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At least 775 records · Page 43

A numerical parametric study of a scramjet inlet in a Mach 6 arc heated test facility

A numerical study of the NASA Langley Arc Heated Scramjet Test Facility (AHSTF) is reported. The facility test flow through the Mach 6 quasi-two-dimensional nozzle was computed, and the flow through the Langley parametric inlet was calculated using different regions of the computed facility nozzle exit flow as inflow, exploring in more detail the effect of boundary layer ingestion on inlet performance. The potential advantage of using a quasi-two-dimensional nozzle in the Langley AHSTF versus the square cross-sectioned nozzle currently used for Scramujet engine tests is explored in terms of resulting inlet performance.

Sekar, B.↗

Transient behavior of supersonic flow through inlets

A solution technique to compute inlet flow behavior is presented. The phenomena of inlet unstart and restart are investigated using a flux-split procedure applied to the Euler and Reduced Navier Stokes (RNS) equations. A time consistent direct sparse matrix solver in conjunction with a domain decomposition strategy is applied to compute the transient flow behavior both internal and external to the inlet. Time varying shocks and time varying recirculation regions are efficiently analyzed. The code is quite general and is suitable for the computation of flow for a wide variety of geometries and over a wide range of Mach and Reynolds numbers.

Pordal, H. S.↗

CFD analysis for high speed inlets

The increased national interest in high speed flight has increased research for high speed propulsion components. The highly 3-D flows present in supersonic/hypersonic inlets are currently being studied at NASA-Lewis both experimentally and computationally using a family of steady Parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) and Navier-Stokes (NS) solvers and unsteady NS solvers. Some of the results of these efforts are presented with an emphasis on the comparison of the computational and experimental results. The flow in high speed inlets typically involves the interaction of compression shock waves and boundary layers on the internal surfaces. The fundamentals of these interactions have been studied experimentally for many years, while more recently, computations have been used to study these complex 3-D flow fields. Attempts to control the flow through boundary layer bleed are being investigated computationally prior to wind tunnel experiments. The ultimate goal is the higher performing inlets required for high speed flight.

Benson, Tom↗

The aerodynamic characteristics of vortex ingestion for the F/A-18 inlet duct

A Reduced Navier-Stokes (RNS) solution technique was successfully combined with the concept of partitioned geometry and mesh generation to form a very efficient 3D RNS code aimed at the analysis-design engineering environment. Partitioned geometry and mesh generation is a pre-processor to augment existing geometry and grid generation programs which allows the solver to (1) recluster an existing gridlife mesh lattice, and (2) perturb an existing gridfile definition to alter the cross-sectional shape and inlet duct centerline distribution without returning to the external geometry and grid generator. The present results provide a quantitative validation of the initial value space marching 3D RNS procedure and demonstrates accurate predictions of the engine face flow field, with a separation present in the inlet duct as well as when vortex generators are installed to supress flow separation. The present results also demonstrate the ability of the 3D RNS procedure to analyze the flow physics associated with vortex ingestion in general geometry ducts such as the F/A-18 inlet. At the conditions investigated, these interactions are basically inviscid like, i.e., the dominant aerodynamic characteristics have their origin in inviscid flow theory.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

Performance of a high-work, low-aspect-ratio turbine stator tested with a realistic inlet radial temperature gradient

A 0.767-scale model of a turbine stator designed for the core of a high-bypass-ratio aircraft engine was tested with uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The principal measurements were radial and circumferential surveys of stator-exit total temperature, total pressure, and flow angle. The stator-exit flow field was also computed by using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. Other than temperature, there were no apparent differences in performance due to the inlet conditions. The computed results compared quite well with the experimental results.

Stabe, Roy G.↗

A pressure flux-split technique for computation of inlet flow behavior

A method for calculating the flow field in aircraft engine inlets is presented. The phenomena of inlet unstart and restart are investigated. Solutions of the reduced Navier-Stokes (RNS) equations are obtained with a time consistent direct sparse matrix solver that computes the transient flow field both internal and external to the inlet. Time varying shocks and time varying recirculation regions can be efficiently analyzed. The code is quite general and is suitable for the computation of flow for a wide variety of geometries and over a wide range of Mach and Reynolds numbers.

