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At least 505 records · Page 28

Simulations of Bluff Body Flow Interaction for Noise Source Modeling

The current study is a continuation of our effort to characterize the details of flow interaction between two cylinders in a tandem configuration. This configuration is viewed to possess many of the pertinent flow features of the highly interactive unsteady flow field associated with the main landing gear of large civil transports. The present effort extends our previous two-dimensional, unsteady, Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes computations to three dimensions using a quasilaminar, zonal approach, in conjunction with a two-equation turbulence model. Two distinct separation length-to-diameter ratios of L/D = 3.7 and 1.435, representing intermediate and short separation distances between the two cylinders, are simulated. The Mach 0.166 simulations are performed at a Reynolds number of Re = 1.66 105 to match the companion experiments at NASA Langley Research Center. Extensive comparisons with the measured steady and unsteady surface pressure and off-surface particle image velocimetry data show encouraging agreement. Both prominent and some of the more subtle trends in the mean and fluctuating flow fields are correctly predicted. Both computations and the measured data reveal a more robust and energetic shedding process at L/D = 3.7 in comparison with the weaker shedding in the shorter separation case of L/D = 1.435. The vortex shedding frequency based on the computed surface pressure spectra is in reasonable agreement with the measured Strouhal frequency.

Khorrami, Medi R.↗

Dissipation of energy in model experiments

Interaction studies of a plasma stream with a magnetic dipole have shown that the thickness of the plasma/field interlayer is considerably greater than the characteristic plasma dimension c/omega sub 0. Broadening of the layer is due to the formation of a collisionless shock wave. To demonstrate collisionless dissipation, the Joulean losses were calculated using the conductivity value obtained from the skin layer thickness. Analysis of the various physical processes showed that the hypothesis of collisionless dissipation of the directional plasma flow is justified.

Podgornyy, I. M.↗

A study of design trade (OFFS) using a computer model

The interaction between the efficiency of the structural design and the cost of the structure used was studied. It is shown that future effort is best directed at producing a low cost structure of medium efficiency, but with the ability to withstand normal service wear. The trade-off between aerodynamic drag and structure weight in selecting a length to diameter ratio for the hull is evaluated along with the implications of power plan type and fuel cost on the economics of the airship. The choice of lifting gas is considered.

Coughlin, S.↗

Outer satellite atmospheres: Their extended nature and planetary interactions

Highly developed numerical models are applied to interpret extended-atmosphere data for the sodium cloud of Io and the hydrogen torus of Titan. Solar radiation pressure was identified and verified by model calculations as the mechanism to explain two different east-west asymmetries observed in the sodium cloud. Analysis of sodium line profile data, suggesting that a Jupiter magnetospheric wind may be responsible for high speed sodium atoms emitted from Io, and preliminary modeling of the interaction of the Io plasma torus and Io's sodium cloud are also reported. Models presented for Titan's hydrogen torus are consistent both with the recent Pioneer 11 measurements and earlier Earth-orbiting observations by the Copernicus satellite. Progress is reported on developing models for extended gas and dust atmospheres of comets.

Smyth, W. H.↗

Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations Of Supersonic Parachute Inflation: Model Sensitivities

Fluid-structure interaction simulations have the potential to accelerate the certification process of parachute systems for interplanetary robotic exploration missions while helping to mitigate risks by covering a wider range of scenarios than can be flight tested. The Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics team is working toward actualizing this potential by further developing the capability to perform such fluid-structure interaction simulations and validating it with the best supersonic parachute flight test data available. We perform several simulations of the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiments’ third flight test (SR03) where we independently vary several parameters to determine their sensitivity on the predicted drag. We investigate sensitivity of the drag to the added mass of the confluence fitting, to the effective porosity, to how the gore seams are modeled, to viscous effects, and to deceleration. Modeling the added mass of the confluence fitting has virtually no impact on the drag, but is worthwhile to include to better match the overall system’s mass, which is important for the simulations with deceleration. Parachute drag is only marginally sensitive to porosity and viscous effects. Maximum parachute drag is most sensitive to how the gore seams are modeled, causing a nearly 20% drop when they are modeled as stiffer radials, and to deceleration, causing an additional 10% reduction. Results show improved agreement with flight test measurements when the FSI model is closest to the as-built configuration and physics experienced in flight: with the confluence fitting, viscous effects, the gore seams modeled as stiff radials, and including deceleration.

