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High velocity flow is attained within system by expanding heated mixture of copper vapor, argon, and helium through supersonic nozzle. Arc heater, operated on argon/helium mixture, supplies energy to vaporize copper and to produce high temperature supersonic flow of gas/vapor mixture.
Systematic surveys of both the near and far noise fields were made for a supersonic (nozzle design Mach number 1.5) cold model jet. The purpose of this investigation was to extend the existing understanding of the noise field of a supersonic shock-free jet at a moderate exit Mach number and the variations in its acoustic behavior when the nozzle was operated at its underexpanded mode, where strong shock waves were present. It was found that the broad-band pressure spectra of apparent sources in each of the individual characteristic flow regions were grossly similar. The strongest source for the shock-free jet was located in the region between the laminar core tip and the supersonic core tip, whereas for the underexpanded jet the strongest source was found near the middle of the flow region containing repetitive shock waves. It is shown that the significant increase in the noise output at the underexpanded mode of operation was primarily due to high-frequency components.
The photograph in figure 1 displays a water cooled round convergent-divergent supersonic nozzle operating slightly overexpanded near 2460 F. The nozzle is designed to produce shock free flow near this temperature at Mach 2. The exit diameter of this nozzle is 3.5 inches. This nozzle is used in the present study to establish properties of the sound field associated with high temperature supersonic jets operating fully pressure balanced (i.e. shock free) and to evaluate capability of the compressible Rayleigh model to account for principle physical features of the observed sound emission. The experiment is conducted statically (i.e. M(sub f) = 0.) in the NASA/LaRC Jet Noise Laboratory. Both aerodynamic and acoustic measurements are obtained in this study along with numerical plume simulation and theoretical prediction of jet noise. Detailed results from this study are reported previously by Seiner, Ponton, Jansen, and Lagen.
A series of experiments into the behavior of underexpanded jet flows has been conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. Two nozzles supplied with high-pressure gas were used to generate axisymmetric underexpanded jets exhausting into a low-pressure chamber. These nozzles had exit Mach numbers of 1 and 2.6, though this paper will present cases involving only the supersonic nozzle. Reynolds numbers based on nozzle exit conditions ranged from about 300 to 22,000, and nozzle exit-to-ambient jet pressure ratios ranged from about 1 to 25. For the majority of cases, the jet fluid was a mixture of 99.5% nitrogen seeded with 0.5% nitric oxide (NO). Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of NO is used to visualize the flow, visualizing planar slices of the flow rather than path integrated measurements. In addition to revealing the size and location of flow structures, PLIF images were also used to identify unsteady jet behavior in order to quantify the conditions governing the transition to turbulent flow. Flow structures that contribute to the growth of flow instabilities have been identified, and relationships between Reynolds number and transition location are presented. By highlighting deviations from mean flow properties, PLIF images are shown to aide in the identification and characterization of flow instabilities and the resulting process of transition to turbulence.
A limited investigation has been conducted to determine the jet-blast effect of twin variable-cant supersonic nozzles. These tests were made to examine the result of using canted main rocket engines to sweep the blast debris outward from the proposed landing area of a rocket-powered vehicle making a vertical approach to a touchdown. Cant angles from 0 degrees to 75 degrees, at intervals of 15 degrees, were tested at low ambient pressure and at atmospheric ambient pressure. Nozzle chamber pressures used were 400 psi and 2000 psi.
This compendium summarizes the contributions of the NASA-Lewis and its contractors to supersonic exhaust nozzle research from 1963 to 1985. Two major research and technology efforts sponsored this nozzle research work; the U.S. Supersonic Transport (SST) Program and the follow-on Supersonic Cruise Research (SCR) Program. They account for two generations of nozzle technology: the first from 1963 to 1971, and the second from 1971 to 1985. First, the equations used to calculate nozzle thrust are introduced. Then the general types of nozzles are presented, followed by a discussion of those types proposed for supersonic aircraft. Next, the first-generation nozzles designed specifically for the Boeing SST and the second-generation nozzles designed under the SCR program are separately reviewed and then compared. A chapter on throttle-dependent afterbody drag is included, since drag has a major effect on the off-design performance of supersonic nozzles. A chapter on the performance of supersonic dash nozzles follows, since these nozzles have similar design problems, Finally, the nozzle test facilities used at NASA-Lewis during this nozzle research effort are identified and discussed. These facilities include static test stands, a transonic wind tunnel, and a flying testbed aircraft. A concluding section points to the future: a third generation of nozzles designed for a new era of high speed civil transports to produce even greater advances in performance, to meet new noise rules, and to ensure the continuity of over two decades of NASA research.
This paper describes several approaches available to analysts to capture the mechanical erosion effects of alumina droplet impingement in solid rocket motor nozzles. Supersonic alumina impingement is of great interest to solid rocket motor analysts, as it can be one of the main contributors to overall nozzle erosion, particularly in nozzles with highly contoured exit cones. An overview of the basic concepts of mechanical impingement is provided, along with discussion on some of the various methods available, ranging from the purely empirical to more physics-based techniques, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Transonic performance of three turbojet nozzle- afterbody configurations
Airframe installation effects at transonic speeds on underwing supersonic cruise exhaust nozzles, using flight and wind tunnel tests
The Panel Oxidation and Erosion Testbed (POET) facility under construction at GASL to provide the required test environment is described. The POET facility comprises three major element including a vitiated air heater, a supersonic nozzle, and a test section. A hydrogen-fueld vitiated air heater will provide the oxidizing and erosive environment. The flow through the test section characterized by low supersonic speed and Mach number of 1.4 will maximize the local heat transfer rate and the local surface shear stress.
