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At least 361 records · Page 20

Supersonic Cruise Technology

The history and status of supersonic cruise research is covered. The early research efforts of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and efforts during the B-70 and SST phase are included. Technological progress made during the NASA Supersonic Cruise Research and Variable Cycle Engine programs are presented. While emphasis is on NASA's contributions to supersonic cruise research in the U.S., also noted are developments in England, France, and Russia. Written in nontechnical language, this book presents the most critical technology issues and research findings.

Mclean, F. Edward↗

Use of a hyperbolic grid generation scheme in simulating supersonic viscous flow about three-dimensional winged configuration

The present paper describes a numerical mesh generation technique to be used with an implicit finite difference method for simulating visous supersonic flow about low-aspect-ratio wing body configurations using a single grid strategy. The computational domain is segmented into multiple regions, with borders located in supersonic areas to avoid the otherwise costly interfacing procedure between adjacent segments. The numerical procedure is applied to calculate the turbulent flow around the shuttle orbiter and a canard projectile at supersonic free stream Mach number.

Rizk, Y. M.↗

Assessment of preliminary prediction techniques for wing leading-edge vortex flows at supersonic speeds

A theoretical investigation of the aerodynamics of sharp leading-edge delta wings at supersonic speeds has been conducted. The primary objective of this was to determine the applicability of existing theoretical methods to predict wing leading-edge separated-flow characteristics at conditions conductive to high-lift supersonic flight. Predicted results from two modified linear-theory methods (LTSTAR and VORCAM) are compared with experimental data. Comparison of the two methods for uncambered wings revealed that the LTSTAR code is in much better agreement with experimentally measured vortex strength, vortex position, and total lifting characteristics than the VORCAM code. Selected analysis was also performed with an Euler code, SWINT. The results of this study indicated that the SWINT code was not well suited to the analysis of wings with separated flow at high lift and low supersonic speeds.

Wood, R. M.↗

Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Supersonic Fighter Aircraft Model at Mach 0.40 to 2.47

The aerodynamic characteristics of an advanced twin-engine fighter aircraft designed for supersonic cruise have been studied in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel and the Lewis 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Tunnel. The objective of this investigation was to establish an aerodynamic data base for the configuration with flow-through nacelles and representative inlets. The use of a canard for trim and the effects of fairing over the inlets were assessed. Comparisons between experimental and theoretical results were also made. The theoretical results were determined by using a potential vortex lift code for subsonic speeds and a linear aerodynamic code for supersonic speeds. This investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 0.40 to 2.47, at angles of attack from 0 deg to about 20 deg, and at inlet capture ratios of about 0.5 to 1.4.

Capone, F. J.↗

Numerical analysis of some supersonic viscous flows related to inlet and nozzle systems

A numerical method originally developed for three-dimensional supersonic inlet flow calculations is extended and applied to the study of two-dimensional and three-dimensional flows associated with arbitrary propulsion systems. The method is based on the forward spatial marching solution of a reduced form of the three-dimensional steady Navier-Stokes equations in which streamwise pressure gradients are retained in both the subsonic and supersonic regions. The present paper briefly describes the analysis and then shows three applications. In the first application, a wall transpiration study has been performed for the two-dimensional shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction flow field with application to an inlet configuration. The second application treats a rectangular high speed inlet with a swept sideplate including the effects of sideplate spillage. Finally, the method is utilized to analyze the interaction of an under-expanded supersonic jet with an ambient flow. Computed results are examined and compared with available experimental measurements. It is demonstrated that the present numerical method is capable of numerically simulating complex two- and three-dimensional flows relevant to hypersonic propulsion systems in a manner which both shows good agreement with data when such data is available, and which shows the complex flow features in the absence of data.

Kim, Y.-N.↗

Multiscale turbulence effects in supersonic jets exhausting into still air

A modified version of the multiscale turbulence model of Hanjalic has been applied to the problem of supersonic jets exhausting into still air. In particular, the problem of shock-cell decay through turbulent interaction with the mixing layer has been studied for both mildly interacting and strongly resonant jet conditions. The modified Hanjalic model takes into account the nonequilibrium energy transfer between two different turbulent spectral scales. The turbulence model was incorporated into an existing shock-capturing, parabolized Navier-Stokes computational model in order to perform numerical experiments. The results show that the two-scale turbulence model provides significant improvement over one-scale models in the prediction of plume shock structure for underexpanded supersonic (Mach 2) and sonic (Mach 1) jets. For the supersonic jet, excellent agreement with experiment was obtained for the centerline shock-cell pressure decay up to 40 jet radii. For the sonic jet, the agreement with experiment was not so good, but the two-scale model still showed significant improvement over the one-scale model. It is shown that by relating some of the coefficients in the turbulent-transport equations to the relative time scale for transfer of energy between scales the two-scale model can provide predictions that bound the measured shock-cell decay rate for the sonic jet.

Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.↗

Program LRCDM2: Improved aerodynamic prediction program for supersonic canard-tail missiles with axisymmetric bodies

Program LRCDM2 was developed for supersonic missiles with axisymmetric bodies and up to two finned sections. Predicted are pressure distributions and loads acting on a complete configuration including effects of body separated flow vorticity and fin-edge vortices. The computer program is based on supersonic panelling and line singularity methods coupled with vortex tracking theory. Effects of afterbody shed vorticity on the afterbody and tail-fin pressure distributions can be optionally treated by companion program BDYSHD. Preliminary versions of combined shock expansion/linear theory and Newtonian/linear theory have been implemented as optional pressure calculation methods to extend the Mach number and angle-of-attack ranges of applicability into the nonlinear supersonic flow regime. Comparisons between program results and experimental data are given for a triform tail-finned configuration and for a canard controlled configuration with a long afterbody for Mach numbers up to 2.5. Initial tests of the nonlinear/linear theory approaches show good agreement for pressures acting on a rectangular wing and a delta wing with attached shocks for Mach numbers up to 4.6 and angles of attack up to 20 degrees.

Dillenius, Marnix F. E.↗

Three-dimensional computations of transverse hydrogen jet combustion in a supersonic airstream

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is being developed to compute the mixing and combustion of hydrogen fuel in the turbulent flow fields of supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjet). The code solves the three-dimensional Reynolds time-averaged complete Navier-Stokes equations including transport equations for a four species, two reaction, global finite rate chemistry model. The code was applied to the case of transverse injection of hydrogen from a sonic circular orifice into a supersonic airstream. The equations were numerically integrated using MacCormack's explicit method, and the algebraic eddy viscosity model of Baldwin-Lomax was used to model the turbulence. In the species transport and energy equations, diffusion coefficients based on Fick's Law and an assumption of unit Lewis number were applied. Computed features of the three-dimensional flow field are depicted by static pressure, static temperature, mass fraction of species, and velocity vectors. For engineering interest, mixing and combustion parameters were examined to assess the effect of injector diameter, injected fuel pressure, fuel-air ratio, and spacing of fuel injectors. The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the capability of the present three-dimensional spatially elliptic, CFD code for turbulent, reacting flow. Application of the code to specific supersonic combustion configurations is planned.

Uenishi, K.↗

Aeroelastic control of stability and forced response of supersonic rotors by aerodynamic detuning

Aerodynamic detuning, defined as designed passage-to-passage differences in the unsteady aerodynamic flow field of a rotor blade row, is a new approach to passive flutter and forced response control. In this paper, a mathematical model for aerodynamic detuning is developed and utilized to demonstrate the aeroelastic stability enhancement due to aerodynamic detuning of supersonic blade rows. In particular, a model is developed to analyze both the torsion mode and the coupled bending-torsion mode unstalled supersonic flutter and torsion mode aerodynamically forced response characteristics of an aerodynamically detuned rotor operating in a supersonic inlet flow field with a subsonic leading edge locus. As small solidity variations do not have a dominant effect on the steady-state performance of a rotor, the aerodynamic detuning mechanism considered is nonuniform circumferential spacing of adjacent blades.

Hoyniak, Daniel↗

Integration of a supersonic unsteady aerodynamic code into the NASA FASTEX system

A supersonic unsteady aerodynamic loads prediction method based on the constant pressure method was integrated into the NASA FASTEX system. The updated FASTEX code can be employed for aeroelastic analyses in subsonic and supersonic flow regimes. A brief description of the supersonic constant pressure panel method, as applied to lifting surfaces and body configurations, is followed by a documentation of updates required to incorporate this method in the FASTEX code. Test cases showing correlations of predicted pressure distributions, flutter solutions, and stability derivatives with available data are reported.

Appa, Kari↗

Dual Stokes cars measurements in supersonic combusting flow

Coherent antiStokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) was used to make simultaneous measurements of temperature, nitrogen and oxygen density in a reacting supersonic flow. A supersonic burner (SSB) was designed to provide supersonic flow in which combustion can be studied in the laboratory. Measurements made with the CARS system will be used for validation of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes. Preliminary results of the CFD calculations are presented.

Jarrett, Olin, Jr.↗

Supersonic jet plume interaction with a flat plate

Supersonic jet plume interaction with a flat plate was studied using a model scaled test apparatus designed to simulate plume/aircraft structure interaction for the cruise configuration. The generic configuration consisted of a rectangular supersonic nozzle of aspect ratio 7, and a large flat plate located beneath the nozzle at various nozzle plate distances; the plate was instrumented to measure surface dynamic pressure and mean wall temperature, with provisions for measurements of acceleration and strain on coupon size panels that could be inserted in the plate. Phase-averaged schlieren measurements revealed the presence of high-intensity acoustic emission from the supersonic plume above the plate, directed upstream; this radiation could be associated with the shock noise generation. Narrow band spectra of surface dynamic pressure show spectral peaks with amplitude levels reaching 1 psi, related to the screech tones. Temperature measurements indicated elevated surface temperatures in regions of high turbulence intensity.

