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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

An estimation of the condensation rates in three severe storm systems from satellite observations of the convective mass flux

A technique was developed for estimating the condensation rates of convective storms using satellite measurements of cirrus anvil expansion rates and radiosonde measurements of environmental water vapor. Three cases of severe convection in Oklahoma were studied and a diagnostic model was developed for integrating radiosonde data with satellite data. Two methods were used to measure the anvil expansion rates - the expansion of isotherm contours on infrared images, and the divergent motions of small brightness anomalies tracked on the visible images. The differences between the two methods were large as the storms developed, but these differences became small in the latter stage of all three storms. A comparison between the three storms indicated that the available moisture in the lowest levels greatly affected the rain rates of the storms. This was evident from both the measured rain rates of the storms and the condensation rates estimated by the model. The possibility of using this diagnostic model for estimating the intensities of convective storms also is discussed.

Mack, R. A.↗

Three-dimensional separation and reattachment

The separation of three dimensional turbulent boundary layers from the lee of flight vehicles at high angles of attack is investigated. The separation results in dominant, large scale, coiled vortex motions that pass along the body in the general direction of the free stream. In all cases of three dimensional flow separation and reattachment, the assumption of continuous vector fields of skin friction lines and external flow streamlines, coupled with simple laws of topology, provides a flow grammar whose elemental constituents are the singular points: the nodes, spiral nodes (foci), and saddles. The phenomenon of three dimensional separation may be constrained as either a local or a global event, depending on whether the skin friction line that becomes a line of separation originates at a node or a saddle point.

Peake, D. J.↗

The equivalence of three techniques for estimating ground reflectance from LANDSAT digital count data

The equivalence of three separate investigations that related LANDSAT digital count (DC) to ground measured reflectance (R) was demonstrated. One investigator related DC data to the cosZ, where Z is the solar zenith angle, for surfaces of constant R. The second investigator corrected the DC data to the solar zenith angle of 39 degrees before relating to surface R. Both of these investigators used LANDSAT 1 and 2 data from overpass dates 1972 through 1977. A third investigator calculated the relation between DC and R based on atmospheric radiative transfer theory. The equation coefficients obtained from these three investigators for all four LANDSAT MSS bands were shown to be equivalent although differences in ground reflectance measurement procedures have created coefficient variations among the three investigations. These relations should be useful for testing atmospheric radiative transfer theory.

Richardson, A. J.↗

Comparative evaluation of three shaft seals proposed for high performance turbomachinery

Experimental pressure profiles and leak rate characteristics for three shaft seal prototype model configurations proposed for the space shuttle turbopump were assessed in the concentric and fully eccentric, to point of rub, positions without the effects of rotation. The parallel-cylindrical configuration has moderate to good stiffness with a higher leak rate. It represents a simple concept, but for practical reasons and possible increases in stability, all such seals should be conical-convergent. The three-stepdown-sequential, parallel-cylindrical seal is converging and represents good to possible high stiffness when fluid separation occurs, with a significant decrease in leak rate. Such seals can be very effective. The three-stepdown-sequential labyrinth seal of 33-teeth (i.e., 12-11-10 teeth from inlet to exit) provides excellent leak control but usually has very poor stiffness, depending on cavity design. The seal is complex and not recommended for dynamic control.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Near-wall similarity in three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers. I - Model review. II - Pressure-driven flow results

Eleven proposed models for near-wall similarity for three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer flows are reviewed. Six of these models are comparatively simple scalar models and five are more complex and/or two-component vector models. Ten of the models can be tested as to their validity or predictive capability with the aid of measured mean velocity field, wall pressure field, and direct wall shear stress field (magnitude and direction) data. One of the models cannot be tested owing to its dependence on two parameters that are at present extremely difficult (if not impossible) to measure. Ten three-dimensional near-wall similarity models are then evaluated with direct wall shear, velocity field, and pressure gradient data from a three-dimensional pressure-driven boundary layer flow. In a primary focus of the interval where y+ is between 50 and 300, graphical results suggest that six simpler models and the freestream component of one complex model are adequate for profiles with monotone increasing skew up to about 15 deg.

Pierce, F. J.↗

Near-wall similarity in the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers. III - Shear-driven flow results

Ten of eleven proposed three-dimensional similarity models identified in the literature are evaluated with direct wall shear, velocity field, and pressure gradient data from a three-dimensional shear-driven boundary layer flow. Results define an upper limit on velocity vector skewing for each model's predictive ability. When combined with earlier results for pressure-driven flows, each model's predictive ability with and without pressure gradients is summarized. The utility of some two-dimensional type indirect wall shear measurement methods and wall shear inference methods from near-wall velocity measurements for three-dimensional flows is also discussed.

