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At least 163 records · Page 9

Cross-correlation based time delay estimation for turbulent flow velocity measurements: Statistical considerations

Time delay estimation methods (TDE) are well-known techniques to investigate poloidal flows in hot magnetized plasmas through the propagation properties of turbulent structures in the medium. One of these methods is based on the estimation of the time lag at which the cross-correlation function (CCF) estimation reaches its maximum value. The uncertainty of the peak location refers to the smallest determinable flow velocity modulation, and therefore the standard deviation of the time delay imposes important limitation to the measurements. In this article, the relative standard deviation of the CCF estimation and the standard deviation of its peak location are calculated analytically using a simple model of turbulent signals. This model assumes independent (non interacting) overlapping events (coherent structures) with randomly distributed spatio-temporal origins moving with background flow. The result of our calculations is the derivation of a general formula for the CCF variance, which is valid not exclusively in the high event density limit, but also for arbitrary event densities. Our formula reproduces the well known expression for high event densities previously published in the literature. In this paper we also present a derivation of the variance of time delay estimation that turns out to be inversely proportional to the applied time window. The derived formulas were tested in real plasma measurements. The calculations are an extension of the earlier work of Bencze and Zoletnik [Phys. Plasmas 12, 052323 (2005)] where the autocorrelation-width technique was developed. Additionally, we show that velocities calculated by a TDE method possess a broadband noise which originates from this variance, its power spectral density cannot be decreased by worsening the time resolution and can be coherent with noises of other velocity measurements where the same turbulent structures are used. This noise should not be confused with the impact of zero mean frequency zonal flow modulations and can be the explanation for the TEXTOR velocity spectra measured by beam emission spectroscopy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Temperature and velocity measurements in premixed turbulent flames

Turbulent flame speed data for premixed flames of methane-air, propane-air and ethylene-air mixtures stabilized in grid turbulence are reported and discussed. It is shown that turbulence effects on flame speed cannot be fully correlated by the turbulence length scale and r.m.s. velocity in the cold flow. Rather there appear to be significant flame-flow-turbulence interactions affecting both turbulence level in the reaction zone and measured flame speeds. Results of detailed velocity measurements, including autocorrelations, by laser velocimetry are used to elucidate the nature of these interactions. It is concluded that flame speed experiments must be designed and conducted to provide sufficient information (e.g., boundary conditions) to allow for reconstruction of the flow field and these interactions by modelers if the data are to be of value in turbulent combustion model development and evaluation.

Dandekar, K. V.↗

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Velocity Measurements in Supersonic Underexpanded Impinging Jets

We report on an application of nitric oxide (NO) flow-tagging velocimetry to impinging underexpanded jet flows issuing from a Mach 2.6 nozzle. The technique reported herein utilizes a single laser, single camera system to obtain planar maps of the streamwise component of velocity. Whereas typical applications of this technique involve comparing two images acquired at different time delays, this application uses a single image and time delay. The technique extracts velocity by assuming that particular regions outside the jet flowfield have negligible velocity and may therefore serve as a stationary reference against which to measure motion of the jet flowfield. By taking the average of measurements made in 100 single-shot images for each flow condition, streamwise velocities of between -200 and +1,000 m/s with accuracies of between 15 and 50 m/s are reported within the jets. Velocity measurements are shown to explain otherwise seemingly anomalous impingement surface pressure measurements.

Inman, Jennifer A.↗

Nonintrusive Temperature and Velocity Measurements in a Hypersonic Nozzle Flow

Distributions of nitric oxide vibrational temperature, rotational temperature and velocity have been measured in the hypersonic freestream at the exit of a conical nozzle, using planar laser-induced fluorescence. Particular attention has been devoted to reducing the major sources of systematic error that can affect fluorescence tempera- ture measurements, including beam attenuation, transition saturation effects, laser mode fluctuations and transition choice. Visualization experiments have been performed to improve the uniformity of the nozzle flow. Comparisons of measured quantities with a simple one-dimensional computation are made, showing good agreement between measurements and theory given the uncertainty of the nozzle reservoir conditions and the vibrational relaxation rate.

OByrne, S.↗

Use of the Hugoniot Elastic Limit in Laser Shockwave Experiments to Relate Velocity Measurements

