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At least 217 records · Page 12

Electron collection theory for a D-region subsonic blunt electrostatic probe

Blunt probe theory for subsonic flow in a weakly ionized and collisional gas is reviewed, and an electron collection theory for the relatively unexplored case, Deybye length approximately 1, which occurs in the lower ionosphere (D-region), is developed. It is found that the dimensionless Debye length is no longer an electric field screening parameter, and the space charge field effect can be negelected. For ion collection, Hoult-Sonin theory is recognized as a correct description of the thin, ion density-perturbed layer adjacent the blunt probe surface. The large volume with electron density perturbed by a positively biased probe renders the usual thin boundary layer analysis inapplicable. Theories relating free stream conditions to the electron collection rate for both stationary and moving blunt probes are obtained. A model based on experimental nonlinear electron drift velocity data is proposed. For a subsonically moving probe, it is found that the perturbed region can be divided into four regions with distinct collection mechanisms.

Wai-Kwong Lai, T.↗

Existence of a natural instability not predicted by theory and connected to a wall deformation in a laminar boundary layer

Natural instability related to negative wall deformation was studied. It was shown that natural instabilities which propagate in a laminar boundary layer of a flat plate are in agreement with stability theory. It is found that if a wall has a deformation, a second frequency does exist, which is not predicted and is twice the first frequency. This second instable frequency only appears if there is a negative velocity gradient. The phenomenon is located very closely to the wall and drops off rapidly when moved away from it.

Gougat, P.↗

On the theory of compliant wall drag reduction in turbulent boundary layers

A theoretical model has been developed which can explain how the motion of a compliant wall reduces turbulent skin friction drag. Available experimental evidence at low speeds has been used to infer that a compliant surface selectively removes energy from the upper frequency range of the energy containing eddies and through resulting surface motions can produce locally negative Reynolds stresses at the wall. The theory establishes a preliminary amplitude and frequency criterion as the basis for designing effective drag reducing compliant surfaces.

Ash, R. L.↗

Magnetopause and boundary layer

A brief overview is given of our present knowledge, observational and theoretical, of the structure of the magnetopause and the adjoining plasma boundary layer. Particular attention is given to the relationship between these electromagnetic and plasma structures on the front lobe of the magnetosphere and the magnetic field reconnection process. Items discussed include: magnetopause thickness; behavior of magnetic field components parallel and perpendicular to the magnetopause; particle energization; structure of the boundary layer from reconnection theory.

Sonnerup, B. U. O.↗

Nonlinear Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interaction in boundary layers

The nonlinear reaction between two oblique 3-D Tollmein-Schlichting (TS) waves and their induced streamwise-vortex flow is considered theoretically for an imcompressible boundary layer. The same theory applies to the destabilization of an incident vortex motion by subharmonic TS waves, followed by interaction. The scales and flow structure involved are addressed for high Reynolds numbers. The nonlionear interaction is powerful, starting at quite low amplitudes with a triple-deck structure for the TS waves but a large-scale structure for the induced vortex, after which strong nonlinear amplification occurs. This includes nonparallel-flow effects. The nonlinear interaction is governed by a partial differential system for the vortex flow coupled with an ordinary-differential one for the TS pressure. The solution properties found sometimes produce a breakup within a finite distance and sometimes further downstream, depending on the input amplitudes upstream and on the wave angles, and that then leads to the second stages of interaction associated with higher amplitudes, the main second stages giving either long-scale phenomena significantly affected by nonparallelism or shorter quasi-parallel ones governed by the full nonlinear triple-deck response.

Hall, P.↗

Nonlinear a Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interaction in boundary layers

The nonlinear reaction between two oblique three-dimensional Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) waves and their induced streamwise-vortex flow is considered theoretically for an incompressible boundary layer. The same theory applies to the destabilization of an incident vortex motion by subharmonic TS waves, followed by interaction. The scales and flow structure involved are addressed for high Reynolds numbers. The nonlinear interaction is powerful, starting at quite low amplitudes with a triple-deck structure for the TS waves but a large-scale structure for the induced vortex, after which strong nonlinear amplification occurs. This includes nonparallel-flow effects. The nonlinear interaction is governed by a partial differential system for the vortex flow coupled with an ordinary-differential one for the TS pressure. The solution properties found sometimes produce a breakup within a finite distance and sometimes further downstream, depending on the input amplitudes upstream and on the wave angles, and that then leads to the second stages of interaction associated with higher amplitudes, the main second stages giving either long-scale phenomena significantly affected by nonparallelism or shorter quasi-parallel ones governed by the full nonlinear triple-deck response.

