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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 469 records · Page 26

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NASA NTRS1983

Transient flow analysis of the AEDC/HPDE MHD generator

A hybrid Lax-Wendroff/Method of Characteristics computer code has been developed for numerical simulation of flow transients associated with the operation of MHD generator facilities. The code employs the shock-fitting method, with an Eulerian formulation of the basic conservation equations and explicit tracking of shock waves. Pressure, temperature, and velocity are used as primary integration variables to simplify interfacing of the code with real-gas thermodynamic and transport property tables. Application of the code to the simulation of selected transients for the AEDC/HPDE MHD generator produced results that are in good agreement with experimental observations.

Wilson, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Introductory aerothermodynamics of advanced space transportation systems

An assessment is made of the severity of the physical phenomena affecting the aerothermodynamics of advanced space transportation system hypervelocity flights at low ambient density, and flight domains corresponding to these phenomena are mapped. The development of advanced computational codes that will be needed when approximate conceptual studies have defined advantageous configurations is discussed. The advanced space transportation systems considered are an aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicle and a small, rapid response maneuverable craft which is launched either from earth or a conventional aircraft, assumes near-earth orbit, and finally reenters with lift and cross range capability to land on an airstrip.

Howe, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1982

NASA aerial applications wake interaction research

A computer code has been developed for predicting trajectories of particles released in the wakes of airplanes or helicopters. The code accounts for effects of turbulence, crosswind, propeller slipstream, terrain variations, and plant canopy density on particle trajectories. Comparisons are given between experiments and theory. Applications of the code for spray pattern improvement are illustrated.

Morris, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Speed-dependent collision effects on radar back-scattering from the ionosphere

The question whether the differences between fluctuation spectra for linearly speed-dependent and speed-independent collision frequencies could account for disagreements between rocket and incoherent scatter estimate was addressed. The basic theory used for computing the fluctuation spectrum is outlined. The speed-dependence of the charge-neutral collision frequency is discussed, with special emphasis on its derivation from the mobility measurements. Various developments of the computer code used for the computation of the fluctuation spectrum are described. The range of values of input parameters typical to the collision-dominated ionosphere are briefly described. The computational results are presented, and the significance and limitation of these results and the future scope of the research are discussed.

Behl, Y. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Three-dimensional transonic potential flow about complex 3-dimensional configurations

An analysis has been developed and a computer code written to predict three-dimensional subsonic or transonic potential flow fields about lifting or nonlifting configurations. Possible condfigurations include inlets, nacelles, nacelles with ground planes, S-ducts, turboprop nacelles, wings, and wing-pylon-nacelle combinations. The solution of the full partial differential equation for compressible potential flow written in terms of a velocity potential is obtained using finite differences, line relaxation, and multigrid. The analysis uses either a cylindrical or Cartesian coordinate system. The computational mesh is not body fitted. The analysis has been programmed in FORTRAN for both the CDC CYBER 203 and the CRAY-1 computers. Comparisons of computed results with experimental measurement are presented. Descriptions of the program input and output formats are included.

Reyhner, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Aerodynamic predictions II

The development of technology to aid in the design of advanced rotor blades to improve both aerodynamic and acoustic performance is discussed. The development of advanced computer codes to calculate the subsonic and transonic flow field about rotor blades and to model such high noise producing phenomena as shock waves and blade/vortex interaction is examined. The codes are verified by comparison with experimental data. Making the codes available to industry and to provide some training for the industrial users is emphasized.

Tauber, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Calculation of nonequilibrium radiation in the flight regimes of aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles

A computer code has been developed that calculates radiative properties of nonequilibrium air in the low-density regimes expected during the flight of aeroassisted, orbital transfer vehicles. From the given nonequilibrium thermodynamic state variables, the code calculates number densities of internal states and the accompanying emission and absorption characteristics. In addition, the code calculates the number density of the hypothetical gas in radiative equilibrium that produces the same radiation emission as the given nonequilibrium gas. Sample results are shown to demonstrate how the code predicts the nonlinear variation of radiation with density at low densities.

Park, C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Computer predictions of ground storage effects on performance of Galileo and ISPM generators

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) that will supply electrical power to the Galileo and International Solar Polar Mission (ISPM) spacecraft are exposed to several degradation mechanisms during the prolonged ground storage before launch. To assess the effect of storage on the RTG flight performance, a computer code has been developed which simulates all known degradation mechanisms that occur in an RTG during storage and flight. The modeling of these mechanisms and their impact on the RTG performance are discussed.

Chmielewski, A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The numerical design of a spherical baroclinic experiment for Spacelab flights

The near-zero G environment of Spacelab is the basis of a true spherical experimental model of synoptic scale baroclinic atmospheric processes, using a radial dielectric body force analogous to gravity over a volume of liquid within two concentric spheres. The baroclinic motions are generated by corotating the spheres and imposing thermal boundary conditions, such that the liquid is subjected to a stable radial gradient and a latitudinal gradient. Owing to mathematical difficulties associated with the spherical geometry, quantitative design criteria can be acquired only by means of numerical models. The procedure adopted required the development of two computer codes based on the Navier-Stokes equations. The codes, of which the first calculates axisymmetric steady flow solutions and the second determines the growth or decay rates of linear wave perturbations with different wave numbers, are combined to generate marginal stability curves.

