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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Transonic lifting line theory - Numerical procedure for shock-free flows

An algorithm for computing transonic lifting-line theory without shocks is presented; the numerical procedure relies on two-dimensional analyses developed to solve inviscid flow equations for slender airfoils. From a series of solutions to two-dimensional problems in which span effects appear parametrically, the three-dimensional potential field characterization is obtained. Numerical results are given for a lifting wing with an elliptic (spanwise) distribution of chord and a NACA-0012 cross section (a freestream Mach number of 0.63 and an angle of attack of 2 deg are assumed).

Small, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Additional aspects of elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) for materials of low elastic modulus is considered. Engineering applications in which EHL is important for low-elastic-modulus materials include seals, human joints, tires, and elastomeric-material machine elements. Theoretical solutions of the problem of fully flooded line contacts in the case of low-elastic-materials are discussed. The equation regarding dimensionless minimum film thickness for fully flooded elliptical contacts for low elastic modulus is compared with the corresponding equation for materials of high elastic modulus. The powers of the dimensionless speed parameter U are quite similar in both equations, but the power of the dimensionless load parameter W is much more significant for low-elastic-modulus materials. Attention is given to aspects of dimensionless grouping, the isoviscous rigid regime, the viscous rigid regime, the isoviscous elastic regime, and the viscous elastic regime.

Hamrock, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Theory and computation of optimal low- and medium-thrust transfers

This report presents the formulation of the optimal low- and medium-thrust orbit transfer control problem and methods for numerical solution of the problem. The problem formulation is for final mass maximization and allows for second-harmonic oblateness, atmospheric drag, and three-dimensional, non-coplanar, non-aligned elliptic terminal orbits. We setup some examples to demonstrate the ability of two indirect methods to solve the resulting TPBVP's. The methods demonstrated are the multiple-point shooting method as formulated in H. J. Oberle's subroutine BOUNDSCO, and the minimizing boundary-condition method (MBCM). We find that although both methods can converge solutions, there are trade-offs to using either method. BOUNDSCO has very poor convergence for guesses that do not exhibit the correct switching structure. MBCM, however, converges for a wider range of guesses. However, BOUNDSCO's multi-point structure allows more freedom in quesses by increasing the node points as opposed to only quessing the initial state in MBCM. Finally, we note an additional drawback for BOUNDSCO: the routine does not supply information to the users routines for switching function polarity but only the location of a preset number of switching points.

Chuang, C.-H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Numerical determination of the fundamental eigenvalue for the Laplace operator on a spherical domain

Methods for obtaining approximate solutions for the fundamental eigenvalue of the Laplace-Beltrami operator (i.e., the membrane eignevalue problem for the vibration equation) on the unit spherical surface are developed. Two types of spherical surface domains are considered: the interior of a spherical triangle, and the exterior of a great circle arc extending for less than pi radians (a spherical surface with a slit). In both cases, zero boundary conditions are imposed. In order to solve the resulting second-order elliptic partial differential equations in two independent variables, a finite difference approximation is employed. The fundamental eigenvalue is approximated by iteration utilizing the power method and point successive overrelaxation. Some numerical results are given and compared, in certain special cases, with analytical solutions to the eigenvalue problem. The significance of the numerical eigenvalue results is discussed in terms of the singularities in the solution of three-dimensional boundary-value problems near a polyhedral corner of the domain.

Walden, H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts

A procedure for the numerical solution of the complete, isothermal, elastohydrodynamic lubrication problem for point contacts is given. This procedure calls for the simultaneous solution of the elasticity and Reynolds equations. By using this theory the influence of the ellipticity parameter and the dimensionless speed, load, and material parameters on the minimum and central film thicknesses was investigated. Thirty-four different cases were used in obtaining the fully flooded minimum- and central-film-thickness formulas. Lubricant starvation was also studied. From the results it was possible to express the minimum film thickness for a starved condition in terms of the minimum film thickness for a fully flooded condition, the speed parameter, and the inlet distance. Fifteen additional cases plus three fully flooded cases were used in obtaining this formula. Contour plots of pressure and film thickness in and around the contact have been presented for both fully flooded and starved lubrication conditions.

