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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 NTRS2006

Finite Element Development of Honeycomb Panel Configurations with Improved Transmission Loss

The higher stiffness-to-mass ratio of a honeycomb panel compared to a homogeneous panel results in a lower acoustic critical frequency. Above the critical frequency the panel flexural wave speed is acoustically fast and the structure becomes a more efficient radiator with associated lower sound transmission loss. Finite element models of honeycomb sandwich structures are presented featuring areas where the core is removed from the radiating face sheet disrupting the supersonic flexural and shear wave speeds that exist in the baseline honeycomb panel. These modified honeycomb panel structures exhibit improved transmission loss for a pre-defined diffuse field sound excitation. The models were validated by the sound transmission loss of honeycomb panels measured in the Structural Acoustic Loads and Transmission (SALT) facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. A honeycomb core panel configuration is presented exhibiting a transmission loss improvement of 3-11 dB compared to a honeycomb baseline panel over a frequency range from 170 Hz to 1000 Hz. The improved transmission loss panel configuration had a 5.1% increase in mass over the baseline honeycomb panel, and approximately twice the deflection when excited by a static force.

Grosveld, Ferdinand W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Theoretical analysis of rotating two phase detonation in a rocket motor

Tangential mode, non-linear wave motion in a liquid propellant rocket engine is studied, using a two phase detonation wave as the reaction model. Because the detonation wave is followed immediately by expansion waves, due to the side relief in the axial direction, it is a Chapman-Jouguet wave. The strength of this wave, which may be characterized by the pressure ratio across the wave, as well as the wave speed and the local wave Mach number, are related to design parameters such as the contraction ratio, chamber speed of sound, chamber diameter, propellant injection density and velocity, and the specific heat ratio of the burned gases. In addition, the distribution of flow properties along the injector face can be computed. Numerical calculations show favorable comparison with experimental findings. Finally, the effects of drop size are discussed and a simple criterion is found to set the lower limit of validity of this strong wave analysis.

Shen, I.↗
DOE OSTI2022

An investigation of shock-induced phase transition in soda-lime glass

There exists a large body of evidence from experiments and molecular dynamics simulations to suggest the occurrence of phase transitions in soda-lime glass (SLG) and other silica glasses subject to shock compression to pressures above 3 GPa. In light of these findings, the current work investigated the existence of phase transition in SLG using shock and release experiments. The experiments employed symmetric SLG–SLG impact to achieve complete unloading to zero stress after shock compression to stresses in the range of 3–7 GPa. The stress–strain response and the Lagrangian release wave speed behavior of SLG obtained from these experiments are seen to reveal a mismatch between the loading and unloading paths of the pressure–strain curve for the material, which serves as compelling evidence for the occurrence of a shock-induced phase transition in the material at relatively low pressures. Furthermore, the release wave speed vs strain data obtained from experiments were used to construct a methodology for modeling the shock and release behavior of SLG. Lastly, this scheme implemented in numerical simulations was able to capture the release behavior of shock compressed SLG, for which a robust and satisfactory model was previously unavailable.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1988

Primary instabilities and bicriticality in flow between counter-rotating cylinders

The primary instabilities and bicritical curves for flow between counter-rotating cylinders have been computed numerically from the Navier-Stokes equations assuming axial periodicity. The computations provide values of the Reynolds numbers, wavenumbers, and wave speeds at the primary transition from Couette flow for radius ratios from 0.40-0.98. Particular attention has been focused on the bicritical curves that separate (as the magnitude of counter-rotation is increased) the transitions from Couette flow to flows with different azimuthal wavenumbers m and m + 1. This lays the foundation for further analysis of nonlinear mode interactions and pattern formation occurring along the bicritical curves and serves as a benchmark for experimental studies. Preliminary experimental measurements of transition Reynolds numbers and wave speeds presented here agree well with the computations from the mathematical model.

