Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ACOUSTIC SIMULATION”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,369 records · Page 76

Noise measurements in a free-jet, flight simulation facility - Shear layer refraction and facility-to-flight corrections

The conversion of free-jet facility into equivalent flyover results is discussed. The essential problem is to 'calibrate out' the acoustic influence of the outer free-jet shear layer on the measurement, since this is absent in the flight case. Results are presented which illustrate the differences between current simplified models (vortex-sheet and geometric acoustics), and a more complete model based on the Lilley equation. Finally, the use of geometric acoustics for facility-to-flight data conversion is discussed.

Morfey, C. L.↗

Numerical Simulation of One-and Two-Phase Flows in Propulsion Systems

In this report, we present some results of problems investigated during joint research between the Hampton University Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM&AL), NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Hyper-X Program of the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). The main areas of current scientific interest of the FM&AL include an investigation of the proposed and patented advanced methods for aircraft engine thrust and noise benefits. These methods are based on nontraditional 3D corrugated and composite nozzle, inlet, propeller and screw designs such as the Bluebell and Telescope nozzles, Mobius-shaped screws, etc. These are the main subject of our other projects, of which one is the NASA MURED's FAR Award. Working jointly with this project team, our team also analyzes additional methods for exhaust jet noise reduction. These methods are without essential thrust loss and even with thrust augmentation.

Blankson, Isaiah M.↗

Modeling solar oscillation power spectra. II. Parametric model of spectral lines observed in Doppler-velocity measurements

We describe a global parametric model for the observed power spectra of solar oscillations of intermediate and low degree. A physically motivated parameterization is used as a substitute for a direct description of mode excitation and damping as these mechanisms remain poorly understood. The model is targeted at the accurate fitting of power spectra coming from Doppler-velocity measurements and uses an adaptive response function that accounts for both the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity field on the solar surface and for possible instrumental and observational distortions. The model is continuous in frequency, can easily be adapted to intensity measurements, and extends naturally to the analysis of high-frequency pseudomodes (interference peaks at frequencies above the atmospheric acoustic cutoff).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Strongly Anharmonic Phonons and Their Role in Superionic Diffusion and Ultralow Thermal Conductivity of Cu 7 PSe 6

We report the quest for advanced superionic materials requires understanding their complex atomic dynamics, but detailed studies of the interplay between lattice vibrations and ionic diffusion remain scarce. Here inelastic and quasielastic neutron scattering measurements in the superionic argyrodite Cu 7 PSe 6 are reported, combined with molecular dynamics (MD) based on ab initio and machine-learned potentials, providing critical insights into the atomistic mechanisms underlying fast ion conduction. The results reveal how long-range Cu diffusion is limited by intercluster hopping, controlled by selective anharmonic phonons of the crystalline framework. Further, the Green–Kubo simulations reproduce the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity and identify contributions from mobile ions, phonons, and their cross-correlations. The mode resolved analysis shows that the thermal conductivity is dominated by low-energy acoustic phonon modes of the overall crystal framework. The analysis of mode-resolved spectral functions further show that vibrational modes with significant Cu contributions are strongly damped, corresponding to the breakdown of associated phonon quasiparticles. These results highlight the importance of strongly anharmonic effects in superionic systems, in which the traditional quasiharmonic phonon picture is insufficient, and pave the way toward combining machine-learning accelerated simulations with neutron scattering experiments to rationalize the complex atomic dynamics underlying ionic and thermal transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Speech motor control and acute mountain sickness

BACKGROUND: An objective method that accurately quantifies the severity of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) symptoms is needed to enable more reliable evaluation of altitude acclimatization and testing of potentially beneficial interventions. HYPOTHESIS: Changes in human articulation, as quantified by timed variations in acoustic waveforms of specific spoken words (voice onset time; VOT), are correlated with the severity of AMS. METHODS: Fifteen volunteers were exposed to a simulated altitude of 4300 m (446 mm Hg) in a hypobaric chamber for 48 h. Speech motor control was determined from digitally recorded and analyzed timing patterns of 30 different monosyllabic words characterized as voiced and unvoiced, and as labial, alveolar, or velar. The Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ) was used to assess AMS. RESULTS: Significant AMS symptoms occurred after 4 h, peaked at 16 h, and returned toward baseline after 48 h. Labial VOTs were shorter after 4 and 39 h of exposure; velar VOTs were altered only after 4 h; and there were no changes in alveolar VOTs. The duration of vowel sounds was increased after 4 h of exposure and returned to normal thereafter. Only 1 of 15 subjects did not increase vowel time after 4 h of exposure. The 39-h labial (p = 0.009) and velar (p = 0.037) voiced-unvoiced timed separations consonants and the symptoms of AMS were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Two objective measures of speech production were affected by exposure to 4300 m altitude and correlated with AMS severity. Alterations in speech production may represent an objective measure of AMS and central vulnerability to hypoxia.

