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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1955

Theoretical Prediction of Pressure Distributions on Nonlifting Airfoils at High Subsonic Speeds

Theoretical pressure distributions on nonlifting circular-arc airfoils in two-dimensional flows with high subsonic free-stream velocity are found by determining approximate solutions, through an iteration process, of an integral equation for transonic flow proposed by Oswatitsch. The integral equation stems directly from the small-disturbance theory for transonic flow. This method of analysis possesses the advantage of remaining in the physical, rather than the hodograph, variable and can be applied in airfoils having curved surfaces. After discussion of the derivation of the integral equation and qualitative aspects of the solution, results of calculations carried out for circular-arc airfoils in flows with free-stream Mach numbers up to unity are described. These results indicate most of the principal phenomena observed in experimental studies.

Spreiter, John R↗
NASA NTRS1997

Research and Applications in Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

An overview of recently completed programs in aeroelasticity and structural dynamics research at the NASA Langley Research Center is presented. Methods used to perform flutter clearance studies in the wind-tunnel on a high performance fighter are discussed. Recent advances in the use of smart structures and controls to solve aeroelastic problems, including flutter and gust response are presented. An aeroelastic models program designed to support an advanced high speed civil transport is described. An extension to transonic small disturbance theory that better predicts flows involving separation and reattachment is presented. The results of a research study to determine the effects of flexibility on the taxi and takeoff characteristics of a high speed civil transport are presented. The use of photogrammetric methods aboard Space Shuttle to measure spacecraft dynamic response is discussed. Issues associated with the jitter response of multi-payload spacecraft are discussed. Finally a Space Shuttle flight experiment that studied the control of flexible spacecraft is described.

Abel, Irving↗
NASA NTRS2005

Baseline Computational Fluid Dynamics Methodology for Longitudinal-Mode Liquid-Propellant Rocket Combustion Instability

A computational method for the analysis of longitudinal-mode liquid rocket combustion instability has been developed based on the unsteady, quasi-one-dimensional Euler equations where the combustion process source terms were introduced through the incorporation of a two-zone, linearized representation: (1) A two-parameter collapsed combustion zone at the injector face, and (2) a two-parameter distributed combustion zone based on a Lagrangian treatment of the propellant spray. The unsteady Euler equations in inhomogeneous form retain full hyperbolicity and are integrated implicitly in time using second-order, high-resolution, characteristic-based, flux-differencing spatial discretization with Roe-averaging of the Jacobian matrix. This method was initially validated against an analytical solution for nonreacting, isentropic duct acoustics with specified admittances at the inflow and outflow boundaries. For small amplitude perturbations, numerical predictions for the amplification coefficient and oscillation period were found to compare favorably with predictions from linearized small-disturbance theory as long as the grid exceeded a critical density (100 nodes/wavelength). The numerical methodology was then exercised on a generic combustor configuration using both collapsed and distributed combustion zone models with a short nozzle admittance approximation for the outflow boundary. In these cases, the response parameters were varied to determine stability limits defining resonant coupling onset.

Litchford, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Theory of finite disturbances in a centrifugal compression system with a vaneless radial diffuser

A previous small perturbation analysis of circumferential waves in circumferential compression systems, assuming inviscid flow, is shown to be consistent with observations that narrow diffusers are more stable than wide ones, when boundary layer displacement effect is included. The Moore-Greitzer analysis for finite strength transients containing both surge and rotating stall in axial machines is adapted for a centrifugal compression system. Under certain assumptions, and except for a new second order swirl, the diffuser velocity field, including resonant singularities, can be carried over from the previous inviscid linear analysis. Nonlinear transient equations are derived and applied in a simple example to show that throttling through a resonant value of flow coefficient must occur in a sudden surge-like drop, accompanied by a transient rotating wave. This inner solution is superseded by an outer surge response on a longer time scale. Surge may occur purely as result of circumferential wave resonance. Numerical results are shown for various parametric choices relating to throttle schedule and the characteristic slope. A number of circumferential modes considered simultaneously is briefly discussed.

