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At least 163 records · Page 9

Calculation of steady and unsteady pressures at supersonic speeds with CAP-TSD

A finite difference technique is used to solve the transonic small disturbance flow equation making use of shock capturing to treat wave discontinuities. Thus the nonlinear effects of thickness and angle of attack are considered. Such an approach is made feasible by the development of a new code called CAP-TSD (Computational Aeroelasticity Program - Transonic Small Disturbance), and is based on a fully implicit approximate factorization (AF) finite difference method to solve the time dependent transonic small disturbance equation. The application of the CAP-TSD code to the calculation of low to moderate supersonic steady and unsteady flows is presented. In particular, comparisons with exact linear theory solutions are made for steady and unsteady cases to evaluate shock capturing and other features of the current method. In addition, steady solutions obtained from an Euler code are used to evaluate the small disturbance aspects of the code. Steady and unsteady pressure comparisons are made with measurements for an F-15 wing model and for the RAE tailplane model.

Bennett, Robert M.↗

Implicit and explicit computations of flows past cavities with and without yaw

Implicit and explicit computations are presented to study the supersonic, turbulent flows past three-dimensional, rectangular cavities at 0 and 45 deg yaw angle. The Reynolds-averaged, unsteady, compressible, complete Navier-Stokes equations are solved time-accurately, including the Reynolds stresses. The number of major vortices inside and the separation characteristics on the cavity floor are different for cavities with length-to-depth ratios of 3.0 and 6.7. Due to the oscillations of the shear layer, which randomly exposes the cavity flow to the external flow, vortices are shed into the mainstream. When the upstream flow approaches a cavity at yaw, the width-to-depth ratio also becomes an important parameter. The dominant rotational planes of the major vortices incline at an angle to the vertical plane due to yaw. The execution of the implicit scheme is about three times faster, but it requires about four times more computer memory.

Baysal, Oktay↗

Finite element solution of transient fluid-structure interaction problems

A finite element approach using NASTRAN is developed for solving time-dependent fluid-structure interaction problems, with emphasis on the transient scattering of acoustic waves from submerged elastic structures. Finite elements are used for modeling both structure and fluid domains to facilitate the graphical display of the wave motion through both media. For the liquid, the use of velocity potential as the fundamental unknown results in a symmetric matrix equation. The approach is illustrated for the problem of transient scattering from a submerged elastic spherical shell subjected to an incident tone burst. The use of an analogy between the equations of elasticity and the wave equation of acoustics, a necessary ingredient to the procedure, is summarized.

Everstine, Gordon C.↗

A numerical method for prediction of compressible turbulent flows with closure models

A new computer code to solve the time averaged Navier-Stokes equations is developed. Many of the state-of-the-art numerical techniques and algorithms have been tested and implemented in the program in order to achieve a better numerical accuracy and code efficiency. Various turbulence models are tested for a wide range of flows. The initial focus has been on two-equation eddy-viscosity models, which are the most advanced available in current compressible flow codes. The long term goal will be to test Reynolds-Stress models and to explore their performance in the high Mach number range. Although testing and improvement of turbulence models for supersonic and hypersonic flows is the primary objective of this research, part of the effort has been devoted to analyzing the vortex breakdown phenomena using new computer programs. Some preliminary results on the breakdown of a vortex flow in a tube are reported. Present calculations are restricted to two dimensional flow geometry.

Huang, P. G.↗

Neurocontrol and neurobiology - New developments and connections

At McDonnell-Douglas, controllers which combine adaptive critic networks with the use of backpropagation in real time have solved difficult control problems crucial to the feasibility of building the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) able to reach earth orbit. As details emerged, parallels to neurobiology have grown stronger and have begun to lead to empirical possibilities of importance to neuroscience. This has led to thoughts of institutional collaboration facilitating what could become a Newtonian revolution in neuroscience, with cognitive implications as well. The authors elaborate on each of these points. The topics discussed are recent progress in neurocontrol; progress in optimization and reinforcement learning; implications for neurobiology and science policy; and a new view of the brain.

