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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

Stagnation flowfield analysis for an aeroassisted vehicle

Hypersonic reactive flowfield results are presented for the flow about an axisymmetric representation of a three-dimensional aeroassisted vehicle using the viscous shock-layer (VSL) and Navier-Stokes (NS) equations for low- and high-altitude entry conditions, respectively. Solutions are limited to the stagnation region. The NS results have been obtained by employing the surface recombination boundary condition for an 11-species air model, whereas the VSL calculations are carried out by using a 5-species model. Three widely used surface recombination rate models are implemented with these two flowfield calculation procedures. The low-density (or high altitude) NS solutions are obtained with surface slip equations and compare quite well with the direct simulation Monte Carlo predictions. For higher densities (or lower altitudes), the no-slip VSL solutions are considered adequate. Results from this study highlight the effect of surface catalyticity on surface heating and electron number density.

Gupta, Roop N.↗

An evaluation of Shuttle Entry Air Data System (SEADS) flight pressures - Comparisons with wind tunnel and theoretical predictions

The SEADS pressure data obtained from the Shuttle flight 61-C are analyzed in conjunction with the preflight database. Based on wind tunnel data, the sensitivity of the Shuttle Orbiter stagnation region pressure distribution to angle of attack and Mach number is demonstrated. Comparisons are made between flight and wind tunnel SEADS orifice pressure distributions at several points throughout the re-entry. It is concluded that modified Newtonian theory provides a good tool for the design of a flush air data system, furnishing data for determining orifice locations and transducer sizing. Ground-based wind tunnel facilities are capable of providing the correction factors necessary for the derivation of accurate air data parameters from pressure data.

Henry, M. W.↗

Development of radiometer windows for atmospheric entry vehicles

A test program was established to determine the feasibility of developing a radiometer window for stagnation region shock layer atmospheric entry experiments from geosynchronous orbit and with measurements extending into the VUV region to about 170 nm. This test program examined both isolated (uncooled) and cooled window mounting options. Preliminary tests determined the gross suitability of sapphire and fused silica as window materials. Measurements show that the expected maximum temperature (1500 C) is itself not a problem, but that temperature gradients can easily break a window and that the transmission of sapphire and of fused silica at 174 nm drops dramatically at temperatures beyond 800 C and 500 C, respectively. A series of developmental tests showed that the surface of an uncooled fused silica window begins to melt at the entry conditions tested while an uncooled sapphire window generally does not, and that a cooled sapphire window design that keeps the window below 800 C appears possible. The final proof-of-design tests narrowed the selection of possible candidate window sizes and mounting configurations. These tests demonstrate that the best insulated and cooled window designs use small diameter sapphire windows and that thermal modeling codes can be used to assist the design process.

Terrazas-Salinas, Imelda↗

Spectral measurements of shock layer radiation in an arc-jet wind tunnel

Measurements were made of the radiating gas cap of a blunt body in an NASA Ames 20 MW arcjet wind tunnel. The test gas was air. Spectra of the flux incident on a small aperture centered at the stagnation region were obtained. A helium-cooled MgF window transmitted flux into an evacuated collimating system that focused the aperture onto the entrance slit of a spectrometer. Data were obtained with films and by photomultipliers. The range covered was 120 nm to 1000 nm and the resolution was 0.05 nm to 0.5 nm. This paper presents preliminary results from the experiment. Representative spectral records from 200 nm to 1000 nm are shown. The spectra show the atomic lines from oxygen and nitrogen in the IR, as well as the molecular systems of NO, N2, N2(+), and CN. Copper, as a contaminant, and carbon are tentatively identified.

Palumbo, Giuseppe↗

Factors regulating ozone over the United States and its export to the global atmosphere

Attention is given to the factors regulating summertime O3 over the U.S. and its export to the global atmosphere, which are examined via a 3-mo simulation involving a continental-scale 3D photochemical model. It is found that reducing NO(x) emissions by 50 percent from 1985 levels would decrease rural O3 concentrations over the eastern U.S. by about 15 percent under almost all meteorological conditions, while reducing anthropogenic hydrocarbon emissions by 50 percent would have less than a 4 percent effect except in the largest urban plumes. The correlation between O3 concentrations and temperature observed at eastern U.S. sites is attributed in part to the association of high temperatures with regional stagnation, and in part to an actual dependence of O3 production on temperature driven primarily by conversion of NO(x) to PAN.