Pierce, F. J.↗

Three-dimensional finite-element analysis of layered composite plates

Results are presented for an investigation of the three-dimensional, geometrically nonlinear, finite-element analysis of the bending of laminated anisotropic composite plates. The individual laminae are treated as homogeneous, transversely isotropic, and linearly elastic. A fully three-dimensional isoparametric finite element with eight modes (i.e., linear element) and 24 degrees of freedom (three displacement components per node) is used. The numerical results obtained using this linear analysis are compared with the exact solutions given in Pagano (1969, 1970). It is found that the results of the linear analysis converge to the exact solution as the mesh is refined.

Putcha, N. S.↗

An inviscid three-dimensional analysis of the Space Shuttle main engine hot-gas manifold

A numerical study using an inviscid three-dimensional Lagrangian fluid dynamics code has been conducted as a part of an overall effort to understand the flow behavior in the SSME fuel side hot-gas manifold. The model simulates flow from the high-pressure fuel turbine exit through the transfer ducts, including the effects of swirl, inlet flow symmetry, and presence of straightening vanes and struts; a separate, more-detailed effort is in progress that includes viscosity and turbulence effects. The simplified model presented is divided into two parts, the first includes the 180-degree turnaround duct downstream of the turbine exit and the spherical fuel bowl section, while the second models the three transfer ducts. The two parts of the model are coupled together with the interface conditions being updated through iteration. Results indicate that a transverse pressure differential of 165 psi would be imposed on the turbine exit and that unstable flow separation occurs around the vanes, struts, and within the transfer ducts. The three transfer ducts show a mass flux split of approximately 41, 21, and 38 percent. Results to date are encouraging that certain flow characteristics can be usefuly represented using a relatively coarse grid inviscid code.

Liang, P. Y.↗

Three-dimensional algebraic grid generation

One of the major approaches to numerical grid generation is the explicit algebraic expression of a physical grid as a function of a uniform grid in a rectangular computational coordinate system. The algebraic methods are based on mathematical interpolation, and the primary advantages are speed and directness. The relation between interpolation and grid generation is described. For three-dimensional grid generation, transfinite interpolation using the coordinate control processes developed in the multisurface method and two-boundary technique are advocated. Grid singularities encountered in three dimensions are discussed, and the exploration of multiple overlapping grids is proposed. Some aspects of interactive algebraic grid computation in three dimensions are discussed.

Smith, R. E.↗

Results of electric-vehicle propulsion system performance on three lead-acid battery systems

Three types of state of the art 6 V lead acid batteries were tested. The cycle life of lead acid batteries as a function of the electric vehicle propulsion system design was determined. Cycle life, degradation rate and failure modes with different battery types (baseline versus state of the art tubular and thin plate batteries were compared. The effects of testing strings of three versus six series connected batteries on overall performance were investigated. All three types do not seem to have an economically feasible battery system for the propulsion systems. The tubular plate batteries on the load leveled profile attained 235 cycles with no signs of degradation and minimal capacity loss.

Ewashinka, J. G.↗

Three-dimensional unsteady viscous flow analysis over airfoil sections

A three-dimensional solution procedure for the approximate form of the Navier-Stokes equation was exercised in the two- and three-dimensional modes to compute the unsteady turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate corresponding to the data of Karlsson. The procedure is based on the use of a consistently split Linearized Block Implicit technique in conjunction with a QR operator scheme. New time-dependent upstream boundary conditions were developed that yielded realistic solutions for the interior in the vicinity of the upstream boundary. Comparisons of the computation employing these boundary conditions with the data indicate that both qualitative and quantitative agreement was obtained for the mean velocity and the in phase and out of phase components of the first harmonic of the velocity. In addition, the calculation gave results for the skin friction phase angle that had expected physical behavior for large distances downstream of the inflow boundary. For the three-dimensional case, the two-dimensional data of Karlsson was considered, but in a coordinate system skewed at 45 deg to the free stream direction. The results of the calculations were in excellent agreement with the data and the two-dimensional computations.

