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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

On magnetohydrodynamic solitons in jets

Nonlinear solitary wave propagation in a compressible magnetic beam model of an extragalactic radio jet is examined and shown to lead to solitons of the Benjamin-Ono type. A number of similarities between such magnetic beam models of jets and models of solar photospheric flux tubes are pointed out and exploited. A single soliton has the appearance of a symmetric bulge on the jet which propagates faster than the jet's flow.

Roberts, B.↗

Solitonlike solutions in loop current eddies

The application of the nonlinear quasi-geostrophic equations to an isolated eddy in the western continental slope region in the Gulf of Mexico is examined for a two-layer ocean model with bottom topography. In the linear limit, solutions are topographic nondispersive waves. Form-preserving solutions, or solitons, have been found. The solution is shown to be a limiting form for a nonlinear dispersive system propagating northward along the topographic waveguide in the western continental slope region in the Gulf of Mexico. Using satellite-tracked drifter data, a linear relationship is found between the amplitude of the deduced stream function of the eddy and its observed translational velocity over the continental slope, which supports the hypothesis that some mesoscale eddies interacting with the continental slope behave as solitons.

Nakamoto, Shoichiro↗

Inhibition of electron thermal conduction by electromagnetic instabilities

Heat flux inhibition by electromagnetic instabilities in a hot magnetized plasma is investigated. Low-frequency electromagnetic waves become unstable due to anisotropy of the electron distribution function. The chaotic magnetic field thus generated scatters the electrons with a specific effective mean free path. Saturation of the instability due to wave-wave interaction, nonlinear scattering, wave propagation, and collisional damping is considered. The effective mean free path is found self-consistently, using a simple model to estimate saturation level and scattering, and is shown to decrease with the temperature gradient length. The results, limited to the assumptions of the model, are applied to astrophysical systems. For some interstellar clouds the instability is found to be important. Collisional damping stabilizes the plasma, and the heat conduction can be dominated by superthermal electrons.

Levinson, Amir↗

Alfven wave resonances and flow induced by non-linear Alfven waves in a stratified atmosphere

A nonlinear, time-dependent, ideal MHD code has been developed and used to compute the flow induced by nonlinear Alfven waves propagating in an isothermal, stratified, plane-parallel atmosphere. The code is based on characteristic equations solved in a Lagrangian frame and is highly accurate. Results show that resonance behavior of Alfven waves exists in the presence of a continuous density gradient and that the waves with periods corresponding to resonant peaks exert considerably more force on the medium than off-resonance periods; this leads to enhanced flow. If only off-peak periods are considered, the relationship between the wave period and induced longitudinal velocity shows that short period WKB waves push more on the background medium than longer period, non-WKB, waves. The results also show the development of the longitudinal waves produced by the finite amplitude of the Alfven waves. The longitudinal wave becomes strong as the Alfven wave relative amplitude grows above 10 percent and will lead to strong damping of the Alfven waves.

Stark, B. A.↗

Nonlinear effects on sound in nearly sonic duct flows

A nonlinear theory for sound propagation in nearly sonic flows in variable area ducts is outlined. The theory is based on a quasi-one-dimensional model and the use of matched asymptotic expansions. The problem of an acoustic source located in the throat region of a duct with a converging section is treated. It is shown that the near-sonic region has a marked nonlinear effect on sound propagation in the duct.

Callegari, A. J.↗

Customizable wave tailoring nonlinear materials enabled by bilevel inverse design

Abstract Passive wave transformation via nonlinearity is ubiquitous in settings from acoustics to optics and electromagnetics. It is well known that different nonlinearities yield different effects on propagating signals, which raises the question of “what precise nonlinearity is the best for a given wave tailoring application?” In this work, considering a one-dimensional spring-mass chain connected by polynomial springs (a variant of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou system), we introduce a bilevel inverse design method which couples the shape optimization of structures for tailored constitutive responses with reduced-order nonlinear dynamical inverse design. We apply it to two qualitatively distinct problems—minimization of peak transmitted kinetic energy from impact, and pulse shape transformation—demonstrating our method’s breadth of applicability. For the impact problem, we obtain two fundamental insights. First, small differences in nonlinearity can drastically change the dynamic response of the system, from severely under- to outperforming a comparative linear system. Second, the oft-used strategy of impact mitigation via “energy locking” bistability can be significantly outperformed by our optimal nonlinearity. We validate this case with impact experiments and find excellent agreement. This study establishes a framework for broader passive nonlinear mechanical wave tailoring material design, with applications to computing, signal processing, shock mitigation, and autonomous materials.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Propagating confined states in phase dynamics