Fowlis, W. W.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Three-dimensional calculation of shuttle charging in polar orbit

The charged particles environment in polar orbit can be of sufficient intensity to cause spacecraft charging. In order to gain a quantitative understanding of such effects, the Air Force is developing POLAR, a computer code which simulates in three dimensions the electrical interaction of large space vehicles with the polar ionospheric plasma. It models the physical processes of wake generation, ambient ion collection, precipitating auroral electron fluxes, and surface interactions, including secondary electron generation and backscattering, which lead to vehicle charging. These processes may be followed dynamically on a subsecond timescale so that the rapid passage through intense auroral arcs can be simulated. POLAR models the ambient plasma as isotropic Maxwellian electrons and ions (0+, H+), and allows for simultaneous precipitation of power-law, energetic Maxwellian, and accelerated Gaussian distributions of electrons. Magnetic field effects will be modeled in POLAR but are currently ignored.

Cooke, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Calculation of confined swirling flows

Swirling jets are an important constituent flow of many types of combustion equipment. Flame size, shape, stability and combustion intensity are all favorably influenced by swirling some portion of the incoming air with the fuel. Fluid dynamics computer codes are being developed for the mathematical simulation of flows in practical combustors. It is important that these codes have the ability to accurately and reliably calculate swirling flows. Turbulent flow calculations with swirl can be inaccurate due to at least three major reasons: limitations of the turbulence modeling used, incorrect or inadequate specifications of inlet boundary conditions, and, error introduced through the numerics. These sources of error are described, and examples provided of each. The state-of-the-art in such calculations is reviewed. The controlling character of current numerics is demonstrated, and it is concluded that as a first priority, better numerics must be arrived at, and that an improved understanding of the discharge flow from swirl generators is essential as a second priority. When these priorities are satisfied an improved turbulence model is desirable. It is also concluded that an improved understanding of swirl-induced recirculation would be an asset.

Sturgess, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Structural tailoring of engine blades (STAEBL) user's manual

This User's Manual contains instructions and demonstration case to prepare input data, run, and modify the Structural Tailoring of Engine Blades (STAEBL) computer code. STAEBL was developed to perform engine fan and compressor blade numerical optimizations. This blade optimization seeks a minimum weight or cost design that satisfies realistic blade design constraints, by tuning one to twenty design variables. The STAEBL constraint analyses include blade stresses, vibratory response, flutter, and foreign object damage. Blade design variables include airfoil thickness at several locations, blade chord, and construction variables: hole size for hollow blades, and composite material layup for composite blades.

Brown, K. W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Nonlinear wave vacillation in the atmosphere

The problem of vacillation in a baroclinically unstable flow field is studied through the time evolution of a single nonlinearly unstable wave. To this end a computer code is being developed to solve numerically for the time evolution of the amplitude of such a wave. The final working code will be the end product resulting from the development of a heirarchy of codes with increasing complexity. The first code in this series was completed and is undergoing several diagnostic analyses to verify its validity. The development of this code is detailed.

Antar, Basil N.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Grid generation for turbomachinery problems

The development of a computer code to generate numerical grids for complex internal flow systems such as the fluid flow inside the space shuttle main engine is outlined. The blending technique for generating a grid for stator-rotor combination at a particular radial section is examined. The computer programs which generate these grids are listed in the Appendices. These codes are capable of generating grids at different cross sections and thus providng three dimensional stator-rotor grids for the turbomachinery of the space shuttle main engine.

Steinhoff, J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Wind-tunnel preflight test program for aeroassist flight experiment

A proposed Aeroassist Flight Experiment (AFE) will simulate return from geosynchronous orbit to low-earth orbit to provide fundamental information about the hypersonic flow conditions surrounding aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicles (AOTV's). Future AOTV design must rely heavily on computational fluid dynamic (CFD) computer codes now under development, since the entry conditions are beyond the simulation capabilities of ground-based test facilities. However, existing codes and best available ground-based test facilities must provide for design of the AFE. The AFE ground-based test program provides data for calibration of existing and developing pertinent CFD codes. Confidence in code prediction capability increases with ability to predict forces and moments, pressure and heat-transfer distributions, shock shapes, and surface streamline directions. The ground-based test program provides these data over a wide range of hypersonic test parameters. This paper describes the test program, models, facilities, and some representative results.

Wells, William L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

STAEBL/general composites with hygrothermal effects (STAEBL/GENCOM)

A computer code has been developed to perform structural optimization of turbine blades made from angle ply fiber composite laminates. Design variables available for optimization include geometric parameters such as blade thickness distribution and root chord, and composite material parameters such as ply angles and numbers of plies of each constituent material. Design constraints include resonance margins, forced response margins, maximum stress, and maximum ply combined stress. A general description of this code is given. Design optimization studies for typical blades are presented.

Rubenstein, Robert↗

NASA NTRS1988

Supersonic axial-flow fan flutter

Lane's (1957) analytical formulation of the unsteady pressure distribution on an oscillating two-dimensional flat plate cascade in supersonic axial flow has been developed into a computer code. This unsteady aerodynamic code has shown good agreement with other published data. This code has also been incorporated into an existing aeroelastic code to analyze the NASA Lewis supersonic through-flow fan design.

Ramsey, John K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

STAEBL/General composites with hygrothermal effects (STAEBL/GENCOM)

A computer code has been developed to perform structural optimization of turbine blades made from angle ply fiber composite laminates. Design variables available for optimization include geometric parameters such as blade thickness disribution and root chord, and composite material parameters such as ply angles and numbers of plies of each constituent material. Design constraints include resonance margins, forced response margins, maximum stress, and maximum ply combined stress. A general description of this code is given. Design optimization studies for typical blades are presented.

Rubinstein, R.↗