Hall, P.↗

Charts Adapted from Van Driest's Turbulent Flat-plate Theory for Determining Values of Turbulent Aerodynamic Friction and Heat-transfer Coefficients

A modified method of Van Driest's flat-plate theory for turbulent boundary layer has been found to simplify the calculation of local skin-friction coefficients which, in turn, have made it possible to obtain through Reynolds analogy theoretical turbulent heat-transfer coefficients in the form of Stanton number. A general formula is given and charts are presented from which the modified method can be solved for Mach numbers 1.0 to 12.0, temperature ratios 0.2 to 6.0, and Reynolds numbers 0.2 times 10 to the 6th power to 200 times 10 to the 6th power.

HEAT TRANSFER, AERODYNAMIC↗

On the stability of the boundary layer on a transonic swept wing

Both incompressible and compressible linear stability theory are applied to the three-dimensional compressible boundary layer on a particular transonic sweptback wing of infinite span. A spatial stability theory is used which identifies the growth direction with the real part of the complex angle of the group velocity. It is found that in the forward, but not the rear, crossflow instability region, the maximum amplification rates of the steady disturbances may be calculated to within about 10% by the incompressible stability theory. There is little difference between the sixth and eighth-order compressible theories. The maximum amplification rate of the steady disturbances at any chordwise station is closely related to the maximum crossflow at that station independent of the Reynolds number. For other than crossflow instability, there can be large differences between the incompressible and compressible theories, both as to the amplification rate and the angle of the wavenumber vector for maximum instability. Amplitude ratios of individual wave components are obtained by integrating the spatial amplification rate along the growth direction subject to the constraint that the wavenumber vector is irrotational. This procedure yields steady disturbances aligned with the local potential flow direction whose wavelengths are nearly independent of downstream distance.

Mack, L. M.↗

A Nonlinear Theory for Predicting the Effects of Unsteady Laminar, Turbulent, or Transitional Boundary Layers on the Attenuation of Shock Waves in a Shock Tube with Experimental Comparison

The linearized attenuation theory of NACA Technical Note 3375 is modified in the following manner: (a) an unsteady compressible local skin-friction coefficient is employed rather than the equivalent steady-flow incompressible coefficient; (b) a nonlinear approach is used to permit application of the theory to large attenuations; and (c) transition effects are considered. Curves are presented for predicting attenuation for a shock pressure ratio up to 20 and a range of shock-tube Reynolds numbers. Comparison of theory and experimental data for shock-wave strengths between 1.5 and 10 over a wide range of Reynolds numbers shows good agreement with the nonlinear theory evaluated for a transition Reynolds number of 2.5 X 10(exp 5).

Trimpi, Robert L.↗

Altitude/path-angle transitions in fuel-optimal problems for transport aircraft

Altitude/path angle transitions to fuel-optimal, energy climb and descent paths are examined for subsonic transport aircraft. These transitions are termed boundary layers in singular perturbation theory, the framework used herein to simplify solutions to the state-Euler system. The energy climb and descent paths provide equilibrium or stationary points for the boundary layer system, and thus for moderate transitions, presumed valid for the class of aircraft considered, the boundary layer system may be linearized. This simplification allows derivation of an explicit solution to the two-point boundary-value, boundary layer problem and, as a consequence, yields a nearly optimal control law, in feedback form, for the transitions. Numerical simulation results using the feedback control law are presented for a Boeing 737 airframe (NASA-ATOPS Vehicle) employing twin JT8D-7-7A engines.

Gracey, C.↗

A nonlinear analysis of infinitely long graphite-epoxy cylindrical panels loaded with internal pressure

The structural response of internally pressurized composite cylindrical panels, representative of a transport aircraft's fuselage skins, is predicted by means of a one-dimensional, geometrically nonlinear analysis. An analytical study is conducted for the response of 4-, 8-, and 16-ply graphite/epoxy skins. The results obtained indicate that the response is geometrically nonlinear, and that a boundary layer with a severe bending gradient exists at the panel edges. The importance of through-the-thickness shearing deformations in the bending boundary layer is illustrated through comparison of analyses based on Kirchhoff-Love and shear deformation theories. Numerical results for the bending boundary layer lengths of the different panels are presented, and two bending boundary layers are predicted with the shear deformation theory.

