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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
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NASA NTRS1988

Monolithic nonplanar ring lasers - Resistance to optical feedback

The sensitivity of a monolithic unidirectional nonplanar ring laser to optical feedback depends on the polarization eigenmodes of the resonator, which are complicated functions of the resonator geometry. Resonator geometries that increase the loss difference between the two directions of propagation around the ring improve the resistance of the lasers to optical feedback. Here, measurements on Nd:YAG nonplanar ring lasers having two different ring geometries are discussed. Currently, 1 percent optical feedback produces a 10 percent reduction in useful output power for the more feedback-resistant oscillator, a tenfold improvement over previous designs.

Nilsson, Alan C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The stability of a compressible stratified shear layer

The stability of a shear layer under the effect of gravity is investigated using the compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations, including an effective gravity term to represent the curvature effects of the flow and magnetic field line geometry. A general eigenmode equation is derived for a two-dimensional MHD fluid, and an energy-principle analysis to explain the effect of compressibility on the critical Richardson number is presented. For the case of a hyperbolic tangent shear flow and exponential density profile, it was found that, in the Boussinesq approximation, the compressibility raises the critical Richardson number from 1/4 to as much as 1/2, with the exact value depending on the value of the magnetic field at infinity. Under approximation of a strong asymptotic magnetic field, without invoking the Boussinesq approximation, it is shown both analytically and numerically that the density gradient terms cause the shear instability to be dispersive. The long-wavelength stability boundary for the Richardson number J = 0 is characterized by a normalized phase velocity c =

Wang, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calculations of inlet distortion induced compressor flow field instability

Calculations of the onset of flow instability are carried out for low-speed multistage axial compressors operating with asymmetric inlet flow. The modeling of the fluid dynamic interaction between the spoiled and unspoiled sectors of the compressor is the most important feature of the calculation procedure. The calculations show that annulus average slope of the compressor pressure rise characteristic equal to zero is a useful approximate stability criterion for situations where the dynamics of the compressor flow field do not couple strongly to the compression system or the structure of the imposed distortion is not similar to that of the eigenmodes of the flow in the compressor annulus. This criterion is employed to investigate the relationship between the present model and the 'parallel compressor' model. Calculations are also presented for cases when compressor and compressor system are closely coupled, and situations in which the compressor is subjected to a rotating distortion. These first-of-a-kind computations, and the accompanying description of the physical mechanisms, show that the stability of the flow in the compressor can be adversely affected if the temporal or spatial structure of the distortion is such that resonant type responses can be evoked either from the compressor or from compressor/compression system interactions.

Chue, R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Computation Of Flutter In Turbomachinery

"Direct" solution procedure supplants conventional eigenmode analysis. Iterative computational procedure yields critical mach number for onset of flutter and flutter angular frequency, of propfan, turbine with unshrouded blades, or other turbomachinery. Procedure applied to aeroelastic analysis of propfan, in which finite-element model of propfan structure combined with model of unsteady aerodynamics based on three-dimensional subsonic-lifting-surface theory. Particularly suitable for optimization in design because as optimal design evolves, flutter solution expected to change incrementally, so previous solution provides good estimates for start of current solution.

Murthy, Durbha V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Laboratory and theoretical studies of baroclinic processes

An understanding is being developed for processes which may be important in the atmosphere, and the definition and analysis of baroclinic experiments utilizing the geophysical fluid flow cells (GFFC) apparatus in microgravity space flights. Included are studies using numerical codes, theoretical models, and terrestrial laboratory experiments. The numerical modeling is performed in three stages: calculation of steady axisymmetric flow, calculation of fastest-growing linear eigenmodes, and nonlinear effects (first, wave-mean flow interactions, then wave-wave interactions). The code can accommodate cylindrical, spherical, or channel geometry. It uses finite differences in the vertical and meridional directions, and is spectral in the azimuthal. The theoretical work was mostly in the area of effects of topography upon the baroclinic instability problem. The laboratory experiments are performed in a cylindrical annulus which has a temperture gradient imposed upon the lower surface and an approximately isothermal outer wall, with the upper and inner surfaces being nominally thermally insulating.

Miller, Timothy↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ballooning stability of axisymmetric plasmas with sheared equilibrium flows

A WKB theory is formulated for large-n ballooning modes in axisymmetric, toroidal plasmas with sheared equilibrium flows. The validity of the standard ballooning respresentation is severely restricted in the presence of sheared toroidal flow, despite the fact that to leading order in (1/n), where n is the azimuthal number, the eigenmode equation contains only derivatives along a field line. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stability are obtained in a high-beta ordering for rigid toroidal rotation as well as field-aligned flows.

Bhattacharjee, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Approximate Schumann resonance parameters for a two-scale-height ionosphere

An isotropic, spherically symmetric two-scale-height ionosphere's transverse magnetic mode eigenfrequencies, as well as the height and angular profiles of its electric and magnetic fields, are presently addressed by an approximate solution. The electromagnetic energy in the eigenmodes is equally partitioned between the electric and magnetic fields, allowing a simple expression of the relative degrees of dissipation within the radial and tangential dissipation layers. The results obtained may be relevant to interpretations of the temporal variations in the Schumann resonances.

