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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

High-speed propeller noise predictions - Effects of boundary conditions used in blade loading calculations

The acoustics of an advanced single rotation SR-3 propeller at cruise conditions are studied employing a time-domain approach. The study evaluates the acoustic significance of the differences in blade pressures computed using nonreflecting rather than hard wall boundary conditions in the three-dimensional Euler code solution. The directivities of the harmonics of the blade passing frequency tone and the effects of chordwise loading on tone directivity are examined. The results show that the maximum difference in the computed sound pressure levels due to the use of blade pressure distributions obtained with the nonreflecting rather than the hard wall boundary conditions is about 1.5 dB. The blade passing frequency tone directivity obtained in the present study shows good agreement with jetstar flight data.

Nallasamy, M.↗

Resonance vibrations of aircraft propellers

On the basis of the consideration of various possible kinds of propeller vibrations, the resonance vibrations caused by unequal impacts of the propeller blades appear to be the most important. Their theoretical investigation is made by separate analysis of torsional and bending vibrations. This method is justified by the very great difference in the two natural frequencies of aircraft propeller blades. The calculated data are illustrated by practical examples. Thereby the observed vibration phenomenon in the given examples is explained by a bending resonance, for which the bending frequency of the propeller is equal to twice the revolution speed.

Liebers, Fritz↗

Flyover noise characteristics of a tilt-wing V/STOL aircraft (XC-142A)

A field noise measurement investigation was conducted during the flight testing of an XC-142A tilt-wing V/STOL aircraft to define its external noise characteristics. Measured time histories of overall sound pressure level show that noise levels are higher at lower airspeeds and decrease with increased speed up to approximately 160 knots. The primary noise sources were the four high-speed, main propellers. Flyover-noise time histories calculated by existing techniques for propeller noise prediction are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Pegg, R. J.↗

Calculation of the distributed loads on the blades of individual multiblade propellers in axial flow using linear and nonlinear lifting surface theories

In recent years much attention has been given to the development of methods and programs for the calculation of the aerodynamic characteristics of multiblade, saber-shaped air propellers. Most existing methods are based on the theory of lifting lines. Elsewhere, the theory of a lifting surface is used to calculate screw and lifting propellers. In this work, methods of discrete eddies are described for the calculation of the aerodynamic characteristics of propellers using the linear and nonlinear theories of lifting surfaces.

Pesetskaya, N. N.↗

An experience in mesh generation for three-dimensional calculation of potential flow around a rotating propeller

An attempt is made to develop a three-dimensional, finite volume computational code for highly swept, twisted, small aspect ratio propeller blades with supersonic tip speeds, in a way that accounts for cascade effects, hub-induced flow, and nonlinear transonic effects. Attention is presently given to the generation of a computational mesh for such a complex propeller configuration, with the aim of sharing developmental process experience. The problem treated is unique, in that blade chord, blade length, hub length and blade-to-blade distance represent several characteristic length scales among which there is considerable disparity. An ad hoc mesh-generation scheme is accordingly developed.

Jou, W.-H.↗

On Nonlinear Combustion Instability in Liquid Propellant Rocket Motors

All liquid propellant rocket instability calculations in current use have limited value in the predictive sense and serve mainly as a correlating framework for the available data sets. The well-known n-t model first introduced by Crocco and Cheng in 1956 is still used as the primary analytical tool of this type. A multitude of attempts to establish practical analytical methods have achieved only limited success. These methods usually produce only stability boundary maps that are of little use in making critical design decisions in new motor development programs. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of combustion instability in solid propellant rockets"' provides a firm foundation for a new approach to prediction, diagnosis, and correction of the closely related problems in liquid motor instability. For predictive tools to be useful in the motor design process, they must have the capability to accurately determine: 1) time evolution of the pressure oscillations and limit amplitude, 2) critical triggering pulse amplitude, and 3) unsteady heat transfer rates at injector surfaces and chamber walls. The method described in this paper relates these critical motor characteristics directly to system design parameters. Inclusion of mechanisms such as wave steepening, vorticity production and transport, and unsteady detonation wave phenomena greatly enhance the representation of key features of motor chamber oscillatory behavior. The basic theoretical model is described and preliminary computations are compared to experimental data. A plan to develop the new predictive method into a comprehensive analysis tool is also described.

Sims, J. D.↗

Acoustic analysis of the propfan

A review of propeller noise prediction technology is presented. Two methods for the prediction of the noise from conventional and advanced propellers in forward flight are described. These methods are based on different time domain formulations. Brief descriptions of the computer algorithms based on these formulations are given. The output of the programs (the acoustic pressure signature) was Fourier analyzed to get the acoustic pressure spectrum. The main difference between the two programs is that one can handle propellers with supersonic tip speed while the other is for subsonic tip speed propellers. Comparisons of the calculated and measured acoustic data for a conventional and an advanced propeller show good agreement in general.

Farassat, F.↗

A numerical technique for calculation of the noise of high-speed propellers with advanced blade geometry

A numerical technique and computer program were developed for the prediction of the noise of propellers with advanced geometry. The blade upper and lower surfaces are described by a curvilinear coordinate system, which was also used to divide the blade surfaces into panels. Two different acoustic formulations in the time domain were used to improve the speed and efficiency of the noise calculations: an acoustic formualtion with the Doppler factor singularity for panels moving at subsonic speeds and the collapsing sphere formulation for panels moving at transonic or supersonic speeds. This second formulation involves a sphere which is centered at the observer position and whose radius decreases at the speed of sound. The acoustic equation consisted of integrals over the curve of intersection for both the sphere and the panels on the blade. Algorithms used in some parts of the computer program are discussed. Comparisons with measured acoustic data for two model high speed propellers with advanced geometry are also presented.

