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At least 199 records · Page 11

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NASA NTRS1996

Calculation of tip clearance effects in a transonic compressor rotor

The flow through the tip clearance region of a transonic compressor rotor (NASA rotor 37) was computed and compared to aerodynamic probe and laser anemometer data. Tip clearance effects were modeled both by gridding the clearance gap and by using a simple periodicity model across the ungridded gap. The simple model was run with both the full gap height, and with half the gap height to simulate a vena-contracta effect. Comparisons between computed and measured performance maps and downstream profiles were used to validate the models and to assess the effects of gap height on the simple clearance model. Recommendations were made concerning the use of the simple clearance model. Detailed comparisons were made between the gridded clearance gap solution and the laser anemometer data near the tip at two operating points. The computer results agreed fairly well with the data but overpredicted the extent of the casing separation and underpredicted the wake decay rate. The computations were then used to describe the interaction of the tip vortex, the passage shock, and the casing boundary layer.

Chima, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Calculation of Tip Clearance Effects in a Transonic Compressor Rotor

The flow through the tip clearance region of a transonic compressor rotor (NASA rotor 37) was computed and compared to aerodynamic probe and laser anemometer data. Tip clearance effects were modeled both by gridding the clearance gap and by using a simple periodicity model across the ungridded gap. The simple model was run with both the full gap height, and with half the gap height to simulate a vena-contracta effect. Comparisons between computed and measured performance maps and downstream profiles were used to validate the models and to assess the effects of gap height on the simple clearance model. Recommendations were made concern- ing the use of the simple clearance model Detailed comparisons were made between the gridded clearance gap solution and the laser anemometer data near the tip at two operating points. The computed results agreed fairly well with the data but overpredicted the extent of the casing separation and underpredicted the wake decay rate. The computations were then used to describe the interaction of the tip vortex, the passage shock, and the casing boundary layer.

Chima, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Aerodynamic instability: A case history

The identification, diagnosis, and final correction of complex machinery malfunctions typically require the correlation of many parameters such as mechanical construction, process influence, maintenance history, and vibration response characteristics. The progression is reviewed of field testing, diagnosis, and final correction of a specific machinery instability problem. The case history presented addresses a unique low frequency instability problem on a high pressure barrel compressor. The malfunction was eventually diagnosed as a fluidic mechanism that manifested as an aerodynamic disturbance to the rotor assembly.

Eisenmann, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1959

Exploratory Investigation of Aerodynamic Flameholders for Afterburner Application

An investigation was conducted to determine the flameholding capabilities of aerodynamic jets at afterburner operating conditions. Stability data for a number of aerodynamic flameholders were obtained in a 5- by 5-inch test section at inlet-air reference velocities up to 600 feet per second, an inlet-air temperature of 1250 F, and a combustor-inlet pressure of 15 inches of mercury absolute. Combustion efficiency and stability data of the more promising combinations were then obtained in a 10- by 12-inch test section at the same test conditions. Both air and stoichiometric mixtures of fuel and air were used in the jets; mixture flow rates were approximately 1 percent by weight of the total air-flow rate. Injection pressures were limited to values that might be available from compressor-bleed air. At a reference velocity of 600 feet per second, aerodynamic flame-holders alone were unable to maintain a stable flame at injection pressures up to 70 pounds per square inches large reductions in velocity were required to achieve flame stabilization. When the aerodynamic jets were used in combination with a V-gutter flameholder with approximately a 30 percent blocked area, flame stabilization was attained at a velocity of 600 feet per second; however, the combustion efficiencies of the various combinations were no greater than that obtained with the V-gutter alone.

Butze, Helmut F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Axial-compressor flow distortion with water ingestion

The objective of the investigation is as follows: to establish relations between the steady state mean flow distortion generated during water ingestion into an axial-flow compressor and (a) characteristic length and time scales pertaining to (1) the centrifugal action and (2) the heat and mass transfer processes and (b) aerodynamic parameters based on blade geometry, aspect ratio and blade loading. Analytical and experimental results are presented for a small compressor to illustrate the extent of the distortion introduced as a function of (1) the operating speed and (2) the mass-based water content in the ingested mixture. Methods of scaling the effects in compressors of different sizes are discussed.

