sole cause of this morphology between all inflated flows. Often, these smooth surfaces within an inflated sheet display lineated surfaces and occasional squeeze-ups alon g swale contacts. We interpret the lineations to preserve original fl ow direction and have begun mapping these orientations to better interpret the emplacement history. At the scale of 10s to 100s of meters t he flow comprises multiple topographic plateaus and depressions. Some depressions display level floors with surfaces as described above, while some are bowl shaped with floors covered in broken lava slabs. Th e boundaries between plateaus and depressions are also typically smoo th, grooved surfaces that have been tilted to angles sometimes approaching vertical. The upper margin of these tilted surfaces displays lar ge cracks, sometimes containing squeeze-ups. The bottom boundary with smooth floored depressions typically shows embayment by younger lavas. It appears that this style of terrain represents the emplacement of an extensive sheet that experiences inflation episodes within prefer red regions where lateral spreading of the sheet is inhibited, thereby forming plateaus. Depressions are often the result of non-inflation and can be clearly identified by lateral squeeze-outs along the pit walls that form when the rising crust exposes the still liquid core of the sheet. Our current efforts are focused on.

Bleacher, Jacob E.↗

Experimental Investigation of Effects of Moderate Sideslip on the Flow Fields near a 45 Degree Swept-wing-fuselage Combination at Low Speed

The flow fields near a 45 degree swept-wing-fuselage combination at moderate angles of sideslip (plus-or-minus 8 degrees), as determined experimentally at low speed, are presented as variations with chordwise distance for various spanwise and vertical locations and angles of attack. The results indicated that for positions close to the fuselage (on and near the plane of symmetry) changes in the angle of sideslip caused large changes in the flow-field characteristics and particularly in the local angles of sideslip, which in some cases were nearly double the static angle of sideslip. In general, the effects of changing the angle of sideslip on the flow-field characteristics for all of the outboard underwing locations were qualitatively similar, although conditions at the more inboard and outboard locations were somewhat more severe for lifting conditions than at the one-half semispan location. The chordwise gradients in the flow parameters for the underwing locations were more severe than for the fuselage locations although the effect of changing the angle of sideslip was less severe, in that the incremental changes in the local angles of sideslip were approximately equal to the static angle of sideslip. Flow conditions near the wing tip were found to be critically dependent on vertical location, with the largest sideslip-induced variations occurring at the nearest vertical locations. The results also indicated that for the outboard underwing locations the wing was the predominant factor in disturbing the field of flow for the conditions investigated.

Alford, William J , Jr↗

Supersonic Mixing and Combustion in Parallel Injection Flow Fields

Adequate prediction techniques for supersonic, mixing, reacting flows are of great importance in the design and performance analysis of supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engines. Analytical programs for parallel injection flow fields with chemical reaction and turbulent mixing are now available for both single and multiple-jet flows. The application of these analyses to simple flow geometries is discussed, and comparisons also are made with data on the more complex case of multiple-jet, reacting flows. A review is given of Langley investigations of parallel injection flow fields. Among these are single-jet studies of nonreacting, turbulent mixing (H2 in air and H2 in N2), and of reacting turbulent mixing (H2 in air) with both single and multiple jets. Implications of the results of the studies for scramjet fuel injector design are discussed.

Evans, J. S.↗

Flow field design for zero-gap microbial electrolysis cells using synthetic and real wastewater

Increasing performance in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) requires the development of optimized reactor configurations with minimal internal resistance and capable to operate with real wastewater. Here, the impact of two different flow fields (serpentine and circular) was examined in zero-gap MECs with synthetic and real wastewaters. The serpentine flow field enabled a uniform distribution of the electrolyte in the anode chamber, resulting in larger current densities at lower flow rates compared to the circular flow field. Electrochemical tests using synthetic media with high buffer capacity revealed more stable and higher performance with the serpentine flow field compared to the circular flow path, producing larger current density (23.7 ± 0.8 A/m 2 vs 21.9 ± 5.6 A/m 2 ), hydrogen production rate (75.8 ± 4.1 L/L-d vs 54.3 ± 2.4 L/L-d), cathodic coulombic efficiency (>91 % vs >50 %), and an overall lower internal resistance (12.5 ± 0.5 mΩm 2 vs 14.8 ± 3.7 mΩm 2 ). Continuous operation for over 30 days with real wastewater indicated higher tolerance of the MECs with serpentine flow field toward media with large concentration of suspended solids, producing a current density of 5.4 ± 1.1 A/m 2 and a hydrogen production rate of 22.2 ± 6.2 L/L-d. Furthermore, the results presented here underscore the importance of reactor design and architecture in optimizing MEC performance for hydrogen production from liquid wastes.

flow path↗

Flow field description of the Space Shuttle Vernier reaction control system exhaust plumes

The flow field for the Vernier Reaction Control System (VRCS) jets of the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been calculated from the nozzle throat to the far-field region. The calculations involved the use of recently improved rocket engine nozzle/plume codes. The flow field is discussed, and a brief overview of the calculation techniques is presented. In addition, a proposed on-orbit plume measurement experiment, designed to improve future estimations of the Vernier flow field, is addressed.

