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At least 199 records · Page 11

The aerodynamic design of the oblique flying wing supersonic transport

The aerodynamic design of a supersonic oblique flying wing is strongly influenced by the requirement that passengers must be accommodated inside the wing. It was revealed that thick oblique wings of very high sweep angle can be efficient at supersonic speeds when transonic normal Mach numbers are allowed on the upper surface of the wing. The goals were motivated by the ability to design a maximum thickness, minimum size oblique flying wing. A 2-D Navier-Stokes solver was used to design airfoils up to 16 percent thickness with specified lift, drag and pitching moment. A new method was developed to calculate the required pressure distribution on the wing based on the airfoil loading, normal Mach number distribution and theoretical knowledge of the minimum drag of oblique configurations at supersonic speeds. The wing mean surface for this pressure distribution was calculated using an inverse potential flow solver. The lift to drag ratio of this wing was significantly higher than that of a comparable delta wing for cruise speeds up to Mach 2.

Vandervelden, Alexander J. M.↗

Limitations of the method of characteristics when applied to axisymmetric hypersonic nozzle design

A design study of axisymmetric hypersonic wind tunnel nozzles was initiated by NASA Langley Research Center with the objective of improving the flow quality of their ground test facilities. Nozzles for Mach 6 air, Mach 13.5 nitrogen, and Mach 17 nitrogen were designed using the Method of Characteristics/Boundary Layer (MOC/BL) approach and were analyzed with a Navier-Stokes solver. Results of the analysis agreed well with design for the Mach 6 case, but revealed oblique shock waves of increasing strength originating from near the inflection point of the Mach 13.5 and Mach 17 nozzles. The findings indicate that the MOC/BL design method has a fundamental limitation that occurs at some Mach number between 6 an 13.5. In order to define the limitation more exactly and attempt to discover the cause, a parametric study of hypersonic ideal air nozzles designed with the current MOC/BL method was done. Results of this study indicate that, while stagnations conditions have a moderate affect on the upper limit of the method, the method fails at Mach numbers above 8.0.

Edwards, Anne C.↗

Numerical study of the effects of icing on finite wing aerodynamics

The sectional and total aerodynamics load characteristics of moderate aspect ratio wings with and without simulated glaze leading-edge ice are studied using a three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes solver. The wing has an untwisted, untapered planform shape with NACA 0012 airfoil section. The aspect ratio of the wing is chosen to be 5. Comparisons of computed surface pressures and sectional loads with experimental data for identical configurations are given. The abrupt decrease in the wing stall angle as a result of the leading edge ice formation is numerically demonstrated.

Kwon, Oh J.↗

An interactive grid generation procedure for axial and radial flow turbomachinery

A combination algebraic/elliptic technique is presented for the generation of three dimensional grids about turbo-machinery blade rows for both axial and radial flow machinery. The technique is built around use of an advanced engineering workstation to construct several two dimensional grids interactively on predetermined blade-to-blade surfaces. A three dimensional grid is generated by interpolating these surface grids onto an axisymmetric grid. On each blade-to-blade surface, a grid is created using algebraic techniques near the blade to control orthogonality within the boundary layer region and elliptic techniques in the mid-passage to achieve smoothness. The interactive definition of bezier curves as internal boundaries is the key to simple construction. This procedure lends itself well to zonal grid construction, an important example being the tip clearance region. Calculations done to date include a space shuttle main engine turbopump blade, a radial inflow turbine blade, and the first stator of the United Technologies Research Center large scale rotating rig. A finite Navier-Stokes solver was used in each case.

Beach, T. A.↗

Chemically reacting supersonic flow calculation using an assumed PDF model

This work is motivated by the need to develop accurate models for chemically reacting compressible turbulent flow fields that are present in a typical supersonic combustion ramjet (SCRAMJET) engine. In this paper the development of a new assumed probability density function (PDF) reaction model for supersonic turbulent diffusion flames and its implementation into an efficient Navier-Stokes solver are discussed. The application of this model to a supersonic hydrogen-air flame will be considered.

