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At least 253 records · Page 14

A smoke-wire study of low Reynolds number flow over a NASA LRN(1) - 1007 airfoil section

Smoke-filament visualization photographs are presented for two-dimensional flow over a NASA LRN(1) - 1007 airfoil section designed specifically for high-efficiency operation at low chord Reynolds numbers. Results are included for chord Reynolds numbers of 60,000, 100,000, and 220,000 and for angles of attack ranging from 0 to 16 degrees. Two kinds of laminar separation bubble are found to develop in the flow over the airfoil. The sites and characteristics of formation of these bubbles are described, and their dimensional properties are estimated. The transition-to-turbulence Reynolds numbers, surface pressure coefficient distributions, and lift coefficients deduced from the measured coefficients are compared with those obtained by other authors.

Fisher, S. S.↗

A review of Reynolds number studies conducted in the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel

Initial proof-of-concept results obtained in a pilot transonic tunnel, led to a U.S. decision to apply the cryogenic tunnel concept to the National Transonic Facility (NTF). The pilot tunnel was reclassified as a 'permanent' facility and renamed the 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT). The 0.3-m TCT, with its ability to operate at temperatures ranging from about 78 K to 340 K, combined with a 6 atmospheres pressure capability, provides extremely high test Reynolds numbers at relatively low model loading. In addition, the ability to vary pressure and temperature independently of Mach number provides a unique capability to conduct studies at a constant dynamic pressure or at a constant Reynolds number with just one model. Attention is given to the simulation of flight conditions, the cryogenic-pressure tunnel concept, the characteristics of the 0.3-m TCT, Reynolds number studies in the three-dimensional test section including a Space Shuttle study, and Reynolds number studies in the two-dimensional test section.

Ray, E. J.↗

The cryogenic wind tunnel concept for high Reynolds number testing

Theoretical considerations indicate that cooling the wind-tunnel test gas to cryogenic temperatures will provide a large increase in Reynolds number with no increase in dynamic pressure while reducing the tunnel drive-power requirements. Studies were made to determine the expected variations of Reynolds number and other parameters over wide ranges of Mach number, pressure, and temperature, with due regard to avoiding liquefaction. Practical operational procedures were developed in a low-speed cryogenic tunnel. Aerodynamic experiments in the facility demonstrated the theoretically predicted variations in Reynolds number and drive power. The continuous-flow-fan-driven tunnel is shown to be particularly well suited to take full advantage of operating at cryogenic temperatures.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

Influence of Reynolds number on forebody side forces for 3.5-diameter tangent-ogive bodies

Vortex asymmetries can arise on aircraft and missile forebodies at high angles of attack and have proven difficult to simulate in the wind tunnel because of a large array of parameters that can influence the test results. One of the most important of these parameters is Reynolds number. The current report compares, for tangent-ogive forebodies with fineness ratios of 3.5, flow patterns from oil-flow photographs to features in pressure distributions. The pressure data base is then used to illustrate the development of the sectional side force coefficient along both the tangent-ogive nose and an attached cylindrical afterbody for Reynolds numbers of 0.2, 0.8 and 3.8 million, based on maximum diameter, and angles of attack of 40, 50 and 60 deg. General commments concerning the effects of Reynolds number are presented, as well as an analysis of the effects of Reynolds number on the sectional side force coefficient near and at the apex of the pointed body. All data presented are for freestream Mach numbers on the order of 0.25.

Hall, Robert M.↗

A summary of the effects of Reynolds number on drag divergence for airfoils tested in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

The direct first order effect of Reynolds number on the determination of drag-divergence conditions is summarized for six airfoils which were tested in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. A second order effect, derived through the effect of Reynolds number on the sidewall boundary layer, is included. In addition, a comparison of how the drag divergence condition is affected on going from one class of airfoil to another is presented. The drag-divergence condition is affected first order by Reynolds number for each of the six airfoils and of course all data are affected second order, since the presence of the boundary layer necessitates a sidewall correction.

Jenkins, Renaldo V.↗

Low Reynolds number kappa-epsilon and empirical transition models for oscillatory pipe flow and heat transfer

Stirling engine heat exchangers are shell-and-tube type with oscillatory flow (zero-mean velocity) for the inner fluid. This heat transfer process involves laminar-transition turbulent flow motions under oscillatory flow conditions. A low Reynolds number kappa-epsilon model, (Lam-Bremhorst form), was utilized in the present study to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer in a circular tube. An empirical transition model was used to activate the low Reynolds number k-e model at the appropriate time within the cycle for a given axial location within the tube. The computational results were compared with experimental flow and heat transfer data for: (1) velocity profiles, (2) kinetic energy of turbulence, (3) skin friction factor, (4) temperature profiles, and (5) wall heat flux. The experimental data were obtained for flow in a tube (38 mm diameter and 60 diameter long), with the maximum Reynolds number based on velocity being Re(sub max) = 11840, a dimensionless frequency (Valensi number) of Va = 80.2, at three axial locations X/D = 16, 30 and 44. The agreement between the computations and the experiment is excellent in the laminar portion of the cycle and good in the turbulent portion. Moreover, the location of transition was predicted accurately. The Low Reynolds Number kappa-epsilon model, together with an empirical transition model, is proposed herein to generate the wall heat flux values at different operating parameters than the experimental conditions. Those computational data can be used for testing the much simpler and less accurate one dimensional models utilized in 1-D Stirling Engine design codes.

