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At least 55 records · Page 3

Simulated afterburner performance with hydrogen peroxide injection for thrust augmentation

Combustion performance of three afterburner configurations was evaluated at simulated altitude flight conditions with liquid augmentation to the primary combustor. Afterburner combustion efficiency and stability were better with injection of high-strength hydrogen peroxide than with no injection or with water injection. Improvements were observed in afterburner configurations with and without flameholders and in a short-length afterburner. At a peroxide-air ratio of 0.3, combustion was stable and 85 to 90 percent efficient in all configurations tested. Calculated augmented net-thrust ratios for peroxide injection with afterburning were approximately 60 percent greater than those for water injection.

Metzler, Allen J

Workshop on Thrust Augmenting Ejectors

The state of the art of ejector technology is assessed and the desired direction of future studies in all aspects of ejector thrust augmenting systems is deliniated.

Lopez, A. E.

The XFV-12A Thrust-Augmented Wing (TAW) prototype aircraft

The XFV-12A, a unique V/STOL technology prototype aircraft being developed for the Navy, is described. The innovative design features a thrust augmented wing and a canard ejector. Structural, functional, and control test performances are discussed. Static tether test results are also discussed. Assessment of test results are given along with projections for future modification areas.

Murphy, R.

A computational study of thrust augmenting ejectors based on a viscous-inviscid approach

A viscous-inviscid interaction technique is advocated as both an efficient and accurate means of predicting the performance of two-dimensional thrust augmenting ejectors. The flow field is subdivided into a viscous region that contains the turbulent jet and an inviscid region that contains the ambient fluid drawn into the device. The inviscid region is computed with a higher-order panel method, while an integral method is used for the description of the viscous part. The strong viscous-inviscid interaction present within the ejector is simulated in an iterative process where the two regions influence each other en route to a converged solution. The model is applied to a variety of parametric and optimization studies involving ejectors having either one or two primary jets. The effects of nozzle placement, inlet and diffuser shape, free stream speed, and ejector length are investigated. The inlet shape for single jet ejectors is optimized for various free stream speeds and Reynolds numbers. Optimal nozzle tilt and location are identified for various dual-ejector configurations.

Lund, Thomas S.

Thrust Augmentation Measurements Using a Pulse Detonation Engine Ejector

The present NASA GRC-funded three-year research project is focused on studying PDE driven ejectors applicable to a hybrid Pulse Detonation/Turbofan Engine. The objective of the study is to characterize the PDE-ejector thrust augmentation. A PDE-ejector system has been designed to provide critical experimental data for assessing the performance enhancements possible with this technology. Completed tasks include demonstration of a thrust stand for measuring average thrust for detonation tube multi-cycle operation, and design of a 72-in.-long, 2.25-in.-diameter (ID) detonation tube and modular ejector assembly. This assembly will allow testing of both straight and contoured ejector geometries. Initial ejectors that have been fabricated are 72-in.-long-constant-diameter tubes (4-, 5-, and 6-in.-diameter) instrumented with high-frequency pressure transducers. The assembly has been designed such that the detonation tube exit can be positioned at various locations within the ejector tube. PDE-ejector system experiments with gaseous ethylene/ nitrogen/oxygen propellants will commence in the very near future. The program benefits from collaborations with Prof. Merkle of University of Tennessee whose PDE-ejector analysis helps guide the experiments. The present research effort will increase the TRL of PDE-ejectors from its current level of 2 to a level of 3.

Santoro, Robert J.

Thrust Augmentation with Mixer/Ejector Systems

Older commercial aircraft often exceed FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) sideline noise regulations. The major problem is the jet noise associated with the high exhaust velocities of the low bypass ratio engines on such aircraft. Mixer/ejector exhaust systems can provide a simple means of reducing the jet noise on these aircraft by mixing cool ambient air with the high velocity engine gases before they are exhausted to ambient. This paper presents new information on thrust performance predictions, and thrust augmentation capabilities of mixer/ejectors. Results are presented from the recent development program of the patented Alternating Lobe Mixer Ejector Concept (ALMEC) suppressor system for the Gulfstream GII, GIIB and GIII aircraft. Mixer/ejector performance procedures are presented which include classical control volume analyses, compound compressible flow theory, lobed nozzle loss correlations and state of the art computational fluid dynamic predictions. The mixer/ejector thrust predictions are compared to subscale wind tunnel test model data and actual aircraft flight test measurements. The results demonstrate that a properly designed mixer/ejector noise suppressor can increase effective engine bypass ratio and generate large thrust gains at takeoff conditions with little or no thrust loss at cruise conditions. The cruise performance obtained for such noise suppressor systems is shown to be a strong function of installation effects on the aircraft.

Presz, Walter M., Jr.

Analysis of thrust augmentation of turbojet engines by water injection at compressor inlet including charts for calculating compression processes with water injection

A psychrometric chart having total pressure (sum of partial pressures of air and water vapor) as a variable, a Mollier diagram for air saturated with water vapor, and charts showing the thermodynamic properties of various air-water vapor and exhaust gas-water vapor mixtures are presented as aids in calculating the thrust augmentation of a turbojet engine resulting from the injection of water at the compressor inlet. Curves are presented that show the theoretical performance of the augmentation method for various amounts of water injected and the effects of varying flight Mach number, altitude, ambient-air temperature, ambient relative humidity, compressor pressure ratio, and inlet-diffuser efficiency. Numerical examples, illustrating the use of the psychrometric chart and the Mollier diagram in calculating both compressor-inlet and compressor-outlet conditions when water is injected at the compressor inlet, are presented.