ESM↗

An electrodynamic model of the solar wind interaction with the ionospheres of Mars and Venus

The electrodynamic model for the solar wind interaction with nonmagnetic planets modified to include the effects of nonohmic currents in the upper ionosphere is examined. The model is used to calculate convection patterns induced by the solar wind in the ionospheres of Mars and Venus, with the observations of the neutral mass spectrometer of Vikings 1 and 2 providing the neutral atmosphere for Mars. Model calculations reproduced the retarding potential analyzer data and indicate that the ionosphere above 200 km is probably controlled by convection rather than chemistry or diffusion. The resulting model calculations were compared to radio occultation data from Mariners 5 and 10 and Venera 9 which represent extremes in the variability of the upper Cytherean ionosphere, and the calculations fell within this variation.

Cloutier, P. A.↗

A theoretical model of the wave particle interaction of plasma in space

A theoretical model, based on the kinetic theory for the perturbation of plasma in the magnetosphere, is proposed to study the observed disturbances which are caused by both natural and artificial sources that generate wave-like perturbations propagating around the globe. The proposed model covers the wave propagation through a media of transitional (from collisional to collisionless) fully ionized magnetoactive plasma. A systematic formulation of the problem is presented and the method of solution for the transitional model of magnetosphere is discussed. The possible emission of hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere during the quiet and disturbed time are also discussed.

Wu, S. T.↗

A model of the galactic tidal interaction with the Oort comet cloud

A model of the in situ Oort cloud which is isotropic with a random distribution of perihelia directions and angular momenta is considered. The energy distribution adopted has a continuous range of values appropriate for long-period (greater than 200 yr) comets. The evolution of 1,000,000 comets are tracked as they are made observable by the galactic tidal torque. Detailed results are obtained for the predicted distribution of new comets. Predictions of observed distributions are presented and compared with the random in situ results as well as with the actual observed distributions of class I comets. The predictions are in reasonable agreement with actual observations and, in many cases, are significantly different from random when perihelia directions are separated into galactic northern and southern hemispheres.

Matese, John J.↗

Comet-solar wind interaction - Dynamical length scales and models

ICE magnetometer measurements at Comet Giacobini-Zinner and model simulations of comet-solar wind interactions are analyzed. The magnetometer data reveal the existence of intense hydromagnetic turbulence, a draping of the magnetic field lines to form a magnetotail, a weak shock, and a magnetic barrier region in the magnetosphere. The global models of the comet-solar wind interaction are described. The observed data and models are compared and good correlation is displayed.

Mendis, D. A.↗

Evaluation of a Commercial Surface Vorticity Flow Solver for the Modeling of Propeller-Wing Interaction

A commercially available surface vorticity flow solver’s ability to model propeller-wing interaction effects was evaluated. First, a study was conducted to determine solution sensitivity to simulation parameters. Then, a deflected slipstream experiment was replicated with an actuator disk and wing model. Comparison with experimental data showed that predictions of lift and longitudinal force coefficients matched well at low flap deflections, but experienced offsets in magnitude with increasing flap deflection. Predictions of pitching moment differed significantly from experimental data largely due to the simple actuator disk model being insufficient for capturing the effects of non-zero flow incidence and non-uniform inflow.

