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At least 199 records · Page 11

Effects of cone surface waviness and freestream noise on transition in supersonic flow

A comparison of transition on wavy-wall and smooth-wall cones in a Mach 3.5 wind tunnel is made under conditions of either low freestream noise (quiet flow) or high freestream noise (noisy flow). The noisy flow compares to that found in conventional wind tunnels while the quiet flow gives transitional Reynolds numbers on smooth sharp cones comparable to those found in flight. The waves were found to have a much smaller effect on transition than similar sized trip wires. A satisfatory correlating parameter for the effect of waves on transition was simply the wave height-to-length ratio. A given value of this ratio was found to cause the same percentage change in transition location in quiet and noisy flows.

Morrisette, E. L.↗

Heat transfer tests of the McDonnell-Douglas delta wing orbiter mated with -17A booster at Mach number 8

A wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the McDonnell-Douglas configurations is reported. The tests were conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tunnel B of the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). Heat-transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on 0.011-scale Stycast models using Tempilaq as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were; Mach 8, freestream unit Reynolds numbers of 0.8 x one million, 2.5 x one million, and 3.7 x one million, and angles of attack of -5 deg, 0 deg, +5deg. Model details, test conditions, phase-change paint photographs and reduced heat-transfer coefficients are presented.

Matthews, R. K.↗

Hypersonic blunt body wake computations using DSMC and Navier-Stokes solvers

Numerical results obtained with direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and Navier-Stokes methods are presented for Mach 20 nitrogen flow about a 70-deg blunted cone. The flow conditions simulated are those that can be obtained in existing low-density hypersonic wind tunnels. Three sets of flow conditions are considered with freestream Knudsen numbers ranging from 0.03 to 0.001. The focus is on the wake structure: how does the wake structure change as a function of rarefaction, what are the afterbody levels of heating, and to what limits are continuum models realistic as rarefaction in the wake is progressively increased. Calculations are made with and without an afterbody sting. Results for the afterbody sting are emphasized in anticipation of an experimental study for the current flow conditions and model configuration. The Navier-Stokes calculations were made with and without slip boundary conditions. Comparisons of the results obtained with the two simulation methodologies are made for both flowfield structure and surface quantities.

Moss, James N.↗

Direct simulation Monte Carlo and Navier-Stokes simulations of blunt body wake flows

Numerical results obtained with direct simulation Monte Carlo and Navier-Stokes methods are presented for a Mach-20 nitrogen flow about a 70-deg blunted cone. The flow conditions simulated are those that can be obtained in existing low-density hypersonic wind tunnels. Three sets of flow conditions are considered with freestream Knudsen numbers ranging from 0.03 to 0.001. The focus is on the wake structure: how the wake structure changes as a function of rare faction, what the afterbody levels of heating are, and to what limits the continuum models are realistic as rarefunction in the wake is progressively increased. Calculations are made with and without an afterbody sting. Results for the afterbody sting are emphasized in anticipation of an experimental study for the current flow conditions and model configuration. The Navier-Stokes calculations were made with and without slip boundary conditions. Comparisons of the results obtained with the two simulation methodologies are made for both flowfield structure and surface quantities.

WAKE STRUCTURE↗

Direct simulation Monte Carlo and Navier-Stokes simulations of blunt body wake flows

Numerical results obtained with direct simulation Monte Carlo and Navier-Stokes methods are presented for a Mach-20 nitrogen flow about a 70-deg blunted cone. The flow conditions simuulated are those that can be obtained in existing low-density hypersonic wind tunnels. Three sets of flow conditions are considered with freestream Knudsen numbers ranging from 0.03 to 0.001. The focus is on the wake structure: how the wake structure changes as a function of rarefaction, what the afterbody levels of heating are, and to what limits the continuum models are realistic as rarefaction in the wake is progressively increased. Calculations are made with and without an afterbody sting. Results for the after body sting are emphasizes in anticipation of an experimental study for the current flow conditions and model configuration. The Navier-Stokes calculations were made with and without slip boundary conditions. Comparisons of the results obtained with the two simulation methodologies are made for both flowfield structure and surface quantities.

