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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.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

Experimental and analytical investigation of axisymmetric supersonic cruise nozzle geometry at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.30

Quantitative pressure and force data for five axisymmetric boattail nozzle configurations were examined. These configurations simulate the variable-geometry feature of a single nozzle design operating over a range of engine operating conditions. Five nozzles were tested in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.30. The experimental data were also compared with theoretical predictions.

Carson, G. T., Jr.↗

Investigation of arcjet nozzle performance

An investigation is performed to examine the feasibility of improving arcjet performance through the use of contoured nozzle designs. The results of preliminary experiments performed on two different nozzle configurations, a 19 degree half-angle cone and a 'bell' shaped nozzle, are described. A unique experimental arcjet apparatus, which effectively tests only the change in nozzle contour on arcjet performance is used in this investigation. The preliminary experimental results indicate approximately an 8 percent improvement in thrust and specific impulse for operation at 15 kW with an ammonia flow rate of 0.20 g/s for a 'bell' shaped nozzle compared to a conical nozzle.

Brophy, J. R.↗

Experimental Validation of Nozzle Flow Simulations for Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) promise increased thermodynamic performance that may significantly enhance the capabilities of current rocket platforms. Little work has been conducted thus far to characterize the effect of nozzle design on high chamber pressure RDEs. Previous computational work was completed to understand the nozzle performance of the Purdue methane/oxygen rocket RDE. A new experimental study on a similar kerosene/oxygen RDE was conducted to validate the results of the computational study. Both a nozzleless geometry and several aerospike designs were hot-fire tested. New pressure instrumentation on the different nozzle surfaces were included to better understand the flow physics unique to RDE chamber exit conditions. Both the previous computational study and the new experimental results confirmed that for a nozzleless geometry, the RDE cycle enhances suction on the base region, an important result to determining RDE engine performance separate from nozzle effects. While the aerospike experiments showed agreement with computational results, delay of flow separation due to the RDE cycle could not be confirmed. Two aerospike geometries with different nozzle pressure ratios were experimentally evaluated. This study showed both the strength and the necessity for 3D transient computations to better understand the RDE flow field with nozzle geometries.

Alexis J Harroun↗

The design and development of a mixer compound exhaust system for a quiet clean general aviation turbofan

Lower engine fuel consumption has become a dominant factor in turbofan engine design due to rapidly increasing fuel costs. One engine component with a large impact on engine performance is the exhaust system. Previous exhaust system studies have demonstrated the significant exhaust system efficiency gains available through mixing of the core and bypass flows. Typically, a large, costly rig and engine program are required to develop and optimize these gains. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the low-cost design system used for the quiet, clean general aviation turbofan mixer nozzle design and development. The scale model and full-scale engine test results confirm the predicted 3 to 5% reduction in cruise fuel consumption. This unique design system, which is based on integrating advanced three-dimensional viscous numerical methods with empirical optimization techniques, is summarized and detailed comparisons with test data are presented. The ability to accurately predict relative performance of mixer systems with substantially reduced development time and cost savings is demonstrated.

Blackmore, W. L.↗

Noise of Internally Mixed Exhaust Systems With External Plug For Supersonic Transport Applications

Internally mixed exhaust systems produce more noise than would be expected from an equivalent fully mixed flow. This ‘excess noise’ has never been fully explained and has not been researched recently as it is not as much of a problem for high bypass-ratio exhaust systems. Commercial supersonic vehicles, however, will use more moderate bypass ratio engines. Their exhaust systems will also likely feature external plugs to improve boat tail angle for cruise performance. Thus the problem of excess noise will need to be addressed along with the impacts of having an external plug. Recently, acoustic tests of dual-stream jet flows from both internal and external plug nozzles have been conducted. Measurements of noise from flows with an axisymmetric splitter and lobed forced mixer were made. These measurements show the baseline ‘excess noise’ previously found in forced mixer exhaust systems, and show how this noise source differs depending upon the plug geometry. Background-oriented schlieren measurements acquired simultaneously document the differences in shock structures over the transonic flow regime tested. The far-field acoustic measurements indicate that an external plug can slightly reduce the mixing noise of the jet plume when the flow is completely mixed, e.g. when the core and bypass streams have the same temperature and the flow is a single-stream jet. However, when the flow is not fully mixed, e.g. the usual case of an internally mixed exhaust system, the plug seems to amplify the ‘excess noise’ associated with the mixer. This additional noise source presents a challenge for nozzle designers wanting to use internally mixed exhaust systems with external plug nozzles.

Jet noise↗

Wing aerodynamic loading caused by jet-induced lift associated with STOL-OTW configurations

Surface pressure distributions were obtained with model-scale STOL-OTW configurations using various nozzles designed to promote flow attachment to the wing-flap surface. The nozzle configurations included slot-types and both circular and slot nozzles with external flow deflectors. The wing aerodynamic loading caused by the jet-induced lift is presented in conventional terms of delta p/q as a function of chordwise surface distance in the nozzle centerline plane as well as outboard of the nozzle centerline. Included in the geometric variables affecting the wing loading are nozzle roof/deflector angle, chordwise location of the nozzle, wing size, and flap deflection angle.