Seiner, John M.↗

A preliminary design study of supersonic through-flow fan inlets

From Mach 3.20 cruise propulsion systems, preliminary design studies for two supersonic through-flow fan primary inlets and a single core inlet were undertaken. Method of characteristics and one-dimensional performance techniques were applied to assess the potential improvements supersonic through-flow fan technology has over more conventional systems. A fixed geometry supersonic through-flow fan primary inlet was found to have better performance than a conventional inlet design on the basis of total pressure recovery, air flow, aerodynamic drag and size and weight.

Barnhart, Paul J.↗

Experimental investigation of the performance of a supersonic compressor cascade

Supersonic cascade wind tunnel results are presented for a linear, supersonic compressor cascade derived from the near-tip section of a high-throughflow axial flow compressor rotor over the inlet Mach number range of 1.30-1.71. Laser anemometry was used to obtain flow-velocity measurements showing the wave pattern in the entrance region. Attention is given to the unique-incidence relationship for this cascade, which relates the supersonic inlet Mach number to the inlet flow direction. An empirical correlation is obtained for the influence of the independent parameters of back pressure, axial velocity density ratio, and blade element performance.

Tweedt, T. L.↗

Experimental investigation of the performance of a supersonic compressor cascade

Results are presented from an experimental investigation of a linear, supersonic, compressor cascade tested in the supersonic cascade wind tunnel facility at the DFVLR in Cologne, Federal Republic of Germany. The cascade design was derived from the near-tip section of a high-through-flow axial flow compressor rotor with a design relative inlet Mach number of 1.61. Test data were obtained over a range of inlet Mach numbers from 1.23 to 1.71, and a range of static pressure ratios and axial-velocity-density ratios (AVDR) at the design inlet condition. Flow velocity measurements showing the wave pattern in the cascade entrance region were obtained using a laser transit anemometer. From these measurements, some unique-incidence conditions were determined, thus relating the supersonic inlet Mach number to the inlet flow direction. The influence of static pressure ratio and AVDR on the blade passage flow and the blade-element performance is described, and an empirical correlation is used to show the influence of these two (independent) parameters on the exit flow angle and total-pressure loss for the design inlet condition.

Tweedt, D. L.↗

A preliminary design study of supersonic through-flow fan inlets

From Mach 3.20 cruise propulsion systems, preliminary design studies for two supersonic through-flow fan primary inlets and a single core inlet were undertaken. Method of characteristics and one dimensional performance techniques were applied to assess the potential improvements supersonic through-flow fan technology has over more conventional systems. A fixed geometry supersonic through-flow fan primary inlet was found to have better performance than a conventional inlet design on the basis of total pressure recovery, air flow, aerodynamic drag and size and weight.

Barnhart, Paul J.↗

A two-dimensional numerical simulation of a supersonic, chemically reacting mixing layer

Research has been undertaken to achieve an improved understanding of physical phenomena present when a supersonic flow undergoes chemical reaction. A detailed understanding of supersonic reacting flows is necessary to successfully develop advanced propulsion systems now planned for use late in this century and beyond. In order to explore such flows, a study was begun to create appropriate physical models for describing supersonic combustion, and to develop accurate and efficient numerical techniques for solving the governing equations that result from these models. From this work, two computer programs were written to study reacting flows. Both programs were constructed to consider the multicomponent diffusion and convection of important chemical species, the finite rate reaction of these species, and the resulting interaction of the fluid mechanics and the chemistry. The first program employed a finite difference scheme for integrating the governing equations, whereas the second used a hybrid Chebyshev pseudospectral technique for improved accuracy.

Drummond, J. Philip↗

Experimental results for a two-dimensional supersonic inlet used as a thrust deflecting nozzle

Nearly all supersonic V/STOL aircraft concepts are dependent on the thrust deflecting capability of a nozzle. In one unique concept, referred to as the reverse flow dual fan, not only is there a thrust deflecting nozzle for the fan and core engine exit flow, but because of the way the propulsion system operates during vertical takeoff and landing, the supersonic inlet is also used as a thrust deflecting nozzle. This paper presents results of an experimental study to evaluate the performance of a supersonic inlet used as a thrust deflecting nozzle for this reverse flow dual fan concept. Results are presented in terms of nozzle thrust coefficient and thrust vector angle for a number of inlet/nozzle configurations. Flow visualization and nozzle exit flow survey results are also shown.

Johns, Albert L.↗