Fei, Xiaofan↗

Modeling Climate-Biosphere Interactions in the Boreal Forest

The overall goal of this BOREAS Program was to develop, test, and apply a model of the carbon balance of boreal forest sites with a significant groundcover component (moss or lichen). The basic question addressed with this model was: What is the sensitivity of the boreal forest carbon balance to weather variability? More specifically: What are the differences in the sensitivities of carbon gains (photosynthesis) and carbon losses (respiration) of the various components of the ecosystem? Are there different seasonalities to their sensitivities (e.g., warmer springs will have one effect, warmer summers a different effect)? What are the effects of different patterns of successive weather years (wet/dry, warm/cool)? What, for example, would be the difference in effects of two "warmer than normal" months-one with each day warmer than normal, and the other with three normal weeks and one very hot week? Due to weather variability, how "noisy" will any carbon flux or carbon pool signal be that we might use to try to detect change? The project resulted in the development of a new boreal forest ecosystem model. This model was the first model in the BOREAS project to look closely at the role of mosses in the ecosystem carbon balance, and also was the first model in the BOREAS project to look closely at interannual variability in carbon fluxes. Along with the work of many other groups, TE-19 modeling analysis pointed to the need for a second, longer field season in 1996, with particular focus on the spring and fall transitions and on ground vegetation. BOREAS groups TE-19 (Frolking), TGB-1 (Crill) & TGB-3 (Moore & Roulet) analyzed BOREAS data and other published and unpublished data to develop a relationship between peatland ecosystem productivity and incoming radiation, which is quite distinct from the upland ecosystem relationships observed in other studies.

Frolking, Steve↗

The Martian Radiation Environment from Orbit and on the Surface

A good knowledge of the Martian radiation environment and its interactions with Mars is needed for many reasons. It is needed to help unfold the results of the Mars-2001 orbiter's gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) and neutron spectrometers (NS) to determine elemental abundances on the Martian surface. It is needed to interpret the measurements of the Martian Radiation Environment Experiments (MARIE) on both the Mars 2001 orbiter and lander. It is needed to calculate production rates of cosmogenic nuclides that will be measured in samples returned from Mars. It is needed to determine the doses that astronauts would receive in Martian orbit and especially on the surface of Mars. We discuss the two types of energetic particles in the vicinity of Mars and the nature of their interactions. Solar energetic particles (SEPs) occur very rarely but can have high fluxes that are dangerous in space. However, their energies are low enough that few solar energetic particles reach the surface of Mars. Their interactions can be fairly easily modeled because SEPs create few secondary particles. Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) have high energies and are the dominant source of energetic particles on the Martian surface, mainly secondary neutrons. Modeling their interactions is complicated because of the range of nuclei in the GCR and their high energies. Work at Los Alamos on GCR interactions will be presented.

Reedy, R. C.↗

Steady state flow/field model of solar wind interaction with Venus - Global implications of local effects

Physical and chemical processes in the Venus ionosphere driven by the interaction of the solar wind with the atmosphere of Venus are described, and a model describing the interrelationships of these processes in a self-consistent manner is formulated. It is shown that the magnetic field configuration of the ionosphere is a steady state global structure which results from a combination of a large-scale 'open' current system connecting through the ionopause to the postshock solar wind and two small-scale 'closed' current systems entirely confined within the ionosphere and generated by ionospheric flows and shears. A previously detected ionospheric layer in O2(+) near 170 km altitude is shown to be a new type of ionospheric layer resulting from transition of solar-wind-driven vertical flow to velocities approaching Mach 1.

Cloutier, P. A.↗

A ray tracing model of gravity wave propagation and breakdown in the middle atmosphere

Gravity wave ray tracing and wave packet theory is used to parameterize wave breaking in the mesosphere. Rays are tracked by solving the group velocity equations, and the interaction with the basic state is determined by considering the evolution of the packet wave action density. The ray tracing approach has a number of advantages over the steady state parameterization as the effects of gravity wave focussing and refraction, local dissipation, and wave response to rapid changes in the mean flow are more realistically considered; however, if steady state conditions prevail, the method gives identical results. The ray tracing algorithm is tested using both interactive and noninteractive models of the basic state. In the interactive model, gravity wave interaction with the polar night jet on a beta-plane is considered. The algorithm produces realistic polar night jet closure for weak topographic forcing of gravity waves. Planetary scale waves forced by local transfer of wave action into the basic flow in turn transfer their wave action into the zonal mean flow. Highly refracted rays are also found not to contribute greatly to the climatology of the mesosphere, as their wave action is severely reduced by dissipation during their lateral travel.

