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At least 1,387 records · Page 77

A Study of Propane Combustion in a Spark-Ignited Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) Engine

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), whose primary composition is propane, is a promising candidate for heavy-duty vehicle applications as a diesel fuel alternative due to its CO 2 reduction potential and high knock resistance. To realize diesel-like efficiencies, spark-ignited LPG engines are proposed to operate near knock-limit over a wide range of operating conditions, which necessitates an investigation of fuel-engine interactions that leads to end-gas autoignition with propane combustion. This work presents both experimental and numerical studies of stoichiometric propane combustion in a sparkignited (SI) cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine. Engine experiments are initially conducted at different compression ratio (CR) values, and the effects of CR on engine combustion are characterized. A three-pressure analysis (TPA) model based on the two-zone combustion concept is developed in GT-Power and validated using test results to estimate in-cylinder wall temperatures, residual gas fraction, etc. This model is further utilized to examine end-gas chemistry by enabling the SI turbulent flame combustion and unburned gas chemical kinetics modules. Finally, a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of the CFR engine is developed in CONVERGE, where the G-equation and SAGE detailed chemical kinetics models are implemented for combustion modeling. Here, a 153 species reduced chemical kinetics mechanism derived from the detailed NUIGMech1.1 mechanism based on the ignition delay and laminar flame speed (LFS) studies is used to generate an LFS lookup table and to describe end-gas autoignition chemistry. Multi-cycle Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are then performed for the tested CRs, and the numerical model is shown to be capable of predicting the propane combustion characteristics, particularly the end-gas autoignition behavior.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Determination of solid-propellant transient regression rates using a microwave Doppler shift technique

A microwave Doppler shift system, with increased resolution over earlier microwave techniques, was developed for the purpose of measuring the regression rates of solid propellants during rapid pressure transients. A continuous microwave beam is transmitted to the base of a burning propellant sample cast in a metal waveguide tube. A portion of the wave is reflected from the regressing propellant-flame zone interface. The phase angle difference between the incident and reflected signals and its time differential are continuously measured using a high resolution microwave network analyzer and related instrumentation. The apparent propellant regression rate is directly proportional to this latter differential measurement. Experiments were conducted to verify the (1) spatial and time resolution of the system, (2) effect of propellant surface irregularities and compressibility on the measurements, and (3) accuracy of the system for quasi-steady-state regression rate measurements. The microwave system was also used in two different transient combustion experiments: in a rapid depressurization bomb, and in the high-frequency acoustic pressure environment of a T-burner.

Strand, L. D.↗

A discrete variable approximation to minimum weight panel designs subject to a supersonic flutter-speed constraint.

A numerical technique is presented that determines the minimum-weight thickness distribution for a one-dimensional, simply supported panel subjected to a parallel supersonic flow on one side. An aeroelastic eigenvalue, which characterizes flutter speed, is held constant. The governing differential equations are approximated by sets of difference equations adjoined to the weight function via a penalty function. A conjugate gradient method then solves the resulting sequence of unconstrained minimization problems. Numerical results are obtained without imposing a minimum thickness constraint; the effect of constant inplane tensile and compressive stresses is also investigated.

Pierson, B. L.↗

CTS digital video college curriculum-sharing experiment

NASA-Ames Research Center, Stanford University, and Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, are participating in a joint experiment to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of college curriculum sharing using compressed digital television and the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS). Each university will offer televised courses to the other during the 1976-1977 academic year via CTS, a joint program by NASA and the Canadian Department of Communications. The video compression techniques to be demonstrated will enable economical interconnection of educational institutions using existing and planned domestic satellites.

Lumb, D. R.↗

Composite impact strength improvement through a fiber/matrix interphase

Research was conducted to improve the impact strength and toughness of fiber/resin composites by means of a fiber coating interphase. Graphite fiber/epoxy resin composites were fabricated with four different fiber coating systems introduced in a matrix-fiber interphase. Two graphite fibers, a high strength and a high modulus type, were studied with the following coating systems: chemical vapor deposited boron, electroless nickel, a polyamide-imide resin and a thermoplastic polysulfone resin. Evaluation methods included the following tests: Izod, flexure, shear fracture toughness, longitudinal and transverse tensile, and transverse and longitudinal compression. No desirable changes could be effected with the high strength fiber, but significant improvements in impact performance were observed with the polyamide-imide resin coated high modulus fiber with no loss in composite modulus.

