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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 253 records · Page 14

Space shuttle orbital maneuvering engine platelet injector program

A platelet-face injector for the fully reusable orbit maneuvering system OMS on the space shuttle was evaluated as a means of obtaining additional design margin and low cost. Performance, heat transfer, and combustion stability were evaluated over the anticipated range of OMS operating conditions. The effects of acoustic cavity configuration on combustion stability, including cavity depth, open area, inlet contour, and other parameters, were investigated using sea level bomb tests. Prototype injector and chamber behavior was evaluated for a variety of conditions; these tests examined the effects of film cooling, helium saturated propellants, chamber length, inlet conditions, and operating point, on performance, heat transfer and engine transient behavior. Helium bubble ingestion into both propellant circuits was investigated, as was chugging at low pressure operation, and hot and cold engine restart with and without a purge.

Source record↗

Measurements of large scale disturbances in rectangular wall jets

Detailed measurements of the velocity field and wall surface pressure distribution of a tone-generating wall jet were obtained in the Ames 7- by 10-foot Wind Tunnel and anechoeic chamber. The jet issued from a 0.508 cm by 10.16 cm nozzle adjacent to a 3.81 cm wall, with an initially parabolic velocity profile at the exit. The jet was operated at Reynolds numbers, R, of 4910, 7740, and 9410. At R = 4910 and 7740, the flow appeared as a double-rowed vortex array which formed upstream of the edge and convected downstream without change in structure. At R = 9410, apparent vortex pairing occurred at the edge location. These flow characteristics were observed in both velocity field measurements and flow visualization records. The unsteady vorticity field of the jet was computed from phase-averaged hot-wire anemometer measurements of the velocity field. The associated acoustic field was estimated by the method of Green's functions, and was found to be similar to measurements of the sound field. These observations tend to support theoretical predictions that vortex shedding at the edge tends to cancel the effect of acoustic sources in other parts of the flow field.

Horne, W. C.↗

Analysis and correction of ground reflection effects in measured narrowband sound spectra using cepstral techniques

Ground reflections generate undesirable effects on acoustic measurements such as those conducted outdoors for jet noise research, aircraft certification, and motor vehicle regulation. This paper shows how cepstral techniques developed in speech processing can be adapted to identify the echo delay time and to correct for ground reflection effects. A sample result is presented using an actual narrowband sound pressure level spectrum. The technique can readily be adapted to existing fast Fourier transform type spectrum measurement instrumentation to provide field measurement of echo time delays.

Miles, J. H.↗

A Review of Distributed Electric Propulsion Concepts for Air Vehicle Technology

The emergence of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) concepts for aircraft systems has enabled new capabilities in the overall efficiency, capabilities, and robustness of future air vehicles. Distributed electric propulsion systems feature the novel approach of utilizing electrically-driven propulsors which are only connected electrically to energy sources or power-generating devices. As a result, propulsors can be placed, sized, and operated with greater flexibility to leverage the synergistic benefits of aero-propulsive coupling and provide improved performance over more traditional designs. A number of conventional aircraft concepts that utilize distributed electric propulsion have been developed, along with various short and vertical takeoff and landing platforms. Careful integration of electrically-driven propulsors for boundary-layer ingestion can allow for improved propulsive efficiency and wake-filling benefits. The placement and configuration of propulsors can also be used to mitigate the trailing vortex system of a lifting surface or leverage increases in dynamic pressure across blown surfaces for increased lift performance. Additionally, the thrust stream of distributed electric propulsors can be utilized to enable new capabilities in vehicle control, including reducing requirements for traditional control surfaces and increasing tolerance of the vehicle control system to engine-out or propulsor-out scenarios. If one or more turboelectric generators and multiple electric fans are used, the increased effective bypass ratio of the whole propulsion system can also enable lower community noise during takeoff and landing segments of flight and higher propulsive efficiency at all conditions. Furthermore, the small propulsors of a DEP system can be installed to leverage an acoustic shielding effect by the airframe, which can further reduce noise signatures. The rapid growth in flight-weight electrical systems and power architectures has provided new enabling technologies for future DEP concepts, which provide flexible operational capabilities far beyond those of current systems. While a number of integration challenges exist, DEP is a disruptive concept that can lead to unprecedented improvements in future aircraft designs.

electric propulsion↗

Measurement and analysis of acoustic flight test data for two advanced design high speed propeller models

The recent test program, in which the SR-2 and SR-3 Prop-Fan models were acoustically tested in flight, is described and the results of analysis of noise data acquired are discussed. The trends of noise levels with flight operating parameters are shown. The acoustic benefits of the SR-3 design with swept blades relative to the SR-2 design with straight blades are shown. Noise data measured on the surface of a small-diameter microphone boom mounted above the fuselage and on the surface of the airplane fuselage are compared to show the effects of acoustic propagation through a boundary layer. Noise level estimates made using a theoretically based prediction methodology are compared with measurements.