Moore, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effect of sound on boundary layer stability

Experiments are conducted in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel with a zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate model that has a 67:1 elliptical leading edge. Boundary-layer measurements are made of the streamwise fluctuating-velocity component in order to identify the amplified T-S waves that are forced by downstream-traveling sound waves. Measurements are taken with circular 3-D roughness elements placed at the Branch 1 neutral stability point for the frequency under consideration, and then with the roughness element downstream of Branch 1. These roughness elements have a principal chord dimension equal to 2 lambda(sub TS)/pi of the T-S waves under study and are 'stacked' in order to resemble a Gaussian height distribution. Measurements taken just downstream of the roughness (with leading-edge T-S waves, surface roughness T-S waves, instrumentation sting vibrations, and the Stokes wave subtracted) show the generation of 3-D T-S waves, but not in the characteristic heart-shaped disturbance field predicted by 3-D asymptotic theory. Maximum disturbance amplitudes are found on the roughness centerline. However, some near-field characteristics predicted by numerical modeling are observed.

Saric, William S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effect of sound on boundary layer stability

Experiments are conducted in the Arizona State University Unsteady Wind Tunnel with a zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate model that has a 67:1 elliptical leading edge. Boundary-layer measurements are made of the streamwise fluctuating-velocity component in order to identify the amplified T-S waves that are forced by downstream-travelling, sound waves. Measurements are taken with circular 3-D roughness elements placed at the Branch 1 neutral stability point for the frequency under consideration, and then with the roughness element downstream of Branch 1. These roughness elements have a principal chord dimension equal to 2(lambda)(sub TS)/pi, of the T-S waves under study and are 'stacked' in order to resemble a Gaussian height distribution. Measurements taken just downstream of the roughness (with leading-edge T-S waves, surface roughness T-S waves, instrumentation sting vibrations and the Stokes wave subtracted) show the generation of 3-D-T-S waves, but not in the characteristic heart-shaped disturbance field predicted by 3-D asymptotic theory. Maximum disturbance amplitudes are found on the roughness centerline. However, some near-field characteristics predicted by numerical modelling are observed.

Saric, William S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Validation of three-dimensional incompressible spatial direct numerical simulation code: A comparison with linear stability and parabolic stability equation theories for boundary-layer transition on a flat plate

Spatially evolving instabilities in a boundary layer on a flat plate are computed by direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. In a truncated physical domain, a nonstaggered mesh is used for the grid. A Chebyshev-collocation method is used normal to the wall; finite difference and compact difference methods are used in the streamwise direction; and a Fourier series is used in the spanwise direction. For time stepping, implicit Crank-Nicolson and explicit Runge-Kutta schemes are used to the time-splitting method. The influence-matrix technique is used to solve the pressure equation. At the outflow boundary, the buffer-domain technique is used to prevent convective wave reflection or upstream propagation of information from the boundary. Results of the DNS are compared with those from both linear stability theory (LST) and parabolized stability equation (PSE) theory. Computed disturbance amplitudes and phases are in very good agreement with those of LST (for small inflow disturbance amplitudes). A measure of the sensitivity of the inflow condition is demonstrated with both LST and PSE theory used to approximate inflows. Although the DNS numerics are very different than those of PSE theory, the results are in good agreement. A small discrepancy in the results that does occur is likely a result of the variation in PSE boundary condition treatment in the far field. Finally, a small-amplitude wave triad is forced at the inflow, and simulation results are compared with those of LST. Again, very good agreement is found between DNS and LST results for the 3-D simulations, the implication being that the disturbance amplitudes are sufficiently small that nonlinear interactions are negligible.

Joslin, Ronald D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Improved computational treatment of transonic flow about swept wings

Relaxation solutions to classical three-dimensional small-disturbance (CSD) theory for transonic flow about lifting swept wings are reported. For such wings, the CSD theory was found to be a poor approximation to the full potential equation in regions of the flow field that are essentially two-dimensional in a plane normal to the sweep direction. The effect of this deficiency on the capture of embedded shock waves in terms of (1) the conditions under which shock waves can exist and (2) the relations they must satisfy when they do exist is emphasized. A modified small-disturbance (MSD) equation, derived by retaining two previously neglected terms, was proposed and shown to be a consistent approximation to the full potential equation over a wider range of sweep angles. The effect of these extra terms is demonstrated by comparing CSD, MSD, and experimental wing surface pressures.

