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At least 235 records · Page 13

Some characteristics of bypass transition in a heated boundary layer

Experimental measurements of both mean and conditionally sampled characteristics of laminar, transitional and low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers on a heated flat plate are presented. Measurements were obtained in air over a range of freestream turbulence intensities from 0.3 percent to 6 percent with a freestream velocity of 30.5 m/s and zero pressure gradient. Conditional sampling performed in the transitional boundary layers indicate the existence of a near-wall drop in intermittency, especially pronounced at low intermittencies. Nonturbulent intervals were observed to possess large levels of low-frequency unsteadiness, and turbulent intervals had peak intensities as much as 50 percent higher than were measured at fully turbulent stations. Heat transfer results were consistent with results of previous researches and Reynolds analogy factors were found to be well predicted by laminar and turbulent correlations which accounted for unheated starting length. A small dependence of the turbulent Reynolds analogy factors on freestream turbulence level was observed. Laminar boundary layer spectra indicated selective amplification of unstable frequencies. These instabilities appear to play a dominant role in the transition process only for the lowest freestream turbulence level studied, however.

Sohn, K. H.↗

Control of turbulence through a row of Helmholtz resonators

The manipulation of turbulent boundary layers is useful in a variety of situations including drag reduction and separation delay. In this study a passive method of altering the turbulence in a boundary layer is investigated. Ten Helmholtz resonators were imbedded in a spanwise row under a turbulent boundary layer. At certain airspeeds the resonators were strongly excited by the turbulence. In turn, the resonator motions interact to modify the turbulence and mean velocity profiles in the boundary layer. Tests were conducted to measure the response of the resonators as a function of freestream speed. Additional tests, conducted at the conditions for maximum response, documented the affect on the mean and turbulent velocity profiles.

Panton, Ronald L.↗

The inviscid stability of supersonic flow past a sharp cone

The effects of lateral curvature on the development of supersonic laminar inviscid boundary-layer flow on a sharp cone with adiabatic wall conditions are investigated analytically, with a focus on the linear temporal inviscid stability properties. The derivation of the governing equations and of a 'triply generalized' inflexion condition is outlined, and numerical results for freestream Mach number 3.8 are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. A third instability mode related to the viscous mode observed by Duck and Hall (1990) using triple-deck theory is detected and shown to be more unstable and to have larger growth rates than the second mode in some cases. It is found that the 'sonic' neutral mode is affected by the lateral curvature and becomes a supersonic neutral mode.

Duck, Peter W.↗

Computational study of inlet injection for a Pre-Mixed, Shock-Induced Combustion (PM/SIC) engine

A computational simulation of reacting 2-D and 3-D flowfields in a model inlet section of a Pre-Mixed, Shock-Induced Combustion (PM/SIC) engine concept was performed. LARCK, a multi-dimensional Navier-Stokes code with finite-rate kinetics chemistry developed at NASA LaRC by J.A. White, was adapted for this simulation. The flow conditions in the simulation match those envisioned for the PM/SIC engine experiments currently planned at LaRC. The reacting flowfields were Mach 6.3 freestream air and Mach 2 hydrogen at various pressure and temperature conditions injected through a slot injector at the base of the inlet section. In the PM/SIC engine, fuel is injected at the inlet section upstream of the combustor, and reaction is initiated by the shock wave at the inlet which increases the gas temperature and pressure beyond the kinetic limits for reaction. Many challenges exist prior to establishing shock-controlled combustion as a practical engine concept. These challenges include fuel injection schemes that can provide proper fuel-air mixing without creating large losses in the inlet section, and control of the combustion process so that early ignition or combustion propagation through the inlet boundary layer does not occur. For this project, a parametrics study was carried out to model the fuel injection of hydrogen at different flow conditions. It was found that, as the fuel temperature and pressure were increased, the potential for pre-ignition was high at a short distance downstream of the slot injector. The next stage of this work will investigate injection techniques for enhancing mixing of fuel and air in a manner that prevents or reduces the potential for premature ignition observed numerically.