Sentman, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Simulation studies of plasma waves in the electron foreshock - The generation of downshifted oscillations

The generation of waves with frequencies downshifted from the plasma frequency, as observed in the electron foreshock, is analyzed by particle simulation. Wave excitation differs fundamentally from the familiar excitation of the plasma eigenmodes by a gentle bump-on-tail electron distribution. Beam modes are destabilized by resonant interaction with bulk electrons, provided the beam velocity spread is very small. These modes are stabilized, starting with the higher frequencies, as the beam is broadened and slowed down by the interaction with the wave spectrum. Initially a very cold beam is also capable of exciting frequencies considerably above the plasma frequency, but such oscillations are quickly stabilized. Low-frequency modes persist for a long time, until the bump in the electron distribution is completely 'ironed' out. This diffusion process also is quite different from the familiar case of well-separated beam and bulk electrons. A quantitative analysis of these processes is carried out.

Dum, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An examination of coherent structures in a lobed mixer using multifractal measures in conjunction with the proper orthogonal decomposition

A 'lobed mixer' device that enhances mixing through secondary flows and streamwise vorticity is presently studied within the framework of multifractal-measures theory, in order to deepen understanding of velocity time trace data gathered on its operation. Proper orthogonal decomposition-based knowledge of coherent structures has been applied to obtain the generalized fractal dimensions and multifractal spectrum of several proper eigenmodes for data samples of the velocity time traces; this constitutes a marked departure from previous multifractal theory applications to self-similar cascades. In certain cases, a single dimension may suffice to capture the entire spectrum of scaling exponents for the velocity time trace.

Ukeiley, L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

What maintains the zonal circulation in planetary atmospheres?

The latest Voyager observations have shown large zonal velocities in Neptune's atmosphere, with some indication of alternating jets. Similar wind velocities have also been observed on Venus and are characteristic of planetary atmospheres in general, which is remarkable considering that the available solar or internal heating varies by more than a factor of 1000. A simplified model of the planetary circulation which provides some qualitative understanding is discussed. The basic assumption is that the source driving the circulation is also generating the dissipating eddies which are simulated by diffusion. Thus, the magnitude and structure of the zonal circulation are independent both of the source and the dissipation rate. The zonal velocities are related to the speed of sound and are of comparable magnitude in different atmospheres; although the available heating varies by a large factor, and the planetary parameters vary over a wide range. The alternating jets are described by a convective eigenmode which develops when energy transport out of the planetary interior is important, as is the case on Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Determination of Rotordynamic Coefficients for Labyrinth Seals and Application to Rotordynamic Design Calculations

In today's rotordynamic calculations, the input parameters for a finite element analysis (FEA) determine very much the reliability of eigenvalue and eigenmode predictions. While modeling of an elastic structure by means of beam elements etc. is relatively straightforward to perform and the input data for journal bearings are usually known exactly enough, the determination of stiffness and damping for labyrinth seals is still the subject of many investigations. Therefore, the rotordynamic influence of labyrinths is often not included in FEA for rotating machinery because of a lack of computer programs to calculate these parameters. This circumstance can give rise to severe vibration problems especially for high performance turbines or compressors, resulting in remarkable economic losses. The forces generated in labyrinths can be described for small motions around the seal center with a linearized force-motion relationship. Several years ago, we started with the development of computer codes for the determination of rotordynamic seal coefficients. Our different approaches to evaluate the dynamic fluid forces generated by turbulent, compressible seal flow are introduced.

Weiser, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Boundary-layer receptivity due to distributed surface imperfections of a deterministic or random nature

Acoustic receptivity of a Blasius boundary layer in the presence of distributed surface irregularities is investigated analytically. It is shown that, out of the entire spatial spectrum of the surface irregularities, only a small band of Fourier components can lead to an efficient conversion of the acoustic input at any given frequency to an unstable eigenmode of the boundary layer flow. The location, and width, of this most receptive band of wavenumbers corresponds to a relative detuning of O(R sub l.b.(exp -3/8)) with respect to the lower-neutral instability wavenumber at the frequency under consideration, R sub l.b. being the Reynolds number based on a typical boundary-layer thickness at the lower branch of the neutral stability curve. Surface imperfections in the form of discrete mode waviness in this range of wavenumbers lead to initial instability amplitudes which are O(R sub l.b.(exp 3/8)) larger than those caused by a single, isolated roughness element. In contrast, irregularities with a continuous spatial spectrum produce much smaller instability amplitudes, even compared to the isolated case, since the increase due to the resonant nature of the response is more than that compensated for by the asymptotically small band-width of the receptivity process. Analytical expressions for the maximum possible instability amplitudes, as well as their expectation for an ensemble of statistically irregular surfaces with random phase distributions, are also presented.