NASA Discipline Space Human Factors↗

Marine Mammal Behavioral Response to Tidal Turbine Sound

The sound emitted by tidal turbines overlaps with the generalized hearing ranges for marine mammals and may, consequently, affect marine mammal behavior. Because of the strong environmental protections for marine mammals, these effects are of interest to resource agencies and project developers. The primary goal of this project is to improve the understanding of how sound emitted by tidal turbines may affect marine mammal behavior, with the intent that such understanding may allow this environmental risk to be “retired” for initial demonstrations and arrays. A secondary project goal is to evaluate the efficacy of marine mammal observations from a shore-based vantage point as a method to detect change as a consequence of marine energy stressors. Three, two-week trials were conducted across spring, summer and autumn of 2017 during which vantage-point observations of marine mammals were made from land. We refer to these two-week periods as ‘trials’ as they represent different periods of field data collection. These observations consisted of scan samples every 10 minutes with a set of binoculars and a DSLR camera. When pinnipeds were sighted, still images were taken. When harbor porpoise were sighted, focal follows using video were initiated. These data were later analyzed to estimate the location of animals sighted using photogrammetric techniques. For approximately half of each trial period, a boat was moored in the study area from which an underwater projector was used to play back tidal turbine sounds at a broadband source level of 158 dB re µPa @ 1 m. The other half of each trial period had no playbacks and was used as a control period. During the control and playback periods, ancillary data were collected in the study area near the sea floor (ambient noise, tidal velocity, and porpoise clicks) while weather and vessel tracks were recorded near the vantage-point station. Harbor seals did not show a significant response to the simulated turbine noise, nor did harbor porpoise change their closest point of approach or change the direction/deviation of the paths during periods when the playback was occurring. While porpoise sightings and porpoise acoustic detections were significantly reduced during playback periods in the first two trials, the number of detections during the playback periods increased during the third trial. Similarly, the calculated distance from porpoises to the playback location suggests that harbor porpoises avoided an area around the playback location of approximately 300 m during Trial 1, which decreased to approximately 100 m in Trial 2, and disappeared in Trial 3. This could be an indication of habituation or increased tolerance, either to the playback sound or the vessel presence. Our finding of no significant effect of turbine noise on harbor seals contrast with the findings in a previous study by Hastie et al. (2017) conducted in United Kingdom waters. However, due to substantive differences in source levels and propagation loss, seals in our study would need to have been within 10 m of the playback location to experience similar received levels to those in the Hastie et al. study. Consequently, the two studies may actually be in agreement. Our findings of significant effect of turbine noise on harbor porpoise are in line with previous studies suggesting the harbor porpoise are sensitive to noise. However, we note that, due to cost and logistical constraints, the playback vessel was only mooring during the playback periods. Consequently, we cannot definitively ascribe the changes in porpoise behavior to the simulated turbine noise, playback vessel presence, or a combination of both factors. This methodological limitation and other lessons learned are discussed to benefit future studies that explore the effects of acoustic stressors on marine mammals.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Gallium ion implantation greatly reduces thermal conductivity and enhances electronic one of ZnO nanowires

The electrical and thermal conductivities are measured for individual zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires with and without gallium ion (Ga{sup +}) implantation at room temperature. Our results show that Ga{sup +} implantation enhances electrical conductivity by one order of magnitude from 1.01 × 10{sup 3} Ω{sup −1}m{sup −1} to 1.46 × 10{sup 4} Ω{sup −1}m{sup −1} and reduces its thermal conductivity by one order of magnitude from 12.7 Wm{sup −1}K{sup −1} to 1.22 Wm{sup −1}K{sup −1} for ZnO nanowires of 100 nm in diameter. The measured thermal conductivities are in good agreement with those in theoretical simulation. The increase of electrical conductivity origins in electron donor doping by Ga{sup +} implantation and the decrease of thermal conductivity is due to the longitudinal and transverse acoustic phonons scattering by Ga{sup +} point scattering. For pristine ZnO nanowires, the thermal conductivity decreases only two times when its diameter reduces from 100 nm to 46 nm. Therefore, Ga{sup +}-implantation may be a more effective method than diameter reduction in improving thermoelectric performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Los Alamos National Laboratory Computational Physics Summer Student Workshop (Final Report)

