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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 559 records · Page 31

Analytical and scale model research aimed at improved hangglider design

Research consisted of a theoretical analysis which attempts to predict aerodynamic characteristics using lifting surface theory and finite-element structural analysis as well as an experimental investigation using 1/5 scale elastically similar models in the NASA Ames 2m x 3m (7' x 10') wind tunnel. Experimental data were compared with theoretical results in the development of a computer program which may be used in the design and evaluation of ultralight gliders.

Kroo, I.↗

A technique for scale model rocket base heating tests in a very large vacuum chamber

A series of tests was performed with a 0.040 scale Shuttle Orbiter Base Heating Model in a large vacuum chamber to determine the thermal effects of engine plume recirculation and direct engine plume impingement. The oxygen- and hydrogen-fueled model was fired through a range of simulated altitudes and configurations with varied engine gimbal angles and 'engine-out' combinations. Some of the special problems associated with conducting tests of this type related primarily to obtaining valid temperature and pressure data in the extremely short run times available. Run time is limited by the reflection of shock waves from the chamber wall, propellant charge-tube wave times, the time required to reach steady-state conditions for the engines, and model heating limitations. The 'data window' for potentially valid data usually begins with stabilized engine conditions and terminates with pressure perturbations from either of the aforementioned shock waves. The general approach for coping with these limitations and the method used to obtain valid data during the short data window (of the order of thirty milliseconds) are discussed.

Williams, F. U.↗

Longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a large scale model with a swept wing and augmented jet flap in ground effect

The investigation of the in-ground-effect, longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a large scale swept augmentor wing model is presented, using 40 x 80 ft wind tunnel. The investigation was conducted at three ground heights; h/c equals 2.01, 1.61, and 1.34. The induced effect of underwing nacelles, was studied with two powered nacelle configurations. One configuration used four JT-15D turbofans while the other used two J-85 turbojet engines. Two conical nozzles on each J-85 were used to deflect the thrust at angles from 0 to 120 deg. Tests were also performed without nacelles to allow comparison with previous data from ground effect.

Falarski, M. D.↗

Take-Off and Landing Characteristics of a 0.13-Scale Model of the Convair XFY-1 Vertically Rising Airplane in Steady Winds, TED No. NACA DE 368

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the stability and control characteristics of a 0.13-scale free-flight model of the Convair XFY-1 airplane during take-offs and landings in steady winds. The tests indicated that take-offs in headwinds up to at least 20 knots (full scale) will be fairly easy to perform although the airplane may be blown downstream as much as 3 spans before a trim condition can be established. The distance that the airplane will be blown down-stream can be reduced by restraining the upwind landing gear until the instant of take-off. The tests also indicated that spot landings in headwinds up to at least 30 knots (full scale) and in crosswinds up to at least 20 knots (full scale) can be accomplished with reasonable accuracy although, during the landing approach, there will probably be an undesirable nosing-up tendency caused by ground effect and by the change in angle of attack resulting from vertical descent. Some form of arresting gear will probably be required to prevent the airplane from rolling downwind or tipping over after contact. This rolling and tipping can be prevented by a snubbing line attached to the tip of the upwind' wing or tail or by an arresting gear consisting of a wire mesh on the ground and hooks on the landing gear to engage the mesh.

