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At least 1,549 records · Page 86

Computational simulation of liquid rocket injector anomalies

A computer model has been developed to analyze the three-dimensional two-phase reactive flows in liquid fueled rocket combustors. The model is designed to study the influence of liquid propellant injection nonuniformities on the flow pattern, combustion and heat transfer within the combustor. The Eulerian-Lagrangian approach for simulating polidisperse spray flow, evaporation and combustion has been used. Full coupling between the phases is accounted for. A nonorthogonal, body fitted coordinate system along with a conservative control volume formulation is employed. The physical models built into the model include a kappa-epsilon turbulence model, a two-step chemical reaction, and the six-flux radiation model. Semiempirical models are used to describe all interphase coupling terms as well as chemical reaction rates. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate an analytical capability to predict the effects of reactant injection nonuniformities (injection anomalies) on combustion and heat transfer within the rocket combustion chamber. The results show promising application of the model to comprehensive modeling of liquid propellant rocket engines.

Przekwas, A. J.↗

Flexibility effects on tooth contact location in spiral bevel gear transmissions

An analytical method to predict the shift of the contact ellipse between the meshing teeth in a spiral bevel gear set is presented in this report. The contact ellipse shift of interest is the motion of the nominal tooth contact location on each tooth from the ideal pitch point to the point of contact between the two teeth considering the elastic motions of the gears and their supporting shafts. This is the shift of the pitch point from the ideal, unloaded position on each tooth to the nominal contact location on the tooth when the gears are fully loaded. It is assumed that the major contributors of this motion are the elastic deflections of the gear shafts, the slopes of the shafts under load and the radial deflections of the four gear shaft bearings. The motions of the two pitch point locations on the pinion and the gear tooth surfaces are calculated in a FORTRAN program which also calculates the size and orientation of the Hertzian contact ellipse on the tooth faces. Based on the curvatures of the two spiral bevel gear teeth and the size of the contact ellipse, the program also predicts the basic dynamic capacity of the tooth pair. A complete numerical example is given to illustrate the use of the program.

Altidis, P. C.↗

Turbulent relaxation processes in magnetohydrodynamics

Competing processes previously called 'selective decay' and 'dynamic alignment' are studied numerically for two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. In selective decay, the energy decays relatively to mean-square vector potential, and in dynamic alignment, the energy decays relatively to cross helicity. In the former case, the kinetic (fluid) energy decays to zero and the magnetic energy occupies the largest scales allowed by the boundary conditions. In the latter case, the velocity field and magnetic field become aligned and energetically equipartitioned. An extensive study of the initial value problem, with viscous and resistive dissipation, indicates that four distinct regimes of behavior are possible: a magnetically dominated regime, a velocity dominated regime, a dynamic alignment dominated regime, and a transition regime separating the others in parameter space. An analytical variational problem predicts several features seen in the computations, including geometrical alignment of velocity and magnetic fields, constraints on global quantities in the long-time limit, and in some cases, condensation to long wavelength modes.

Ting, Antonio C.↗

In-flight measurement of ice growth on an airfoil using an array of ultrasonic transducers

Results from three research flights to obtain in-flight ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements of airfoil ice thickness as a function of time using an array of eight ultrasonic transducers mounted flush with the leading edge of the airfoil are presented. The accuracy of the thickness measurements is found to be within 0.5 mm of mechanical and stereophotograph measurements of the ice accretion. The ultrasonic measurements demonstrate that the ice growth rate typically varies during the flight, with variations in the ice growth rate for dry ice growth being primarily due to fluctuations in the cloud liquid water content. Discrepancies between experimental results and results predicted by an analytic icing code underline the need for a better understanding of the physics of wet ice growth.

Hansman, R. John, Jr.↗

Wind tunnel tests on a one-foot diameter SR-7L propfan model

Wind tunnel tests have been conducted on a one-foot diameter model of the SR-7L propfan in the Langley 16-Foot and 4 x 7 Meter Wind Tunnels as part of the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) Program. The model propfan was sized to be used on a 1/9-scale model of the PTA testbed aircraft. The model propeller was tested in isolation and wing-mounted on the aircraft configuration at various Mach numbers and blade pitch angles. Agreement between data obtained from these tests and data from Hamilton Standard validate that the 1/9-scale propeller accurately simulates the aerodynamics of the SR-7L propfan. Predictions from an analytical computer program are presented and show good agreement with the experimental data.

