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At least 559 records · Page 31

TRANSP-TGLF core predictive modeling of the JET DT baseline scenario

In recent years, an intense modeling activity has been focused on preparing and analyzing the second JET Deuterium–Tritium (D–T) experimental campaign DTE2. Among the numerous scientific outcomes of this campaign was the unique opportunity to test and validate the state of the art of modeling tools with fusion-relevant DT plasmas using the full metallic ITER-like wall in different scenarios. This work reports on the core predictive modeling of plasma density, electron and ion temperatures (n e , T e , T i ) performed using TRANSP (Pankin et al 2025 Comput. Phys. Commun. 312 109611) coupled with Trapped Gyro-Landau Fluid (TGLF)-SAT2 (Kinsey et al 2008 Phys. Plasmas 15 055908), (Staebler et al 2021 Nucl. Fusion 61 116007) for the JET D–T baseline scenario (I p = 3.5 MA, q 95 = 3, β N < 2, with pellet pacing) (Garzotti et al 2025 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 67 075011). The sensitivity to different input parameters, as the $\vec{E}$ x $\vec{B}$ shear parameterization and the values of the kinetic quantities at the boundary of the prediction domain (ρ = 0.85) has been assessed, identifying the confidence interval of the prediction results. In particular, the dependence of the electron density profile on the particle source parameters has been studied, identifying the ionization source as the main cause for the density gradient under-prediction obtained by TRANSP-TGLF, reported in (Hyun-Tae et al 2023 Nucl. Fusion 63 112004).

JET↗

The Coanda effect in gas-dynamic noise control

The principle types of silencers are discussed for gas dynamic noise of free steam and gas expansions, as well as the results of research in gas dynamics of jets and applied acoustics. Gas dynamic noise attenuation by means of the Coanda effect is due to fluid decompression in a Coanda ejector of the external type, where a structural change takes place in the acoustic frequency spectrum and in its direction, as well as a substantial decrease in the fluid's velocity, temperature and concentration. This process is continued in the second phase with absorption of the acoustic waves by means of an active structure.

Vasilescu, G.↗

Labyrinth Seal Flutter Analysis and Test Validation in Support of Robust Rocket Engine Design

High energy-density turbomachines, like the SSME turbopumps, utilize labyrinth seals, also referred to as knife-edge seals, to control leakage flow. The pressure drop for such seals is order of magnitude higher than comparable jet engine seals. This is aggravated by the requirement of tight clearances resulting in possible unfavorable fluid-structure interaction of the seal system (seal flutter). To demonstrate these characteristics, a benchmark case of a High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump (HPOTP) outlet Labyrinth seal was studied in detail. First, an analytical assessment of the seal stability was conducted using a Pratt & Whitney legacy seal flutter code. Sensitivity parameters including pressure drop, rotor-to-stator running clearances and cavity volumes were examined and modeling strategies established. Second, a concurrent experimental investigation was undertaken to validate the stability of the seal at the equivalent operating conditions of the pump. Actual pump hardware was used to construct the test rig, also referred to as the (Flutter Rig). The flutter rig did not include rotational effects or temperature. However, the use of Hydrogen gas at high inlet pressure provided good representation of the critical parameters affecting flutter especially the speed of sound. The flutter code predictions showed consistent trends in good agreement with the experimental data. The rig test program produced a stability threshold empirical parameter that separated operation with and without flutter. This empirical parameter was used to establish the seal build clearances to avoid flutter while providing the required cooling flow metering. The calibrated flutter code along with the empirical flutter parameter was used to redesign the baseline seal resulting in a flutter-free robust configuration. Provisions for incorporation of mechanical damping devices were introduced in the redesigned seal to ensure added robustness

El-Aini, Yehia↗

Applications of Low Density Flow Techniques and Catalytic Recombination at the Johnson Space Center

The talk presents a brief background on defInitions of catalysis and effects associated with chemically nonequilibrium and low-density flows of aerospace interest. Applications of catalytic recombination on surfaces in dissociated flow are given, including aero heating on reentry spacecraft thermal protection surfaces and reflection of plume flow on pressure distributions associated with the space station. Examples include aero heating predictions for the X-38 test vehicle, the inlet of a proposed gas-sampling probe used in high enthalpy test facilities, and a parabolic body at angle of attack. The effect of accommodation coefficients on thruster induced pressure distributions is also included. Examples of tools used include simple aero heating formulas based on boundary layer solutions, an engineering approximation that uses axisymmetric viscous shock layer flow to simulate full three dimensional flow, full computational fluid dynamics, and direct simulation Monte-Carlo calculations. Methods of determining catalytic recombination rates in arc jet flow are discus ed. An area of catalysis not fully understood is the formation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) with gas phase or nano-size metal particles. The Johnson Space Center is making SWNTs using both a laser ablation technique and an electric arc vaporization technique.