Tsuchiya, T.↗

NASA NTRS1999

TADS: A CFD-Based Turbomachinery Analysis and Design System with GUI: Methods and Results

The primary objective of this study was the development of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based turbomachinery airfoil analysis and design system, controlled by a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The computer codes resulting from this effort are referred to as TADS (Turbomachinery Analysis and Design System). This document is the Final Report describing the theoretical basis and analytical results from the TADS system developed under Task 10 of NASA Contract NAS3-27394, ADPAC System Coupling to Blade Analysis & Design System GUI, Phase II-Loss, Design and. Multi-stage Analysis. TADS couples a throughflow solver (ADPAC) with a quasi-3D blade-to-blade solver (RVCQ3D) or a 3-D solver with slip condition on the end walls (B2BADPAC) in an interactive package. Throughflow analysis and design capability was developed in ADPAC through the addition of blade force and blockage terms to the governing equations. A GUI was developed to simplify user input and automate the many tasks required to perform turbomachinery analysis and design. The coupling of the various programs was done in such a way that alternative solvers or grid generators could be easily incorporated into the TADS framework. Results of aerodynamic calculations using the TADS system are presented for a multistage compressor, a multistage turbine, two highly loaded fans, and several single stage compressor and turbine example cases.

Koiro, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS2007

TBCC Fan Stage Operability and Performance

NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program is investigating turbine-based propulsion systems for access to space because it provides the potential for aircraft-like, space-launch operations that may significantly reduce launch costs and improve safety. Studies performed under NASA s NGLT and the NASP High Speed Propulsion Assessment (HiSPA) program indicated a variable cycle turbofan/ramjet was the best configuration to satisfy access-to-space mission requirements because this configuration maximizes the engine thrust-to-weight ratio while minimizing frontal area. To this end, NASA and GE teamed to design a Mach 4 variable cycle turbofan/ramjet engine for access to space. To enable the wide operating range of a Mach 4+ variable cycle turbofan ramjet required the development of a unique fan stage design capable of multi-point operation to accommodate variations in bypass ratio (10X), fan speed (7X), inlet mass flow (3.5X), inlet pressure (8X), and inlet temperature (3X). The primary goal of the fan stage was to provide a high pressure ratio level with good efficiency at takeoff through the mid range of engine operation, while avoiding stall and losses at the higher flight Mach numbers, without the use of variable inlet guide vanes. Overall fan performance and operability therefore requires major consideration, as competing goals at different operating points and aeromechanical issues become major drivers in the design. To mitigate risk of meeting the unique design requirements for the fan stage, NASA and GE teamed to design and build a 57% engine scaled fan stage to be tested in NASA s transonic compressor facility. The objectives of this test are to assess the aerodynamic and aero mechanic performance and operability characteristics of the fan stage over the entire range of engine operation including: 1) sea level static take-off, 2) transition over large swings in fan bypass ratio, 3) transition from turbofan to ramjet, and 4) fan windmilling operation at high Mach flight conditions. In addition, the fan stage design was validated by performing pre-test CFD analysis using both GE proprietary and NASA s APNASA codes. Herein we will discuss 1) the fan stage design, 2) the experiment including the unique facility and instrumentation, and 3) the comparison of pre-test CFD analysis to initial aerodynamic test results for the baseline fan stage configuration. Measurements and pre-test analysis will be compared at 37%, 50%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of design speed to assess the ability of state-of-the-art design and analysis tools to meet the fan stage performance and operability requirements for turbine based propulsion for access to space.

Suder, Kenneth L.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Results of an Advanced Fan Stage Operating Over a Wide Range of Speed and Bypass Ratio: Comparison of CFD and Experimental Results - Part 2

NASA and GE teamed to design and build a 57 percent engine scaled fan stage for a Mach 4 variable cycle turbofan/ramjet engine for access to space with multipoint operations. This fan stage was tested in NASA's transonic compressor facility. The objectives of this test were to assess the aerodynamic and aero mechanic performance and operability characteristics of the fan stage over the entire range of engine operation including: 1) sea level static take-off; 2) transition over large swings in fan bypass ratio; 3) transition from turbofan to ramjet; and 4) fan wind-milling operation at high Mach flight conditions. This paper will focus on an assessment of APNASA, a multistage turbomachinery analysis code developed by NASA, to predict the fan stage performance and operability over a wide range of speeds (37 to 100 percent) and bypass ratios.

Celestina, Mark L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A critical evaluation of a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes method as a tool to calculate transonic flows inside a low-aspect-ratio compressor

A numerical study to evaluate a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes method as a tool to predict the detailed flow field inside a low-aspect-ratio compressor at various operating conditions was conducted. The details of the flow structure inside a low aspect ratio compressor (three-dimensional shock structure, shock-boundary layer interaction, and tip leakage vortex) and the overall aerodynamic performance at design and off-design conditions are numerically analyzed and the results are compared with the available experimental data. The flow field inside a state-of-the-art transonic compressor is used for the purpose of the evaluation.