Gonzalez, D. E.↗

Transonic flow calculations using a flux vector splitting method for the Euler equations

A study of the flux vector splitting method of Steger and Warming for the solution of the time dependent Euler equations in strong conservation law form for arbitrary two-dimensional geometries is presented. The procedure employed here differs from that of Buning and Steger in that it uses a different algorithm and employs implicit boundary conditions. Moreover, the method, as implemented here, does not contain any explicit smoothing or any adjustable parameters. Calculations were carried out for an NACA 0012 airfoil at various Mach numbers and angles of attack, and cylinders. Steady symmetric solutions were obtained for the full cylinder at a freestream Mach number of .5 without imposing a symmetry condition. In general, good agreement with other methods was obtained.

Seaford, C. M.↗

Unsteady transonic aerodynamics and aeroelastic calculations at low-supersonic freestreams

A computational procedure is presented to simulate transonic unsteady flows and corresponding aeroelasticity of wings at low-supersonic freestreams. The flow is modeled by using the transonic small-perturbation theory. The structural equations of motions are modeled using modal equations of motion directly coupled with aerodynamics. Supersonic freestreams are simulated by properly accounting for the boundary conditions based on pressure waves along the flow characteristics in streamwise planes. The flow equations are solved using the time-accurate, alternating-direction implicit finite-difference scheme. The coupled aeroelastic equations of motion are solved by an integration procedure based on the time-accurate, linear-acceleration method. The flow modeling is verified by comparing calculations with experiments for both steady and unsteady flows at supersonic freestreams. The unsteady computations are made for oscillating wings. Comparisons of computed results with experiments show good agreement. Aeroelastic responses are computed for a rectangular wing at Mach numbers ranging from subtransonic to upper-transonic (supersonic) freestreams. The extension of the transonic dip into the upper transonic regime is illustrated.

Guruswamy, Guru P.↗

Unique, clean-air, continuous-flow, high-stagnation-temperature facility for supersonic combustion research

Accurate, spatially-resolved measurements can be conducted of a model supersonic combustor in a clean air/continuous flow supersonic combustion facility whose long run times will allow not only the point-by-point mapping of flow field variables with laser diagnostics but facilitate the simulation of steady-state combustor conditions. The facility will provide a Mach 2 freestream with static pressures in the 1 to 1/6 atm range, and stagnation temperatures of up to 2000 K.

Krauss, R. H.↗

Experimental investigation of a single flush-mounted hypermixing nozzle

Reported herein are the results of an experimental wind tunnel investigation of a circular supersonic jet (Mj = 3.47) injected at a 10 degree angle into a supersonic freestream. Measurements were made for nominal freestream Mach numbers of 1.6, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. Three jet total pressures were run at each freestream Mach number, resulting in twelve separate operating conditions. The measurements indicate the presence of two pairs of contra-rotating vortices. One pair follows the jet trajectory and tends to split the jet into two streams. A smaller pair, rotating in an opposite sense, develops in the near wall region. Reported results include Mach number and volume fraction distributions in the cross plane, as well as jet penetration and mixing efficiency.

Davis, D. O.↗

Copper atom based measurements of velocity and turbulence in arc jet flows

Laboratory and field measurements were combined with a modeling effort to explore the feasibility of using atomic copper laser-induced fluorescence to measure velocity, turbulence, and temperature in arcjet flows. Both CW and pulsed frequency-doubled dye lasers were used to demonstrate the ability to measure velocity with 10 percent accuracy at rates of 200,000 cm/s in a rarefied flow of Cu atoms seeded in He. The pulsed laser established a threshold energy for power-broadening of the absorption line at 3.5 x 10 to the -8th J/sq cm. Field measurements at the NASA/JSC 10-MW arcjet facility demonstrated the ability to perform these measurements under actual test conditions. The use of this technique to measure freestream temperatures in the flow was examined for the 0.08/cm linewidth laser used in the NASA/JSC effort. Finally, single-shot turbulence measurements at the USAF/AEDC 35-MW H2 arcjet facility were measured with 4 percent accuracy using the laser/absorption line-overlap technique.