Aljabri, Abdullah S.↗

Fuel-injector/air-swirl characterization

The objectives of this program are to establish an experimental data base documenting the behavior of gas turbine engine fuel injector sprays as the spray interacts with the swirling gas flow existing in the combustor dome, and to conduct an assessment of the validity of current analytical techniques for predicting fuel spray behavior. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of data using injector/swirler components which closely resemble components currently in use in advanced aircraft gas turbine engines, conducting tests under conditions that closely simulate or closely approximate those developed in actual combustors, and conducting a well-controlled experimental effort which will comprise using a combination of low-risk experiments and experiments requiring the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic instrumentation. Analysis of the data is to be conducted using an existing, TEACH-type code which employs a stochastic analysis of the motion of the dispersed phase in the turbulent continuum flow field.

Mcvey, J. B.↗

The integration of a mesh reflector to a 15-foot box truss structure. Task 3: Box truss analysis and technology development

To demonstrate the design and integration of a reflective mesh surface to a deployable truss structure, a mesh reflector was installed on a 15 foot box truss cube. The specific features demonstrated include: (1) sewing seams in reflective mesh; (2) mesh stretching to desired preload; (3) installation of surface tie cords; (4) installation of reflective surface on truss; (5) setting of reflective surface; (6) verification of surface shape/accuracy; (7) storage and deployment; (8) repeatability of reflector surface; and (9) comparison of surface with predicted shape using analytical methods developed under a previous task.

Bachtell, E. E.↗

Aeromechanical stability analysis of COPTER

A plan was formed for developing a comprehensive, second-generation system with analytical capabilities for predicting performance, loads and vibration, handling qualities, aeromechanical stability, and acoustics. This second-generation system named COPTER (COmprehensive Program for Theoretical Evaluation of Rotorcraft) is designed for operational efficiency, user friendliness, coding readability, maintainability, transportability, modularity, and expandability for future growth. The system is divided into an executive, a data deck validator, and a technology complex. At present a simple executive, the data deck validator, and the aeromechanical stability module of the technology complex were implemented. The system is described briefly, the implementation of the technology module is discussed, and correlation data presented. The correlation includes hingeless-rotor isolated stability, hingeless-rotor ground-resonance stability, and air-resonance stability of an advanced bearingless-rotor in forward flight.

Yin, Sheng K.↗

Three-dimensional thermal convection in a spherical shell

Nonlinear convective solutions are presented for a shell with properties characteristic of the earth's whole mantle for Rayleigh numbers up to 70,000. The solutions are validated numerically, and two distinct convective patterns (cubic and tetrahedral) are identified which are closely related to the geometric planforms predicted by the analytical theories of slightly supercritical spherical convection. A quantitative analysis of the horizontal and vertical structures of the velocity and temperature fields of the solutions is presented, and their heat transport properties are examined, including the total heat flow and the spatial distribution of the heat flux at the shell boundaries.

Bercovici, D.↗

Dentritic morphology and microsegregation in directionally solidified superalloy, PWA-1480, single crystal: Effect of gravity; center director's discretionary fund report

Primary dendrite spacings, secondary dendrite spacings, and microsegregation have been examined in PWA-1480 single crystal specimens which were directionally solidified during parabolic maneuvers on the KC-135 aircraft. Experimentally observed growth rate and thermal gradient dependence of primary dendrite spacings are in good agreement with predictions from dendrite growth models for binary alloys. Secondary dendrite coarsening kinetics show a reasonable fit with the predictions from an analytical model proposed by Kirkwood for a binary alloy. The partition coefficients of tantalum, titanium, and aluminum are observed to be less than unity, while that for tungsten and cobalt are greater than unity. This is qualitatively similar to the nickel base binaries. Microsegregation profiles experimentally observed for PWA-1480 superalloy show a good fit with Bower, Brody, and Flemings model developed for binary alloys. Transitions in gravity levels do not appear to affect primary dendrite spacings. A trend of decreased secondary arm spacings with transition from high gravity to the low gravity period was observed at a growth speed of 0.023 cm s(exp -1). However, definite conclusions can only be drawn by experiments at lower growth speeds which make it possible to examine the side-branch coarsening kinetics over a longer duration. Such experiments, not possible due to the insufficient low-gravity time of the KC-135, may be carried out in the low-gravity environment of space.

Tewari, S. N.↗

Probability approach for strength calculations

The use of probabilistic structural analysis methods (PSAM) to predict structural reliability is the subject of an on-going NASA research program. The elements of the new technology developed to date is reported. Applications of the developed software to structural problems are demonstrated for simple validation problems and for large scale application problems. On-going research to support component and system reliability predictions suitable for analytical certification of aerospace structures is briefly reviewed.

