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At least 325 records · Page 18

Use of shock tubes in high Reynolds number transonic testing

The shock tube as a device to fulfill current needs for testing of transonic airfoils at high Reynolds numbers is considered. Performance analysis of a gas-driven shock tube shows that transonic airfoil flows with chord Reynolds numbers in the range of 100 million can be produced. A study of flow development over a simple airfoil has been carried out in a shock tube at low and intermediate Reynolds numbers to assess the testing technique. Results obtained from schlieren photography and airfoil pressure measurements show that steady transonic flows similar to those produced for the same airfoil in a wind tunnel can be generated within the available testing time in a shock tube with properly contoured test section walls. The study indicates that the shock tube is a viable alternative as a facility for studying high Reynolds number transonic airfoil flows.

Cook, W. J.↗

Vibrational energy transfer for H2-D2 and H2-HCl mixtures from 220-450 K

A laser fluorescence technique is used for the direct observation of the vibrational relaxation of H2 in the presence of D2 and HCl. The technique used is much simpler than the Raman absorption laser-schlieren method and has the advantage that the direct observation of changes in the vibrational energy of H2 permits the study of V-V relaxation processes in mixtures of H2 with other gases. The rapid V-V transfer between HF and H2 is used to permit the selective vibrational excitation of H2 by trace amounts of HF excited by laser absorption. The subsequent relaxation of vibrational energy from the coupled HF and H2 molecules is monitored by the laser induced fluorescence of HF.

Pirkle, R. J.↗

Aerodynamic validation of a SCAR design

Wind tunnel test of the McDonnell Douglas Supersonic Cruise Aircraft, designed for a cruise Mach number of 2.2, was conducted in the NASA Ames Unitary Plan Wind Tunnels. Extensive force, pressure, and flow visualization data were obtained over a Mach number range from 0.5 to 2.4. Comparisons between theory and measurements of both forces and pressure concentrate on the results obtained in the supersonic tunnel. Schlieren and tuft pictures are presented to help provide an understanding of the nonlinearities observed at off-design conditions.

Roensch, R. L.↗

Test data from solid propellant plume aerodynamics test program in Ames 6 x 6 foot supersonic wind tunnel (shuttle test FA7) (Ames test 033-66)

The aerodynamic effects of plumes from hot combustion gases in the presence of a transonic external flow field were measured to advance plumes simulation technology, extend a previously acquired data base, and provide data to compare with the effects observed using cold gas plumes. A variety of underexpanded plumes issuing from the base of a strut-mounted ogive-cylinder body were produced by combusting solid propellant gas generators. The gas generator fired in a short-duration mode (200 to 300 msec). Propellants containing 16 percent and 2 percent A1 were used, with chamber pressures from 400 to 1800 psia. Conical nozzles of 15 deg half-angle were tested with area ratios of 4 and 8. Pressures were measured in the gas generator combustion chamber, along the nozzle wall, on the base, and along the body rear exterior. Schlieren photographs were taken for all tests. Test data are presented along with a description of the test setup and procedures.

Hair, L. M.↗

Experimental results of large-scale structures in jet flows and their relation to jet noise production

Experiments have been performed to determine the role of large-scale turbulent structures in the production of jet noise. Axisymmetric turbulent jet flows at ambient stagnation temperature have been observed with the aid of flow visualization techniques. Jet Mach numbers at the nozzle exit ranged between 0.1 and 0.9, and the Reynolds number, based on nozzle exit diameter, was approximately 10 to the 6th. Large organized turbulent structures existed as far downstream of the nozzle exit as 7 diameters. High-speed schlieren motion pictures synchronized with near-field pressure measurements of an excited jet indicated that strong instantaneous peaks in the pressure signal occurred whenever a merging process between two large-scale organized structures occurred. This pressure pulse propagated at a speed which was somewhat larger than the velocity of the jet at the nozzle exit.