Scott, Carl D.↗

Low-Level Jets and the Convergence of Mars Data Assimilation Algorithms

Data assimilation is an increasingly popular technique in Mars atmospheric science, but its effect on the mean states of the underlying atmosphere models has not been thoroughly examined. The robustness of results to the choice of model and assimilation algorithm also warrants further study. We investigate these issues using two Mars general circulation models (MGCMs), with particular emphasis on zonal wind and temperature fields. When temperature retrievals from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) are assimilated into the U.K.-Laboratoire de M ́et ́eorologie Dynamique (UK-LMD) MGCM to create the Mars Analysis Correction Data Assimilation (MACDA) reanalysis, low-level zonal jets in the winter northern hemisphere shift equatorward and weaken relative to a free-running control simulation from the same MGCM. The Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS) reanalysis, which is also based on TES temperature retrievals, also shows jet weakening (but less if any shifting) relative to a control simulation performed with the underlying Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) MGCM. Examining higher levels of the atmosphere, monthly mean three-dimensional temperature and zonal wind fields are in generally better agreement between the two reanalyses than between the two control simulations. In conjunction with information about the MGCMs’ physical parametrizations, intercomparisons between the various reanalyses and control simulations suggest that overall the EMARS control run is plausibly less biased (relative to the true state of the Martian atmosphere) than the MACDA control run. Implications for future observational studies are discussed. Plain Language Summary An increasingly popular way to study Martian weather and climate is to combine atmospheric temperature observations with a computer model (specifically, a global climate model). The process of combining model and observations is called “data assimilation”, and the resulting merged data set is called a “reanalysis”. One advantage of reanalyses is that they include variables (such as wind) that are not directly observed. For scientific and practical applications we want these variables to be reasonably accurate— however, it is not clear how well data assimilation algorithms compute them. Our study investigates this issue using two Mars reanalyses and two model simulations that do not assimilate temperature data. We focus on slowly-varying atmospheric phenomena (timescales from 10 Mars days to a season). Assimilating temperature data into two different global climate models changes the strength and/or spatial pattern of east-west winds at low altitudes. Furthermore, monthly mean three-dimensional temperature and east-west wind fields agree better between reanalyses than between non-assimilating model simulations. This suggests that the data assimilation process is basically successful. One non-assimilating model simulation has less realistic representations of atmospheric physical processes than the other—we argue that this plausibly gives it larger biases relative to the true state of the atmosphere.

Todd A Mooring↗

Fluorescence Imaging of Underexpanded Jets and Comparison with CFD

An experimental study of underexpanded and highly underexpanded axisymmetric nitrogen free jets seeded with 0.5% nitric oxide (NO) and issuing from a sonic orifice was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center. Reynolds numbers based on nozzle exit conditions ranged from 770 to 35,700, and nozzle exit-to-ambient jet pressure ratios ranged from 2 to 35. These flows were non-intrusively visualized with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.14 mm x 0.14 mm x 1 mm thick and a temporal resolution of 1 s using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of NO, with the laser tuned to the strongly-fluorescing UV absorption bands of the Q1 band head near 226.256 nm. Three laminar cases were selected for comparison with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The cases were run using GASP (General Aerodynamic Simulation Program) Version 4. Comparisons of the fundamental wavelength of the jet flow showed good agreement between CFD and experiment for all three test cases, while comparisons of Mach disk location and Mach disk diameter showed good agreement at lower jet pressure ratios, with a tendency to slightly underpredict these parameters with increasing jet pressure ratio.

