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At least 73 records · Page 4

The development of a turbulent junction vortex system

The growth and development of a horseshoe vortex system in an incompressible, three-dimensional turbulent junction flow were investigated experimentally. A streamlined cylinder mounted with its axis normal to a flat surface was used to generate the junction vortex flow. The flow environment was characterized by a body Reynolds number of 183,000, based on the leading edge diameter of the streamlined cylinder. The study included surface flow visualizations, surface pressure measurements, and mean flow measurements of total pressure, static pressure, and velocity distributions in three planes around the base of the streamlined cylinder, and in two planes in the wake flow. Some characterizations of vortex properties based on the measured mean cross-flow velocity components are presented. The results show the presence of a single large, dominant vortex, with strong evidence of a very small corner vortex in the junction between the cylinder and the flat surface. The center of the dominant vortex drifts away from both the body and the flat surface as the flow develops along and downstream of the body. The growth and development of the core of the large, dominant vortex are documented.

Pierce, F. J.↗

Flap Edge Aeroacoustic Measurements and Predictions

An aeroacoustic model test has been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of sound generation on high-lift wing configurations. This paper presents an analysis of flap side-edge noise, which is often the most dominant source. A model of a main element wing section with a half-span flap was tested at low speeds of up to a Mach number of 0.17, corresponding to a wing chord Reynolds number of approximately 1.7 million. Results are presented for flat (or blunt), flanged, and round flap-edge geometries, with and without boundary-layer tripping, deployed at both moderate and high flap angles. The acoustic database is obtained from a Small Aperture Directional Array (SADA) of microphones, which was constructed to electronically steer to different regions of the model and to obtain farfield noise spectra and directivity from these regions. The basic flap-edge aerodynamics is established by static surface pressure data, as well as by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations and simplified edge flow analyses. Distributions of unsteady pressure sensors over the flap allow the noise source regions to be defined and quantified via cross-spectral diagnostics using the SADA output. It is found that shear layer instability and related pressure scatter is the primary noise mechanism. For the flat edge flap, two noise prediction methods based on unsteady-surface-pressure measurements are evaluated and compared to measured noise. One is a new causality spectral approach developed here. The other is a new application of an edge-noise scatter prediction method. The good comparisons for both approaches suggest that much of the physics is captured by the prediction models. Areas of disagreement appear to reveal when the assumed edge noise mechanism does not fully define, the noise production. For the different edge conditions, extensive spectra and directivity are presented. Significantly, for each edge configuration, the spectra for different flow speeds, flap angles, and surface roughness were successfully scaled by utilizing aerodynamic performance and boundary layer scaling method developed herein.

Brooks, Thomas F.↗

Flap Edge Aeroacoustic Measurements and Predictions

An aeroacoustic model test has been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of sound generation on high-lift wing configurations. This paper presents an analysis of flap side-edge noise, which is often the most dominant source. A model of a main element wing section with a half-span flap was tested at low speeds of up to a Mach number of 0.17, corresponding to a wing chord Reynolds number of approximately 1.7 million. Results are presented for flat (or blunt), flanged, and round flap-edge geometries, with and without boundary-layer tripping, deployed at both moderate and high flap angles. The acoustic database is obtained from a Small Aperture Directional Array (SADA) of microphones, which was constructed to electronically steer to different regions of the model and to obtain farfield noise spectra and directivity from these regions. The basic flap-edge aerodynamics is established by static surface pressure data, as well as by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations and simplified edge flow analyses. Distributions of unsteady pressure sensors over the flap allow the noise source regions to be defined and quantified via cross-spectral diagnostics using the SADA output. It is found that shear layer instability and related pressure scatter is the primary noise mechanism. For the flat edge flap, two noise prediction methods based on unsteady surface pressure measurements are evaluated and compared to measured noise. One is a new causality spectral approach developed here. The other is a new application of an edge-noise scatter prediction method. The good comparisons for both approaches suggest that much of the physics is captured by the prediction models. Areas of disagreement appear to reveal when the assumed edge noise mechanism does not fully define the noise production. For the different edge conditions, extensive spectra and directivity are presented. Significantly, for each edge configuration, the spectra for different flow speeds, flap angles, and surface roughness were successfully scaled by utilizing aerodynamic performance and boundary layer scaling methods developed herein.

