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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
DOE OSTI2020

A fluid-structure interaction solver for investigating torsional galloping in solar-tracking photovoltaic panel arrays

Solar-tracking photovoltaic arrays are susceptible to aeroelastic fluttering during high-wind events. This dynamic fluttering behavior can grow in amplitude until the panels enter an unstable mode known as torsional galloping which can lead to panel failure or total array destruction. To better understand the physics of the torsional galloping phenomenon and to inform the discussion around panel design and recommended panel stow positions during high wind events, a fluid-structure interaction solver composed of a simulated atmospheric boundary layer with simplified panel structural responses was designed. The simulation choices and features of this solver were informed by the geometry and physical properties of an experimental panel array known to exhibit torsional galloping behavior during hind-wind events. Furthermore, these simulations revealed that the torsional galloping instability is driven by a combination of cyclic vortex shedding from the sun-facing side of the panel and the elastic properties of the torque tube linking the panel assemblies. Testing different stow angles across a range of wind speeds indicates that panels are generally more stable when stowed at negative angles where the leading edge is closer to the ground, hypothesized to be due to ground-blocking effects. These results are supplemented by a discussion of stability trends noted during testing and possible implications when considering multi-row array interactions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chiral kinetic theory of anomalous transport induced by torsion

In Weyl semimetals subjected to torsion, there are two different kinds of chirality: (i) The (coordinate-space) shape of the twisted crystal is chiral and (ii) the momentum space contains chiral quasiparticles. Here we construct a general kinetic theory of anomalous transport using the phase space (coordinate and momentum spaces combined) Berry curvature induced by torsion in Weyl systems. We describe how torsion generates the chiral chemical potential and thus leads to the chiral magnetic effect (CME) in the presence of a background magnetic field. We propose to measure the CME current induced by the torsion as a way to detect the anomalous coupling between the coordinate-space and momentum-space chiralities.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Sensitivity analysis of torsional vibration characteristics of helicopter rotor blades. Part 2: Aerodynamics and sensitivity analysis

A theoretical investigation of dynamic response characteristics of rotor blades was carried out with special emphasis on torsional degrees-of-freedom. Coupled equations of motion for flapwise bending and torsion were formulated at varying azimuth positions for rotor blades with noncollinear aerodynamic, elastic and mass axes. Both structural and aerodynamic mass, damping and stiffness coefficients were included. The variations of a sample blade at different flight conditions were investigated from these equations. The obtained numerical results were illustrated. The sensitivity of overall blade vibration characteristics to torsional oscillations was also investigated from the equations of motion for the sample blade. The illustrated results show the importance of torsional degrees-of-freedom in rotor blade analysis. Various possibilities of improving the overall response by tuning blade geometric, structural and aerodynamic characteristics are discussed.

Bratanow, T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Raman spectra of gases. XVI - Torsional transitions in ethanol and ethanethiol

The Raman spectra of gaseous ethanol and ethanethiol have been investigated. Thiol torsional fundamentals for the gauche conformer of EtSH and EtSD have been observed and the asymmetric potential function for this vibration has been calculated. Methyl torsional transitions and overtones have also been observed for both of these molecules. Barriers to internal rotation for the methyl top are calculated to be 3.77 and 3.84 kcal/mol for the EtSH and EtSD compounds, respectively. Hydroxyl torsional fundamentals were observed at 207 and 170 per cm in the EtOH and EtOD spectra, respectively. Overtones of the methyl torsion in both molecules yield a barrier to internal rotation of 3.62 kcal/mol for the gauche conformer.

Durig, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Aeroelastic stability of coupled flap-lag-torsional motion of helicopter rotor blades in forward flight

A set of coupled periodic nonlinear differential flap-lag-torsional equations of blade motion is described which can simulate a blade having a precone, twist, distributed torsion, root torsion, torque offset, blade-root offsets, and offsets among the elastic axis, the aerodynamic center, and the blade cross-sectional center of mass. It is noted that the aerodynamic loads derived for these equations are applicable to cases of both hover and forward flight. The aeroelastic stability of a hingeless helicopter blade is investigated by linearizing the nonlinear differential equations of motion about a time-dependent equilibrium position of the helicopter in forward flight, using propulsion and moment trim procedures. A comparison of the results with those obtained previously for coupled flap-lag-torsional boundaries in hover indicates that aeroelastic-stability margins are degraded due to forward flight.