---The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been developing a Laser Shock system to characterize interface strength in plate fuel for research reactors around the world [1]. This work is in support of the Unites states High Performance Research Reactor program whose goal is to reduce the risk of proliferation of weapons grade fuel while maintaining reactor performance. The INL has been working with National Research Council Canada (NRC) on this project for the last five years. ---One of the concerns of the project is the difficulty of calibrating and standardizing the laser shock technique. The generation of the stress wave by the laser impinging on the plate surface is complex, with amplitude and shape dependence on numerous factors relating to the temporal and spatial distribution of power in the laser spot, surface treatment, and material properties of the plate. Thus the resulting back-face surface velocity, which is used to measure the time-varying stress field within the plate, is difficult to reproduce across different measurement systems. A technique that can generate or indicate a known shock intensity independent of the generating conditions would be valuable and allow us to directly compare results from different systems. ---A Laser Shock round robin test between the system at NRC and the INL was conducted. The goal of the round robin was to determine if there was any bias between the two systems. During the analysis of the data, it was noted that the Hugoniot Elastic Limit (HEL) was consistent within both system data sets independent of the laser power used. An analytical study under development supports that the HEL in metals could be a robust and simple benchmark to compare stresses generated by different laser shock systems. The HEL is a material property that should be insensitive to differences in the shock laser and surface preparation which enhances the reliability of the resulting HEL velocity measurement. 1. J. M. Lacy, J. A. Smith and B. H. Rabin, "Developing a Laser Shockwave Model for Characterizing Diffusion Bonded Interfaces," The 41st Annual Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation," Boise, ID, U.S.A., July 2014.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Modeling Stellar Jitter and its Effects on the Stellar Spectrum for More Precise Radial Velocity Measurements

Detection of Earth-size exoplanets is a technological and data analysis challenge. Future progress in Earth-mass exoplanet detection is expected from the development of extreme precision radial velocity (EPRV) measurements. The required precision of these measurements necessitates developing a new physics-based data analysis methodology to discriminate planetary signals from host-star-related effects, taking stellar variability and instrumental uncertainties into account. In this work, we investigate and quantify stellar disturbances of the planet-hosting solar-type star HD121504 from 3D radiative modeling obtained with the StellarBox code. The model was used to determine the statistical properties of the turbulent plasma and to obtain synthetic spectroscopic observations for several Fe I lines at different locations on the stellar disk to mimic high-resolution spectroscopic observations. Presented are the initial results of our effort to characterize stellar jitter properties as well as future objectives.

SMD↗

A spectrometer for high-precision ion temperature and velocity measurements in low-temperature plasmas

We have developed a low-cost spectrometer with simple optical design that achieves unprecedented precision measurements of ion temperature (±0.01 eV) and velocity (±20 m/s). A Fabry-Pérot étalon provides the simultaneous high resolving power and high throughput needed for the light levels available in singly ionized helium and argon plasmas. Reducing the systematic uncertainty in the absolute wavelength calibration needed for the specified velocity precision motivates a Bayesian analysis method called Nested Sampling to address the nontrivial uncertainty in the diffraction order. An initial emission measurement of a singly charged stationary argon plasma yields a temperature of 0.339 ± 0.007 eV and a velocity of -3 ± 4 m/s with a systematic uncertainty of 20 m/s.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

High-sensitivity plasma density retrieval in a common-path second-harmonic interferometer through simultaneous group and phase velocity measurement

Precise measurements of the plasma density in ionized gas cells and discharged capillaries are critical to the design and operation of plasma-based accelerators, active plasma lenses, and plasma-based radiation sources. In this manuscript, a spectral-domain common-path second-harmonic interferometer is upgraded with the simultaneous measurement of the group and phase velocity, allowing for high-sensitivity density characterization (from the phase velocity advance) without the need for phase tracking from zero-density (enabled by the group velocity delay). The technique is applied to 1.5-cm-long plasma structures, without density ambiguity in parameter scans with >2π phase jumps. Finally, the single-shot sensitivity in phase retrieval is demonstrated at 63 mrad, equivalent to a density-length product of 1.8·10 15 cm -2 . This is an improvement of ×45 compared to group velocity analysis alone.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

An investigation of a wave-amplitude vacillation using a light-speckle velocity measuring technique

A novel form of streak photography based on a light-speckle technique has been used to investigate wave-amplitude vacillation in a thermally driven rotating cylindrical annulus of fluid. The technique is evaluated and found to be an excellent way to measure a 2-dimensional field of velocity without introducing probes into the fluid. The results are compared with previous work with the exception that the kinetic energy is significantly higher. The relation between eddy and mean motion, momentum transport, and period of the vacillation cycle appear similar in the two studies.

Fitzjarrald, D. E.↗

Five-hole pitot probe time-mean velocity measurements in confined swirling flows

Nonswirling and swirling nonreacting flows in an axisymmetric test section with an expansion ratio D/d = 2, which may be equipped with contraction nozzles of area ratios 2 and 4, are investigated. The effects of a number of geometric parameters on the flow-field are investigated, among them side-wall expansion angles of 90 and 45 deg, swirl vane angles of 0, 38, 45, 60, and 70 deg, and contraction nozzle locations L/D = 1 and 2 (if present). Data are acquired by means of a five-hole pitot probe enabling three time-mean velocity components in the axial, radial, and azimuthal directions to be measured. The velocities are extensively plotted and artistic impressions of recirculation zones are set forth. The presence of a swirler is found to shorten the corner recirculation zone and to generate a central recirculation zone followed by a precessing vortex core. A gradual inlet expansion has the effect of encouraging the flow to remain close to the sidewall and shortening the extent of the corner recirculation zone in all cases investigated.