Brooks, Thomas F.↗

Raman scattering of rhenium for secondary pressure calibration

With the increasing number of 100 s GPa experiments in the diamond anvil cell (DAC), improved accuracy in secondary pressure calibrations to extreme pressures is essential. The rhenium equation of state has been proposed as a pressure calibrant via x-ray diffraction with potentially broad applications as it is commonly used as a gasket material in DAC experiments. In this work, we conducted Raman spectroscopy experiments on rhenium in the DAC and report the pressure shift of the E2g mode, a refined high-pressure C44 and mode-Grüneisen parameter above 200 GPa. We used flat, beveled, and toroidal diamond anvils under quasi-hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic conditions. By measuring the E2g mode from the culet edge to the center, we analyzed pressure distribution based on culet type and distance from the anvil center. The shift in the E2g mode can be expressed as a function of pressure, and diamond edge measurements appear reliable across all anvil types. Comparing the center and edge pressures reveals anvil cupping, offering insights into predicting or preventing anvil failure during materials properties measurements at extreme conditions.

Diamond anvil cells↗

A vortex-filament and core model for wings with edge vortex separation

A method for predicting aerodynamic characteristics of slender wings with edge vortex separation was developed. Semiempirical but simple methods were used to determine the initial positions of the free sheet and vortex core. Comparison with available data indicates that: the present method is generally accurate in predicting the lift and induced drag coefficients but the predicted pitching moment is too positive; the spanwise lifting pressure distributions estimated by the one vortex core solution of the present method are significantly better than the results of Mehrotra's method relative to the pressure peak values for the flat delta; the two vortex core system applied to the double delta and strake wing produce overall aerodynamic characteristics which have good agreement with data except for the pitching moment; and the computer time for the present method is about two thirds of that of Mehrotra's method.

Pao, J. L.↗

A vortex-filament and core model for wings with edge vortex separation

A vortex filament-vortex core method for predicting aerodynamic characteristics of slender wings with edge vortex separation was developed. Semi-empirical but simple methods were used to determine the initial positions of the free sheet and vortex core. Comparison with available data indicates that: (1) the present method is generally accurate in predicting the lift and induced drag coefficients but the predicted pitching moment is too positive; (2) the spanwise lifting pressure distributions estimated by the one vortex core solution of the present method are significantly better than the results of Mehrotra's method relative to the pressure peak values for the flat delta; (3) the two vortex core system applied to the double delta and strake wings produce overall aerodynamic characteristics which have good agreement with data except for the pitching moment; and (4) the computer time for the present method is about two thirds of that of Mehrotra's method.

Pao, J. L.↗

Development of a spinning wave heat engine

A theoretical analysis and an experimental investigation were conducted to assess the feasibility of developing a spinning wave heat engine. Such as engine would utilize a large amplitude traveling acoustic wave rotating around a cylindrica chamber, and it should not suffer from the inefficiency, noise, and intermittent thrust which characterizes pulse jet engines. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether an artificially driven large amplitude spinning transverse wave could induce a steady flow of air through the combustion chamber under cold flow conditions. In the theoretical analysis the Maslen and Moore perturbation technique was extended to study flat cylinders (pancake geometry) with completely open side walls and a central opening. In the parallel experimental study, a test moel was used to determine resonant frequencies and radial pressure distributions, as well as oscillatory and steady flow velocities at the inner and outer peripheries. The experimental frequency was nearly the same as the theoretical acoustic value for a model of the same outer diameter but without a central hole. Although the theoretical analysis did not predict a steady velocity component, simulaneous measurements of hotwire and microphone responses have shown that the spinning wave pumps a mean flow radially outward through the cavity.

