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At least 1,387 records · Page 77

An Optical Model for Estimating the Underwater Light Field from Remote Sensing

A model of the wavelength-integrated scalar irradiance for a vertically homogeneous water column is developed. It runs twenty thousand times faster than simulations obtained using full Hydrolight code and limits the percentage error to less than 3.7%. Both the distribution of incident sky radiance and a wind-roughened surface are integrated in the model. Our model removes common limitations of earlier models and can be applied to waters with any composition of the inherent optical properties. Implementation of this new model, as well as the ancillary information required for processing global-scale satellite data, is discussed. This new model is fast, accurate, and flexible and therefore provides important information of the underwater light field from remote sensing.

Liu, Cheng-Chien↗

Streak Instability Analysis for BOLT Configuration

The BOLT configuration designed for an upcoming flight experiment exemplifies the complexities of hypersonic boundary layer transition in the presence of multiple and potentially interacting instability mechanisms. A numerical study of the boundary layer instabilities over this configuration has been performed with the goal of applying state-of-the-art tools in multidimensional stability analysis that complement the other ongoing research related to the BOLT flight campaign. Specifically, the paper outlines modal instability characteristics of the boundary layer streaks adjacent to the minor-axis symmetry plane of a 1/3 rd scale BOLT configuration that was tested in the low-disturbance hypersonic wind tunnel at Purdue University and both quiet and conventional tunnels at Texas A&M University (TAMU). The basic state computations agree well with the heat flux measurements in the Purdue quiet tunnel as well as with the off-body velocity field described in a previous DNS study at the University of Minnesota. The encouraging agreement between the predicted frequency spectra of the streak instability in the region of increased boundary layer thickness and the surface pressure spectra measured during the TAMU experiments suggests that these streak instabilities may play an important role during the transition process near the symmetry plane. The modest value of the predicted peak N-factor (N max ≈ 5) for the streak instabilities provides a potential explanation for why transition is not observed under quiet flow conditions, but may occur in a noisy wind tunnel. Similar instability analyses are performed for the flight configuration at two selected flow conditions from the ascent portion of the planned flight trajectory. The predicted values of the peak N-factor suggest that transition onset in the vicinity of the center plane is possible at the ascent time of t = 26.98 seconds (N max ≈ 12.5 at X/L = 0.77), but the streak instabilities weaken sufficiently at the later time of t = 28.88 seconds (N max ≈ 11.5 at X/L ≈ 1.00) and are less likely to cause transition at that time.

Laminar turbulent transition↗

Stochastic model of temporal changes of wind spectra in the free atmosphere

Data for wind profile spectra changes with respect to time from Cape Kennedy, Florida for the time period from 28 November 1964 to 11 May 1967 have been analyzed. A universal statistical distribution of the spectral change which encompasses all vertical wave numbers, wind speed categories, and elapsed time has been developed for the standard deviation of the time changes of detailed wind profile spectra as a function of wave number.

Huang, Y. H.↗

Investigation of Various Transformer Topologies for HF Isolation Applications

High-frequency (HF) transformers are an essential part of many power electronic devices. The performance and behavior of HF transformers can greatly affect the efficiency and performance of all systems, particularly, from a parasitic parameter point of view. In this article, HF transformers' parasitic parameters, such as leakage inductances and parasitic capacitances, are analyzed using a novel analytical method, finite element method (FEM), and experimental measurements of different structures and winding arrangements. Also, the magnetic field, electric field, electric displacement field, and electric potential distribution within the transformers are simulated and analyzed. Four different HF transformers with E and U cores with different windings are designed and analyzed. Investigation outcomes help to classify structures according to the trade-off between leakage inductances and series parasitic capacitances. This information can later be used for the optimal selection and design of transformers as a function of their operating frequency for any power rating and voltage level. Moreover, 3-D FEM and experimental results validate the proposed methodology to be used for designing HF transformers in high-voltage/power applications.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Resource Occurrence and Productivity in Existing and Proposed Wind Energy Lease Areas on the Northeast US Shelf