Cerimele, Mary P.↗

Investigation of the three-dimensional flow field within a transonic fan rotor: Experiment and analysis

An experimental investigation of the three dimensional flow field through a low aspect ratio, transonic, axial flow fan rotor has been conducted using an advanced laser anemometer (LA) system. Laser velocimeter measurements of the rotor flow field at the design operating speed and over a range of through flow conditions are compared to analytical solutions. The numerical technique used herein yields the solution to the full, three dimensional, unsteady Euler equations using an explicit time marching, finite volume approach. The numerical analysis, when coupled with a simplified boundary layer calculation, generally yields good agreement with the experimental data. The test rotor has an aspect ratio of 1.56, a design total pressure ratio of 1.629 and a tip relative Mach number of 1.38. The high spatial resolution of the LA data matrix (9 radial by 30 axial by 50 blade to blade) permits details of the transonic flow field such as shock location, turning distribution and blade loading levels to be investigated and compared to analytical results.

Pierzga, M. J.↗

Improved visualization of flow field measurements

A capability was developed that makes it possible to apply to measured flow field data the visualization tools developed to display numerical solutions for computational fluid dynamic problems. The measurement monitor surface (MMS) procedure was applied to the analysis of flow field measurements within a low aspect ratio transonic axial flow fan rotor obtained with 2-D laser anemometry. The procedure generates input for the visualization tools developed to display numerical solutions for computational fluid dynamics problems. The relative Mach number contour plots obtained by this method resemble the conventional contour plots obtained by more traditional methods. The results show that the MMS procedure can be used to generate input for the multidimensional processing and analysis tools developed for data from numerical flow field simulations. They show that an experimenter can apply the MMS procedure to his data and then use an interactive graphics program to display scalar quantities like the Mach number by profiles, carpet plots, contour lines, and surfaces using various colors. Also, flow directionality can be shown by display of vector fields and particle traces.

Miles, Jeffrey Hilton↗

Improved visualization of flow field measurements

A capability is proposed that makes it feasible to apply to measured flow field data the visualization tools developed to display numerical solutions for computational fluid dynamic problems. The measurement monitor surface (MMS) methodology was used for the analysis of flow field measurements within a low-aspect-ratio transonic axial-flow fan rotor acquired with two-dimensional laser anemometry. It is shown that the MMS method may be utilized to generate input for the multidimensional processing and analytical tools developed for numerical flow field simulation data. Thus an experimenter utilizing an interactive graphics program could illustrate scalar quantities such as Mach number by profiles, contour lines, carpet plots, and surfaces employing various color intensities. Also, flow directionality can be shown by the display of vector fields and particle traces.

Miles, Jeffrey Hilton↗

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Subsonic-Flow Fields Beneath Swept and Unswept Wings with Tables of Vortex-Induced Velocities

The flow-field characteristics beneath swept and unswept wings as determined by potential-flow theory are compared with the experimentally determined flow fields beneath swept and unswept wing-fuselage combinations. The potential-flow theory utilized considered both spanwise and chordwise distributions of vorticity as well as the wing-thickness effects. The perturbation velocities induced by a unit horseshoe vortex are included in tabular form. The results indicated that significant chordwise flow gradients existed beneath both swept and unswept wings at zero lift and throughout the lift range. The theoretical predictions of the flow-field characteristics were qualitatively correct in all cases considered, although there were indications that the magnitudes of the downwash angles tended to be overpredicted as the tip of the swept wing was approached and that the sidewash angles ahead of the unswept wing were underpredicted. The calculated effects of compressibility indicated that significant increases in the chordwise variation of flow angles and dynamic-pressure ratios should be expected in going from low to high subsonic speeds.

Alford, William J., Jr.↗

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Subsonic-Flow Fields Beneath Swept and Unswept Wings with Tables or Vortex-induced Velocities

The flow-field characteristics beneath swept and unswept wings as determined by potential-flow theory are compared with the experimentally determined flow fields beneath swept and unswept wing-fuselage combinations. The potential-flow theory utilized considered both spanwise and chordwise distributions of vorticity as well as the wing-thickness effects. The perturbation velocities induced by a unit horseshoe vortex are included in tabular form. The theoretical predictions of the flow-field characteristics were qualitatively correct in all cases considered, although there were indications that the magnitudes of the downwash angles tended to be overpredicted as the tip of the swept wing was approached and that the sidewash angles ahead of the unswept wing were underpredicted. The calculated effects of compressibility indicated that significant increases in the chordwise variation of flow angles and dynamic-pressure ratios should be expected in going from low to high subsonic speeds.

