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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

Flow visualization study of grooved surface/surfactant/air sheet interaction

The effects of groove geometry, surfactants, and airflow rate have been ascertained by a flow-visualization study of grooved-surface models which addresses the possible conditions for skin friction-reduction in marine vehicles. It is found that the grooved surface geometry holds the injected bubble stream near the wall and, in some cases, results in a 'tube' of air which remains attached to the wall. It is noted that groove dimension and the use of surfactants can substantially affect the stability of this air tube; deeper grooves, surfactants with high contact angles, and angled air injection, are all found to increase the stability of the attached air tube, while convected disturbances and high shear increase interfacial instability.

Reed, Jason C.↗

Reduced lymphocyte activation in space - Role of cell-substratum interactions

The effect of substratum adhesiveness on lymphocyte responsiveness was investigated by reducing and blocking cell adhesion with poly-HEMA in a simple on ground system. Cells grown on medium thick and thick poly-HEMA films were rounded in shape and displayed no signs of spreading. By contrast, on tissue culture plastic and very thin poly-HEMA films, they showed clear signs of spreading. The mitogenic response of lymphocytes grown on thick poly-HEMA films was reduced by up to 68 percent of the control (tissue culture plastic). Interferon gamma production was virtually nil when the cells were grown on the least adhesive substratum. These results show that activated lymphocytes need to anchor and spread prior to achieving an optimal proliferation response. It is concluded that decreased lymphocyte adhesion could contribute to the depressed in vitro lymphocyte responsiveness found in the microgravity conditions of space flight.

Gmuender, F. K.↗

Effects of Impeller-Diffuser Interaction on Centrifugal Compressor Performance

This research program focuses on characterizing the effect of impeller-diffuser interactions in a centrifugal compressor stage on its performance using unsteady threedimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. The computed results show that the interaction between the downstream diffuser pressure field and the impeller tip clearance flow can account for performance changes in the impeller. The magnitude of performance change due to this interaction was examined for an impeller with varying tip clearance followed by a vaned or vaneless diffuser. The impact of unsteady impeller-diffuser interaction, primarily through the impeller tip clearance flow, is reflected through a time-averaged change in impeller loss, blockage and slip. The results show that there exists a tip clearance where the beneficial effect of the impeller-diffuser interaction on the impeller performance is at a maximum. A flow feature that consists of tip flow back leakage was shown to occur at design speed for the centrifugal compressor stage. This flow phenomenon is described as tip flow that originates in one passage, flows downstream of the impeller trailing edge and then returns to upstream of the impeller trailing edge of a neighboring passage. Such a flow feature is a source of loss in the impeller. A hypothesis is put forth to show that changing the diffuser vane count and changing impeller-diffuser gap has an analogous effect on the impeller performance. The centrifugal compressor stage was analyzed using diffusers of different vane counts, producing an impeller performance trend similar to that when the impeller-diffuser gap was varied, thus supporting the hypothesis made. This has the implication that the effect impeller performance associated with changing the impeller-diffuser gap and changing diffuser vane count can be described by the non-dimensional ratio of impeller-diffuser gap to diffuser vane pitch. A procedure is proposed and developed for isolating impeller passage blockage change without the need to define the region of blockage generation (which may incur a certain degree of arbitrariness). This method has been assessed for its applicability and utility.

Tan, Choon S.↗

Comparison of the Effects of Wave-Particle Interactions and the Kinetic Suprathermal Electron Population on the Acceleration of the Solar Wind

