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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Parametric study of relaminarization of turbulent boundary layers on nozzle walls

By means of comparisons between theoretical predictions and experimental data, the accuracy of a boundary procedure to predict the effect of large streamwise accelerations upon initially turbulent boundary layers is assessed. The boundary layer procedure is based upon simultaneous solution of the boundary layer partial differential equations and the integral turbulence kinetic energy equation. The results of the present investigation show the ability of the procedure to accurately predict properties of boundary layers subjected to large streamwise accelerations. The procedure is used to conduct a parametric study of the effect of free stream turbulence, heat transfer, Reynolds number, acceleration, and Mach number on boundary layers in supersonic nozzles to assist in the design of a quiet tunnel. Results of the investigation show that, even in the presence of moderate free-stream turbulence levels, the boundary layer in the approach section of the quiet tunnel nozzle relaminarizes and becomes thin enough to be removed by a small slot in the nozzle wall. Furthermore, the calculations indicate that it should be possible to maintain a laminar boundary layer for the entire length of the supersonic portion of the quiet tunnel nozzle.

Kreskovsky, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The growth of deactivated layers on CsI(Na) scintillating crystals

An effective and sensitive measurement of the depth of a deactivated or dead layer can be obtained from the relative attenuation of the 22.162 KeV and 87.9 KeV X-rays emitted by Cd 109. The alpha-particles emitted by Am 241 are also useful in measuring dead layers less than 25 microns. The properties and temporal development of dead layers are discussed in detail. The rate of growth of a deal layer is closely related to the ambient humidity, and the damage to the crystal is irreversible by any known process. The dead layer can be minimized by polishing all crystal surfaces and by keeping the crystal in a vacuum or a dry atmosphere. Since a dead layer seriously inhibits the response of a crystal to X-rays of energies below approximately 20 keV, CsI(Na) detectors should not be used at these energies unless precautions are taken to ensure that no dead layer forms.

Goodman, N. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Similarity theory of the buoyantly interactive planetary boundary layer with entrainment

A similarity model is developed for the vertical profiles of turbulent flow variables in an entraining turbulent boundary layer of arbitrary buoyant stability. In the general formulation the vertical profiles, internal rotation of the velocity vector, discontinuities or jumps at a capping inversion and bulk aerodynamic coefficients of the boundary layer are given by solutions to a system of ordinary differential equations in the similarity variable. To close the system, a formulation for buoyantly interactive eddy diffusivity in the boundary layer is introduced which recovers Monin-Obukhov similarity near the surface and incorporates a hypothesis accounting for the observed variation of mixing length throughout the boundary layer. The model is tested in simplified versions which depend only on roughness, surface buoyancy, and Coriolis effects by comparison with planetary-boundary-layer wind- and temperature-profile observations, measurements of flat-plate boundary layers in a thermally stratified wind tunnel and observations of profiles of terms in the turbulent kinetic-energy budget of convective planetary boundary layers. On balance, the simplified model reproduced the trend of these various observations and experiments reasonably well, suggesting that the full similarity formulation be pursued further.

Hoffert, M. I.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Diamagnetic boundary layers - A kinetic theory

A kinetic theory is presented for boundary layers associated with MHD tangential 'discontinuities' in a collisionless magnetized plasma, such as those observed in the solar wind. The theory consists of finding self-consistent solutions of Vlasov's equation and Maxwell's equation for stationary one-dimensional boundary layers separating two Maxwellian plasma states. Layers in which the current is carried by electrons are found to have a thickness of the order of a few electron gyroradii, but the drift speed of the current-carrying electrons is found to exceed the Alfven speed, and accordingly such layers are not stable. Several types of layers in which the current is carried by protons are discussed; in particular, cases are considered in which the magnetic-field intensity, direction, or both, changed across the layer. In every case, the thickness was of the order of a few proton gyroradii, and the field changed smoothly, although the characteristics depended somewhat on the boundary conditions. The drift speed was always less than the Alfven speed, consistent with stability of such structures. These results are consistent with observations of boundary layers in the solar wind near 1 AU.