Schade, Robert O.↗

Multi-Scale Modeling of Magnetospheric Reconnection

One of the major challenges in modeling the magnetospheric magnetic reconnection is to quantify the interaction between large-scale global magnetospheric dynamics and microphysical processes in diffusion regions near reconnection sites. There is still considerable debate as to what degree microphysical processes on kinetic scales affect the global evolution and how important it is to substitute numerical dissipation and/or ad hoc anomalous resistivity by a physically motivated model of dissipation. Comparative studies of magnetic reconnection in small scale geometries demonstrated that MHD simulations that included non-ideal processes in terms of a resistive term $\eta J$ did not produce the fast reconnection rates observed in kinetic simulations. For a broad range of physical parameters in collisionless magnetospheric plasma, the primary mechanism controlling the dissipation in the vicinity of the reconnection site is non-gyrotropic effects with spatial scales comparable with the particle Larmor radius. We utilize the global MHD code BATSRUS and incorporate nongyrotropic effects in diffusion regions in terms of corrections to the induction equation. We developed an algorithm to search for magnetotail reconnection sites, specifically where the magnetic field components perpendicular to the local current direction approaches zero and form an X-type configuration. Spatial scales of the diffusion region and magnitude of the reconnection electric field are calculated selfconsistently using MHD plasma and field parameters in the vicinity of the reconnection site. The location of the reconnection sites is updated during the simulations. To clarify the role of nongyrotropic effects in diffusion region on the global magnetospheric dynamic we perform simulations with steady southward IMF driving of the magnetosphere. Ideal MHD simulations with magnetic reconnection supported by numerical resistivity produce steady configuration with almost stationary near-earth neutral line (NENL). Simulations with non-gyrotropic corrections demonstrate dynamic quasi-periodic response to the steady driving condition. The loading/unloading cycle in non-gyrotropic MHD results has a non-stationary reconnection site in the magnetotail, with the retreating during the stretching phase and then a new NENL forming in the resulting thin plasma sheet. We expect that this model will lead to improved representations of space weather event in the magnetosphere.

Kuznetsova, M. M.↗

Flight Tests of a 0.13-Scale Model of the Convair XFY-1 Vertically Rising Airplane in a Setup Simulating that Proposed for Captive-Flight Tests in a Hangar, TED No. NACA DE 368

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the dynamic stability and control characteristics of a 0.13-scale free-flight model of the Convair XFY-1 airplane in test setups representing the setup proposed for use in the first flight tests of the full-scale airplane in the Moffett Field airship hangar. The investigation was conducted in two parts: first, tests with the model flying freely in an enclosure simulating the hangar, and second, tests with the model partially restrained by an overhead line attached to the propeller spinner and ground lines attached to the wing and tail tips. The results of the tests indicated that the airplane can be flown without difficulty in the Moffett Field airship hangar if it does not approach too close to the hangar walls. If it does approach too close to the walls, the recirculation of the propeller slipstream might cause sudden trim changes which would make smooth flight difficult for the pilot to accomplish. It appeared that the tethering system proposed by Convair could provide generally satisfactory restraint of large-amplitude motions caused by control failure or pilot error without interfering with normal flying or causing any serious instability or violent jerking motions as the tethering lines restrained the model.

Lovell, Powell M., Jr.↗

A potential-energy scaling model to simulate the initial stages of thin-film growth

A solid on solid (SOS) Monte Carlo computer simulation employing a potential energy scaling technique was used to model the initial stages of thin film growth. The model monitors variations in the vertical interaction potential that occur due to the arrival or departure of selected adatoms or impurities at all sites in the 400 sq. ft. array. Boltzmann ordered statistics are used to simulate fluctuations in vibrational energy at each site in the array, and the resulting site energy is compared with threshold levels of possible atomic events. In addition to adsorption, desorption, and surface migration, adatom incorporation and diffusion of a substrate atom to the surface are also included. The lateral interaction of nearest, second nearest, and third nearest neighbors is also considered. A series of computer experiments are conducted to illustrate the behavior of the model.