Moss, James N.↗

Turbulent boundary layer heat transfer experiments - A separate effects study on a convexly-curved wall

Surface heat transfer rates have been measured for several different flows on an isothermal, convexly curved surface. The freestream velocity, boundary layer thickness, acceleration parameter, and unheated starting length were varied systematically, and both turbulent and transitional boundary layers were studied. The effect of convex curvature on heat transfer rates is significant with Stanton numbers reduced 20-25% below flat wall values for the same enthalpy thickness Reynolds number. Heat transfer rates recovered slowly on a flat wall downstream of the curved wall, and after 60 cm, the Stanton numbers were still 15-20% below flat wall values. The behavior of the boundary layer suggests the existence of an asymptotic condition. Boundary layer thickness, freestream velocity, and boundary layer maturity affect the initial response to the introduction of curvature and the rate at which the asymptotic state is approached. Convex curvature appears to increase the boundary layer's sensitivity to acceleration; it also delays and retards transition. Near-laminar or early-transitional boundary layers recover from curvature rapidly, whereas late-transitional and mature boundary layers recover slowly.

Simon, T. W.↗

Spatially-Resolved Freestream Velocity Measurements at the NASA Langley 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel Using FLEET

Freestream velocity measurements in the NASA Langley 31-inch Mach 10 wind tunnel are reported in this paper using Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging (FLEET). The freestream measurements acquired during the January 2023 test campaign were the first direct measurement of freestream velocity in this hypersonic wind tunnel facility. Spatial distributions of time-averaged and instantaneous velocity measurements were obtained at all three typical wind tunnel freestream unit Reynolds number conditions of Re∞/L = 1.8∙106 m-1, 3.6∙106 m-1, and 6.4∙106 m-1, though the current paper focuses on centerline measurements for the three Re∞/L and spatial distributions for one Re∞/L. Measured values for time-averaged velocity and mean of the instantaneous velocity at the wind tunnel centerline agree within 5 m/s or 0.4% of the calculated velocity from the facility data acquisition system. Measurements acquired at locations away from the wind tunnel centerline reveal the spatial extent of the core flow of the hypersonic facility.

FLEET↗

Spatially-Resolved Freestream Velocity Measurements at the NASA Langley 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel Using FLEET

Freestream velocity measurements in the NASA Langley 31-inch Mach 10 wind tunnel are reported in this paper using Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging (FLEET). The freestream measurements acquired during the January 2023 test campaign were the first direct measurement of freestream velocity in this hypersonic wind tunnel facility. Spatial distributions of time-averaged and instantaneous velocity measurements were obtained at all three typical wind tunnel freestream unit Reynolds number conditions of Re∞/L = 1.8∙106 m-1, 3.6∙106 m-1, and 6.4∙106 m-1, though the current paper focuses on centerline measurements for the three Re∞/L and spatial distributions for one Re∞/L. Measured values for time-averaged velocity and mean of the instantaneous velocity at the wind tunnel centerline agree within 5 m/s or 0.4% of the calculated velocity from the facility data acquisition system. Measurements acquired at locations away from the wind tunnel centerline reveal the spatial extent of the core flow of the hypersonic facility.

FLEET↗

The Effect of Trailing Edge Grid Resolution in Large-Eddy Simulations

Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) with environmental barrier coating can tolerate significantly higher temperatures compared with the conventional metal alloy blades and thus can help achieve higher thermal efficiency in gas turbine engines. Due to the complex fabrication process of CMC blades, larger blade trailing edge thicknesses and larger leading-edge radii of curvature are expected. These features significantly alter aerodynamic performance especially near the trailing edge and thus the loss profile. In previous studies, the authors used the large eddy simulation (LES) as well as the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) coupled with an intermittency function-based transition model to simulate an aerodynamics performance of three different CMC blades and compared the predictions against the data acquired at NASA Glenn Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade Rig. Although we were able to successfully predict different characteristics of aerodynamic performance among three different blades (e.g., pressure loading and integrated losses), LES consistently predicted a small recirculation bubble at the end of the suction side. This was not inconsistent with the physics of the flow, but the pressure loading, locally, near the trailing edge, and as a result, the measured wake profiles did not match the experimental data. To delve further into these issues, a new LES grid with a much finer mesh near the trailing edge was generated where the spanwise extent of the grid was increased by 50%. An LES simulation for the CMC blade with the largest trailing edge thicknesses at the high-freestream turbulence (Tu=13%) condition showed that using such a mesh is necessary for LES to accurately capture the transition phenomena on the suction side. The resulting total pressure coefficient profile and the shift of the wake profile were greatly improved.

