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At least 73 records · Page 4

Investigation of High-Performance Fuels in Multicylinder and in Single-Cylinder Engines at High and Cruising Engine Speeds

An investigation was conducted to compare the knock-limited performance of a 20-percent triptane blend in 28-K fuel with that of 28-R and 33-R fuels at high engine speeds, cruising speeds, and two compression ratios in an K-1830-94 multicylinder engine, Data were obtained with the standard compression ratio of 6.7 and with a compression ratio of 3.0, The three fuels were investigated at engine speeds of 1800, 2250, 2600, and 2800 rpm at high and low blower ratios. A carburetor-air temperature of approximate1y 100 deg F was maintained for the multicylinder-engine runs, Data were obtained on a single R-1830-94 cylinder engine as a means of checking the multicylinder data at the higher speeds. A satisfactory correlation between average mixture temperature and knock-limited manifold pressure was obtained by plotting knock-limited manifold pressure against average mixture temperature for the whole range of engine speeds at constant carburetor air temperature and cylinder-head temperature. The single-cylinder knock-limited performance based on charge-air flow matched that of the multicylinder engine within 6 percent under all the conditions except for 28-R fuel at 2800 rpm; these curves differed from each other by 11 percent in the rich region. The knock rating of 33-R fuel was found to be a little higher than that of the 20-percent triptane blend and 26-R fuel at high mixture temperatures (above 210 deg F) and lean mixtures. The 33-R fuel exhibited rich knock limits appreciably lower than the 20-percent triptane blend, Increasing the compression ratio from 6.7 to 8.0 lowered the knock-limited manifold pressure for all fuels approximately 15 to 18 inches of mercury absolute in the cruising range and 20 to 28 inches of mercury absolute at higher engine speeds. Brake specific fuel consumption was reduced 7 to 9 percent by the increase in compression ratio from 6.7 to 8,0,

Bell, Arthur H.↗

Engineering Elegant Systems: Postulates, Principles, and Hypotheses of Systems Engineering

Systems engineering integrated both the system and the organizational engineering disciplines to produce an elegant system. The NASA Systems Engineering Research Consortium has developed systems engineering postulates, principles, and hypotheses defining the physical and social aspects of systems engineering. This paper presents an overview of the current revision of this basis for systems engineering. This basis addresses several key aspects of systems engineering including system specific approach, organizational influences, policy and law impacts, application across the system life cycle, the mathematical basis of systems engineering, decision making, clearly distinguishing verification from validation, and system optimization.

Watson, Michael D.↗

Engineering Elegant Systems: Postulates, Principles, and Hypotheses of Systems Engineering

Systems engineering integrated both the system and the organizational engineering disciplines to produce an elegant system. The NASA Systems Engineering Research Consortium has developed systems engineering postulates, principles, and hypotheses defining the physical and social aspects of systems engineering. This paper presents an overview of the current revision of this basis for systems engineering. This basis addresses several key aspects of systems engineering including system specific approach, organizational influences, policy and law impacts, application across the system life cycle, the mathematical basis of systems engineering, decision making, clearly distinguishing verification from validation, and system optimization.

Watson, Michael D.↗

Fuel Property Effects on Knock Propensity and Thermal Efficiency in a Direct-Injection Spark-Ignition Engine

Engine knock remains one of the major barriers to further improvement in thermal efficiency of Direct-Injection Spark-Ignition (DISI) engines. While Research Octane Number and Motor Octane Number are often used as standard rating methods for knock resistance of fuels, the impacts of other fuel properties on knock propensity in modern engines such as heat of vaporization (HoV) and laminar flame speed (LFS) require better understanding in order to co-optimize fuels and engine designs to achieve higher thermal efficiency and lower CO2 emission. In the present study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to model a boosted DISI engine with a focus on knock prediction and fuel property effects. A level-set G-equation model is employed to capture turbulent premixed combustion, and is coupled with a transported Livengood-Wu (L-W) integral approach to predict autoignition in the unburnt region. A criterion associated with the L-W integral is developed to accurately predict knock onset and knock-limited spark-advance. This model is then applied to a sensitivity analysis of HoV and LFS on knock tendency and thermal efficiency. The pressure-temperature trajectory framework is applied and extended to study the fuel effects on auto-ignition process in the engine. An existing efficiency-based merit function, which is derived from experiments for boosted SI engines, is evaluated and improved based on the current CFD results.