Wilkes, Jennifer A.↗

Studies of aircraft wake chemistry and dispersion

Use of aerospace technology to study aircraft wakes is reviewed. It is shown how aerospace vehicles can be used to provide data for increased understanding of the atmosphere and of aircraft exhaust trails where knowledge is inadequate to evaluate fully the potential impact of the engine emissions. Models of aircraft near-field exhaust wakes are characterized by jet, vortex, and dispersion regimes. Wake growth in the jet regime is self-determined and rapid, whereas further spreading is inhibited in the vortex regime because of circulating vortex motion. Wake diffusion in the dispersion regime is initially influenced by aircraft induced turbulence but is dominated later by small-scale atmospheric turbulence. Computed fluid mechanical results show the importance of effects such as wake buoyancy, wind shear, turbulence, and traffic corridor exhaust buildup on dispersion of the wake. In the jet regime the exhaust characteristics and thermochemistry serve to illustrate initial chemical changes involving potential pollutant species.

Poppoff, I. G.↗

Numerical Simulation of One- and Two-Phase Flows in Propulsion Systems

In this report, we present some results of problems investigated during joint research between the Hampton University Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (HU/FM&AL), NASA GRC, and the LaRC Hyper-X Program. This work is supported by joint research between the NASA GRC and the Institute of Mechanics at Moscow State University (IM/MSU) in Russia under a CRDF grant. The main areas of current scientific interest of the HU/FM&AL include an investigation of the proposed and patented advanced methods for aircraft engine thrust and noise benefits. These methods are based on nontraditional 3D corrugated and composite nozzle, inlet, propeller and screw designs such as a Bluebell and Telescope nozzle, Mobius-shaped screw, etc. This is the main subject of our other projects, of which one is presented at the current conference. Here we analyze additional methods for exhaust jet noise reduction without essential thrust loss and even with thrust augmentation. Such additional approaches are: (1) to add some solid, fluid, or gas mass at discrete locations to the main supersonic gas stream to minimize the negative influence of strong shock waves formed in propulsion systems. This mass addition may be accompanied by heat addition to the main stream as a result of the fuel combustion or by cooling of this stream as a result of the liquid mass evaporation and boiling; (2) Use of porous or permeable nozzles and additional shells at the nozzle exit for preliminary cooling of the hot jet exhaust and pressure compensation for off-design conditions (so-called continuous ejector with small mass flow rate); and (3) to propose and analyze new effective methods of fuel injection into the flow stream in air-breathing engines. The research is focused on a wide regime of problems in the propulsion field as well as in experimental testing and theoretical and numerical simulation analyses for advanced aircraft and rocket engines. The FM&AL Team uses analytical methods, numerical simulations, and experimental tests at the Hampton University campus, NASA, and IM/MSU. The main outcomes during this reporting period are: (1) Publications: The AIAA Paper #01-1893 has been accepted for the AIAA/NAL-NASDA-ISAS 10th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, 24-27 April 2001, Kyoto, Japan. The AIAA Paper #01-3204 has been accepted for presentation at the 37th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference being held on 08-11 July, in Salt Lake City, UT; (2) Grants and proposals: The HU/FM&AL was awarded the NASA grant NAG3-2495 in October 2000 and the CRDF award was granted to the NASA GRC-HU FM&AL and IM/MSU (Russia) in July 2000. A solicited proposal was submitted for the NASA NRA-01GRC-02 competition and two unsolicited proposals to NASA are in preparation; (3) Theory and numerical simulations: Analytical theory, numerical simulation, comparison of theoretical with experimental results, and modification of theoretical approaches, models, grids, etc. Such investigations have been conducted for three main problems: (a) Combustion efficiency optimization in the half-duct combustor system; (b) Drag reduction effects for blunt bodies with solid needles; and (c) Solid particle injection from the butt-end against a supersonic flow. The NASA CFL3D, HU/FM&AL, and IM/MSU GODUNOV codes were used and modified for solution of these problems. The codes are based on full Euler and Navier-Stokes solvers with and without nonequilibrium oxygen-nitrogen and air-hydrogen chemical reactions in laminar and turbulent gas flow regimes; (4) Experimental tests: In the IM/MSU supersonic wind tunnel, experimental tests were conducted with different number, location, and geometric parameters of solid needles mounted at the front of the butt-end in supersonic flow. Optimal parameters were determined that provide minimal butt-end drag in the stationary flow regime. Experimental and numerical simulation results are in good agreement; (5) Student Research Activity: Involvement of one graduate and two undergraduate students as research assistants in the current project.

