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At least 397 records · Page 22

Surface pressure fluctuations in hypersonic turbulent boundary layers

The surface pressure fluctuations on a flat plate model at hypersonic Mach numbers of 5.2, 7.4 and 10.4 with an attached turbulent boundary layer were measured using flush mounted small piezoelectric sensors. A high frequency resolution of the pressure field was achieved using specially designed small piezoelectric sensors that had a good frequency response well above 300 KHz. The RMS pressures and non-dimensional energy spectra for all above Mach numbers are presented. The convective velocities, obtained from space time correlation considerations are equal to 0.7 U sub infinity. The results indicate the RMS pressures vary from 5 to 25 percent of the mean static pressures. The ratios of RMS pressure to dynamic pressure are less than the universally accepted subsonic value of 6 x 10/3. The ratio decreases in value as the Mach number or the dynamic pressure is increased. The ratio of RMS pressure to wall shear for Mach number 7.4 satisfies one smaller than or equal to p/tau sub w smaller than or equal to three.

Raman, K. R.↗

Laboratory-scale uranium RF plasma confinement experiments

An experimental investigation was conducted using 80 kW and 1.2 MW RF induction heater facilities to aid in developing the technology necessary for designing a self-critical fissioning uranium plasma core reactor. Pure uranium hexafluoride (UF6) was injected into argon-confined, steady-state, RF-heated plasmas in different uranium plasma confinement tests to investigate the characteristics of plamas core nuclear reactors. The objectives were: (1) to confine as high a density of uranium vapor as possible within the plasma while simultaneously minimizing the uranium compound wall deposition; (2) to develop and test materials and handling techniques suitable for use with high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous UF6; and (3) to develop complementary diagnostic instrumentation and measurement techniques to characterize the uranium plasma and residue deposited on the test chamber components. In all tests, the plasma was a fluid-mechanically-confined vortex-type contained within a fused-silica cylindrical test chamber. The test chamber peripheral wall was 5.7 cm ID by 10 cm long.

Roman, W. C.↗

Rapid leak detection with liquid crystals

Small leaks in vacuum lines are detected by applying liquid-crystal coating, warming suspected area, and observing color change due to differential cooling by leak jet. Technique is used on inside or outside walls of vacuum-jacketed lines.

Heisman, R. M.↗

Tread drum for animals

A device for exercising animals such as primates is described, which includes a cylindrical housing mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of revolution and has a cylindrical treadway portion on which the animal treads while the drum is rotated by means of a motorized drive. The treadway portion of the drum includes an electrode structure with sectors being independently energizable by means of a commutator and source of potential so that an electrical shock station is created behind a running-in-place station on the moving treadway. In this manner, if the animal should fall behind its running-in-place station, it may be shocked by treading on the energized electrode structure. One end of the tread drum comprises a transparent wall for unobstructed viewing of the animal being exercised.

Howard, W. H.↗

The effects of target characteristics on fresh crater morphology - Preliminary results for the moon and Mercury

The results are reported of an analysis of the characteristics of fresh crater samples occurring on the two major geologic units on the moon (maria and highlands) and on Mercury (smooth plains and cratered terrain). In particular, the onset diameters and abundances of central peaks and terraces are examined and compared for both geologic units on each planet in order to detect any variations that might be due to geologic unit characteristics. The analysis of lunar crater characteristics is based on information provided in the LPL Catalog of Lunar Craters of Wood and Andersson (1977). The Mercurian data set utilized is related to a program involving the cataloguing of Mercurian craters visible in Mariner 10 photography. It is concluded that the characteristics of the substrate have exerted a measurable influence on the occurrence of central peaks, terraces, and scallops in flash crater samples. Therefore, in order to compare the morphologic characteristics of fresh crater populations between planets, an analysis of possible substrate-related differences must first be undertaken for each planet under consideration. It is suggested that large variations in gravity do not produce major variations in crater wall failure.

Cintala, M. J.↗

Validation of scramjet exhaust simulation technique at Mach 6

Current design philosophy for hydrogen-fueled, scramjet-powered hypersonic aircraft results in configurations with strong couplings between the engine plume and vehicle aerodynamics. The experimental verification of the scramjet exhaust simulation is described. The scramjet exhaust was reproduced for the Mach 6 flight condition by the detonation tube simulator. The exhaust flow pressure profiles, and to a large extent the heat transfer rate profiles, were then duplicated by cool gas mixtures of Argon and Freon 13B1 or Freon 12. The results of these experiments indicate that a cool gas simulation of the hot scramjet exhaust is a viable simulation technique except for phenomena which are dependent on the wall temperature relative to flow temperature.