DISI↗

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 5: RCS engine deformation and destruct tests

Tests were conducted to determine the causes of Apollo Reaction Control (RCS) engine failures. Stainless steel engines constructed for use in the destructive tests are described. The tests conducted during the three phase investigation are discussed. It was determined that the explosive reaction that destroys the RCS engines occurs at the time of engine ignition and is apparently due to either the detonation of the heterogeneous constituents of the rocket engine, consisting primarily of unreacted propellant droplets and vapors, and/or the detonation of explosive materials accumulated on the engine walls from previous pulses. Photographs of the effects of explosions on the simulated RCS engines are provided.

Miron, Y.↗

A simple method of calculating Stirling engines for engine design optimization

A calculation method is presented for a rhombic drive Stirling engine with a tubular heater and cooler and a screen type regenerator. Generally the equations presented describe power generation and consumption and heat losses. It is the simplest type of analysis that takes into account the conflicting requirements inherent in Stirling engine design. The method itemizes the power and heat losses for intelligent engine optimization. The results of engine analysis of the GPU-3 Stirling engine are compared with more complicated engine analysis and with engine measurements.

Martini, W. R.↗

Comparison of full-scale engine and subscale model performance of a mixed flow exhaust system for an energy efficient engine (E3) propulsion system

A full scale engine test of the NASA/General Electric Company (GE) Energy Efficient Engine (E3) was conducted to demonstrate the E3 engine concept and evaluate its performance. The test program, performed at the GE outdoor engine test facilities in Peebles, OH, included a detailed evaluation of the total pressure and temperature profiles at the exit of the mixed flow exhaust system to determine its mixing effectiveness. Subscale model tests of the same mixed flow exhaust system had been previously conducted at FluiDyne Engineering Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota as part of the GE E3 mixer aerodynamic technology development program. The scale model and full scale engine nozzle exit survey data and the calculated mixing effectiveness are compared and discussed. Results indicate the full scale engine mixing effectiveness to be five percent higher than the scale model as a result of a geometric difference and higher turbulence levels in the engne exhaust flowfield.

Kuchar, A. P.↗

Orbital transfer rocket engine technology: Advanced engine study

An advanced LOX/LH2 engine study for the use of NASA and vehicle prime contractors in developing concepts for manned missions to the Moon, Mars, and Phobos is documented. Parametric design data was obtained at five engine thrusts from 7.5K lbf to 50K lbf. Also, a separate task evaluated engine throttling over a 20:1 range and operation at a mixture ratio of 12 plus or minus 1 versus the 6 plus or minus 1 nominal. Cost data was also generated for DDT&E, first unit production, and factors in other life cycle costs. The major limitation of the study was lack of contact with vehicle prime contractors to resolve the issues in vehicle/engine interfaces. The baseline Aerojet dual propellant expander cycle was shown capable of meeting all performance requirements with an expected long operational life due to the high thermal margins. The basic engine design readily accommodated the 20:1 throttling requirement and operation up to a mixture ratio of 10 without change. By using platinum for baffled injector construction the increased thermal margin allowed operation up to mixture ratio 13. An initial engine modeling with an Aerojet transient simulation code (named MLETS) indicates stable engine operation with the baseline control system. A throttle ratio of 4 to 5 seconds from 10 percent to 100 percent thrust is also predicted. Performance predictions are 483.1 sec at 7.5K lbf, 487.3 sec at 20K lbf, and 485.2 sec at 50K lbf with a mixture ratio of 6 and an area ratio of 1200. Engine envelopes varied from 120 in. length/53 in. exit diameter at 7.5K lbf to 305 in. length/136 in. exit diameter at 50 K lbf. Packaging will be an important consideration. Continued work is recommended to include more vehicle prime contractor/engine contractor joint assessment of the interface issues.