Langford, W. F.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mass flow rate effect on a rotating detonation combustor with an axial air injection

Changing the flow rate of reactants being injected into a rotating detonation combustor (RDC) results in interesting behavior of the system. Prior studies have found that an increase in mass flow rate gradually increases the detonation wave speed before splitting the wave into multiple fronts. Here, the focus of this study is in understanding the physics of such behavior through a combination of experiments and numerical simulations. For this purpose, the axial air inlet-based RDC geometry is used. In the experiments, the wave velocity increased similar to prior studies. Corresponding full-scale simulations show that increase in mass flow rate by increasing pressure of the feed plenums shortens the recovery time of the injectors. This causes a more uniform fuel–air mixture to form prior to the arrival of the detonation wave. As a result, a more ideal detonation is observed, which leads to an increased wave velocity. Details of the detonation structure and variation with mass flow rate are analyzed. The presence and variation of the different deflagration zones in such non-premixed RDCs are also discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

How to determine limiting velocities of dislocations in anisotropic crystals

In the continuum limit, the theory of dislocations in crystals predicts a divergence in the elastic energy of the host material at a crystal geometry dependent limiting (or critical) velocity vc. Explicit expressions for vc are scattered throughout the literature and are available in analytic form only for special cases with a high degree of symmetry. The fact that in some cases (like pure edge dislocations in fcc) v c happens to coincide with the lowest shear wave speed of a sound wave traveling parallel to the dislocation's gliding direction has led to further confusion in the more recent literature. The aim of this short review therefore is to provide a concise overview of the limiting velocities for dislocations of arbitrary character in general anisotropic crystals, and how to efficiently compute them, either analytically or numerically.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1998

Relating Stellar Cycle Periods to Dynamo Calculations

Stellar magnetic activity in slowly rotating stars is often cyclic, with the period of the magnetic cycle depending critically on the rotation rate and the convective turnover time of the star. Here we show that the interpretation of this law from dynamo models is not a simple task. It is demonstrated that the period is (unsurprisingly) sensitive to the precise type of non-linearity employed. Moreover the calculation of the wave-speed of plane-wave solutions does not (as was previously supposed) give an indication of the magnetic period in a more realistic dynamo model, as the changes in length-scale of solutions are not easily captured by this approach. Progress can be made, however, by considering a realistic two-dimensional model, in which the radial length-scale of waves is included. We show that it is possible in this case to derive a more robust relation between cycle period and dynamo number. For all the non-linearities considered in the most realistic model, the magnetic cycle period is a decreasing function of IDI (the amplitude of the dynamo number). However, discriminating between different non-linearities is difficult in this case and care must therefore be taken before advancing explanations for the magnetic periods of stars.

Tobias, S. M.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Low Speed Azimuthal Wave Characteristics In a Cathode Plume

A diagnostic technique to measure the azimuthally traveling m=1 mode in the plume of a cathode inside a HET-like magnetic field was developed. The data show the wave accelerating with the increasing magnetic field strength. While the azimuthal wave grows, the presence of a high frequency (>1MHz) instability appears. While the appearance of this wave and general characteristics were observed using this diagnostic technique, further full-thruster environment testing is needed to show the effects the HET beam has on these instabilities

space propulsion↗
NASA NTRS1993

Film condensation in a horizontal rectangular duct

Condensation heat transfer in a horizontal rectangular duct was experimentally and analytically investigated. To prevent the dripping of condensate on the film, the experiment was conducted inside a horizontal rectangular duct with vapor condensing only on the bottom cooled plate of the duct. R-113 and FC-72 (Fluorinert Electronic Fluid developed by the 3M Company) were used as the condensing fluids. The experimental program included measurements of film thickness, local and average heat transfer coefficients, wave length, wave speed, and a study of wave initiation. The measured film thickness was used to obtain the local heat transfer coefficient. The wave initiation was studied both with condensation and with an adiabatic air-liquid flow. The test sections used in both experiments were identical.