CMC↗

The Effect of Trailing Edge Grid Resolution in Large-Eddy Simulations

Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) with environmental barrier coating can tolerate significantly higher temperatures compared with the conventional metal alloy blades and thus can help achieve higher thermal efficiency in gas turbine engines. Due to the complex fabrication process of CMC blades, larger blade trailing edge thicknesses and larger leading-edge radii of curvature are expected. These features significantly alter aerodynamic performance especially near the trailing edge and thus the loss profile. In previous studies, the authors used the large eddy simulation (LES) as well as the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) coupled with an intermittency function-based transition model to simulate an aerodynamics performance of three different CMC blades and compared the predictions against the data acquired at NASA Glenn Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade Rig. Although we were able to successfully predict different characteristics of aerodynamic performance among three different blades (e.g., pressure loading and integrated losses), LES consistently predicted a small recirculation bubble at the end of the suction side. This was not inconsistent with the physics of the flow, but the pressure loading, locally, near the trailing edge, and as a result, the measured wake profiles did not match the experimental data. To delve further into these issues, a new LES grid with a much finer mesh near the trailing edge was generated where the spanwise extent of the grid was increased by 50%. An LES simulation for the CMC blade with the largest trailing edge thicknesses at the high-freestream turbulence (Tu=13%) condition showed that using such a mesh is necessary for LES to accurately capture the transition phenomena on the suction side. The resulting total pressure coefficient profile and the shift of the wake profile were greatly improved.

LES↗

Axisymmetric Time-Dependent Computations of Expansion Tube Flow

The goal of this work is to add insight about the flow within expansion tubes by using computational fluid dynamics. This is accomplished by comparing the results of axisymmetric numerical simulations with finite-rate chemistry to data from the HYPULSE expansion tube facility which was previously the NASA Langley expansion tube. The numerical simulations begin at the opening of the primary diaphragm and compute the flow throughout the whole facility and, thus, are able to follow and assess the effect of many of the flow features created during operation of the facility. One particular issue that will be investigated is the effect of boundary layer formation in the acceleration tube on the test gas volume and test gas conditions. Both laminar and turbulent boundary layers will be implemented. The effect of momentary shock reflection off the secondary diaphragm will also be investigated. There is concern that such a reflection will stagnate the test gas and create high levels of dissociated molecules. This is particularly important in propulsion experiments where a freestream composition different from flight conditions may influence ignition and burning data. Several different models of diaphragm rupture will be implemented in order to help understand the importance of this issue.

Wilson, Gregory J.↗

A Database of CFD-Based Buffet Forcing Functions for Artemis I Structural Response Evaluation

Time-accurate FUN3D simulations are utilized to estimate buffet-induced unsteady forces experienced by the Space Launch System during the Artemis I (AR01) flight. A set of FUN3D simulations was developed that employed time-accurate mesh translations to simulate the changing velocity and attitude based on the AR01 best estimated trajectory. In these simulations, referred to as accelerating-flow simulations, the freestream Mach number increased from 0.80 to 1.92. Additional time-accurate simulations were obtained at constant freestream Mach number equal to 0.95, 1.18, 1.70, thereby simulating stationary conditions experienced by the flow in a wind-tunnel. On the grounds of favorable comparisons between simulated and flight-measured environments, the FUN3D-based surface pressures were utilized to develop a buffet forcing function (BFF) database. This BFF database was analyzed to characterize the spatial distribution and frequency content of the buffet forces during transonic and supersonic portions of the AR01 flight. The region of interest is located downstream of the forward attachment (FA) hardware between the core stage and the solid rocket boosters where vortex shedding off the FA protuberance produces significant unsteadiness. The analysis reveals that, at transonic and supersonic conditions, buffet forces that are based on constant freestream Mach number data are a good approximation of those based on accelerating-flow simulations.

