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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

A model of the excitation of large scale fluctuations in a shear layer

The acoustical excitation of instability waves in free shear layers is investigated theoretically and experimentally. A configuration with a thin shear layer leaving from a semi-infinite plate is considered. The excitation by sound sources in various locations, e.g., far away from the trailing edge or very near the edge lip, is analyzed. The influence of additional walls (like those in a channel) is also predicted. The theory is extended to include two streams on both sides of the shear layer having different velocities and densities. A reference quantity for the artificial excitation is suggested. The experimental data compare well with the theory. The theory does not contain any empirical constants.

Bechert, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Plasmapause diffusion

The Bohm diffusion coefficient and observed electrostatic wave scattering are used as the bases of estimates of the smoothing effect that diffusion may have on steep plasmapause density gradients. The estimate for diffusion resulting from scattering by observed electrostatic waves is found to be much lower than that of the perpendicular Bohm diffusion coefficient for characteristic plasma temperatures and magnetic fields. This diffusion rate estimate may be too small, however, if the wave amplitudes are significantly higher for steep plasmapauses. The effects are therefore negligible for most considerations of macroscopic plasmapause dynamics, but may be significant in limiting drift wave instabilities and similar phenomena driven by the steepness of the plasmapause density gradient.

Horwitz, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Boundary-layer linear stability theory

Most fluid flows are turbulent rather than laminar and the reason for this was studied. One of the earliest explanations was that laminar flow is unstable, and the linear instability theory was first developed to explore this possibility. A series of early papers by Rayleigh produced many notable results concerning the instability of inviscid flows, such as the discovery of inflectional instability. Viscosity was commonly thought to act only to stabilize the flow, and flows with convex velocity profiles appeared to be stable. The investigations that led to a viscous theory of boundary layer instability was reported. The earliest application of linear stability theory to transition prediction calculated the amplitude ratio of the most amplified frequency as a function of Reynolds number for a Blasius boundary layer, and found that this quantity had values between five and nine at the observed Ret. The experiment of Schubauer and Skramstad (1947) completely reversed the prevailing option and fully vindicated the Gottingen proponents of the theory. This experiment demonstrated the existence of instability waves in a boundary layer, their connection with transition, and the quantitative description of their behavior by the theory of Tollmien and Schlichting. It is generally accepted that flow parameters such as pressure gradient, suction and heat transfer qualitatively affect transition in the manner predicted by the linear theory, and in particular that a flow predicted to be stable by the theory should remain laminar. The linear theory, in the form of the e9, or N-factor is today in routine use in engineering studies of laminar flow. The stability theory to boundary layers with pressure gradients and suction was applied. The only large body of numerical results for exact boundary layer solutions before the advent of the computer age by calculating the stability characteristics of the Falkner-Skan family of velocity profiles are given. When the digital computer reached a stage of development which permit the direct solution of the primary differential equations, numerical results were obtained from the linear theory during the next 10 years for many different boundary layer flows: three dimensional boundary layers; free convention boundary layers; compressible boundary layers; boundary layers on compliant walls; a recomputation of Falkner-Skan flows; unsteady boundary layers; and heated wall boundary layers.

Leslie M Mack↗
NASA NTRS1985

Sudden stratospheric warmings as catastrophes

The sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) process is qualitatively studied using a conceptual and numerical approach guided by catastrophe theory. A simple example of a catastrophe taken from nonlinear dynamics is given, and results from previous modelling studies of SSW are interpreted in light of catastrophe theory. Properties of this theory such as hysteresis, cusp, and triggering essential to SSW are numerically demonstrated using the truncated quasi-geostrophic beta-plane model of Holton and Mass (1976). A qualitative explanation of the transition from the steady regime to the vacillation regime is given for the Holton and Mass model in terms of the topographically induced barotropic Rossby wave instability. Some implications for the simulation and prediction of SSW are discussed.

Chao, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The near and far acoustic fields of broadband shock associated noise

A stochastic model theory is presented which suggests that the broadband shock associated noise of supersonic jets is generated by the weak interaction between downstream propagating large turbulence structures and the quasiperiodic shock cells in the jet plume. The large turbulence structures are modelled by a superposition of the intrinsic instability waves of the mean flow of the jet, and the quasiperiodic shock cells are broken down into time-independent waveguide modes of the jet flow using multiple scales expansion. The observed broadband shock associated noise consists of a superposition of the spectra generated by the different waveguide modes. Starting from the equations of motion of a compressible fluid, formulas for calculating the far field and near field noise are developed. Good general agreement is found with previous results.