Jacob, Daniel J.↗

A Method for Calculating the Heat Required for Windshield Thermal Ice Prevention Based on Extensive Flight Tests in Natural Icing Conditions

An equation is presented for calculating the heat flow required from the surface of an internally heated windshield in order to prevent the formation of ice accretions during flight in specified icing conditions. To ascertain the validity of the equation, comparison is made between calculated values of the heat required and measured values obtained for test windshields in actual flights in icing conditions. The test windshields were internally heated and provided data applicable to two common types of windshield configurations; namely the V-type and the type installed flush with the fuselage contours. These windshields were installed on a twin-engine cargo airplane and the icing flights were conducted over a large area of the United States during the winters of 1945-46 and 1946-47. In addition to the internally heated windshield investigation, some test data were obtained for a windshield ice-prevention system in which heated air was discharged into the windshield boundary layer. The general conclusions resulting from this investigation are as follows: 1) The amount of heat required for the prevention of ice accretions on both flush- and V-type windshields during flight in specified icing conditions can be calculated with a degree of accuracy suitable for design purposes. 2) A heat flow of 2000 to 2500 Btu per hour per square foot is required for complete and continuous protection of a V-type windshield in fight at speeds up to 300 miles per hour in a moderate cumulus icing condition. For the same degree of protection and the same speed range, a value of 1000 Btu per hour per square foot suffices in a moderate stratus icing condition. 3) A heat supply of 1000 Btu per hour per square foot is adequate for a flush windshield located well aft of the fuselage stagnation region, at speeds up to 300 miles per hour, for flight in both stratus and moderate cumulus icing conditions. 4) The external air discharge system of windshield thermal ice prevention is thermally inefficient and requires a heat supply approximately 20 times that required for an internal system having the same performance.

ICE FORMATION↗

Effect of Ice Formations on Section Drag of Swept NACA 63A-009 Airfoil with Partical-span Leading-edge Slat for Various Modes of Thermal Ice Protection

Studies were made to determine the effect of ice formations on the section drag of a 6.9-foot-chord 36 degree swept NACA 63A-009 airfoil with partial-span leading-edge slat. In general, the icing of a thin swept airfoil will result in greater aerodynamic penalties than for a thick unswept airfoil. Glaze-ice formations at the leading edge of the airfoil caused large increases in section drag even at liquid-water content of 0.39 gram per cubic meter. The use of an ice-free parting strip in the stagnation region caused a negligible change in drag compared with a completely unheated airfoil. Cyclic de-icing when properly applied caused the drag to decrease almost to the bare-airfoil drag value.

PROTUBERANCES - BODIES↗

Science objectives and performance of a radiometer and window design for atmospheric entry experiments

The Radiative Heating Experiment, RHE, aboard the Aeroassist Flight Experiment, AFE, (now cancelled) was to make in-situ measurements of the stagnation region shock layer radiation during an aerobraking maneuver from geosynchronous to low earth orbit. The measurements were to provide a data base to help develop and validate aerothermodynamic computational models. Although cancelled, much work was done to develop the science requirements and to successfully meet RHE technical challenges. This paper discusses the RHE scientific objectives and expected science performance of a small sapphire window for the RHE radiometers. The spectral range required was from 170 to 900 nm. The window size was based on radiometer sensitivity requirements including capability of on-orbit solar calibration.

Craig, Roger A.↗

VUV shock layer radiation in an arc-jet wind tunnel experiment

Measurements were made of the radiating gas cap of a blunt body in a NASA-Ames 20 MW arc-jet wind tunnel. The test gas was air. Spectra of the flux incident on a small aperture centered at the stagnation region were obtained. A helium-cooled, magnesium fluoride window transmitted the flux into an evacuated collimating system that focused the aperture onto the entrance slit of a spectrometer. Data were obtained with films and by photomultipliers. The spectral ranges covered were the vacuum ultraviolet, VUV, (120 nm to 200 nm) and the ultraviolet to near infrared (200 nm to 900 nm) with resolutions from 0.05 nm to 0.5 nm. This paper presents the preliminary VUV results from the experiment. Results from the 200 nm to 900 nm spectral range have been presented elsewhere. Representative spectral records from 120 nm to 200 nm are shown. The intense atomic oxygen and nitrogen lines which are of concern to hypersonic flight are measured. Carbon lines are are also seen. These results will be used to help develop and validate aerothermodynamic computational models of arc-jet wind tunnel performance and help to assess the importance of VUV heating to entering spacecraft.