Weinberg, B. C.↗

Streamwise computation of three-dimensional parabolic flows

A new approach to calculate three-dimensional parabolic flows is presented. The flow field is computed by calculating velocity along a set of streamlines. The dependent variables commonly used in the computation of three-dimensional flows are the three velocity components. In contrast, the dependent variables in the present approach are the streamwise velocity and the two coordinates, in the cross-stream plane, of the chosen streamlines. The streamwise velocity is calculated from the finite difference equations obtained by applying Euler's momentum theorem to streamtubes constructed around the chosen streamlines; the streamline coordinates are calculated from the conservation of mass. Results of the calculations, based on the present approach, are compared with the experimental data for flow through rectangular ducts; the agreement is satisfactory.

Greywall, M. S.↗

Three-dimensional analysis of magnetometer array data

A technique is developed for mapping magnetic variation fields in three dimensions using data from an array of magnetometers, based on the theory of optimal linear estimation. The technique is applied to data from the Scandinavian Magnetometer Array. Estimates of the spatial power spectra for the internal and external magnetic variations are derived, which in turn provide estimates of the spatial autocorrelation functions of the three magnetic variation components. Statistical errors involved in mapping the external and internal fields are quantified and displayed over the mapping region. Examples of field mapping and of separation into external and internal components are presented. A comparison between the three-dimensional field separation and a two-dimensional separation from a single chain of stations shows that significant differences can arise in the inferred internal component.

Richmond, A. D.↗

NASA three-laser airborne differential absorption lidar system electronics

The system control and signal conditioning electronics of the NASA three laser airborne differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system are described. The multipurpose DIAL system was developed for the remote measurement of gas and aerosol profiles in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. A brief description and photographs of the majority of electronics units developed under this contract are presented. The precision control system; which includes a master control unit, three combined NASA laser control interface/quantel control units, and three noise pulse discriminator/pockels cell pulser units; is described in detail. The need and design considerations for precision timing and control are discussed. Calibration procedures are included.

Allen, R. J.↗

Development of a three-phrase combustion code for modeling liquid rocket engines

A two-dimensional/axisymmetric program for the simulation of three-phase reactive flows is presented. The three phases are: a multiple-species gaseous phase, a single-species liquid phase, and a particulate droplet phase. The liquid and gaseous phases are described with continuous Eulerian equations, while the droplets are described in a discrete Lagrangian fashion. The three phases are fully coupled together. An atomization model, a multireaction chemical kinetics model, and a subgrid scale turbulence model completes the description of a general liquid/gas bipropellant combustion process. The code development criteria and qualitative features are highlighted.

Liang, P. Y.↗

A three-dimensional turbulent separated flow and related mesurements

The applicability of and the limits on the applicability of 11 near wall similarity laws characterizing three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer flows were determined. A direct force sensing local wall shear stress meter was used in both pressure-driven and shear-driven three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers, together with extensive mean velocity field and wall pressure field data. This resulted in a relatively large number of graphical comparisons of the predictive ability of 10 of these 11 similarity models relative to measured data over a wide range of flow conditions. Documentation of a complex, separated three-dimensional turbulent flow as a standard test case for evaluating the predictive ability of numerical codes solving such flows is presented.

Pierce, F. J.↗

Simulation of complex three-dimensional flows

The concept of splitting is used extensively to simulate complex three dimensional flows on modern computer architectures. Used in all aspects, from initial grid generation to the determination of the final converged solution, splitting is used to enhance code vectorization, to permit solution driven grid adaption and grid enrichment, to permit the use of concurrent processing, and to enhance data flow through hierarchal memory systems. Three examples are used to illustrate these concepts to complex three dimensional flow fields: (1) interactive flow over a bump; (2) supersonic flow past a blunt based conical afterbody at incidence to a free stream and containing a centered propulsive jet; and (3) supersonic flow past a sharp leading edge delta wing at incidence to the free stream.

Diewert, G. S.↗

An evaluation of three helicopter rotor sections

Three helicopter rotor sections were tested in the NASA Ames Research Center 2- by 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel over a Mach range from 0.2 to 0.88. The sections tested had maximum thickness/chord ratios of 0.078, 0.09, and 0.10. The thickest section was of early technology and had been tested previously in other wind tunnels. This section was included in the investigation to establish a basis for comparing the two thinner sections, which were of recent design. The results of the investigation showed that the pitching-moment characteristics for the three airfoil sections were acceptable. The drag divergence Mach numbers for the three sections were 0.80, 0.825, and 0.845 in order of decreasing thickness.

Hicks, R. M.↗