Cavano, P. J.↗

Acoustic radiation and surface pressure characteristics of an airfoil due to incident turbulence

The noise and unsteady surface pressure characteristics of an isolated airfoil in a uniform mean velocity, homogeneous, nearly isotropic turbulence field were investigated. Experiments were performed with a 23 cm chord, two-dimensional airfoil over a Mach number range of 0.1 to 0.5. Far-field noise spectra and directivity as well as surface pressure spectra and cross-spectra were obtained. Incident turbulence statistics were documented. Theory applied to predict far-field noise and surface pressure characteristics from measured inflow turbulence statistics showed good agreement with measurement. The theoretical formulation represents a first-principles solution providing absolute level prediction without recourse to empirical or adjustable constants, and takes into account compressibility as well as source noncompactness effects. All chordwise portions of the airfoil radiated directly to the far-field, the leading edge to the dominant noise producing region. The effect of angle of attack on noise and surface pressures is small. The interaction of incident turbulence of approximately 4 percent intensity with an airfoil was found to be a broadband noise source of high intensity relative to other noise sources.

Paterson, R. W.↗

Correlation of AH-1G helicopter flight vibration data and tailboom static test data with NASTRAN analytical results

Level flight airframe vibration at main rotor excitation frequencies was calculated. A NASTRAN tailboom analysis was compared with test data for evaluation of methods used to determine effective skin in a semimonocoque sheet-stringer structure. The flight vibration correlation involved comparison of level flight vibration for two helicopter configurations: clean wing, at light gross weight and wing stores at heavy gross weight. In the tailboom correlation, deflections and internal loads were compared using static test data and a NASTRAN analysis. An iterative procedure was used to determine the amount of effective skin of buckled panels under compression load.

Cronkhite, J. D.↗

Application of the high resolution return beam vidicon

The Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) is a high-performance electronic image sensor and electrical storage component. It can accept continuous or discrete exposures. Information can be read out with a single scan or with many repetitive scans for either signal processing or display. Resolution capability is 10,000 TV lines/height, and at 100 lp/mm, performance matches or exceeds that of film, particularly with low-contrast imagery. Electronic zoom can be employed effectively for image magnification and data compression. The high performance and flexibility of the RBV permit wide application in systems for reconnaissance, scan conversion, information storage and retrieval, and automatic inspection and test. This paper summarizes the characteristics and performance parameters of the RBV and cites examples of feasible applications.

Cantella, M. J.↗

Flow of nitrogen-pressurized Halon 1301 in fire extinguishing systems

Halon 1301 which is a halocarbon fire extinguishing agent (CBrF3) used by the U.S. Army for vehicle fire suppression is discussed. Halon 1301 is discharged under nitrogen pressure, and the Halon-nitrogen mixture is a two phase, two component mixture that obeys compressible fluid laws and exhibits choking effects. A computer model was developed to analyze the discharge of Halon and nitrogen from a storage bottle through pipes and nozzles. The model agrees well with data from Halon 1301 discharge tests. The discharge time depends mainly on nozzle area and pipe volume, for given initial conditions. Graphs were developed for estimating discharge times. A nozzle employing multiple concentric converging/diverging nozzles was developed which gave hemispherical coverage.

Elliott, D. G.↗

New experimental and analytical results for diffusion and swelling of resins used in graphite/epoxy composite materials

The epoxy resins currently in use can slowly absorb moisture from the atmosphere over a long period. This reduces those mechanical properties of composites which depend strongly on the matrix, such as compressive strength and buckling instabilities. The effect becomes greater at elevated temperatures. The paper will discuss new phenomena which occur under simultaneous temperature and moisture variations. An analytical model will also be discussed and documented.