Marinelli, William J.↗

Propellant production from the Martian atmosphere

Results are presented from a calculation of the specific impulses that can be generated through the combustion of cryogenic CO and O2 over a range of fuel/oxidizer ratios, chamber pressures, nozzle expansion ratios, freestream pressures representative of Mars, and the limiting conditions of equilibrium and frozen nozzle flow. For an expansion ratio of 80 and 100-atm. chamber pressure, a specific impulse of 298 sec was obtained; this is comparable to the best solid rocket propellants.

Bowles, J. V.↗

Direct numerical simulation of transitional and turbulent flow over a heated flat plate using finite-difference schemes

This report deals with the direct numerical simulation of transitional and turbulent flow at low Mach numbers using high-order-accurate finite-difference techniques. A computation of transition to turbulence of the spatially-evolving boundary layer on a heated flat plate in the presence of relatively high freestream turbulence was performed. The geometry and flow conditions were chosen to match earlier experiments. The development of the momentum and thermal boundary layers was documented. Velocity and temperature profiles, as well as distributions of skin friction, surface heat transfer rate, Reynolds shear stress, and turbulent heat flux, were shown to compare well with experiment. The results indicate that the essential features of the transition process have been captured. The numerical method used here can be applied to complex geometries in a straightforward manner.

Madavan, Nateri K.↗

Direct Numerical Simulation of Transitional and Turbulent Flow Over a Heated Flat Plate Using Finite-Difference Schemes

The work in this report was conducted at NASA Ames Research Center during the period from August 1993 to January 1995 deals with the direct numerical simulation of transitional and turbulent flow at low Mach numbers using high-order-accurate finite-difference techniques. A computation of transition to turbulence of the spatially-evolving boundary layer on a heated flat plate in the presence of relatively high freestream turbulence was performed. The geometry and flow conditions were chosen to match earlier experiments. The development of the momentum and thermal boundary layers was documented. Velocity and temperature profiles, as well as distributions of skin friction, surface heat transfer rate, Reynolds shear stress, and turbulent heat flux were shown to compare well with experiment. The numerical method used here can be applied to complex geometries in a straightforward manner.

Madavan, Nateri K.↗

Noise Spectra and Directivity For a Scale-Model Landing Gear

An extensive experimental study has been conducted to acquire detailed noise spectra and directivity data for a high-fidelity, 6.3%-scale, Boeing 777 main landing gear. The measurements were conducted in the NASA Langley Quiet Flow Facility using a 41-microphone directional array system positioned at a range of polar and azimuthal observer angles with respect to the model. DAMAS (Deconvolution Approach for the Mapping of Acoustic Sources) array processing as well as straightforward individual microphone processing were employed to compile unique flyover and sideline directivity databases for a range of freestream Mach numbers (0.11 - 0.17) covering typical approach conditions. Comprehensive corrections were applied to the test data to account for shear layer ray path and amplitude variations. This allowed proper beamforming at different measurement orientations, as well as directivity presentation in free-field emission coordinates. Four different configurations of the landing gear were tested: a baseline configuration with and without an attached side door, and a noise reduction concept "toboggan" truck fairing with and without side door. DAMAS noise source distributions were determined. Spectral analyses demonstrated that individual microphones could establish model spectra. This finding permitted the determination of unique, spatially-detailed directivity contours of spectral band levels over a hemispherical surface. Spectral scaling for the baseline model confirmed that the acoustic intensity scaled with the expected sixth-power of the Mach number. Finally, comparison of spectra and directivity between the baseline gear and the gear with an attached toboggan indicated that the toboggan fairing may be of some value in reducing gear noise over particular frequency ranges.

Humphreys, William M., Jr.↗

Unsteady supersonic flow around delta wings with symmetric and asymmetric flaps oscillation

A parametric study is presented to investigate the effect of reduced frequency of the leading-edge flaps on the locally-conical, unsteady, supersonic flow around a delta wing. This study covers symmetric and antisymmetric forced oscillation of the leading-edge flaps. The effects of the freestream Mach number and angle of attack are also presented. The problem is solved using time-accurate integration of the unsteady, compressible, thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations and the unsteady, linearized, Navier-displacement equations. The delta wing is of aspect ratio of 1.5 and its leading-edge flaps are hinged at 65 percent of the local-half span length. The reduced frequency is varied between 2 pi and pi/2. Two supersonic flow conditions have been investigated; the first is for a freestream Mach number of 2.4 and an angle of attack of 19 deg and the second is for a freestream Mach number of 1.5 and an angle attack of 15 deg.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of Three-Dimensional Ice Shapes on a NACA 23012 Airfoil