Friedmann, P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Can a macroscopic gyroscope feel torsion

We demonstrate that for a large class of Lagrangian-based torsion theories a macroscopic gyroscope is insensitive to the torsion field: there can be no coupling of the torsion to the gyroscope's angular momentum of rotation. To detect torsion a polarized system with a net elementary particle spin is needed. These conclusions are evident from the conservation laws, which form the basis for deriving the equations of motion.

Stoeger, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Wind-tunnel investigation of the effects of blade tip geometry on the interaction of torsional loads and performance for an articulated helicopter rotor

The Langley transonic dynamics tunnel was used to determine the degree of correlation between rotor performance and the dynamic twist generated by changes in blade tip geometry using an articulated rotor with four different tip geometries at advance ratios of 0.20, 0.30 and 0.35. Based on the data obtained, it is concluded that: (1) there appears to be no strong correlation between blade torsion loads and rotor performance prediction; (2) for a given rotor task at each advance ratio investigated, both the azimuthal variation of torsional moment and the mean torsional moment at 81% radius are configuration dependent; (3) reducing the nose down twist on the advancing blade appears to be more important to forward flight performance than increasing the nose down twist on the retreating blade; (4) the rotor inflow model used was important in predicting the performance of the adaptive rotor; and (5) neither rigid blade solidity effects, inflow environment, nor blade torsion loads can be used alone to accurately predict active rotor performance.

Yeager, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effects of warping and pretwist on torsional vibration of rotating beams

The effect of pretwist and warping on the torsional vibration of short-aspect-ratio rotating beams is examined for application to the modeling of turbofan, turboprop, and compressor blades. The equations of motion and the associated boundary conditions by using both Wagner's hypothesis and Washizu's theory are derived and a few minor limitations of the Wagner's hypothesis, as applied to thick blades, are pointed out and discussed. The equations for several special cases are solved in a closed form. Results are presented indicating the effect of warping, pretwist, and rotation on torsional vibration of beams as aspect ratio is varied. The results show that the structural warping and pretwist terms have a significant effect on torsional frequency and mode shapes of short-aspect-ratio blades whereas the inertial warping terms have negligible effect. Since the torsional frequencies and mode shapes are very important in aeroelastic analyses by using modal methods, the structural warping terms should be included in modeling turbofan, turboprop, compressor, and turbine blades.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Torsion effect on fully developed flow in a helical pipe

Two techniques, a series expansion method of perturbed Poiseuille flow valid for low Dean numbers and a solution of the complete Navier-Stokes equation applicable to intermediate Dean values, are used to investigate the torsion effect on the fully developed laminar flow in a helical pipe of constant circular cross section. For the secondary flow patterns, the results show that the presence of torsion can produce a significant effect if the ratio of the curvature to the torsion is of order unity. The secondary flow is distorted in these cases. It is noted that the torsion effect is, however, usually small, and that the secondary flow has the usual pattern of a pair of counter-rotating vortices of nearly equal strength.

Kao, Hsiao C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ocular torsion in upright and tilted positions during hypo- and hypergravity of parabolic flight

Four subjects considered resistant to motion sickness were tested in KC-135 parabolic flight to examine ocular torsion at hypo-gravity and hypergravity. Three of these subjects showed no significant torsion at zero G in either the upright position or when tilted 30 deg to right or left. At 1.8 G in the tilted positions, they showed greater ocular counterrolling than at 1 G. None of these three subjects became motion sick. The fourth subject showed eye torsion toward his left in all positions at zero G. This leftward bias could also be seen at 1.8 G when tilted left ear down, the side that induces rightward counterrolling. There he had less eye torsion than at 1 G. This subject became motion sick. These results support the hypothesis that asymmetry of the utricular system may be well compensated in the normal 1 G environment, but unmasked in unaccustomed gravitational situations, suggesting a possible predictive test for space adaptation syndrome.

Diamond, Shirley G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Flexure-torsion behavior of sheat-deformable beams with applications to aircraft wing sections

The flexure-torsion behavior of a tip-loaded cantilever beam with an arbitrary cross-section is studied using Saint-Venant's semi-inverse method along with a power series solution for the out-of-plane flexure and torsion warping functions. The power series coefficients are determined by solving a set of variationally derived linear algebraic equations. For complex cross-sections, the calculated coefficients represent a 'best-fit approximation' to the exact warping function. The resulting warping functions are used to determine the cross-section properties including: the torsion constant, shear deformation coefficients, shear correction factors, and the shear center location. A new linear relation is developed for locating the shear center using the Saint-Venant flexure and torsion solutions, where the twist rate is zero about the line of shear centers (not the centroidal axis). Numerical results are presented for a triangular cross-section and different NACA airfoils.

