Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “three”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28

Three-dimensional computations of transverse hydrogen jet combustion in a supersonic airstream

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is being developed to compute the mixing and combustion of hydrogen fuel in the turbulent flow fields of supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjet). The code solves the three-dimensional Reynolds time-averaged complete Navier-Stokes equations including transport equations for a four species, two reaction, global finite rate chemistry model. The code was applied to the case of transverse injection of hydrogen from a sonic circular orifice into a supersonic airstream. The equations were numerically integrated using MacCormack's explicit method, and the algebraic eddy viscosity model of Baldwin-Lomax was used to model the turbulence. In the species transport and energy equations, diffusion coefficients based on Fick's Law and an assumption of unit Lewis number were applied. Computed features of the three-dimensional flow field are depicted by static pressure, static temperature, mass fraction of species, and velocity vectors. For engineering interest, mixing and combustion parameters were examined to assess the effect of injector diameter, injected fuel pressure, fuel-air ratio, and spacing of fuel injectors. The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate the capability of the present three-dimensional spatially elliptic, CFD code for turbulent, reacting flow. Application of the code to specific supersonic combustion configurations is planned.

Uenishi, K.↗

Two- and three-dimensional viscous computations of a hypersonic inlet flow

The three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes code has been used to investigate the flow through a Mach 7.4 inlet. A two-dimensional parametric study of grid resolution, turbulence modeling and effect of gamma has been done and compared with experimental results. The results show that mesh resolution of the shock waves, real gas effects and turbulence length scaling are very important to get accurate results for hypersonic inlet flows. In addition a three-dimensional calculation of the Mach 7.4 inlet has been done on a straight sideplate configuration. The results show that the glancing shock/boundary layer interaction phenomena causes significant three-dimensional flow in the inlet.

Kunik, William G.↗

Discovery of three new RS Canum Venaticorum-like counterparts to HEAO I X-ray sources

The identification of three high-latitude HEAO I Scanning Modulation Collimator X-ray sources with the chromospherically active RS CVn-like stars HD 113816, HD 146413, and HD 39576 is reported. Optical observations, including coude spectroscopy and broad-band and narrow band photoelectric photometry are presented. The Ca II emission strength of all three stars shows that they are chromospherically active. HD 146413 and HD 39576 exhibit variable X-ray emission in the 1-13 keV energy range, while HD 113816 is a softer and steadier source. The level of X-ray flux detected from these three stars is some one to two orders of magnitude higher than predicted empirically from the Ca II emission fluxes. It is proposed that this emission results from flarelike activity.

Buckley, D. A. H.↗

A direct algorithm for solution of incompressible three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations

A direct, implicit, numerical solution algorithm, with second-order accuracy in space and time, is constructed for the three-dimensional unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations formulated in terms of velocity and vorticity, using generalized orthogonal coordinates to achieve the accurate solution of complex viscous flow configurations. A numerically stable, efficient, direct inversion procedure is developed for the computationally intensive divergence-curl elliptic velocity problem. This overdetermined partial differential operator is first formulated as a uniquely determined, nonsingular matrix-vector problem; this aspect of the procedure is a unique feature of the present analysis. The three-dimensional vorticity-transport equation is solved by a modified factorization technique which completely eliminates the need for any block-matrix inversions and only scalar tridiagonal matrices need to be inverted. The method is applied to the test problem of the three-dimensional flow within a shear-driven cubical box. Coherent streamwise vortex structures are observed within the steady-state flow at Re = 100.

Osswald, G. A.↗

Three-Dimensional Complex Variables

Report presents new theory of analytic functions of three-dimensional complex variables. While three-dimensional system subject to more limitations and more difficult to use than the two-dimensional system, useful in analysis of three-dimensional fluid flows, electrostatic potentials, and other phenomena involving harmonic functions.

Martin, E. Dale↗

Three axis attitude control system

A three-axis attitude control system for an orbiting body comprised of a motor driven flywheel supported by a torque producing active magnetic bearing is described. Free rotation of the flywheel is provided about its central axis and together with limited angular torsional deflections of the flywheel about two orthogonal axes which are perpendicular to the central axis. The motor comprises an electronically commutated DC motor, while the magnetic bearing comprises a radially servoed permanent magnet biased magnetic bearing capable of producing cross-axis torques on the flywheel. Three body attitude sensors for pitch, yaw and roll generate respective command signals along three mutually orthogonal axes (x, y, z) which are coupled to circuit means for energizing a set of control coils for producing torques about two of the axes (x and y) and speed control of the flywheel about the third (z) axis. An energy recovery system, which is operative during motor deceleration, is also included which permits the use of a high-speed motor to perform effectively as a reactive wheel suspended in the magnetic bearing.

