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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 433 records · Page 24

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NASA NTRS1977

Effect of endwall cooling on secondary flows in turbine stator vanes

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effect of endwall cooling on the secondary flow behavior and the aerodynamic performance of a core-turbine stator vane. The investigation was conducted in a cold-air, full-annular cascade, where three-dimensional effects could be obtained. In one configuration, the cooling holes were oriented so that the coolant was injected in line with the inviscid streamline direction. In another configuration, the coolant was injected at an angle of 15 deg to the inviscid streamline direction and oriented toward the vane pressure surface. Total-pressure surveys were taken downstream of the stator vanes over a range of cooling flows. Changes in the total-pressure contours downstream of the vanes were used to obtain the effect of endwall cooling on the secondary flows in the stator. Comparisons are made between the two cooled-endwall configurations and with the results obtained previously for solid (uncooled) endwalls.

Goldman, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Effect of endwall cooling on secondary flows in turbine stator vanes

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effect of endwall cooling on the secondary flow behavior and the aerodynamic performance of a coreturbine stator vane. The investigation was conducted in a cold-air, full-annular cascade, where three-dimensional effects could be obtained. Two endwall cooling configurations were tested. In the first configuration, the cooling holes were oriented so that the coolant was injected in line with the inviscid streamline direction. In the second configuration, the coolant was injected at an angle of 15 deg to the inviscid streamline direction and oriented toward the vane pressure surface. In both cases the stator vanes were solid and uncooled so that the effect of endwall cooling could be obtained directly. Total-pressure surveys were taken downstream of the stator vanes over a range of cooling flows at the design, mean-radius, critical velocity ratio of 0.778. Changes in the total-pressure contours downstream of the vanes were used to obtain the effect of endwall cooling on the secondary flows in the stator. Comparisons were made between the two cooled-endwall configurations and with the results obtained previously for solid endwalls.

Goldman, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Three dimensional aerodynamics of an annular cascade in a non-uniform inlet flow

Three-dimensional viscous and inviscid numerical analyses are currently being developed to predict the complex flow through turbomachine blade passages. To be of value to the designer, these numerical solutions must be evaluated and subsequent refinements directed by correlating predicted flow fields with data obtained from experiments which model the fundamental three-dimensional flow phenomena inherent in blade rows. This paper describes a series of experiments to provide such data. In particular, the effect of a potential and a rotational inlet flow field on the detailed three-dimensional aerodynamic performance of an extensively instrumented cambered airfoil cascade has been determined at two levels of aerodynamic loading. Data presented quantify the pressure and suction surface static pressure chordwise distributions on the hub, mean, and tip streamlines; the velocity distribution in the cascade aft-passage region; and the cascade exit region flow field. Appropriate data are correlated with predictions.

Manwaring, S. R.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Novel Tilting Ducted-Fan Aerial Vehicle Configurations

There has been recent renewed interested in ducted-fan, powered-lift vertical takeoff and landing aircraft vehicles for uninhabited aerial vehicle and urban aerial mobility aerial applications. Early work was conducted in the 1950’s to the late 1980’s into ducted-fan vehicles, especially at the time for military missions. The focus of ducted-fan research began to shift to UAV’s and personal air transportation in the 2000’s. Work in the early 2000’s fostered interest into ducted-fan aerial vehicles for vertical lift planetary aerial vehicle missions, especially for missions to Titan, a moon of Saturn. For example, early work at NASA Ames conducted the first known investigation into oval ducts (with internal tandem fans) to be used for these aerial vehicles. The use of twin oval ducts (with internal tandem fans) allowed the use of quadrotor-style rotor rpm control for vehicle trim (in hover, for transition to high-speed forward flight the addition of a tilt-actuator to pitch the twin oval ducts forward to be aligned with the freestream needed to be added to the control approach. This current study explores open-rotor, single isolated ducted-fan, and full vehicle configuration aerodynamic performance for hover, transition, and cruise regimes for novel tilting ducted-fan aerial vehicle configurations. The objective of this study is to better understand the design aerodynamics trade space for noncircular tilting ducted-fans. The primary analysis tool used in this paper is the mid-fidelity computational fluid dynamics RotCFD tool. Several interesting and largely unexplored rotor-on-rotor (or fan-on-fan), duct-on-rotor, rotor- on-duct, and duct-on-airframe are examined in this paper. Many of these aerodynamic interactions are the key to overall aerial vehicle performance. Limited parametric sweeps of rotor-to-rotor spacing (and, therefore, sizing and shape of the enveloping ducts) for the various duct configurations will also be performed. The trade-offs between duct thrust augmentation in hover versus improved transition controllability versus improved cruise L/D will be discussed for various novel duct configurations. These ducted-fan configurations include oval ducts, ‘figure-eight’ ducts, and ‘B-shaped’ ducts, among others.

