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At least 739 records · Page 41

A simple time-accurate turbomachinery algorithm with numerical solutions of an uneven blade count configuration

The present computer algorithm for the time-accurate flow analysis of rotating turbomachines is based on the finite-volume method and employs a high-resolution approximate Riemann solver for interface flux definitions and an implicit numerical scheme that possesses apparent unconditional stability. Block-block interfaces, including dynamic ones, are treated in such a way as to mimic interior block communication. The turbomachine configurations treated by way of illustration are 8-8-bladed and 11-9-bladed versions of a contrarotating unducted fan engine.

Janus, J. Mark↗

Laser velocimeter measurements of the flowfield generated by an advanced counterrotating propeller

Results are presented of an 0.72 regime, with the advance ratio of each rotor set at 2.80. The measured data indicate only a slight influence of the potential field of each front rotor blade on the flowfield upstream of the rotor. The data measured downstream of the front rotor characterize the tip vortices, vortex sheets and potential field nonuniformities generated by the front rotor. The unsteadiness of the flow in the rotating frame of reference of the aft rotor is also illustrated.

Podboy, Gary G.↗

Statistical fluctuations in Monte Carlo calculations

The time counter and modified Nanbu simulation techniques are analyzed, with emphasis placed on the convergence of the calculations to a steady macroscopic state. Such variables as translational and rotational temperature, and flow velocity, sampled at several points in the flowfield, are considered. Both macroscopic averages and molecular distribution functions are analyzed. The calculation of inelastic collisions, in which transfer of energy between translational and internal energy modes is performed, is achieved through the use of the Larsen-Borgnakke phenomenological model. It is noted that, with reference to translational temperature, the time counter method shows less statistical scatter than that found with the modified Nanbu simulation technique.

Boyd, I. D.↗

Forebody vortex control as a complement to thrust vectoring

The desire to enhance the controllability of fighter aircraft at high angles of attack, particularly yaw control, has fostered an interest in both vectored thrust and active control of forebody vortices. This paper reviews several methods of forebody vortex control that have been investigated with water and wind tunnel tests of both generic and actual fighter configurations. The methods investigated include pneumatic or blowing techniques using surface-mounted jets and slots, surface suction, variable-height deployable strakes, and rotatable tip strakes. Flow visualization, and force and moment measurements have shown that all of the methods are effective in manipulating the forebody vortices over a wide range of angles of attack and sideslip, primarily through control over flow separation on the surface of the forebody. All are most effective when applied near the forebody tip. The advantages and limitations of the various methods are reviewed.

Malcolm, G. N.↗

A dynamic subgrid-scale eddy viscosity model

One major drawback of the eddy viscosity subgrid-scale stress models used in large-eddy simulations is their inability to represent correctly with a single universal constant different turbulent field in rotating or sheared flows, near solid walls, or in transitional regimes. In the present work, a new eddy viscosity model is presented which alleviates many of these drawbacks. The model coefficient is computed dynamically as the calculation progresses rather than input a priori. The model is based on an algebraic identity (Germano 1990) between the subgrid-scale stresses at two different filtered levels and the resolved turbulent stresses. The subgrid-scale stresses obtained using the proposed model vanish in laminar flow and at a solid boundary, and have the correct asymptotic behavior in the near-wall region of a turbulent boundary layer. The results of large-eddy simulations of transitional and turbulent channel flow that use the proposed model are in good agreement with the direct simulation data.

Germano, Massimo↗

Staircase ion signature in the polar cusp - A case study

On 15 October, 1981 Dynamics Explorer 2 crossed the polar cusp at 1015 MLT and observed three distinct ion populations as it was moving poleward. These three populations had peak-flux energy around 2.7 keV, 850 eV, and 360 eV. At the time of observation, the IMF was southward. The first step coincided with a rotation of the flow from westward to poleward and then eastward. The second and third steps showed a flow directed principally poleward. Furthermore, the magnetic and electric perturbations in the first step are well fitted by an elongated flux tube footprint model. These results suggest that three consecutive Flux Transfer Events (FTEs) have injected solar wind plasma into the ionosphere forming the polar cusp. The individual FTE signatures can only be identified by the jumps in the precipitation pattern. The newest reconnected FTE footprint was crossed near the edge of the event while the two oldest ones were crossed around the event center. The small latitudinal size of these FTE footprints (40 km) and their short recurrence rate (3, 6 min) is consistent with an intermittent reconnection taking place at the subsolar point on a short time scale.