Studer, Philip A.↗

Vectorizable implicit algorithms for the flux-difference split, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations

The computational efficiency of four vectorizable implicit algorithms is assessed when applied to calculate steady-state solutions to the three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in general coordinates. Two of these algorithms are characterized as hybrid schemes; that is, they combine some approximate factorization in two coordinate directions with relaxation in the remaining spatial direction. The other two algorithms utilize an approximate factorization approach which yields two-factor algorithms for three-dimensional systems. All four algorithms are implemented in identical high-resolution upwind schemes for the flux-difference split Navier-Stokes equations. These highly nonlinear schemes are obtained by extending an implicit Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) scheme recently developed for linear one-dimensional systems of hyperbolic conservation laws to the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. The computation of vortical flow over a sharp-edged, thin delta wing has been chosen as a common numerical test case. The convergence of the algorithms is discussed and the accuracy of the computed flow-field results is assessed. The validity of the present results are demonstrated by a comparison with experimental data.

Hartwich, P. M.↗

Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. II - Shell and three-dimensional simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element solution strategy is developed to handle traveling load problems in rolling, moving and rotating structure. The main thrust of this section consists of the development of three-dimensional and shell type moving elements. In conjunction with this work, a compatible three-dimensional contact strategy is also developed. Based on these modeling capabilities, extensive analytical and experimental benchmarking is presented. Such testing includes traveling loads in rotating structure as well as low- and high-speed rolling contact involving standing wave-type response behavior. These point to the excellent modeling capabilities of moving element strategies.

Kennedy, Ronald↗

A mixed finite difference/Galerkin method for three-dimensional Rayleigh-Benard convection

A fast and accurate numerical method, for nonlinear conservation equation systems whose solutions are periodic in two of the three spatial dimensions, is presently implemented for the case of Rayleigh-Benard convection between two rigid parallel plates in the parameter region where steady, three-dimensional convection is known to be stable. High-order streamfunctions secure the reduction of the system of five partial differential equations to a system of only three. Numerical experiments are presented which verify both the expected convergence rates and the absolute accuracy of the method.

Buell, Jeffrey C.↗

Flow visualization and numerical analysis of a coflowing jet - A three-dimensional approach

The instabilities of an acoustically excited coflowing jet are investigated by using a time series of cross-sections of large-scale structures present in the flow and by a fully three-dimensional numerical simulation via the vortex-element method. These structures are first revealed by a flow-visualization technique based on smoke seeding the inner jet flow and observing the flow cross-sections as the structures are convected past a stationary sheet of laser light. Usage of image-processing techniques along with computer graphics allows the full three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure. The general morphology of the flow is determined from the reconstructed views and shows that the vorticity is mainly concentrated into a single large-scale vortex ring. Hypotheses regarding the nature and origin of the longitudinal instabilities observed in the flow can be drawn from the reconstructed views, and are supported by the numerical simulations. Quantitative values such as the surface-to-volume ratio and the entrainment level are also obtained from the experimental data. The onset of streamwise vorticity and its distribution are derived from the numerical calculations as well. Three-dimensional views and a holographic display of a characteristic eddy are also presented.

Agui, Juan C.↗

Effects of stratospheric lapse rate on thunderstorm cloud-top structure in a three-dimensional numerical simulation. I - Some basic results of comparative experiments

The effects of stratospheric temperature lapse rate on cloud top height/temperature structure for strongly sheared, mature, isolated midlatitude thunderstorms are investigated by performing three different experiments with an anelastic, three-dimensional model: (1) with an assumed stratospheric lapse rate of 0 K/km (i.e., the isothermal case), (2) with 3 K/km, and (3) with -3 K/km (i.e., the case of inversion). Kinematic storm structure is very similar in all three cases, especially in the troposphere; a strong quasi-steady updraft evolves and splits into a dominant cyclonic overshooting right-mover and a weaker, anticyclonic left-mover that does not reach the tropopause.

Schlesinger, Robert E.↗

Evaluation of three turbulence models for the prediction of steady and unsteady airloads

Two dimensional quasi-three dimensional Navier-Stokes solvers were used to predict the static and dynamic airload characteristics of airfoils. The following three turbulence models were used: the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model, the Johnson-King ODE model for maximum turbulent shear stress, and a two equation k-e model with law-of-the-wall boundary conditions. It was found that in attached flow the three models have good agreement with experimental data. In unsteady separated flows, these models give only a fair correlation with experimental data.

Wu, Jiunn-Chi↗

Development of three-dimensional code for the analysis of jet mixing problem. Part 1: Laminar solution

Future aircraft will eventually feature nonaxisymmetric or rectangular nozzles. Developing a three-dimensional code to stimulate the characteristics of the jet exhaust plume, issuing from nonaxisymmetric nozzles, in general, at different flight conditions, is very important. Two three-dimensional codes were developed to simulate the shock-cell structure of circular nozzles. These codes were developed to solve the parabolized and simplified Navier-Stokes equations respectively. Both codes are based on a method previously developed by Newsome et al. These codes are fully vectorized on the VPS 32 at NASA Langley Research Center. The axisymmetric underexpanded supersonic jet flow problem, exhausting into still air, was used as a test case for developing an efficient three-dimensional problems and preserving crossplane symmetry of the flow downstream of the jet exit.

Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.↗

Three-dimensional singular points in aerodynamics

When three-dimensional separation occurs on a body immersed in a flow governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the geometrical surfaces formed by the three vector fields (velocity, vorticity and the skin-friction) and a scalar field (pressure) become interrelated through topological maps containing their respective singular points and extremal points. A mathematically consistent description of these singular points becomes inevitable when we want to study the geometry of the separation. A separated stream surface requires, for example, the existence of a saddle-type singular point on the skin-friction surface. This singular point is actually, in the proper language of mathematics, a saddle of index two. The index is a measure of the dimension of the outset (set leaving the singular point). Hence, when a saddle of index two is specified, a two dimensional surface that becomes separated from the osculating plane of the saddle is implied. The three-dimensional singular point is interpreted mathematically and the most common aerodynamical singular points are discussed through this perspective.

Unal, Aynur↗

A three solar cell system based on a self-supporting, transparent AlGaAs top solar cell

Development of a three solar cell stack can lead to practical efficiencies greater than 30 percent (1x,AM0). A theoretical efficiency limitation of 43.7 percent at AM0 and one sun is predicted by this model. Including expected losses, a practical system efficiency of 36.8 percent is anticipated. These calculations are based on a 1.93eV/1.43eV/0.89eV energy band gap combination. AlGaAs/GaAs/GaInAsP materials can be used with a six-terminal wiring configuration. The key issues for multijunction solar cells are the top and middle solar cell performance and the sub-bandgap transparency. AstroPower has developed a technique to fabricate AlGaAs solar cells on rugged, self-supporting, transparent AlGaAs substrates. Top solar cell efficiencies greater than 11 percent AM0 have been achieved. State-of-the-art GaAs or InP devices will be used for the middle solar cell. GaInAsP will be used to fabricate the bottom solar cell. This material is lattice-matched to InP and offers a wide range of bandgaps for optimization of the three solar cell stack. Liquid phase epitaxy is being used to grow the quaternary material. Initial solar cells have shown open-circuit voltages of 462 mV for a bandgap of 0.92eV. Design rules for the multijunction three solar cell stack are discussed. The progress in the development of the self-supporting AlGaAs top solar cell and the GaInAsP bottom solar cell is presented.

Negley, Gerald H.↗

Multigrid calculation of three-dimensional turbomachinery flows

Research was performed in the general area of computational aerodynamics, with particular emphasis on the development of efficient techniques for the solution of the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations for transonic flows through the complex blade passages associated with turbomachines. In particular, multigrid methods were developed, using both explicit and implicit time-stepping schemes as smoothing algorithms. The specific accomplishments of the research have included: (1) the development of an explicit multigrid method to solve the Euler equations for three-dimensional turbomachinery flows based upon the multigrid implementation of Jameson's explicit Runge-Kutta scheme (Jameson 1983); (2) the development of an implicit multigrid scheme for the three-dimensional Euler equations based upon lower-upper factorization; (3) the development of a multigrid scheme using a diagonalized alternating direction implicit (ADI) algorithm; (4) the extension of the diagonalized ADI multigrid method to solve the Euler equations of inviscid flow for three-dimensional turbomachinery flows; and also (5) the extension of the diagonalized ADI multigrid scheme to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for two-dimensional turbomachinery flows.

Caughey, David A.↗

Numerical study of three-dimensional separation and flow control at a wing/body junction

The problem of three-dimensional separation and flow control at a wing/body junction has been investigated numerically using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code. The numerical code employs an algebraic grid generation technique for generating the grid for unmodified junction and an elliptic grid generation technique for filleted fin junction. The results for laminar flow past a blunt fin/flat plate junction demonstrate that after grid refinement, the computations agree with experiment and reveal a strong dependency of the number of vortices at the junction on Mach number and Reynolds number. The numerical results for pressure distribution, particle paths and limiting streamlines for turbulent flow past a swept fin show a decrease in the peak pressure and in the extent of the separated flow region compared to the laminar case. The results for a filleted juncture indicate that the streamline patterns lose much of their vortical character with proper filleting. Fillets with a radius of three and one-half times the fin leading edge diameter or two times the incoming boundary layer thickness, significantly weaken the usual necklace interaction vortex for the Mach number and Reynolds number considered in the present study.

Ash, Robert L.↗

Intercomparison of satellite laser ranging accuracy of three NASA stations through collocation

The accuracy of laser ranging has been evaluated through comparisons of simultaneous LAGEOS satellite-borne laser ranging data received at three NASA tracking stations in support of the Crustal Dynamics project. Single-shot satellite ranging precisions of 8, 14, and 30 mm have been demonstrated at the three ground stations, with a stability better than 3 mm. The data-processing software used were POLYQUICK and GEODYN; a consistent degree of agreement between the three stations of less than 1 cm is obtained.

Varghese, T.↗