Ballhaus, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Transonic-Small-Disturbance and Linear Analyses for the Active Aeroelastic Wing Program

Analysis serves many roles in the Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) program. It has been employed to ensure safe testing of both a flight vehicle and wind tunnel model, has formulated models for control law design, has provided comparison data for validation of experimental methods and has addressed several analytical research topics. Aeroelastic analyses using mathematical models of both the flight vehicle and the wind tunnel model configurations have been conducted. Static aeroelastic characterizations of the flight vehicle and wind tunnel model have been produced in the transonic regime and at low supersonic Mach numbers. The flight vehicle has been analyzed using linear aerodynamic theory and transonic small disturbance theory. Analyses of the wind-tunnel model were performed using only linear methods. Research efforts conducted through these analyses include defining regions of the test space where transonic effects play an important role and investigating transonic similarity. A comparison of these aeroelastic analyses for the AAW flight vehicle is presented in this paper. Results from a study of transonic similarity are also presented. Data sets from these analyses include pressure distributions, stability and control derivatives, control surface effectiveness, and vehicle deflections.

Wiesman, Carol D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Controls for space structures

Assembly and operation of large space structures (LSS) in orbit will require robot-assisted docking and berthing of partially-assembled structures. These operations require new solutions to the problems of controls. This is true because of large transient and persistent disturbances, controller-structure interaction with unmodeled modes, poorly known structure parameters, slow actuator/sensor dynamical behavior, and excitation of nonlinear structure vibrations during control and assembly. For on-orbit assembly, controllers must start with finite element models of LSS and adapt on line to the best operating points, without compromising stability. This is not easy to do, since there are often unmodeled dynamic interactions between the controller and the structure. The indirect adaptive controllers are based on parameter estimation. Due to the large number of modes in LSS, this approach leads to very high-order control schemes with consequent poor stability and performance. In contrast, direct model reference adaptive controllers operate to force the LSS to track the desirable behavior of a chosen model. These schemes produce simple control algorithms which are easy to implement on line. One problem with their use for LSS has been that the model must be the same dimension as the LSS - i.e., quite large. A control theory based on the command generator tracker (CGT) ideas of Sobel, Mabins, Kaufman and Wen, Balas to obtain very low-order models based on adaptive algorithms was developed. Closed-loop stability for both finite element models and distributed parameter models of LSS was proved. In addition, successful numerical simulations on several LSS databases were obtained. An adaptive controller based on our theory was also implemented on a flexible robotic manipulator at Martin Marietta Astronautics. Computation schemes for controller-structure interaction with unmodeled modes, the residual mode filters or RMF, were developed. The RMF theory was modified to compensate slow actuator/sensor dynamics. These new ideas are being applied to LSS simulations to demonstrate the ease with which one can incorporate slow actuator/sensor effects into our design. It was also shown that residual mode filter compensation can be modified for small nonlinearities to produce exponentially stable closed-loop control. A theory for disturbance accommodating controllers based on reduced order models of structures was developed, and stability results for these controllers in closed-loop with large-scale finite element models of structures were obtained.

Balas, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1972

Effects of incomplete adaption and disturbance in adaptive control

This investigation focused attention on the fact that the synthesis of adaptive control systems has often been discussed in the framework of idealizations which may represent over simplifications. A condition for boundedness of the tracking error has been derived for the case in which incomplete adaption and disturbance are present. When using Parks' design it is shown that instability of the adaptive gains can result due to the presence of disturbance. The theory has been applied to a nontrivial example in order to illustrate the concepts involved.

Lindorff, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A study of the two-control operation of an airplane

The two control operation of a conventional airplane is treated by means of the theory of disturbed motions. The consequences of this method of control are studied with regard to the stability of the airplane in its unconstrained components of motion and the movements set up during turn maneuvers. It is found that the motion of a conventional airplane is more stable when an arbitrary kinematic constraint is imposed in banking than when such constraint is imposed in yawing. Several hypothetical assumptions of piloting procedure, each of which is considered to represent a component of the actual procedure, are studied. Different means of two control operation are also discussed and it is concluded that a reliable rolling moment control that does not give the usual adverse secondary yawing moment should be most satisfactory.

Jones, R. T.↗