Theoretical treatment is given to the possibility of the existence of propagating confined states in the nonlinear phase equation by generalizing stationary confined states. The nonlinear phase equation is set forth for the case of propagating patterns with long wavelengths and low-frequency modulation. A large range of parameter values is shown to exist for propagating confined states which have spatially localized regions which travel on a background with unique wavelengths. The theoretical phenomena are shown to correspond to such physical systems as spirals in Taylor instabilities, traveling waves in convective systems, and slot-convection phenomena for binary fluid mixtures.

Brand, Helmut R.↗

Nonlinear electrostatic drift Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Nonlinear analysis of electrostatic drift Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is performed. It is shown that the analysis leads to the propagation of the weakly nonlinear dispersive waves, and the nonlinear behavior is governed by the nonlinear Burger's equation.

Sharma, Avadhesh C.↗

Euler solutions to nonlinear acoustics of non-lifting rotor blades

For the first time a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used to calculate directly the high-speed impulsive (HSI) noise of a non-lifting hovering rotor blade out to a distance of over three rotor radii. In order to accurately propagate the acoustic wave in a stable and efficient manner, an implicit upwind-biased Euler method is solved on a grid with points clustered along the line of propagation. A detailed validation of the code is performed for a rectangular rotor blade at tip Mach numbers ranging from 0.88 to 0.92. The agreement with experiment is excellent at both the sonic cylinder and at 2.18 rotor radii. The agreement at 3.09 rotor radii is still very good, showing improvements over the results from the best previous method. Grid sensitivity studies indicate that with special attention to the location of the boundaries a grid with approximately 60,000 points is adequate. This results in a computational time of approximately 40 minutes on a Cray-XMP. The practicality of the method to calculate HSI noise is demonstrated by expanding the scope of the investigation to examine the rectangular blade as well as a highly swept and tapered blade over a tip Mach number range of 0.80 to 0.95. Comparisons with experimental data are excellent and the advantages of planform modifications are clearly evident. New insight is gained into the mechanisms of nonlinear propagation and the minimum distance at which a valid comparison of different rotors can be made: approximately two rotor radii from the center of rotation.

Baeder, J. D.↗

Euler solutions to nonlinear acoustics of non-lifting hovering rotor blades

For the first time a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used to calculate directly the high-speed impulsive (HSI) noise of a non-lifting hovering rotor blade out to a distance of over three rotor radii. In order to accurately propagate the acoustic wave in a stable and efficient manner, an implicit upwind-biased Euler method is solved on a grid with points clustered along the line of propagation. A detailed validation of the code is performed for a rectangular rotor blade at tip Mach numbers ranging from 0.88 to 0.92. The agreement with experiment is excellent at both the sonic cylinder and at 2.18 rotor radii. The agreement at 3.09 rotor radii is still very good, showing improvements over the results from the best previous method. Grid sensitivity studies indicate that with special attention to the location of the boundaries a grid with approximately 60,000 points is adequate. This results in a computational time of approximately 40 minutes on a Cray-XMP. The practicality of the method to calculate HSI noise is demonstrated by expanding the scope of the investigation to examine the rectangular blade as well as a highly swept and tapered blade over a tip Mach number range of 0.80 to 0.95. Comparisons with experimental data are excellent and the advantages of planform modifications are clearly evident. New insight is gained into the mechanisms of nonlinear propagation and the minimum distance at which a valid comparison of different rotors can be made: approximately two rotor radii from the center of rotation.

