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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 343 records · Page 19

A numerical study of the flow establishment time in hypersonic shock tunnels

This paper presents a numerical study of unsteady hypersonic viscous flows in 2D hypersonic shock tunnels. The numerical experiments on the combined nozzle/model flows, utilizing the configurations mounted in the test section of a 14.7-long shock tunnel, which has a design Mach number of Me = 6 and a stagnation temperature of T(0) = 3063 R, have been performed by solving the 2D Navier-Stokes equations with an ADI-type TVD scheme. The flow establishment times around aerodynamic models, such as a flat plate, a biconvex airfoil, thin and thick double wedges, and a circular cylinder, are calculated and compared. The analysis shows that, for the most severely separated case of a circular cylinder, the flow becomes stabilized within about 8 msec including the starting process, and its nondimensional flow establishment time is 46. The flow establishment time increases with increasing length of the separated region and decreases with increasing freestream velocity.

Lee, Jang-Yeon↗

Aerothermodynamics Technical Working Group: 2008 Turbomachinery Technology Assessment and Recommendations

This report documents the 2008 Turbomachinery Technology Assessment and Recommendations of the NASA-led Aerothermodynamics Technical Working Group (TWG). It includes technology review, assessment, and recommendation for future research and development. The areas covered are summarized as follows. Inlet Flow Distortion Sensitivity and Stability, Tip Leakage Flows in High-Pressure Cores, Endwall Contouring, Turbine Tip Flows, Combustor and Cooled-Turbine Interaction, Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbines.

Heidmann, James D.↗

A parametric study of supersonic laminar flow for swept wings using linear stability analysis

A parametric study to predict the extent of laminar flow on the upper surface of a generic swept-back wing (NACA 64A010 airfoil section) at supersonic speeds was conducted. The results were obtained by using surface pressure predictions from an Euler/Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics code coupled with a boundary layer code, which predicts detailed boundary layer profiles, and finally with a linear stability code to determine the extent of laminar flow. The parameters addressed are Reynolds number, angle of attack, and leading-edge wing sweep. The results of this study show that an increase in angle of attack, for specific Reynolds numbers, can actually delay transition. Therefore, higher lift capability, caused by the increased angle of attack, as well as a reduction in viscous drag due to the delay in transition is possible for certain flight conditions.

Cummings, Russell M.↗

Utilizing Controlled Vibrations in a Microgravity Environment to Understand and Promote Microstructural Homogeneity During Float-Zone Crystal Growth

Our previous experiments with NaNO3 float-zones revealed that steady thermocapillary flow can be balanced/offset by the controlled surface streaming flow induced by end-wall vibration. In the current experiments we are examining the effects of streaming flow on steadying/stabilizing nonsteady thermocapillary flow in such zones. To this effect we have set up a controlled NaNO3 half-zone experiment, where the processing parameters, like zone dimensions and temperature gradients, can be easily varied to generate nonsteady thermocapillary flows. In the present paper we present preliminary results of our investigations into stabilizing such flows by employing end-wall vibration.

Anilkumar, A. V.↗

Utilizing Controlled Vibrations in a Microgravity Environment to Understand and Promote Microstructural Homogeneity During Floating-Zone Crystal Growth

Our previous experiments with NaNO3 float-zones revealed that steady thermocapillary flow can be balanced/offset by the controlled surface streaming flow induced by end-wall vibration. In the current experiments we are examining the effects of streaming flow on steadying/stabilizing nonsteady thermocapillary flow in such zones. To this effect we have set up a controlled NaNO3 half-zone experiment, where the processing parameters, like zone dimensions and temperature gradients, can be easily varied to generate nonsteady thermocapillary flows. In the present paper we present preliminary results of our investigations into stabilizing such flows by employing endwall vibration.

Anilkumar, A. V.↗

Liquid hydrogen turbopump foil bearing

Space transfer vehicles and other power and propulsion systems require long-life turbopumps. Rolling element bearings used in current turbopumps do not have sufficient life for these applications. Process fluid foil bearings have established long life, with exceptional reliability, over a wide range of temperatures and fluids in many high-speed turbomachinery applications. However, liquid hydrogen turbopumps require high-load capacity bearings. An experimental study was conducted to measure foil journal bearing load capacity in liquid hydrogen, using a bearing designed specifically for cryogenic hydrogen turbopump applications. Additional performance parameters such as power loss, stability, cooling flow requirements, and bearing life were measured. These tests showed a load capacity safety factor of approximately 10 for liquid hydrogen turbopump applictions. These tests also demonstrated good rotor stability, low power loss and cooling flow, and long life.

Saville, M.↗

Preliminary Results of an Investigation by the Wing-Flow Method of the Longitudinal Stability Characteristics of a 1/50-Scale Semispan Model of the McDonnell XP-88 Airplane

This paper presents the results of measurements of longitudinal stability of a 1/50-scale model of the XP-88 airplane by the wing-flow method. Lift, rolling-moment, hinge-moment, and pitching-moment characteristics as well as the downwash at the tail were measured over a Mach number range from approximately 0.5 to 1.05 at Reynolds numbers below 1,000,000. No measurements of drag were obtained. No abrupt changes due to Mach number were noted in any of the parameters measured. The data indicated that the wing was subject to early tip stalling; that the tail effectiveness decreased gradually with increasing Mach number up to M = 0.9, but increased again at higher Mach numbers; that the variation of downwash with angle of attack did not change appreciably with Mach number except between 0.95 and 1.0 where d(epsilon)/d(alpha), decreased from 0.46 to 0.32; that at zero lift with a stabilizer setting of -1.5 deg there was a gradually increasing nosing-up tendency with increasing Mach number; and that the control-fixed stability in maneuvers at constant speed gradually increased with increasing Mach number.