Ducted-Fan↗

NASA NTRS2015

Aerodynamic Models for the Low Density Supersonic Declerator (LDSD) Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test (SFDT)

An overview of pre-flight aerodynamic models for the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test (SFDT) campaign is presented, with comparisons to reconstructed flight data and discussion of model updates. The SFDT campaign objective is to test Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD) and large supersonic parachute technologies at high altitude Earth conditions relevant to entry, descent, and landing (EDL) at Mars. Nominal SIAD test conditions are attained by lifting a test vehicle (TV) to 36 km altitude with a large helium balloon, then accelerating the TV to Mach 4 and and 53 km altitude with a solid rocket motor. The first flight test (SFDT-1) delivered a 6 meter diameter robotic mission class decelerator (SIAD-R) to several seconds of flight on June 28, 2014, and was successful in demonstrating the SFDT flight system concept and SIAD-R. The trajectory was off-nominal, however, lofting to over 8 km higher than predicted in flight simulations. Comparisons between reconstructed flight data and aerodynamic models show that SIAD-R aerodynamic performance was in good agreement with pre-flight predictions. Similar comparisons of powered ascent phase aerodynamics show that the pre-flight model overpredicted TV pitch stability, leading to underprediction of trajectory peak altitude. Comparisons between pre-flight aerodynamic models and reconstructed flight data are shown, and changes to aerodynamic models using improved fidelity and knowledge gained from SFDT-1 are discussed.

Van Norman, John W.↗

NASA NTRS2017

High-Lift Propeller Noise Prediction for a Distributed Electric Propulsion Flight Demonstrator

Over the past several years, the use of electric propulsion technologies within aircraft design has received increased attention. The characteristics of electric propulsion systems open up new areas of the aircraft design space, such as the use of distributed electric propulsion (DEP). In this approach, electric motors are placed in many different locations to achieve increased efficiency through integration of the propulsion system with the airframe. Under a project called Scalable Convergent Electric Propulsion Technology Operations Research (SCEPTOR), NASA is designing a flight demonstrator aircraft that employs many "high-lift propellers" distributed upstream of the wing leading edge and two cruise propellers (one at each wingtip). As the high-lift propellers are operational at low flight speeds (take-off/approach flight conditions), the impact of the DEP configuration on the aircraft noise signature is also an important design consideration. This paper describes efforts toward the development of a mulit-fidelity aerodynamic and acoustic methodology for DEP high-lift propeller aeroacoustic modeling. Specifically, the PAS, OVERFLOW 2, and FUN3D codes are used to predict the aerodynamic performance of a baseline high-lift propeller blade set. Blade surface pressure results from the aerodynamic predictions are then used with PSU-WOPWOP and the F1A module of the NASA second generation Aircraft NOise Prediction Program to predict the isolated high-lift propeller noise source. Comparisons of predictions indicate that general trends related to angle of attack effects at the blade passage frequency are captured well with the various codes. Results for higher harmonics of the blade passage frequency appear consistent for the CFD based methods. Conversely, evidence of the need for a study of the effects of increased azimuthal grid resolution on the PAS based results is indicated and will be pursued in future work. Overall, the results indicate that the computational approach is acceptable for fundamental assessment of low-noise high-lift propeller designs. The extent to which the various approaches may be used in a complementary manner will be further established as measured data becomes available for validation. Ultimately, it is anticipated that this combined approach may be used to provide realistic incident source fields for acoustic shielding/scattering studies on various aircraft configurations.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Supersonic External-Compression Inlets for Mach 1.4 to 2.0

A series of supersonic, external-compression inlets were designed for freestream Mach numbers of Mach 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0. The types of inlets included axisymmetric pitot, axisymmetric spike, two-dimensional, two-dimensional bifurcated, and streamline-traced inlets. The inlets were designed as isolated from an aircraft with freestream conditions, engine-face geometry, and flow rates established from a reference NASA commercial aircraft concept. The inlets were designed using the NASA Supersonic Inlet Design and Analysis (SUPIN) Tool and the inlet performance was obtained from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The study compares the physical dimensions and aerodynamic performance of the inlets to provide reference information for the selection of inlet types for commercial supersonic aircraft.