Werbos, Paul J.↗

Superfluid helium sloshing dynamics induced oscillations and fluctuations of angular momentum, force and moment actuated on spacecraft driven by gravity gradient or jitter acceleration associated with slew motion

The generalized mathematical formulation of sloshing dynamics for partially filled liquid of cryogenic superfluid helium II in dewar containers driven by the gravity gradient and jitter accelerations associated with slew motion for the purpose to perform scientific observation during the normal spacecraft operation are investigated. An example is given with the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility-Spectroscopy (AXAF-S) for slew motion which is responsible for the sloshing dynamics. The jitter accelerations include slew motion, spinning motion, atmospheric drag on the spacecraft, spacecraft attitude motions arising from machinery vibrations, thruster firing, pointing control of spacecraft, crew motion, etc. Explicit mathematical expressions to cover these forces acting on the spacecraft fluid systems are derived. The numerical computation of sloshing dynamics is based on the non-inertia frame spacecraft bound coordinate, and solve time-dependent, three-dimensional formulations of partial differential equations subject to initial and boundary conditions. The explicit mathematical expressions of boundary conditions to cover capillary force effect on the liquid-vapor interface in microgravity environments are also derived. The formulations of fluid moment and angular moment fluctuations in fluid profiles induced by the sloshing dynamics, together with fluid stress and moment fluctuations exerted on the spacecraft dewar containers have also been derived. Examples are also given for cases applicable to the AXAF-S spacecraft sloshing dynamics associated with slew motion.

Hung, R. J.↗

Numerical studies of the surface tension effect of cryogenic liquid helium

The generalized mathematical formulation of sloshing dynamics for partially filled liquid of cryogenic superfluid helium II in dewar containers driven by both the gravity gradient and jitter accelerations applicable to scientific spacecraft which is eligible to carry out spinning motion and/or slew motion for the purpose of performing scientific observation during the normal spacecraft operation is investigated. An example is given with Gravity Probe-B (GP-B) spacecraft which is responsible for the sloshing dynamics. The jitter accelerations include slew motion, spinning motion, atmospheric drag on the spacecraft, spacecraft attitude motions arising from machinery vibrations, thruster firing, pointing control of spacecraft, crew motion, etc. Explicit mathematical expressions to cover these forces acting on the spacecraft fluid systems are derived. The numerical computation of sloshing dynamics has been based on the non-inertia frame spacecraft bound coordinate, and solve time-dependent, three-dimensional formulations of partial differential equations subject to initial and boundary conditions. The explicit mathematical expressions of boundary conditions to cover capillary force effect on the liquid vapor interface in microgravity environments are also derived. The formulations of fluid moment and angular moment fluctuations in fluid profiles induced by the sloshing dynamics, together with fluid stress and moment fluctuations exerted on the spacecraft dewar containers, have been derived.

Hung, R. J.↗

Parallel Navier-Stokes computations on shared and distributed memory architectures

We study a high order finite difference scheme to solve the time accurate flow field of a jet using the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. As part of our ongoing efforts, we have implemented our numerical model on three parallel computing platforms to study the computational, communication, and scalability characteristics. The platforms chosen for this study are a cluster of workstations connected through fast networks (the LACE experimental testbed at NASA Lewis), a shared memory multiprocessor (the Cray YMP), and a distributed memory multiprocessor (the IBM SPI). Our focus in this study is on the LACE testbed. We present some results for the Cray YMP and the IBM SP1 mainly for comparison purposes. On the LACE testbed, we study: (1) the communication characteristics of Ethernet, FDDI, and the ALLNODE networks and (2) the overheads induced by the PVM message passing library used for parallelizing the application. We demonstrate that clustering of workstations is effective and has the potential to be computationally competitive with supercomputers at a fraction of the cost.

Hayder, M. Ehtesham↗

Decay of equatorial ring current ions and associated aeronomical consequences

The decay of the major ion species which constitute the ring current is studied by solving the time evolution of their distribution functions during the recovery phase of a moderate geomagnetic storm. In this work, only equatorially mirroring particles are considered. Particles are assumed to move subject to E x B and gradient drifts. They also experience loses along their drift paths. Two loss mechanisms are considered: charge exchange with neutral hydrogen atoms and Coulomb collisions with thermal plasma in the plasmasphere. Thermal plasma densities are calculated with a plasmaspheric model employing a time-dependent convection electric field model. The drift-loss model successfully reproduces a number of important and observable features in the distribution function. Charge exchange is found to be the major loss mechanism for the ring current ions; however the important effects of Coulomb collisions on both the ring current and thermal populations are also presented. The model predicts the formation of a low-energy (less than 500 eV) ion population as a result of energy degradation caused by Coulomb collision of the ring current ions with the plasmaspheric electrons; this population may be one source of the low-energy ions observed during active and quiet periods in the inner magnetosphere. The energy transferred to plasmaspheric electrons through Coulomb collisions with ring current ions is believed to be the energy source for the electron temperature enhancement and the associated 6300 A (stable auroral red (SAR) arc) emission in the subauroral region. The calculated energy deposition rate is sufficient to produce a subauroral electron temperature enhancement and SAR arc emissions that are consistent with observations of these quantities during moderate magnetic activity levels.