Sarohia, V.↗

Optical measurement methods in thermogasdynamics

A review is presented of a number of optical methods of flow measurements. Consideration is given to such spectroscopic methods as emission and absorption techniques, electron beam-stimulated fluorescence, and light scattering - Rayleigh, Raman and Mie - methods. The following visualization methods are also discussed: shadow photography, schlieren photography, interferometry, holographic interferometry, laser anemometry, particle holography, and electron-excitation imaging. A large bibliography is presented and the work is copiously illustrated with figures and photographs.

Stursberg, K.↗

An electrostatically driven surface for flexible wall drag reduction studies

This paper describes the theoretical analysis, experimental development and surface motion data from an electrostatically driven flexible wall capable of producing high frequency, large amplitude, short wavelength standing wave motions. The driven wall was developed for use in studying flexible wall-turbulent boundary layer interactions. The theoretical analysis considers the coupled electrochemical system using a continuum model. For the system under consideration the electrical field is uncoupled from the mechanical system leading to a simplified analysis. The structural problem is a non-linear (moderately) large amplitude problem and details of the analysis are presented. Surface motion measurements, made using a modified schlieren type optical system, are discussed and details of the surface motion under different excitations are presented. Fair agreement is obtained between experimental measurements and theoretical calculations.

Weinstein, L. M.↗

The shock tube as a device for testing transonic airfoils at high Reynolds numbers

A performance analysis of gas-driven shock tubes shows that transonic airfoil flows with chord Reynolds numbers in the range of 100 million can be generated behind the primary shock in a large shock tube. A study of flow over simple airfoils has been carried out at low and intermediate Reynolds numbers to assess the testing technique. Results obtained from schlieren photos and airfoil pressure measurements show that steady transonic flows similar to those observed for the airfoils in wind tunnels can be generated within the available testing time in a shock tube with either properly-contoured test section walls or a properly-designed slotted-wall test section. The study indicates that the shock tube is a useful facility for studying two-dimensional high Reynolds number transonic airfoil flows.

Cook, W. J.↗

Injection slot location for boundary-layer control in shock-induced separation

An experimental investigation of the effect of tangential air injection, when the injection slot is located inside of what would otherwise have been the dead air zone in a separated flow, in controlling shock-induced turbulent boundary layer separation is presented. The experiments were carried out at a free-stream Mach number of 2.5 in the separated flow induced by a compression corner with a 20 deg angle. The observations made were wall static pressures, pitot profiles, and schlieren visualizations of the flow. The results show that the present location for injection is more effective in suppressing boundary-layer separation than the more conventional one, where the slot is located upstream of where separation would occur in the absence of injection.

Viswanath, P. R.↗

Visualization of relaminarizing flows

The experiments described in the present paper provided conclusive evidence for the feasibility of achieving reverse transition by several different mechanisms. Turbulent-to-laminar transition in water was visualized by injection of purple and green dyes. Air flows were visualized by colored schlieren photography.

Viswanath, P. R.↗

Application of shock tubes to transonic airfoil testing at high Reynolds numbers

Performance analysis of a gas-driven shock tube shows that transonic airfoil flows with chord Reynolds numbers of the order of 100 million can be produced, with limitations being imposed by the structural integrity of the facility or the model. A study of flow development over a simple circular arc airfoil at zero angle of attack was carried out in a shock tube at low and intermediate Reynolds numbers to assess the testing technique. Results obtained from schlieren photography and airfoil pressure measurements show that steady transonic flows similar to those produced for the same airfoil in a wind tunnel can be generated within the available testing time in a shock tube with properly contoured test section walls.