Tam, C. K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Near field pressure fluctuations in a circular jet

The vortical structures in shear layers govern many dynamic aspects of the jet, including entrainment of mass, transfer of momentum and noise generation. These structures develop from instability waves and undergo a merging process. Vortex merging reduces the time scale and increases the length scale of the shear layer. At the same time pressure fluctuations are induced by the unsteady motion. These pressure perturbations can exert high level dynamic loading on nearby structures, and radiate to the far field as noise. In this study, the generation mechanism of the pressure fluctuations and the radiation process are examined.

Ho, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A laboratory investigation of potential double layers

In a triple plasma device, the injection of electron current from the source chamber to the target chamber causes the formation of a potential double layer. At a low current density, the space charge of the injected current produces a virtual cathode-type potential double layer. This double layer is stable, and various wave instabilities are observed to associate with this double layer. As the current density is increased, the double layer becomes unstable, and a moving double layer results. As the current density is increased further, the enhanced ionization causes the neutralization of the space charge of the electron beam, and the beam plasma discharge is ignited.

Leung, Philip↗
NASA NTRS1985

Atmospheric circulation of Venus

Observational data of Venus are utilized to study rotational effects on atmospheric circulations. The high surface temperature and planetary-scale turbulent motion at cloud tops, and the relation between energy and momentum budget are examined. The limited amount of data available on the vertical and horizontal distribution of net radiative heating, the zonal wind structure, and waves affects the study of the temperature and motion on Venus. The limitations of the scaling analysis used to estimate the properties of the circulation as regards the cyclostrophic balance, the extent of the Hadley circulation, large-scale wave transport, vertical propagation of waves, convection, and turbulence are considered. Hypotheses concerned with the deep, cloud-level, and upper atmospheres of Venus are proposed. Future research in the areas of propagating planetary- scale waves, zonal flow and planetary-scale wave instability processes, and convection is suggested.

Rossow, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Waves generated during electron beam emissions from the Space Shuttle

Observations from the SEPAC (Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators) experiment on Spacelab 1 Shuttle mission of waves generated during electron beam emissions are presented. The dependence of the wave intensity on the beam parameters and the Shuttle attitude is outlined, and the shape of the wave spectra are discussed. It is found that the noise in the 0.75- to 10 kHz band has a spectral shape that can be characterized by an f exp -n law, and that the VLF signal level depends on the beam angle to the magnetic field, the strongest emissions being observed for parallel beams. These features are found to be consistent with a drift wave instability.

Neubert, T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Dynamics of the middle atmosphere

Research performed in the U.S. from October 1982 to May 1986 on the middle-atmosphere dynamics is reviewed. The topics discussed include extratropical large- and medium-scale waves and instabilities, gravity waves, tropical motions, and the general circulation. In addition, consideration is given to the studies of atmosphere constituent transport. A number of studies in the latter area have shed light on the specific seasonal behavior of dynamically controlled important constituents in the stratosphere, such as ozone, water vapor, and aerosols.

Schoeberl, Mark R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A laboratory investigation of potential double layers

In a triple plasma device, the injection of electron current from the source chamber to the target chamber causes the formation of a potential double layer. At a low current density, the space charge of the injected current produces a virtual cathode-type potential double layer. This double layer is stable and various wave instabilities are observed to associate with this double layer. As the current density is increased, the double layer becomes unstable and a moving double layer results. As the current density is increased further, the enhanced ionization causes the neutralization of the space charge of the electron beam and the 'beam plasma discharge' is ignited.

Leung, Philip↗
NASA NTRS1987

Stochastic model theory of broadband shock associated noise from supersonic jets

A method based on the work of Tam and Tanna (1982) for calculating the near field noise spectrum and the spatial distribution of broadband shock associated noise from supersonic jets is proposed. Multiple-scales expansion is used to decompose the quasi-periodic shock cells into time-independent waveguide modes of the jet flow, and the interaction of the instability waves with each of the waveguide modes is shown to generate unsteady disturbances which become part of the broadband shock associated noise when radiated to the far field. The observed broadband shock associated noise is composed of a superposition of the various distinct spectra of the different waveguide modes, and the multispectra can be easily identified in many of the existing far and near field noise measurements.

