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At least 1,495 records · Page 83
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

A rational approach to the use of Prandtl's mixing length model in free turbulent shear flow calculations

Prandtl's basic mixing length model was used to compute 22 test cases on free turbulent shear flows. The calculations employed appropriate algebraic length scale equations and single values of mixing length constant for planar and axisymmetric flows, respectively. Good agreement with data was obtained except for flows, such as supersonic free shear layers, where large sustained sensitivity changes occur. The inability to predict the more gradual mixing in these flows is tentatively ascribed to the presence of a significant turbulence-induced transverse static pressure gradient which is neglected in conventional solution procedures. Some type of an equation for length scale development was found to be necessary for successful computation of highly nonsimilar flow regions such as jet or wake development from thick wall flows.

Rudy, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Experiments in free shear flows: Status and needs for the future

Experiments in free turbulent flows are recommended with the primary concern placed on classical flows in order to augment understanding and for model building. Five classes of experiments dealing with classical free turbulent flows are outlined and proposed as being of particular significance for the near future. These classes include the following: (1) Experiments clarifying the effect of density variation owing to use of different gases, with and without the additional effect of density variation due to high Mach number or other effects; (2) experiments clarifying the role and importance of various parameters which determine the behavior of the near field as well as the condictions under which any of these parameters can be neglected; (3) experiments determining the cumulative effect of initial conditions in terms of distance to fully established flow; (4) experiments for cases where two layers of distinctly different initial turbulence structure flow side by side at the same mean speed; and (5) experiment using contemporary experimental techniques to study structure in free turbulent shear flows in order to compliment and support contemporary work on boundary layers.

Kline, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A model for the pressure excitation spectrum and acoustic impedance of sound absorbers in the presence of grazing flow

The acoustic impedance of sound absorbers in the presence of grazing flow is essential information when analyzing sound propagation within ducts. A unification of the theory of the nonlinear acoustic resistance of Helmholtz resonators including grazing flow is presented. The nonlinear resistance due to grazing flow is considered to be caused by an exciting pressure spectrum produced by the interaction of the grazing flow and the jets flowing from the resonator orifices. With this exciting pressure spectrum the resonator can be treated in the same manner as a resonator without grazing flow but with an exciting acoustic spectrum.

Rice, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Finite element analysis and computer graphics visualization of flow around pitching and plunging airfoils

A general computational method for analyzing unsteady flow around pitching and plunging airfoils was developed. The finite element method was applied in developing an efficient numerical procedure for the solution of equations describing the flow around airfoils. The numerical results were employed in conjunction with computer graphics techniques to produce visualization of the flow. The investigation involved mathematical model studies of flow in two phases: (1) analysis of a potential flow formulation and (2) analysis of an incompressible, unsteady, viscous flow from Navier-Stokes equations.

Bratanow, T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Flight calibration tests of a nose-boom-mounted fixed hemispherical flow-direction sensor

Flight calibrations of a fixed hemispherical flow angle-of-attack and angle-of-sideslip sensor were made from Mach numbers of 0.5 to 1.8. Maneuvers were performed by an F-104 airplane at selected altitudes to compare the measurement of flow angle of attack from the fixed hemispherical sensor with that from a standard angle-of-attack vane. The hemispherical flow-direction sensor measured differential pressure at two angle-of-attack ports and two angle-of-sideslip ports in diametrically opposed positions. Stagnation pressure was measured at a center port. The results of these tests showed that the calibration curves for the hemispherical flow-direction sensor were linear for angles of attack up to 13 deg. The overall uncertainty in determining angle of attack from these curves was plus or minus 0.35 deg or less. A Mach number position error calibration curve was also obtained for the hemispherical flow-direction sensor. The hemispherical flow-direction sensor exhibited a much larger position error than a standard uncompensated pitot-static probe.

Armistead, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Investigations of three dimensional flow characteristics in a three bladed rocket pump inducer

Because of the long and narrow passages between the blades of a rocket pump inducer, major effects from turbulence and viscosity make the flow through such a device truly three-dimensional and therefore difficult to measure or predict. To investigate the flow characteristics, conventional and three-dimensional hot-wire probe measurements were conducted in a model inducer 3 ft in diameter. Blade-to-blade variation of the three components of velocity at the exit and the corresponding turbulence intensities were obtained by means of hotwire probes aligned in the three coordinate directions. Analysis of the three-dimensional inviscid flow field led to qualitative prediction of the flow characteristics. Extensive measurements and theoretical analyses of the flow field showed that blade blockage, viscosity, and blade boundary layer interactions are the dominant influences on flow in this type of turbomachinery.