Yoon, H. K.↗

Microwave interferometry technique for obtaining gas interface velocity measurements in an expansion tube facility

A microwave interferometer technique to determine the front interface velocity of a high enthalpy gas flow, is described. The system is designed to excite a standing wave in an expansion tube, and to measure the shift in this standing wave as it is moved by the test gas front. Data, in the form of a varying sinusoidal signal, is recorded on a high-speed drum camera-oscilloscope combination. Measurements of average and incremental velocities in excess of 6,000 meters per second were made.

Laney, C. C., Jr.↗

Navigation Doppler Lidar Sensor for Precision Altitude and Vector Velocity Measurements Flight Test Results

An all fiber Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) system is under development at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) for precision descent and landing applications on planetary bodies. The sensor produces high resolution line of sight range, altitude above ground, ground relative attitude, and high precision velocity vector measurements. Previous helicopter flight test results demonstrated the NDL measurement concepts, including measurement precision, accuracies, and operational range. This paper discusses the results obtained from a recent campaign to test the improved sensor hardware, and various signal processing algorithms applicable to real-time processing. The NDL was mounted in an instrumentation pod aboard an Erickson Air-Crane helicopter and flown over vegetation free terrain. The sensor was one of several sensors tested in this field test by NASA?s Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) project.

Pierrottet, Diego F.↗

Comparison of calculated and measured velocities near the tip of a model rotor blade at transonic speeds

The ability of the ROT22 code to predict accurately the transonic flow field in the crucial region around and beyond the tip of a high speed rotor blade was assessed. The computations were compared with extensive laser velocimetry measurements made at zero advance ratio and tip Mach numbers of 0.85, 0.88, 0.90, and 0.95. The comparison between theory and experiment was made using 300 scans for the three orthogonal velocity components covering a volume having a height of over one blade chord, a width of nearly two chords, and a length ranging from about 1 to 1.6 chords, depending on the tip speeds. The good agreement between the calculated and measured velocities established the ability of the code to predict the off blade flow field at high tip speeds. This supplements previous comparisons where surface pressures were shown to be well predicted on two different tips at advance ratios to 0.45, especially at the critical 90 deg azimuth blade position. These results demonstrate that the ROT22 code can be used with confidence to predict the important tip region flow field including the occurrence, strength, and location of shock waves causing high drag and noise.

Tauber, M. E.↗

Plasma Sheet Velocity Measurement Techniques for the Pulsed Plasma Thruster SIMP-LEX

The velocity of the first plasma sheet was determined between the electrodes of a pulsed plasma thruster using three measurement techniques: time of flight probe, high speed camera and magnetic field probe. Further, for time of flight probe and magnetic field probe, it was possible to determine the velocity distribution along the electrodes, as the plasma sheet is accelerated. The results from all three techniques are shown, and are compared for one thruster geometry.

Nawaz, Anuscheh↗

Measuring Velocities in the Early Stage of an Eruption: Using “Overlappogram” Data from Hinode EIS

In order to understand the onset phase of a solar eruption, plasma parameter measurements in the early phases are key to constraining models. There are two current instrument types that allow us to make such measurements: narrow-band imagers and spectrometers. In the former case, even narrow-band filters contain multiple emission lines, creating some temperature confusion. With imagers, however, rapid cadences are achievable and the field of view can be large. Velocities of the erupting structures can be measured by feature tracking. In the spectrometer case, slit spectrometers can provide spectrally pure images by “rastering” the slit to build up an image. This method provides limited temporal resolution, but the plasma parameters can be accurately measured, including velocities along the line of sight. Both methods have benefits and are often used in tandem. In this paper we demonstrate for the first time that data from the wide slot on the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer, along with imaging data from AIA, can be used to deconvolve velocity information at the start of an eruption, providing line-of-sight velocities across an extended field of view. Using He ii 256 Å slot data at flare onset, we observe broadening or shift(s) of the emission line of up to ±280 km s{sup −1}. These are seen at different locations—the redshifted plasma is seen where the hard X-ray source is later seen (energy deposition site). In addition, blueshifted plasma shows the very early onset of the fast rise of the filament.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Tunable diode laser absorption sensor for temperature and velocity measurements of O2 in air flows

A fast and nonintrusive velocity and temperature diagnostic based on oxygen absorption is presented. The system uses a GaAlAs tunable diode laser, ramped and modulated in wavelength at high frequency. Detection is performed at twice the modulating frequency, leading to second harmonic absorption lineshapes. Velocity is inferred from the wavelength shift of the absorption line center due to the Doppler effect. Temperature is determined by comparing experimental and calculated lineshapes. Capabilities of the technique for studies of transient high-speed flows are demonstrated in shock tube experiments. Good agreement is obtained with predicted temperatures and velocities when pressure-induced shifts are accounted for.

Philippe, L. C.↗