Farshchi, M.↗

Adaptive mesh generation for viscous flows using Delaunay triangulation

A method for generating an unstructured triangular mesh in two dimensions, suitable for computing high Reynolds number flows over arbitrary configurations is presented. The method is based on a Delaunay triangulation, which is performed in a locally stretched space, in order to obtain very high aspect ratio triangles in the boundary layer and the wake regions. It is shown how the method can be coupled with an unstructured Navier-Stokes solver to produce a solution adaptive mesh generation procedure for viscous flows.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

Experimental and predicted aerodynamic characteristics of a proposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) lifting-body configuration at Mach 6 and 10

The effects of Mach number, Reynolds number, and ratio of specific heats on the aerodynamic characteristics of a proposed Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) lifting-body configuration were examined for a range of angles of attack from -5 deg to 50 deg. Predictions made with a Langley-developed, three-dimensional Navier Stokes solver known as LAURA, which was exercised as an Euler solver for the present study, are compared with the experimental results. Unlike the Shuttle Orbiter, which experienced a significant nose-up increment in pitching moment with decreasing specific heat ratio (i.e., real gas effects), the aerodynamic characteristics of this lifting-body configuration are insensitive to changes in specific heat ratio. The maximum trimmed lift-to-drag ratio achieved was about 1.5. Predicted inviscid values of aerodynamic coefficients were generally in good agreement with measurement.

Micol, John R.↗

Stability of compressible boundary layers over a smooth backward-facing step

An investigation is conducted into the determination of the credibility of interacting boundary layers in predicting compressible subsonic flows over smooth surface imperfections. The case of smooth backward-facing steps is considered. The predicted mean flows are compared with those obtained using a Navier-Stokes solver. Moreover, the linear 2-D compressible stability characteristics of both mean flows are compared. The results show that the interacting boundary-layer formulation produces accurate mean flows that yield accurate linear stability characteristics, such as growth rates and amplification factors.

Ragab, S. A.↗

Algebraic turbulence modeling for unstructured and adaptive meshes

An algebraic turbulence model based on the Baldwin-Lomax model, has been implemented for use on unstructured grids. The implementation is based on the use of local background structured turbulence meshes. At each time-step, flow variables are interpolated from the unstructured mesh onto the background structured meshes, the turbulence model is executed on these meshes, and the resulting eddy viscosity values are interpolated back to the unstructured mesh. Modifications to the algebraic model were required to enable the treatment of more complicated flows, such as confluent boundary layers and wakes. The model is used in conjuction with an efficient unstructured multigrid finite-element Navier-Stokes solver in order to compute compressible turbulent flows on fully unstructured meshes. Solutions about single and multiple element airfoils are obtained and compared with experimental data.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

Adaptive mesh generation for viscous flows using Delaunay triangulation

A method for generating an unstructured triangular mesh in two dimensions, suitable for computing high Reynolds number flows over arbitrary configurations is presented. The method is based on a Delaunay triangulation, which is performed in a locally stretched space, in order to obtain very high aspect ratio triangles in the boundary layer and the wake regions. It is shown how the method can be coupled with an unstructured Navier-Stokes solver to produce a solution adaptive mesh generation procedure for viscous flows.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

Turbulent flow calculations using unstructured and adaptive meshes

A method of efficiently computing turbulent compressible flow over complex two dimensional configurations is presented. The method makes use of fully unstructured meshes throughout the entire flow-field, thus enabling the treatment of arbitrarily complex geometries and the use of adaptive meshing techniques throughout both viscous and inviscid regions of flow-field. Mesh generation is based on a locally mapped Delaunay technique in order to generate unstructured meshes with highly-stretched elements in the viscous regions. The flow equations are discretized using a finite element Navier-Stokes solver, and rapid convergence to steady-state is achieved using an unstructured multigrid algorithm. Turbulence modeling is performed using an inexpensive algebraic model, implemented for use on unstructured and adaptive meshes. Compressible turbulent flow solutions about multiple-element airfoil geometries are computed and compared with experimental data.