States in the Northeast United States have the ambitious goal of producing more than 22 GW of offshore wind energy in the coming decades. The infrastructure associated with offshore wind energy development is expected to modify marine habitats and potentially alter the ecosystem services. Species distribution models were constructed for a group of fish and macroinvertebrate taxa resident in the Northeast US Continental Shelf marine ecosystem. These models were analyzed to provide baseline context for impact assessment of lease areas in the Middle Atlantic Bight designated for renewable wind energy installations. Using random forest machine learning, models based on occurrence and biomass were constructed for 93 species providing seasonal depictions of their habitat distributions. We developed a scoring index to characterize lease area habitat use for each species. Subsequently, groups of species were identified that reflect varying levels of lease area habitat use ranging across high, moderate, low, and no reliance on the lease area habitats. Among the species with high to moderate reliance were black sea bass ( Centropristis striata ), summer flounder ( Paralichthys dentatus ), and Atlantic menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus ), which are important fisheries species in the region. Potential for impact was characterized by the number of species with habitat dependencies associated with lease areas and these varied with a number of continuous gradients. Habitats that support high biomass were distributed more to the northeast, while high occupancy habitats appeared to be further from the coast. There was no obvious effect of the size of the lease area on the importance of associated habitats. Model results indicated that physical drivers and lower trophic level indicators might strongly control the habitat distribution of ecologically and commercially important species in the wind lease areas. Therefore, physical and biological oceanography on the continental shelf proximate to wind energy infrastructure development should be monitored for changes in water column structure and the productivity of phytoplankton and zooplankton and the effects of these changes on the trophic system.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Present wind activity on Mars - Relation to large latitudinally zoned sediment deposits

The relation of present Martian winds to large latitudinally zoned sediment deposits has been investigated using global wind streak data and mapping of large sand and dust deposits. Dune sand deposits occur primarily in three latitude belts: north polar (74-85 degrees North), low latitude (5 degrees North-20 degrees South), and south polar (40-80 degrees South). Comparison with wind streak data shows the high-latitude dunes to be in areas of seasonally reversing winds. The present winds can form latitudinal dune belts from a variety of initial dune distributions, including uniform distribution and a polar source. The presence of dune sand within the polar layered deposits, the erosional state of the deposits, and the present surface wind flow away from the poles indicate that both polar dune concentrations have been derived from erosion of the layered deposits. The low-latitude dunes are topographically confined in canyons and craters; they are probably subject to long-term reversal of orientations with climate cycles.

Thomas, P.↗

Effects of the air breathing engine plumes on SSV orbiter subsonic wing pressure distributions (OA57A)

Experimental aerodynamic pressure investigations were conducted on a 0.0405 scale representation of the -89 space shuttle orbiter ferry configuration in the Rockwell International 7.75 x 11.00 foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The primary test objective was to investigate the orbiter wing pressure distribution resulting from five under-wing engine nacelle plumes. Two five engine nacelle configurations were tested at 3 ground plane heights with pressure bug measurements being made on the left upper and lower wing panel. In addition, base and balance cavity pressure measurements were made, with elevon normal and hinge moment measurements on the right panel.

Cameron, B. W., Jr.↗

Space Shuttle: Static pressure distribution on Chrysler Corporation Space Division SERV booster configuration

A dual purpose test was conducted in the propulsion wind tunnel (PWT) to evaluate the performance of an aerospike engine, in the presence of a booster, and obtain forebody and base pressure distributions on the booster in which it is installed. The test item was a 2.5 percent scaled replica of the SERV booster employing a 5 percent spike length aerospike engine installed in the base region of the model. Cold flow air was used to simulate engine jet operation. Two booster configurations were investigated, one on which reentry aerospike engine thermal protection doors were installed, and another where the doors were removed. The data presented are representative of the latter configuration for a Mach number range of 0 to 1.25 at angles of attack of 0 and 8 degrees and 0 degrees angle of sideslip.

Price, E. A.↗

Growth of turbulent boundary layers over nonstationary boundaries

Wind tunnel data are presented which show that the velocity distribution in a turbulent boundary layer above a moving ground plane can be represented as a power law. The flows under consideration are encountered in studies of shock waves near solid boundaries and of the near-field drag of tube vehicles. The two wind tunnels used in the experiment were equipped with moving ground belts and employed porous suction plates to remove the normal tunnel boundary layer. The layers studied are, therefore, assumed to originate at the leading edge of the belt.

Roper, A. T.↗

Local and global processes which impact solar wind electrons

A detailed first principle kinetic theory for solar wind electrons which is neither fluid not exospheric in nature is presented. The global and local properties of the solar wind expansion and coulomb collisions that are reflected in the observed electron velocity distribution function are: its bifurcation, skewness, and the differential temperatures of the thermal and suprathermal subpopulations. Predictions of correlations amongst electron solar wind parameters which were previously reported are shown.