Gilinsky, Mikhail↗

A local eddy viscosity model for turbulent shear flow

In the model described, the eddy viscosity is assumed to be a fluid property dependent on the state of the fluid locally, namely the local density, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulence scale, and Mach number. An empirical law was found which related eddy viscosity to these properties satisfactorily for free jets. This law is used without modification for a set of test cases in free shear layers, free-jet decay, coaxial mixing, and wakes. The scale of turbulence is taken as a constant at any axial location equal to the width of the shear layer. By utilizing the boundary-layer order-of-magnitude analysis, a coupled set of fluid dynamic equations is formulated, which of necessity includes the equation for the production of turbulent kinetic energy.

Ortwerth, P. J.↗

Instabilities in astrophysical jets. II - Numerical simulations of slab jets

Numerical simulations of an unstable supersonic slab-symmetric jet are described. The instabilities within the jet are characterized by growing internal body waves and their coupled surface waves that are also predicted in linear perturbation theory. The characteristic theory of fluid dynamics is used to help interpret the wave morphologies. It is demonstrated that these waves can be excited by imposing an arbitrary disturbance. From the numerical simulations, it is found that the sound waves propagating against the flow slow down as they propagate outward, and they grow in amplitude. These waves eventually disrupt the jet at a certain length. This disruption length is related to the jet Mach number and the perturbation intensity. Thus, the Mach number of a jet observed with a radio telescope can be estimated by measuring the disruption length and estimating the perturbation intensity. The jet Mach numbers in radio tailed sources determined in this way agree quite well with estimates from ram pressure bending arguments. The wiggles and flares observed in many extragalactic jets, especially in tailed radio sources, appear to be intimately related to instabilities and the jet disruption process.

Zhao, Jun-Hui↗

Jet Noise Reduction Potential from Emerging Variable Cycle Technologies

Acoustic and flow-field experiments were conducted on exhaust concepts for the next generation supersonic, commercial aircraft. The concepts were developed by Lockheed Martin (LM), Rolls-Royce Liberty Works (RRLW), and General Electric Global Research (GEGR) as part of an N+2 (next generation forward) aircraft system study initiated by the Supersonics Project in NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program. The experiments were conducted in the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The exhaust concepts utilized ejectors, inverted velocity profiles, and fluidic shields. One of the ejector concepts was found to produce stagnant flow within the ejector and the other ejector concept produced discrete-frequency tones that degraded the acoustic performance of the model. The concept incorporating an inverted velocity profile and fluid shield produced overall-sound-pressure-level reductions of 6 dB relative to a single stream nozzle at the peak jet noise angle for some nozzle pressure ratios. Flow separations in the nozzle degraded the acoustic performance of the inverted velocity profile model at low nozzle pressure ratios.

Henderson, Brenda↗

Jet Noise Reduction Potential From Emerging Variable Cycle Technologies

Acoustic and flow-field experiments were conducted on exhaust concepts for the next generation supersonic, commercial aircraft. The concepts were developed by Lockheed Martin (LM), Rolls-Royce Liberty Works (RRLW), and General Electric Global Research (GEGR) as part of an N+2 (next generation forward) aircraft system study initiated by the Supersonics Project in NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program. The experiments were conducted in the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The exhaust concepts utilized ejectors, inverted velocity profiles, and fluidic shields. One of the ejector concepts was found to produce stagnant flow within the ejector and the other ejector concept produced discrete-frequency tones that degraded the acoustic performance of the model. The concept incorporating an inverted velocity profile and fluid shield produced overall-sound-pressure-level reductions of 6 dB relative to a single stream nozzle at the peak jet noise angle for some nozzle pressure ratios. Flow separations in the nozzle degraded the acoustic performance of the inverted velocity profile model at low nozzle pressure ratios.