Brooks, B. M.↗

The acoustics of a small-scale helicopter rotor in hover

A 2.1 m diameter, 1/6-scale model helicopter main rotor was tested in hover in the test section of the NASA Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. Performance and noise data on a small-scale rotor at various thrust coefficients and tip Mach numbers were obtained for comparison with existing data on similar full-scale helicopter rotors. These data form part of a data base to permit the estimation of scaling effects on various rotor noise mechanisms. Another objective was to contribute to a data base that will permit the estimation of facility effects on acoustic testing. Acoustic 1/3-octave-band spectra are presented, together with variations of overall acoustic levels with rotor performance, microphone distance, and directivity angle.

Kitaplioglu, Cahit↗

Numerical Simulations of Acoustically Driven, Burning Droplets

This computational study focuses on understanding and quantifying the effects of external acoustical perturbations on droplet combustion. A one-dimensional, axisymmetric representation of the essential diffusion and reaction processes occurring in the vicinity of the droplet stagnation point is used here in order to isolate the effects of the imposed acoustic disturbance. The simulation is performed using a third order accurate, essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) numerical scheme with a full methanol-air reaction mechanism. Consistent with recent microgravity and normal gravity combustion experiments, focus is placed on conditions where the droplet is situated at a velocity antinode in order for the droplet to experience the greatest effects of fluid mechanical straining of flame structures. The effects of imposed sound pressure level and frequency are explored here, and conditions leading to maximum burning rates are identified.

Kim, H.-C.↗

Study of bubble behavior in weightlessness (effects of thermal gradient and acoustic stationary wave) (M-16)

The aim of this experiment is to understand how bubbles behave in a thermal gradient and acoustic stationary wave under microgravity. In microgravity, bubble or bubbles in a liquid will not rise upward as they do on Earth but will rest where they are formed because there exists no gravity-induced buoyancy. We are interested in how bubbles move and in the mechanisms which support the movement. We will try two ways to make bubbles migrate. The first experiment concerns behavior of bubbles in a thermal gradient. It is well known than an effect of surface tension which is masked by gravity on the ground becomes dominant in microgravity. The surface tension on the side of the bubble at a lower temperature is stronger than at a higher temperature. The bubble migrates toward the higher temperature side due to the surface tension difference. The migration speed depends on the so-called Marangoni number, which is a function of the temperature difference, the bubble diameter, liquid viscosity, and thermal diffusivity. At present, some experimental data about migration speeds in liquids with very small Marangoni numbers were obtained in space experiments, but cases of large Marangoni number are rarely obtained. In our experiment a couple of bubbles are to be injected into a cell filled with silicon oil, and the temperature gradient is to be made gradually in the cell by a heater and a cooler. We will be able to determine migration speeds in a very wide range of Marangoni numbers, as well as study interactions between the bubbles. We will observe bubble movements affected by hydrodynamical and thermal interactions, the two kinds of interactions which occur simultaneously. These observation data will be useful for analyzing the interactions as well as understanding the behavior of particles or drops in materials processing. The second experiment concerns bubble movement in an acoustic stationary wave. It is known that a bubble in a stationary wave moves toward the node or the loop according to whether its diameter is larger or smaller than that of the main resonant radius. In our experiment fine bubbles will be observed to move according to an acoustic field formed in a cylindrical cell. The existence of bubbles varies the acoustic speed, and the interactive force between bubbles will make the bubble behavior collective and complicated. This experiment will be very useful to development of bubble removable technology as well as to the understanding of bubble behavior.

Azuma, H.↗

Effects of forward velocity and acoustic treatment on inlet fan noise

Flyover and static noise data from several engines are presented that show inlet fan noise measured in flight can be lower than that projected from static tests for some engines. The differences between flight and static measurements appear greatest when the fan fundamental tone due to rotor-stator interaction or to the rotor alone field is below cutoff. Data from engine and fan tests involving inlet treatment on the walls only are presented that show the attenuation from this treatment is substantially larger than expected from previous theories or flow duct experience. Data showing noise shielding effects due to the location of the engine on the airplane are also presented. These observations suggest that multiringed inlets may not be necessary to achieve the desired noise reduction in many applications.