Nystrom, P. A.↗

Calculation of plasma properties in ion sources

Simple algebraic equations are developed that can be used to calculate the average primary electron density, the average primary to Maxwellian density ratio, and the average Maxwellian electron temperature in the discharge chamber of a cusped magnetic field ion source. These properties may be calculated as functions of the propellant gas flow rate and the propellant utilization efficiency. Each of the plasma properties calculated using the model agrees well with the corresponding experimental data for both argon and xenon gases over a wide range of propellant flow rates and utilization efficiencies.

Brophy, J. R.↗

Manned maneuvering unit

The design of the manned maneuvering unit and associated flight support station is described. Thrust and maneuver capabilities per propellant supply are calculated and special consideration is given to the requirements for rotational maneuvers with large cargos. Satellite attachment devices and a remote controlled small payload maneuvering system are also discussed.

Bergonz, F.↗

Development of a computerized analysis for solid propellant combustion instability with turbulence

A multi-dimensional numerical model has been developed for the unsteady state oscillatory combustion of solid propellants subject to acoustic pressure disturbances. Including the gas phase unsteady effects, the assumption of uniform pressure across the flame zone, which has been conventionally used, is relaxed so that a higher frequency response in the long flame of a double-base propellant can be calculated. The formulation is based on a premixed, laminar flame with a one-step overall chemical reaction and the Arrhenius law of decomposition with no condensed phase reaction. In a given geometry, the Galerkin finite element solution shows the strong resonance and damping effect at the lower frequencies, similar to the result of Denison and Baum. Extended studies deal with the higher frequency region where the pressure varies in the flame thickness. The nonlinear system behavior is investigated by carrying out the second order expansion in wave amplitude when the acoustic pressure oscillations are finite in amplitude. Offset in the burning rate shows a negative sign in the whole frequency region considered, and it verifies the experimental results of Price. Finally, the velocity coupling in the two-dimensional model is discussed.

Chung, T. J.↗

Solar electric propulsion for Mars transport vehicles

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) is an alternative to chemical and nuclear powered propulsion systems for both piloted and unpiloted Mars transport vehicles. Photovoltaic solar cell and array technologies were evaluated as components of SEP power systems. Of the systems considered, the SEP power system composed of multijunction solar cells in an ENTECH domed fresnel concentrator array had the least array mass and area. Trip times to Mars optimized for minimum propellant mass were calculated. Additionally, a preliminary vehicle concept was designed.

Solar electric propulsion↗

Transient Analysis of X-34 Pressurization System

Two transient operational modes of the X-34 pressurization system were analyzed using the ROCket Engine Transition Simulation (ROCETS) program. The first operational mode considers the normal operation. For the engine burn period, the required helium mass and pressure of each propellant tank were calculated. In the second case, the possibility of failure of the pressurization system solenoid valves, its consequence on the over-pressurization, and simultaneous operation of pressurization and vent/relief systems were evaluated.

Hedayat, A.↗

Prediction of crosslink density of solid propellant binders

A quantitative theory is outlined which allows calculation of crosslink density of solid propellant binders from a small number of predetermined parameters such as the binder composition, the functionality distributions of the ingredients, and the extent of the curing reaction. The parameter which is partly dependent on process conditions is the extent of reaction. The proposed theoretical model is verified by independent measurement of effective chain concentration and sol and gel fractions in simple compositions prepared from model compounds. The model is shown to correlate tensile data with composition in the case of urethane-cured polyether and certain solid propellants. A formula for the branching coefficient is provided according to which if one knows the functionality distributions of the ingredients and the corresponding equivalent weights and can measure or predict the extent of reaction, he can calculate the branching coefficient of such a system for any desired composition.

Marsh, H. E., Jr.↗

Free-Space Oscillating Pressures Near the Tips of Rotating Propellers

The theory is given for calculating the free-space oscillating pressures associated with a rotating propeller, at any point in space. Because of its complexity this analysis is convenient only for use in the critical region near the propeller tips where the assumptions used by Gutin to simplify his final equations are not valid. Good agreement was found between analytical and experimental results in the tip Mach number range 0.45 to two, three, four, five, six, on eight-blade propellers and for a range of tip clearances from 0.04 to 0.30 times the propeller diameter. If the power coefficient, tip Mach number, and the tip clearance are known for a given propeller, the designer may determine from these charts the average maximum free-space oscillating pressure in the critical region near the plane of rotation. A section of the report is devoted to the fuselage response to these oscillating pressures and indicates some of the factors to be considered in solving the problems of fuselage vibration and noise.

Hubbard, Harvey H↗

Detail Calculations of the Estimated Shift in Stick-Fixed Neutral Point Due to the Windmilling Propeller and to the Fuselage of the Republic XF-12 Airplane

Detail calculations are presented of the shifts in stick-fixed neutral point of the Republic XF-12 airplane due to the windmilling propellers and to the fuselage. The results of these calculations differ somewhat from those previously made for this airplane by Republic Aviation Corporation personnel under the direction of Langley flight division personnel. Due to these differences the neutral point for the airplane is predicted to be 37.8 percent mean aerodynamic chord, instead of 40.8 percent mean aerodynamic chord as previously reported.

White, M. D.↗