Choudhari, Meelan↗
NASA NTRS1992

Nonlocal analysis of finite-beam-driven instabilities

The fully kinetic integral eigenmode equation in wave-number space is used to describe the nonlocal behavior of electrostatic waves in an electron-beam plasma, which are studied in the low-temperature-beam regime and the warm-beam regime. The case of strongly magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions, which corresponds to the waves in a frequency range from the lower-hybrid to the electron plasma frequency, is examined. Three wave modes are found. The first group consists of modes that have dispersive properties similar to the uniform, infinite beam-plasma system. Depending on the beam width, the growth rates are strongly reduced. The second group, surface modes, are localized at the periphery of the beam region and are less unstable than the unstable modes of the first group. The third group represents natural oscillations of the background plasma. These modes are virtually unaffected by the beam.

Serizawa, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of cyclotron harmonic emissions at the outer planets

The flyby missions of Voyagers 1 and 2 at Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus revealed intense waves above the electron gyrofrequency. Observation of waves at the upper hybrid frequency is often accompanied by power at adjacent electron Bernstein harmonics, and the relative power in these modes depends both on the density and temperature ratios of the cold background electron population and the hot magnetospheric electrons which drive the instability. A model of electron distributions which is consistent with observations is used for analysis of the excited waves, their dependence upon plasma parameters, and the time scales of the saturation processes. It is shown that in the presence of two-temperature electron distributions the linear excitation is due to a fluidlike coupling of two eigenmodes for perpendicular propagation and to kinetic destalization of oblique modes. The dependence of linear growth rates on propagation angle is presented, along with results from particle simulations. A quasi-linear diffusion time for relaxing the hot electron loss cone is calculated and compared with simulation results. This time scale is faster than for local saturation by heating the cold population, and also the convective amplification time scale, suggesting that the waves saturate at quasi-linear levels, while being convectively localized to the equatorial regions of the outer planetary magnetospheres.

Roth, I.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Diffraction by a symmetric material junction simulated with generalized sheet transistion conditions

When diffraction by a material discontinuity in a thick dielectric/ferrite slab is treated for the dual integral equation approach (a variation of the Weiner-Hopf method), the resulting solution displays unknown constants, characteristic of the incompleteness associated with the generalized transition conditions employed in modeling a thick slab. The constants can be shown to depend on the geometry and properties of the discontinuity. Their explicit determination by enforcing field continuity across the slab junction is treated. The field internal to the slab is determined by first expressing the field as an expansion of discrete and continuous eigenmodes valid in the exterior and interior slab region. The expansion or mode coefficients are then identified by recasting the Weiner-Hopf solution in a suitable form, enabling the solution constants to be numerically computed by matching the field expansions to the left and right of the slab discontinuity at a discrete set of points.

Ricoy, Mark A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A new direction in hydrodynamic stability: Beyond eigenvalues

Fluid flows that are smooth at low speeds become unstable and then turbulent at higher speeds. This phenomenon has traditionally been investigated by linearizing the equations of flow and looking for unstable eigenvalues of the linearized problem, but the results agree poorly in many cases with experiments. Nevertheless, it has become clear in recent years that linear effects play a central role in hydrodynamic instability. A reconciliation of these findings with the traditional analysis can be obtained by considering the 'pseudospectra' of the linearized problem, which reveals that small perturbations to the smooth flow in the form of streamwise vortices may be amplified by factors on the order of 10(exp 5) by a linear mechanism, even though all the eigenmodes are stable. The same principles apply also to other problems in the mathematical sciences that involve non-orthogonal eigenfunctions.

Trefethen, Lloyd N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Nonreflecting boundary conditions for linearized unsteady aerodynamic calculations

The present method for the implementation of nonreflecting boundary conditions in 2D and 3D linearized unsteady flow computations is applied to cases of unsteady flows in turbomachine blade rows. The eigenmodes of a discrete representation of the governing equations are computed and used to construct nonreflecting boundary conditions. In 3D, a mixed numerical method is used; in 2D, the discrete representation of the governing equations is obtained from the discretized equations used by the flow solver itself. Wavenumbers and radial mode shapes are computed.

Hall, Kenneth C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Linear theory of fast reconnection at an X-type neutral point

A complete analytic theory of dynamic linear reconnection at an X-type neutral point is developed. An eigenmode analysis, using cylindrical coordinates centered on the neutral point, extends the work of Craig & McClymont (1991) to include nonazimuthally symmetric perturbations on the flux function. It is demonstrated that all physically significant disturbances, both reconnective and nonreconnective, decay resistively on a 'fast' time scale. The significance of the linear theory is discussed within the general context of steady state and dynamic reconnection studies. Disturbances can be expected to focus explosively in the vicinity of the neutral point. This suggests the formation of a 'flux pile-up' current layer in which the bulk of the magnetic energy is released as heat rather than kinetic energy of mass motion.

Craig, I. J. D.↗