Hayden, Warren R.↗

Development of hypersonic engine seals - Flow effects of preload and engine pressures

A new type of engine seal is being developed to meet the needs of advanced hypersonic engines. A seal braided of emerging high temperature ceramic fibers comprised of a sheath-core construction has been selected for study based on its low leakage rates. Flexible, low-leakage, high-temperature seals are required to seal the movable engine panels of advanced ramjet-scramjet engines either preventing potentially dangerous leakage into backside engine cavities or limiting the purge coolant flow rates through the seals. To predict the leakage through these flexible, porous seal structures as a function of preload and engine pressures, new analytical flow models are required. An empirical leakage resistance/preload model is proposed to characterize the observed decrease in leakage with increasing preload. Empirically determined compression modulus and preload factor are used to correlate experimental leakage data for a wide range of seal architectures. Good agreement between measured and predicted values are observed over a range of engine pressures and seal preload.

Cai, Zhong↗

The Effect of Valve Timing Upon the Performance of a Supercharged Engine at Altitude and an Unsupercharged Engine at Sea Level

This investigation was conducted to determine the comparative effects of valve timing on the performance of an unsupercharged engine at sea level and a supercharged engine at altitude. The tests were conducted on the NACA universal test engine. The timing of the four valve events was varied over a wide range; the engine speeds were varied between 1,050 and 1,500 r.p.m.; the compression ratios were varied between 4.35:1 and 7.35:1. The conditions of exhaust pressure and carburetor pressure of a supercharged engine were simulated for altitudes between 0 and 18,000 feet. The results show that optimum valve timing for a supercharged engine at an altitude of 18,000 feet differs slightly from that for an unsupercharged engine at sea level. A small increase in power is obtained by using the optimum timing for 18,000 feet for altitudes above 5,000 feet. The timing of the intake opening and exhaust closing becomes more critical as the compression ratio is increased.

Schey, Oscar W↗

Development of hypersonic engine seals: Flow effects of preload and engine pressures

A new type of engine seal is being developed to meet the needs of advanced hypersonic engines. A seal braided of emerging high temperature ceramic fibers comprised of a sheath-core construction was selected for study based on its low leakage rates. Flexible, low-leakage, high temperature seals are required to seal the movable engine panels of advanced ramjet-scramjet engines either preventing potentially dangerous leakage into backside engine cavities or limiting the purge coolant flow rates through the seals. To predict the leakage through these flexible, porous seal structures as a function of preload and engine pressures, new analytical flow models are required. An empirical leakage resistance/preload model is proposed to characterize the observed decrease in leakage with increasing preload. Empirically determined compression modulus and preload factor are used to correlate experimental leakage data for a wide range of seal architectures. Good agreement between measured and predicted values are observed over a range of engine pressures and seal preloads.

Cai, Zhong↗

The Case for Distributed Engine Control in Turbo-Shaft Engine Systems

The turbo-shaft engine is an important propulsion system used to power vehicles on land, sea, and in the air. As the power plant for many high performance helicopters, the characteristics of the engine and control are critical to proper vehicle operation as well as being the main determinant to overall vehicle performance. When applied to vertical flight, important distinctions exist in the turbo-shaft engine control system due to the high degree of dynamic coupling between the engine and airframe and the affect on vehicle handling characteristics. In this study, the impact of engine control system architecture is explored relative to engine performance, weight, reliability, safety, and overall cost. Comparison of the impact of architecture on these metrics is investigated as the control system is modified from a legacy centralized structure to a more distributed configuration. A composite strawman system which is typical of turbo-shaft engines in the 1000 to 2000 hp class is described and used for comparison. The overall benefits of these changes to control system architecture are assessed. The availability of supporting technologies to achieve this evolution is also discussed.