Fok, M.-C.↗

An efficient solution procedure for the thermoelastic analysis of truss space structures

A solution procedure is proposed for the thermal and thermoelastic analysis of truss space structures in periodic motion. In this method, the spatial domain is first descretized using a consistent finite element formulation. Then the resulting semi-discrete equations in time are solved analytically by using Fourier decomposition. Geometrical symmetry is taken advantage of completely. An algorithm is presented for the calculation of heat flux distribution. The method is demonstrated via a numerical example of a cylindrically shaped space structure.

Givoli, D.↗

A kinetic study of solar wind electrons in the transition region from collision dominated to collisionless flow

We have studied the evolution of the velocity distribution function of a test population of electrons in the solar corona and inner solar wind region, using a recently developed kinetic model. The model solves the time dependent, linear transport equation, with a Fokker-Planck collision operator to describe Coulomb collisions between the 'test population' and a thermal background of charged particles, using a finite differencing scheme. The model provides information on how non-Maxwellian features develop in the distribution function in the transition region from collision dominated to collisionless flow. By taking moments of the distribution the evolution of higher order moments, such as the heat flow, can be studied.

Lie-Svendsen, O.↗

An Evaluation of Architectural Platforms for Parallel Navier-Stokes Computations

We study the computational, communication, and scalability characteristics of a computational fluid dynamics application, which solves the time accurate flow field of a jet using the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, on a variety of parallel architecture platforms. The platforms chosen for this study are a cluster of workstations (the LACE experimental testbed at NASA Lewis), a shared memory multiprocessor (the Cray YMP), and distributed memory multiprocessors with different topologies - the IBM SP and the Cray T3D. We investigate the impact of various networks connecting the cluster of workstations on the performance of the application and the overheads induced by popular message passing libraries used for parallelization. The work also highlights the importance of matching the memory bandwidth to the processor speed for good single processor performance. By studying the performance of an application on a variety of architectures, we are able to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each of the example computing platforms.

Jayasimha, D. N.↗

User's Guide for MSAP2D: A Program for Unsteady Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic (Flutter and Forced Response) Analysis of Multistage Compressors and Turbines

This guide describes the input data required for using MSAP2D (Multi Stage Aeroelastic analysis Program - Two Dimensional) computer code. MSAP2D can be used for steady, unsteady aerodynamic, and aeroelastic (flutter and forced response) analysis of bladed disks arranged in multiple blade rows such as those found in compressors, turbines, counter rotating propellers or propfans. The code can also be run for single blade row. MSAP2D code is an extension of the original NPHASE code for multiblade row aerodynamic and aeroelastic analysis. Euler equations are used to obtain aerodynamic forces. The structural dynamic equations are written for a rigid typical section undergoing pitching (torsion) and plunging (bending) motion. The aeroelastic equations are solved in time domain. For single blade row analysis, frequency domain analysis is also provided to obtain unsteady aerodynamic coefficients required in an eigen analysis for flutter. In this manual, sample input and output are provided for a single blade row example, two blade row example with equal and unequal number of blades in the blade rows.

Reddy, T. S. R.↗

Peculiar Behavior of He II Disturbances due to Sloshing Dynamics Driven by Jitter Accelerations Associated with Slew Motion in Microgravity

The mathematical formulation of Dewar container sloshing dynamics when partially filled with superfluid liquid He 11 driven by the gravity jitter acceleration associated with slew motion in a microgravity environment is studied. Numerical computation of the sloshing dynamics is based on the non-inertia container bound co-ordinate, and solving time-dependent, three-dimensional formulations of partial differential equations subject to initial and boundary conditions. This study discloses the capillary effect of the sloshing dynamics governing the liquid-vapour interface fluctuations driven by the gravity jitter acceleration associated with slew motion, which affects the stability of the fluid system in a microgravity environment. The peculiar behaviour of superfluid helium when reacting to the sloshing dynamics driven by the gravity jitter acceleration associated with slew motion in a microgravity environment is also investigated.