Zinn, B. T.↗

A flat wing with sharp edges in a supersonic stream

A basic treatment is given for the approximate solution of the problem of two-dimensional supersonic flow past a thin wing at small angles of attack. The pressure distribution at the surface, the lifting force, and the wave drag are determined.

AERODYNAMICS, FUNDAMENTAL↗

Low L/D aerobrake test at Mach 10

An aerobraking Orbital transfer vehicle may be used to increase the Space Shuttle mission capability to and from high orbits. A Mach 10 wind-tunnel test was performed for a low lift-drag aerobrake, to define a preliminary aerothermal environment for this candidate concept. Test hardware simulated the ribs and stretched fabric of conceptual flight hardware. Pressures, paint-melting histories, and oilflow data were measured on the brake. Pressure and thermocouple heating rate data were measured on the payload. Brake peak heating is at the edge at all angles of attack, although the stagnation point is not outboard of 75 percent radius even at 20 degrees angle of attack. Brake ribs show slightly higher heating than flats, although pressures are essentially constant. Payload peak heating occurs near 12 degrees angle of attack, and is 30 percent of the sphere stagnation point heating (for a sphere of brake diameter). Payload pressure distributions follow the heating pattern. Reynolds number effects are small on the brake and large on the payload, for the range of test conditions: 0.4-1.0 million/foot.

Hair, L. M.↗

Variable-Pressure Washer

The variable-pressure washer (VPW) is a proposed device that is so named because (1) it would play the role similar to that played by an ordinary washer, except that (2) the clamping pressure applied by it would vary with either circumferential or radial position. In a typical contemplated application, the radially varying clamping pressure would be used to obtain more nearly uniform compression on a pair of concentric seals (e.g., an O-ring or a gasket) in an assembly that experiences larger deformations normal to the sealing surface for locations around the outer diameter of the attachment flange when compared to locations around the inner diameter. The VPW (see figure) would include two interlocking channel rings pushed axially away from each other by compression spring-like components located at two or more radial positions. Each spring would have a different stiffness based on the radial location. Overlapping splits in each interlocking channel ring would allow for the non-uniform deformation in the rings. Each spring would be held in place by retaining cups attached to the inner flat surfaces of the channel rings. A plunger attached to one channel ring on the central axis would be captured in a plunger housing attached to the other channel ring: The capture of the plunger would hold the VPW together. When the VPW was clamped between two flat surfaces, the clamping force would be distributed unevenly across the face of the washer in the radial direction. The different stiffnesses of the springs would be chosen, in conjunction with other design parameters, to obtain a specified radial variation of clamping pressure in the presence of a specified clamping force.

Smeltzer, Stanley S., III↗

Computer program for flat sector thrust bearing performance

A versatile computer program is presented which achieves a rapid, numerical solution of the Reynolds equation for a flat sector thrust pad bearing with either compressible or liquid lubricants. Program input includes a range in values of the geometric and operating parameters of the sector bearing. Performance characteristics are obtained from the calculated bearing pressure distribution. These are the load capacity, center of pressure coordinates, frictional energy dissipation, and flow rates of liquid lubricant across the bearing edges. Two sample problems are described.