Culley, Dennis E.↗

Characterizing Distributed Concurrent Engineering Teams: A Descriptive Framework for Aerospace Concurrent Engineering Design Teams

As aerospace missions grow larger and more technically complex in the face of ever tighter budgets, it will become increasingly important to use concurrent engineering methods in the development of early conceptual designs because of their ability to facilitate rapid assessments and trades in a cost-efficient manner. To successfully accomplish these complex missions with limited funding, it is also essential to effectively leverage the strengths of individuals and teams across government, industry, academia, and international agencies by increased cooperation between organizations. As a result, the existing concurrent engineering teams will need to increasingly engage in distributed collaborative concurrent design. This paper is an extension of a recent white paper written by the Concurrent Engineering Working Group, which details the unique challenges of distributed collaborative concurrent engineering. This paper includes a short history of aerospace concurrent engineering, and defines the terms 'concurrent', 'collaborative' and 'distributed' in the context of aerospace concurrent engineering. In addition, a model for the levels of complexity of concurrent engineering teams is presented to provide a way to conceptualize information and data flow within these types of teams.

Concept Design↗

Calculations of the Performance of a Compression-Ignition Engine-Compressor Turbine Combination I : Performance of a Highly Supercharged Compression-Ignition Engine

Small high-speed single-cylinder compression-ignition engines were tested to determine their performance characteristics under high supercharging. Calculations were made on the energy available in the exhaust gas of the compression-ignition engines. The maximum power at any given maximum cylinder pressure was obtained when the compression pressure was equal to the maximum cylinder pressure. Constant-pressure combustion was found possible at an engine speed of 2200 rpm. Exhaust pressures and temperatures were determined from an analysis of indicator cards. The analysis showed that, at rich mixtures with the exhaust back pressure equal to the inlet-air pressure, there is excess energy available for driving a turbine over that required for supercharging. The presence of this excess energy indicates that a highly supercharged compression-ignition engine might be desirable as a compressor and combustion chamber for a turbine.

EXHAUST GASES-TEMPERATURE↗

The F-box protein gene exo-1 is a target for reverse engineering enzyme hypersecretion in filamentous fungi

Carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) are vital for the lignocellulose-based biorefinery. The development of hypersecreting fungal protein production hosts is therefore a major aim for both academia and industry. However, despite advances in our understanding of their regulation, the number of promising candidate genes for targeted strain engineering remains limited. Here, we resequenced the genome of the classical hypersecreting Neurospora crassa mutant exo-1 and identified the causative point of mutation to reside in the F-box protein–encoding gene, NCU09899. The corresponding deletion strain displayed amylase and invertase activities exceeding those of the carbon catabolite derepressed strain ?cre-1, while glucose repression was still mostly functional in ?exo-1. Surprisingly, RNA sequencing revealed that while plant cell wall degradation genes are broadly misexpressed in ?exo-1, only a small fraction of CAZyme genes and sugar transporters are up-regulated, indicating that EXO-1 affects specific regulatory factors. Aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanism of enzyme hypersecretion, we found the high secretion of amylases and invertase in ?exo-1 to be completely dependent on the transcriptional regulator COL-26. Furthermore, misregulation of COL-26, CRE-1, and cellular carbon and nitrogen metabolism was confirmed by proteomics. Finally, we successfully transferred the hypersecretion trait of the exo-1 disruption by reverse engineering into the industrially deployed fungus Myceliophthora thermophila using CRISPR-Cas9. Our identification of an important F-box protein demonstrates the strength of classical mutants combined with next-generation sequencing to uncover unanticipated candidates for engineering. These data contribute to a more complete understanding of CAZyme regulation and will facilitate targeted engineering of hypersecretion in further organisms of interest.

Gabriel, Raphael↗