Crane, Harold L.↗

Effect of Surface Waviness on Transition in Three-Dimensional Boundary-Layer Flow

The effect of a surface wave on transition in three-dimensional boundary-layer flow over an infinite swept wing was studied. The mean flow computed using interacting boundary-layer theory, and transition was predicted using linear stability theory coupled with the empirical eN method. It was found that decreasing the wave height, sweep angle, or freestream unit Reynolds number, and increasing the freestream Mach number or suction level all stabilized the flow and moved transition onset to downstream locations.

Masad, Jamal A.↗

Effect of Fuselage and Tail Surfaces on Low-speed Yawing Characteristics of a Swept-wing Model as Determined in Curved-flow Test Section of Langley Stability Tunnel

Results are presented of a wind-tunnel investigation made to determine the influence of the fuselage and tail surfaces on the rotary derivatives in yawing flight of a transonic-airplane configuration having 45 degrees sweptback wing and tail surfaces. The tests were run in the curved-flow test section of the Langley stability tunnel at a Reynolds number of 1.07 X 10 to the sixth power and consisted of balance measurements throughout the angle-of-attack range for several flight-path radii of curvature. The results are compared with data from forced-oscillation and free-oscillation tests, and a description of testing techniques used is included.

WIND TUNNELS↗

From machine learning to chemical insight: Darwinian chance and the stability of charge carriers in flow batteries

In chemistry, rationalizing and predicting reaction behavior in complex environments is challenging, but this knowledge is required for practical applications and materials advancement. Here, we focus on one such example that uses organic molecules as redox-active materials in electrochemical energy storage. In flow batteries, these molecules (also known as redoxmers) serve as charge carriers, and exceptional chemical stability in all states of charge is required for long-term use. Here, we show how machine learning combined with chemist's knowledge can be used to reveal patterns in the reactivity of charged redoxmers by providing mechanistically tractable clues.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Radiative shock overstability of finite-sized objects

We investigate the radiative shock overstability for finite-sized objects. We follow the analysis of Chevalier & Imamura (1982), but we take into account the transverse flow of material out of the potshock region. The mass loss from the postshock region stabilizes the flow. As a rough estimate, the shock radiative instability takes place when the shock wave position with no radiative cooling (only mass loss present) is larger than the shock position with no mass loss (only radiative cooling present). For typical conditions of planetary nebulae we find that in order for the shock radiative overstability to occur, the nebular radius should be R approximately less than 10(exp 19) n(sub a)(exp -1) cm, where n(sub alpha) is the total number density of the interstellar medium (in units of cm(exp -3). We give several examples of interacting planetary nebulae in light of this condition.

Dgani, Ruth↗

Nonlinear Instability of Hypersonic Flow past a Wedge

The nonlinear stability of a compressible flow past a wedge is investigated in the hypersonic limit. The analysis follows the ideas of a weakly nonlinear approach. Interest is focussed on Tollmien-Schlichting waves governed by a triple deck structure and it is found that the attached shock can profoundly affect the stability characteristics of the flow. In particular, it is shown that nonlinearity tends to have a stabilizing influence. The nonlinear evolution of the Tollmien-Schlichting mode is described in a number of asymptotic limits.

Seddougui, Sharon O.↗

Investigation of hypersonic shock-induced combustion in a hydrogen-air system

A numerical study is conducted to simulate the ballistic range experiments at Mach 5.11 and 6.46. The flow field is found to be unsteady with periodic instabilities originating in the stagnation zone. The unsteadiness of the flow field decreased with increase in the Mach number, thus indicating that it is possible to stabilize such flow fields with a high degree of overdrive. The frequency of periodic instability is determined using Fourier power spectrum and is found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The physics of the instability is explained by the wave interaction models available in the literature.

Ahuja, J. K.↗

Steady and nonsteady supersonic turbulent afterbody flow

The effect of the specific heat ratio gamma of the incoming ideal gas on the flow properties, especially on pressure distributions along the base and sting surfaces and on reattachment distance, was investigated. The specific heat ratios considered were gamma = 1.2, 1.4, and 1.667. Also, effects of other major parameters, such as eddy-viscosity coefficient (or effective Reynolds number) and Mach number, on the afterbody pressure and reattachment distance were studied and are discussed. Evolution of shock induced flow and stabilization time were examined and are discussed for a transient problem. The important influence of the flow-field geometry, pressure distributions, and reattachment distance on the aerodynamics radiative heat transfer for an atmosphere entry probe in high speed flight are briefly described.

Yoshikawa, K. K.↗

Turbulence and heat stratification

With applications to meteorology in view, the method of small oscillations is used to investigate the stability of a plane laminar boundary layer in which the density depends in a special way on the distance from the plate. It is found that for a constant Froude number the flow becomes more stable as the Richardson number increases until, at a critical value of the Richardson number that depends on the Froude number, the flow is stable for all disturbance wave lengths and Reynolds numbers. The calculated results are verified by experiment.

FLOW VELOCITY - DISTRIBUTION↗