Pordal, H. S.↗

A Computational and Experimental Investigation of a Three-Dimensional Hypersonic Scramjet Inlet Flow Field

A combined computational and experimental parametric study of the internal aerodynamics of a generic three dimensional sidewall compression scramjet inlet configuration was performed. The study was designed to demonstrate the utility of computational fluid dynamics as a design tool in hypersonic inlet flow fields, to provide a detailed account of the nature and structure of the internal flow interactions, and to provide a comprehensive surface property and flow field database to determine the effects of contraction ratio, cowl position, and Reynolds number on the performance of a hypersonic scramjet inlet configuration.

Holland, Scott Douglas↗

Methane oxidation in Saanich Inlet during summer stratification

Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, an fjord on the southeast coast of Vancouver Island, typically stratifies in summer, leading to the formation of an oxic-anoxic interface in the water column and accumulation of methane in the deep water. The results of methane concentration measurements in the water column of the inlet at various times throughout the summer months in 1983 are presented. Methane gradients and calculated diffusive fluxes across the oxic-anoxic interface increased as the summer progressed. Methane distribution and consumption in Saanich Inlet were studied in more detail during August 1986. At this time, a typical summer stratification with an oxic-anoxic interface around 140 m was present. At the interface, steep gradients in nutrient concentrations, bacterial abundance and methane concentration were observed. Methane oxidation was detected in the aerobic surface waters and in the anaerobic deep layer, but highest rates occurred in a narrow layer at the oxic-anoxic interface. Estimated methane oxidation rates were suffcient to consume 100 percent of the methane provided by diffusive flux from the anoxic layer. Methane oxidation is thus a mechanism whereby atmospheric flux from anoxic waters is minimized.

Ward, B. B.↗

Development of the HIDEC inlet integration mode

The Highly Integrated Digital Electronic Control (HIDEC) development program conducted at NASA-Ames/Dryden will use an F-15 test aircraft for flight demonstration. An account is presently given of the HIDEC Inlet Integration mode's design concept, control law, and test aircraft implementation, with a view to its performance benefits. The enhancement of performance is a function of the use of Digital Electronic Engine Control corrected engine airflow computations to improve the scheduling of inlet ramp positions in real time; excess thrust can thereby be increased by 13 percent at Mach 2.3 and 40,000 ft. Aircraft supportability is also improved through the obviation of inlet controllers.

Chisholm, J. D.↗

Estimation of additive forces and moments for supersonic inlets

A technique for estimating the additive forces and moments associated with supersonic, external compression inlets as a function of mass flow ratio has been developed. The technique makes use of a low order supersonic paneling method for calculating minimum additive forces at maximum mass flow conditions. A linear relationship between the minimum additive forces and the maximum values for fully blocked flow is employed to obtain the additive forces at a specified mass flow ratio. The method is applicable to two-dimensional inlets at zero or nonzero angle of attack, and to axisymmetric inlets at zero angle of attack. Comparisons with limited available additive drag data indicate fair to good agreement.

Perkins, Stanley C., Jr.↗

The aerodynamic characteristics of vortex ingestion for the F/A-18 inlet duct

A Reduced Navier-Stokes (RNS) solution technique was successfully combined with the concept of partitioned geometry and mesh generation to form a very efficient 3-D RNS code aimed at the analysis-design engineering environment. Partitioned geometry and mesh generation is a pre-processor to augment existing geometry and grid generation programs which allows the solver to (1) recluster an existing gridlife mesh lattice, and (2) perturb an existing gridfile definition to alter the cross-sectional shape and inlet duct centerline distribution without returning to the external geometry and grid generator. The present results provide a quantitative validation of the initial value space marching 3-D RNS procedure and demonstrates accurate predictions of the engine face flow field, with a separation present in the inlet duct as well as when vortex generators are installed to suppress flow separation. The present results also demonstrate the ability of the 3-D RNS procedure to analyze the flow physics associated with vortex ingestion in general geometry ducts such as the F/A-18 inlet. At the conditions investigated, these interactions are basically inviscid like, i.e., the dominant aerodynamic characteristics have their origin in inviscid flow theory.