Kosmatka, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

In-phase and out-of-phase axial-torsional fatigue behavior of Haynes 188 at 760 C

Isothermal, in-phase and out-of-phase axial-torsional fatigue experiments have been conducted at 760 C on uniform gage section, thin-walled tubular specimens of a wrought cobalt-base superalloy, Haynes 188. Test-control and data acquisition were accomplished with a minicomputer. Fatigue lives of the in- and out-of-phase axial-torsional fatigue tests have been estimated with four different multiaxial fatigue life prediction models that were developed primarly for predicting axial-torsional fatigue lives at room temperature. The models investigated were: (1) the von Mises equivalent strain range; (2) the Modified Multiaxiality Factor Approach; (3) the Modified Smith-Watson-Topper Parameter; and (4) the critical shear plane method of Fatemi, Socie, and Kurath. In general, life predictions by the von Mises equivalent strain range model were within a factor of 2 for a majority of the tests and the predictions by the Modified Multiaxiality Factor Approach were within a factor of 2, while predictions of the Modified Smith-Watson-Topper Parameter and of the critical shear plane method of Fatemi, Socie, and Kurath were unconservative and conservative, respectively, by up to factors of 4. In some of the specimens tested under combined axial-torsional loading conditions, fatigue cracks initiated near extensometer indentations. Two design modifications have been proposed to the thin-walled tubular specimen to overcome this problem.

Kalluri, Sreeramesh↗
NASA NTRS1936

Torsion and buckling of open sections

Following an abstract of the well-known theory of torsion in compression, the writers give directions for the practical calculation of the values of C(sub BT) (resistance to flexure and torsion) and i(sub SP(exp 2)), which determine the torsion. The second part treats the experiments in support of the theory of torsion of plain and flanged angle sections.

Wagner, H↗
NASA NTRS1996

Development of Torsional and Linear Piezoelectrically Driven Motors

The development of rotary and linear inchworm-motors using piezoelectric actuators is presented. The motors' design has the advantage of a macro and micro stepper motor with high load and speed. The torsional design is capable of fast angular positioning with micro level accuracy. Additionally, the rotary motor, as designed, can be used as a clutch/brake mechanism. Constructed prototype motors of both types along with their characteristics are presented. The torsional motor consists of a torsional section that provides angular displacement and torque, and two alternating clamping sections which provide the holding force. The motor relies on the principal piezoelectric coupling coefficient (d33) with no torsional elements, increasing its torque capability. The linear motor consists of a longitudinal vibrator that provides displacement and load, and two alternating clamping sections which provide the holding force. This design eliminates bending moment, tension and shear applied to the actuator elements, increase its load capability and life. Innovative flexure designs have been introduced for both motor types. Critical issues that affect the design and performance of the motors are explored and discussed. Experiments are performed demonstrating the motor prototypes based on the aforementioned design considerations.

Duong, Khanh↗
NASA NTRS1959

Effects of Cross-Sectional Shape, Solidity, and Distribution of Heat-Transfer Coefficient on the Torsional Stiffness of Thin Wings Subjected to Aerodynamic Heating

A study has been made of the effects of varying the shape, solidity, and heat-transfer coefficient of thin wings with regard to their influence on the torsional-stiffness reduction induced by aerodynamic heating. The variations in airfoil shape include blunting, flattening, and combined blunting and flattening of a solid wing of symmetrical double-wedge cross section. Hollow double-wedge wings of constant skin thickness with and without internal webs also are considered. The effects of heat-transfer coefficients appropriate for laminar and turbulent flow are investigated in addition to a step transition along the chord from a lower to a higher constant value of heat-transfer coefficient. From the results given it is concluded that the flattening of a solid double wedge decreases the reduction in torsional stiffness while slight degrees of blunting increase the loss. The influence of chordwise variations in heat-transfer coefficient due to turbulent and laminar boundary-layer flow on the torsional stiffness of solid wings is negligible. The effect of a step transition in heat-transfer coefficient along the chord of a solid wing can, however, become appreciable. The torsional-stiffness reduction of multiweb and hollow double-wedge wings is substantially less than that calculated for a solid wing subjected to the same heating conditions.