Lemaire, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lear jet boundary layer/shear layer laser propagation experiments

Optical degradations of aircraft turbulent boundary layers with shear layers generated by aerodynamic fences are analyzed. A collimated 2.5 cm diameter helium-neon laser (0.63 microns) traversed the approximate 5 cm thick natural aircraft boundary layer in double pass via a reflective airfoil. In addition, several flights examined shear layer-induced optical degradation. Flight altitudes ranged from 1.5 to 12 km, while Mach numbers were varied from 0.3 to 0.8. Average line spread function (LSF) and Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) data were obtained by averaging a large number of tilt-removed curves. Fourier transforming the resulting average MTF yields an LSF, thus affording a direct comparison of the two optical measurements. Agreement was good for the aerodynamic fence arrangement, but only fair in the case of a turbulent boundary layer. Values of phase variance inferred from the LSF instrument for a single pass through the random flow and corrected for a large aperture ranged from 0.08 to 0.11 waves (lambda = .63 microns) for the boundary layer. Corresponding values for the fence vary from 0.08 to 0.16 waves. Extrapolation of these values to 10.6 microns suggests negligible degradation for a CO2 laser transmitted through a 5 cm thick, subsonic turbulent boundary layer.

Gilbert, K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Field-aligned currents in the magnetospheric boundary layer

A self-consistent magnetopause-boundary layer model is constructed which contains two current layers, one for the magnetopause and one for the magnetosphere-boundary layer transition region. Field-aligned sheet currents in the boundary layer are generated by the plasma flow along the boundary layer. The magnitude of these boundary layer field-aligned currents is about 10 to the -8th A/sq m, which can be scaled along field lines to about 5 x 10 to the -6th A/sq m near the ionosphere and therefore can be identified as a possible source for the auroral sheet currents. The cross-field current density in the model is also about 10 to the -8th A/sq m, which is sufficient to excite the lower-hybrid-drift waves to produce the observed electromagnetic fluctuations in the magnetopause-boundary layer region.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A new coordinate transformation for turbulent boundary layer flows

The transformation permits a uniform mesh to be used in the computational coordinate which extends across the layer. This coordinate transformation uses the local value of the skin friction coefficient to scale the thickness of the wall layer region, and the local maximum value of turbulent viscosity to scale the boundary-layer thickness. Results are presented for two dimensional boundary layers in both positive and negative pressure gradients and comparisons are made with experimental data and conventional variable-grid results for low speed turbulent boundary-layers. The cases chosen illustrate the capability of this new transformation to capture the boundary layer growth over the full extent of laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow with no grid adjustment as well as its ability to consistently enlarge the wall layer region for accurate shear stress representation. Results of mesh refinement studies using the new coordinate transformation are presented.

Carter, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Studies of Jupiter's lower ionospheric layers

Fluxes of heavy ions necessary to form layers of enhanced ionization observed in the lower ionosphere of Jupiter are theoretically calculated, and possible formation mechanisms of the layers are investigated. Estimates of ion drift velocities and neutral wind speeds are made from the shape of the ionization layers, and are found to range from a few centimeters per second to meters per second. Zonal wind shear ranges from 50 m/s westward to 200 m/s eastward over a 70 km altitude range, while small meridional winds are sufficient to form the layer. Results indicate that if the layers are formed from sodium or sulfur ions from the Galilean satellite which are injected into the Jovian atmosphere, then the Na(+) flux must be 30,000 sq cm/s, and the S(+) flux must be 4000 sq cm/s in order to correlate with Pioneer 10 observations of the L(6) layer. At low altitudes of the L(6) and L(7) layers, the denser atmosphere makes diffusion very slow, and the vertical drift velocity of 1 cm/s requires a zonal wind of only several centimeters per second to drive it.

Chen, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Further considerations on modeling the sea breeze with a mixed-layer model

Mixed-layer models have been used to simulate low-level flows under a variety of situations, including flow over complex terrain and in the vicinity of coastal zones. The advantage of mixed-layer models compared to multilevel models is their simplicity and minimal computational requirements. A disadvantage is that the atmosphere above the mixed layer is not modeled explicitly and approximations pertaining to this layer become necessary. This paper examines five approximations for treating this upper layer for a simple sea-breeze circulation. Approximating the flow immediately above the mixed-layer height h by the mixed-layer velocity and using this velocity to advect potential temperature above h gives a better simulation of the sea breeze than the approximation used by Anthes et al. (1980), which neglected horizontal advection at this level.

