Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Liu, B. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Liu, B. L..

Numerical simulation of the edge tone phenomenon

Time accurate Navier-Stokes computations were performed to study a class 2 (acoustic) whistle, the edge tone, and to gain knowledge of the vortex-acoustic coupling mechanisms driving production of these tones. Results were obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations for laminar compressible air flow of a two dimensional jet issuing from a slit interacting with a wedge. Cases considered were determined by varying the distance from the slit to the wedge. Flow speed was kept constant at 1,750 cm/s as was the slit thickness of 0.1 cm, corresponding to conditions in the experiments of Brown. The analytical computations revealed edge tones to be present in four harmonic stages of jet flow instability over the wedge as the jet length was varied from 0.3 to 1.6 cm. Excellent agreement was obtained in all four edge tone stage cases between the present computational results and the experimentally obtained frequencies and flow visualization results of Brown. Specific edge tone generation phenomena and further confirmation of certain theories and empirical formulas concerning these phenomena were brought to light in this analytical simulation of edge tones.

Dougherty, N. S.↗

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of Space Shuttle main engine multiple plume flows at high-altitude flight conditions

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is providing verification of Space Shuttle flight performance details and is being applied to Space Shuttle Main Engine Multiple plume interaction flow field definition. Advancements in real-gas CFD methodology that are described have allowed definition of exhaust plume flow details at Mach 3.5 and 107,000 ft. The specific objective includes the estimate of flow properties at oblique shocks between plumes and plume recirculation into the Space Shuttle Orbiter base so that base heating and base pressure can be modeled accurately. The approach utilizes the Rockwell USA Real Gas 3-D Navier-Stokes (USARG3D) Code for the analysis. The code has multi-zonal capability to detail the geometry of the plumes based region and utilizes finite-rate chemistry to compute the plume expansion angle and relevant flow properties at altitude correctly. Through an improved definition of the base recirculation flow properties, heating, and aerodynamic design environments of the Space Shuttle Vehicle can be further updated.

Dougherty, N. S.↗

Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations of classical two-dimensional edge tone flow fields

Time-accurate Navier-Stokes computations were performed to study a Class II (acoustic) whistle, the edge tone, and gain knowledge of the vortex-acoustic coupling mechanisms driving production of these tones. Results were obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations for laminar compressible air flow of a two-dimensional jet issuing from a slit interacting with a wedge. Cases considered were determined by varying the distance from the slit to the edge. Flow speed was kept constant at 1750 cm/sec as was the slit thickness of 0.1 cm, corresponding to conditions in the experiments of Brown. Excellent agreement was obtained in all four edge tone stage cases between the present computational results and the experimentally obtained results of Brown. Specific edge tone generated phenomena and further confirmation of certain theories concerning these phenomena were brought to light in this analytical simulation of edge tones.

Liu, B. L.↗

Reduction of vortex-induced vibration in vane geometries

Computations using a time-accurate, compressible Navier-Stokes flow model were conducted to analyze both unsteady laminar and turbulent flows over two curved configurations of vanes which were shaped to treat a 4.0 kHz vibration problem which has occurred in several SSMEs. This problem involves vortex shedding from vanes which causes excessive vane vibration and cracking. The original vane configuration exhibited strong flow-induced vibrations at a Strouhal number near 0.19 for a the first bending mode excitation. Scalloping of the leading edge raised the frequency of the vane's first torsional mode, which in turn increased the onset flow velocity at lock-in. Beveling the vane's trailing edge eliminated vortex shedding at the trailing edge, which decoupled the flow oscillation from the vibrating wave. A modified vane configuration with a beveled trailing edge at a 30 deg angle was also studied.

Liu, B. L.↗

Time-dependent Navier-Stokes computations for flow-induced vibrations of vanes

Flows over two curved vane configurations were computed using a time-accurate compressible Navier-Stokes flow model. One configuration showed the presence of strong flow-induced vibrations at Strouhal numbers near 0.19 and 0.38 for bending and torsional excitation. In the other configuration, a simple modification reduced both types of response. Laminar flows were analyzed for the effects of flow-induced vibrations, and flow fields were solved for a rigid vane and a vane undergoing forced vibrations at prescribed amplitude and frequency simulating vibration response to a coupled vortex-shedding/elastic motion feedback cycle.

Liu, B. L.↗