Heinbockel, J. H.↗

Atmospheric Energy Spectra in Global Kilometre-Scale Models

Eleven 40-day long integrations of five different global models with horizontal resolutions of less than 9 km are compared in terms of their global energy spectra. The method of normal-mode function decomposition is used to distinguish between balanced (Rossby wave; RW) and unbalanced (inertia-gravity wave; IGW) circulation. The simulations produce the expected canonical shape of the spectra, but their spectral slopes at mesoscales, and the zonal scale at which RW and IGW spectra intersect differ significantly. The partitioning of total wave energies into RWs an IGWs is most sensitive to the turbulence closure scheme and this partitioning is what determines the spectral crossing scale in the simulations, which differs by a factor of up to two. It implies that care must be taken when using simple spatial filtering to compare gravity wave phenomena in storm-resolving simulations, even when the model horizontal resolutions are similar. In contrast to the energy partitioning between the RWs and IGWs, changes in turbulence closure schemes do not seem to strongly affect spectral slopes, which only exhibit major differences at mesoscales. Despite their minor contribution to the global (horizontal kinetic plus potential available) energy, small scales are important for driving the global mean circulation. Our results support the conclusions of previous studies that the strength of convection is a relevant factor for explaining discrepancies in the energies at small scales. The models studied here produce the major large-scale features of tropical precipitation patterns. However, particularly at large horizontal wavenumbers, the spectra of upper tropospheric vertical velocity, which is a good indicator for the strength of deep convection, differ by factors of three or more in energy. High vertical kinetic energies at small scales are mostly found in those models that do not use any convective parameterisation.

DYAMOND↗

A Priori Subgrid Scale Modeling for a Droplet Laden Temporal Mixing Layer

Subgrid analysis of a transitional temporal mixing layer with evaporating droplets has been performed using a direct numerical simulation (DNS) database. The DNS is for a Reynolds number (based on initial vorticity thickness) of 600, with droplet mass loading of 0.2. The gas phase is computed using a Eulerian formulation, with Lagrangian droplet tracking. Since Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of this flow requires the computation of unfiltered gas-phase variables at droplet locations from filtered gas-phase variables at the grid points, it is proposed to model these by assuming the gas-phase variables to be given by the filtered variables plus a correction based on the filtered standard deviation, which can be computed from the sub-grid scale (SGS) standard deviation. This model predicts unfiltered variables at droplet locations better than simply interpolating the filtered variables. Three methods are investigated for modeling the SGS standard deviation: Smagorinsky, gradient and scale-similarity. When properly calibrated, the gradient and scale-similarity methods give results in excellent agreement with the DNS.

Okongo, Nora↗

Results of aeroheating DFI and ET design-data test on a 0.0175-scale model 60-OTS conducted in the Von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF) 40" supersonic and the 50" hypersonic wind tunnels A and C

The 0.0175-scale thin-skin thermocouple Model 60-OTS was tested in the von Karman Gas Facility 40-inch continuous flow supersonic tunnel A and the VKF Tunnel C. Testing was conducted at Mach numbers 2.25 to 4.0, and Reynolds numbers from 0.4 x 10 to the 6th power/ft to 6.6 x 10 to the 6th power/ft. Angle of attack range was from -5.0 to +5.0 degrees, and angle of sideslip range was from -6 to +6 degrees. The primary objective of this test was to provide a valid base for the external tank (ET) and solid rocket booster (SRB) heating prediction methodology for ascent flight by taking heating data at Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) locations for flight conditions simulating STS-1 through -4. A second objective was to obtain additional aeroheating data to support potential reduction of the thermal protection system (TPS) on the ET. The third phase of the test was funded and conducted by NASA/MSFC for the purpose of establishing confidence in the data base from the lower temperature tunnel A.

Marroquin, J.↗

Engineering-scale Modeling of High-Temperature Creep and Creep Crack Growth in Alloy 316H

This document demonstrates completion of the goals described in the technical narrative of the Department of Energy’s Industry Funding Opportunity Announcement (iFOA) project entitled “Modeling and Simulation Development Pathways to Accelerating KP-FHR Licensing,” which relates to the development and demonstration of capabilities for conducting engineering-scale simulations of Alloy 316H components under high-temperature conditions. This work encompassed two major aspects: integrating and testing constitutive models for the creep response of 316H at high temperatures, and developing tools for modeling creep crack growth (CCG) in 316H. Two classes of constitutive models were used in this effort: phenomenological models based on behavior observed at the engineering scale, and reduced-order models (ROMs) that represent the nonlinear response of mesoscale models that capture the sensitivity to material microstructure and processing. Likewise, the approaches employed for CCG modeling considered both simplified engineering approaches and detailed simulations of creep and damage ahead of the crack tip. These developments, which were performed by utilizing the Grizzly code as well as the open-source libraries it depends on, strengthen Grizzly’s ability to support licensing and safety analyses of high-temperature reactor components.