Poncet, A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Dynamic effects of shock-induced flow separation.

Shock-induced flow separation is the flow mechanism usually responsible for what the structural dynamicist terms 'buffet.' The shock-induced flow separation affects the aeroelastic response via two different mechanisms: (1) the flow separation generates fluctuating pressures, i.e., a forcing function that is independent of the motion of the aerodynamic surface, e.g., an aircraft wing, and (2) the flow separation affects the motion-dependent forces and can in some cases generate negative aerodynamic damping. A simple analysis is presented which, using static experimental data as an input, can predict these two buffet-components for a wing in high Mach number subsonic flow.

Ericsson, L. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Low-speed wind-tunnel investigation of the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of a translating grid choked flow inlet

The aerodynamic and acoustic performance of a translating grid choked-flow inlet was determined in a low-speed wind tunnel at free-stream velocities of 24, 32, and 45 m/sec and incidence angles of 0, 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 deg. The inlet was sized to fit a 13.97- centimeter-diameter fan with a design weight flow of 2.49 kg/sec. Measurements were made to determine inlet total pressure recovery, flow distortion, and sound pressure level for both choked and unchoked geometries over a range of inlet weight flows. For the unchoked geometry, inlet total pressure recovery ranged from 0.983 to 0.989 at incidence angles less than 40 deg. At 40 deg incidence angle, inlet cowl separation was encountered which resulted in lower values of pressure recovery and higher levels of fan broadband noise. For the choked geometry, increasing total pressure losses occurred with increasing inlet weight flow that prevented the inlet from reaching full choked conditions with the particular fan used. These losses were attributed to the high Mach number drag rise characteristics of airfoil grid. At maximum attainable inlet weight flow, the total pressure recovery at static conditions was 0.935. The fan blade passing frequency and other fan generated pure tones were eliminated from the noise spectrum, but the broadband level was increased.

Abbott, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The choking pressure ratio of a critical flow venturi

The critical flow venturi has many important applications in the measurement and control of gas flow. In many of these applications, it is desirable to minimize the pressure loss required to maintain critical flow conditions. The performance of the venturi may be characterized by the ratio of outlet static pressure to inlet total pressure just sufficiently small to produce critical flow. This ratio is called choking pressure ratio. The optimization of diffusers for critical flow venturis is discussed and suggestions for designs practice are presented. Test results are given for six different diffuser configurations, and a comparison is made with data on 11 configurations from other investigators. It is shown that, for the small divergence angles considered, a simply defined diffuser effectiveness parameter is approximately independent of flow conditions and may be used to predict choking pressure ratio.

Hillbrath, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Analysis of acoustic radiation in a jet flow environment

The analysis of sound fields from arbitrary source distributions in terms of Legendre and spherical Hankel functions is well known. The purpose of this paper is to extend this classical method of analysis to environments such as jet flows where flow and flow gradients are inherently present. The wave-equation governing the radiation of sound in such an environment is derived. The steady state flow and flow gradients in the axial and transverse directions appear as coefficients in the terms of the wave-equation. A semi-numerical method is used to solve the wave-equation in terms of modified spherical harmonics yielding the phase velocities and the directivities of an infinite set of modes. The directivity of each mode is obtained in terms of modified Legendre functions by numerical integration. Some results of these directivity and phase-velocity calculations are presented for a limited number of frequency and flow parameters. Both convective and shear refraction are shown to be important.

Mungur, P.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A parametric study of effect of forebody shape on flow angularity at Mach 8

Flow angularity and static pressure measurements have been made on the lower surface of nine forebody models that simulate the bottom forward surface of a hypersonic aircraft. Measurements were made in an area of the forebody that represents the location of an inlet of a scramjet engine. A parametric variation of the forebody surface investigated the effect of: (1) spanwise curvature; (2) longitudinal curvature; and (3) planform shape on both flow angularity and static pressure distribution. Results of each of the three parametric variations of geometry were compared to those for the same flat delta forebody. Spanwise curvature results showed that a concave shape and the flat delta had the lowest flow angularity and lowest rate of increase in flow angularity with angle of attack. Longitudinal curvature results showed a convex surface to give the better flow at the higher angles of attack. The better of the two planform shapes tested was a convex elliptical shape. Limited flow field calculations were made at angles of attack using a three dimensional, method-of-characteristics program. In general, at all angles of attack there was agreement between data and theory.