Chamis, Christos C.↗

Thermoviscoplastic response of Ti-15-3 under various loading conditions

The long term objective is to develop a combined experimental analytic methodology for predicting the thermoviscoplastic behavior of the neat (i.e., unreinforced) titanium matrix. Once a constitutive model which adequately describes the behavior of titanium has been identified, the viscoplastic behavior of unidirectional composites will be predicted through the use of the rule-of-mixtures. A crucial aspect of the study is the selection of a constitutive model to describe the thermoviscoplastic behavior of titanium.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

CFD applications in chemical propulsion engines

The present research is aimed at developing analytical procedures for predicting the performance and stability characteristics of chemical propulsion engines. Specific emphasis is being placed on understanding the physical and chemical processes in the small engines that are used for applications such as spacecraft attitude control and drag make-up. The small thrust sizes of these engines lead to low nozzle Reynolds numbers with thick boundary layers which may even meet at the nozzle centerline. For this reason, the classical high Reynolds number procedures that are commonly used in the industry are inaccurate and of questionable utility for design. A complete analysis capability for the combined viscous and inviscid regions as well as for the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic portions of the flowfield is necessary to estimate performance levels and to enable tradeoff studies during design procedures.

Merkle, Charles L.↗

The effects of interply damping layers on the dynamic response of composite structures

Integrated damping mechanics for composite laminates with constrained interlaminar layers of polymer damping materials are developed. Discrete layer damping mechanics are presented for composite materials with damping layers, in connection with a semi-analytical method for predicting the modal damping in simply-supported specialty composite plates. Several application cases are used to demonstrate the advantages of the method. Damping predictions for graphite-epoxy composite plates of various laminations demonstrate the potential for higher damping than geometrically equivalent aluminum plates. The effects of aspect ratio, damping layer thickness, and fiber volume ratio on static and dynamic characteristics of the composite plate are also investigated.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

The effects of interply damping layers on the dynamic response of composite structures

Integrated damping mechanics for composite laminates with interlaminar constrained layers of damping polymer materials are developed. Discrete layer damping mechanics for composite laminates with damping layers, in connection with a semi-analytical method for predicting the modal damping in simply-supported specialty composite plates are presented. Application cases demonstrate the advantages of the method. Damping predictions for graphite/epoxy composite plates of various laminations demonstrate the potential for higher damping than geometrically equivalent aluminum plates. The effects of aspect ratio, damping layer thickness, and fiber volume ratio on static and dynamic characteristics of the composite plate are also investigated.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Goldstone solar system radar signal processing

A performance analysis of the planetary radar data acquisition system is presented. These results extend previous computer simulation analysis and are facilitated by the development of a simple analytical model that predicts radar system performance over a wide range of operational parameters. The results of this study are useful to both the radar system designer and the science investigator in establishing operational radar data acquisition parameters which result in the best systems performance for a given set of input conditions.

Jurgens, R.↗

Development of structural composite mirror technology for submillimeter space telescopes

The technical approach to the design, manufacturing, testing, and analytical simulation of lightweight graphite/epoxy mirrors is described. The precision segmented reflector (PSR) program has produced (1) 1.0-m graphite/epoxy panels with areal densities of 7 kg/sq m as-manufactured surface precision near 1 micron rms, (2) 0.5-m panels with figure changes less than 1 micron rms for temperature reductions of 100 K, (3) analytical performance-prediction capability with submicron accuracy relative to panel thermal distortion, and (4) a unique thermal vacuum test facility for structural composite mirrors.

Freeland, R. E.↗

A new aeroelastic model for composite rotor blades with straight and swept tips

An analytical model for predicting the aeroelastic behavior of composite rotor blades with straight and swept tips is presented. The blade is modeled by beam type finite elements along the elastic axis. A single finite element is used to model the swept tip. The nonlinear equations of motion for the finite element model are derived using Hamilton's principle and based on a moderate deflection theory and accounts for: arbitrary cross-sectional shape, pretwist, generally anisotropic material behavior, transverse shears and out-of-plane warping. Numerical results illustrating the effects of tip sweep, anhedral and composite ply orientation on blade aeroelastic behavior are presented. Tip sweep can induce aeroelastic instability by flap-twist coupling. Tip anhedral causes lag-torsion and flap-axial couplings, however, its effects on blade stability is less pronounced than the effect due to sweep. Composite ply orientation has a substantial effect on blade stability.

Yuan, Kuo-An↗