316H↗

Fatigue behavior analysis and multi-scale modelling of chopped carbon fiber chip-reinforced composites under tension-tension loading condition

Here, the fatigue damage behavior of chopped carbon fiber chip-reinforced composite has been experimentally and numerically investigated. A large scatter is exhibited in the S-N diagram due to the random distribution of carbon fiber chips, and therefore a new analysis procedure is proposed to link the local microstructure to the fatigue behavior of the bulk material. Interrupted fatigue tests are also performed so that microstructure characterization can be conducted on the tested samples to analyze the crack initiation and propagation. Inspired from the experimental findings, a multi-scale progressive damage fatigue model is proposed to predict the fatigue behavior. The model incorporates a new stochastic chip-packing algorithm for microstructure reconstruction along with continuum damage models into the representative volume element (RVE) model in ABAQUS/Explicit. Finally, the simulation results based on the proposed model are in good agreement with the experimental data in terms of cracking modes and predicted life.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Heat transfer and pressure distributions at M equals 8 on 0.029 scale models of the Viking entry vehicle

An investigation in the Langley Research Center Mach-8 Variable Density Hypersonic Tunnel was made of the pressure distributions and heat transfer rate distributions on two 0.029 scale Viking Entry Vehicle models. Comparable ranges of test Reynolds number were exercised for the two tests between run conditions around 4 million and conditions of about 1.6 million. At angles of attack less than 20 degrees the pressure ratio distribution referenced to stagnation pressure appeared invariant with Reynolds number. Increasing angle of attack results in a flatter distribution of both the windward and leeward pressure distributions; in addition, the stagnation point shifted into the windward plane. A subsequent rise in the heating rate profile on the leeward side with further increase in angle of attack is attributed to boundary layer natural transition to turbulent flow. Schlieren photographs were taken for flow field visualization and to correct model angle of attack.

Faye-Petersen, R.↗

Atomic layer deposition in porous electrodes: A pore-scale modeling study

Coating porous electrodes of Li-ion batteries with functional materials by atomic layer deposition (ALD) can enhance their capacity stability. Because of the complex microstructure of the porous electrodes, predicting the required exposure time of the precursors for achieving a desired coating and the coating characteristics for a given exposure time remains difficult. Here, a three-dimensional (3D) pore-scale lattice Boltzmann model is developed to investigate the reactive transport processes during the ALD of reconstructed electrodes and to assess the accuracy of one-dimensional (1D) mean-field models. The effects of the hierarchical structure of pores and their connectivity on the coating process of ALD are investigated and the detailed coating characteristics in the electrodes are resolved. Electrodes with smaller pore sizes requires a longer exposure time to achieve full coating. At the same depth within an electrode, the smaller pores are coated more slowly than the wider pores (especially at high Damkohler numbers) and the coating speed of well-connected pores are faster than that of poorly connected pores. Furthermore, simulations also reveal that the 1D mean-field model can capture the average coating characteristics reasonably well when pores in the electrodes are well connected but may perform poorly if the pores are poorly connected.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Evaluation of subgrid-scale models using an accurately simulated turbulent flow

A calculation of periodic homogeneous isotropic turbulence is used to simulate the experimental decay of grid turbulence. The calculation is found to match the experiment in a number of important aspects and the computed flow field is then treated as a realization of a physical turbulent flow. From this flow, a calculation is conducted of the large eddy field and the various averages of the subgrid-scale turbulence that occur in the large eddy simulation equations. These quantities are compared with the predictions of the models that are usually applied in large eddy simulation. The results show that the terms which involve the large-scale field are accurately modeled but the subgrid-scale Reynolds stresses are only moderately well modeled. It is also possible to use the method to predict the constants of the models without reference to experiment. Attempts to find improved models have not met with success.

