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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 studies of shock wave/wall jet interaction in hypersonic flow

The interaction between a planar shock wave and a wall jet produced by slot cooling in turbulent hypersonic flow was experimentally studied. Detailed distributions of heat transfer and pressure are obtained in the incident shock/wall jet interaction region for a series of shock strengths and impingement positions for two nozzle heights. The major result is that the cooling film could be readily dispersed by relatively weak incident shocks such that the peak heating in the recompression region was not significantly reduced by even the largest levels of film cooling. Regions of boundary layer separation were induced in the film cooling layer, the size of which first increased and then decreased with increasing film cooling. The size of the separated regions and magnitude of the recompression heating were not strongly influenced by the thickness of the cooling film or point of shock impingement relative to the exit plane of the nozzles.

Holden, Michael S.↗

Nondestructive evaluation tools and experimental studies for monitoring the health of space propulsion systems

An overview is given of background and information on space propulsion systems on both the programmatic and technical levels. Feasibility experimental studies indicate that nondestructive evaluation tools such as ultrasonic, eddy current and x-ray may be successfully used to monitor the life limiting failure mechanisms of space propulsion systems. Encouraging results were obtained for monitoring the life limiting failure mechanisms for three space propulsion systems; the degradation of tungsten arcjet and magnetoplasmadynamic electrodes; presence and thickness of spallable electrically conducting molybdenum films in ion thrusters; and the degradation of the catalyst in hydrazine thrusters.

Generazio, Edward R.↗

Nondestructive evaluation tools and experimental studies for monitoring the health of space propulsion systems

An overview is given of background and information on space propulsion systems on both the programmatic and technical levels. Feasibility experimental studies indicate that nondestructive evaluation tools such as ultrasonic, eddy current and X-ray may be successfully used to monitor the life limiting failure mechanisms of space propulsion systems. Encouraging results were obtained for monitoring the life limiting failure mechanims for three space propulsion systems: the degradation of tungsten arcjet and magnetoplasmadynamic electrodes; presence and thickness of spallable electrically conducting molybdenum films in ion thrusters; and the degradation of the catalyst in hydrazine thrusters.

Generazio, Edward R.↗

Computational and Experimental Study of Film-Cooling Effectiveness With and Without Downstream Vortex Generators

Downstream vortex generators that involve a pair of rectangular plates arranged in an open V-shape placed just downstream of each film-cooling hole were shown to create flow and vortical structures that entrain lifted film-cooling flow back to the surface and increase its lateral spreading on the surface (GT2020–14317). In this study, computations and measurements were performed to examine the flow mechanisms this vortex generator induces to improve film-cooling effectiveness of a flat plate with the cooling flow emanating from one row of inclined holes. Parameters studied include blowing ratio (BR = 0.75 and 1.0) and temperature ratio (TR = 1.07 and 1.9). Here, the computational study is based on steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) closed by the shear-stress transport (SST) turbulence model with and without conjugate analysis. The experimental study was conducted by using a conjugate heat transfer test rig with a plenum, where cooling flow is introduced. Measurements made include velocity and temperature profiles upstream and downstream of the film-cooling holes as well as the temperature at several locations on the hot and cold sides of the film-cooled flat plate. The computational study was validated by comparing computed results with those from measurements at BR = 0.75 and 1.0 and TR = 1.9. Computational and experimental results are presented to show the effects of BR and TR on the flow structures and how those structures improve the effectiveness of film cooling with and without the downstream vortex generators and with and without conjugate heat transfer.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An experimental study of laser supported hydrogen plasmas

The rudiments of a rocket thruster which receives its enthalpy from an energy source which is remotely beamed from a laser is described. An experimental study now partially complete is discussed which will eventually provide a detailed understanding of the physics for assessing the feasibility of using hydrogen plasmas for accepting and converting this energy to enthalpy. A plasma ignition scheme which uses a pulsed CO2 laser has been developed and the properties of the ignition spark documented, including breakdown intensities in hydrogen. A complete diagnostic system capable of determining plasma temperature and the plasma absorptivity for subsequent steady state absorption of a high power CO2 laser beam are developed and demonstrative use is discussed for the preliminary case study, a two atmosphere laser supported argon plasma.