Tam, C. K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Anisotropic interface kinetics and tilted cells in unidirectional solidification

A nonlinear evolution equation is derived which governs the cellular structure of a binary alloy with a small segregation coefficient, including the effects of anisotropic interface kinetics. This equation, applicable to long-wave instabilities of a planar interface, describes the spatial pattern of the growing disturbances. The presence of anisotropy causes the cells to grow at an angle to the normal of the planar front. This transition to a cellular morphology is shown to be a subcritical instability.

Young, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Roll-up of vorticity in adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layers

It is shown how the unsteady, nonlinear critical-layer equation determines the evolution of instability waves in a weak adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layer. Numerical solutions show that the nonlinearity halts the growth of these inviscidly unstable waves. The stabilizing effect of nonlinearity, in the present case, can be described as a consequence of either the increase (toward zero) of the phase jump across the critical layer or the roll-up of the critical-layer disturbance vorticity.

Goldstein, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Aeroacoustics of advanced STOVL aircraft plumes

This paper summarizes a basic and well-controlled experimental study involving flow visualization and noise measurements to define the acoustic and flow fields of single plumes impinging on a simulated ground plane. The flow visualization was made by strobing a laser light source at the discrete frequencies generated by the impingement of the jets and measured by a nearfield microphone. This enabled visualization of instability waves generated by the interaction between the plumes and the sound generated during impingement, and also by dynamic coupling between the two plumes. These data were acquired as a function of distance between the ground and the nozzle exit. Nearfield acoustic data were acquired simultaneously. Data for nozzle diameters of 0.265 in. and 0.4 in. are described. For selected nozzles, effects of exit boundary layer characteristics and nozzle protrusion through a simulated aircraft body are also presented.

Ahuja, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Phase development and its role on subharmonic control

The conditions for resonance interaction between two instability waves in an axisymmetric jet were investigated. Considerations of the energy equation of the wave resulting from the interaction indicate that the phase angle between the wave-induced stresses and the wave-induced strains plays a crucial role in the resonance interaction. This fact is demonstrated experimentally by exciting a jet at fundamental and subharmonic frequencies. The phase angle between the waves stresses and strains was varied by varying the initial phase-difference between the two excitation waves. The subharmonic resonance was found to be highly dependent on this angle. Favorable agreement was found between the phase angles predicted by a nonlinear theory and the measured ones. The theory is used to explain the subharmonic's resonance in terms of the phase-angles.

Mankbadi, Reda R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Numerical investigation of the control of the secondary instability process in boundary layers

A numerical model has been developed for investigating boundary layer transition control for a flat plate boundary layer. Active control of a periodically forced boundary layer in an incompressible fluid is studied using surface heating techniques. The spatially evolving boundary layer is simulated. The Navier-Stokes and energy equations are integrated using a fully implicit finite difference/spectral method. Temperature perturbations are introduced locally along finite heater strips to directly attenuate the instability waves in the flow. A feedback control loop is employed in which a downstream sensor is used to monitor wall shear stress fluctuations. Active control of small amplitude two-dimensional and three-dimensional disturbances is numerically simulated. With proper phase control, in-phase reinforcement and out-of-phase attenuation are demonstrated. A receptivity study of the localized temperature perturbations is made. It is shown that narrow heater strips are more receptive in that they maximize the amplitude level of the disturbances in the flow. Active control of the early stages of the fundamental breakdown process is also numerically simulated. Control is achieved with either two-dimensional or three-dimensional control inputs.

Kral, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The resonance of twin supersonic jets

This paper presents an analytical study of the resonant interaction between twin supersonic jets. An instability wave model is used to describe the large scale coherent structures in the jet mixing layers. A linearized shock cell model is also given for the jets when operating off design. The problem's geometry admits four types of normal modes associated with each azimuthal mode number in the single jet. The stability of these modes is examined for both a vortex sheet model of the jet and a jet flow represented by realistic profiles. The growth rates of each mode number and type are found to vary with jet separation and mixing layer thickness and Strouhal number. Contours of equal pressure level are obtained for each mode. The region close to the symmetry axis is found to have the greatest pressure fluctuation amplitude.

Morris, Philip J.↗