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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

Wind-tunnel testing of VTOL and STOL aircraft

The basic concepts of wind-tunnel boundary interference are discussed and the development of the theory for VTOL-STOL aircraft is described. Features affecting the wall interference, such as wake roll-up, configuration differences, recirculation limits, and interference nonuniformity, are discussed. The effects of the level of correction on allowable model size are shown to be amenable to generalized presentation. Finally, experimental confirmation of wind-tunnel interference theory is presented for jet-flap, rotor, and fan-in-wing models.

Heyson, H. H.↗

A wide bandwidth CCD buffer memory system

A prototype system was implemented to demonstrate that CCD's can be applied advantageously to the problem of low power digital storage and particularly to the problem of interfacing widely varying data rates. CCD shift register memories (8K bit) were used to construct a feasibility model 128 K-bit buffer memory system. Serial data that can have rates between 150 kHz and 4.0 MHz can be stored in 4K-bit, randomly-accessible memory blocks. Peak power dissipation during a data transfer is less than 7 W, while idle power is approximately 5.4 W. The system features automatic data input synchronization with the recirculating CCD memory block start address. System expansion to accommodate parallel inputs or a greater number of memory blocks can be performed in a modular fashion. Since the control logic does not increase proportionally to increase in memory capacity, the power requirements per bit of storage can be reduced significantly in a larger system.

Siemens, K.↗

Automotive fuel economy and emissions program

Experimental data were generated to support an assessment of the relationship between automobile fuel economy and emissions control systems. Tests were made at both the engine and vehicle levels. Detailed investigations were made on cold-start emissions devices, exhaust gas recirculation systems, and air injection reactor systems. Based on the results of engine tests, an alternative emission control system and modified control strategy were implemented and tested in the vehicle. With the same fuel economy and NOx emissions as the stock vehicle, the modified vehicle reduced HC and CO emissions by about 20 percent. By removing the NOx emissions constraint, the modified vehicle demonstrated about 12 percent better fuel economy than the stock vehicle.

Dowdy, M. W.↗

NO-NO2 measurements in a methane-fueled swirl-stabilized combustor

Exhaust plane measurements of NO and NO2 emissions from a methane-fueled swirl-stabilized combustor are reported. Samples were obtained by water-cooled probes and analyzed by chemiluminescent and UV absorption techniques. The combustor consists of two confined concentric jets having swirl. The inner jet flows premixed fuel and air, the outer jet is air. Variable outer jet swirl allows operation with jets swirling either in the same or opposite directions (co- or counter-swirl), and the combustion is stabilized by the resulting recirculation zone formed on the combustor centerline. Swirl conditions strongly affect the NOx emissions because of the influence of swirl on the combustion process. In the co-swirl conditions, the inner flow reaches high temperatures, and the correspondingly high NOx emissions are primarily NO. Under counter-swirl conditions much lower values of total NO are found, and these emissions are almost entirely NO2. In this case vigorous mixing in the inter-jet shear layer leads to severe flame quenching and lower temperatures. Formation of NO2 is associated with quenching processes in the combustor and is thought to be formed via NO oxidation by HO2 free radicals.

Oven, M. J.↗

Water-based intumescent paint

Article discusses fire-resistant water-based paints made by adding intumescing agents to fluorocarbon coatings. Since these paints are water-based, they do not pollute atmosphere as they dry and can be used in closed-loop air-recirculation system in spacecraft and submarines.

Sauers, D. G.↗

CF6 jet engine performance improvement program. Task 1: Feasibility analysis

Technical and economic engine improvement concepts selected for subsequent development include: (1) fan improvement; (2) short core exhaust; (3) HP turbine aerodynamic improvement; (4) HP turbine roundness control; (5) HP turbine active clearance control; and (6) cabin air recirculation. The fuel savings for the selected engine modification concepts for the CF6 fleet are estimated.