Thomson, Robert G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ab initio study of the electrostatic multipole nature of torsional potentials in CH3SSCH3, CH3SSH, and HOOH

The origin of torsional potentials in H3CSSCH3, H3CSSH, and HOOH and the anisotropy of the local charge distribution has been analyzed in terms of atomic multipoles calculated from the ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF wave function in the 6-31G* basis set. The results indicate that for longer -S-S-bonds the major contribution to these torsional barriers are electrostatic interactions of the atomic multipoles located on two atoms forming the rotated bond. This finding demonstrates the important role of electrostatic 1-2 interatomic interactions, usually neglected in conformational studies. It also opens the possibility to derive directly from accurate ab initio wave functions a simple nonempirical torsional potential involving atomic multipoles of two bonded atoms defining the torsional angle. For shorter -O-O- bonds, use of more precise models and inclusion of 1-3 interactions seems to be necessary.

NASA Program Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS2010

Ultrasonic Monitoring of Ply Crack and Delamination Formation in Composite Tube Under Torsion Load

As a simple model of a rotor spar, a circular graphite-epoxy composite laminate cylinder was subjected to cyclic torsional load. The test section of the cylindrical specimen varied from four to six plies of plus or minus 45 degree fibers, due to intentional ply overlaps and gaps. A layer of 13-micrometer Teflon film was inserted between plies at three locations to serve as delamination initiators. A commercial X-Y scanner was mounted to the load frame to enable ultrasonic inspection without removing the specimen. A focused immersion probe was mounted in a captive water column with a rugged Nitrile membrane tip, which was coupled to the cylinder using a mist of soapy water. The transducer was aligned normal to the cylinder surface using the X-axis. Scanning was performed along the length of the specimen with the Y-axis and the specimen was incrementally rotated by the torsion head of the load frame. After 350k cycles of torsion, several linear 45 degree diagonal indications appeared as 5-40% attenuation of the back wall echo, with no apparent echoes from the interior of the composite, suggesting through-ply cracks in the innermost ply. Crack indications grew and new cracks appeared as torsion cycling continued. Internal reflections from delaminations associated with the growing ply cracks appeared after 500k cycles. Three areas of extensive multi-layer delaminations appeared after 1150k cycles. Failure of the specimen occurred at 1600k cycles. The observed progressive damage was not associated with the Teflon inclusions. Concurrent thermographic measurements provided lower resolution confirmation of the damage observed.

Johnston, P. H.↗
DOE OSTI2024

In situ measurement of three-dimensional intergranular stress localizations and grain yielding under elastoplastic axial-torsional loading

The three-dimensional grain-averaged response of solid bar samples under non-proportional (NP) elastoplastic axial-torsional loading was investigated using in situ high energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) and companion crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) modeling. Important stress metrics including applied shear (σ θZ ) and axial (σ ZZ ) stress tensor components, stress and stress deviator tensor invariants (I 1 , J 2 , and J 3 ), von Mises equivalent stress (σ$^{grain}_{VM}$), maximum resolved shear stress (mRSS), stress triaxiality (η), and lode angle parameter ($\barθ$) values were tracked for ~300 grains under two different loading conditions: (1) Torsion-dominated loading (low NP) and (2) Tension-torsion loading (high NP) in equiatomic NiCoCr, a representative multicomponent face-centered cubic (FCC) superalloy. Overall, significant stress localizations existed within both samples as evidenced by the radial dependence of grain-resolved σ θZ , σ$^{grain}_{VM}$, and J 2 ; by comparison, I 1 , J 3 , η, and $\barθ$ metrics did not show discernible trends within the volume. These stress localizations reveal a complex interplay between axial and shear stress components (e.g., stress coupling) resulting in grain yielding near the sample surface largely driven by shear stress, whereas internal grain yielding was largely accommodated by axial stress. Grain-resolved stress localization trends were described well by the CPFE model, although some discrepancies in magnitude occurred, particularly for volumetric stress metrics (I 1 and η) due to initial type II residual stress distributions. The superposition of initial residual stress states onto CPFE grain-resolved data significantly improved model accuracy for η. This suggests that residual stresses more strongly influence the simulation of volumetric rather than deviatoric (yield) stress metrics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