Kinetic effects due to wave-particle interactions and suprathermal electrons have been suggested in the literature as possible solar wind acceleration mechanisms. Ion cyclotron resonant heating, in particular, has been associated with some qualitative features observed in the solar wind. In terms of solar wind acceleration, however, it is interesting to compare the kinetic effects of suprathermal electrons with those due to the wave-particle interactions. The combined effects of the two acceleration mechanisms on the fast solar wind have been studied by Tam and Chang (1999a,b). In this study. we investigate the role of the suprathermal electron population in the acceleration of the solar wind. Our model follows the global kinetic evolution of the fast solar wind under the influence of ion cyclotron resonant heating, while taking into account Coulomb collisions, and the ambipolar electric field that is consistent with the particle distributions themselves. The kinetic effects due to the suprathermal electrons, which we define to be the tail of the electron distributions, can be included in the model as an option. By comparing the results with and without the inclusion of the suprathermal electron effects, we determine the relative importance of suprathermal electrons and wave-particle interactions in driving the solar wind. We find that although suprathermal electrons enhance the ambipolar electric potential in the solar wind considerably, their overall influence as an acceleration mechanism is relatively insignificant in a wave-driven solar wind.

Tam, S. W. Y.↗

Fully coupled resonant-triad interaction in an adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layer

The nonlinear resonant-triad interaction, proposed by Raetz (1959), Craik (1971), and others for a Blasius boundary layer, is analyzed here for an adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layer. We assume that the adverse pressure gradient is in some sense weak and, therefore, that the instability growth rate is small. This ensures that there is a well-defined critical layer located somewhere within the flow and that the nonlinear interaction is effectively confined to that layer. The initial interaction is of the parametric resonance type, even when the modal amplitudes are all of the same order. This means that the oblique instability waves exhibit faster than exponential growth and that the growth rate of the two-dimensional mode remains linear. However, the interaction and the resulting growth rates become fully coupled, once oblique-mode amplitudes become sufficiently large, but the coupling terms are now quartic, rather than quadratic as in the Craik (1971) analysis. More importantly, however, new nonlinear interactions, which were not present in the Craik-type analyses, now come into play. These interactions eventually have a dominant effect on the instability wave development.

Goldstein, M. E.↗

Investigation of Fully Three-Dimensional Helical RF Field Effects on TWT Beam/Circuit Interaction

A fully three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, helical traveling wave-tube (TWT) interaction model has been developed using the electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code MAFIA. The model includes a short section of helical slow-wave circuit with excitation fed by RF input/output couplers, and electron beam contained by periodic permanent magnet (PPM) focusing. All components of the model are simulated in three dimensions allowing the effects of the fully 3D helical fields on RF circuit/beam interaction to be investigated for the first time. The development of the interaction model is presented, and predicted TWT performance using 2.5D and 3D models is compared to investigate the effect of conventional approximations used in TWT analyses.

Kory, Carol L.↗

The effect of exhaust plume/afterbody interaction on installed Scramjet performance

Newly emerging aerospace technology points to the feasibility of sustained hypersonic flight. Designing a propulsion system capable of generating the necessary thrust is now the major obstacle. First-generation vehicles will be driven by air-breathing scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) engines. Because of engine size limitations, the exhaust gas leaving the nozzle will be highly underexpanded. Consequently, a significant amount of thrust and lift can be extracted by allowing the exhaust gases to expand along the underbody of the vehicle. Predicting how these forces influence overall vehicle thrust, lift, and moment is essential to a successful design. This work represents an important first step toward that objective. The UWIN code, an upwind, implicit Navier-Stokes computer program, has been applied to hypersonic exhaust plume/afterbody flow fields. The capability to solve entire vehicle geometries at hypersonic speeds, including an interacting exhaust plume, has been demonstrated for the first time. Comparison of the numerical results with available experimental data shows good agreement in all cases investigated. For moderately underexpanded jets, afterbody forces were found to vary linearly with the nozzle exit pressure, and increasing the exit pressure produced additional nose-down pitching moment. Coupling a species continuity equation to the UWIN code enabled calculations indicating that exhaust gases with low isentropic exponents (gamma) contribute larger afterbody forces than high-gamma exhaust gases. Moderately underexpanded jets, which remain attached to unswept afterbodies, underwent streamwise separation on upswept afterbodies. Highly underexpanded jets produced altogether different flow patterns, however. The highly underexpanded jet creates a strong plume shock, and the interaction of this shock with the afterbody was found to produce complicated patterns of crossflow separation. Finally, the effect of thrust vectoring on vehicle balance has been shown to alter dramatically the vehicle pitching moment.