Fasching, W. A.↗

Lean stability augmentation study

An analytical conceptual design study and an experimental test program were conducted to investigate techniques and develop technology for improving the lean combustion limits of premixing, prevaporizing combustors applicable to gas turbine engine main burners. The use of hot gas pilots, catalyzed flameholder elements, and heat recirculation to augment lean stability limits was considered in the conceptual design study. Tests of flameholders embodying selected concepts were conducted at a pressure of 10 arm and over a range of entrance temperatures simulating conditions to be encountered during stratospheric cruise. The tests were performed using an axisymmetric flametube test rig having a nominal diameter of 10.2 cm. A total of sixteen test configurations were examined in which lean blowout limits, pollutant emission characteristics, and combustor performance were evaluated. The use of a piloted perforated plate flameholder employing a pilot fuel flow rate equivalent to 4 percent of the total fuel flow at a simulated cruise condition resulted in a lean blowout equivalence ratio of less than 0.25 with a design point (T sub zero = 600k, Phi = 0.6) NOx emission index of less than 1.0 g/kg.

Mcvey, J. B.↗

Ferrographic analysis of wear debris from full-scale bearing fatigue tests

The Ferrograph was used to determine the types and quantities of wear particles generated during full scale bearing fatigue tests. Deep-groove ball bearings made from steel were used. A tetraester lubricant was used in a recirculating lubricant system containing a 49 micrometers absolute filter. Test conditions include a maximum Hertz stress of 2.4 GPa, a shaft speed of 15,000 rpm, and a lubricant supply temperature of 74 C (165 F). Four fatigue failures were detected by accelerometers in this test set. In general, the Ferrograph was more sensitive (up to 23 hr) in detecting spall initiation than either accelerometers or the normal spectrographic oil analysis. Four particle types were observed: normal rubbing weather particles, spheres, nonferrous particles, and severe wear (spall) fragments.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗

Strip cell test and evaluation program

The performance characteristics of alkaline fuel cells to be used for space power systems were tested. Endurance tests were conducted on the cells during energy conversion operations. A feature of the cells fabricated and tested was the capability to evaporate the product water formed during the energy conversion reaction directly to space vacuum. A fuel cell powerplant incorporating these cells does not require a condenser and a hydrogen recirculating pump water separator to remove the product water. This simplified the fuel cell powerplant system, reduced the systems weight, and reduced the systems parasite power.

Gitlow, B.↗

Mass drivers. 1: Electrical design

A mass driver is an electrical device used to accelerate payloads of any material to a high velocity. Small vehicles (called buckets) containing superconducting coils carry the payloads. These buckets are accelerated by pulsed magnetic fields, timed by information on their position, and are guided by induced magnetic fields set up in a surrounding guideway. Upon reaching the correct velocity, the buckets release their payloads, then they are slowed for recirculation to be reused. A rationale is presented that leads to a relatively simple and near-optimum design, as well as basic programs for calculating acceleration. The transverse oscillation frequencies are found to be invariant to guideway transverse dimensions.

William H. Arnold↗

A technique for scale model rocket base heating tests in a very large vacuum chamber

A series of tests was performed with a 0.040 scale Shuttle Orbiter Base Heating Model in a large vacuum chamber to determine the thermal effects of engine plume recirculation and direct engine plume impingement. The oxygen- and hydrogen-fueled model was fired through a range of simulated altitudes and configurations with varied engine gimbal angles and 'engine-out' combinations. Some of the special problems associated with conducting tests of this type related primarily to obtaining valid temperature and pressure data in the extremely short run times available. Run time is limited by the reflection of shock waves from the chamber wall, propellant charge-tube wave times, the time required to reach steady-state conditions for the engines, and model heating limitations. The 'data window' for potentially valid data usually begins with stabilized engine conditions and terminates with pressure perturbations from either of the aforementioned shock waves. The general approach for coping with these limitations and the method used to obtain valid data during the short data window (of the order of thirty milliseconds) are discussed.

Williams, F. U.↗

Flame characteristics of a NASA contra swirler module

Results are presented for an investigation of the structure of unconfined propane flames stabilized on a NASA contra-swirl can. General flame characterization, flame visualization by sodium chloride, temperature measurements, combustion products analysis, nitric oxide concentrations, and laser anemometer studies are considered. The results are discussed relative to sodium chloride visualization, temperature distributions, chemical composition of flames, nitric oxide distributions, and velocity distributions. It is shown that unconfined propane-air flames can be stabilized downstream of a NASA contra-swirl can under a wide range of airflow rates and fuel-air ratios. However, on increasing fuel input from the lowest at which flames can be stabilized, a compact recirculation zone-stabilized flame is formed. The effect of confinement on changes in flame shape and structure is determined.