Hopkins, H. B.↗

Diffusion tube

The diffusion tube was designed to operate below about 0.25 percent of water supersaturation. It is simply a long tube lined on the inside with a damp chamois cloth, and heated isothermally to a few degrees centigrade above the incoming air. The diffusion coefficient for water vapor is slightly larger than that for heat, making it possible to supersaturate the airflow. This is the same principle by which transient supersaturations may occur in parallel plate cloud chambers. Only the diffusion of vapor and heat from the walls into the moving air are considered.

Leaitch, R.↗

Small gas turbine combustor experimental study: Compliant metal/ceramic liner and performance evaluation

Combustor research relating to the development of fuel efficient small gas turbine engines capable of meeting future commercial and military aviation needs is currently underway at NASA Lewis. As part of this combustor research, a basic reverse-flow combustor has been used to investigate advanced liner wall cooling techniques. Liner temperature, performance, and exhaust emissions of the experimental combustor utilizing compliant metal/ceramic liners were determined and compared with three previously reported combustors that featured: (1) splash film-cooled liner walls; (2) transpiration cooled liner walls; and (3) counter-flow film cooled panels.

Acosta, W. A.↗

Small gas turbine combustor experimental study - Compliant metal/ceramic liner and performance evaluation

Combustor research relating to the development of fuel efficient small gas turbine engines capable of meeting future commercial and military aviation needs is currently underway at NASA Lewis. As part of this combustor research, a basic reverse-flow combustor has been used to investigate advanced liner wall cooling techniques. Liner temperature, performance, and exhaust emissions of the experimental combustor utilizing compliant metal/ceramic liners were determined and compared with three previously reported combustors that featured: (1)splash film-cooled liner walls; (2) transpiration cooled liner walls; and (3) counter-flow film cooled panels.

Acosta, W. A.↗

Wind tunnel wall interference

About a decade ago, interest in alleviating wind tunnel wall interference was renewed by advances in computational aerodynamics, concepts of adaptive test section walls, and plans for high Reynolds number transonic test facilities. Selection of NASA Langley cryogenic concept for the National Transonic Facility (NTF) tended to focus the renewed wall interference efforts. A brief overview and current status of some Langley sponsored transonic wind tunnel wall interference research are presented. Included are continuing efforts in basic wall flow studies, wall interference assessment/correction procedures, and adaptive wall technology.

Newman, Perry A.↗

A defect stream function, law of the wall/wake method for compressible turbulent boundary layers

The application of the defect stream function to the solution of the two-dimensional, compressible boundary layer is examined. A law of the wall/law of the wake formulation for the inner part of the boundary layer is presented which greatly simplifies the computational task near the wall and eliminates the need for an eddy viscosity model in this region. The eddy viscosity model in the outer region is arbitrary. The modified Crocco temperature-velocity relationship is used as a simplification of the differential energy equation. Formulations for both equilibrium and nonequilibrium boundary layers are presented including a constrained zero-order form which significantly reduces the computational workload while retaining the significant physics of the flow. A formulation for primitive variables is also presented. Results are given for the constrained zero-order and second-order equilibrium formulations and are compared with experimental data. A compressible wake function valid near the wall has been developed from the present results.

Barnwell, Richard W.↗

Computational analysis of the flowfield of a two-dimensional ejector nozzle

A time-iterative full Navier-Stokes code, PARC, is used to analyze the flowfield of a two-dimensional ejector nozzle system. A parametric study was performed for two controlling parameters, duct to nozzle area ratio and nozzle pressure ratio. Results show that there is an optimum area ratio for the efficient pumping of secondary flow. At high area ratios, a freestream flow passes directly through the mixing duct without giving adequate pumping. At low area ratios, the jet boundary blocks the incoming flow. The nozzle pressure ratio variation shows that the pumping rate increases as the pressure ratio increases, provided there is no interaction between the shroud wall and the shock cell structure.

Choi, Y. H.↗

Computational analysis of the flowfield of a two-dimensional ejector nozzle

A time-iterative full Navier-Stokes code, PARC, is used to analyze the flowfield of a two-dimensional ejector nozzle system. A parametric study was performed for two controlling parameters, duct to nozzle area ratio and nozzle pressure ratio. Results show that there is an optimum area ratio for the efficient pumping of secondary flow. At high area ratios, a freestream flow passes directly through the mixing duct without giving adequate pumping. At low area ratios, the jet boundary blocks the incoming flow. The nozzle pressure ratio variation shows that the pumping rate increases as the pressure ratio increases, provided there is no interaction between the shroud wall and the shock cell structure.