Hah, Chunill↗

NASA NTRS1974

Performance of a transonic compressor rotor with an aspect ratio of 6.5

The overall and blade-element performances and the aerodynamic design parameters of a transonic rotor with an aspect ratio of 6.5, designed to investigate the effects of aspect ratio on range and performance are presented. The rotor was designed for a total-pressure ratio of 1.53, an efficiency of 0.898, and a weight flow of 67.76 pounds per second.

Reid, L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Potential acoustic benefits of circulation control rotors

The fundamental aeroacoustic mechanisms responsible for noise generation on a rotating blade are theoretically examined. Their contribution to the overall rotor sound pressure level is predicted. Results from a theory for airfoil trailing edge noise are presented. Modifications and extensions to other source theories are described where it is necessary to account for unique aspects of circulation control (CC) aerodynamics. The circulation control rotor (CCR), as embodied on an X-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, is used as an example for computational purposes, although many of the theoretical results presented are generally applicable to other CC applications (such as low speed rotors, propellers, compressors, and fixed wing aircraft). Using the analytical models, it is shown that the utilization CC aerodynamics theoretically makes possible unprecedented advances in rotor noise reduction. For the X-wing VTOL these reductions appear to be feasible without incurring significant attendant performance and weight penalties.

Williams, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Preliminary Aerodynamic Investigation of Fan Rotor Blade Morphing

Various new technologies currently under development may enable controlled blade shape variability, or so-called blade morphing, to be practically employed in aircraft engine fans and compressors in the foreseeable future. The current study is a relatively brief, preliminary computational fluid dynamics investigation aimed at partially demonstrating and quantifying the aerodynamic potential of fan rotor blade morphing. The investigation is intended to provide information useful for near-term planning, as well as aerodynamic solution data sets that can be subsequently analyzed using advanced acoustic diagnostic tools, for the purpose of making fan noise comparisons. Two existing fan system models serve as baselines for the investigation: the Advanced Ducted Propulsor fan with a design tip speed of 806 ft/sec and a pressure ratio of 1.294, and the Source Diagnostic Test fan with a design tip speed of 1215 ft/sec and a pressure ratio of 1.470. Both are 22-in. sub-scale, low-noise research fan/nacelle models that have undergone extensive experimental testing in the 9- by 15-foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The study, restricted to fan rotor blade morphing only, involves a fairly simple blade morphing technique. Specifically, spanwise-linear variations in rotor blade-section setting angle are applied to alter the blade shape; that is, the blade is linearly retwisted from hub to tip. Aerodynamic performance comparisons are made between morphed-blade and corresponding baseline configurations on the basis of equal fan system thrust, where rotor rotational speed for the morphed-blade fan is varied to change the thrust level for that configuration. The results of the investigation confirm that rotor blade morphing could be a useful technology, with the potential to enable significant improvements in fan aerodynamic performance. Even though the study is very limited in scope and confined to simple geometric perturbations of two existing fan systems, the aerodynamic effectiveness of blade morphing is demonstrated by the configurations analyzed. In particular, for the Advanced Ducted Propulsor fan it is demonstrated that the performance levels of the original variable-pitch baseline design can be achieved using blade morphing instead of variable pitch, and for the Source Diagnostic Test fan the performance at important off-design operating points is substantially increased with blade morphing.

Tweedt, Daniel L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Method of reducing drag in aerodynamic systems

In the present method, boundary layer thickening is combined with laminar flow control to reduce drag. An aerodynamic body is accelerated enabling a ram turbine on the body to receive air at velocity V sub 0. The discharge air is directed over an aft portion of the aerodynamic body producing boundary layer thickening. The ram turbine also drives a compressor by applying torque to a shaft connected between the ram turbine and the compressor. The compressor sucks in lower boundary layer air through inlets in the shell of the aircraft producing laminar flow control and reducing drag. The discharge from the compressor is expanded in a nozzle to produce thrust.