Craig, Roger A.↗

Extreme ultraviolet light curves of UZ Fornacis: Evidence for accretion stream absorption and vertical extent of the accretion spot

We report on two pointed observations of UZ For carried out by the imaging photometers aboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), one as part of the EUVE Right Angle Program and one as an off-axis source during a guest observation. Both observations lasted approximately 3 days and covered a total of 72 orbits of the UZ For binary providing multiple coverage of all the orbital phases of UZ For. The resulting high signal-to-noise phase-folded light curve strongly constrains the emission and absorption geometry of UZ For. We have detected a narrow absorption dip that we attribute to the accretion stream at the location of the stagnation region many white dwarf radii away from the accretion spot and have also detected a broad dip caused by absorption much closer to the white dwarf surface. Both absorption effects are variable in time and phase. Based on the timescales of M-star eclipse ingress and egress, the angular spot size is constrained to be less than 5 deg; thus the ratio of spot area to white dwarf surface area is less than or equal to 0.0005. To explain the light curve phase duration given this small angular spot size, the extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) accretion spot must be raised vertically by approximately 5% of the white dwarf radius.

Warren, John K.↗

DRA/NASA/ONERA Collaboration on Icing Research: Prediction of Airfoil Ice Accretion - Part 2

This report presents results from a joint study by DRA, NASA, and ONERA for the purpose of comparing, improving, and validating the aircraft icing computer codes developed by each agency. These codes are of three kinds: (1) water droplet trajectory prediction, (2) ice accretion modeling, and (3) transient electrothermal deicer analysis. In this joint study, the agencies compared their code predictions with each other and with experimental results. These comparison exercises were published in three technical reports, each with joint authorship. DRA published and had first authorship of Part 1 - Droplet Trajectory Calculations, NASA of Part 2 - Ice Accretion Prediction, and ONERA of Part 3 - Electrothermal Deicer Analysis. The results cover work done during the period from August 1986 to late 1991. As a result, all of the information in this report is dated. Where necessary, current information is provided to show the direction of current research. In this present report on ice accretion, each agency predicted ice shapes on two dimensional airfoils under icing conditions for which experimental ice shapes were available. In general, all three codes did a reasonable job of predicting the measured ice shapes. For any given experimental condition, one of the three codes predicted the general ice features (i.e., shape, impingement limits, mass of ice) somewhat better than did the other two. However, no single code consistently did better than the other two over the full range of conditions examined, which included rime, mixed, and glaze ice conditions. In several of the cases, DRA showed that the user's knowledge of icing can significantly improve the accuracy of the code prediction. Rime ice predictions were reasonably accurate and consistent among the codes, because droplets freeze on impact and the freezing model is simple. Glaze ice predictions were less accurate and less consistent among the codes, because the freezing model is more complex and is critically dependent upon unsubstantiated heat transfer and surface roughness models. Thus, heat transfer prediction methods used in the codes became the subject for a separate study in this report to compare predicted heat transfer coefficients with a limited experimental database of heat transfer coefficients for cylinders with simulated glaze and rime ice shapes. The codes did a good job of predicting heat transfer coefficients near the stagnation region of the ice shapes. But in the region of the ice horns, all three codes predicted heat transfer coefficients considerably higher than the measured values. An important conclusion of this study is that further research is needed to understand the finer detail of of the glaze ice accretion process and to develop improved glaze ice accretion models.

Wright, William B.↗

Thermal Conductivity Database of Various Structural Carbon-Carbon Composite Materials

Advanced thermal protection materials envisioned for use on future hypersonic vehicles will likely be subjected to temperatures in excess of 1811 K (2800 F) and, therefore, will require the rapid conduction of heat away from the stagnation regions of wing leading edges, the nose cap area, and from engine inlet and exhaust areas. Carbon-carbon composite materials are candidates for use in advanced thermal protection systems. For design purposes, high temperature thermophysical property data are required, but a search of the literature found little thermal conductivity data for carbon-carbon materials above 1255 K (1800 F). Because a need was recognized for in-plane and through-the-thickness thermal conductivity data for carbon-carbon composite materials over a wide temperature range, Langley Research Center (LaRC) embarked on an effort to compile a consistent set of thermal conductivity values from room temperature to 1922 K (3000 F) for carbon-carbon composite materials on hand at LaRC for which the precursor materials and thermal processing history were known. This report documents the thermal conductivity data generated for these materials. In-plane thermal conductivity values range from 10 to 233 W/m-K, whereas through-the-thickness values range from 2 to 21 W/m-K.