Presler, A. F.↗

Micro- and nano-porosity of the active Alpine Fault zone, New Zealand

Porosity reduction in rocks from a fault core can cause elevated pore fluid pressures and consequently influence the recurrence time of earthquakes. We investigated the porosity distribution in the New Zealand's Alpine Fault core in samples recovered during the first phase of the Deep Fault Drilling Project (DFDP-1B) by using two-dimensional nanoscale and three-dimensional microscale imaging. Synchrotron X-ray microtomography-derived analyses of open pore spaces show total microscale porosities in the range of 0.1 %–0.24 %. These pores have mainly non-spherical, elongated, flat shapes and show subtle bipolar orientation. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal the samples' microstructural organization, where nanoscale pores ornament grain boundaries of the gouge material, especially clay minerals. Our data imply that (i) the porosity of the fault core is very small and not connected; (ii) the distribution of clay minerals controls the shape and orientation of the associated pores; (iii) porosity was reduced due to pressure solution processes; and (iv) mineral precipitation in fluid-filled pores can affect the mechanical behavior of the Alpine Fault by decreasing the already critically low total porosity of the fault core, causing elevated pore fluid pressures and/or introducing weak mineral phases, and thus lowering the overall fault frictional strength. We conclude that the current state of very low porosity in the Alpine Fault core is likely to play a key role in the initiation of the next fault rupture.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Natural-Flow Wing

Novel scheme developed to contour three-dimensional upper and lower surfaces of wing independently to take maximum advantage of naturally occurring flow and resultant distribution of pressure over broad mach number and lift range. Scheme contours lower and upper surfaces at given cross section to optimize local slopes of upper surface. Sections sheared vertically to create reflexed lower surface. Creates wing nearly flat with mild cumber and minimal twist. Results in design efficient over wide range of lift conditions. Wings for supersonic flight able to provide improved performance at lower speeds without resorting to heavy, complex, and expensive variable-camber devices. Ramifications for both transportation and military systems.

Wood, Richard M.↗

The Effect of Boundary Support and Reflector Dimensions on Inflatable Parabolic Antenna Performance

For parabolic antennas with sufficient surface accuracy, more power can be radiated with a larger aperture size. This paper explores the performance of antennas of various size and reflector depth. The particular focus is on a large inflatable elastic antenna reflector that is supported about its perimeter by a set of elastic tendons and is subjected to a constant hydrostatic pressure. The surface accuracy of the antenna is measured by an RMS calculation, while the reflector phase error component of the efficiency is determined by computing the power density at boresight. In the analysis, the calculation of antenna efficiency is not based on the Ruze Equation. Hence, no assumption regarding the distribution of the reflector surface distortions is presumed. The reflector surface is modeled as an isotropic elastic membrane using a linear stress-strain constitutive relation. Three types of antenna reflector construction are considered: one molded to an ideal parabolic form and two different flat panel design patterns. The flat panel surfaces are constructed by seaming together panels in a manner that the desired parabolic shape is approximately attained after pressurization. Numerical solutions of the model problem are calculated under a variety of conditions in order to estimate the accuracy and efficiency of these antenna systems. In the case of the flat panel constructions, several different cutting patterns are analyzed in order to determine an optimal cutting strategy.

Coleman, Michael J.↗

An investigation of wing leading-edge vortices at supersonic speeds

Studies at subsonic and transonic speeds of the fundamental vortex behavior on the leeward surface of wings have led to the design of several unique and novel leading-edge devices commonly referred to as 'vortex flaps'. The present investigation has the objective to provide some fundamental vortex-flow results obtained at supersonic speeds. Experimental studies were performed in which pressure data and several types of flow visualization data were obtained on the leeward surface of a series of flat delta-wing models to identify the various flow mechanisms which can occur and to determine the effect of leading-edge sweep, Mach number, and angle of attack on the vortex strength and location. The reported investigation forms part of a study which is to explore the use of wing leading-edge vortex technology as a supersonic wing-design tool. The obtained results indicate that the procedure of distributing the vortex force as a pressure variation about a vortex action line is a promising concept.