Anthes, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Studies of sidewall boundary layer in the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel with and without suction

Boundary layer measurements on the sidewalls of the Langley 0.3 Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel were made to determine the effectiveness of the passive boundary layer bleed system over a Reynolds number range from 20 to 200 x 10 to the sixth power per meter at Mach numbers from 0.30 to 0.76. The tunnel sidewall boundary layer displacement thickness was about 2 percent of the width of the test section without the boundary layer bleed. Measured velocity profiles correlated well with the defect law of Hama. With the boundary layer bleed equivalent to about 2 percent of the test section mass flow, the boundary layer displacement thickness reduced to about 1 percent of the test section width, which is generally considered acceptable for testing airfoils. It was also noticed that effectiveness of the bleed was nearly independent of the Mach number and Reynolds number over the range of conditions tested. A comparison of the measured suction effectiveness of the bleed with the finite difference and integral methods of boundary layer calculation showed good agreement.

Murthy, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Simulation of plasma double-layer structures

Electrostatic plasma double layers are numerically simulated by means of a magnetized 2 1/2 dimensional particle in cell method. The investigation of planar double layers indicates that these one dimensional potential structures are susceptible to periodic disruption by instabilities in the low potential plasmas. Only a slight increase in the double layer thickness with an increase in its obliqueness to the magnetic field is observed. Weak magnetization results in the double layer electric field alignment of accelerated particles and strong magnetization results in their magnetic field alignment. The numerical simulations of spatially periodic two dimensional double layers also exhibit cyclical instability. A morphological invariance in two dimensional double layers with respect to the degree of magnetization implies that the potential structures scale with Debye lengths rather than with gyroradii. Electron beam excited electrostatic electron cyclotron waves and (ion beam driven) solitary waves are present in the plasmas adjacent to the double layers.

Borovsky, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

On the maintenance of the Marine boundary layer-free tropospheric gradient of transient tracers

A simple model of the marine boundary layer is used to arrive at a steady-state budget for trace gases in this layer. Five processes maintain the tracer balance in the layer. The first is a large-scale horizontal convergence of the tracer; the second is the pumping by clouds of the tracer out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere; the third is penetration by the tracer from the free troposphere into the marine boundary from compensating subsidence in the cloud-free air surrounding cumulus clouds; the fourth is sea surface emission or deposition of the tracer; and the fifth is in situ photochemical production or loss of the tracer within the marine boundary layer. The budget equation is used in deriving an expression for the mixing ratio difference between the two regions. A scale analysis suggests that the mixing ratio difference between the marine boundary layer and the free troposphere can be an order of magnitude smaller in disturbed weather conditions than in suppressed conditions, showing that the difference in chemical concentrations between the free troposphere and the marine boundary layer cannot be rationalized solely on the basis of chemical measurements.

Gidel, L. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An experimental investigation of the effect of boundary layer refraction on the noise from a high-speed propeller

Models of supersonic propellers were previously tested for acoustics in the Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel using pressure transducers mounted in the tunnel ceiling. The boundary layer on the tunnel ceiling is believed to refract some of the propeller noise away from the measurement transducers. Measurements were made on a plate installed in the wind tunnel which had a thinner boundary layer than the ceiling boundary layer. The plate was installed in two locations for comparison with tunnel ceiling noise data and with fuselage data taken on the NASA Dryden Jetstar airplane. Analysis of the data indicates that the refraction increases with: increasing boundary layer thickness; increasing free stream Mach number; increasing frequency; and decreasing sound radiation angle (toward the inlet axis). At aft radiation angles greater than about 100 deg there was little or no refraction. Comparisons with the airplane data indicated that not only is the boundary layer thickness important but also the shape of the velocity profile. Comparisons with an existing two-dimensional theory, using an idealized shear layer to approximate the boundary layer, showed that the theory and data had the same trends. Analysis of the data taken in the tunnel at two different distances from the propeller indicates a decay with distance in the wind tunnel at high Mach numbers but the decay at low Mach numbers is not as clear.

