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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 199 records · Page 11

Initial Characterization of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed

This paper discusses the initial wind tunnel test of the TiltRotor Aeroelastic Stability Testbed (TRAST). TRAST is a generic tiltrotor testbed developed in collaboration between NASA and the Army. Ultimately, this test was a checkout of the model systems, functionality and familiarization, but also obtained subcritical whirl-flutter data in the terms of frequency and damping. Flutter data include two main configurations with different pitch spring stiffness, referred to as 4k and 8k, that were tested at various rotor speeds and airspeeds at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel. The test included two modes of drivetrain operation: powered and windmilling. However, powered mode of operation was only conducted with the 8k pitch spring. This test reinforced the traditional knowledge of whirl-flutter trends such as flutter speed would decrease with an increase in rotor speed. The critical mode consistently being the wing vertical bending mode. The chord mode as expected was not affected by the pitch spring and was likely to go unstable at a tunnel airspeed slightly beyond the wing vertical bending mode. There were also test specific challenges such as the TRAST modal damping was more sensitive to temperature and amplitude motor than was expected. This test gathered valuable data on the baseline characterization of TRAST, how to improve the model and test practices for future wind tunnel testing. Additionally, a new more automated method for experimental subcritical damping determination based on the Stockwell transform has been demonstrated that may lead to more consistent whirl-flutter stability boundaries.

whirl flutter↗

Cryogenic fluid flow instabilities in heat exchangers

Analytical and experimental investigation determines the nature of oscillations and instabilities that occur in the flow of two-phase cryogenic fluids at both subcritical and supercritical pressures in heat exchangers. Test results with varying system parameters suggest certain design approaches with regard to heat exchanger geometry.

Fleming, R. B.↗

Crack Growth of D6 Steel in Air and High Pressure Oxygen

Fracture and subcritical flaw growth characteristics were experimentally deter­mined for electroless nickel plated D6 steel in dry air and high pressure oxygen environments as applicable to the Lunar Module/Environmental Control System (LM/ECS) descent gaseous oxygen (GOX) tank. The material tested included forgings, plate, and actual LM/ECS descent GOX tank material. Parent metal and TIG (tungsten inert gas) welds were tested. Tests indicate that proof testing the tanks at 4000 pounds per square inch or higher will insure safe operation at 3060 pounds per square inch. Although significant flaw growth can occur during proofing, subsequent growth of flaws during normal tank operation is negligible.

Bixler, W. D.↗

Shuttle cryogenic supply system optimization study

Technical information on different cryogenic supply systems is presented for selecting representative designs. Parametric data and sensitivity studies, and an evaluation of related technology status are included. An integrated mathematical model for hardware program support was developed. The life support system, power generation, and propellant supply are considered. The major study conclusions are the following: Optimum integrated systems tend towards maximizing liquid storage. Vacuum jacketing of tanks is a major effect on integrated systems. Subcritical storage advantages over supercritical storage decrease as the quantity of propellant or reactant decreases. Shuttle duty cycles are not severe. The operational mode has a significant effect on reliability. Components are available for most subsystem applications. Subsystems and components require a minimum amount of technology development.

Source record↗

Behavior of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI titanium alloy sheet parent and weld metal in the presence of cracks at 20 K

Through- and surface-cracked specimens of two thicknesses were tested in uniaxial tension. Surface-cracked specimens were generally found to be stronger than through-cracked specimens with the same crack length. Apparent surface-crack fracture toughness calculated using the Anderson modified Irwin equation remained relatively constant for cracks as deep as 90 percent of the sheet thickness. Subcritical growth of surface cracks was investigated. Comparison of chamber and open air welds showed chamber welds to be slightly tougher. Both methods produced welds with toughness that compared favorably with that of the parent metal. Weld efficiencies were above 94 percent.

Sullivan, T. L.↗

Results of a study of Mach number and Reynolds number effects on the crossflow drag characteristics of ogive cylinders and ogive-cylinder-frustum-cylinders at angles of attack to 30 degrees

An analysis was made to determine the effects of Mach number and Reynolds number on the local and total crossflow drag characteristics of ogive-cylinders and ogive-cylinder-frustum-cylinders at angles of the MSFC 14 in TWT and the LTV 4 ft HSWT, and pressure data obtained in the TWT, at Mach numbers 0.14, 0.8, 1.2, and 2.0, and a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Results indicate that the streamwise Reynolds number, VD/nusin alpha, is an important correlation parameter in the subcritical Reynolds number range at imcompressible speeds and that the crossflow Mach number correlates compressibility effects.

Foley, J. E.↗

Epitaxial gallium arsenide wafers

The preparation of GaAs epitaxial layers by a vapor transport process using AsCl3, Ga and H2 was pursued to provide epitaxial wafers suitable for the fabrication of transferred electron oscillators and amplifiers operating in the subcritical region. Both n-n(+) structures, and n(++)-n-n(+) sandwich structures were grown using n(+) (Si-doped) GaAs substrates. Process variables such as the input AsCl3 concentration, gallium temperature, and substrate temperature and temperature gradient and their effects on properties are presented and discussed.

Black, J. F.↗

Study of acoustic emission during mechanical tests of large flight weight tank structure

A polyphenylane oxide insulated, flight weight, subscale, aluminum tank was monitored for acoustic emissions during a proof test and during 100 cycles of environmental test simulating space flights. The use of a combination of frequency filtering and appropriate spatial filtering to reduce background noise was found to be sufficient to detect acoustic emission signals of relatively small intensity expected from subcritical crack growth in the structure. Several emission source locations were identified, including the one where a flaw was detected by post-test X-ray inspections. For most source locations, however, post-test inspections did not detect flaws; this was partially attributed to the higher sensitivity of the acoustic emission technique than any other currently available NDT method for detecting flaws.

Nakamura, Y.↗

Finite amplitude instability of second-order fluids in plane Poiseuille flow.

The hydrodynamic stability of plane Poiseuille flow of second-order fluids to finite amplitude disturbances is examined using the method of Stuart and Watson as extended by Reynolds and Potter. For slightly non-Newtonian fluids subcritical instabilities are predicted. No supercritical equilibrium states are expected if the entire spectrum of disturbance wavelengths is present. Possible implications with respect to the Toms phenomenon are discussed.

Mcintire, L. V.↗

Computation of transonic flow about finite lifting wings.

The results of Murman and Krupp (1971) are used to develop a procedure for computing a transonic flow about a finite lifting wing. A small disturbance equation describing the velocity potential of three-dimensional wings is solved in the process. The procedure is applied to a wing with a symmetric biconvex airfoil section in a zero-incidence subsonic flow, to a supersonic rectangular lifting wing with a sharp leading edge and to a subcritical nonlifting rectangular wing with a blunt leading edge.

Newman, P. A.↗