Hamrock, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

On the stability of the unsteady boundary layer on a cylinder oscillating transversely in a viscous fluid

The stability of the two-dimensional flow induced by the tranverse oscillation of a cylinder in a viscous fluid is investigated in both the linear and weakly nonlinear regime. The major assumption that is made to simplify the problem is that the oscillation frequency is large in which case an unsteady boundary layer is set up on the cylinder. Results are given for cylinders of elliptic cross section and it is found that for any given eccentricity the most dangerous configuration is when the cylinder oscillates parallel to its minor axis. Some discussion of nonlinear effects is also given and for the circular cylinder it is shown that the steady streaming boundary layer of the basic flow is significantly altered by the instability.

Hall, P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

On the stability of the unsteady boundary layer on a cylinder oscillating transversely in a viscous fluid

The stability of the two-dimensional flow induced by the transverse oscillation of a cylinder in a viscous fluid is investigated in both the linear and weakly nonlinear regime. The major assumption that is made to simplify the problem is that the oscillation frequency is large in which case an unsteady boundary layer is set up on the cylinder. Results are given for cylinders of elliptic cross section and it is found that for any given eccentricity the most dangerous configuration is when the cylinder oscillates parallel to its minor axis. Some discussion of nonlinear effects is also given and for the circular cylinder it is shown that the steady streaming boundary layer of the basic flow is significantly altered by the instability.

Hall, P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A method of calculating the total flow from a given sea surface topography

Using a simple dynamical model of a wind-driven ocean circulation of the Stommel type, and an analytical basis developed to objectively analyze the sea surface height residuals from an altimeter and, in the process, to determine the total flow instead of just the near surface geostrophic component associated with the given sea surface topography. The method is based on first deriving the solution to the forced problem for a given wind stress required to develop a hypothetical true or perfect data field and to establishing the basis for the objective analysis. The stream function and the surface height field for the forced problem are developed in terms of certain characteristic functions with the same expansion coefficients for both fields. These characteristic functions are simply the solutions for a homogeneous elliptic equation for the stream function and the solutions of an inhomogeneous balance equation for the height field. For the objective analysis, using a sample of randomly selected height values from the true data field, the height field characteristic functions are used to fit the given topography in a least squares sense. The resulting expansion coefficients then permit the synthesis of the total flow field via the stream function characteristic modes and the solution is perfectly well behaved even along the equator. The method of solution is easily adaptable to realistic ocean basis by straight forward numerical methods. The analytical basis of the theory and the results for an ideal rectangular basin on a beta plane are described.

Rao, Desiraju B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Bodies with noncircular cross sections and bank-to-turn missiles

A development status evaluation is presented for the aerodynamics of missile configurations with noncircular cross-sections and bank-to-turn maneuvering systems, giving attention to cases with elliptical and square cross-sections, as well as bodies with variable cross-sections. The assessment of bank-to-turn missile performance notes inherent stability/control problems. A summary and index are provided for aerodynamic data on monoplanar configurations, including those which incorporate airbreathing propulsion systems.

Jackson, C. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Volumetric pattern analysis of fuselage-mounted airborne antennas