Anderson, Bernhard H.↗

Water droplet impingement on airfoils and aircraft engine inlets for icing analysis

This paper includes the results of a significant research program for verification of computer trajectory codes used in aircraft icing analysis. Experimental water droplet impingement data have been obtained in the NASA Lewis Research Center Icing Research Tunnel for a wide range of aircraft geometries and test conditions. The body whose impingement characteristics are required is covered at strategic locations by thin strips of moisture absorbing (blotter) paper and then exposed to an airstream containing a dyed-water spray cloud. Water droplet impingement data are extracted from the dyed blotter strips by measuring the optical reflectance of the dye deposit on the strips with an automated reflectometer. Impingement characteristics for all test geometries have also been calculated using two recently developed trajectory computer codes. Good agreement is obtained with experimental data. The experimental and analytical data show that maximum impingement efficiency and impingement limits increase with mean volumetric diameter for all geometries tested. For all inlet geometries tested, as the inlet mass flow is reduced, the maximum impingement efficiency is reduced and the location of the maximum impingement shifts toward the inlet inner cowl.

Papadakis, Michael↗

The impact of LO-configured forebodies on inlet approach flowfields

The stress on low observability (LO) characteristics has directed fighter aircraft forebody configurations toward contours which generate strong vortices in the vicinity of the fuselage half-breadth, in both maneuvering and cruising flight conditions; these vortices can reduce integrated inlet performance and degrade inlet/engine compatibility. The present investigation has employed high-speed experimental flowfield surveys to characterize advanced LO-contoured fighters' inlet-approach flowfields. Attention is given to forebody angle-of-attack-induced shielding of the inlets at various Mach numbers.

Haddad, Raymond C.↗

Generic hypersonic inlet module analysis

A computational study associated with an internal inlet drag analysis was performed for a generic hypersonic inlet module. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of computing the internal drag force for a generic scramjet engine module using computational methods. The computational study consisted of obtaining two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions using the Euler and parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations. The solution accuracy was assessed by comparisons with experimenal pitot pressure data. The CFD analysis indicates that the 3D PNS solutions show the best agreement with experimental pitot pressure data. The internal inlet drag analysis consisted of obtaining drag force predictions based on experimental data and 3D CFD solutions. A comparative assessment of each of the drag prediction methods is made and the sensitivity of CFD drag values to computational procedures is documented. The analysis indicates that the CFD drag predictions are highly sensitive to the computational procedure used.

Cockrell, Charles E., Jr.↗

Flow-Control Devices For Inlets Of Indraft Wind Tunnels

Report presents theoretical and experimental study of effects of antiturbulence flow-control devices in inlet of indraft wind tunnel upon nonuniformity of flow in test section of tunnel. Flow-control devices in question include vanes, screens, and honeycombs, placed in inlet upstream of contracting section of tunnel leading from inlet to test section.

Ross, James C.↗

Supersonic propulsion simulation by incorporating component models in the large perturbation inlet (LAPIN) computer code

An approach to simulating the internal flows of supersonic propulsion systems is presented. The approach is based on a fairly simple modification of the Large Perturbation Inlet (LAPIN) computer code. LAPIN uses a quasi-one dimensional, inviscid, unsteady formulation of the continuity, momentum, and energy equations. The equations are solved using a shock capturing, finite difference algorithm. The original code, developed for simulating supersonic inlets, includes engineering models of unstart/restart, bleed, bypass, and variable duct geometry, by means of source terms in the equations. The source terms also provide a mechanism for incorporating, with the inlet, propulsion system components such as compressor stages, combustors, and turbine stages. This requires each component to be distributed axially over a number of grid points. Because of the distributed nature of such components, this representation should be more accurate than a lumped parameter model. Components can be modeled by performance map(s), which in turn are used to compute the source terms. The general approach is described. Then, simulation of a compressor/fan stage is discussed to show the approach in detail.

Cole, Gary L.↗

Meeting Review: Airborne Aerosol Inlet Workshop

Proceedings from the Airborne Aerosol Inlet Workshop are presented. The two central topics of discussion were the role of aerosols in atmospheric processes and the difficulties in characterizing aerosols. The following topics were discussed during the working sessions: airborne observations to date; identification of inlet design issues; inlet modeling needs and directions; objectives for aircraft experiments; and future laboratory and wind tunnel studies.

Baumgardner, Darrel↗

High-speed inlet research program and supporting analysis

The technology challenges faced by the high speed inlet designer are discussed by describing the considerations that went into the design of the Mach 5 research inlet. It is shown that the emerging three dimensional viscous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flow codes, together with small scale experiments, can be used to guide larger scale full inlet systems research. Then, in turn, the results of the large scale research, if properly instrumented, can be used to validate or at least to calibrate the CFD codes.

Coltrin, Robert E.↗