Jet engine noise generation and noise propagation was investigated by studying supersonic nozzle flow of various nozzle configurations in an experimental test facility. The experimental facility was constructed to provide a coaxial axisymmetric jet flow of unheated air. In the test setup, an inner primary flow exhausted from a 7 in. exit diameter convergent--divergent nozzle at Mach 2, while a secondary flow had a 10 in. outside diameter and was sonic at the exit. The large dimensions of the jets permitted probes to be placed inside the jet core without significantly disturbing the flow. Static pressure fluctuations were measured for the flows. The nozzles were designed for shock free (balanced) flow at Mach 2. Data processing techniques and experimental procedures were developed in order to study induced disturbances at the edge of the supersonic flows, and the propagation of those disturbances throughout the flows. Equipment used (specifications are given) to record acoustic levels (far field noise) is described. Results and conclusions are presented and discussed. Diagrams of the jet flow fields are included along with photographs of the test stand.
Results are given of vacuum testing of nozzles designed to eject water vapor away from the space shuttle to prevent contamination of the spacecraft surfaces and payload. The water vapor is generated by an active cooling system which evaporates excess fuel cell water to supplement a modular radiator system (MRS). The complete heat rejection system including the MRS, flash evaporator or sublimator and nozzle were first tested to demonstrate the system operational characteristics. The plume tests were performed in two phases and the objectives of this test series were: (1) to determine the effectiveness of a supersonic nozzle and a plugged nozzle in minimizing impingement upon the spacecraft of water vapor exhausted by an active device (flash evaporator or sublimator); and (2) to obtain basic data on the flow fields of exhaust plumes generated by these active devices, both with and without nozzles installed.
A procedure for designing ducts for subsonic and transonic speeds is described. Examples discussed are a wind-tunnel contraction cone, a supersonic nozzle, and a diffuser. A listing of the computer program is included. The streamline curvature equations represent a form of the exact, compressible, inviscid flow equations. The method is applicable from low subsonic to supersonic speeds.
Location effect of power plants on aft-mounted supersonic cruise exhaust nozzles at transonic speeds in flight and wind tunnel
The Two Dimensional Kinetics (TDK) computer program is a primary tool in applying the JANNAF liquid rocket engine performance prediction procedures. The purpose of this contract has been to improve the TDK computer program so that it can be applied to rocket engine designs of advanced type. In particular, future orbit transfer vehicles (OTV) will require rocket engines that operate at high expansion ratio, i.e., in excess of 200:1. Because only a limited length is available in the space shuttle bay, it is possible that OTV nozzles will be designed with both relatively short length and high expansion ratio. In this case, a shock wave may be present in the flow. The TDK computer program was modified to include the simulation of shock waves in the supersonic nozzle flow field. The shocks induced by the wall contour can produce strong perturbations of the flow, affecting downstream conditions which need to be considered for thrust chamber performance calculations.
The WIND code, a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver used for a variety of aerospace flow simulations, was investigated for a Mach 2 nozzle at a series of nozzle stagnation temperatures. Comparisons of WIND calculations are made to experimental measurements of axial velocity, Mach number, and stagnation temperature along the jet centerline. The primary objective was to investigate the capabilities of the two-equation turbulence models available in WIND, version 4.0, for the analysis of heated supersonic nozzle flows. The models examined were the Menter Shear Stress Transport (SST) model and the Chien k-epsilon model, with and without the compressibility correction due to Sarkar. It was observed that all of the turbulence models investigated produced solutions that did not agree well with the experimental measurements. The effects of freestream Mach number and turbulent Prandtl number specifications were also investigated.
Supersonic jet plume interaction with a flat plate was studied using a model scaled test apparatus designed to simulate plume/aircraft structure interaction for the cruise configuration. The generic configuration consisted of a rectangular supersonic nozzle of aspect ratio 7, and a large flat plate located beneath the nozzle at various nozzle plate distances; the plate was instrumented to measure surface dynamic pressure and mean wall temperature, with provisions for measurements of acceleration and strain on coupon size panels that could be inserted in the plate. Phase-averaged schlieren measurements revealed the presence of high-intensity acoustic emission from the supersonic plume above the plate, directed upstream; this radiation could be associated with the shock noise generation. Narrow band spectra of surface dynamic pressure show spectral peaks with amplitude levels reaching 1 psi, related to the screech tones. Temperature measurements indicated elevated surface temperatures in regions of high turbulence intensity.
Based on experimental data, the aerothermodynamic surface environment for the Space Shuttle Orbiter reaction control system (RCS) thrusters during entry was established. Using this environment the required thermal protection for the RCS thruster nozzles and surrounding vehicle surfaces on the orbiter nose was determined. Wind tunnel test data was obtained at Mach 8 to measure the heat transfer and pressure distribution in separated flow due to deep, three-dimensional cavities and lateral jet interference using helium and air (hot and cold) injection from a supersonic nozzle. Results of the analysis and correlation of the test data are presented.