Feiler, C. E.↗

Effects of forward velocity and acoustic treatment on inlet fan noise

Flyover and static noise data from several engines are presented that show inlet fan noise measured in flight can be lower than that projected from static tests for some engines. The differences between flight and static measurements appear greatest when the fan fundamental tone due to rotor-stator interaction or to the rotor-alone field is below cutoff. Data from engine and fan tests involving inlet treatment on the walls only are presented that show the attenuation from this treatment is substantially larger than expected from previous theories or flow duct experience. Data showing noise shielding effects due to the location of the engine on the airplane are also presented. These observations suggest that multiringed inlets may not be necessary to achieve the desired noise reduction in many applications.

Feiler, C. E.↗

Free-jet acoustic investigation of high-radius-ratio coannular plug nozzles. Comprehensive data report, volume 1

Six coannular plug nozzle configurations having inverted velocity and temperature profiles, and a baseline convergent conical nozzle were tested for simulated flight acoustic evaluation in General Electric's Anechoic Free-Jet Acoustic Facility. The nozzles were tested over a range of test conditions that are typical of a Variable Cycle Engine for application to advanced high speed aircraft. The outer stream radius ratio for most of the configurations was 0.853, and the inner-stream-outer-stream area ratio was tested in the range of 0.54. Other variables investigated were the influence of bypass struts, a simple noncontoured convergent-divergent outer stream nozzle for forward quadrant shock noise control, and the effects of varying outer stream radius and inner-stream-to-outer-stream velocity ratios on the flight noise signatures of the nozzles. It was found that in simulated flight, the high-radius-ratio coannular plug nozzles maintain their jet noise and shock noise reduction features previously observed in static testing. The presence of nozzle bypass structs will not significantly effect the acoustic noise reduction features of a General Electric-type nozzle design. A unique coannular plug nozzle flight acoustic spectral prediction method was identified and found to predict the measured results quite well. Special laser velocimeter and acoustic measurements were performed which have given new insight into the jet and shock noise reduction mechanisms of coannular plug nozzles with regard to identifying further beneficial research efforts.

Knott, P. R.↗

Non-linear boundary-layer receptivity due to distributed surface roughness

The process by which a laminar boundary layer internalizes the external disturbances in the form of instability waves is known as boundary-layer receptivity. The objective of the present research was to determine the effect of acoustic excitation on boundary-layer receptivity for a flat plate with distributed variable-amplitude surface roughness through measurements with a hot-wire probe. Tollmien-Schlichting mode shapes due to surface roughness receptivity have also been determined, analyzed, and shown to be in agreement with theory and other experimental work. It has been shown that there is a linear relationship between the surface roughness and receptivity for certain roughness configurations with constant roughness wavelength. In addition, strong non-linear receptivity effects exist for certain surface roughness configurations over a band where the surface roughness and T-S wavelength are matched. The results from the present experiment follow the trends predicted by theory and other experimental work for linear receptivity. In addition, the results show the existence of non-linear receptivity effects for certain combinations of surface roughness elements.

Amer, Tahani Reffet↗

Non-linear boundary-layer receptivity due to distributed surface roughness

The process by which a laminar boundary layer internalizes the external disturbances in the form of instability waves is known as boundary-layer receptivity. The objective of the present research was to determine the effect of acoustic excitation on boundary-layer receptivity for a flat plate with distributed variable-amplitude surface roughness through measurements with a hot-wire probe. Tollmien-Schlichting (T-S) mode shapes due to surface-roughness receptivity have also been determined, analyzed, and shown to be in agreement with theory and other experimental work. It has been shown that there is a linear relationship between the surface roughness and receptivity for certain roughness configurations with constant roughness wavelength. In addition, strong nonlinear receptivity effects exist for certain surface roughness configurations over a band where the surface roughness and T-S wavelength are matched. The results from the present experiment follow the trends predicted by theory and other experimental work for linear receptivity. In addition, the results show the existence of nonlinear receptivity effects for certain combinations of surface roughness elements.