A volumetric pattern analysis of fuselage-mounted airborne antennas at high frequencies was investigated. The primary goal of the investigation was to develop a numerical solution for predicting radiation patterns of airborne antennas in an accurate and efficient manner. An analytical study of airborne antenna pattern problems is presented in which the antenna is mounted on the fuselage near the top or bottom. Since this is a study of general-type commercial aircraft, the aircraft was modeled in its most basic form. The fuselage was assumed to be an infinitely long perfectly conducting elliptic cylinder in its cross-section and a composite elliptic cylinder in its elevation profile. The wing, cockpit, stabilizers (horizontal and vertical) and landing gear are modeled by "N" sided bent or flat plates which can be arbitrarily attached to the fuselage. The volumetric solution developed utilizes two elliptic cylinders, namely, the roll plane and elevation plane models to approximate the principal surface profile (longitudinal and transverse) at the antenna location. With the belt concept and the aid of appropriate coordinate system transformations the solution can be used to predict the volumetric patterns of airborne antennas in an accurate and efficient manner. Applications of this solution to various airborne antenna problems show good agreement with scale model measurements. Extensive data are presented for a microwave landing antenna system.

Yu, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of the line-spring model to a cylindrical shell containing a circumferential or axial part-through crack

An approximate solution was obtained for a cylindrical shell containing a part-through surface crack. It was assumed that the shell contains a circumferential or axial semi-elliptic internal or external surface crack and was subjected to a uniform membrane loading or a uniform bending moment away from the crack region. A Reissner type theory was used to account for the effects of the transverse shear deformations. The stress intensity factor at the deepest penetration point of the crack was tabulated for bending and membrane loading by varying three dimensionless length parameters of the problem formed from the shell radius, the shell thickness, the crack length, and the crack depth. The upper bounds of the stress intensity factors are provided by the results of the elasticity solution obtained from the axisymmetric crack problem for the circumferential crack, and that found from the plane strain problem for a circular ring having a radial crack for the axial crack. The line-spring model gives the expected results in comparison with the elasticity solutions. Results also compare well with the existing finite element solution of the pressurized cylinder containing an internal semi-elliptic surface crack.

Delale, F.↗
NASA NTRS1960

An Analysis of the Corridor and Guidance Requirements for Supercircular Entry into Planetary Atmospheres

An analysis is presented of supercircular entry into a planet's atmosphere giving particular attention to the corridor through which spacecraft must be guided in order to accomplish various maneuvers. A dimensionless parameter based on conditions at the conic perigee altitude is introduced for characterizing supercircular entries and conveniently pre-scribing corridor widths associated with elliptic, parabolic, or hyperbolic approach trajectories. The analysis applies to vehicles of arbitrary weight, shape, and size. Illustrative calculations are made for Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Titan. For nonlifting vehicles having fixed aerodynamic coefficients, curves are presented of dimensionless parameters from which can be calculated the maximum deceleration, maximum rate of laminar convective heating, and total laminar heat absorbed during single-pass entry at velocities up to twice circular velocity. For lifting vehicles, curves are presented of the maximum deceleration and overshoot boundary of an entry corridor; equations are presented for estimating laminar aerodynamic heating from the maximum deceleration. It is shown that the corridor width is independent of vehicle weight, dimensions, and drag coefficient, provided these are the same at the overshoot boundary as at undershoot. The corridors of certain planets can be broadened markedly by the application of aerodynamic lift; for example, the 10-earth-g corridor width for single- pass, nonlifting, parabolic entry is increased from 0 miles for Jupiter, 7 for Earth, and 8 for Venus, to 52, 51, and 52 miles, respectively, by employing a lift-drag ratio of 1. The use of aerodynamic lift does not increase appreciably the corridors of Mars and Titan. All corridor widths decrease rapidly as the entry velocity is increased. Terminal guidance requirements on accuracy of velocity and flight path angle for successfully entering various corridors are compared with analogous requirements for putting a satellite into orbit, for hitting the moon from the earth, and for achieving ICBM accuracy. Consideration is given to the terminal guidance problem involved in using a planet's atmosphere-rather than rocket fuel-to effect orbital transfers from heliocentric to planetocentric motion, thereby converting a hyperbolic approach trajectory to an elliptic orbit about the target planet. This fuel saving maneuver appears technologically feasible for certain planetary voyages, and implies the possibility of achieving a large reduction in required Earth lift-off weight of chemical propulsion systems.

