Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wake effects”

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 667 records · Page 37

Relativistic wind farm effect: Possibly turbulent flow of a charged, massless relativistic fluid in graphene

At low Reynolds numbers, the wind flow in the wake of a single wind turbine is generally not turbulent. However, turbines in wind farms affect each other's wakes so that a turbulent flow can arise. In the present work, an analog of this effect for the massless charge carrier flow around obstacles in graphene is outlined. We use a relativistic hydrodynamic simulation to analyze the flow in a sample containing impurities. Depending on the density of impurities in the sample, we indeed find evidence for potentially turbulent flow and discuss experimental consequences.

Watson, Mark (ORCID:0000000258959949)↗

Modification of wind turbine wakes by large-scale, convective atmospheric boundary layer structures

In this study, we consider the impact of large-scale, convective structures in an unstable atmospheric boundary layer on wind turbine wakes. Simulation data from a high-fidelity large-eddy simulation (LES) of the AWAKEN wind farm site matching unstable atmospheric conditions were analyzed, and both turbine performance and wake behavior were affected based on their location relative to the convective structures. Turbines located in updraft regions of the flow experienced lower inflow velocity and generated less power, but their wakes were observed to recover faster and saw greater turbulent kinetic energy mixing higher in the boundary layer. The opposite effect was found for turbines in the downdraft regions of the convective structures. A simplified model of this wake behavior was also developed based on a two-dimensional k–ε Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes formulation. This simplified model included the effects of vertical transport, but could be efficiently solved as a parabolic system, and was found to capture similar wake modifications observed in the high-fidelity LES computations.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Aerodynamic Effect of Strakes on Two-Dimensional Tail Boom Models of the OH-58A and the OH-58D Helicopters

During hover and low speed flight, helicopters experience significant aerodynamic forces on the tail boom caused by the wake from the main and tail rotors and by crosswinds. These effects were simulated during a study conducted in the Langley 14 by 22 Foot Subsonic Tunnel on a 136 percent scaled 2-D tail boom model with cross sections representative of those on the U.S. Army OH-58A and the OH-58D helicopters. The effects of longitudinal strakes attached to the cross sections were studied. To obtain the aerodynamic forces acting on the cross sections, the flow incidence range on the scaled models was varied from -45 to 90 degrees and the models were tested through a dynamic pressure range of 5 to 15 psf. The results of the OH-58A and the OH-58D configurations show a significant improvement at conditions which represent right sideward flight by reducing the adverse aerodynamic side force when the strakes are installed. These data were used to calculate a change in tail rotor power for the full scale flight vehicle and indicated approx. a 5 to 6 percent average savings in right sideward flight for the critical velocity range of 0 to 30 knots. Increases in the tail boom normal force were noted due to the strakes. The results indicate a potential for reducing the directional control and tail rotor thrust required in the critical hover and right sideward flight speed range with a calculated minimum increase to main rotor power required and an overall net improvement in power of 0.5 percent for both the OH-58A and OH-58D.

Crowell, Cynthia A.↗

Flow through very porous inclined screens

The steady, inviscid flow through and around a screen inclined at a uniform angle to the incoming flow was investigated. For a screen placed in an infinite flow field, an asymptotic analysis for small resistance coefficients was performed, and the effects of inclination were determined. The velocity at first order in the asymptotic expansion was nonuniform along the screen. This nonuniformity caused the wake behind the screen to contain distributed vorticity at second order. These effects therefore occurred at one order lower than for normal screens.

Muramoto, K. K.↗

Flow through very porous inclined screens

The steady, inviscid flow through and around a screen inclined at a uniform angle to the incoming flow was investigated. For a screen placed in an infinite flow field, an asymptotic analysis for small resistance coefficients was performed, and the effects of inclination were determined. The velocity at first order in the asymptotic expansion was nonuniform along the screen. This nonuniformity caused the wake behind the screen to contain distributed vorticity at second order. These effects therefore occurred at one order lower than for normal screens.

Muramoto, K. K.↗

Simulation of Wake Vortex Radiometric Detection via Jet Exhaust Proxy

This paper describes an analysis of the potential of an airborne hyperspectral imaging IR instrument to infer wake vortices via turbine jet exhaust as a proxy. The goal was to determine the requirements for an imaging spectrometer or radiometer to effectively detect the exhaust plume, and by inference, the location of the wake vortices. The effort examines the gas spectroscopy of the various major constituents of turbine jet exhaust and their contributions to the modeled detectable radiance. Initially, a theoretical analysis of wake vortex proxy detection by thermal radiation was realized in a series of simulations. The first stage used the SLAB plume model to simulate turbine jet exhaust plume characteristics, including exhaust gas transport dynamics and concentrations. The second stage used these plume characteristics as input to the Line By Line Radiative Transfer Model (LBLRTM) to simulate responses from both an imaging IR hyperspectral spectrometer or radiometer. These numerical simulations generated thermal imagery that was compared with previously reported wake vortex temperature data. This research is a continuation of an effort to specify the requirements for an imaging IR spectrometer or radiometer to make wake vortex measurements. Results of the two-stage simulation will be reported, including instrument specifications for wake vortex thermal detection. These results will be compared with previously reported results for IR imaging spectrometer performance.