Scudder, J. D.↗

Radar-derived precipitation climatology for wind turbine blade leading edge erosion

Wind turbine blade leading edge erosion (LEE) is a potentially significant source of revenue loss for wind farm operators. Thus, it is important to advance understanding of the underlying causes, to generate geospatial estimates of erosion potential to provide guidance in pre-deployment planning, and ultimately to advance methods to mitigate this effect and extend blade lifetimes. This study focuses on the second issue and presents a novel approach to characterizing the erosion potential across the contiguous USA based solely on publicly available data products from the National Weather Service dual-polarization radar. The approach is described in detail and illustrated using six locations distributed across parts of the USA that have substantial wind turbine deployments. Results from these locations demonstrate the high spatial variability in precipitation-induced erosion potential, illustrate the importance of low-probability high-impact events to cumulative annual total kinetic energy transfer and emphasize the importance of hail as a damage vector.

Letson, Frederick (ORCID:0000000192750359)↗

On the wind geometry of the Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris

Recent models of Wolf-Rayet star winds have been tailored to EZ CMa, and make predictions of the envelope structure and location of line-emitting regions. It is discussed how the wind structure of EZ CMa can be probed observationally through electron distribution integrals as measured by spectropolarimetry, and then present, analyze, and interpret a time-dependent spectropolarimetric data set of EZ CMa. The observations further the view of an electron-scattering wind that is axisymmetric, rotating, and expanding, with a variable mass-loss rate being responsible for the quasi-periodic polarimetric variability. It is demonstrated that the emission lines of EZ CMa are partially polarized, indicating that line photons are electron-scattered in the wind. The polarization in N V lambda 4945 and N IV lambda 4058 is observed to be larger than that of He II lambda 4686 and He I lambda 5876, as expected from ionization stratification.

Schulte-Ladbeck, R. E.↗

Providing Ramping Service with Wind to Enhance Power System Operational Flexibility

This project develops an innovative, integrated, and transformative approach to mitigate the impact of wind ramping by providing flexible ramping products from wind power. The project will significantly contribute to the reduction of wind integration costs by making wind power dispatchable and allowing the efficient management of wind ramping characteristics. In addition, we collaborated with industry to test and validate the methodology, considering economic and reliability goals, by integrating the proposed methodology into the simulated market frameworks of two independent system operators: California Independent System Operator and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska - Modeling and Controls Assistance and Renewable Energy Resource Assessment [Slides]

This presentation provides a summary of the ETIPP project objectives and findings for Sitka, Alaska, including sizing of wind penetration, dynamic models, and analysis of efficiency of load control, stability and grid control impacts of wind capacity expansions and locations, and wind-hydro control coordination.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Downstream energetic proton and alpha particles during quasi-parallel interplanetary shock events

This paper considers the energetic particle populations in the downstream region of three quasi-parallel interplanetary shock events, which was explored using the ISEE 3 Ultra Low Energy Charge Analyzer sensor, which unambiguously identifies protons and alpha particles using the electrostatic deflection versus residual energy technique. The downstream particles were found to exhibit anisotropies due largely to convection in the solar wind. The spectral indices of the proton and the alpha-particle distribution functions were found to be remarkably constant during the downstream period, being generally insensitive to changes in particle flux levels, magnetic field direction, and solar wind densities. In two of the three events, the proton and the alpha spectra were the same throughout the entire downstream period, supporting the prediction of diffusive shock acceleration theory.

Tan, L. C.↗

Pressure-Distribution Measurements of a Model of a Davis Wing Section with Fowler Flap Submitted by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation

Wing pressure distribution diagrams for several angles of attack and flap deflections of 0 degrees, 20 degrees, and 40 degrees are presented. The normal force coefficients agree with lift coefficients obtained in previous test of the same model, except for the maximum lifts with flap deflection. Pressure distribution measurements were made at Reynolds Number of about 6,000,000.

PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION - AIRFOILS - DAVIS↗

Mapping global winds with satellite borne Doppler lidar - A plan

The application of the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder to the EOS and Space Station is proposed. The use of pulsed, CO2 Doppler lidar to measure wind is described. The design requirements for a Doppler lidar operating in space, and the need to study the global distribution of naturally occurring atmospheric aerosols are discussed. The space-based Doppler lidar wind data will be useful for improving the skill of numerical weather predictions, for studying large-scale atmospheric circulation and climate dynamics, and for analyzing global biogeochemical and hydrological cycles.

Fitzjarrald, D.↗

Pressure and Force Characteristics of Noncircular Cylinders as Affected by Reynolds Number with a Method Included for Determining the Potential Flow About Arbitrary Shapes

The low-speed pressure-distribution and force characteristics of several noncircular two-dimensional cylinders were measured in wind tunnel through a range of Reynolds numbers and flow incidences. A method of determining the potential-flow pressure distribution for arbitrary cross sections is described. Application of the data in predicting the spin characteristics of fuselages is briefly discussed.

Polhamus, Edward C.↗