Thompson, D.↗

Recycling isoelectric focusing with computer controlled data acquisition system

Isoelectric focusing is a high-resolution technique for separating and purifying large peptides, proteins, and other biomolecules. The apparatus described in the present paper constitutes a new approach to fluid stabilization and increased throughput. Stabilization is achieved by flowing the process fluid uniformly through an array of closely spaced filter elements oriented parallel both to the electrodes and the direction of the flow. This seems to overcome the major difficulties of parabolic flow and electroosmosis at the walls, while limiting the convection to chamber compartments defined by adjacent spacers. Increased throughput is achieved by recirculating the process fluid through external heat exchange reservoirs, where the Joule heat is dissipated.

Egen, N. B.↗

Modeling of radiative heating of base region of Jovian entry probe

The mechanism of radiative heating of the afterbody region of Jovian entry probe is analyzed. A theoretical model is derived to determine the average thermodynamic properties in the expanding region, recirculating region, recompression region, and neck region through application of one-dimensional conservation equations. Flow parameters are obtained from the shadowgraphs of a free-flight test. Radiative transfer is calculated using spectrally detailed computer codes accounting for nonequilibrium. The results show that the most severe heating occurs immediately behind the frustum, and that the recompression and neck regions are the major sources of radiation that heats the base stagnation point. The radiation flux to the base point is slightly stronger with ablation than without, its value being 0.11(43Pb/Ps)squared times that to the front stagnation point, where Pb/Ps is the ratio of base-to-front stagnation point pressures and its value is in the range 0.023-0.066. The time-integrated heat load to the base point is 18(43Pb/Ps)squared kJ/sq cm. Existing experimental data are shown to agree with the theoretical prediction.

Park, C.↗

A shock capturing application of the finite element method

The paper is concerned with the development of finite element algorithms for the solution of viscous compressible flow problems with possible embedded shocks and recirculation regions. As a first step, the calculation in Cartesian coordinates of uniform flow on a rectangular region which encounters an embedded oblique shock with known turning angle is considered. A code is developed which is then used for computation of the boattail plume simulator problem in cylindrical coordinates. Oblique shock calculations are performed and the results are compared with a known finite difference solution.

Cooke, C. H.↗

On the viscous-inviscid flow interaction in the vicinity of a laminar separation bubble

An incompressible, two-dimensional, thin separation bubble is treated as an obstacle to the potential flow that perturbs and adjusts the original inviscid flow. The knowledge of the perturbed velocity allows a complete flow description in vicinity of the bubble. Suitable differential equations and boundary conditions are developed for three distinct regions, namely, a potential region, a parabolic viscous layer, and a viscous, slow recirculating region. With modified boundary conditions the boundary layer equations are regularly integrated through the separation region. Conclusions are also made on the wall stress and the position of zero velocity and zero vorticity lines.

Amarante, J. C. A.↗

Combustor modelling for scramjet engines

A system of computer programs is being developed to analyse and predict the complex flow fields found in hydrogen-fueled scramjet combustors. Each program is designed to solve the governing equation system for the type of flow present in a particular combustor region. A two-dimensional parabolic program has been found to be valuable in the development and experimental evaluation of turbulence and chemistry models for supersonic flow, and in the development of a program to model supersonic flow downstream of the fuel injection struts by means of solutions to the three-dimensional parabolic Navier-Stokes equations and species equations. A partially elliptic code has been derived to account for local subsonic flow regions, and fully elliptic programs have been developed by the consideration of streamwise diffusion effects for the recirculating flow fields near transverse fuel injectors. The programs are currently being applied to problems of scramjet engine development.

Drummond, J. P.↗

High temperature UF6 and plasma research

Research currently under way on technology for uranium plasma core reactors is reviewed. A feeder system to provide a controlled and steady flow of UF6 at rates up to 5 g/sec and temperatures up to 500 K into rf plasma test chambers operating at pressures of up to 20 atm has been developed. Plasma emission and dye laser absorption measurements have been used to estimate the radial distribution of uranium atom number density within the plasma. X-ray absorption equipment and techniques have also been employed to measure the amount of uranium in the plasma, and dc plasma torch experiments have shown variations in plasma VUV emission with temperature. Analysis of residues deposited on various test-chamber components after plasma tests reveals traces of several uranium oxides, including UO2F2, and various exhaust duct configurations with flow augmentation are under investigation as means of preventing uranium deposition. Other areas of research include off- and on-line exhaust gas diagnostics, and a UF6/Ar injection, separation and recirculation system.

Roman, W. C.↗