Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Boundary-Layer Instability”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1947

Investigations of Effects of Surface Temperature and Single Roughness Elements on Boundary-Layer Transition

The laminar boundary layer and the position of the transition point were investigated on a heated flat plate. It was found that the Reynolds number of transition decreased as the temperature of the plate is increased. It is shown from simple qualitative analytical considerations that the effect of variable viscosity in the boundary layer due to the temperature difference produces a velocity profile with an inflection point if the wall temperature is higher than the free-stream temperature. This profile is confirmed by measurements. The instability of inflection-point profiles is discussed. Studies of the flow in the wake of large, two-dimensional roughness elements are presented. It is shown that a boundary-layer can separate and reattach itself to the wall without having transition take place.

Liepmann, Hans W↗
NASA NTRS1956

Performance of a Blunt-lip Side Inlet with Ramp Bleed, Bypass, and a Long Constant-area Duct Ahead of the Engine : Mach Numbers 0.66 and 1.5 to 2.1

Unsteady shock-induced separation of the ramp boundary layer was reduced and stabilized more effectively by external perforations than by external or internal slots. At Mach 2.0 peak total-pressure recovery was increased from 0.802 to 0.89 and stable mass-flow range was increased 185 percent over that for the solid ramp. Peak pressure recovery occurred just before instability. The 7 and one-third-diameter duct ahead of the engine reduced large total-pressure distortions but was not as successful for small distortions as obtained with throat bleed. By removing boundary-layer air the bypass nearly recovered the total-pressure loss due to the long duct.

Allen, John L↗
NASA NTRS1985

Flight-measured laminar boundary-layer transition phenomena including stability theory analysis

Flight experiments were conducted on a single-engine turboprop aircraft fitted with a 92-in-chord, 3-ft-span natural laminar flow glove at glove section lift coefficients from 0.15 to 1.10. The boundary-layer transition measurement methods used included sublimating chemicals and surface hot-film sensors. Transition occurred downstream of the minimum pressure point. Hot-film sensors provided a well-defined indication of laminar, laminar-separation, transitional, and turbulent boundary layers. Theoretical calculations of the boundary-layer parameters provided close agreement between the predicted laminar-separation point and the measured transition location. Tollmien-Schlichting (T-S) wave growth n-factors between 15 and 17 were calculated at the predicted point of laminar separation. These results suggest that for many practical airplane cruise conditions, laminar separation (as opposed to T-S instability) is the major cause of transition in predominantly two-dimensional flows.

Obara, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

STAYLAM: A FORTRAN program for the suction transition analysis of a yawed wing laminar boundary layer

A computer program called STAYLAM is presented for the computation of the compressible laminar boundary-layer flow over a yawed infinite wing including distributed suction. This program is restricted to the transonic speed range or less due to the approximate treatment of the compressibility effects. The prescribed suction distribution is permitted to change discontinuously along the chord measured perpendicular to the wing leading edge. Estimates of transition are made by considering leading edge contamination, cross flow instability, and instability of the Tollmien-Schlichting type. A program listing is given in addition to user instructions and a sample case.

Carter, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The relation between temporal and spatial stability in three-dimensional flows

An analysis is presented of the nonparallel spatial or temporal stability of three-dimensional incompressible, isothermal boundary-layer flows taking into account the transverse velocity component as well as the axial and crossflow variations of the mean flow. The method of multiple scales is used to derive partial differential equations that describe the axial and crossflow variations of the disturbance amplitude, phase and wavenumbers. This equation is used to derive the expressions that relate the temporal and spatial instabilities. These relations are functions of the complex group velocities. Moreover, this equation is used to derive the expression that relates the spatial amplification in any direction to a calculated amplification in any other direction. These relations are verified by numerical results obtained for two- and three-dimensional disturbances in two- and three-dimensional flows.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Experimental investigation of a Mach 6 fixed-geometry inlet featuring a swept external-internal compression flow field

An investigation of a fixed-geometry, swept external-internal compression inlet was conducted at a Mach number of 6.0 and a test-section Reynolds number of 1.55 x 10 to the 7th power per meter. The test conditions was constant for all runs with stagnation pressure and temperature at 20 atmospheres and 500 K, respectively. Tests were made at angles of attack of -5 deg, 0 deg, 3 deg, and 5 deg. Measurements consisted of pitot- and static-pressure surveys in inlet throat, wall static pressures, and surface temperatures. Boundary-layer bleed was provided on the centerbody and on the cowl internal surface. The inlet performance was consistently high over the range of the angle of attack tested, with an overall average total pressure recovery of 78 percent and corresponding adiabatic kinetic-energy efficiency of 99 percent. The inlet throat flow distribution was uniform and the Mach number and pressure level were of the correct magnitude for efficient combustor design. The utilization of a swept compression field to meet the starting requirements of a fixed-geometry inlet produced neither flow instability nor a tendency to unstart.

