Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “test configuration”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Low-Speed Dynamic Wind Tunnel Test Analysis of a Generic 53 Degree Swept UCAV Configuration With Controls

Several static and dynamic forced-motion wind tunnel tests have been conducted on a generic unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) configuration with a 53deg swept leading edge. These tests are part of an international research effort to assess and advance the state-of-art of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to predict the static and dynamic stability and control characteristics for this type of configuration. This paper describes the dynamic forced motion data collected from two different models of this UCAV configuration as well as analysis of the control surface deflections on the dynamic forces and moments.

Vicroy, Dan D.↗

An Exploration of the Performance and Acoustic Characteristics of UAV-Scale Stacked Rotor Configurations

As interest grows in rotor- and propeller-driven electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for the Urban Air Mobility market, there is a potential for previously studied concepts to reemerge due to the opportunities afforded by novel technologies and operating modes. One such concept is the “stacked” rotor, which consists of multiple co-rotating rotors positioned co-axially with a small axial offset. The goal of the work presented in this paper is to determine whether stacked rotors offer a compelling advantage for eVTOL aircraft in terms of both performance and acoustic characteristics. Results are presented for new experimental tests and computational modeling of multiple stacked rotor configurations, and comparisons are made with conventional rotor configurations. Testing of thirteen separate configurations— each using the same blade shape—revealed a configuration that resulted in an increase in the rotor power loading efficiency by more than 7% and reduced noise by more than 3 dBA when compared with a conventional rotor with all blades located in the same rotational plane.

Whiteside, Siena K. S.↗

Overview of NASA Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Research for Large Subsonic Transports

NASA is investing in Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) research as part of the portfolio to improve the fuel efficiency, emissions, and noise levels in commercial transport aircraft. Turboelectric, partially turboelectric, and hybrid electric propulsion systems are the primary EAP configurations being evaluated for regional jet and larger aircraft. The goal is to show that one or more viable EAP concepts exist for narrow body aircraft and mature tall-pole technologies related to those concepts. A summary of the aircraft system studies, technology development, and facility development is provided. The leading concept for mid-term (2035) introduction of EAP for a single aisle aircraft is a tube and wing, partially turbo electric configuration (STARC-ABL), however other viable configurations exist. Investments are being made to raise the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) level of light weight, high efficiency motors, generators, and electrical power distribution systems as well as to define the optimal turbine and boundary layer ingestion systems for a mid-term tube and wing configuration. An electric aircraft power system test facility (NEAT - NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed) is under construction at NASA Glenn and an electric aircraft control system test facility (HEIST - Hybrid-Electric Integrated Systems Testbed) is under construction at NASA Armstrong. The correct building blocks are in place to have a viable, large plane EAP configuration tested by 2025 leading to entry into service in 2035 if the community chooses to pursue that goal.

hybrid propulsion↗

High Reynolds number turbulent heating to two simplified shuttle configurations

Turbulent heating and transition data, taken from three test facilities, for two space shuttle configurations are presented. Major efforts were on: (1) the effect of the two geometries having different amounts of cross flow and how the different cross flows affect heating and transition, (2) the experimental level of turbulent heating and the ability to predict the level of turbulent heating, and (3) a comparison of the transitional and turbulent heating in three facilities with two model scale sizes to investigate the facility effects and scale-size effect on transition and turbulent heating. The three facilities in which the configurations were tested are the Langley Mach 8 variable-density hypersonic tunnel and the Arnold Engineering Development Center tunnel B and tunnel F at Mach numbers of 8 and 10.5, respectively.

Johnson, C. B.↗

Experimental Evaluation of Geopolymer, Nano-Modified, and Neat Class H Cement by Using Diametrically Compressive Tests

Abstract Cement is the prime barrier material to maintain zonal isolation during wellbore life-cycle. Different types of the cement have different performances on sealability. The primary objective of this study is evaluation of three types of cement systems, neat Class H, nano-synthetic graphite, and rock-based geopolymer cements, on interfacial bond integrity. Diametrical compressive tests are used on casing–cement–formation systems. Cement performances are tested in a conventional configuration (Berea Sandstone). A universal testing system is utilized to analyze the relationship applied load–axial strain and the digital image correlation (DIC) technique is used to generate the strain field maps. Based on the relationship and DIC results, bond strengths in different cement systems are evaluated. Additionally, microscope images provide insight explanations of the bond from micro-view. Based on the experimental results, failures of all cases initiate and propagate from the casing–cement interface. Then, radial cracks develop through the formation. This is because the mechanical interlocking bonds are formed only at the cement–sandstone interface to enhance the bond strength. The comparison of geopolymer and nano-modified cements with the conventional cement (neat Class H) shows that the unconventional cements have a lower maximum load and higher axial strain before failure of the samples. It indicates that both the two kinds of cements are more ductile than conventional cement and can support more deformation before the initiation of cracks.