Edwards, Thomas Alan↗

Utility-interactive photovoltaic power conditioners - Effects of transformerless design and dc injection

It is shown that the use of isolation transformers to eliminate dc injection into the utility in utility-interactive photovoltaic (PV) systems can reduce the overall efficiency of the system. In order to improve PV efficiency, a transformerless power conditioning subsystem (PCS) is proposed for a grounded PV array having two and three connections to a utility. An additional transformerless PCS configuration is proposed for an ungrounded PV array. A detailed schematic drawing of the interconnections between the elements of a transformerless PCS is provided.

Das, R.↗

Results of test 0A82 in the NASA/LRC 31 inch CFHT on an 0.010-scale model (32-0) of the space shuttle configuration 3 to determine RCS jet flow field interaction and to investigate RT real gas effects

Tests were conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center 31-inch Continuous Flow Hypersonic Wind Tunnel to determine RCS jet interaction effects on hypersonic aerodynamic characteristics and to investigate RT (gas constant times temperature) scaling effects on the RCS similitude. The model was an 0.010-scale replica of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Configuration 3. Hypersonic aerodynamic data were obtained from tests at Mach 10.3 and dynamic pressures of 200, 150, 125, and 100 psf. The RCS modes of pitch, yaw, and roll at free flight dynamic pressure simulation of 20 psf were investigated.

Thornton, D. E.↗

A parametric study of mean loading effects on airfoil gust interaction noise

The influence of airfoil mean loading parameters on the sound generated by interaction with short wavelength vorticity and entropy gusts is examined. It is found that there are two mean flow parameters of importance, the effective leading edge incidence angle and the airfoil lift coefficient. The former controls the total sound power level, while the latter has an important effect on the directivity pattern. For vorticity gusts, positive gust angles result in noise levels which increase with leading edge loading (LEL), while for negative gust angles an increase in LEL may actually reduce the noise level. For low levels of LEL, entropy gusts generate less sound than vorticity gusts, while for larger values of LEL, entropy gusts are at least as important as vorticity gusts.

Kerschen, E. J.↗

Conference on Nutrition in Space and Related Waste Problems

As part of a continuing process man constantly seeks new habitats. In the late 1950's, he ventured into a vast and challenging new habitat, extraterrestrial space. Extending the realm of human life has always been a challenge to man, and inherent to all successful extensions of man into new domains is his ability to provide the essentials for life itself, his nutrition and controlled use of metabolic products. The provision of these essential requirements has always been a challenge and a motivating force in maintaining and extending human life on Earth. This challenge has now been extended beyond the Earth. As illustrated in this volume, many men and women of vision who continually devote their energies to feeding man on Earth have accepted the additional challenge of nutrition in space. They have already made inroads into the new problem of nutrition and waste handling in space and have already collected much physiological, psychological, toxicological, and pathological data related to space nutrition, feeding and elimination. They have elucidated man-machine interactions and the effects of these interactions on alimentation and elimination requirements in space. Thus light has been shed on specific research and development programs needed to establish requirements for nutrition and handling of metabolic wastes during manned space missions of 20 days' to 3 years' duration. These initial accomplishments have entailed the considerable efforts of many people and the knowledge and experience in nutrition and feeding gained by the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences. This volume clearly represents the ability of scientists, engineers, and administrators to attack a problem as it arises; it clearly demonstrates the capability of the scientific and engineering communities to combine efforts, mobilize quickly, and devote their talents to a national need

Space environment↗

Dynamic response and stability analysis of flexible, multibody systems

A general version of Lagrange's equations, including auxiliary nonholonomic, rheonomic conditions of constraint, is used in the dynamic simulation and stability analysis of interconnected flexible bodies. Modeling of the nonlinear flexible/rigid dynamic coupling effects, the interaction forces/torques, and the elastic deformation effects is discussed. A digital computer program is developed to obtain time-domain solution for the nonlinear response of systems represented as a collection of individual bodies, numerical linearization of system-governing equations, time-domain solution for the perturbation response about a nominal state, and a frequency-domain stability analysis corresponding to the linearization. The digital simulation code is employed to study the dynamic behavior of a typical satellite and a spacecraft with deployable experiment booms.