Johnson, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Program and charts for determining shock tube, and expansion tunnel flow quantities for real air

A computer program in FORTRAN 4 language was written to determine shock tube, expansion tube, and expansion tunnel flow quantities for real-air test gas. This program permits, as input data, a number of possible combinations of flow quantities generally measured during a test. The versatility of the program is enhanced by the inclusion of such effects as a standing or totally reflected shock at the secondary diaphragm, thermochemical-equilibrium flow expansion and frozen flow expansion for the expansion tube and expansion tunnel, attenuation of the flow in traversing the acceleration section of the expansion tube, real air as the acceleration gas, and the effect of wall boundary layer on the acceleration section air flow. Charts which provide a rapid estimation of expansion tube performance prior to a test are included.

Miller, C. G., III↗
NASA NTRS1975

Turbine vane coolant flow variations and calculated effects on metal temperatures

Seventy-two air-cooled turbine vanes were tested to determine coolant flow variations among the vanes. Calculations were made to estimate the effect of measured coolant flow variations on local vane metal temperatures. The calculations were based on the following assumed operating conditions: turbine inlet temperature, 1700 K (2600 F); turbine inlet pressure, 31 N/sq cm (45 psia); coolant inlet temperature, 811 K (1000 F); and total coolant to gas flow ratio, 0.065. Variations of total coolant flow were not large (about 10 percent from the arithmetic mean) for all 72 vanes, but variations in local coolant flows were large. The local coolant flow variations ranged from 8 to 75 percent, and calculated metal temperature variations ranged from 8 to 60 K (15 to 180 F).

Yeh, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development of a flow visualization apparatus

The use of an optical flow visualization device for studying convection flow patterns was investigated. The investigation considered use of a shadowgraph, schlieren and other means for visualizing the flow. A laboratory model was set up to provide data on the proper optics and photography procedures to best visualize the flow. A preliminary design of a flow visualization system is provided as a result of the study. Recommendations are given for a flight test program utilizing the flow visualization apparatus.

Spradley, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

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.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Computation of steady axisymmetric flow using a one-dimensional time-dependent method

An iterative numerical method for computing steady, three dimensional, viscous, compressible flow fields, about aerodynamic bodies was studied. In order to develop the iterative method economically, the primary emphasis was directed towards supersonic, axisymmetric flow. However, the technique readily extends to three spatial dimensions. The viscous flow field about a cone-cylinder-flare body was calculated and compared to existing experimental data. Numerical predictions of the cone boundary layer and the flow field shock wave structure agreed with corresponding measurements. A separation was calculated at the cylinder-flare junction in six iterations; however, the size of the vortex did not correspond to the measured size. It was estimated that fifty iterations would be required to properly define the vortex. It was concluded that the iteration technique is of limited value for plane two dimensional and axisymmetrix flows, but of great value for three-dimensional flows.

Walitt, L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Unsteady aerodynamic flow field analysis of the space shuttle configuration. Part 2: Launch vehicle aeroelastic analysis

An exploratory analysis has been made of the aeroelastic stability of the Space Shuttle Launch Configuration, with the objective of defining critical flow phenomena with adverse aeroelastic effects and developing simple analytic means of describing the time-dependent flow-interference effects so that they can be incorporated into a computer program to predict the aeroelastic stability of all free-free modes of the shuttle launch configuration. Three critical flow phenomana have been identified: (1) discontinuous jump of orbiter wing shock, (2) inlet flow between orbiter and booster, and (3) H.O. tank base flow. All involve highly nonlinear and often discontinuous aerodynamics which cause limit cycle oscillations of certain critical modes. Given the appropriate static data, the dynamic effects of the wing shock jump and the HO tank bulbous base effect can be analyzed using the developed quasi-steady techniques. However, further analytic and experimental efforts are required before the dynamic effects of the inlet flow phenomenon can be predicted for the shuttle launch configuration.

Reding, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The calculation of steady non-linear transonic flow over finite wings with linear theory aerodynamics

The feasibility of calculating steady mean flow solutions for nonlinear transonic flow over finite wings with a linear theory aerodynamic computer program is studied. The methodology is based on independent solutions for upper and lower surface pressures that are coupled through the external flow fields. Two approaches for coupling the solutions are investigated which include the diaphragm and the edge singularity method. The final method is a combination of both where a line source along the wing leading edge is used to account for blunt nose airfoil effects; and the upper and lower surface flow fields are coupled through a diaphragm in the plane of the wing. An iterative solution is used to arrive at the nonuniform flow solution for both nonlifting and lifting cases. Final results for a swept tapered wing in subcritical flow show that the method converges in three iterations and gives excellent agreement with experiment at alpha = 0 deg and 2 deg. Recommendations are made for development of a procedure for routine application.

Cunningham, A. M., Jr.↗