The numerical solution of highly compressible, multi-material flows is an ongoing research area. These types of flows can be solved with a Lagrangian type mesh which moves with the material in a simulation to allow precise material interface tracking. Currently, researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and elsewhere are investigating cell-centered Lagrangian algorithms with the aim of producing methods that have second-order accuracy, preserve symmetry, and do not generate spurious vorticity. The new cell-centered algorithms solve a Riemann-like problem at the vertex of a cell. Professor Phil Roe at the University of Michigan has proposed a new structure for Lagrangian hydrodynamic algorithms that does not rely on the solution of the Riemann problem. The new approach utilizes Flux Corrected Transport (FCT) and it implements a form of vorticity control. The first step in the development of this method has been to construct an algorithm that solves the acoustic equations on an Eulerian mesh. The algorithm, which builds on the work of Morton and Roe, calculates fluxes at cell vertices, attains second-order accuracy using FCT, and has the special property of preserving vorticity. Results are presented that confirm the second order accuracy of the scheme and the vorticity preserving properties. The results are compared to the output produced by a MUSCL-Hancock algorithm. Some discussion of limiting methods for the FCT algorithm is also given.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Thermoacoustic imaging over large field of view for three-dimensional breast tumor localization: A phantom study

Purpose: Previous studies demonstrated that thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) has great potential for breast tumor detection. However, large field of view (FOV) imaging remains a long-standing challenge for three-dimensional (3D) breast tumor localization. Here, the authors propose a practical TAI system for noninvasive 3D localization of breast tumors with large FOV through the use of ultrashort microwave pulse (USMP). Methods: A USMP generator was employed for TAI. The energy density required for quality imaging and the corresponding microwave-to-acoustic conversion efficiency were compared with that of conventional TAI. The microwave energy distribution, imaging depth, resolution, and 3D imaging capabilities were then investigated. Finally, a breast phantom embedded with a laboratory-grown tumor was imaged to evaluate the FOV performance of the USMP TAI system, under a simulated clinical situation. Results: A radiation energy density equivalent to just 1.6%–2.2% of that for conventional submicrosecond microwave TAI was sufficient to obtain a thermoacoustic signal with the required signal-to-noise ratio. This result clearly demonstrated a significantly higher microwave-to-acoustic conversion efficiency of USMP TAI compared to that of conventional TAI. The USMP TAI system achieved 61 mm imaging depth and 12 × 12 cm{sup 2} microwave radiation area. The volumetric image of a copper target measured at depth of 4–6 cm matched well with the actual shape and the resolution reaches 230 μm. The TAI of the breast phantom was precisely localized to an accuracy of 0.1 cm over an 8 × 8 cm{sup 2} FOV. Conclusions: The experimental results demonstrated that the USMP TAI system offered significant potential for noninvasive clinical detection and 3D localization of deep breast tumors, with low microwave radiation dose and high spatial resolution over a sufficiently large FOV.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Verification of Coupled Hydraulic Fracturing Simulators Using Laboratory-Scale Experiments

In this work, we aim to verify the predictions of the numerical simulators, which are used for designing field-scale hydraulic stimulation experiments. Although a strong theoretical understanding of this process has been gained over the past few decades, numerical predictions of fracture propagation in low-permeability rocks still remains a challenge. Against this background, we performed controlled laboratory-scale hydraulic fracturing experiments in granite samples, which not only provides high-quality experimental data but also a well-characterized experimental set-up. Using the experimental pressure responses and the final fracture sizes as benchmark, we compared the numerical predictions of two coupled hydraulic fracturing simulators—CSMP and GEOS. Both the simulators reproduced the experimental pressure behavior by implementing the physics of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and lubrication theory within a reasonable degree of accuracy. The simulation results indicate that even in the very low-porosity (1–2 %) and low-permeability (10 -18 m 2 - 10 -19 m 2 ) crystalline rocks, which are usually the target of EGS, fluid-loss into the matrix and unsaturated flow impacts the formation breakdown pressure and the post-breakdown pressure trends. Therefore, underestimation of such parameters in numerical modeling can lead to significant underestimation of breakdown pressure. The simulation results also indicate the importance of implementing wellbore solvers for considering the effect of system compressibility and pressure drop due to friction in the injection line. The varying injection rate as a result of decompression at the instant of fracture initiation affects the fracture size, while the entry friction at the connection between the well and the initial notch may cause an increase in the measured breakdown pressure.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Finite element-integral simulation of static and flight fan noise radiation from the JT15D turbofan engine

An iterative finite element integral technique is used to predict the sound field radiated from the JT15D turbofan inlet. The sound field is divided into two regions: the sound field within and near the inlet which is computed using the finite element method and the radiation field beyond the inlet which is calculated using an integral solution technique. The velocity potential formulation of the acoustic wave equation was employed in the program. For some single mode JT15D data, the theory and experiment are in good agreement for the far field radiation pattern as well as suppressor attenuation. Also, the computer program is used to simulate flight effects that cannot be performed on a ground static test stand.