Daniels, Taumi S.↗

Some analyses of the chemistry and diffusion of SST exhaust materials during phase 3 of the wake period

In the generally stably stratified lower stratosphere, SST exhaust plumes could spend a significant length of time in a relatively undispersed state. This effort has utilized invariant modeling techniques to simulate the separate and combined effects of atmospheric turbulence, turbulent diffusion, and chemical reactions of SST exhaust materials in the lower stratosphere. The primary results to date are: (1) The combination of relatively slow diffusive mixing and rapid chemical reactions during the Phase III wake period minimizes the effect of SST exhausts on O3 depletion by the so-called NOx catalytic cycle. While the SST-produced NO is substantially above background concentrations, it appears diffusive mixing of NO and O3 is simply too slow to produce the O3 depletions originally proposed. (2) The time required to dilute the SST exhaust plume may be a significant fraction of the total time these materials are resident in the lower stratosphere. If this is the case, then prior estimates of the environmental impact of these materials must be revised significantly downward.

Hilst, G. R.↗

Viking configuration pitch damping derivatives as influenced by support interference and test technique at transonic and supersonic speeds.

Experimental studies to determine the 140-deg spherically-blunted cone configuration single degree-of-freedom damping derivative included model sting interference effects at M = 1.76 to 3.0. Minimal sting influences are noted with sting/model diameter ratios of 0.183 and effective sting lengths of 3.55 of the reference length. Increasing the ratio of sting diameter to reference length to 0.53 influences damping considerably at angles of attack from 0 to 3 deg at all Reynolds numbers but shows little or no effect at higher angles. Free-flight model wake geometries (wake neck position and size) correlate well with those from captive model tests with the small diameter sting; this adds confidence to obtaining damping derivatives through captive model testing. The damping characteristics of an early Viking configuration obtained on 11.23 and 4.35% scale models using forced and free oscillation test methods, respectively, in two different test facilities are compared. The agreement is quite good under test conditions.

Steinberg, S.↗

A dry-surface coating method for visualization of separation

A relatively simple and reasonably accurate dry-surface coating method for visualization of the separation line on a bluff body was devised and successfully tested. This technique is based on the color reaction of a dry film containing a pH indicator with an appropriate gas released in the body wake. The dry-surface coating method is effective at any Reynolds number and for both incident laminar and turbulent flows. It further supplies a colorful permanent of consistently good photographic quality of the separation line. The effectiveness and accuracy of this technique were tested in visualizing the separation angle on a circular cylinder in both laminar and turbulent crossflows at subcritical Reynolds numbers. Separation angles revealed by the visualization were within + or - 4 percent of their counterparts deduced from the mean wall pressure distribution.

Sadeh, W. Z.↗

An investigation of automatic guidance concepts to steer a VTOL aircraft to a small aviation facility ship

A detailed system model of a VTOL aircraft approaching a small aviation facility ship was developed and used to investigate several approach guidance concepts. A preliminary anaysis of the aircraft-vessel landing guidance requirements was conducted. The various subelements and constraints of the flight system are described including the landing scenario, lift fan aircraft, state rate feedback flight control, MLS-based navigation, sea state induced ship motion, and wake turbulence due to wind-over-deck effects. These elements are integrated into a systems model with various guidance concepts. Guidance is described in terms of lateral, vertical, and longitudinal axes steering modes and approach and landing phases divided by a nominal hover (or stationkeeping) point defined with respect to the landing pad. The approach guidance methods are evaluated, and the two better steering concepts are studied by both single pass and Monte Carlo statistical simulation runs. Four different guidance concepts are defined for further analysis for the landing phase of flight.

Sorensen, J. A.↗

Planetary radio astronomy observations during the Voyager 1 Titan flyby

During the Voyager 1 Titan flyby, unusual radio emissions were observed by the planetary radio astronomy experiment in the 20- to 97-kHz frequency range. It is shown that Titan itself is not the source of the observed radio emission. The emission features are attributed to modification of the normal Saturn kilometric radiation by propagation effects in enhanced density structures within the Titan wake. Furthermore, spiky emissions observed in the magnetic wake of Titan are interpreted in terms of local electrostatic instabilities at the electron plasma frequency. From these measurements a range of electron densities in the wake region is derived, and the consistency of the results is discussed.

Daigne, G.↗

Body-turbulence interaction

The paper reviews the area of body-turbulence interaction with particular emphasis upon the influence of the body upon an incident turublent field. Cases considered include two-dimensional (high and low fineness ratio, porous, and impervious) and three-dimensional bodies in-stream, adjacent to, and attached to walls. Particular physics common to several geometric and incident flow configurations include (1) eddy severing at relatively sharp leading edges, (2) production of vorticity of the opposite sense on bluff bodies, and (3) body region production of control vortices which affect the incident turbulence field for the order of 100 boundary-layer thicknesses downstream. The major local effects of the body upon the incident turbulent field include (1) a blocking effect, (2) influence of the body momentum deficit/near wake, (3) distortion due to the body time-averaged flow field, and (4) unsteady body circulation. The review may be of particular interest for turbulence alteration/control using fixed geometry in applications such as drag reduction, separation control, noise reduction, and augmentor optimization.