FUN3D↗

A Database of CFD-Based Buffet Forcing Functions for Artemis I Structural Response Evaluation

Time-accurate FUN3D simulations are utilized to estimate buffet-induced unsteady forces experienced by the Space Launch System during the Artemis I (AR01) flight. A set of FUN3D simulations was developed that employed time-accurate mesh translations to simulate the changing velocity and attitude based on the AR01 best estimated trajectory. In these simulations, referred to as accelerating-flow simulations, the freestream Mach number increased from 0.80 to 1.92. Additional time-accurate simulations were obtained at constant freestream Mach number equal to 0.95, 1.18, 1.70, thereby simulating stationary conditions experienced by the flow in a wind-tunnel. On the grounds of favorable comparisons between simulated and flight-measured environments, the FUN3D-based surface pressures were utilized to develop a buffet forcing function (BFF) database. This BFF database was analyzed to characterize the spatial distribution and frequency content of the buffet forces during transonic and supersonic portions of the AR01 flight. The region of interest is located downstream of the forward attachment (FA) hardware between the core stage and the solid rocket boosters where vortex shedding off the FA protuberance produces significant unsteadiness. The analysis reveals that, at transonic and supersonic conditions, buffet forces that are based on constant freestream Mach number data are a good approximation of those based on accelerating-flow simulations.

transonic buffet↗

CFD Simulations for the Effect of Unsteady Wakes on the Boundary Layer of a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil (L1A)

This report is the third part of a three-part final report of research performed under an NRA cooperative Agreement contract. The first part was published as NASA/CR-2012-217415. The second part was published as NASA/CR-2012-217416. The study of the very high lift low-pressure turbine airfoil L1A in the presence of unsteady wakes was performed computationally and compared against experimental results. The experiments were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel under high (4.9%) and then low (0.6%) freestream turbulence intensity for Reynolds number equal to 25,000 and 50,000. The experimental and computational data have shown that in cases without wakes, the boundary layer separated without reattachment. The CFD was done with LES and URANS utilizing the finite-volume code ANSYS Fluent (ANSYS, Inc.) under the same freestream turbulence and Reynolds number conditions as the experiment but only at a rod to blade spacing of 1. With wakes, separation was largely suppressed, particularly if the wake passing frequency was sufficiently high. This was validated in the 3D CFD efforts by comparing the experimental results for the pressure coefficients and velocity profiles, which were reasonable for all cases examined. The 2D CFD efforts failed to capture the three dimensionality effects of the wake and thus were less consistent with the experimental data. The effect of the freestream turbulence intensity levels also showed a little more consistency with the experimental data at higher intensities when compared with the low intensity cases. Additional cases with higher wake passing frequencies which were not run experimentally were simulated. The results showed that an initial 25% increase from the experimental wake passing greatly reduced the size of the separation bubble, nearly completely suppressing it.

Vinci, Samuel, J.↗

Prediction of laminar and turbulent boundary layer flow separation in V/STOL engine inlets

The paper provides a theoretical description of the development of the boundary layer on the lip and diffuser surface of a subsonic inlet at arbitrary operating conditions of mass flow rate, freestream velocity and incidence angle. Both laminar separation on the lip and turbulent separation in the diffuser are discussed. The agreement of the theoretical results with model experimental data illustrates the capability of the theory to predict separation. The effects of throat Mach number, inlet size, and surface roughness on boundary-layer development and separation are illustrated.