Vanzandt, D. M.↗

Mars - Experimental study of albedo changes caused by dust fallout

A laboratory apparatus was used to simulate the uniform fallout and deposition of particles 1 to 5 microns in diameter in an experimental study on how the spectral and photometric properties of representative Martian areas are affected by fallout of atmospheric dust (smaller than or equalling 60 microns) suspended during dust storms. In this study, measurements are made in the changes in reflectance at optical and near-infrared wavelengths (0.4 to 1.2 micron) caused by deposition of varying amounts of a Mars-analog dust on bright and dark substrates before and after deposition of 6 x 10 to the -5th to 1.5 x 10 to the -3rd g/sq cm of simulated fallout. It is believed that only small amounts of dust particles (approximately 3 x 10 to the -4th g/sq cm) are needed to make significant albedo changes in dark areas of Mars, and that this would rule out uniform dust deposition on the surface of the planet. Data also indicate that other high albedo features like bright crater-related wind streaks may not be areas of significant sediment deposits. Laboratory simulations have permitted estimates of how much the reflectance of an area on Mars would change given a certain amount of dust fallout (g/sq cm) or reflectance data. These simulations may also be useful in tracking the transport and deposition of the dust.

Wells, E. N.↗

Experimental studies on thermodynamic effects of developed cavitation

A method for predicting thermodynamic effects of cavitation (changes in cavity pressure relative to stream vapor pressure) is presented. The prediction method accounts for changes in liquid, liquid temperature, flow velocity, and body scale. Both theoretical and experimental studies used in formulating the method are discussed. The prediction method provided good agreement between predicted and experimental results for geometrically scaled venturis handling four different liquids of widely diverse physical properties. Use of the method requires geometric similarity of the body and cavitated region and a known reference cavity-pressure depression at one operating condition.

Ruggeri, R. S.↗

An Experimental Study of Uncertainty Considerations Associated with Predicting Auto-ignition Timing using Livengood-Wu Integral Method

The application of the Livengood-Wu (LW) integral method as a tool to estimate knock onset in spark ignited (SI) engines and combustion phasing in advanced compression ignition (ACI) engines has been demonstrated through simulations several times. In this study, the effect of uncertainties associated with parameters required for the LW integral method, when used as a tool for model based control of ignition timing in an ACI engine, were experimentally studied using five full boiling range gasoline fuels. As a first step, the method was applied to experimental data from a rapid compression machine and it was found that the ability of the LW integral method to predict ignition timing was very sensitive to the performance of the chemical kinetic model of each fuel. The method was subsequently applied to experimental data from a single-cylinder gasoline engine with simple approximations for the LW integral input parameters, and it was found that the predicted time of ignition was significantly different from the actual start of combustion. Systematic evaluation of various parametric uncertainties conducted thereafter showed that the uncertainty in cylinder charge temperature has the greatest influence. Improved methods of estimating cylinder charge temperature are proposed to account for the previously determined corrections, to enable the use of the LW integral method for model based control of ignition timing.

Compression Ignition↗

Experimental studies of ionospheric irregularities and related plasma processes

Utah State University (USU) continued its program of measuring and interpreting electron density and its variations in a variety of ionospheric conditions with the Experimental Studies of Ionospheric Irregularities and Related Plasma Processes program. The program represented a nearly ten year effort to provide key measurements of electron density and its fluctuations using sounding rockets. The program also involved the joint interpretation of the results in terms of ionospheric processes. A complete campaign summary and a brief description of the major rocket campaigns are also included.

Baker, Kay D.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies of the deposition of Na2SO4 from seeded combustion gases

A basic point in the hot corrosion of turbine components is the deposition of sodium sulfate from flames containing sodium and sulfur. An experimental study is described which examines a dew point prediction theory based on the local thermochemical equilibrium (LTCE) method, and a means to calculate the deposition rate is suggested. In addition, a convective diffusion theory, based on the assumption of a chemically frozen boundary layer, utilizing the LTCE results, and imposing the additional effects of mass transport, was also successful in predicting dew points for Na2SO4-seeded combustion gases. A multicomponent mass transfer equation was derived to predict NaSO4 deposition rate via vapor transport at temperatures below the deposition onset temperature.

Kohl, F. J.↗

On Flowfield Periodicity in the NASA Transonic Flutter Cascade: Experimental Study - Part 1

An extensive study to improve flow uniformity and periodicity in the NASA Transonic Flutter Cascade is presented here. The results are reported in two independent parts dealing with the experimental approach and the analytical approach. The first part, the Experimental Study, focuses first on the data sets acquired in this facility in the past and explains several discrepancies, particularly the questions of actual flow incidence and cascade back pressure levels. Next, available means for control and modifications of the cascade flowfield, boundary layer bleed and tailboard settings are presented in detail. This is followed by experimental data sets acquired in modified test facility configurations that were based on analytical predictions of the cascade flowfield. Finally, several important conclusions about improving the cascade flowfield uniformity and blade load periodicity are summarized. The important conclusions are: (1) boundary layer bleed does not improve the cascade flow periodicity; (2) tunnel wall contours must be carefully matched to the expected shape of cascade streamlines; (3) actual flow incidence for each cascade configuration rather must be measured instead of relying on the tunnel geometry; and (4) the current cascade configuration exhibits a very high blade load uniformity over six blades from blade #2 to blade #7, and the facility is now ready for unsteady pressure data acquisition.