Energy & Fuels↗

Investigation of aeroelastic stability phenomena of a helicopter by in-flight shake test

The analytical capability of the helicopter stability program is discussed. The parameters which are found to be critical to the air resonance characteristics of the soft in-plane hingeless rotor systems are detailed. A summary of two model test programs, a 1/13.8 Froude-scaled BO-105 model and a 1.67 meter (5.5 foot) diameter Froude-scaled YUH-61A model, are presented with emphasis on the selection of the final parameters which were incorporated in the full scale YUH-61A helicopter. Model test data for this configuration are shown. The actual test results of the YUH-61A air resonance in-flight shake test stability are presented. Included are a concise description of the test setup, which employs the Grumman Automated Telemetry System (ATS), the test technique for recording in-flight stability, and the test procedure used to demonstrate favorable stability characteristics with no in-plane damping augmentation (lag damper removed). The data illustrating the stability trend of air resonance with forward speed and the stability trend of ground resonance for percent airborne are presented.

Miao, W. L.↗

Reduced gravity multibody dynamics testing

The Final Report on reduced gravity multibody dynamics testing is presented. Tests were conducted on board the NASA KC-135 RGA in Houston, Texas. The objective was to analyze the effects of large angle rotations on flexible, multi-segmented structures. The flight experiment was conducted to provide data which will be compared to the data gathered from ground tests of the same configurations. The flight and ground tested data will be used to validate the TREETOPS software, software which models dynamic multibody systems, and other multibody codes. The flight experiment consisted of seven complete flights on board the KC-135 RGA during two one-week periods. The first period of testing was 4-9 Apr. 1993. The second period of testing was 13-18 Jun. 1993.

Sillanpaa, Meija↗

Progress in incompressible Navier-Stokes computations for propulsion flows and its dual-use applications

Development of an incompressible Navier-Stokes solution procedure was performed for the analysis of a liquid rocket engine pump components and for the mechanical heart assist devices. The solution procedure for the propulsion systems is applicable to incompressible Navier-Stokes flows in a steadily rotating frame of reference for any general complex configurations. The computer codes were tested on different complex configurations such as liquid rocket engine inducer and impellers. As a spin-off technology from the turbopump component simulations, the flow analysis for an axial heart pump was conducted. The baseline Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) design was improved by adding an inducer geometry by adapting from the liquid rocket engine pump. The time-accurate mode of the incompressible Navier-Stokes code was validated with flapping foil experiment by using different domain decomposition methods. In the flapping foil experiment, two upstream NACA 0025 foils perform high-frequency synchronized motion and generate unsteady flow conditions for a downstream larger stationary foil. Fairly good agreement was obtained between unsteady experimental data and numerical results from two different moving boundary procedures. Incompressible Navier-Stokes code (INS3D) has been extended for heat transfer applications. The temperature equation was written for both forced and natural convection phenomena. Flow in a square duct case was used for the validation of the code in both natural and forced convection.

Kiris, Cetin↗

DeCoM Validation

Deepak Condenser Model (DeCoM) was validated in a two-step process. The first step validated DeCoM/TTH/FloCAD against a simplified 1D (1D fluid flow and 1D heat flow) scenario. Through this simplification the fluid calculations were simple enough that the results were comparable to hand calculations. Once a method was compared against 1D case, the next step was the verification against a 2D test case. 2D is only for heat flow, while the fluid flow is still 1D. The test data was obtained from the project Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) which performed a Looped Heat Pipe (LHP) test and contained necessary condenser information; such as a test point and condenser configuration. From the GLAS LHP test report, the construction of the LHP condenser and correlation was roughly possible. The assumptions and limitations are discussed, within this paper, of the 2D correlation. The success of DeCoM is illustrated by the results after correlation to the test data. Results show the differences between the model and the test setup, as well as explaining the probable cause for the differences; another set of results were produced after taking into account these differences, such as parasitic heat leak. Substantial effort has been made in listing the possibilities to further develop DECOM, thus to make it more reliable, user-friendly, and better integrated with generic SINDA models. The comparison of DeCoM to FloCAD and TTH LHP should not be taken as a definite answer to choosing DeCoM as a condenser modeler, rather as an alternate to obtaining preliminary results without the complexity of TTH LHP and license of FloCAD.