Von Glahn, U.↗

Transient Three-Dimensional Side Load Analysis of a Film Cooled Nozzle

Transient three-dimensional numerical investigations on the side load physics for an engine encompassing a film cooled nozzle extension and a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber, were performed. The objectives of this study are to identify the three-dimensional side load physics and to compute the associated aerodynamic side load using an anchored computational methodology. The computational methodology is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, and a transient inlet history based on an engine system simulation. Ultimately, the computational results will be provided to the nozzle designers for estimating of effect of the peak side load on the nozzle structure. Computations simulating engine startup at ambient pressures corresponding to sea level and three high altitudes were performed. In addition, computations for both engine startup and shutdown transients were also performed for a stub nozzle, operating at sea level. For engine with the full nozzle extension, computational result shows starting up at sea level, the peak side load occurs when the lambda shock steps into the turbine exhaust flow, while the side load caused by the transition from free-shock separation to restricted-shock separation comes at second; and the side loads decreasing rapidly and progressively as the ambient pressure decreases. For the stub nozzle operating at sea level, the computed side loads during both startup and shutdown becomes very small due to the much reduced flow area.

Wang, Ten-See↗

Hypervelocity scramjet combustor-nozzle analysis and design

The progress report for the grant entitled 'Hypervelocity of Scramjet Combustor-Nozzle Analysis and Design' is presented. The three main tasks in the program are combustor modeling study, development of anaylsis capabilities for hypersonic scramjet nozzles, and development of optimum design methods for hypersonic scramjet nozzles. The research performed was documented in a series of technical publications and presentations at various conferences. A brief description of the research in each of the above three areas and a list of the resulting technical publications are included.

Thompson, H. Doyle↗

Simulation of Cold Flow in a Truncated Ideal Nozzle with Film Cooling

Flow transients during rocket start-up and shut-down can lead to significant side loads on rocket nozzles. The capability to estimate these side loads computationally can streamline the nozzle design process. Towards this goal, the flow in a truncated ideal contour (TIC) nozzle has been simulated for a range of nozzle pressure ratios (NPRs) aimed to match a series of cold flow experiments performed at the NASA MSFC Nozzle Test Facility. These simulations were performed with varying turbulence model choices and with four different versions of the TIC nozzle model geometry, each of which was created with a different simplification to the test article geometry.

Braman, Kalen↗

Simulation of Cold Flow in a Truncated Ideal Nozzle with Film Cooling

Flow transients during rocket start-up and shut-down can lead to significant side loads on rocket nozzles. The capability to estimate these side loads computationally can streamline the nozzle design process. Towards this goal, the flow in a truncated ideal contour (TIC) nozzle has been simulated using RANS and URANS for a range of nozzle pressure ratios (NPRs) aimed to match a series of cold flow experiments performed at the NASA MSFC Nozzle Test Facility. These simulations were performed with varying turbulence model choices and for four approximations of the supersonic film injection geometry, each of which was created with a different simplification of the test article geometry. The results show that although a reasonable match to experiment can be obtained with varying levels of geometric fidelity, the modeling choices made do not fully represent the physics of flow separation in a TIC nozzle with film cooling.

Braman, K. E.↗

The N.A.C.A. Apparatus for Studying the Formation and Combustion of Fuel Sprays and the Results from Preliminary Tests

Described here is an apparatus for studying the formation and combustion of fuel sprays under conditions closely simulating those in a high speed compression-ignition engine. The apparatus consists of a single-cylinder modified test engine, a fuel injection system so designed that a single charge of fuel can be injected into the combustion chamber, an electric driving motor, and a high-speed photographic apparatus. The cylinder head of the engine has a vertical disk form of combustion chamber whose sides are glass windows. When the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, motion pictures at the rate of 2000 per second are taken of the spray formation by means of spark discharges. When combustion takes place, the light of combustion is recorded on the same photographic film as the spray photographs. Included here are the results of some tests to determine the effect of air temperature, air flow, and nozzle design on the spray formation. The results show that the compression temperature has little effect on the penetration of the fuel spray, but does not affect the dispersion, that air velocities of about 300 feet per second are necessary to destroy the core of the spray, and that the effect of air flow on the spray is controlled to a certain extent by the design of the injection nozzle. The results on the combustion of the spray show that when ignition does not take place until after spray cut-off, the ignition may start almost simultaneously throughout the combustion chamber or at different points throughout the chamber. When ignition takes place before spray cut-off, the combustion starts around the edge of the spray and then spreads throughout the chamber.

Rothrock, A M↗

Design of a miniature hydrogen fueled gas turbine engine

The design, development, and delivery of a miniature hydrogen-fueled gas turbine engine are discussed. The engine was to be sized to approximate a scaled-down lift engine such as the teledyne CAE model 376. As a result, the engine design emerged as a 445N(100 lb.)-thrust engine flowing 0.86 kg (1.9 lbs.) air/sec. A 4-stage compressor was designed at a 4.0 to 1 pressure ratio for the above conditions. The compressor tip diameter was 9.14 cm (3.60 in.). To improve overall engine performance, another compressor with a 4.75 to 1 pressure ratio at the same tip diameter was designed. A matching turbine for each compressor was also designed. The turbine tip diameter was 10.16 cm (4.0 in.). A combustion chamber was designed, built, and tested for this engine. A preliminary design of the mechanical rotating parts also was completed and is discussed. Three exhaust nozzle designs are presented.