Ohlhorst, Craig W.↗

Hypersonic Viscous Shock Layer of Nonequilibrium Dissociating Gas

The nonequilibrium chemical reaction of dissociation and recombination is studied theoretically for air in the viscous shock layer at the stagnation region af axisymmetric bodies. The flight regime considered is for speeds near satellite speed and for altitudes between 200,000 and 300,000 feet. The convective heat transfer to noncatalytic walls is obtained. The effects of nose radius, wall temperature, and flight altitude on the chemical state of the shock layer are studied. An analysis is also made on the simultaneous effect of nonequilibrium chemical reaction and air rarefaction on the shock layer thickness.

Chung, Paul M.↗

Chemical and Thermal Nonequilibrium Heat-Transfer Analysis for Hypervelocity, Low Reynolds Number Flow

Chemical and thermal nonequilibrium phenomena are studied in the stagnation region of a hypervelocity blunt body. This investigation is motivated by the need to predict the heat-transfer rate to the leading edge of aeromaneuvering orbital transfer vehicles. Flight speeds of approximately 10 km/s at altitudes of approximately 80 km are considered for body radii of 1-50 cm. The analysis is based on continuum theory and is applicable to the viscous and incipient merged layer regimes of rarefied flow. A two-species, two-temperature gas model is assumed. Comparisons are made with previous theories, experimental data, and results based on the thermodynamic equilibrium assumption. The equation accounting for vibrational nonequilibrium is presented and its effects on flow properties are discussed. Parameters requiring further investigation are identified. Preliminary results indicate that the inclusion of vibrational relaxation has little effect on the heat-transfer rate for a fully catalytic surface. However, vibrational nonequilibrium may increase the heat-transfer rate to a noncatalytic surface, depending on the degree of nonequilibrium.

Brown, Kevin G.↗

Heat Transfer Measurements and Predictions on a Power Generation Gas Turbine Blade

Detailed heat transfer measurements and predictions are given for a power generation turbine rotor with 129 deg of nominal turning and an axial chord of 137 mm. Data were obtained for a set of four exit Reynolds numbers comprised of the design point of 628,000, -20%, +20%, and +40%. Three ideal exit pressure ratios were examined including the design point of 1.378, -10%, and +10%. Inlet incidence angles of 0 deg and +/-2 deg were also examined. Measurements were made in a linear cascade with highly three-dimensional blade passage flows that resulted from the high flow turning and thick inlet boundary layers. Inlet turbulence was generated with a blown square bar grid. The purpose of the work is the extension of three-dimensional predictive modeling capability for airfoil external heat transfer to engine specific conditions including blade shape, Reynolds numbers, and Mach numbers. Data were obtained by a steady-state technique using a thin-foil heater wrapped around a low thermal conductivity blade. Surface temperatures were measured using calibrated liquid crystals. The results show the effects of strong secondary vortical flows, laminar-to-turbulent transition, and also show good detail in the stagnation region.

Giel, Paul W.↗

Research on Streamlines and Aerodynamic Heating for Unstructured Grids on High-Speed Vehicles

Engineering codes are needed which can calculate convective heating rates accurately and expeditiously on the surfaces of high-speed vehicles. One code which has proven to meet these needs is the Langley Approximate Three-Dimensional Convective Heating (LATCH) code. It uses the axisymmetric analogue in an integral boundary-layer method to calculate laminar and turbulent heating rates along inviscid surface streamlines. It requires the solution of the inviscid flow field to provide the surface properties needed to calculate the streamlines and streamline metrics. The LATCH code has been used with inviscid codes which calculated the flow field on structured grids, Several more recent inviscid codes calculate flow field properties on unstructured grids. The present research develops a method to calculate inviscid surface streamlines, the streamline metrics, and heating rates using the properties calculated from inviscid flow fields on unstructured grids. Mr. Chris Riley, prior to his departure from NASA LaRC, developed a preliminary code in the C language, called "UNLATCH", to accomplish these goals. No publication was made on his research. The present research extends and improves on the code developed by Riley. Particular attention is devoted to the stagnation region, and the method is intended for programming in the FORTRAN 90 language.

DeJarnette, Fred R.↗

Algorithmic Enhancements for Unsteady Aerodynamics and Combustion Applications

Research in the FY01 focused on the analysis and development of enhanced algorithms for unsteady aerodynamics and chemically reacting flowfields. The research was performed in support of NASA Ames' efforts to improve the capabilities of the in-house computational fluid dynamics code, OVERFLOW. Specifically, the research was focused on the four areas: (1) investigation of stagnation region effects; (2) unsteady preconditioning dual-time procedures; (3) dissipation formulation for combustion; and (4) time-stepping methods for combustion.

Venkateswaran, Sankaran↗