Lu, Qing↗
NASA NTRS2007

Dynamics of Nanoscale Grain-Boundary Decohesion in Aluminum by Molecular-Dynamics Simulation

The dynamics and energetics of intergranular crack growth along a flat grain boundary in aluminum is studied by a molecular-dynamics simulation model for crack propagation under steady-state conditions. Using the ability of the molecular-dynamics simulation to identify atoms involved in different atomistic mechanisms, it was possible to identify the energy contribution of different processes taking place during crack growth. The energy contributions were divided as: elastic energy, defined as the potential energy of the atoms in fcc crystallographic state; and plastically stored energy, the energy of stacking faults and twin boundaries; grain-boundary and surface energy. In addition, monitoring the amount of heat exchange with the molecular-dynamics thermostat gives the energy dissipated as heat in the system. The energetic analysis indicates that the majority of energy in a fast growing crack is dissipated as heat. This dissipation increases linearly at low speed, and faster than linear at speeds approaching 1/3 the Rayleigh wave speed when the crack tip becomes dynamically unstable producing periodic dislocation bursts until the crack is blunted.

Yamakov, V.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Non-Destructive Evaluation of Wire Insulation and Coatings

The present invention uses the generation and detection of acoustic guided waves to evaluate the condition of the insulation on electrical wiring. Low order axisymmetric and flexural acoustic modes are generated in the insulated wire and travel partially in the center conductor and partially in the outer insulation. The stiffness of the insulation and the insulation's condition affect the overall wave speed and amplitude of the guided wave. Analysis of the received signal provides information about the age or useful life of the wire insulation. In accordance with the present invention, signal transmission occurs at one location on the electrical wire to be evaluated, and detection occurs at one or more locations along the electrical wire. Additional receivers can be used to improve measurement accuracy. Either the transmission transducer or one or more receiver transducers may be angled at other than 90 degrees to the wire. Generation of the guided waves can be accomplished by imparting a pressure pulse on the wire. Alternative embodiments include generation via a laser, such as a Q-switched laser or a laser diode.

Eric I Madaras↗
NASA NTRS2007

GRMHD/RMHD Simulations and Stability of Magnetized Spine-Sheath Relativistic Jets

A new general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD ) code "RAISHIN" used to simulate jet generation by rotating and non-rotating black holes with a geometrically thin Keplarian accretion disk finds that the jet develops a spine-sheath structure in the rotating black hole case. Spine-sheath structure and strong magnetic fields significantly modify the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) velocity shear driven instability. The RAISHIN code has been used in its relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) configuration to study the effects of strong magnetic fields and weakly relativistic sheath motion, cl2, on the KH instability associated with a relativistic, Y = 2.5, jet spine-sheath interaction. In the simulations sound speeds up to ? c/3 and Alfven wave speeds up to ? 0.56 c are considered. Numerical simulation results are compared to theoretical predictions from a new normal mode analysis of the RMHD equations. Increased stability of a weakly magnetized system resulting from c/2 sheath speeds and stabilization of a strongly magnetized system resulting from d 2 sheath speeds is found.

Hardee, Philip↗
DOE OSTI2022

Time reversal in a phononic crystal using finite-element modeling and an equivalent circuit model

A phononic crystal acts as a dispersive medium with a phase speed that is lower than the bulk wave speed at frequencies below the resonance of a single resonator. Time reversal is used to compensate for the phase shifts caused by individual resonators as the waves enter the medium and enable focusing of acoustic waves among the crystal. An equivalent circuit, which can predict the dispersion and attenuation of the crystal model, is shown and compared to a full-wave finite-element simulation in frequency and time. The phase shift due to a single resonator is also depicted.