Choi, Y. H.↗

Multi-dimensional modeling of a thermal energy storage canister

The Solar Dynamic Power Module being developed for Space Station Freedom uses a eutectic mixture of LiF-CaF2 phase change material (PCM) contained in toroidal canisters for thermal energy storage. Presented are the results from heat transfer analyses of a PCM containment canister. One and two dimensional finite difference computer models are developed to analyze heat transfer in the canister walls, PCM, void, and heat engine working fluid coolant. The modes of heat transfer considered include conduction in canister walls and solid PCM, conduction and pseudo-free convection in liquid PCM, conduction and radiation across PCM vapor filled void regions, and forced convection in the heat engine working fluid. Void shape, location, growth or shrinkage (due to density difference between the solid and liquid PCM phases) are prescribed based on engineering judgment. The PCM phase change process is analyzed using the enthalpy method. The discussion of the results focuses on how canister thermal performance is affected by free convection in the liquid PCM and void heat transfer. Characterizing these effects is important for interpreting the relationship between ground-based canister performance (in 1-g) and expected on-orbit performance (in micro-g). Void regions accentuate canister hot spots and temperature gradients due to their large thermal resistance. Free convection reduces the extent of PCM superheating and lowers canister temperatures during a portion of the PCM thermal charge period. Surprisingly small differences in canister thermal performance result from operation on the ground and operation on-orbit. This lack of a strong gravity dependency is attributed to the large contribution of container walls in overall canister energy redistribution by conduction.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗

Sound attenuation apparatus

An apparatus is disclosed for reducing acoustic transmission from mechanical or acoustic sources by means of a double wall partition, within which an acoustic pressure field is generated by at least one secondary acoustic source. The secondary acoustic source is advantageously placed within the partition, around its edges, or it may be an integral part of a wall of the partition.

Shepherd, Kevin P.↗

Similarity rules in gravity jitter-related spacecraft liquid propellant slosh waves excitation

The dynamical behavior of fluids, in particular the effect of surface tension on partially filled rotating fluids in a full-scale prototype Gravity Probe-B Spacecraft propellant tank and various 10 percent subscale containers with identical values of similarity parameters such as Bond number, dynamical capillary number, rotational Reynolds number, and Weber number, as well as imposed gravity jitters have been investigated. It is shown that the Bond number can be used to simulate the wave characteristics of slosh wave excitation, whereas the Weber number can be used to simulate the wave amplitude of slosh-mode excitation. It is shown that a dynamical capillary number can be used to simulate the induced perturbation of the fluid stress distribution exerted on the wall. This distribution is governed by the interaction between surface tension (slosh-wave excitation along the liquid-vapor interface) and viscous (fluid stress exerted on the wall) forces.

Hung, R. J.↗

The morphological catalogue of galaxies equatorial survey

We present 865 redshifts of galaxies located in the equatorial strip delta between -17.5 deg and -2.5 deg in the right ascension range between 20 h and 5 h. Redshifts have been obtained for the complete sample of all 833 galaxies in the Morphological Catalog of Galaxies with magnitudes brighter than m = 14.5 (corresponding approximately to m(Zwicky) = 15.0). This sample also includes three galaxies from other sources with more reliable magnitudes, satisfying this limit, and 29 fainter galaxies, usually companions of the galaxies in the magnitude limited sample. Our maps of a very large volume of nearby space demonstrate a variety of coherent large scale structures which include large voids, 20-50/h Mpc in diameter and large walls at least 70/h Mpc across.

Huchra, John↗

Hydrogen no-vent fill testing in a 34 liter (1.2 cubic foot) tank

Experimental results of no-vent fill testing with liquid hydrogen in a 34 liter stainless steel tank are presented. More than 40 tests were performed with various liquid inlet temperatures, inlet flowrates, initial tank wall temperatures, and liquid injection techniques. Maximum pressure within the receiver tank was limited to 0.207 MPa (30 psia), and fill levels equal to or exceeding 90 percent by volume were achieved in 40 percent of the tests. Three liquid injection techniques were employed; top spray, upward pipe discharge, and bottom diffuser. Effects of each of the various parameters on the tank pressure history and final fill level are evaluated. The final fill level is found to be indirectly proportional to the initial wall and inlet liquid temperatures and directly proportional to the inlet liquid flowrate. Furthermore, the top spray is the most efficient no-vent fill method of the three configurations examined. The success of this injection method is primarily due to condensation of the ullage vapor onto the incoming liquid droplets. Ullage condensation counteracts the tank pressure rise resulting from energy exchange between the fluid and the warmer tank walls and from ullage compression.

Moran, Matthew E.↗