Clark, R. A.↗

Results of aerodynamic heat transfer tests of a 0.0175-scale model of the Rockwell International Space Shuttle Orbiter 139 (model number 22-0) in the NASA/Ames 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel (test OH6)

The results of a hypersonic wind tunnel test program conducted using a 0.0175 scale thin-skin thermocouple model of the Space Shuttle Orbiter to obtain aerodynamic heat transfer data on the Orbiter under simulated reentry conditions were presented. The test program was conducted at a Mach number of 7.3 and a freestream Reynolds number ranging between 1.0 and 6.0 million/foot. The model was tested for angles of attack ranging between 10 deg and 30 deg and a sideslip angle of 0 deg. The model was constructed of 15-5 PH stainless steel with the instrumented areas machined to a nominal skin thickness of 0.030 in. The model instrumentation consisted of 288 iron-constantan thermocouples spot welded to the skin inner surface, but only 75 of these were used in this test program. A high-speed, analog-to-digital data acquisition system was used to record data on magnetic tape.

Dye, W. H.↗

Aerodynamic investigations on a 0.004 scale model MCR 0074 baseline space shuttle launch vehicle at Mach numbers between 0.6 and 4.96

A test of a 0.004-scale MCR 0074 Baseline Launch Configuration Space Shuttle model was conducted in the NASA-MSFC 14 x 14-inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel (MSFC TWT 566). The objective of the test was to determine the effects of model parametric variations on aerodynamic static stability characteristics over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 4.96. Angles-of-attack from minus 10 deg to plus 10 deg at 0 deg sideslip and angles-of-sideslip from minus 10 deg to plus 10 deg at minus 5 deg, 0 deg, and plus 5 deg angle-of-attack were investigated. The basic configuration investigated was the integrated vehicle consisting of the orbiter, and external tank, and two solid rocket boosters. It was designated 03T9S3.

Ramsey, P.↗

Building the Scale Model TELBOT Master Arm - 19585

For centuries, the art and science of modeling have gone hand in hand with the advancements of technology. Among the most impressive examples of the past modeling were ship models constructed for the British Royal Navy. Referred to as Admiralty models, they were principally constructed during the 18. and 19. centuries to depict proposed warship design. To this day, models are important in the field of engineering, where analytical modeling of a new design needs to be verified. In our project the old practice of building models will be fortified by the most advanced software and 3-D printing technology and used to manufacture a fully working Telbot Master Arm scaled down to 0.4-0.5 of its original size. The Telbot is a robotic arm used in different fields like the nuclear and chemical industry, often in combination with other products of our company. The main features of the Telbot's sleek construction are: 1) the high load capacity design; 2) unlimited rotation of all axes; 3) no external or internal wiring of the arm; 4) unlimited, fast and precise arm movements; 5) smooth and sealed arm bodies and joints; 6) high repeat accuracy; 7) resistance to radiation, and it can handle precise loads from 5 kg to 150 kg. Presently, to demonstrate such impressive design features and movement possibilities to its customers, HWM has to build a 3-D virtual reality simulation of the environment where Telbot is proposed to be used and then the arm simulates its movement in this environment. In addition, though HWM does have a showroom for Telbot, due to its weight and size it is not possible to take the full size Telbot on the road to show off its capabilities to customers. The challenge is to build a scaled down full working version of the Telbot robotic arm that can be moved in every direction and angle. The model will be based on the redeveloped T300 Telbot, with 3 joints and 7 free to move pivots. It will be at a 0.4 or 0.5 scale. The outer shell will be 3D printed. The sensors will forward the position and angle to HWM virtual reality software. With these features, any changes made on the model would get displayed in the software one-to-one. The result will be a Telbot Master arm model which can be easily transported; Waellischmiller would be able to present the Telbot not just virtually, but as a real product with all its functions and versatility and show it all over the world. The extensive construction of the virtual 3-D stimulation can be eliminated and the course of movement to reach specific positions could get simulated faster and easier. It can also be used internally and externally for training. This paper will address the challenges, materials used and manufacturing process of building a fully-working scaled-down version of the Telbot Master Arm. (authors)

3D PRINTING↗