Escoubet, C. P.↗

Distinct ion population in the polar cusp: Possible signature of transient reconnection

Observations of ion energy dispersion, a common feature of the polar cusp, are discussed. Normally these dispersions show a continuous decrease in energy. However, they occasionally show steplike features in the dispersion. On 15 Oct. 1981, Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) crossed the polar cusp at 1015 MLT and observed three distinct ion populations as the spacecraft moved poleward. These three populations had peak flux energy around 2.7 keV, 850 eV, and 360 eV. The first step coincided with a rotation of the flow; the flow being directed westward on the equatorward edge, poleward in the center, and eastward on the poleward edge. The second and third stems showed a flow directed principally poleward. Furthermore, the magnetic and electric perturbations in the first step are well fitted by an elongated Flux Transfer Event (FTE) footprint model. These results suggest that three consecutive FTE's have injected solar wind plasma into the ionosphere forming the polar cusp. The small latitudinal size of these FTE footprints (approximately 40 km) and their short recurrence rate (3 and 6 min) would be consistent with an intermittent reconnection taking place at the subsolar point in a short time scale.

Escoubet, C. P.↗

The development of a scalable parallel 3-D CFD algorithm for turbomachinery

Two algorithms capable of computing a transonic 3-D inviscid flow field about rotating machines are considered for parallel implementation. During the study of these algorithms, a significant new method of measuring the performance of parallel algorithms is developed. The theory that supports this new method creates an empirical definition of scalable parallel algorithms that is used to produce quantifiable evidence that a scalable parallel application was developed. The implementation of the parallel application and an automated domain decomposition tool are also discussed.

Luke, Edward Allen↗

Study of atmospheric dynamics

In order to better understand the dynamics of the global atmosphere, a data set of precision temperature measurements was developed using the NASA built Microwave Sounding Unit. Modeling research was carried out to validate global model outputs using various satellite data. Idealized flows in a rotating annulus were studied and applied to the general circulation of the atmosphere. Dynamic stratospheric ozone fluctuations were investigated. An extensive bibliography and several reprints are appended.

Mcnider, Richard T.↗

Development of a near-wall Reynolds-stress closure based on the SSG model for the pressure strain

In this research, a near-wall second-order closure based on the Speziable et al.(1991) or SSG model for the pressure-strain term is proposed. Unlike the LRR model, the SSG model is quasi-nonlinear and yields better results when applied to calculate rotating homogeneous turbulent flows. An asymptotic analysis near the wall is applied to both the exact and modeled, equations so that appropriate near-wall corrections to the SSG model and the modeled dissipation-rate equation can be derived to satisfy the physical wall boundary conditions as well as the asymptotic near-wall behavior of the exact equations. Two additional model constants are introduced and they are determined by calibrating against one set of near-wall channel flow data. Once determined, their values are found to remain constant irrespective of the type of flow examined. The resultant model is used to calculate simple turbulent flows, near separating turbulent flows, complex turbulent flows and compressible turbulent flows with a freestream Mach number as high as 10. In all the flow cases investigated, the calculated results are in good agreement with data. This new near-wall model is less ad hoc, physically and mathematically more sound and eliminates the empiricism introduced by Zhang. Therefore, it is quite general, as demonstrated by the good agreement achieved with measurements covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers and Mach numbers.

So, R. M. C.↗

An extended structure-based model based on a stochastic eddy-axis evolution equation

We have proposed and implemented an extension of the structure-based model for weak deformations. It was shown that the extended model will correctly reduce to the form of standard k-e models for the case of equilibrium under weak mean strain. The realizability of the extended model is guaranteed by the method of its construction. The predictions of the proposed model were very good for rotating homogeneous shear flows and for irrotational axisymmetric contraction, but were seriously deficient in the case of plane strain and axisymmetric expansion. We have concluded that the problem behind these difficulties lies in the algebraic constitutive equation relating the Reynolds stresses to the structure parameters rather than in the slow model developed here. In its present form, this equation assumes that under irrotational strain the principal axes of the Reynolds stresses remain locked onto those of the eddy-axis tensor. This is correct in the RDT limit, but inappropriate under weaker mean strains, when the non-linear eddy-eddy interactions tend to misalign the two sets of principal axes and create some non-zero theta and gamma.

Kassinos, S. C.↗

Heat Transfer from a Horizontal Cylinder Rotating in Oil

Measurements of the heat transfer from a horizontal cylinder rotating about its axis have been made with oil as the surrounding fluid to provide an addition to the heat-transfer results for this system heretofore available only for air. The results embrace a Prandtl number range from about 130 to 660, with Reynolds numbers up to 3 x 10(exp 4), and show an increasing dependence of free-convection heat transfer on rotation as the Prandtl number is increased by reducing the oil temperature. Some correlation of this effect, which agrees with the prior results for air, has been achieved. At higher rotative speeds the flow becomes turbulent, the free- convection effect vanishes, and the results with oil can be correlated generally with those for air and with mass-transfer results for even higher Prandtl numbers. For this system, however, the analogy calculations which have successfully related the heat transfer to the friction for pipe flows at high Prandtl numbers fail.