Lepicovsky, J.↗

Experimental study of the shock-induced unsteady laminar boundary layer on a flat plate

The behavior of the unsteady laminar boundary layer induced by the incident shock wave passing over a flat plate mounted in a shock tube has been experimentally studied for shock speeds ranging from 2.35 to 7.34 km/sec by measuring unsteady heat transfer rates to the plate using thin-film heat-flux gages. Theoretical heat-transfer rates were predicted from analytical solutions in the literature which describe the unsteady flat plate boundary layer development for equilibrium real-gas flows. Experimental results obtained for both air and nitrogen were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Cook, W. J.↗

Experimental Studies of Low-Pressure Turbine Flows and Flow Control

This report summarizes research performed in support of the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) Flow Physics Program. The work was performed experimentally at the U.S. Naval Academy faculties. The geometry corresponded to "Pak B" LPT airfoil. The test section simulated LPT flow in a passage. Three experimental studies were performed: (a) Boundary layer measurements for ten baseline cases under high and low freestream turbulence conditions at five Reynolds numbers of 25,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 300,000, based on passage exit velocity and suction surface wetted length; (b) Passive flow control studies with three thicknesses of two-dimensional bars, and two heights of three-dimensional circular cylinders with different spanwise separations, at same flow conditions as the 10 baseline cases; (c) Active flow control with oscillating synthetic (zero net mass flow) vortex generator jets, for one case with low freestream turbulence and a low Reynolds number of 25,000. The Passive flow control was successful at controlling the separation problem at low Reynolds numbers, with varying degrees of success from case to case and varying levels of impact at higher Reynolds numbers. The active flow control successfully eliminated the large separation problem for the low Reynolds number case. Very detailed data was acquired using hot-wire anemometry, including single and two velocity components, integral boundary layer quantities, turbulence statistics and spectra, turbulent shear stresses and their spectra, and intermittency, documenting transition, separation and reattachment. Models were constructed to correlate the results. The report includes a summary of the work performed and reprints of the publications describing the various studies.

Volino, Ralph J.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies of space-related plasma wave propagation and resonance phenomena

A ten year summary was given of university research on the nature and characteristics of space related plasma resonance phenomena, whistler propagation in laboratory plasmas, and theoretical and experimental studies of plasma wave propagation. Data are also given on long delayed echoes, low frequency instabilities, ionospheric heating, and backscatter, and pulse propagation. A list is included of all conference papers, publications, and reports resulting from the study.

Crawford, F. W.↗

Experimental studies of effects of tilt and structural asymmetry on vibration characteristics of thin-wall circular cylinders partly filled with liquid

The effects of tilt and structural asymmetry on the vibration characteristics of partly liquid-filled thin-wall cylinders were experimentally studied. It was found that tilting the longitudinal axis of a partly filled axisymmetric cylinder from the vertical could markedly reduce its resonant frequencies and change significantly the shape of the circumferential modes. For the minimum frequency modes, vibratory motion occurred only on that side of the cylinder where the liquid was deepest. An empirical equation was derived that gives the equivalent liquid depth of an untilted cylinder having the same minimum resonant frequency as a tilted, partly filled cylinder. Circumferential mode shapes of an untilted asymmetric cylinder were similar to those of the tilted, partly filled axisymmetric cylinder. Vibratory motion in the minimum frequency modes occurred in most instances only on the side of minimum thickness. Correlation between test data and results from a reformulated NASTRAN hydroelastic analysis was excellent.

Herr, R. W.↗

An experimental study of massive blowing from a nosetip during Jovian entry

The fluid dynamic structure and stability of the boundary layer and shock layer ahead of a highly blowing heat shield in an environment simulating entry into the Jovian atmosphere were investigated. The experimental studies were conducted in the Calspan 96 in shock tunnel with a freestream of a H2/He mixture at Mach numbers above 10. Measurements of heat transfer and pressure were made on the porous model surface, and high-speed schlieren photography was used to examine the structure and stability of the shock layer. Results are presented which show how the heat transfer and shock layer stability vary for gases of different molecular weights for a range of Reynolds numbers and mass-addition rates.

Holden, M. S.↗