Boitnott, R. L.↗

Optimum wall impedance for spinning modes - A correlation with mode cut-off ratio

A correlating equation relating the optimum acoustic impedance for the wall lining of a circular duct to the acoustic mode cut-off ratio is presented and compared to exact calculations. The optimum impedance was correlated with cut-off ratio because the cut-off ratio appears to be the fundamental parameter governing the propagation of sound in the duct. Modes with similar cut-off ratios respond in a similar way to the acoustic liner. The correlating equation is useful for the design of suppressors for aircraft engine inlets having a steady mean flow with a boundary layer and spinning mode noise source excitation. The correlation is a semi-empirical expression developed from an empirical modification of an equation originally derived from sound propagation theory in a thin boundary layer. Exact calculations of the optimum wall impedance were made over a wide range of frequency parameters, boundary layer thicknesses and flow Mach numbers to develop and verify the correlation. This correlating equation represents a part of a simplified liner design method, based upon modal cut-off ratio, for multimodal noise propagation.

Rice, E. J.↗

Heat Transfer in the Turbulent Boundary Layer of a Compressible Gas at High Speeds

The Reynolds law of heat transfer from a wall to a turbulent stream is extended to the case of flow of a compressible gas at high speeds. The analysis is based on the modern theory of the turbulent boundary layer with laminar sublayer. The investigation is carried out for the case of a plate situated in a parallel stream. The results are obtained independently of the velocity distribution in the turbulent boundar layer.

Frankl, F.↗

Airfoil trailing edge flow measurements and comparison with theory, incorporating open wind tunnel corrections

Trailing edge data for boundary layer-near wake thickness parameters are given for airfoils and flat plates. Reynolds number effects are examined as a function of model size, velocity and boundary layer tripping. These data expand that presented previously by the authors particularly for airfoil non-zero angles of attack. Comparisons are made here with boundary layer calculations using potential flow modeling and a well documented two-dimensional finite-difference method for laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Open wind tunnel corrections to angle of attack and camber are developed and are incorporated in the potential flow modeling to assure correct comparisons for non-zero angles of attack. It was found that although the open tunnel flow turbulence affected boundary layer transition for the higher velocities the theory successfully 'brackets' the data. Comparisons demonstrate the degree of accuracy one might expect for the prediction of boundary layer thickness parameters when given only geometry and nominal flow conditions as input to boundary layer codes.

Brooks, T. F.↗

Symposium on Numerical and Physical Aspects of Aerodynamic Flows, 2nd, California State University, Long Beach, CA, January 17-20, 1983, Proceedings

The present conference covers topics concerning the measurement and calculation of interactive flows, together with problems posed by subsonic and transonic wings, missiles, and ships. Discussions are presented on the time-dependent finite difference simulation of unsteady interactive flows, Navier-Stokes equation methods, numerical solutions for spatially periodic boundary layers, the application of unsteady laminar tripple deck theory to viscous-inviscid interaction, the coupling of boundary layer and Euler equation solutions, and viscous-inviscid flow interactions. Also discussed are leading and trailing edge flows, three-dimensional wing flows, small disturbance calculations including entropy corrections, an inviscid computational method for tactical missiles, and boundary layer and flow separation characteristics of bodies of revolution at incidence.

Source record↗

Experiments with an Airfoil from which the Boundary Layer Is Removed by Suction

Our attempts to improve the properties of airfoils by removing the boundary layer by suction, go back to 1922. The object of the suction is chiefly to prevent the detachment of the boundary layer from the surface of the airfoil. At large angles of attack, such detachment prevents the attainment of the great lift promised by the theory, besides greatly increasing the drag, especially of thick airfoils. This report gives results of those experiments.

BOUNDARY LAYER REMOVAL - SUCTION↗

On local inflexional instability in boundary-layer flows.

Development of a linearized theory of the two- and three-dimensional incompressible viscous flows ensuing from locally unstable velocity profiles. Indications of the theory with respect to the instability of the two-dimensional separation bubble and the mechanisms underlying formation of the turbulence wedge behind a fixed roughness element are pointed out. In connection with the aforementioned mechanisms, a theoretically based argument is advanced that, as a result of local inflectional instability of the velocity profile in a succession of skewed planes, a corresponding succession of stationary vortices is induced, the induction process terminating at the boundaries of the turbulence wedge when the velocity profiles along the boundaries themselves become unstable. It is suggested that a rational method of predicting the occurrence of roughness-induced turbulence wedges might be possible if a theory were available for the steady laminar flow caused by the roughness at a stage just prior to transition.

Tobak, M.↗