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Engineering topics

Mullen, R. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Mullen, R. L..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Refrigerated dynamic seal to 6.9 MPa (1000 psi)

The self sealing, high shear flow passage approach which was extended to large pressure differences was studied. In a refrigerated seal the fluid to be sealed flows through a refrigerated housing or constriction. The fluid can be frozen to the housing during the transient phase. Under steady state conditions the refrigerated seal proves to be a dynamic low leakage seal. The concept is extended to pressure differences of 6.9 MPa.

Hendricks, Robert C.↗

Two-phase flows within systems with ambient pressure

In systems where the design inlet and outlet pressures are maintained above the thermodynamic critical pressure, it is often assumed that two phase flows within the system cannot occur. Designers rely on this simple rule of thumb to circumvent problems associated with a highly compressible two phase flow occurring within the supercritical pressure system along with the uncertainties in rotordynamics, load capacity, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermophysical property variations. The simple rule of thumb is adequate in many low power designs but is inadequate for high performance turbomachines and linear systems, where two phase regions can exist even though outlet pressure is greater than critical pressure. Rotordynamic-fluid-mechanic restoring forces depend on momentum differences, and those for a two phase zone can differ significantly from those for a single-phase zone. Using the Reynolds equation the angular velocity, eccentricity, geometry, and ambient conditions are varied to determine the point of two phase flow incipience.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Film and interstitial formation of metals in plasma-sprayed ceramics

A method is described to electrodeposit noble metals such as platinum and ordinary metals such as copper on and within plasma-sprayed ceramic materials and ceramic fiber materials. Low-density ceramic fiber bodies were vacuum impregnated with plating solution and attached to an electrode. Light micrographs illustrating the density and location of deposited materials are presented and discussed. Voids in the plasma-sprayed ceramic were filled with deposits that vary from spherical to lens-shaped circular and have particle size corresponding to the full range of void size. Multiple coatings of ceramic and metal can be sequenced.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Finite element analysis of residual stress in plasma-sprayed ceramic

Residual stress in a ZrO2-Y2O3 ceramic coating resulting from the plasma spraying operation is calculated. The calculations were done using the finite element method. Both thermal and mechanical analysis were performed. The resulting residual stress field was compared to the measurements obtained by Hendricks and McDonald. Reasonable agreement between the predicted and measured moment occurred. However, the resulting stress field is not in pure bending.

Mullen, R. L.↗

Analysis of experimental shaft seal data for high-performance turbomachines, as for Space Shuttle main engines

High-pressure, high-temperature seal flow (leakage) data for nonrotating and rotating Raleigh-step and convergent-tapered-bore seals were characterized in terms of a normalized flow coefficient. The data for normalized Rayleigh-steip and nonrotating tapered-bore seals were in reasonable agreement with theory, but data for the rotating tapered-bore seals were not. The tapered-bore-seal operational clearances estimated from the flow data were significantly larger than calculated. Although clearances are influenced by wear from conical to cylindrical geometry and errors in clearance corrections, the problem was isolated to the shaft temperature - rotational speed clearance correction. The geometric changes support the use of some conical convergence in any seal. Under these conditions rotation reduced the normalized flow coefficiently by nearly 10 percent.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Nested subcritical flows within supercritical systems

In supercritical systems the design inlet and outlet pressures are maintained above the thermaodynamic critical pressure P sub C. Designers rely on this simple rule of thumb to circumvent problems associated with a subcritical pressure regime nested within the supercritical pressure system along with the uncertainties in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermophysical property variations. The simple rule of thumb is adequate in many low-power designs but is inadequate for high-performance turbomachines and linear systems, where nested two-phase regions can exist. Examples for a free-jet expansion with backpressure greater than P sub C and a rotor (bearing) with ambient pressure greater than P sub C illustrate the existence of subcritical pressure regimes nested within supercritical systems.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Film and interstitial formation of metals in plasma-sprayed ceramics

A method is described to electrodeposit noble metals such as platinum and ordinary metals such as copper on and within plasma-sprayed ceramic materials and ceramic fiber materials. Low-density ceramic fiber bodies were vacuum impregnated with plating solution and attached to an electrode. Light micrographs illustrating the density and location of deposited materials are presented and discussed. Voids in the plasma-sprayed ceramic were filled with deposits that vary from spherical to lens-shaped circular and have particle size corresponding to the full range of void size. Multiple coatings of ceramic and metal can be sequenced.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Refrigerated dynamic seal to 6.9 MPa (1000 psi)

The self sealing, high shear flow passage approach which was extended to large pressure differences was studied. In a refrigerated seal the fluid to be sealed flows through a refrigerated housing or constriction. The fluid can be frozen to the housing during the transient phase. Under steady state conditions the refrigerated seal proves to be a dynamic low leakage seal. The concept is extended to pressure differences of 6.9 MPa.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Analysis of a two row hydrostatic journal bearing with variable properties, inertia effects and surface roughness

A computer algorithm for simulation of hydrostatic journal bearing pressure-flow behavior has been generated. The effects taken into account are inertia, cavitation, variable properties (isothermal bearing) and roughness. The program has been specifically tailored for simulation of the hybrid bearing of the cryogenic turbopumps of the main shuttle engine. Due to the high pressure (515 psia) of the supply line no cavitation has been found. The influence of the roughness effects have been found to become important only when the surface-roughness order of magnitude is comparable with that of the bearing clearance itself. Pocket edge inertia and variable properties have been found to have quite an important influence upon the pocket pressure, field pressure distribution and lubricant mass flow.