Patel, Deepak↗

Results of heat transfer tests of a 0.0175-scale space shuttle vehicle 5 model (60-OTS) in the NASA-Ames Research Center 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel (test IH48)

Heat transfer data are presented for a .0175-scale model of the Rockwell International Space Shuttle Vehicle 5. The primary purpose of these tests was to obtain aerodynamic interference heating data on the external tank in the tank alone, second-, and first-stage configurations. Data were also obtained on the Orbiter and solid rocket boosters. Nominal Mach Nos. of 5.2 and 5.3 at nominal freestream unit Reynolds numbers of 1.5 and 5.0 million per foot, respectively, were investigated. Photographs of the tested configurations and test equipment are shown.

Dye, W. H.↗

Propulsion and airframe aerodynamic interactions of supersonic V/STOL configurations, phase 1

A wind tunnel model of a supersonic V/STOL fighter configuration has been tested to measure the aerodynamic interaction effects which can result from geometrically close-coupled propulsion system/airframe components. The approach was to configure the model to present two different test techniques. One was a coventional test technique composed of two test modes. In the Flow-Through mode, absolute configuration aerodynamics are measured, including inlet/airframe interactions. In the Jet-Effects mode, incremental nozzle/airframe interactions are measured. The other test technique is a propulsion simulator approach, where a subscale, externally powered engine is mounted in the model. This allows proper measurement of inlet/airframe and nozzle/airframe interactions simultaneously.

Mraz, M. R.↗

Subsonic longitudinal and lateral-directional static aerodynamic characteristics for a model with swept back and swept forward wings

A general research fighter model was tested in the Langley 7- by 10-foot high speed tunnel at a Mach number of 0.3. With a conventional empennage, the model was tested with the wing in a 60 deg swept back configuration and in a 32 deg swept forward configuration. The 32 deg swept forward configuration was also tested with a strake. Very limited data was obtained with a wing in a 50 deg swept back configuration and a 7 deg swept forward configuration. The angle of attack range was from approximately -4 deg to 48 deg at sideslip angles of 0 deg, -5 deg, and 5 deg.

Huffman, J. K.↗

Combustion Stability of the Gas Generator Assembly from J-2X Engine E10001 and Powerpack Tests

Testing of a powerpack configuration (turbomachinery and gas generator assembly) and the first complete engine system of the liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen propellant J-2X rocket engine have been completed at the NASA Stennis Space Center. The combustion stability characteristics of the gas generator assemblies on these two systems are of interest for reporting since considerable effort was expended to eliminate combustion instability during early development of the gas generator assembly with workhorse hardware. Comparing the final workhorse gas generator assembly development test data to the powerpack and engine system test data provides an opportunity to investigate how the nearly identical configurations of gas generator assemblies operate with two very different propellant supply systems one the autonomous pressure-fed test configuration on the workhorse development test stand, the other the pump-fed configurations on the powerpack and engine systems. The development of the gas generator assembly and the elimination of the combustion instability on the pressure-fed workhorse test stand have been reported extensively in the two previous Liquid Propulsion Subcommittee meetings 1-7. The powerpack and engine system testing have been conducted from mid-2011 through 2012. All tests of the powerpack and engine system gas generator systems to date have been stable. However, measureable dynamic behavior, similar to that observed on the pressure-fed test stand and reported in Ref. [6] and attributed to an injection-coupled response, has appeared in both powerpack and engine system tests. As discussed in Ref. [6], these injection-coupled responses are influenced by the interaction of the combustion chamber with a branch pipe in the hot gas duct that supplies gaseous helium to pre-spin the turbine during the start transient. This paper presents the powerpack and engine system gas generator test data, compares these data to the development test data, and provides additional combustion stability analyses of the configurations.