Seban, R. A.↗

Reduction of Defects in Germanium-Silicon

It is well established that crystals grown without contact with a container have far superior quality to otherwise similar crystals grown in direct contact with a container. In addition to float-zone processing, detached-Bridgman growth is often cited as a promising tool to improve crystal quality, without the limitations of float zoning. Detached growth has been found to occur quite often during microgravity experiments and considerable improvements of crystal quality have been reported for those cases. However, no thorough understanding of the process or quantitative assessment of the quality improvements exists so far. This project will determine the means to reproducibly grow Ge-Si alloys in the detached mode. Specific objectives include: (1) measurement of the relevant material parameters such as contact angle, growth angle, surface tension, and wetting behavior of the GeSi-melt on potential crucible materials; (2) determination of the mechanism of detached growth including the role of convection; (3) quantitative determination of the differences of defects and impurities among normal Bridgman, detached Bridgman, and floating zone (FZ) growth; (4) investigation of the influence of defined azimuthal or meridional flow due to rotating magnetic fields on the characteristics of detached growth; (5) control time-dependent Marangoni convection in the case of FZ-growth by the use of a rotating magnetic field to examine the influence on the curvature of the solid-liquid interface and the heat and mass transport; and (6) grow high quality GeSi-single crystals with Si-concentration up to 10 at% and diameters up to 20 mm.

Szofran, Frank R.↗

Reduction of Defects in Germanium-Silicon

It is well established that crystals grown without contact with a container have far superior quality to otherwise similar crystals grown in direct contact with a container. In addition to float- zone processing, detached-Bridgman growth is often cited as a promising tool to improve crystal quality, without the limitations of float zoning. Detached growth has been found to occur quite often during micro-g experiments and considerable improvements of crystal quality have been reported for those cases. However, no thorough understanding of the process or quantitative assessment of the quality improvements exists so far. This project will determine the means to reproducibly grow Ge-Si alloys in the detached mode. Specific objectives include: (1) measurement of the relevant material parameters such as contact angle, growth angle, surface tension, and wetting behavior of the GeSi-melt on potential crucible materials; (2) determination of the mechanism of detached growth including the role of convection; (3) quantitative determination of the differences of defects and impurities among normal Bridgman, detached Bridgman, and Floating Zone (FZ) growth; (4) investigation of the influence of defined azimuthal or meridional flow due to rotating magnetic fields on the characteristics of detached growth; (5) control time-dependent Marangoni convection in the case of FZ-growth by the use of a rotating magnetic field to examine the influence on the curvature of the solid-liquid interface and the heat and mass transport; and (6) grow high quality GeSi-single crystals with Si-concentration up to 10 at% and diameters up to 20 mm.

Szofran, Frank R.↗

The Critical Role of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Rotary-Wing Aerodynamics

Helicopter rotor aerodynamics is basically the study of unsteady aerodynamic flows in a rotating and translating coordinate system. Current trends in this field are briefly reviewed by examining recent advances in lifting-surface theory, wake modeling, panel methods, and finite-difference models' Examples are used to illustrate selected current methods and some indications of promising future directions are highlighted.

Davis, Sanford S.↗

The State of Scientific Visualization with Regard to the NASA EOS Mission to Planet Earth

In support of the mission to better understand the dynamics of the global atmosphere, John R. Christy and Nathaniel D. Reynolds investigated a wide range of topics. Christy worked closely with NASA scientist Roy Spencer to develop a data set of precision temperature measurements using the NASA built Microwave Sounding Unit. The data from this effort has received international recognition as they provide a source of precise information for the most difficult of environmental issues in the global climate change arena. In addition, Christy coordinated modeling research with NASA scientist Franklin Robertson with research focusing on the validation of global model output using various satellite data with sophisticated statistical techniques. Reynolds worked with NASA scientist Timothy Miller on idealized flows in a rotating annulus and the application of the results to the general circulation of the atmosphere. Additional work was carried out in investigation of stratospheric ozone fluctuations due to dynamical causes.

Christy, John R.↗

Simulation and Modeling of the Elliptic Streamline Flow

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) was used to study homogeneous turbulence with a mean flow having elliptic streamlines. This flow combines the effects of rotation and strain on the turbulence. There are many important reasons for studying the elliptic streamline flow. This flow contains the effects of both rotation and strain and is therefore similar to the mean flow in a vortex strained in the plane perpendicular to its axis. Such flows provide insight into the fundamental vortical interactions within turbulence. A strained vortex also occurs in airplane wakes, in which each wingtip vortex induces a strain field on the other. The strain field can affect the stability of these vortices and thereby their turbulent structure downstream. The ability to understand and predict the turbulent structure of the vortices is important to the wake hazard problem which is of major concern for the safety of commercial aircraft.

Blaisdell, Gregory A.↗