Supersonics↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Supersonic External-Compression Inlets for Mach 1.4 to 2.0

Supersonics↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Scale Resolving Simulations of Contra Rotating Open Rotor Noise Prediction

The development of breakthrough open-rotor propulsion systems that meet performance, fuel efficiency, and noise requirements for commercial viability relies heavily on the availability of reliable and computationally efficient aerodynamic performance and noise prediction tools.This investigation showcases the proficiency of the structured curvilinear overset grid Computational Fluid Dynamics solver implemented in the Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics framework for predicting the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic characteristics of a Contra-RotatingOpen Rotor propulsion system. Additionally, the study includes comprehensive sensitivity analyses employing a Hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes/Large Eddy Simulation - based scale-resolving turbulence closure treatment. The computed results are validated through comparison with existing experimental measurements.

ARMD↗

NASA NTRS1984

Experimental and analytical investigations into airfoil icing

Methods of analyzing and measuring experimentally the accretion of ice and its effect on airfoil aerodynamic performance are presented. An analytical method for predicting water droplet impingement has been developed and shows the influence of airfoil leading edge radius and thickness on droplet impingement to be significant. Rime ice accretions are predicted including time dependent effects and these shapes compare well to experiment. Scaling water droplet impingement and rime ice accretion is discussed. Predictions of the effect of rime ice on airfoil performance are developed based on empirical and analytical methods. Techniques for measuring and simulating ice accretions for wind tunnel tests compare well to actual iced airfoil aerodynamic data. Data showing the effect of ice on measured airfoil performance using real and simulated ice are presented.

Bragg, M. B.↗

NASA NTRS2016

NASA ERA Integrated CFD for Wind Tunnel Testing of Hybrid Wing-Body Configuration

NASAs Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project explores enabling technologies to reduce aviations impact on the environment. One research challenge area for the project has been to study advanced airframe and engine integration concepts to reduce community noise and fuel burn. In order to achieve this, complex wind tunnel experiments at both the NASA Langley Research Centers (LaRC) 14x22 and the Ames Research Centers 40x80 low-speed wind tunnel facilities were conducted on a Boeing Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) configuration. These wind tunnel tests entailed various entries to evaluate the propulsion airframe interference effects including aerodynamic performance and aeroacoustics. In order to assist these tests in producing high quality data with minimal hardware interference, extensive Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for everything from sting design and placement for both the wing body and powered ejector nacelle systems to the placement of aeroacoustic arrays to minimize its impact on the vehicles aerodynamics. This paper will provide a high level summary of the CFD simulations that NASA performed in support of the model integration hardware design as well as some simulation guideline development based on post-test aerodynamic data. In addition, the paper includes details on how multiple CFD codes (OVERFLOW, STAR-CCM+, USM3D, and FUN3D) were efficiently used to provide timely insight into the wind tunnel experimental setup and execution.

Computational Fluid Dynamics↗

NASA NTRS2005

The Influence of Viscous Effects on Ice Accretion Prediction and Airfoil Performance Predictions

A computational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using a viscous flow solution in an ice accretion code and the resulting accuracy of aerodynamic performance prediction. Ice shapes were obtained for one single-element and one multi-element airfoil using both potential flow and Navier-Stokes flowfields in the LEWICE ice accretion code. Aerodynamics were then calculated using a Navier-Stokes flow solver.

Kreeger, Richard E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Aerodynamic loss generation in a low-pressure turbine stage with high lift blading

The present work aims to investigate the loss generation mechanisms in a highly loaded low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage. The turbine employs high-lift airfoils to reduce the number of blades and therefore the overall engine weight. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is applied to study the detailed flow fields at two representative Reynolds numbers (150,000 and 40,000). The calculated flow fields are compared with available measured data. LES calculates the measured aerodynamic performance of the current turbine stage well. Both the measurements and the CFD simulations indicate that most of the aerodynamic loss is generated by the development of secondary flows near the rotor hub. An area of low momentum and high aerodynamic loss forms at roughly 25 % span above the hub downstream of the rotor. Formation and migration of a vortex system near the hub is the primary source of the loss generation. The hub wall vortex system in this highly loaded turbine stage is quite different from the horse-shoe vortex system in a typical stationary turbine cascade. Calculated instantaneous and time-averaged flow fields at two Reynolds numbers are examined in detail to study Reynolds number effects on the turbine stage performance. Steady and unsteady flow separation on the rotor suction side is calculated at both high and low Reynolds numbers. At the lower Reynolds number of 40,000, thicker blade boundary layers increase the area of flow separation on the rotor suction side, resulting in a 1.9 % increase in aerodynamic loss compared to the higher Reynolds number case.