Hrach, Frank J.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Laser Scanning System for Pressure and Temperature Paints

Acquiring pressure maps of aerodynamic surfaces is very important for improving and validating the performance of aerospace vehicles. Traditional pressure measurements are taken with pressure taps embedded in the model surface that are connected to transducers. While pressure taps allow highly accurate measurements to be acquired, they do have several drawbacks. Pressure taps do not give good spatial resolution due to the need for individual pressure tubes, compounded by limited space available inside models. Also, building a model proves very costly if taps are needed because of the large amount of labor necessary to drill, connect and test each one. The typical cost to install one tap is about $200. Recently, a new method for measuring pressure on aerodynamic surfaces has been developed utilizing a technology known as pressure sensitive paints (PSP). Using PSP, pressure distributions can be acquired optically with high spatial resolution and simple model preparation. Flow structures can be easily visualized using PSP, but are missed using low spatial resolution arrays of pressure taps. PSP even allows pressure distributions to be found on rotating machinery where previously this has been extremely difficult or even impossible. The goal of this research is to develop a laser scanning system for use with pressure sensitive paints that allows accurate pressure measurements to be obtained on various aerodynamic surfaces ranging from wind tunnel models to high speed jet engine compressor blades.

Sullivan, John↗

NASA NTRS1997

Laser Scanning System for Pressure and Temperature Paints

Sullivan, John↗

NASA NTRS2004

Probabilistic Aeroelastic Analysis of Turbomachinery Components

A probabilistic approach is described for aeroelastic analysis of turbomachinery blade rows. Blade rows with subsonic flow and blade rows with supersonic flow with subsonic leading edge are considered. To demonstrate the probabilistic approach, the flutter frequency, damping and forced response of a blade row representing a compressor geometry is considered. The analysis accounts for uncertainties in structural and aerodynamic design variables. The results are presented in the form of probabilistic density function (PDF) and sensitivity factors. For subsonic flow cascade, comparisons are also made with different probabilistic distributions, probabilistic methods, and Monte-Carlo simulation. The approach shows that the probabilistic approach provides a more realistic and systematic way to assess the effect of uncertainties in design variables on the aeroelastic instabilities and response.

Reddy, T. S. R.↗

NASA NTRS2016

NASA Phase2 Unlimited Rights Final Report Research and Technology for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (RTAPS) Task Order: ERA Advanced Core Compressor Technology Program

As part of the NASA Integrated Systems Research Program (ISRP), Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project, NASA GRC and GE Aviation have partnered to investigate the technology barriers associated with improved fuel economy of large gas turbine engines. Crucial to improving fuel economy is the increase in pressure ratio (PR) of the core high pressure compressor (HPC). A key enabler to increasing HPC pressure ratios are new technology front stage airfoil designs that have higher efficiency, higher pressure ratios and improvements in front stage part-power operability. The purpose of this work is to design and test two high pressure ratio, high efficiency front block designs. The baseline design, hereafter referred to as Build 1, is similar to what would be found in a high efficiency 30:1 PR class HPC. A redesigned front block with improved blading will also be tested and hereafter be referred to as Build 2. The goal of Build 2 is to increase stage aero loading (increase stage pressure ratio) beyond Build 1 while maintaining equivalent efficiency and stall margin. The detailed inter-stage and traverse data from the two builds will be used to improve understanding of the complex flow physics at high-speed and part-speed conditions that impact performance and operability. By addressing, understanding and solving the challenges associated with aerodynamic losses and stage matching better design strategies can be incorporated in future core compressors with higher efficiency, thereby enabling improvement in mission fuel burn while still meeting operability requirements.

Axial Compressors↗

NASA NTRS2009

SWIFT Code Assessment for Two Similar Transonic Compressors

One goal of the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program is the assessment of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes used for the design and analysis of many aerospace systems. This paper describes the assessment of the SWIFT turbomachinery analysis code for two similar transonic compressors, NASA rotor 37 and stage 35. The two rotors have identical blade profiles on the front, transonic half of the blade but rotor 37 has more camber aft of the shock. Thus the two rotors have the same shock structure and choking flow but rotor 37 produces a higher pressure ratio. The two compressors and experimental data are described here briefly. Rotor 37 was also used for test cases organized by ASME, IGTI, and AGARD in 1994-1998. Most of the participating codes over predicted pressure and temperature ratios, and failed to predict certain features of the downstream flowfield. Since then the AUSM+ upwind scheme and the k- turbulence model have been added to SWIFT. In this work the new capabilities were assessed for the two compressors. Comparisons were made with overall performance maps and spanwise profiles of several aerodynamic parameters. The results for rotor 37 were in much better agreement with the experimental data than the original blind test case results although there were still some discrepancies. The results for stage 35 were in very good agreement with the data. The results for rotor 37 were very sensitive to turbulence model parameters but the results for stage 35 were not. Comparison of the rotor solutions showed that the main difference between the two rotors was not blade camber as expected, but shock/boundary layer interaction on the casing.

Chima, Rodrick V.↗