Baeder, J. D.↗

Combustion instability with partial length acoustic liners

The development is discussed of analytical techniques and numerical methods for the prediction of the stability behavior of liquid propellant rocket combustors with partial length acoustic liners, injector face baffles, and nonlinear combustion responses. Three primary objectives included: (1) extension of the Green's Function integral-iteration technique previously developed so that nonlinear three dimensional wave propagation effects could be included in stability predictions; (2) development of an analytical technique and a computer program for the prediction of the damping effects caused by injector face baffles; and (3) inclusion of a nonlinear, wave distortation dependent, combustion response model in the global stability analysis and determination of its effect on combustor stability.

Mitchell, C. E.↗

Recent advances in aeroacoustics

The state of the art in theoretical and numerical models and experimentation on broadband noise propagation from high speed aircraft components such as jets and helicopter blades is detailed. Attention is given to noise produced by jets, shear layers and turbulence and to the acoustic properties of rotors. The generation and propagation of acoustic noise are discussed in terms of the evolution of concepts for flow-tone generation to include hydrodynamic instabilities. Consideration is also given to techniques for experimental studies and theoretical models for nonlinear features of acoustic propagation of broadband noise and acoustic propagation in partially-choked or soft-walled ducts.

Krothapalli, A.↗

Electromagnetic wave scattering in a two-layer anisotropic random medium

For electromagnetic wave propagation and scattering in an anisotropic random medium, the Dyson equation for the mean field and the Bethe-Salpeter equation for the correlation or the covariance of the field were derived. With the random permittivity expressed in a general anisotropic form, the bilocal and the nonlinear approximations are employed to solve the Dyson equation, and the ladder approximation to solve the Bethe-Salpeter equation. The mean dyadic Green's function for a two-layer anisotropic random medium with arbitrary three-dimensional correlation functions has been investigated with the zeroth-order solutions to the Dyson equation under the nonlinear approximation. The effective propagation constants are calculated for the four characteristic waves associated with the coherent vector fields, propagating in an anisotropic random-medium layer, which are the ordinary and extraordinary waves with upward- and downward-propagating vectors.

Lee, J. K.↗

Alfvenic pulses in the solar atmosphere

Some nonlinear aspects of Alfvenic pulses propagating in coronal loops and the underlying chromosphere are numerically investigated. Heat conduction and radiation are included. The Alfvenic pulses are modeled as axisymmetric twists on a vertical cylindrical flux tube. They nonlinearly couple into acoustic-gravity waves propagating along the flux tube. A single Alfvenic pulse is found to leave two acoustic-gravity pulses in its wake. These pulses can result in significant motions of the transition region and underlying chromosphere. These motions do not resemble spicules, but they may correspond to a variety of observations indicating that the solar atmosphere is in a continual dynamic state. It is suggested that a dynamic chromosphere and transition region may be the inevitable consequence of the coronal heating process itself.

Mariska, J. T.↗

Waveform Freezing of Sonic Booms Revisited

Nonlinear distortion of sonic booms propagating in the atmosphere is strongly affected by stratification and geometrical spreading. For a downward propagating sonic boom in a standard atmosphere, stratification and spreading cause a slowing down of nonlinear distortion. In certain cases a stage is reached where no further distortion takes place. When this happens, the waveform is said to be frozen. In previous work the authors argued that for most HSCT designs and flight conditions being considered, the sonic boom is not frozen when it reaches the ground. The criterion used was the value of the distortion distance x bar is a measure of the nonlinear distortion suffered by the wave (and is closely related to Hayes's E variable). The aircraft must be at an altitude greater than 27 km (80,000 ft) for x bar at the groun be within 95% of its asymptotic value. However, work reported here demonstrates that the ground waveform is much closer to the frozen state than indicated by the previous analysis. In the new analysis, duration of the sonic boom is used as the criterion for judging closeness of approach tz frozen state. In order for the duration of the sonic boom at the ground to be within 95% of its frozen value, the flight altitude of the aircraft needs to be only 15 km (45,000 ft).

Cleveland, Robin O.↗