low pressure turbine↗

NASA NTRS2016

NASA ERA Integrated CFD for Wind Tunnel Testing of Hybrid Wing-Body Configuration

The NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project explored enabling technologies to reduce impact of aviation on the environment. One project research challenge area was the study of advanced airframe and engine integration concepts to reduce community noise and fuel burn. To address this challenge, complex wind tunnel experiments at both the NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC) 14'x22' and the Ames Research Center's 40'x80' low-speed wind tunnel facilities were conducted on a BOEING Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) configuration. These wind tunnel tests entailed various entries to evaluate the propulsion-airframe interference effects, including aerodynamic performance and aeroacoustics. In order to assist these tests in producing high quality data with minimal hardware interference, extensive Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for everything from sting design and placement for both the wing body and powered ejector nacelle systems to the placement of aeroacoustic arrays to minimize its impact on vehicle aerodynamics. This paper presents a high-level summary of the CFD simulations that NASA performed in support of the model integration hardware design as well as the development of some CFD simulation guidelines based on post-test aerodynamic data. In addition, the paper includes details on how multiple CFD codes (OVERFLOW, STAR-CCM+, USM3D, and FUN3D) were efficiently used to provide timely insight into the wind tunnel experimental setup and execution.

Computational Fluid Dynamics↗

NASA NTRS2006

Comprehensive Report of Fan Performance From Duct Rake Instrumentation on 1.294 Pressure Ratio, 806 ft/sec Tip Speed Turbofan Simulator Models

A large scale model representative of an advanced ducted propulsor-type, low-noise, very high bypass ratio turbofan engine was tested for acoustics, aerodynamic performance, and off-design operability in the NASA Glenn 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. The test was part of NASA s Advanced Subsonic Technology Noise Reduction Program. The low tip speed fan, nacelle, and un-powered core passage were simulated. As might be expected, the effect of stall management casing treatment was a performance penalty. Reducing the recirculating flow at the fan tip reduced the penalty while still providing sufficient stall margin. Two fans were tested with the same aerodynamic design; one with graphite composite material, and the other with solid titanium. There were surprising performance differences between the two fans, though both blades showed some indication of transitional flow near the tips. Though the pressure and temperature ratios were low for this fan design, the techniques used to improve thermocouple measurement accuracy gave repeatable data with adiabatic efficiencies agreeing within 1 percent. The measured fan adiabatic efficiency at simulated takeoff conditions was 93.7 percent and matched the design intent.

Jeracki, Robert J.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test: Trajectory, Atmosphere, and Aerodynamics Reconstruction

The Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test is a full-scale flight test of a Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator, which is part of the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator technology development project. The purpose of the project is to develop and mature aerodynamic decelerator technologies for landing large mass payloads on the surface of Mars. The technologies include a Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator and Supersonic Parachutes. The first Supersonic Flight Dynamics Test occurred on June 28th, 2014 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. This test was used to validate the test architecture for future missions. The flight was a success and, in addition, was able to acquire data on the aerodynamic performance of the supersonic inflatable decelerator. This paper describes the instrumentation, analysis techniques, and acquired flight test data utilized to reconstruct the vehicle trajectory, atmosphere, and aerodynamics. The results of the reconstruction show significantly higher lofting of the trajectory, which can partially be explained by off-nominal booster motor performance. The reconstructed vehicle force and moment coefficients fall well within pre-flight predictions. A parameter identification analysis indicates that the vehicle displayed greater aerodynamic static stability than seen in pre-flight computational predictions and ballistic range tests.

Kutty, Prasad↗

NASA NTRS1973

Some design considerations for supersonic cruise mixed compression inlets

A mixed compression inlet designed for supersonic cruise has very demanding requirements for high total pressure recovery and low bleed and cowl drag. However, since the optimum inlet for supersonic cruise performance may have other undesirable characteristics, it is necessary to establish trade-offs between inlet performance and other inlet characteristics. Some of these trade-offs between the amount of internal compression, aerodynamic performance and angle-of-attack tolerance are reviewed. Techniques for analysis of boundary layer control and subsonic diffuser flow are discussed.

Bowditch, D. N.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Turbine design review text

Three-volume publication covers theoretical, design, and performance aspects of turbines. Volumes cover thermodynamic and fluid-dynamic concepts, velocity diagram design, turbine blade aerodynamic design, turbine energy losses, supersonic turbines, radial-inflow turbines, turbine cooling, and aerodynamic performance testing.

Source record↗