Kingsley, Adam D. (ORCID:0000000226611788)↗
NASA NTRS1991

The dependence of wind stress on wave height and wind speed

Three near-neutral boundary layer data sets were investigated with the aim of finding a dependence of wind stress on both wind speed and significant wave height. The data set most representative of open-ocean wave height, wind speed, and momentum flux conditions, was selected and analyzed by means of the least-squares method to produce a new parameterization for the wind stress as a function of both wind speed and significant wave height. This study shows that the wind stress, and consequently the drag coefficient, decreases with increasing wave height for a fixed wind speed. The study also shows that the curvature of the wind profile decreases with increasing wave height and that the C(DN) = A + BU-bar(10) form for the drag coefficient parameterization is inadequate. A drag coefficient that applies to both smooth and rough flows is proposed. These results are more applicable for open-ocean deep-water conditions and less applicable for sheltered, closed, shallow water sites.

Blake, Reginald A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

The effects of mixture preburning on detonation wave propagation

Pressure gain combustion in the form of continuous detonations can provide a significant increase in the efficiency of a variety of propulsion and energy conversion devices. In this regard, rotating detonation engines (RDEs) that utilize an azimuthally-moving detonation wave in annular systems are increasingly seen as a viable approach to realizing pressure gain combustion. However, practical RDEs that employ non- premixed fuel and oxidizer injection need to minimize losses through a number of mechanisms, including turbulence-induced shock-front variations, incomplete fuel-air mixing, and premature deflagration. In this study, a canonical stratified detonation configuration is used to understand the impact of preburning on detonation efficiency. It was found that heat release ahead of the detonation wave leads to weaker shock fronts, delayed combustion of partially-oxidized fuel-air mixture, and non-compact heat release. Furthermore, large variations in wave speeds were observed, which is consistent with wave behavior in full-scale RDEs. Peak pressures in the compression region or near triple points were considerably lower than the theoretically-predicted values for ideal detonations. Analysis of the detonation structure indicates that this deflagration process is parasitic in nature, reducing the detonation efficiency but also leading to heat release far behind the wave that cannot directly strengthen the shock wave. As a result, this parasitic combustion leads to commensal combustion (heat release far downstream of the wave), indicating that it is the root cause of combustion efficiency losses.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1989

On wave stability in relativistic cosmic-ray hydrodynamics

Wave stability of a two-fluid hydrodynamical model describing the acceleration of cosmic rays by the first-order Fermi mechanism in relativistic, cosmic-ray-modified shocks is investigated. For a uniform background state, the short- and long-wavelength wave speeds are shown to interlace, thus assuring wave stability in this case. A JWKB analysis is performed to investigate the stability of short-wavelength thermal gas sound waves in the smooth, decelerating supersonic flow upstream of a relativistic, cosmic-ray-modified shock. The stability of the waves is assessed both in terms of the fluid velocity and density perturbations, as well as in terms of the wave action. The stability and interaction of the short-wavelength cosmic-ray coherent mode with the background flow is also studied.

Webb, G. M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fast Multigrid Reduction-in-Time for Advection via Modified Semi-Lagrangian Coarse-Grid Operators

Many iterative parallel-in-time algorithms have been shown to be highly efficient for diffusion-dominated partial differential equations (PDEs) but are inefficient or even divergent when applied to advection-dominated PDEs. We consider the application of the multigrid reduction-in-time (MGRIT) algorithm to linear advection PDEs. Here, the key to efficient time integration with this method is using a coarse-grid operator that provides a sufficiently accurate approximation to the so-called ideal coarse-grid operator. For certain classes of semi-Lagrangian discretizations, we present a novel semi-Lagrangian-based coarse-grid operator that leads to fast and scalable multilevel time integration of linear advection PDEs. The coarse-grid operator is composed of a semi-Lagrangian discretization followed by a correction term, with the correction designed so that the leading-order truncation error of the composite operator is approximately equal to that of the ideal coarse-grid operator. Parallel results show substantial speed-ups over sequential time integration for variable-wave-speed advection problems in one and two spatial dimensions, and using high-order discretizations up to order five. The proposed approach establishes the first practical method that provides small and scalable MGRIT iteration counts for advection problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