Source record↗

Effects of Long Duration Spaceflight on Venous and Arterial Compliance

The visual impairment and intracranial pressure syndrome (VIIP) is a newly described space flight-associated medical condition made up of a constellation of symptoms affecting at least 34% of American astronauts who have flown International Space Station (ISS) missions. VIIP is defined primarily by visual acuity deficits and anatomical changes to eye structures, and is thought to be related to elevated intracranial pressure secondary to space flightinduced cephalad fluid shifts. Loss of visual acuity could be a significant threat to crew health and performance and may be suggestive of other adaptations with implications for years post-flight. Our primary objective is to determine whether vascular compliance is altered by space flight and whether such adaptations are related to the incidence of VIIP. In particular, we will measure ocular parameters and vascular compliance in vessels of the head and neck in astronauts who have no space flight experience, in astronauts before, during, and after space flight, and in bed rest subjects with conditions similar to space flight. Additionally, we will analyze astronaut data from the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) archive to determine which factors might be predictive of the development of VIIP. The project will be conducted in four separate but related parts. To understand the baseline condition of astronauts without any prior space flight experience, we will study 10 astronauts who have never flown in space by performing a comprehensive evaluation of the vasculature of the head, neck and eyes. Hemodynamic data (stroke volume and blood pressure), ocular (tonometry and ocular ultrasound), venous and arterial parameters will be acquired across a range of tilt angles (20, 10, 0, -10, -20 degrees). Vessels to be studied include the temporal, jugular, and vertebral veins and the cerebral, carotid and vertebral arteries. Ophthalmic data from the annual physical will be obtained through data sharing. To examine the relation between vascular compliance in the head and neck and the development of VIIP after a long duration space flight, we will study 10 astronauts before, during, and after long-duration ISS missions. Pre- and post-flight testing will be identical to that described above. During flight, images of the same vessels of interest will be obtained for later analysis. Ophthalmic data including VIIP scores will be obtained through data sharing from medically-required tests. To investigate the effects of age and elevated sodium intake, two potential contributors to VIIP, we will study 24 men (in two age groups: 25-35 and 45-55) during a 14 day 6deg head-down bed rest, a well-accepted analog of space flight. Standard NASA bed rest conditions will be maintained except for dietary sodium. Sodium intake will be similar to that of ISS astronauts, which is higher than consumed in previous bed rest studies. Pre- and post-bed rest testing procedures will be identical to the testing protocol described above for astronauts. Ophthalmic testing (optical coherence tomography, fundoscopy, and tonometry) will be conducted on the same day that vascular compliance measures are obtained. To identify parameters that may relate to an increase in an astronaut's susceptibility to developing VIIP, we will use data mining techniques to evaluate astronaut data obtained from the LSAH. Medical history, family history, space flight history and its related exposures, and history of high performance jet aircraft exposure will be examined for their potential relationship to ocular data. We hypothesize that the cephalad fluid shift induced by space flight will result in structural and functional adaptations in head and neck vessels leading to decreased vascular compliance and related to the development of VIIP symptoms. Further, although VIIP has not been observed in previous bed rest studies, we hypothesize that an elevated sodium intake will increase the incidence of VIIP symptoms in this space flight analog. Finally, we hypothesize that data mining analyses will reveal relationships between health history, previous exposures (including space flight and high performance aircraft), and the development of VIIP in the astronaut population.

Ribeiro, L. C.↗

Simulating Underexpanded Jets in Martian and Lunar Environments

As part of the Game Changing Development (GCD) Program, funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), the development of simulation capability for the prediction of extra-terrestrial Plume Surface Interaction (PSI) environments has been undertaken by the Fluid Dynamics Branch at NASA/MSFC. The GCD PSI Project, planned to be accomplished over a four year period, contains a Predictive Simulation Capability (PSC) Element focused on creating simulation capability for the reliable and accurate prediction of PSI in Martian (~650 Pa) and Lunar (vacuum) ambient environments. In addition to the PSC Element, the PSI Project also contains a companion Ground Testing Element for development of focused datasets for validation of predictive capability as well as a Flight-focused Instrumentation Element. This paper describes the activities and accomplishments in the past year for the Prediction of Plume Flow in low pressure environments component of the PSI Project. While the Loci/Chem Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) application has been validated and used extensively for simulating launch environments in atmospheric conditions, use of this tool for simulating supersonic plumes at Mars-like ambient pressure requires further validation. CFD simulations of underexpanded jets have been performed using Loci/Chem for Mars-like conditions to predict several metrics for steady laminar, turbulent, and impinging plumes. The CFD results are compared with an experimental data set for low Reynolds number plumes at these conditions in order to evaluate the current capability of the Loci/Chem tool for these types of environments. The CFD validation results to date show reasonable agreement with the experimental data across all of the metrics of interest for the configurations considered. The Loci/Chem-Boltzmann CFD application is a hybrid continuum/rarefied flow solver which extends modeling capabilities to very low pressure environments such as those on the Moon. The Loci/Chem-Boltzmann solver uses a gradient-based continuum breakdown criterion to restrict solution of the computationally expensive Boltzmann equation to only a subset of the domain, while using the Navier-Stokes equations elsewhere. This CFD application is under active development, and current efforts toward establishing production ready capability for evaluating Lunar plume surface interactions are well under way. Initial simulations of an Apollo LEM indicate that several regions of the flow require solving the Boltzmann equations due to extreme rarefaction. Early simulations are promising, indicating reasonable overall computational time for a full 3D human scale lander simulation.