Chapman, Dean R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Combustor modelling for scramjet engines

A system of computer programs is being developed to analyse and predict the complex flow fields found in hydrogen-fueled scramjet combustors. Each program is designed to solve the governing equation system for the type of flow present in a particular combustor region. A two-dimensional parabolic program has been found to be valuable in the development and experimental evaluation of turbulence and chemistry models for supersonic flow, and in the development of a program to model supersonic flow downstream of the fuel injection struts by means of solutions to the three-dimensional parabolic Navier-Stokes equations and species equations. A partially elliptic code has been derived to account for local subsonic flow regions, and fully elliptic programs have been developed by the consideration of streamwise diffusion effects for the recirculating flow fields near transverse fuel injectors. The programs are currently being applied to problems of scramjet engine development.

Drummond, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Surface brightness and color distributions in blue compact dwarf galaxies. I - Haro 2, an extreme example of a star-forming young elliptical galaxy

The first results of a large-scale program to study the morphology and structure of blue compact dwarf galaxies from CCD observations are presented. The observations and reduction procedures are described, and surface brightness and color profiles are shown. The results are used to discuss the morphological type of Haro 2 and its stellar populations. It is found that Haro 2 appears to be an extreme example of an elliptical galaxy undergoing intense star formation in its central regions, and that the oldest stars it contains were made only about four million yr ago. The 'missing' mass problem of Haro 2 is also discussed.

Loose, Hans-Hermann↗
NASA NTRS1981

Secondary concentrators for parabolic dish solar thermal power systems

A variety of different concepts are currently being studied with the objective to lower the cost of parabolic mirrors and to provide alternatives. One of the considered approaches involves the use of compound concentrators. A compound solar concentrator is a concentrator in which the sunlight is reflected or refracted more than once. It consists of a primary mirror or lens, whose aperture determines the amount of sunlight gathered, and a smaller secondary mirror or lens. Additional small optical elements may also be incorporated. The possibilities and problems regarding a use of compound concentrators in parabolic dish systems are discussed. Attention is given to concentrating secondary lenses, secondary imaging and concentrating mirrors, conical secondary mirrors, compound elliptic secondary concentrating mirrors, and hyperbolic trumpet secondary concentrating mirrors.

Jaffe, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Transformation of two and three-dimensional regions by elliptic systems

Grid smoothing and orthogonalization procedures were developed and implemented in the construction of two and three dimensional grids. The procedures are based on the variational methods of grid generation. The two-dimensional examples were computed using the MSU IRIS Graphics Workstation. It was demonstrated that the elliptic grid generation equations, with arbitrary forcing functions, can be solved, in their variational formulation, using a gradient method. Since gradient methods have a global convergence property, the divergence problems often encountered when using SOR iterative methods can be avoided. It is not to be concluded, however, that SOR methods should be abandoned, since gradient methods tend to converge very slowly. In fact, slow convergence was the major problem encountered in the three-dimensional grids. Further progress was made on the continuing effort to develop conservative interpolation formulas for overlapping grids.

Mastin, C. Wayne↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of nose shape on three-dimensional stagnation region streamlines and heating rates

A new method for calculating the three-dimensional inviscid surface streamlines and streamline metrics using Cartesian coordinates and time as the independent variable of integration has been developed. The technique calculates the streamline from a specified point on the body to a point near the stagnation point by using a prescribed pressure distribution in the Euler equations. The differential equations, which are singular at the stagnation point, are of the two point boundary value problem type. Laminar heating rates are calculated using the axisymmetric analog concept for three-dimensional boundary layers and approximate solutions to the axisymmetric boundary layer equations. Results for elliptic conic forebody geometries show that location of the point of maximum heating depends on the type of conic in the plane of symmetry and the angle of attack, and that this location is in general different from the stagnation point. The new method was found to give smooth predictions of heat transfer in the nose region where previous methods gave oscillatory results.

Hassan, Basil↗