Chou, D. C.↗

Experimental studies of shock-wave/wall-jet interaction in hypersonic flow

Experimental studies have been conducted to examine slot film cooling effectiveness and the interaction between the cooling film and an incident planar shock wave in turbulent hypersonic flow. The experimental studies were conducted in the 48-inch shock tunnel at Calspan at a freestream Mach number of close to 6.4 and at a Reynolds number of 35 x 10(exp 6) based on the length of the model at the injection point. The Mach 2.3 planar wall jet was generated from 40 transverse nozzles (with heights of both 0.080 inch and 0.120 inch), producing a film that extended the full width of the model. The nozzles were operated at pressures and velocities close to matching the freestream, as well as at conditions where the nozzle flows were over- and under-expanded. A two-dimensional shock generator was used to generate oblique shocks that deflected the flow through total turnings of 11, 16, and 21 degrees; the flows impinged downstream of the nozzle exits. Detailed measurements of heat transfer and pressure were made both ahead and downstream of the injection station, with the greatest concentration of measurements in the regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction. The major objectives of these experimental studies were to explore the effectiveness of film cooling in the presence of regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction and, more specifically, to determine how boundary layer separation and the large recompression heating rates were modified by film cooling. Detailed distributions of heat transfer and pressure were obtained in the incident shock/wall-jet interaction region for a series of shock strengths and impingement positions for each of the two nozzle heights. Measurements were also made to examine the effects of nozzle lip thickness on cooling effectiveness. The major conclusion from these studies was that the effect of the cooling film could be readily dispersed by relatively weak incident shocks, so the peak heating in the recompression region was not significantly reduced by even the largest levels of film cooling. For the case studies in the absence of film cooling, the interaction regions were unseparated. However, adding film cooling resulted in regions of boundary layer separation induced in the film cooling layer -- the size of which regions first increased and then decreased with increased film cooling. Surprisingly, the size of the separated regions and the magnitude of the recompression heating were not strongly influenced by the thickness of the cooling film, nor by the point of shock impingement relative to the exit plane of the nozzles. The lip thickness was found to have little effect on cooling effectiveness. Measurements with and in the absence of shock interaction were compared with the results of earlier experimental studies and correlated in terms of the major parameters controlling these flows.

Holden, Michael S.↗

Experimental studies of shock-wave/wall-jet interaction in hypersonic flow, part A

Experimental studies have been conducted to examine slot film cooling effectiveness and the interaction between the cooling film and an incident planar shock wave in turbulent hypersonic flow. The experimental studies were conducted in the 48-inch shock tunnel at Calspan at a freestream Mach number of close to 6.4 and at a Reynolds number of 35 x 10(exp 6) based on the length of the model at the injection point. The Mach 2.3 planar wall jet was generated from 40 transverse nozzles (with heights of both 0.080 inch and 0.120 inch), producing a film that extended the full width of the model. The nozzles were operated at pressures and velocities close to matching the freestream, as well as at conditions where the nozzle flows were over- and under-expanded. A two-dimensional shock generator was used to generate oblique shocks that deflected the flow through total turnings of 11, 16, and 21 degrees; the flows impinged downstream of the nozzle exits. Detailed measurements of heat transfer and pressure were made both ahead and downstream of the injection station, with the greatest concentration of measurements in the regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction. The major objectives of these experimental studies were to explore the effectiveness of film cooling in the presence of regions of shock-wave/boundary layer interaction and, more specifically, to determine how boundary layer separation and the large recompression heating rates were modified by film cooling. Detailed distributions of heat transfer and pressure were obtained in the incident-shock/wall-jet interaction region for a series of shock strengths and impingement positions for each of the two nozzle heights. Measurements were also made to examine the effects of nozzle lip thickness on cooling effectiveness. The major conclusion from these studies was that the effect of the cooling film could be readily dispersed by relatively weak incident shocks, so the peak heating in the recompression region was not significantly reduced by even the largest levels of film cooling. For the case studies in the absence of film cooling, the interaction regions were unseparated. However, adding film cooling resulted in regions of boundary layer separation induced in the film cooling layer, the size of which regions first increased and then decreased with increased film cooling. Surprisingly, the size of the separated regions and the magnitude of the recompression heating were not strongly influenced by the thickness of the cooling film, nor by the point of shock impingement relative to the exit plane of the nozzles. The lip thickness was found to have little effect on cooling effectiveness. Measurements with and in the absence of shock interaction were compared with the results of earlier experimental studies and correlated in terms of the major parameters controlling these flows.

Holden, Michael S.↗

Analysis of tangential slot blowing on F/A-18 isolated forebody

Generation of significant side forces and yawing moments on an F/A-18 fuselage through tangential slot blowing is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. The effects of freestream Mach number, jet exit conditions, jet length, and jet location are studied. The effects of over- and under-blowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Non-time-accurate solutions are obtained to determine the steady-state side forces, yawing moments, and surface pressure distributions generated by tangential slot blowing. Time-accurate solutions are obtained to study the force onset time lag of tangential slot blowing. Comparison with available experimental data from full-scale wind tunnel and sub-scale wind tunnel tests are made. This computational analysis complements the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flow field about the isolated F/A-18 forebody. Additionally, it extends the slot-blowing database to transonic maneuvering Mach numbers.

Gee, K.↗