Alford, William J , Jr↗

In search of the elusive flow field

A specific set of problems must be overcome before an optical flow field can be derived from an image sequence. These problems are discussed and an outline of a scheme for overcoming these obstacles is presented. A two-dimensional motion sensor is presented which is capable of measuring edge velocity in twelve separate directions at any point in the image. However, because of the aperture problem, the sensors can only determine the velocity component in the direction orthogonal to the edge. A second stage which uses a cosine-weighted voting scheme is used to derive the true flow field from the edge velocities. The whole system is based on a parallel network of connections and weights and is potentially a very fast method of obtaining the two-dimensional flow field.

Perrone, John A.↗

Effects of a Rotating Aerodynamic Probe on the Flow Field of a Compressor Rotor

An investigation of distortions of the rotor exit flow field caused by an aerodynamic probe mounted in the rotor is described in this paper. A rotor total pressure Kiel probe, mounted on the rotor hub and extending up to the mid-span radius of a rotor blade channel, generates a wake that forms additional flow blockage. Three types of high-response aerodynamic probes were used to investigate the distorted flow field behind the rotor. These probes were: a split-fiber thermo-anemometric probe to measure velocity and flow direction, a total pressure probe, and a disk probe for in-flow static pressure measurement. The signals acquired from these high-response probes were reduced using an ensemble averaging method based on a once per rotor revolution signal. The rotor ensemble averages were combined to construct contour plots for each rotor channel of the rotor tested. In order to quantify the rotor probe effects, the contour plots for each individual rotor blade passage were averaged into a single value. The distribution of these average values along the rotor circumference is a measure of changes in the rotor exit flow field due to the presence of a probe in the rotor. These distributions were generated for axial flow velocity and for static pressure.

Lepicovsky, Jan↗

Oblique Impact Ejecta Flow Fields: An Application of Maxwells Z Model

Oblique impact flow fields show an evolution from asymmetric to symmetric ejecta flow. This evolution can be put into the simple analytical description of the evolving flow field origin using the Maxwell Z Model. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Anderson, J. L. B.↗

Flow-Field Measurement of Device-Induced Embedded Streamwise Vortex on a Flat Plate

Detailed flow-field measurements were performed downstream of a single vortex generator (VG) using an advanced Stereo Digital Particle Image Velocimetry system. Thc passive flow-control devices examined consisted of a low-profile VG with a device height, h, approximately equal to 20 percent of the boundary-layer thickness, sigma, and a conventional VG with h is approximately sigma. Flow-field data were taken at twelve cross-flow planes downstream of the VG to document and quantify the evolution of embedded streamwise vortex. The effects of device angle of attack on vortex development downstream were compared between the low-profile VG and the conventional VG. Key parameters including vorticity, circulation, trajectory, and half-life radius - describing concentration, strength, path, and size, respectively--of the device-induced streamwise vortex were extracted from the flow-field data. The magnitude of maximum vorticity increases as angle of attack increases for the low-profile VG, but the trend is reversed for the conventional VG, probably due to flow stalling around the larger device at higher angles of attack. Peak vorticity and circulation for the low-profile VG decays exponentially and inversely proportional to the distance downstream from the device. The device-height normalized vortex trajectories for the low-profile VG, especially in the lateral direction, follow the general trends of the conventional VG. The experimental database was used to validate the predictive capability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). CFD accurately predicts the vortex circulation and path; however, improvements are needed for predicting the vorticity strength and vortex size.

Yao, Chung-Sheng↗

Near-Surface Flow Fields Deduced Using Correlation Tracking and Time-Distance Analysis

Near-photospheric flow fields on the Sun are deduced using two independent methods applied to the same time series of velocity images observed by SOI-MDI on SOHO. Differences in travel times between f modes entering and leaving each pixel measured using time-distance helioseismology are used to determine sites of supergranular outflows. Alternatively, correlation tracking analysis of mesogranular scales of motion applied to the same time series is used to deduce the near-surface flow field. These two approaches provide the means to assess the patterns and evolution of horizontal flows on supergranular scales even near disk center, which is not feasible with direct line-of-sight Doppler measurements. We find that the locations of the supergranular outflows seen in flow fields generated from correlation tracking coincide well with the locations of the outflows determined from the time-distance analysis, with a mean correlation coefficient after smoothing of bar-r(sub s) = 0.840. Near-surface velocity field measurements can used to study the evolution of the supergranular network, as merging and splitting events are observed to occur in these images. The data consist of one 2048-minute time series of high-resolution (0.6" pixels) line-of-sight velocity images taken by MDI on 1997 January 16-18 at a cadence of one minute.

DeRosa, Marc↗