Burnett, M.↗

Ground test of the D shaped vented thrust vectoring nozzle

Static ground tests of a large scale lift/cruise thrust vectoring nozzle were conducted to establish: (1) vectoring performance 'in' and 'out' of ground effect; (2) thrust spoilage capability; (3) compatibility of the nozzle with a turbotip fan; and (4) the nozzle structural temperature distribution. Vectoring performance of a short coupled, vented nozzle design on a large scale, (60%) basis was compared with small scale (4.5%) test nozzle results. The test nozzle was a "boilerplate" model of the MCAIR "D" vented nozzle configured for operation with the LF336/J85 turbotip lift fan system. Calibration of the LF336/J85 test fan with a simple convergent nozzle was performed with four different nozzle exit areas to establish reference thrust, nozzle pressure ratio, and nozzle corrected flow characteristics for comparison with the thrust vectoring nozzle data. Thrust vectoring tests with the 'D' vented nozzle were conducted over the range of vector angles between 0 and 117 deg for several different nozzle exit areas.

Esker, D. W.↗

Computational Fluid Dynamic Optimization of an Experimental Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Nozzle

A parametric optimization study is performed on the nozzle of a laboratory rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation. The primary optimization objective is maximum nozzle thrust. The basic nozzle configuration is a shrouded, truncated plug. The fluid in the RDRE chamber leading to the nozzle is choked at its exit so that its cyclic behavior is unaffected by any changes to the nozzle design. Optimization is performed for a single operating point. Parameters varied are the overall nozzle area expansion ratio and the fraction of the expansion area that is provided by the shroud. These two parameters indirectly affect the angle of the plug nozzle cone, and the bluff body area associated with its truncation. Nozzle thrust is evaluated as the difference between the thrust of the RDRE chamber-plus-nozzle combination and that of the chamber alone. The nozzle produces approximately 20% of the total engine thrust. The baseline nozzle is found to perform well, yielding 58.1% of the thrust calculated for a notional ideal RDRE nozzle which can instantaneously change shape to allow isentropic expansion of every fluid element. Optimization improves the performance, bringing the nozzle thrust to 70.0% of the notional ideal, and total engine thrust (chamber-plus-nozzle) to 94% of the ideal.

detonation↗

Computational Fluid Dynamic Optimization of an Experimental Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Nozzle

A parametric optimization study is performed on the nozzle of a laboratory rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation. The primary optimization objective is maximum nozzle thrust. The basic nozzle configuration is a shrouded, truncated plug. The fluid in the RDRE chamber leading to the nozzle is choked at its exit so that its cyclic behavior is unaffected by any changes to the nozzle design. Optimization is performed for a single operating point. Parameters varied are the overall nozzle area expansion ratio and the fraction of the expansion area that is provided by the shroud. These two parameters indirectly affect the angle of the plug nozzle cone, and the bluff body area associated with its truncation. Nozzle thrust is evaluated as the difference between the thrust of the RDRE chamber-plus-nozzle combination and that of the chamber alone. The nozzle produces approximately 20% of the total engine thrust. The baseline nozzle is found to perform well, yielding 58.1% of the thrust calculated for a notional ideal RDRE nozzle which can instantaneously change shape to allow isentropic expansion of every fluid element. Optimization improves the performance, bringing the nozzle thrust to 70.0% of the notional ideal, and total engine thrust (chamber-plus-nozzle) to 94% of the ideal.

detonation↗

A Supersonic Tunnel for Laser and Flow-Seeding Techniques

A supersonic wind tunnel with flow conditions of 3 lbm/s (1.5 kg/s) at a free-stream Mach number of 2.5 was designed and tested to provide an arena for future development work on laser measurement and flow-seeding techniques. The hybrid supersonic nozzle design that was used incorporated the rapid expansion method of propulsive nozzles while it maintained the uniform, disturbance-free flow required in supersonic wind tunnels. A viscous analysis was performed on the tunnel to determine the boundary layer growth characteristics along the flowpath. Appropriate corrections were then made to the contour of the nozzle. Axial pressure distributions were measured and Mach number distributions were calculated based on three independent data reduction methods. A complete uncertainty analysis was performed on the precision error of each method. Complex shock-wave patterns were generated in the flow field by wedges mounted near the roof and floor of the tunnel. The most stable shock structure was determined experimentally by the use of a focusing schlieren system and a novel, laser based dynamic shock position sensor. Three potential measurement regions for future laser and flow-seeding studies were created in the shock structure: deceleration through an oblique shock wave of 50 degrees, strong deceleration through a normal shock wave, and acceleration through a supersonic expansion fan containing 25 degrees of flow turning.

Bruckner, Robert J.↗