Amer, Tahani Reffet↗

Noise radiation directivity from a wind-tunnel inlet with inlet vanes and duct wall linings

The acoustic radiation patterns from a 1/15th scale model of the Ames 80- by 120-Ft Wind Tunnel test section and inlet have been measured with a noise source installed in the test section. Data were acquired without airflow in the duct. Sound-absorbent inlet vanes oriented parallel to each other, or splayed with a variable incidence relative to the duct long axis, were evaluated along with duct wall linings. Results show that splayed vans tend to spread the sound to greater angles than those measured with the open inlet. Parallel vanes narrowed the high-frequency radiation pattern. Duct wall linings had a strong effect on acoustic directivity by attenuating wall reflections. Vane insertion loss was measured. Directivity results are compared with existing data from square ducts. Two prediction methods for duct radiation directivity are described: one is an empirical method based on the test data, and the other is a analytical method based on ray acoustics.

Soderman, P. T.↗

Enhanced mixing of an axisymmetric jet by aerodynamic excitation

The main objective of acoustic excitation studies is to gain a high level of control over processes governing free shear flow characteristics. The basic premise is that inherent instability waves in free shear flows are excitable by external perturbations with frequencies close to the natural instability frequency of the flow. An 8.89 cm diameter axisymmetric jet was acoustically excited by four loudspeakers placed upstream of the nozzle exit. Measurements were made at Mach numbers of 0.435 and 0.2. A single hot-wire probe was used to obtain turbulence levels at the nozzle exit and along the centerline, and a microphone at the nozzle exit was used to study the resonance characteristics of the rig. A Pitot probe was stationed at X/D = 9 downstream along the nozzle axis to study the Strouhal number dependence and to look at threshold levels for excitation. The test results were obtained after a preliminary evaluation and facility improvement. Excitation at the correct Strouhal number enhanced mixing significantly. The effects were most prominent in the Strouhal number range between 0.4 and 1.0. The effects of acoustic excitation also depend considerably on the sound pressure level at the nozzle exit and were more pronounced at higher sound levels. Other factors which influenced the excitability were valve noise, exit turbulence levels, extraneous noise, and a flanged nozzle. Analysis of the hot-wire signal, in conditions of optimum jet mixing, showed vortex pairing to occur between 2 and 3 diameters downstream.

Raman, Ganesh↗

Bypass Duct Acoustic Liner Design With and Without Bifurcation Effects

The growth in air traffic and the commitment to sustainable aviation continue to provide new challenges to reducing aircraft noise levels. Acoustic liner design methodologies must therefore provide the capability to efficiently predict the acoustic benefits of novel liner configurations within complex aircraft nacelle geometries. With these observations in mind, a broadband acoustic liner optimization process has been developed and assessed through a series of design and experimental studies at increasing technology readiness levels. This work applies the design process to the aft-fan noise component and explores the effects of bypass duct bifurcations (e.g., the pylon and lower bifurcation). In addition to this new application, the design study is expanded to include the use of a commercially available duct propagation code. Despite the different general workflow for the two propagation codes, consistent optimized impedance spectra and in-duct attenuation predictions were obtained for several acoustic treatment options. The preliminary results are promising, and this work increases confidence in the enhanced broadband liner design methodology and lays the groundwork for complimentary use of the codes in future studies. The potential benefits of acoustic treatment on the upper and lower bifurcations are also demonstrated. The knowledge gained through this preliminary stage of the liner design process will be used to guide the identification of candidate liner designs for a proposed static engine test within the next year.

Acoustic Liner Design↗

Bypass Duct Acoustic Liner Design with and without Bifurcation Effects

The growth in air traffic and the commitment to sustainable aviation continue to provide new challenges to reducing aircraft noise levels. Acoustic liner design methodologies must therefore provide the capability to efficiently predict the acoustic benefits of novel liner configurations within complex aircraft nacelle geometries. With these observations in mind, a broadband acoustic liner optimization process has been developed and assessed through a series of design and experimental studies at increasing technology readiness levels. This work applies the design process to the aft-fan noise component and explores the effects of bypass duct bifurcations (e.g., the pylon and lower bifurcation). In addition to this new application, the design study is expanded to include the use of a commercially available duct propagation code. Despite the different general workflow for the two propagation codes, consistent optimized impedance spectra and in-duct attenuation predictions were obtained for several acoustic treatment options. The preliminary results are promising, and this work increases confidence in the enhanced broadband liner design methodology and lays the groundwork for complimentary use of the codes in future studies. The potential benefits of acoustic treatment on the upper and lower bifurcations are also demonstrated. The knowledge gained through this preliminary stage of the liner design process will be used to guide the identification of candidate liner designs for a proposed static engine test within the next year.

Acoustic Liner Design↗