Torrence, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Unsteady flow in a supersonic cascade with two in-passage shocks

A model for a supersonic blade row with two in-passage shock waves is developed. It accounts for three-dimensional effects in real flows by using an altered blade shape in a two-dimensional cascade. There is enough flexibility in the choice of blade shape to accommodate a desired entrance angle, exit angle, boundary-layer thickness and stage pressure ratio at a given entrance Mach number. The model divides the mean flow into regions of uniform or one-dimensional flow in which the solutions for the unsteady flow may be formed successively. The analysis makes use of previous solutions for unsteady flow in cascades and over an oscillation wedge. Six flow conditions are chosen in the range of parameters for which the two-shock model is valid for studies of flutter in torsion and bending. It is found, in keeping with previous results from a single-shock model, that in each case there is increasing instability with decreasing frequency.

Braun, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A flight investigation of the stability, control, and handling qualities of an augmented jet flap STOL airplane

The stability, control, and handling qualities of an augmented jet flap STOL airplane are presented. The airplane is an extensively modified de Havilland Buffalo military transport. The modified airplane has two fan-jet engines which provide vectorable thrust and compressed air for the augmentor jet flap and Boundary-Layer Control (BLC). The augmentor and BLC air is cross ducted to minimize asymmetric moments produced when one engine is inoperative. The modifications incorporated in the airplane include a Stability Augmentation System (SAS), a powered elevator, and a powered lateral control system. The test gross weight of the airplane was between 165,000 and 209,000 N (37,000 and 47,000 lb). Stability, control, and handling qualities are presented for the airspeed range of 40 to 180 knots. The lateral-directional handling qualities are considered satisfactory for the normal operating range of 65 to 160 knots airspeed when the SAS is functioning. With the SAS inoperative, poor turn coordination and spiral instability are primary deficiencies contributing to marginal handling qualities in the landing approach. The powered elevator control system enhanced the controllability in pitch, particularly in the landing flare and stall recovery.

Vomaske, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Effects of Mach Number, Leading-Edge Bluntness, and Sweep on Boundary-Layer Transition on a Flat Plate

The effects of leading-edge bluntness and sweep on boundary-layer transition on flat plate models were investigated at Mach numbers of 2.00, 2.50, 3.00, and 4.00. The effect of sweep on transition was also determined on a flat plate model equipped with an elliptical nose at a Mach number of 0.27. Models used for the supersonic investigation had leading-edge radii varying from 0.0005 to 0.040 inch. The free-stream unit Reynolds number was held constant at 15 million per foot for the supersonic tests and the angle of attack was 0 deg. Surface flow conditions were determined by visual observation and recorded photographically. The sublimation technique was used to indicate transition, and the fluorescent-oil technique was used to indicate flow separation. Measured Mach number and sweep effects on transition are compared with those predicted from shock-loss considerations as described in NACA Rep. 1312. For the models with the blunter leading edges, the transition Reynolds number (based on free-stream flow conditions) was approximately doubled by an increase in Mach number from 2.50 to 4.00; and nearly the same result was predicted from shock-loss considerations. At all super- sonic Mach numbers, increases in sweep reduced the transition Reynolds number and the amount of reduction increased with increases in bluntness. The shock-loss method considerably underestimated- the sweep effects, possibly because of the existence of crossflow instability associated with swept wings. At a Mach number of 0.27, no reduction in the transition Reynolds number with sweep was measured (as would be expected with no shock loss) until the sweep angle was attained where crossflow instability appeared.

Jillie, Don W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Experiment on turbulent boundary layers on a concave wall

The present experiment describes the behavior of a turbulent boundary layer on a concave wall. At the onset of curvature there appears a fairly coherent wavelike transverse profile of mean velocity. This disturbance might be interpreted as a kind of large scale Taylor-Goertler type instability superimposed on a conventional turbulent boundary layer; further downstream the coherence degenerates as the turbulence level increases. Boundary-layer profile measurements were made at positions of maxima and minima of transverse profiles of (U-component) mean velocity. The boundary layer at the minima positions is found to be twice as thick as that at the maxima positions. Also, turbulent intensities inside the boundary layer are substantially increased as a result of the concave curvature of the surface.

So, R. M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the stabilization of three-dimensional boundary layers by suction and cooling

A significant reduction in the drag of transonic aircraft can be achieved by using an active method of boundary-layer control to maintain laminar flow on the aerodynamic surfaces. The stabilizing influence of suction for both favorable and adverse pressure gradients is demonstrated by means of the self-similar incompressible three-dimensional boundary layers on yawed wedges. Profile instability is measured by the maximum amplification rate of fixed-frequency disturbances computed according to linearized, locally parallel, spatial stability theory. Suction is found to be more effective in controlling Tollmien-Schlichting instability than stationary cross-flow disturbances. The effectiveness of surface cooling as a method of stabilization is compared with suction for the boundary layers on a transonic 35 deg swept wing of infinite span. It is found from compressible stability theory that when the surface is cooled to a uniform temperature such that the maximum cross-flow velocity is reduced by the same amount as with a uniform suction distribution, the stabilizing effect of cooling on cross-flow disturbances is less than with suction.