Miller, D. S.↗

Laser High-Cycle Thermal Fatigue of Pulse Detonation Engine Combustor Materials Tested

Pulse detonation engines (PDE's) have received increasing attention for future aerospace propulsion applications. Because the PDE is designed for a high-frequency, intermittent detonation combustion process, extremely high gas temperatures and pressures can be realized under the nearly constant-volume combustion environment. The PDE's can potentially achieve higher thermodynamic cycle efficiency and thrust density in comparison to traditional constant-pressure combustion gas turbine engines (ref. 1). However, the development of these engines requires robust design of the engine components that must endure harsh detonation environments. In particular, the detonation combustor chamber, which is designed to sustain and confine the detonation combustion process, will experience high pressure and temperature pulses with very short durations (refs. 2 and 3). Therefore, it is of great importance to evaluate PDE combustor materials and components under simulated engine temperatures and stress conditions in the laboratory. In this study, a high-cycle thermal fatigue test rig was established at the NASA Glenn Research Center using a 1.5-kW CO2 laser. The high-power laser, operating in the pulsed mode, can be controlled at various pulse energy levels and waveform distributions. The enhanced laser pulses can be used to mimic the time-dependent temperature and pressure waves encountered in a pulsed detonation engine. Under the enhanced laser pulse condition, a maximum 7.5-kW peak power with a duration of approximately 0.1 to 0.2 msec (a spike) can be achieved, followed by a plateau region that has about one-fifth of the maximum power level with several milliseconds duration. The laser thermal fatigue rig has also been developed to adopt flat and rotating tubular specimen configurations for the simulated engine tests. More sophisticated laser optic systems can be used to simulate the spatial distributions of the temperature and shock waves in the engine. Pulse laser high-cycle thermal fatigue behavior has been investigated on a flat Haynes 188 alloy specimen, under the test condition of 30-Hz cycle frequency (33-msec pulse period and 10-msec pulse width including a 0.2-msec pulse spike; ref. 4). Temperature distributions were calculated with one-dimensional finite difference models. The calculations show that that the 0.2-msec pulse spike can cause an additional 40 C temperature fluctuation with an interaction depth of 0.08 mm near the specimen surface region. This temperature swing will be superimposed onto the temperature swing of 80 C that is induced by the 10-msec laser pulse near the 0.53-mm-deep surface interaction region.

Zhu, Dong-Ming↗

Inertia effects in thin film flow with a corrugated boundary

An analytical solution is presented for two-dimensional, incompressible film flow between a sinusoidally grooved (or rough) surface and a flat-surface. The upper grooved surface is stationary whereas the lower, smooth surface moves with a constant speed. The Navier-Stokes equations were solved employing both mapping techniques and perturbation expansions. Due to the inclusion of the inertia effects, a different pressure distribution is obtained than predicted by the classical lubrication theory. In particular, the amplitude of the pressure distribution of the classical lubrication theory is found to be in error by over 100 perent (for modified Reynolds number of 3-4).

Serbetci, Ilter↗

Dynamic Snap-Through of Thin-Walled Structures by a Reduced Order Method

The goal of this investigation is to further develop nonlinear modal numerical simulation methods for application to geometrically nonlinear response of structures exposed to combined high intensity random pressure fluctuations and thermal loadings. The study is conducted on a flat aluminum beam, which permits a comparison of results obtained by a reduced-order analysis with those obtained from a numerically intensive simulation in physical degrees-of-freedom. A uniformly distributed thermal loading is first applied to investigate the dynamic instability associated with thermal buckling. A uniformly distributed random loading is added to investigate the combined thermal-acoustic response. In the latter case, three types of response characteristics are considered, namely: (i) small amplitude vibration around one of the two stable buckling equilibrium positions, (ii) intermittent snap-through response between the two equilibrium positions, and (iii) persistent snap-through response between the two equilibrium positions. For the reduced order analysis, four categories of modal basis functions are identified including those having symmetric transverse (ST), anti-symmetric transverse (AT), symmetric in-plane (SI), and anti-symmetric in-plane (AI) displacements. The effect of basis selection on the quality of results is investigated for the dynamic thermal buckling and combined thermal-acoustic response. It is found that despite symmetric geometry, loading, and boundary conditions, the AT and SI modes must be included in the basis as they participate in the snap-through behavior.

Przekop, Adam↗