Braun, M. J.↗

An analysis of temperature effect in a finite journal bearing with spatial tilt and viscous dissipation

The analysis presented herein deals with the evaluation of the pressure, velocity, and temperature profiles in a finite-length plane journal bearing. The geometry of the case under study consists of a spatially tilted shaft. The two-dimensional Reynolds equation accounts for the variation of the clearance gap h with x and z and is used to model the pressure field. The latter is solved for a variety of shaft tilt angles and then used to calculate the two-dimensional flow field. Finally, the flow field is used in the energy equation to solve for the film temperature profile, when the effect of viscous dissipation is taken into account.

Braun, M. J.↗

Experimental study of bubble cavities attached to a rotating shaft in a reservoir

Bubble cavities formed by air entrainment and attached to a rotating shaft in an oil reservoir were studied. The cavities appear to the unaided eye as toroidal. High speed photography, however, reveals the individuality of the bubble cavities and their near solid body rotational characteristics. The cavities are distorted by the rotation effects but remain attached and tend to merge because of edge effects in the axial direction. The flow field within the reservoir is influenced by the unusual character of the two phase fluid found there; the vorticity is readily visualized. Other examples of vapor entrapment at the inlet of an eccentric rotor are also discussed. A simplified analytical method is provided, and a numerical analysis is being investigated. Vapor (void) entrainment and generation can significantly alter leakage rates and stability of seals, bearings, and dampers. Recognition of these effects in the component design systems will result only after detailed studies of the above phenomena.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Plastic flow of plasma sprayed ceramics

The plastic flow of plasma-sprayed ZrO2-8Y2O3 ceramic has been measured at temperatures up to 1250 C and compared to the plastic flow of pressed and sintered ZrO2-8Y2O3. Plasma spraying of binary oxide ceramics is found to result in a metastable state which is inelastic at high temperature but can also be stabilized or devitrified through heat treating so as to decrease plastic properties. The mechanical properties of the as-plasma sprayed and devitrified ceramic sheet material was measured. An improved algorithm that incorporates the inherently nonlinear thermomechanical field equations was used to determine the influence of inelastic material behavior on the thermomechanical response of ceramic coated seal components. Significant creep was found during the thermal shock and steady heating periods with insufficient time during thermal quench to reverse the process, thereby inducing significant residual stresses into the components.

Padovan, J.↗

Residual stress in plasma-sprayed ceramic turbine tip and gas-path seal specimens

The residual stresses in a ceramic sheet material used for turbine blade tip gas path seals, were estimated. These stresses result from the plasma spraying process which leaves the surface of the sheet in tension. To determine the properties of plasma sprayed ZrO2-Y2O3 sheet material, its load deflection characteristics were measured. Estimates of the mechanical properties for sheet materials were found to differ from those reported for plasma sprayed bulk materials. Previously announced in STAR as N83-28380

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Correlation of compressive and shear stress with spalling of plasma-sprayed ceramic materials

Ceramics on metal substrates for potential use as high temperature seals or other applications are exposed to forces originating from differences in thermal expansion between the ceramic and the metal substrate. This report develops a relationship between the difference in expansion of the ceramic and the substrate, defines conditions under which shear between the ceramic and the substrate occurs, and those under which bending forces are produced in the ceramic. The off-axis effect of compression forces resulting from high temperature plastic flow of the ceramic producing buckling of the ceramic is developed. Shear is associated with the edge or boundary stresses on the component while bending is associated with the distortion of an interior region. Both modes are significant in predicting life of the ceramic. Previously announced in STAR as N83-27016

Mullen, R. L.↗

The effect of annealing on the creep of plasma-sprayed ceramics

The creep of plasma sprayed ZrO2-8Y2O3 was measured at temperatures from 98 to 1250 C (180 to 220 F), and compared to creep of identical samples after annealing at temperatures from 98 to 1316 C (1800 to 2400 F). Loads and temperatures which produced significant creep of as sprayed ceramics produced no creep after annealing. Previously announced in STAR as N83-24799

Hendricks, R. C.↗

A thermomechanical model for energy propagation in a solid-fluid-solid system with one boundary in relative motion

A model is developed to predict the behavior of a thin fluid film in the wake of a tool in relative motion with respect to the table. Computational procedures are developed and limitations of the model are discussed. In general the fluid-interface temperature is controlled by conduction into the table. From the numerical results four regimes are identified: convective cooling, partial evaporation of the fluid film, extended evaporation due to a limiting evaporative heat flux, and surface dryout due to total evaporation of the fluid layer. These regimes are qualitatively illustrated in terms of the parameters film thickness, viscosity, and relative velocity.

Braun, M. J.↗

Finite element formulation for transient heat treat problems

The macrothermomechanical behavior of materials subjected to rapid thermal or mechanical loading such as occurs in most heat treatments is described. The equations are developed for Lagrangian, Eulerian, and intermediary kinematic descriptions and are independent of the constitutive laws and the equation of state; they can be solved numerically for a specified material and boundary conditions. The coupled transport effects between dissipation and energy are included. The conventional linearized stability approach indicates the numerical procedure to be stable, with certain restriction on the time step size.

Mullen, R. L.↗

Thermomechanical loading of multilayered cylindrical geometries in thermal cycling from 300 to 1300 K

The principal of multiple material layering is well known as an effective method of reducing heat transfer; however, thermal gradients can impose significant loads and lead to delamination and subsequent component failure. An analysis is developed and experimental data are discussed for the thermomechanical effects of multilayered materials on a heat sink substrate of cylindrical geometry subject to thermal cycling. The geometry is heated in cross-flow by a high-velocity flame and cooled in crossflow by ambient-temperature air from a critical flow orifice. Each layer of material possesses a threshold beyond which small changes in temperature or mechanical loading greatly influence the life in thermal cycling of the layered materials. Comparisons are made between the thermomechanical loads predicted by various numerical codes for the linear case and by a simplified analytic model.

Hendricks, R. C.↗