Mavriplis, Dimitri J.↗

Navier-Stokes solutions for flows related to store separation

The objective is developing CFD capabilities to obtain solutions for viscous flows about generic configurations of internally and externally carried stores. The emphasis is placed on the supersonic flow regime with extensions being made to the transonic regime. The project is broken into four steps: (1) Cavity flows for internal carriage configurations; (2) High angle of attack flows, which may be experienced during the separation of the stores: (3) Flows about a body near a flat plate for external carriage configurations; and (4) Flows about a body inside or in the proximity of a cavity. Three-dimensional unsteady cavity flow solutions are obtained by an explicit, MacCormack algorithm, EMCAV3, for open, close, and transitional cavities. High angle of attack flows past cylinders are solved by an implicit, upwind algorithm. All the results compare favorably with the experimental data. For flows about multiple body configurations, the Chimera embedding scheme is modified for finite-volume and multigrid algorithms, MaGGiE. Then a finite volume, implicit, upwind, multigrid Navier-Stokes solver which uses on overlapped/embedded and zonal grids, VUMXZ3, is developed from the CFL3D code. Supersonic flows past a cylinder near a flat plate are computed using this code. The results are compared with the experimental data. Currently the VUMXZ3 code is being modified to accomplish step 4 of this project. Wind tunnel experiments are also being conducted for validation purposes.

Baysal, Oktay↗

Progress in computing nozzle/plume flow fields

The long-term goal is to develop the capability to predict chemically-reacting, multi-stream nozzle and plume flow fields. Two basic Navier-Stokes solvers, including the widely used F-3D code, are upgraded to include several upwind difference schemes and portable chemistry packages. Current computational capabilities for solving equilibrium single-stream and multi-stream, frozen gas, and finite rate chemistry problems are described. A variety of complex nozzle and plume flows were computed. Solutions presented include axisymmetric plume flow for ideal and equilibrium air, 3-D NASP nozzle/afterbody flow, and an internal nozzle calculation comparing various finite-rate chemistry packages.

Ruffin, Stephen M.↗

Numerical study of unsteady shockwave reflections using an upwind TVD scheme

An unsteady TVD Navier-Stokes solver was developed and applied to the problem of shock reflection on a circular cylinder. The obtained numerical results were compared with the Schlieren photos from an experimental study. These results show that the present computer code has the ability of capturing moving shocks.

Hsu, Andrew T.↗

An upwind-biased space marching algorithm for supersonic viscous flow

The modifications are documented which were made to the Langley Aerothermodynamic Upwind Relaxation Algorithm which allow it to compute solutions in a space marching manner. The space marching flux is formulated to be either first- or second-order accurate, using Roe's upwind differencing or Symmetric Total Variation Diminishing differencing, respectively. The algorithm solves the thin layer Navier-Stokes equations, and is subject to the same flow restrictions as a parabolized Navier-Stokes solver. Each cross flow plane is locally iterated in time until converged, then marched in space to the next station. The algorithm is tested on a sphere-cone geometry and a geometry which models the windward side of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. Computational results for surface heating are compared to ground based experimental data. In addition, space marching predictions for surface pressure are compared against values from the original algorithm.

Greene, Francis A.↗

Performance of a high-work, low-aspect-ratio turbine stator tested with a realistic inlet radial temperature gradient

A 0.767-scale model of a turbine stator designed for the core of a high-bypass-ratio aircraft engine was tested with uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The principal measurements were radial and circumferential surveys of stator-exit total temperature, total pressure, and flow angle. The stator-exit flow field was also computed by using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. Other than temperature, there were no apparent differences in performance due to the inlet conditions. The computed results compared quite well with the experimental results.

Stabe, Roy G.↗

Flux-vector splitting for the 1990s

The development of flux-vector splitting through the 1970s and 1980s is reviewed. Attention is given to the diffusive nature of flux-vector splitting, which makes it an undesirable technique for approximating the inviscid fluxes in a Navier-Stokes solver. Several proposed improvements, including a brand new one, are discussed and illustrated by a simple, yet revealing, numerical test case. Finally, an outlook for flux-vector splitting in the 1990s is presented.

Vanleer, Bram↗

Simulation of iced wing aerodynamics

The sectional and total aerodynamic load characteristics of moderate aspect ratio wings with and without simulated glaze leading edge ice were studied both computationally, using a three dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes solver, and experimentally. The wing has an untwisted, untapered planform shape with NACA 0012 airfoil section. The wing has an unswept and swept configuration with aspect ratios of 4.06 and 5.0. Comparisons of computed surface pressures and sectional loads with experimental data for identical configurations are given. The abrupt decrease in stall angle of attack for the wing, as a result of the leading edge ice formation, was demonstrated numerically and experimentally.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