Cook, W. J.↗

Wind tunnel tests of a blade subjected to midchord torsional oscillation at high subsonic stall flutter conditions

A mechanical drive system for oscillating blades in a wind tunnel at frequencies up to 767 hertz and amplitudes of + or - 1.2 deg is described. High-speed motion pictures of schlieren images of the flow over a double-circular arc blade oscillating in harmonic motion about the midchord revealed extensive shock patterns at a nominal free stream Mach number of 0.7, a mean angle of attack of 4 deg, and reduced frequency of about 0.7. A phase lag resulting from the slow response of the flow to the motion of the blade increased with increasing reduced frequency. This phase lag, based on the difference between the time the blade attained its maximum angle of attack and the time required for the normal shock to reach its extreme downstream position, was nominally 100 deg at the above conditions.

Boldman, D. R.↗

Exploratory investigation of the effect of porous surfaces on hypersonic turbulent boundary layers

Four different test surfaces were studied to determine the effect of porous walls on the characteristics of a hypersonic turbulent flat-plate boundary layer. The investigation was an attempt to decrease the surface shear of the boundary layer by transmitting fluctuating pressure energy through the wall and absorbing it in a cavity beneath the wall. Pitot surveys were made at two locations, schlieren photographs of the boundary layer were taken, and hot-wire measurements in the flow above the boundary layer were made to determine whether the surfaces affected the turbulent boundary layer. Neither an increase nor a decrease in surface shear or boundary-layer growth was detected. Tabulations of the pitot data are included.

Watson, R. D.↗

Some recent developments in the prediction of shock interaction phenomena at hypersonic speeds

The shock strengths for which either Edney type I or type II shock interference patterns can occur when two oblique shocks of opposite families intersect were determined graphically at Mach 10 by using logarithmic shock polar diagrams. The theoretical region of overlap for the two types of interaction was investigated by observing in the Schlieren system of the Langley 15-inch hypersonic flow apparatus the intersection of oblique shocks generated by two sharp 10 degree wedges as the wedge angles of attack and their relative positions were altered. A range of shock strengths for which either of the two interference patterns can exist was demonstrated.

Crawford, D. H.↗

An experimental study of the flow field and pollutant formation in a two dimensional premixed, turbulent flame

Spark shadowgraphs, high-speed schlieren movies, and the tracing of individual eddies were used to study a turbulent reacting shear layer in a premixed propane/air flow. The flow took place in a two-dimensional combustor, and the flame was stabilized behind a rearward facing streamlined step. The data show that in the velocity range 7.5 to 22.5 m/sec the mixing layer is dominated by Brown-Roshko type large coherent structures in both reacting and nonreacting flows. Information on the eddies, the flame, and the distribution of gas concentrations is presented.

Ganji, A. R.↗

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 the flow field of a rectangular wall jet

The structure of a laminar, rectangular wall jet developing from an initially parabolic velocity profile was investigated with measurements of the mean and fluctuating velocity field, and with Schlieren flow visualization. The effects on mean and fluctuating velocity fields of changes in the jet Reynolds number over the range of from 0 to 4800, and of various wall lengths ranging from 0 to 312 jet widths were studied. For a given wall length and Reynolds number, disturbances in the flow field were regular and periodic, and of a constant frequency in a large region of the flow field. Small, self-excited disturbances at the nozzle exit were observed to grow exponentially with downstream distance, and roll up to form a convecting array of discrete vortices. For certain values of wall length and jet speed, discrete audible tones were detected, and appeared to be associated with an enhancement of the regularity and stability of the vortex array.

Horne, C.↗

Remote optical techniques for liquid flow and temperature measurement for Spacelab experiments

Three nonintrusive measurement techniques for Spacelab experiments are investigated. In the photochromic dye technique, a small amount of dye is dissolved in a low viscosity silicone oil and dye streaks are produced upon exposure to a UV source; the movement of the streaks reveals the flow. A laser Doppler dual-scatter system is being developed for low flow speed measurement; an accuracy of a few percent has been demonstrated for flows of a few millimeters per second. A double-grid schlieren system is being developed for temperature measurement; the optical arrangement is such that an image of a Ronchi ruling is superposed on the original ruling, giving a uniform gray field of view.

Fowlis, W. W.↗