Dittmar, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Investigation of sidewall boundary layer removal effects on two different chord airfoil models in the Langley 0.3-meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

An investigation was carried out on two CAST 10-2 airfoil models with chords of 3 in. and 6 in. To evaluate the extent of sidewall influence on airfoil tests at transonic Mach numbers. The tests were conducted in the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel two-dimensional test section equipped with an upstream sidewall boundary layer removal system which reduces the boundary layer displacement thickness to about 1 percent of model halfspan from an initial 2 percent without boundary layer removal. Test results have shown the changes in the location of the shock on the upper surface of the airfoil to be about the same for both models with and without sidewall boundary layer removal. Even though large differences were noted in the high lift characteristics of the two models, the sidewall boundary layer removal had little effect on the differences. These tests also served to validate the boundary layer removal technique and the associated Mach number correction required with upstream boundary layer removal.

Murthy, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effect of upstream sidewall boundary layer removal on an airfoil test

Sidewall boundary layer effects were investigated by applying partial upstream sidewall boundary layer removal in the Langley 0.3-m transonic cryogenic tunnel. Over the range of sidewall boundary layer displacement thickness of these tests the influence on pressure distribution was found to be small for subcritical conditions; however, for supercritical conditions the shock position was affected by the sidewall boundary layer. For these tests (with and without boundary layer remove) comparisons with predictions of the GRUMFOIL computer code indicated that Mach number corrections due to the sidewall boundary layer improve the agreement for both subcritical and supercritical conditions. The results also show that sidewall boundary layer removal reduces the magnitude of the sidewall correction; however, a suitable correction must still be made.

Johnson, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Double Layers in Astrophysics

Topics addressed include: laboratory double layers; ion-acoustic double layers; pumping potential wells; ion phase-space vortices; weak double layers; electric fields and double layers in plasmas; auroral double layers; double layer formation in a plasma; beamed emission from gamma-ray burst source; double layers and extragalactic jets; and electric potential between plasma sheet clouds.

Williams, Alton C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electric fields and double layers in plasmas

Various mechanisms for driving double layers in plasmas are briefly described, including applied potential drops, currents, contact potentials, and plasma expansions. Some dynamical features of the double layers are discussed. These features, as seen in simulations, laboratory experiments, and theory, indicate that double layers and the currents through them undergo slow oscillations which are determined by the ion transit time across an effective length of the system in which double layers form. It is shown that a localized potential dip forms at the low potential end of a double layer, which interrupts the electron current through it according to the Langmuir criterion, whenever the ion flux into the double is disrupted. The generation of electric fields perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field by contact potentials is also discussed. Two different situations were considered; in one, a low-density hot plasma is sandwiched between high-density cold plasmas, while in the other a high-density current sheet permeates a low-density background plasma. Perpendicular electric fields develop near the contact surfaces. In the case of the current sheet, the creation of parallel electric fields and the formation of double layers are also discussed when the current sheet thickness is varied. Finally, the generation of electric fields and double layers in an expanding plasma is discussed.

Singh, Nagendra↗
NASA NTRS1987

Effects of nozzle-exit boundary-layer conditions on excitability of heated free jets

This paper reports an experimental study on the effects of nozzle-exit boundary-layer conditions on the excitability of heated free jets. The results were obtained at a Mach number 0.8 and total temperatures of 300 K and 670 K. External acoustic excitation was used to excite the jet. The excitation frequencies ranged up to 6 KHZ and the excitation levels were up to 150 dB. A level of 147 dB was used for most of the test points. Nozzle-exit boundary-layer characteristics were controlled by boundary layer tripping upstream of the nozzle exit plane. It has been shown that the free jet mixing rate strongly depends on the boundary-layer characteristics at the nozzle exit. Further, it appears that jets with a thin laminar nozzle-exit boundary layer are more selective about the optimum excitation frequency than those with a thick turbulent nozzle-exit boundary layer. Finally, for the jet of Mach number 0.8, it appears that free jet mixing and development may be controlled by flow excitation as well as by nozzle-exit boundary-layer modifications.

Lepicovsky, J.↗