Wilcox, E Clinton

Use of an approximate similarity principle for the thermal scaling of a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector

Full temperature ejector model simulations are expensive, and difficult to implement experimentally. If an approximate similarity principle could be established, properly chosen performance parameters should be similar for both hot and cold flow tests if the initial Mach number and total pressures of the flow field are held constant. Existing ejector data is used to explore the utility of one particular similarity principle; the Munk and Prim similarity principle for isentropic flows. Static performance test data for a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector are analyzed for primary flow temperatures up to 1560 R. At different primary temperatures, exit pressure contours are compared for similarity. A nondimensional flow parameter is then used to eliminate primary nozzle temperature dependence and verify similarity between the hot and cold flow experiments.

Barankiewicz, Wendy S.

Use of an approximate similarity principle for the thermal scaling of a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector

Full temperature ejector model simulations are expensive, and difficult to implement experimentally. If an approximate similarity principle could be established, properly chosen performance parameters should be similar for both hot and cold flow tests if the initial Mach number and total pressures of the flow field are held constant. Existing ejector data is used to explore the utility of one particular similarity principle; the Munk and Prim similarity principle for isentropic flows. Static performance test data for a full-scale thrust augmenting ejector are analyzed for primary flow temperatures up to 1560 R. At different primary temperatures, exit pressure contours are compared for similarity. A nondimensional flow paramenter is then used to eliminate primary nozzle temperature dependence and verify similarity between the hot and cold flow experiments.

Barankiewicz, Wendy

Thrust augmentation options for the Beta 2 two-stage-to-orbit vehicle

NASA LeRC is continuing to study propulsion concepts for a horizontal takeoff and landing, fully reusable, two-stage-to-orbit vehicle. This will be capable of launching and returning a 10,000 pound payload to a 100 nautical mile polar orbit using low-risk technology. The vehicle, Beta 2, is a derivative of the USAF/Boeing Beta vehicle which was designed to deliver a 50,000 pound payload to a similar orbit. Beta 2 stages at Mach 6.5 and about 100,000 ft altitude. The propulsion system for the booster is an over/under turbine bypass engine/ramjet configuration. In this paper, several options for thrust augmentation were studied in order to improve the performance of this engine where there was a critical need. Options studies were turbine engine overspeed in the transonic region, water injection at a various turbine engine locations also during the transonic region, and water injection at the turbine engine face during high speed operation. The methodology, constraints, propulsion performance, and mission study results are presented.

Snyder, Christopher A.

Options for thrust augmentation for the Beta 2 two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle

A study to improve the performance of the NASA two-stage-to-orbit vehicle was undertaken. The NASA concept, a horizontal takeoff and landing, fully reusable, two-stage to orbit vehicle, will be capable of launching and returning a 10,000 pound payload to a 100 nmi polar orbit. The vehicle, Beta 2, is a derivative of the USAF/Boeing Beta vehicle which was designed to deliver a 50,000 pound payload to a similar orbit. Beta 2 stages at Mach 6.5 and about 100,000 feet altitude. The propulsion system for the booster is an over/under turbine engine/ramjet configuration. In this paper a study was performed for one of the candidate engines, the variable cycle engine, to assess its potential to meet the required performance needs of the Beta 2 vehicle. Several options for thrust augmentation were studied in order to improve the performance of the engine where there was a critical need. The methodology, constraints, propulsion performance, and mission study results are presented.

Jules, Kenol

Entrainment and thrust augmentation in pulsatile ejector flows

This study comprised direct thrust measurements, flow visualization by use of a spark shadowgraph technique, and mean and fluctuating velocity measurements with a pitot tube and linearized constant temperature hot-wire anemometry respectively. A gain in thrust of as much as 10 to 15% was observed for the pulsatile ejector flow as compared to the steady flow configuration. From the velocity profile measurements, it is concluded that this enhanced augmentation for pulsatile flow as compared to a nonpulsatile one was accomplished by a corresponding increased entrainment by the primary jet flow. It is also concluded that the augmentation and total entrainment by a constant area ejector critically depends upon the inlet geometry of the ejector. Experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of primary jet to ejector area ratio, ejector length, and presence of a diffuser on pulsatile ejector performance.

Sarohia, V.

An investigation of corner separation within a thrust augmenter having Coanda jets

The development of separation in corners of thrust augmentor wings having Coanda jets was investigated using hot film surface sensors and pressure transducers. Separation on the test augmentor began at a corner very close to the augmentor exit and then rapidly proceeded upstream. Measurements of the pressure fields in the corner region indicated that a modified form of the Stratford criterion could be used to predict the onset of separation. Testing was conducted over a range of nozzle pressure ratios, aspect ratios, diffuser angles, and designs of the boundary layer and Coanda nozzles.

Seiler, M. R.

Thrust-augmented vortex attenuation

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the vortex attenuating effect of engine thrust. Tests were made using a 0.03-scale model of the Boeing 747 transport aircraft as a vortex generating model. A Learjet-class probe model was used to measure the vortex induced rolling moment at a scale separation distance of 1.63 km. These tests were conducted at a lift coefficient of 1.4 at a model velocity of 30.48 m/s. The data presented indicate that engine thrust is effective as a vortex attenuating device when the engines are operated at high thrust levels and are positioned to direct the high energy engine wake into the core of the vortex. The greatest thrust vortex attenuation was obtained by operating the inboard engine thrust reversers at one-quarter thrust and the outboard engines at maximum forward thrust.

Patterson, J. C., Jr.