Hung, R. J.↗

Parallelizing Navier-Stokes Computations on a Variety of Architectural Platforms

We study the computational, communication, and scalability characteristics of a Computational Fluid Dynamics application, which solves the time accurate flow field of a jet using the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, on a variety of parallel architectural platforms. The platforms chosen for this study are a cluster of workstations (the LACE experimental testbed at NASA Lewis), a shared memory multiprocessor (the Cray YMP), distributed memory multiprocessors with different topologies-the IBM SP and the Cray T3D. We investigate the impact of various networks, connecting the cluster of workstations, on the performance of the application and the overheads induced by popular message passing libraries used for parallelization. The work also highlights the importance of matching the memory bandwidth to the processor speed for good single processor performance. By studying the performance of an application on a variety of architectures, we are able to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each of the example computing platforms.

Jayasimha, D. N.↗

Effect of Reduced Frequency on Super Maneuver Delta Wing

The unsteady, three-dimensional, Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes equations (NS) are used to simulate and study the flow response around a delta wing undergoing a pitch-up motion up to 90 degrees amplitude. The governing equations are solved time-accurately using the upwind. Roe flux-difference splitting, finite volume scheme. The primary model under consideration consists of a 76 degree swept, sharp-edged delta wing of zero thickness. The Reynolds number and Mach number are 0.45 X 10(exp 6) and .03 respectively. The wing is forced to pitch-up through a ramp function, using a wide range of reduced frequency to provide a good understanding of reduced frequency effect on high amplitude pitch maneuvers. Three reduced frequency values of .0834, 0.134 and 0.04, are used in this study. The computed results are compared with each other as well as the existing experimental data.

Abdelhamid, Yahia A.↗

Comparison of the NASCAP/GEO, POLAR, SEE Charging Handbook, and NASCAP-2K.1 Spacecraft Charging Codes

The NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) spacecraft charging software developed by Maxwell Technologies has been widely used for the past fifteen to twenty years in satellite design and investigation of spacecraft charging related anomalies. Individual versions of the NASCAP software are available for use in low inclination, low Earth orbit environments (NASCAP[LEO) and geostationary orbit environments (NASCAP/GEO). In addition, the Potentials of Large objects in the Auroral Region (POLAR) code is available for use in LEO polar orbit environments. NASCAP/GEO and POLAR were both written in the 1980's using algorithms appropriate for the computers of the time. They solve the Poisson-Vlasov system for currents and densities assuming limited speed and memory of computer systems standard for the day. In addition, use of the charging models requires individual input files that are not readily transported into the various codes to facilitate comparison of results by the user.

Neergaard, Linda E.↗

Laminar Flow About a Rotating Body of Revolution in an Axial Airstream

We have set ourselves the problem of calculating the laminar flow on a body of revolution in an axial flow which simultaneously rotates about its axis. The problem mentioned above, the flow about a rotating disk in a flow, which we solved some time ago, represents the first step in the calculation of the flow on the rotating body of revolution in a flow insofar as, in the case of a round nose, a small region about the front stagnation point of the body of revolution may be replaced by its tangential plane. In our problem regarding the rotating body of revolution in a flow, for laminar flow, one of the limiting cases is known: that of the body which is in an axial approach flow but does not rotate. The other limiting case, namely the flow in the neighborhood of a body which rotates but is not subjected to a flow is known only for the rotating circular cylinder, aside from the rotating disk. In the case of the cylinder one deals with a distribution of the circumferential velocity according to the law v = omega R(exp 2)/r where R signifies the cylinder radius, r the distance from the center, and omega the angular velocity of the rotation. The velocity distribution as it is produced here by the friction effect is therefore the same as in the neighborhood of a potential vortex. When we treat, in what follows, the general case of the rotating body of revolution in a flow according to the calculation methods of Prandtl's boundary-layer theory, we must keep in mind that this solution cannot contain the limiting case of the body of revolution which only rotates but is not subjected to a flow. However, this is no essential limitation since this case is not of particular importance for practical purposes.

Schlichting, H.↗