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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 505 records · Page 28

Rocket Combustion Instability Suppression With Cavity Resonators

Properly tuned Helmholtz resonator damping devices are an effective method for eliminating high frequency combustion instability in rocket engine thrust chambers. A program was implemented with the objective of extending Helmholtz resonator theory to thrust chamber conditions to establish a standard design procedure. By using systematic cold-flow testing and hot firings, empirical design equations were formulated. An effort is currently underway to extend the design theory to other types of acoustical damping devices such as quarter-wave tubes and slots.

R H Counts↗

Geometric factors affecting noise suppresion and thrust loss of divergent-lobe supersonic jet noise suppressor

The thrust loss and noise suppression of a divergent-lobe supersonic jet noise suppressor were experimentally determined over a range of nozzle pressure ratios of 1.5 to 4.0. These small-scale cold flow tests were made to determine the effect on thrust and noise of: suppressor length, rearward facing step height, suppressor divergence angle, and ejector shroud length and location. Noise suppression was achieved at nozzle pressure ratios of 2.5 and greater. Maximum lobe jet noise attenuation of 15 db with thrust loss differences of 1.5 percent compared to the convergent nozzle were obtained at a nozzle pressure ratio of 3.5 with an ejector shroud two nozzle diameters long. Without the ejector the attenuation was 13 db with thrust loss differences of 11 percent. Short suppressors approximately one primary nozzle throat diameter long performed as well as longer suppressors. Rearward facing step height had a significant effect on noise suppression. Ejector shrouds two nozzle diameters in length are feasible.

Huff, R. G.↗

Externally blown flap dynamic loads

Some of the principal results obtained in three series of measurements of fluctuating surface pressures induced on externally blown flaps by jet impingment are presented. Large- and small-scale models and hot- and cold-flow tests are considered. The discussion sets forth scaling parameters and consistent features of the root-mean-square values and spectra of the loading. Implications of these results with regard to sonic fatigue are indicated.

Lansing, D. L.↗

Control of supersonic wind-tunnel noise by laminarization of nozzle-wall boundary layer

One of the principal design requirements for a quiet supersonic or hypersonic wind tunnel is to maintain laminar boundary layers on the nozzle walls and thereby reduce disturbance levels in the test flow. The conditions and apparent reasons for laminar boundary layers which have been observed during previous investigations on the walls of several nozzles for exit Mach numbers from 2 to 20 are reviewed. Based on these results, an analysis and an assessment of nozzle design requirements for laminar boundary layers including low Reynolds numbers, high acceleration, suction slots, wall temperature control, wall roughness, and area suction are presented.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

Wind-tunnel free-flight investigation of a model of a spin-resistant fighter configuration

An investigation was conducted to provide some insight into the features affecting the high-angle-of-attack characteristics of a high-performance twin-engine fighter airplane which in operation has exhibited excellent stall characteristics with a general resistance to spinning. Various techniques employed in the study included wind-tunnel free-flight tests, flow-visualization tests, static force tests, and dynamic (forced-oscillation) tests. In addition to tests conducted on the basic configuration tests were made with the wing planform and the fuselage nose modified. The results of the study showed that the model exhibited good dynamic stability characteristics at angles of attack well beyond that for wing stall. The directional stability of the model was provided by the vertical tail at low and moderate angles of attack and by the fuselage forebody at high angles of attack. The wing planform was found to have little effect on the stability characteristics at high angles of attack. The tests also showed that although the fuselage forebody produced beneficial contributions to static directional stability at high angles of attack, it also produced unstable values of damping in yaw. Nose strakes located in a position which eliminated the beneficial nose contributions produced a severe directional divergence.

Grafton, S. B.↗

Performance of a model cascade thrust reverser for short-haul applications

Aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics are presented for a cowlmounted, model cascade thrust reverser suitable for short-haul aircraft. Thrust reverser efficiency and the influence on fan performance were determined from isolated fan-driven models under static and forward velocity conditions. Cascade reverser noise characteristics were determined statically in an isolated pipe-flow test, while aerodynamic installation effects were determined with a wind-tunnel, fan-powered airplane model. Application of test results to short-haul aircraft calculations demonstrated that such a cascade thrust reverser may be able to meet both the performance and noise requirements for short-haul aircraft operation. However, aircraft installation effects can be quite significant.

Dietrich, D. A.↗

Experimental study of supersonic laminar base flow with and without suction

Heat-transfer and pressure distributions in laminar separated flows downstream of rearward-facing steps with and without mass suction were investigated at Mach numbers around 4 for the conditions when the boundary-layer thickness was comparable to or larger than the step height. In both suction and no-suction cases, an increase of the step height resulted in a sharp drop of the base heating rates, which then gradually recovered to less than or near attached-flow values obtained with flat-plate configuration. Mass suction from the step base area increased the local heating rates; this effect, however, was relatively weak for laminar flows tested, and the competing effect of the step height clearly predominated. It was found that even removal of the entire incoming boundary layer was not sufficient to raise the poststep heating rates above the flat-plate values. The base pressure in the no-suction, solid-step case correlated reasonably well with the step height-to-boundary-layer thickness ratio and with the Reynolds number based on the step height.