Bauer, Christopher↗

Experiments on the flow and acoustic properties of a moderate-Reynolds-number supersonic jet

Flow and acoustic properties of a jet at Reynolds number of 70,000 were studied at Mach 2.1. Measurements in a free jet test facility were made with pitot tubes and hot-wire anemometry. Center-line Mach number distributions for natural and excited jets were obtained. A slow initial growth rate was in the potential core region of the jet, indicating a transition from laminar to turbulent flow in moderate Reynolds number jets. The transition occurred within the first 2-3 diameters. Spectral components were calculated for the fluctuating flowfield, and sound pressure levels were measured for the overall near-field noise. The centroid of noise was located about 8 nozzle diameters downstream. The growth rates of instabilities were determined to be in agreement with linear stability theory predictions over a broad frequency range.

Troutt, T. R.↗

Time-dependent measurement of base pressure in a blowdown tunnel with varying unit Reynolds number

An operational characteristic of blowdown-type of wind tunnels is the drop in the stagnation temperature with time and the accompanying change in the test-section unit Reynolds number at constant stagnation pressure and Mach number. This apparent disadvantage can be turned to advantage in some cases where a Reynolds number scan is desired in order to study the effect of unit Reynolds number variation on a particular viscous flow phenomenon. This note presents such an instance arising from recent investigations on base pressure at transonic speeds conducted in the NAL 1-ft tunnel.

Kangovi, S.↗

An experimental documentation of pressure gradient and Reynolds number effects on compressible turbulent boundary layers

Attached supersonic turbulent boundary layers, with a wide range of adverse pressure gradient strengths, are investigated for Reynolds numbers from 11.7 x 1 million to 314 x 1 million. Surface pressure and surface shear measurements were obtained for six flow fields over the entire Reynolds number range. In addition, two flow fields - one with a moderate pressure gradient and the other with a severe pressure gradient - are thoroughly documented at a single Reynolds number. This experimental documentation includes both mean and fluctuating profiles throughout the flow field, and is sufficient to define the complete flow field, including the upstream undisturbed flow region.

Kussoy, M. I.↗

Effect of Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of a cruciform wing-body configuration

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the effect of Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of a body with cruciform wings at large angles of attack. Both pressure distributions and force and moment data have been obtained and are presented for Mach 1.6 and 2.7, Reynolds numbers based on body diameter of approximately 200,000-2,800,000, and angles of attack from 0 to 50 deg. In general, the data show only small effects of Reynolds number throughout the range of test conditions. Also presented and discussed are schlieren and pressure data that suggest the existence of 'wing-choking' between the two windward wings for certain roll angles at large angles of attack.

Stallings, R. L., Jr.↗

An Experimental Investigation of Boundary-Layer Control for Drag Reduction of a Swept-Wing Section at Low Speed and High Reynolds Numbers

An investigation of laminar boundary-layer control by suction for purposes of drag reduction at low speed and high Reynolds numbers has been conducted in the Ames 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel. The model was a 72.96-inch-chord wing panel, swept back 30 deg., which was installed between end plates to approximate a wing of infinite span. The airfoil section employed was a modified NACA 66-012 in the streamwise direction. Tests were limited to controlling the flow over only the upper surface of the model. Seventeen individually controllable suction chambers were provided below the surface to induce flow through 93 spanwise slots in the surface between the 0.0052- and 0.97-chord stations. Tests were made at angles of attack of 0 deg., +/- 1.0 deg., +/- 1.5 deg., and -2.0 deg. for Reynolds numbers from approximately 1.5 x 10(exp 6) to 4.0 x 10(exp 6) per foot. In general, essentially full-chord laminar flow was obtained for all conditions with small suction quantities. Minimum profile-drag coefficients of about 0.0005 to 0.0006 were obtained for the slotted surface at maximum values of the Reynolds number; these values include the Power required to induce suction as an equivalent drag.

Gault, Donald E.↗

The Langley cryogenic high Reynolds number wind-tunnel program

A pilot version of a new type of transonic tunnel was placed in operation in the fall of 1973. In the tunnel the cryogenic method is used to obtain a high Reynolds number. The cryogenic concept employs low temperatures to increase the Reynolds number through reducing the viscous forces rather than increasing the inertia forces. The cryogenic approach offers the desired Reynolds-number increase with no increase in dynamic pressure, and therefore no increase in model loads. A series of aerodynamic experiments have been made in the pilot tunnel to confirm the cryogenic concept at transonic speeds. A brief description is given of the project for a large tunnel which has evolved from the investigations.

Polhamus, E. C.↗