Baumeister, K. J.↗

The development of laser-plasma interaction program LAP3D on thousands of processors

Modeling laser-plasma interaction (LPI) processes in real-size experiments scale is recognized as a challenging task. For explorering the influence of various instabilities in LPI processes, a three-dimensional laser and plasma code (LAP3D) has been developed, which includes filamentation, stimulated Brillouin backscattering (SBS), stimulated Raman backscattering (SRS), non-local heat transport and plasmas flow computation modules. In this program, a second-order upwind scheme is applied to solve the plasma equations which are represented by an Euler fluid model. Operator splitting method is used for solving the equations of the light wave propagation, where the Fast Fourier translation (FFT) is applied to compute the diffraction operator and the coordinate translations is used to solve the acoustic wave equation. The coupled terms of the different physics processes are computed by the second-order interpolations algorithm. In order to simulate the LPI processes in massively parallel computers well, several parallel techniques are used, such as the coupled parallel algorithm of FFT and fluid numerical computation, the load balance algorithm, and the data transfer algorithm. Now the phenomena of filamentation, SBS and SRS have been studied in low-density plasma successfully with LAP3D. Scalability of the program is demonstrated with a parallel efficiency above 50% on about ten thousand of processors.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

An iterative reconstruction of cosmological initial density fields

We present an iterative method to reconstruct the linear-theory initial conditions from the late-time cosmological matter density field, with the intent of improving the recovery of the cosmic distance scale from the baryon acoustic oscillations. We present tests using the dark matter density field in both real and redshift space generated from an N-body simulation. In redshift space at z = 0.5, we find that the reconstructed displacement field using our iterative method are more than 80 percent correlated with the true displacement field of the dark matter particles on scales k < 0.10 h Mpc -1 . Furthermore, we show that the two-point correlation function of our reconstructed density field matches that of the initial density field substantially better, especially on small scales (<40 h -1 Mpc). Our redshift-space results are improved if we use an anisotropic smoothing so as to account for the reduced small-scale information along the line of sight in redshift space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Building and Running TDAAPS Models: WRF Predictions

This document serves to guide a researcher through the process of predicting atmospheric conditions in a region of interest utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. This documentation is specific to WRF and WRF Preprocessing System (WPS) version 3.8.1. WRF is an atmospheric prediction system designed for meteorological research and numerical atmospheric prediction. In WRF, simulations may be generated utilizing real data or idealized atmospheric conditions. Output from WRF serves as input into the Time-Domain Atmospheric Acoustic Propagation Suite (TDAAPS) which performs staggered-grid finite difference modeling of the acoustic velocity pressure system to produce Green's functions through these atmospheric models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Measured noise of a scale model high speed propeller at simulated takeoff/approach conditions

A model high-speed advanced propeller, SR-7A, was tested in the NASA Lewis 9x15 foot anechoic wind tunnel at simulated takeoff/approach conditions of 0.2 Mach number. These tests were in support of the full-scale Propfan Text Assessment (PTA) flight program. Acoustic measurements were taken with fixed microphone arrays and with an axially translating microphone probe. Limited aerodynamic measurements were also taken to establish the propeller operating conditions. Tests were conducted with the propeller alone and with three down-stream wing configurations. The propeller was run over a range of blade setting angles from 32.0 deg. to 43.6 deg., tip speeds from 183 to 290 m/sec (600 to 950 ft/sec), and angles of attack from -10 deg. to +15 deg. The propeller alone BPF tone noise was found to increase 10 dB in the flyover plane at 15 deg. propeller axis angle of attack. The installation of the straight wing at minimum spacing of 0.54 wing chord increased the tone noise 5 dB under the wing of 10 deg. propeller axis angle of attack, while a similarly spaced inboard upswept wing only increased the tone noise 2 dB.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Measured noise of a scale model high speed propeller at simulated takeoff/approach conditions

A model high-speed advanced propeller, SR-7A, was tested in the NASA Lewis 9 x 15 foot anechoic wind tunnel at simulated takeoff/approach conditions of 0.2 Mach number. These tests were in support of the full-scale Propfan Text Assessment (PTA) flight program. Acoustic measurements were taken with fixed microphone arrays and with an axially translating microphone probe. Limited aerodynamic measurements were also taken to establish the propeller operating conditions. Tests were conducted with the propeller alone and with three down-stream wing configurations. The propeller was run over a range of blade setting angles from 32.0 deg. to 43.6 deg., tip speeds from 183 to 290 m/sec (600 to 950 ft/sec), and angles of attack from -10 deg. to +15 deg. The propeller alone BPF tone noise was found to increase 10 dB in the flyover plane at 15 deg. propeller axis angle of attack. The installation of the straight wing at minimum spacing of 0.54 wing chord increased the tone noise 5 dB under the wing of 10 deg. propeller axis angle of attack, while a similarly spaced inboard upswept wing only increased the tone noise 2 dB.

Woodward, Richard P.↗