Hulka, J. R.↗

Testing of a Line Driver With Configurable Pre-Emphasis on Lossy Transmission Lines

Rare-event physics experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) or the next Enriched Xenon Observatory (nEXO) experiment search for rare, low-energy events, detected by sensitive detectors immersed in a cryogenic noble liquid (e.g., liquid argon or xenon). Readout electronics used within such detectors must consume minimal power while operating reliably in cryogenic environments. Furthermore, in the case of nEXO, maximizing the radiopurity of the environment is vital to minimize background noise, thus placing strict limits on the volume of dielectric materials, leading to high-loss data cables spanning distances up to 12 m. Such cables cause high attenuation and intersymbol interference (ISI), resulting in a high bit-error rate (BER). These issues were addressed by developing an integrated line driver with configurable pre-emphasis in a 65-nm CMOS process. The pre-emphasis parameters can be programmed to minimize BER for specific cables and data rates under power constraints. Here, the driver was tested at both room and cryogenic temperatures. In both cases, the output BER was found to be strongly correlated with the pre-emphasis settings. Furthermore, analysis and simulation showed that adapting the pre-emphasis settings based on the incoming bit sequence can further improve performance with minimal changes to the current solution.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A low speed wind tunnel test of a 0.050 scale model of shuttle orbiter (model 089B) to investigate the longitudinal and lateral directional effects of canard and tail configurational modifications in the LTV LSWT (MA14)

A low speed wind tunnel test was conducted to determine the effects of 6 canard configurations on the 0.050 scale model of shuttle orbiter 089B. In addition, two horizontal tail configurations were tested at two positions on the model as were two wing configurations. Since this test was restricted to 103 runs, only a limited number of permutations of the configurational changes could be tested. The testing was done in the 15 by 20 foot section of the LSWT and consisted of pitch polars, one yawed polar and several yaw runs. The pitch polars encompassed an alpha range from 0 to 28 deg; the yawed polar was run at beta = +2 degrees and the yaw runs covered a beta range from -6 to +6 deg at angles-of-attack of 0, 4, 10, 16, and 20 deg.

Chambliss, E. B.↗

V28 Test Report

The V28 containment vessel was procured by the US Army Recovered Chemical Material Directorate (RCMD) as a replacement vessel for use on the P2 Explosive Destruction Systems. It is the fourth EDS vessel to be fabricated under Code Case 2564 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which provides rules for the design of impulsively loaded vessels. The explosive rating for the vessel, based on the Code Case, is nine (9) pounds TNT- equivalent for up to 637 detonations. This report documents the results of explosive tests that were done on the vessel at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque New Mexico to qualify the vessel for explosive use. The primary qualification test consisted of six, 1.5 pounds charges of Composition C-4 (equivalent to 11.25 pounds TNT) distributed around the vessel in accordance with the User Design Specification. This test was repeated due to a lack of proper clamp settings. Two additional tests using less explosive were performed, one identical in configuration to a test performed in the V27 qualification series as a baseline for comparison, and one where the separation distance of the charges was increased to extend the V27 analysis of distributed load effects on the P2 vessel. All vessel acceptance criteria were met.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

Interference effects of thrust reversing on horizontal tail effectiveness of twin-engine fighter aircraft at Mach numbers from 0.15 to 0.90

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16 foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the interference effects of thrust reversing on horizontal tail effectiveness of a twin engine, general research fighter model at approach and in-flight speeds. Twin vertical tails at three longitudinal locations were tested at a cant angle of 0 deg. One configuration was also tested at a cant angle of 20 deg. Two nonaxisymmetric nozzle reverser concepts were studied. Test data were obtained at Mach numbers of 0.15, 0.60, and 0.90 and at angles of attack from -3 to 9 deg. Nozzle pressure ratios varied from jet off to 7.0, depending upon Mach number. At landing approach speed (Mach number 0.15), thrust reverser operation usually resulted in large variations (up to 70% increase) in horizontal tail effectiveness as nozzle pressure ratio was varied at zero angle of attack or as angle of attack was varied at constant nozzle pressure ratio. There was always a decrease in effectiveness at Mach numbers of 0.60 and 0.90 as a result of reverser operation.

Capone, F. J.↗