Hiel, C. C.↗

Exploratory wind tunnel investigation of the stability and control characteristics of a three-surface, forward-swept wing advanced turboprop model

The purpose of the present investigation was to parametrically study the stability and control characteristics of a forward-swept wing three-surface turboprop model through an extended angle of attack range, including the deep-stall region. As part of a joint research program between North Carolina State University and NASA Langley Research Center, a low-speed wind tunnel investigation was conducted with a three-surface, forward-swept wing, aft-mounted, twin-pusher propeller, model, representative of an advanced turboprop configuration. The tests were conducted in the NASA Langley 12-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. The model parameters varied in the test were horizontal tail location, canard size, sweep and location, and wing position. The model was equipped with air turbines, housed within the nacelles and driven by compressed air, to model turboprop power effects. A three-surface, forward-swept wing configuration that provided satisfactory static longitudinal and lateral/directional stability was identified. The three-surface configuration was found to have greater longitudinal control and increased center of gravity range relative to a conventional (two-surface) design. The test showed that power had a large favorable effect on stability and control about all three axis in the post-stall regime.

Coe, Paul L., Jr.↗

Unified aeroacoustics analysis for high speed turboprop aerodynamics and noise. Volume 4: Computer user's manual for UAAP turboprop aeroacoustic code

The Unified AeroAcoustic Program (UAAP) code calculates the airloads on a single rotation prop-fan, or propeller, and couples these airloads with an acoustic radiation theory, to provide estimates of near-field or far-field noise levels. The steady airloads can also be used to calculate the nonuniform velocity components in the propeller wake. The airloads are calculated using a three dimensional compressible panel method which considers the effects of thin, cambered, multiple blades which may be highly swept. These airloads may be either steady or unsteady. The acoustic model uses the blade thickness distribution and the steady or unsteady aerodynamic loads to calculate the acoustic radiation. The users manual for the UAAP code is divided into five sections: general code description; input description; output description; system description; and error codes. The user must have access to IMSL10 libraries (MATH and SFUN) for numerous calls made for Bessel functions and matrix inversion. For plotted output users must modify the dummy calls to plotting routines included in the code to system-specific calls appropriate to the user's installation.

Menthe, R. W.↗

Instability of fiber-reinforced viscoelastic composite plates to in-plane compressive loads

This study analyzes the stability behavior of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite plates with viscoelastic material behavior subject to in-plane biaxial compressive edge loads. To predict the effective time-dependent material properties, elastic fibers embedded in a linearly viscoelastic matrix are examined. The micromechanical relations developed for a transversely isotropic medium are discussed along with the correspondence principle of linear viscoelasticity. It is concluded that the stability boundary obtained for a viscoelastic plate is lower (more critical) than its elastic counterpart, and the transverse shear deformation effects are more pronounced in viscoelastic plates than in their elastic counterparts.

Chandiramani, N. K.↗

Inhibition of mixing and self-focusing in high Mach number turbulence

It is shown that the hypothesis that eddy shocklets dissipate excess kinetic energy in compressible flow and thus limit the effective eddy Mach number to order 1 leads to the inhibition of mixing and self-focusing of turbulent jets at high Mach numbers, in agreement with experiment.

Orszag, Steven A.↗

Correlation of boundary layer stability analysis with flight transition data

Recently, NASA completed a boundary-layer transition flight test on an F-14 aircraft which has variable-sweep capability. Transition data were acquired for a wide variety of sweep angles, pressure distributions, Mach numbers, and Reynolds numbers. In this paper, the F-14 flight test is briefly described and N-factor correlations with measured transition locations are presented for one of two gloves flown on the F-14 wing in the flight program; a thin foam and fiberglass glove which provided a smooth sailplane finish on the basic F-14, modified NACA 6-series airfoil. For these correlations, an improved linear boundary-layer stability theory was utilized that accounts for compressibility and surface and streamline curvature effects for the flow past swept wings.

Collier, F. S., Jr.↗

Transient performance of fan engine with water ingestion

In a continuing investigation on effects of rain-water ingestion into bypass fan engines, it is shown that the performance of axial-flow compressors and fans is fundamentally time-dependent during ingestion of water. A code named WINCOF-I has been developed for establishing the performance of axial-flow turbomachinery operating with air-water vapor-water droplet-water film mixture, Illustrative examples of predictions and effects are provided for the case of the air-compression system of a generic bypass fan engine. Utilizing performance maps so-generated, the effects of water ingestion into the generic engine have been determined under test cell conditions simulating ingestion, flight operation (altitude and flight Mach number), and power-demand setting.

Murthy, S. N. B.↗