Bushnell, D. M.↗

Supersonic nonlinear potential analysis

The NCOREL computer code was established to compute supersonic flow fields of wings and bodies. The method encompasses an implicit finite difference transonic relaxation method to solve the full potential equation in a spherical coordinate system. Two basic topic to broaden the applicability and usefulness of the present method which is encompassed within the computer code NCOREL for the treatment of supersonic flow problems were studied. The first topic is that of computing efficiency. Accelerated schemes are in use for transonic flow problems. One such scheme is the approximate factorization (AF) method and an AF scheme to the supersonic flow problem is developed. The second topic is the computation of wake flows. The proper modeling of wake flows is important for multicomponent configurations such as wing-body and multiple lifting surfaces where the wake of one lifting surface has a pronounced effect on a downstream body or other lifting surfaces.

Siclari, M. J.↗

Prediction of fatigue-crack growth in a high-strength aluminum alloy under variable-amplitude loading

The present paper is concerned with the application of an analytical crack-closure model to study crack growth under various load histories. The model was based on a concept like the Dugdale model, but modified to leave plastically deformed material in the wake of the advancing crack tip. The thickness effect was accounted for by using a 'constraint' factor on tensile yielding at the crack tip. The model was used to correlate crack-growth rates under constant-amplitude loading, and to predict crack growth under variable-amplitude loading on a high-strength aluminum alloy (7475-T7351) sheet material. The experimental data was obtained from Zhang et al. Predicted crack-growth lives agreed well with experimental data. For ten crack-growth tests subjected to various variable-amplitude load histories, the ratio of predicted-to-experimental lives ranged from 0.54 to 1.19. The mean value of predicted-to-experimental lives was 0.95 with a standard error of 0.2 for a constraint factor of 1.9.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

Effect of Mach Number on the Flow and Application of Compressibility Corrections in a Two-Dimensional Subsonic-Transonic Compressor Cascade Having Varied Porous-Wall Suction at the Blade Tips

A cascade of 65-(12)10 compressor blades was tested at one geometric setting over a range of inlet Mach number from 0.12 to 0.89. Two groups of data are presented and compared: the first from the cascade operating conventionally with no boundary-layer control, and the second with the boundary layer controlled by a combination of upstream slot suction and porous-wall suction at the blade tips. A criterion for two-dimensionality was used to specify the degree of boundary-layer control by suction to be applied. The data are presented and an analysis is made to show the effect of Mach number on turning angle, blade wake, pressure distribution about the blade profile and static-pressure rise. The influence of boundary-layer control on these parameters as well as on the secondary losses is illustrated. A system of correlating the measured static-pressure rise through the cascade with the theoretical isentropic values is presented which gives good agreement with the data. The pressure distribution about the blade profile for an inlet Mach number of 0.21 is corrected with the Prandtl-Glauert, Karman-Tsien, and vector-mean velocity - contraction coefficient compressibility correction factors to inlet Mach numbers of 0.6 and 0.7. The resulting curves are compared with the experimental pressure distributions for inlet Mach numbers of 0.6 and 0.7 so that the validity of applying the three corrections can be evaluated.

Briggs, William B.↗

Vortex wakes of rotorcraft

This paper presents an overview of the complex unsteady vortical flows that comprise the wakes of rotary-wing aircraft; of the effects these tangled vortical structures have on the performance, noise, and vibration; and of some of the recent attempts to measure, predict, and control the phenomena. The main points are illustrated with a number of examples from the recent literature and technical conferences.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Computational Flow Analysis of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Computational fluid dynamics has been developed to a level where it has become an Indispensable part of aerospace research and design. Technology developed foe aerospace applications am also be utilized for the benefit of human health. For example, a flange-to-flange rocket engine fuel-pump simulation includes the rotating and non-rotating components: the flow straighteners, the impeller, and diffusers A Ventricular Assist Device developed by NASA Johnson Space Center and Baylor College of Medicine has a design similar to a rocket engine fuel pump in that it also consists of a flow straightener, an impeller, and a diffuser. Accurate and detailed knowledge of the flowfield obtained by incompressible flow calculations can be greatly beneficial to designers in their effort to reduce the cost and improve the reliability of these devices. In addition to the geometric complexities, a variety of flow phenomena are encountered in biofluids Then include turbulent boundary layer separation, wakes, transition, tip vortex resolution, three-dimensional effects, and Reynolds number effects. In order to increase the role of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the design process the CFD analysis tools must be evaluated and validated so that designers gain Confidence in their use. The incompressible flow solver, INS3D, has been applied to flow inside of a liquid rocket engine turbopump components and extensively validated. This paper details how the computational flow simulation capability developed for liquid rocket engine pump component analysis has bean applied to the Left Ventricular Assist Device being developed jointly by NASA JSC and Baylor College of Medicine.

Kiris, Cetin↗