Jakubowski, A. K.↗

Surface heat transfer coefficients of pin-finned cylinders

An experimental investigation was conducted to measure heat-transfer coefficients for a 15.24-centimeter-diameter cylinder with pin fins on its surface. Pin diameters of 0.3175 and 0.6350 centimeter with staggered pin spacings of 3 and 4 pin diameters and pin lengths of 5, 7, and 9 pin diameters were tested. Flow was normal to the axis of the cylinder, and local heat-transfer coefficients were measured as a function of angle around the circumference of the cylinder. The average heat-transfer coefficient was also computed. Reynolds number based on pin diameter ranged from 3600 to 27,750. The smallest diameter, closest spacing, and largest pin-length-to-diameter ratio gave the highest average effective heat-transfer coefficients.

Vanfossen, G. J., Jr.↗

Evaluation of dispersion strengthened nickel-base alloy heat shields for space shuttle application

The design, fabrication, and testing of a full-size, full-scale TD Ni-20Cr heat shield test array in simulated mission environments is described along with the design and fabrication of two additional full-size, full-scale test arrays to be tested in flowing gas test facilities at the NASA Langley Research Center. Cost and reusability evaluations of TD Ni-20Cr heat shield systems are presented, and weight estimates of a TD Ni-20Cr heat shield system for use on a shuttle orbiter vehicle are made. Safe-line expectancy of a TD Ni-20Cr heat shield system is assessed. Non-destructive test techniques are evaluated to determine their effectiveness in quality assurance checks of TD Ni-20Cr components such as heat shields, heat shield supports, close-out panels, formed cover strips, and edge seals. Results of tests on a braze reinforced full-scale, subsize panel are included. Results show only minor structural degradation in the main TD Ni-20Cr heat shields of the test array during simulated mission test cycles.

Johnson, R., Jr.↗

Evaluation and characterization of the methane-carbon dioxide decomposition reaction

A program was conducted to evaluate and characterize the carbon dioxide-methane (CO2-CH4) decomposition reaction, i.e., CO2 + CH4 = 2C + 2H2O. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of applying this reaction at low temperatures as a technique for recovering the oxygen (O2) remaining in the CO2 which exits mixed with CH4 from a Sabatier CO2 reduction subsystem (as part of an air revitalization system of a manned spacecraft). A test unit was designed, fabricated, and assembled for characterizing the performance of various catalysts for the reaction and ultraviolet activation of the CH4 and CO2. The reactor included in the test unit was designed to have sufficient capacity to evaluate catalyst charges of up to 76 g (0.17 lb). The test stand contained the necessary instrumentation and controls to obtain the data required to characterize the performance of the catalysts and sensitizers tested: flow control and measurement, temperature control and measurement, product and inlet gas analysis, and pressure measurement. A product assurance program was performed implementing the concepts of quality control and safety into the program effort.

Davenport, R. J.↗

Description and initial operating performance of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube using heated helium driver gas

A general description of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube is presented along with discussion of the basic components, internal resistance heater, arc-discharge assemblies, instrumentation, and operating procedure. Preliminary results using unheated and resistance-heated helium as the driver gas are presented. The driver-gas pressure ranged from approximately 17 to 59 MPa and its temperature ranged from 300 to 510 K. Interface velocities of approximately 3.8 to 6.7 km/sec were generated between the test gas and the acceleration gas using air as the test gas and helium as the acceleration gas. Test flow quality and comparison of measured and predicted expansion-tube flow quantities are discussed.

Moore, J. A.↗

Performance of a model cascade thrust reverser for short-haul applications

Aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics are presented for a cowl-mounted, model cascade thrust reverser suitable for short-haul aircraft. Thrust reverser efficiency and the influence on fan performance were determined from isolated fan-driven models under static and forward velocity conditions. Cascade reverser noise characteristics were determined statically in an isolated pipe-flow test, while aerodynamic installation effects were determined with a wind-tunnel, fan-powered airplane model. Application of test results to short-haul aircraft calculations demonstrate that such a cascade thrust reverser may be able to meet both the performance and noise requirements for short-haul aircraft operation. However, aircraft installation effects can be quite significant.

Dietrich, D. A.↗

Theoretical and experimental study of flow through turbine cascades with coolant flow injection

An analytical study is presented which deals with the change in the outlet flow conditions from a turbine blade row due to coolant air injection through slots. The analysis applies to small secondary to primary mass flow ratios, taking into consideration the change in boundary layer development resulting from injection. The effects of injection location, injection flow angle and injected air momentum flux are investigated. The results of the present analysis are compared with the values obtained using the mixing theory method and experimental data from cold flow tests in a turbine cascade tunnel.

Tabakoff, W.↗

Development of technology for the fabrication of reliable laminar flow control panels on subsonic transports

The feasibility of using porous composite materials (Kevlar, Doweave, and Leno Weave) as lightweight, efficient laminar flow control (LFC) surface materials is compared to the metallic 319L stainless Dynapore surfaces and electron beam drilled composite surfaces. Areas investigated include: (1) selection of the LFC-suitable surface materials, structural materials, and fabrication techniques for the LFC aircraft skins; (2) aerodynamic static air flow test results in terms of pressure drop through the LFC panel and the corresponding effective porosity; (3) structural design definition and analyses of the panels, and (4) contamination effects on static drop and effective porosity. Conclusions are presented and discussed.

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