Engineering topics

Jones, T. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Jones, T. B..

14 records

NASA NTRS1982

Dielectrophoretic levitation of droplets and bubbles

Uncharged droplets and bubbles can be levitated dielectrophoretically in liquids using strong, nonuniform electric fields. The general equations of motion for a droplet or bubble in an axisymmetric, divergence-free electrostatic field allow determination of the conditions necessary and sufficient for stable levitation. The design of dielectrophoretic (DEP) levitation electrode structures is simplified by a Taylor-series expansion of cusped axisymmetric electrostatic fields. Extensive experimental measurements on bubbles in insulating liquids verify the simple dielectrophoretic model. Other have extended dielectrophoretic levitation to very small particles in aqueous media. Applications of DEP levitation to the study of gas bubbles, liquid droplets, and solid particles are discussed. Some of these applications are of special interest in the reduced gravitational field of a spacecraft.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Bubble dielectrophoresis

The theoretical principles related to bubble dielectrophoresis are examined, taking into account the polarization force, aspects of bubble deformation, the electrostatic bubble levitation theorem, and the equation of motion. The measurement of the dielectrophoretic force on static and dynamic bubbles represents a convenient experimental method for the study of the general problem of dielectrophoresis. The experiments reported include static-force measurements, static-levitation experiments, and dynamic-force measurements.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Application of electrohydrodynamic phenomena to space processing

The capabilities of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) unit separation, liquid handling/control, and mixing are introduced to industrial chemists and metallurgists, working on specific zero-gravity processes. Previously proposed zero-gravity applications of EHD are presented along with the prominent electrohydrodynamical force effects.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Electrohydrodynamic heat pipe experiments

Experiments with two electrohydrodynamic heat pipes are reported. Both devices employ an electromechanical flow structure for axial liquid flow and a capillary wicking structure for (1) collection of condensed liquid at the cooled end and (2) distribution of this liquid at the heated end. One device has circumferential grooving for the capillary structure and the other has feltmetal wicking. The experiments successfully demonstrate the electrohydrodynamic heat pipe concept. Compatibility of the two circumferential wick structures with an axial electromechanical flow structure is also demonstrated. A significant mismatch of the capillary groove and electrohydrodynamic pumping capabilities results in severe hydrodynamic burn-out limiting in the first heat pipe. Both devices have very poor over-all thermal conductances of the order of 1-2 W/deg C, reflecting the generally poor heat-transfer properties of the dielectric working fluids required in electrohydrodynamic heat pipes.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Hydrostatics and steady dynamics of spatially varying electromechanical flow structures

The hydrostatic and steady laminar hydrodynamic equilibria of spatially varying electromechanical flow structures are investigated. Under certain conditions the relationship between the dielectric height of rise and the applied voltage is found to be double valued. It is found that one of the two equilibrium values is always unstable. This gives rise to the experimentally observed spontaneous rise of the fluid to the top of the structure, once a certain critical voltage is reached. Starting above this critical voltage with the structure completely filled and decreasing the applied voltage toward the critical value results in pinch-in failure at an intermediate point along the structure and trapping of dielectric fluid at the top. The simple mathematical model developed predicts all these phenomena, without recourse to tedious point-by-point surface force equilibrium determination. Experiments are reported which verify the results for the hydrostatic case.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Electrohydrodynamically coupled Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

An inviscid model of the surface dynamics at the interface between two parallel-flowing insulating dielectric fluids, subject to a tangential electric field with a weak gradient, is developed. The two flows are oppositely directed, resulting in an electrohydrodynamically coupled Kelvin-Hemholtz instability. A simple stability criterion is used successfully to correlate experimental data obtained with a test configuration.

Perry, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Electrohydrodynamic heat pipe research

Experimental and theoretical applications to electrohydrodynamic heat pipe (EHDHP) research are presented. Two problems in the research which are discussed are the prediction of the effective thermal conductance of an EHDHP with threaded grooves for fluid distribution to the evaporator of an EHDHP. Hydrodynamic equations are included along with a discussion of boundary conditions and burn-out conditions. A discussion of the theoretical and experimental results is presented.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Electrohydrodynamic heat pipes.

An electrohydrodynamic heat pipe of radical design is proposed which substitutes polarization electrohydrodynamic force effects for capillarity in collecting, guiding, and pumping a condensate liquid phase. The discussed device is restricted to the use of dielectric liquids as working fluids. Because of the relatively poor thermal transport properties of these liquids, capillary heat pipes using these liquids have not been high performance devices. The employment of the electrohydrodynamic concept should enhance this performance and help fill the performance gap that exists in the temperature range from 250 F to 750 F for 'conventional' capillary heat pipes.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1972

An electrohydrodynamic heat pipe.

A heat pipe of new design, using an electrode structure to orient and guide the dielectric liquid phase flow, is proposed. Analysis indicates that the operation of the electrohydrodynamic heat pipe is in direct analogy to capillary devices, with the polarization force acting in place of capillarity. Advantages of these new heat pipes include greatly reduced liquid friction, electrohydrodynamically enhanced evaporation and condensation heat transfer, and a possible voltage-controlled on/off feature. Preliminary calculations indicate that relatively high performance devices are possible.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1972

An electrohydrodynamic heat pipe

Dielectric liquid for transfer of heat provides liquid flow from the condenser section to the evaporator section in conventional heat pipes. Working fluid is guided or pumped by an array of wire electrodes connected to a high-voltage source.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Experiments with an electrohydrodynamic heat pipe

The experimental results with a working model of the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) heat pipe are presented along with descriptions of the experimental device and its operation. Conclusions reached are: (1) EHD flow structures can be used to provide liquid communication between the condenser and evaporator of a heat pipe. (2) The voltage provides a remote electrical servo linkage of possible use in certain thermal control applications. (3) At least one hybrid flow structure, utilizing capillary and electrohydrodynamic forces, has been found functional. Proposed further experiments are discussed.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Entrainment in electrohydrodynamic heat pipes

A theoretical analysis for predicting the onset of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is reported. The model for the analysis is described, and the derived stability criterion are given. It is concluded that surface tension plays a role in the entrainment limit of electro hydrodynamic heat pipes. The surface of the liquid in an EHD flow structure is open, with no restriction placed on the wavenumbers of perturbations.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Dielectric siphons.

The normally weak polarization force density, exerted on insulating dielectric liquids by a nonuniform electric field, is enhanced if high pressures are used. The nonuniform electric field acts as an elastic ?wall' to contain and guide the dielectric fluid. A general theory for these electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduits has been developed. An illustrative example of the EHD conduits is the dielectric siphon consisting of two U-shaped electrodes held adjacent to each other by insulating nylon screws.

Jones, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1971

The feasibility of electrohydrodynamic heat pipes

The effect of a nonuniform electrostatic field on insulating dielectric liquids in heat pipes was studied. Topics discussed include the theory of operation, design criteria, and evaluation of optimal design features. It is concluded that the electrodynamic heat pipes offer advantages that must be weighed against the disadvantages in order to arrive at a proper assessment of their value in solving heat transfer problems.

Jones, T. B.↗