The present study identifies a process for performing computational fluid dynamic calculations of the flow over full three-dimensional (3D) representations of complex ice shapes deposited on aircraft surfaces. Rime and glaze icing geometries formed on a NACA23012 airfoil were obtained during testing in the NASA Glenn Research Center's Icing Research Tunnel (IRT). The ice shape geometries were scanned as a cloud of data points using a 3D laser scanner. The data point clouds were meshed using Geomagic software to create highly accurate models of the ice surface. The surface data was imported into Pointwise grid generation software to create the CFD surface and volume grids. It was determined that generating grids in Pointwise for complex 3D icing geometries was possible using various techniques that depended on the ice shape. Computations of the flow fields over these ice shapes were performed using the NASA National Combustion Code (NCC). Results for a rime ice shape for angle of attack conditions ranging from 0 to 10 degrees and for freestream Mach numbers of 0.10 and 0.18 are presented. For validation of the computational results, comparisons were made to test results from rapid-prototype models of the selected ice accretion shapes, obtained from a separate study in a subsonic wind tunnel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The computational and experimental results were compared for values of pressure coefficient and lift. Initial results show fairly good agreement for rime ice accretion simulations across the range of conditions examined. The glaze ice results are promising but require some further examination.

Aerodynamics↗

Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of Three-Dimensional Ice Shapes on a NACA 23012 Airfoil

The present study identifies a process for performing computational fluid dynamic calculations of the flow over full three-dimensional (3D) representations of complex ice shapes deposited on aircraft surfaces. Rime and glaze icing geometries formed on a NACA23012 airfoil were obtained during testing in the NASA Glenn Research Centers Icing Research Tunnel (IRT). The ice shape geometries were scanned as a cloud of data points using a 3D laser scanner. The data point clouds were meshed using Geomagic software to create highly accurate models of the ice surface. The surface data was imported into Pointwise grid generation software to create the CFD surface and volume grids. It was determined that generating grids in Pointwise for complex 3D icing geometries was possible using various techniques that depended on the ice shape. Computations of the flow fields over these ice shapes were performed using the NASA National Combustion Code (NCC). Results for a rime ice shape for angle of attack conditions ranging from 0 to 10 degrees and for freestream Mach numbers of 0.10 and 0.18 are presented. For validation of the computational results, comparisons were made to test results from rapid-prototype models of the selected ice accretion shapes, obtained from a separate study in a subsonic wind tunnel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The computational and experimental results were compared for values of pressure coefficient and lift. Initial results show fairly good agreement for rime ice accretion simulations across the range of conditions examined. The glaze ice results are promising but require some further examination.

Aerodynamics↗

A general approach for the prediction of localized instability generation in boundary layer flows

The present approach to the prediction of instability generation that is due to the interaction of freestream disturbances with regions of subscale variations in surface boundary conditions can account for the finite Reynolds number effects, while furnishing a framework for the study of receptivity in compressible flow and in 3D boundary layers. The approach is illustrated for the case of Tollmien-Schlichting wave generation in a Blasius boundary layer, due to the interaction of a freestream acoustic wave with a localized wall inhomogeneity. Results are presented for the generation of viscous and inviscid instabilities in adverse pressure-gradient boundary layers, supersonic boundary layer instabilities, and cross-flow vortex instabilities.

Choudhari, Meelan↗

Coupling conditions for integrating boundary layer and rotational inviscid flow

The matching of a boundary layer and a rotational inviscid flow is reexamined by extending the Johnson and Sockol (1979) coupling conditions to include the case where the boundary layer solution includes the second-order effects of the freestream vorticity and the total temperature gradient. It is pointed out that two of the three conditions are not independent. If the boundary layer solution satisfies the appropriate momentum and energy integral equations, it follows that the imposition of the normal mass flux condition insures that the conditions on a normal flux of streamwise momentum and total enthalpy will also be satisfied.

Sockol, P. M.↗