Schoeberl, M. R.↗

The GISS global climate-middle atmosphere model. II - Model variability due to interactions between planetary waves, the mean circulation and gravity wave drag

The variability which arises in the GISS Global Climate-Middle Atmosphere Model on two time scales is reviewed: interannual standard deviations, derived from the five-year control run, and intraseasonal variability as exemplified by statospheric warnings. The model's extratropical variability for both mean fields and eddy statistics appears reasonable when compared with observations, while the tropical wind variability near the stratopause may be excessive possibly, due to inertial oscillations. Both wave 1 and wave 2 warmings develop, with connections to tropospheric forcing. Variability on both time scales results from a complex set of interactions among planetary waves, the mean circulation, and gravity wave drag. Specific examples of these interactions are presented, which imply that variability in gravity wave forcing and drag may be an important component of the variability of the middle atmosphere.

Rind, D.↗

A Hierarchical Modeling Study of the Interactions Among Turbulence, Cloud Microphysics, and Radiative Transfer in the Evolution of Cirrus Clouds

This project used a hierarchy of cloud resolving models to address the following science issues of relevance to CRYSTAL-FACE: What ice crystal nucleation mechanisms are active in the different types of cirrus clouds in the Florida area and how do these different nucleation processes influence the evolution of the cloud system and the upper tropospheric humidity? How does the feedback between supersaturation and nucleation impact the evolution of the cloud? What is the relative importance of the large-scale vertical motion and the turbulent motions in the evolution of the crystal size spectra? How does the size spectra impact the life-cycle of the cloud, stratospheric dehydration, and cloud radiative forcing? What is the nature of the turbulence and waves in the upper troposphere generated by precipitating deep convective cloud systems? How do cirrus microphysical and optical properties vary with the small-scale dynamics? How do turbulence and waves in the upper troposphere influence the cross-tropopause mixing and stratospheric and upper tropospheric humidity? The models used in this study were: 2-D hydrostatic model with explicit microphysics that can account for 30 size bins for both the droplet and crystal size spectra. Notably, a new ice crystal nucleation scheme has been incorporated into the model. Parcel model with explicit microphysics, for developing and evaluating microphysical parameterizations. Single column model for testing bulk microphysics parameterizations

Curry, Judith↗

Analytical model of foreshock ion interaction with a discontinuity: A statistical study

When a solar wind discontinuity interacts with foreshock ions, foreshock transients such as hot flow anomalies and foreshock bubbles can form. These create significant dynamic pressure perturbations disturbing the bow shock, magnetopause, and magnetosphere-ionosphere system. However, presently these phenomena are not predictable. In the accompanying paper, we derived analytical equations of foreshock ion partial gyration around a discontinuity and the resultant current density. In this study, we utilize the derived current density strength to model the energy conversion from the foreshock ions, which drives the outward motion or expansion of the solar wind plasma away from the discontinuity. We show that the model expansion speeds match those from local hybrid simulations for varying foreshock ion parameters. Using MMS, we conduct a statistical study showing that the model expansion speeds are moderately correlated with the magnetic field strength variations and the dynamic pressure decreases around discontinuities with correlation coefficients larger than 0.5. We use conjunctions between ARTEMIS and MMS to show that the model expansion speeds are typically large for those already-formed foreshock transients. Our results show that our model can be reasonably successful in predicting significant dynamic pressure disturbances caused by foreshock ion-discontinuity interactions. We discuss ways to improve the model in the future.

Terry Z. Liu↗

Degradation of Perfluorinated Ether Lubricants on Pure Aluminum Surfaces: Semiempirical Quantum Chemical Modeling

The AM1 semiempirical quantum chemical method was used to model the interaction of perfluoroethers with aluminum surfaces. Perfluorodimethoxymethane and perfluorodimethyl ether were studied interacting with aluminum surfaces, which were modeled by a five-atom cluster and a nine-atom cluster. Interactions were studied for edge (high index) sites and top (low index) sites of the clusters. Both dissociative binding and nondissociative binding were found, with dissociative binding being stronger. The two different ethers bound and dissociated on the clusters in different ways: perfluorodimethoxymethane through its oxygen atoms, but perfluorodimethyl ether through its fluorine atoms. The acetal linkage of perfluorodimeth-oxymethane was the key structural feature of this molecule in its binding and dissociation on the aluminum surface models. The high-index sites of the clusters caused the dissociation of both ethers. These results are consistent with the experimental observation that perfluorinated ethers decompose in contact with sputtered aluminum surfaces.

Slaby, Scott M.↗