Bodley, C. S.↗

Analysis of a Rocket Based Combined Cycle Engine during Rocket Only Operation

The all rocket mode of operation is a critical factor in the overall performance of a rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) vehicle. However, outside of performing experiments or a full three dimensional analysis, there are no first order parametric models to estimate performance. As a result, an axisymmetric RBCC engine was used to analytically determine specific impulse efficiency values based upon both full flow and gas generator configurations. Design of experiments methodology was used to construct a test matrix and statistical regression analysis was used to build parametric models. The main parameters investigated in this study were: rocket chamber pressure, rocket exit area ratio, percent of injected secondary flow, mixer-ejector inlet area, mixer-ejector area ratio, and mixer-ejector length-to-inject diameter ratio. A perfect gas computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed to obtain values of vacuum specific impulse. Statistical regression analysis was performed based on both full flow and gas generator engine cycles. Results were also found to be dependent upon the entire cycle assumptions. The statistical regression analysis determined that there were five significant linear effects, six interactions, and one second-order effect. Two parametric models were created to provide performance assessments of an RBCC engine in the all rocket mode of operation.

Smith, T. D.↗

Novel effects of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO), a simple free radical gas, elicits a surprisingly wide range of physiological and pathophysiological effects. NO interacts with soluble guanylate cyclase to evoke many of these effects. However, NO can also interact with molecular oxygen and superoxide radicals to produce reactive nitrogen species that can modify a number of macromolecules including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. NO can also interact directly with transition metals. Here, we have reviewed the non--3',5'-cyclic-guanosine-monophosphate-mediated effects of NO including modifications of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Non-NASA Center↗

Analytical and experimental study of the effects of wing-body aerodynamic interaction on space shuttle subsonic flutter

The effects on flutter of the aerodynamic interaction between the space shuttle bodies and wing, 1/80th-scale semispan models of the orbiter wing, the complete shuttle and intermediate component combinations were tested in the NASA Langley Research Center 26-inch Transonic Blowdown Wind Tunnel. Using the double lattice method combined with slender body theory to calculate unsteady aerodynamic forces, subsonic flutter speeds were computed for comparison. Using calculated complete vehicle modes, flutter speed trends were computed for the full scale vehicle at an altitude of 15,200 meters and a Mach number of 0.6. Consistent with findings of the model studies, analysis shows the shuttle to have the same flutter speed as an isolated cantilevered wing.

Chipman, R. R.↗

Linear mixing rule in screened binary ionic mixtures

The validity of the linear mixing rule is examined for the following two cases (1) when the response of the electron gas is taken into account in the effective ionic interaction and (2) when finite-temperature effects are included in the dielectric response of the electrons, i.e., when the ions interact with both temperature- and density-dependent screened Coulomb potentials. It is found that the linear mixing rule remains valid when the electron response is taken into account in the interionic potential at any density, even though the departure from linearity can reach a few percent for the asymmetric mixtures in the region of weak degeneracy for the electron gas. A physical explanation of this behavior is proposed which is based on a simple additional length scale.

Chabrier, G.↗

Effects of source vs. interactive actuator assumptions on modelling of a smart structure

Embedded or internal actuators in a structure are being utilized to perform vibration attenuation, pointing maneuvers, damage control, and other adaptive tasks. The controls-structures-interaction (CSI) design process depends strongly on the coupled dynamic response of the structure and the actuators. A bond graph approach is used to guide this analytical study to uncover the effects of certain generic actuator types on the closed-loop, initial condition control of a single-mode structural model and an eighteen-state model of an active truss. So-called 'flow' and 'effort' source actuator types were studied and were shown to have significant differences in closed-loop response for ranges of initial conditions and system open-loop natural frequencies.

Robertshaw, Harry H.↗