Thomas Shurtz↗

Effects of Gravity on Bubble Formation in an Annular Jet

The effects of gravity on the bubble formation in an annular jet were studied. The experiments were conducted in the 2.2-second drop tower at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Terrestrial gravity experiments were conducted at the Fluid Dynamics Research Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma. Stainless steel tubing with inner diameters of 1/8" (gas inner annulus) and 5/16" (liquid outer annulus) served as the injector. A rectangular test section, 6" x 6" x 14" tall, made out of half-inch thick Lexan was used. Images of the annular jet were acquired using a high-speed camera. The effects of gravity and varying liquid and gas flow rates on bubble size, wavelength, and breakup length were documented. In general, the bubble diameter was found to be larger in terrestrial gravity than in microgravity for varying Weber numbers (0.05 - 0.16 and 5 - 11) and liquid flow rates (1.5 ft/s - 3.0 ft/s). The wavelength was found to be larger in terrestrial gravity than in microgravity, but remained constant for varying Weber numbers. For low Weber numbers (0.05 - 0.16), the breakup length in microgravity was significantly higher than in terrestrial gravity. Comparison with linear stability analysis showed estimated bubble sizes within 9% of experimental bubble sizes. Bubble size compared to other terrestrial gravity experiments with same flow conditions showed distinct differences in bubble size, which displayed the importance of injector geometry on bubble formation.

Koepp, R. A.↗

Design and Development of a Fluid Immersion Cooled, SiC MOSFET, 37.5 kW, Bi-Directional Motor Converter

NASA's SUb-sonic Single Aft eNgine (SUSAN) aircraft is a concept aircraft whose architecture is that of a subsonic regional jet transport aircraft. SUSAN contains a single turbofan engine coupled to an electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) system. To provide a path towards this goal, a 25% scale version of the SUSAN aircraft is being researched. A main component of the 25% power train is the Motor And Generator Intelligent Converter (MAGIC). This paper presents the design, development, and initial test results from MAGIC, a 37.5 kW, fluid immersion cooled, silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET-based, bi-directional converter and controller.

PAO↗

Design and Development of a Fluid Immersion Cooled, SiC MOSFET, 37.5 kW, Bi-Directional Motor Converter

NASA's SUb-sonic Single Aft eNgine (SUSAN) aircraft is a concept aircraft whose architecture is that of a subsonic regional jet transport aircraft. SUSAN contains a single turbofan engine coupled to an electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) system. To provide a path towards this goal, a 25% scale version of the SUSAN aircraft is being researched. A main component of the 25% power train is the Motor And Generator Intelligent Converter (MAGIC). This paper presents the design, development, and initial test results from MAGIC, a 37.5 kW, fluid immersion cooled, silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET-based, bi-directional converter and controller.

Immersion↗

Flame stability in combusting turbulent jets

The paper develops a model for the stability of turbulent methane/air flames on the assumption that reaction kinetics is much more important than the fluid dynamics near blowout. Flame stability is predicted as a function of ambient atmospheric temperature and composition, initial preheat temperature, and the percentage of external product gas recirculation. A one-step reaction and a well-stirred reactor are used to equate the rate at which the mass is supplied to the flame to the rate at which the mass chemically reacts in the flame.

Nelson, H. F.↗