Mack, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Compressible boundary-layer stability calculations for sweptback wings with suction

The stability of the laminar boundary layers on two transonic wings of infinite span with distributed suction is investigated with the compressible, parallel-flow stability theory. Both wings have supercritical airfoil sections; one has a sweep angle of 23 deg, the other of 35 deg. Zero-frequency disturbances are used to represent cross-flow instability, and disturbances with the wavenumber vector aligned with the local flow direction represent traveling-wave instability. In both cases, the maximum spatial amplification rate is used as a measure of the instability. For the suction, distributions with constant mass flux downstream of the starting point are used. The main objective is to determine how the maximum amplification rate varies with the magnitude and starting point of the suction. It is found for both types of disturbances that the maximum amplification rate varies almost linearly with the suction magnitude up to at least the point where the amplification rate is halved. Different starting locations for the suction in the first 4% of the chord were found to affect cross-flow instability, but to have little influence on traveling-wave instability.

Mack, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Three-dimensional stability of vortex arrays

The stability to three-dimensional disturbances of three classical steady vortex configurations in an incompressible inviscid fluid is studied in the limit of small vortex cross-sectional area and long axial disturbance wavelength. The configurations examined are the single infinite vortex row, the Karman vortex street of staggered vortices and the symmetric vortex street. It is shown that the single row is most unstable to a two-dimensional disturbance, while the Karman vortex street is most unstable to a three-dimensional disturbance over a significant range of street spacing ratios. The symmetric vortex street is found to be most unstable to three-dimensional or two-dimensional symmetric disturbances depending on the spacing ratio of the street. Short remarks are made concerning the relevance of the calculations to the observed instabilities in free shear layer, wake and boundary-layer type flows.

Robinson, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

On the stability of the decelerating laminar boundary layer

The stability of a decelerating boundary-layer flow is investigated experimentally and numerically. Experimentally, a flat plate having a Blasius boundary layer is decelerated in an 18 m towing tank. The boundary layer becomes unstable to two-dimensional waves, which break down into three-dimensional patterns, hairpin vortices, and finally turbulent bursts when the vortices lift off the wall. The unsteady boundary-layer equations are solved numerically to generate instantaneous velocity profiles for a range of boundary and initial conditions. A quasi-steady approximation is invoked and the stability of local velocity profiles is determined by solving the Orr-Sommerfeld equation using Chebyshev matrix methods. Comparisons are made between the numerical predictions and the experimentally observed instabilities.

Gad-El-hak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Growth of Goertler vortices in compressible boundary layers along curved surfaces

An investigation of the growth of the three-dimensional, counter-rotating, longitudinal type vortices is considered in two-dimensional laminar compressible boundary-layer flow. The basic approximation of the disturbance equations that includes the terms due to boundary layer growth is considered and solved numerically. These terms are shown to have large local effects near the neutral stability region. The study shows that the instability of the boundary layer with respect to the three-dimensional vortices sets in at higher Goertler number as Mach number increases. Also the maximum amplitude ratio of the vortices is reduced by about 20 percent as Mach number increases from 0 to 5.

El-Hady, N. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Seasonal simulations of the planetary boundary layer and boundary-layer stratocumulus clouds with a general circulation model

The formulation of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and stratocumulus parametrizations in the UCLA general circulation model (GCM) are briefly summarized, and extensive new results are presented illustrating some aspects of the simulated seasonal changes of the global distributions of PBL depth, stratocumulus cloudiness, cloud-top entrainment instability, the cumulus mass flux, and related fields. Results from three experiments designed to reveal the sensitivity of the GCM results to aspects of the PBL and stratocumulus parametrizations are presented. The GCM results show that the layer cloud instability appears to limit the extent of the marine subtropical stratocumulus regimes, and that instability frequently occurs in association with cumulus convection over land. Cumulus convection acts as a very significant sink of PBL mass throughout the tropics and over the midlatitude continents in winter.

Randall, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Theory on instability and transition

The fundamental fluid dynamics governing instability and transition to turbulence in boundary layers are considered, and attention is focused on the key aspects of nonlinear dynamics central to the transition process and to turbulent boundary-layer phenomena. Emphasis is placed on truly nonlinear theories, in which the boundary layer mean-flow profile is completely altered from its original form. Nonlinear TS transitions, Euler-stage interactions, and vortex/wave interactions are discussed, and compressible boundary layers are analyzed. Connections with experiments and computations are outlined, along with overall trends including the extension of the nonlinear theory and the advancement in the compressible and other flow regimes.

Smith, Frank T.↗
NASA NTRS1954

On the three-dimensional instability of laminar boundary layers on concave walls

A study is made of the stability of laminar boundary-layer profiles on slightly curved walls relative to small disturbances that result from vortices whose axes are parallel to the principal direction of flow. The result is an eigenvalue problem by which, for a given undisturbed flow at a prescribed wall, the amplification or decay is computed for each Reynolds number and each vortex thickness. For neutral disturbances (zero amplification) a critical Reynolds number is determined for each vortex distribution. The numerical calculation produces amplified disturbances on concave walls only.

FLOW, LAMINAR↗