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At least 829 records · Page 46

Two- and Three-Dimensional Numerical Experiments Representing Two Limiting Cases of an In-Line Pair of Finger Seal Components

The work presented here concerns the numerical development and simulation of the flow, pressure patterns and motion of a pair of fingers arranged behind each other and axially aligned in-line. The fingers represent the basic elemental component of a Finger Seal (FS) and form a tight seal around the rotor. Yet their flexibility allows compliance with rotor motion and in a passive-adaptive mode complies also with the hydrodynamic forces induced by the flowing fluid. While the paper does not treat the actual staggered configuration of a finger seal, the inline arrangement represents a first step towards that final goal. The numerical 2-D (axial-radial) and 3-D results presented herein were obtained using a commercial package (CFD-ACE+). Both models use an integrated numerical approach, which couples the hydrodynamic fluid model (Navier-Stokes based) to the solid mechanics code that models the compliance of the fingers.

Braun, M. J.↗

In-Flight Wing Pressure Distributions for the NASA F/A-18A High Alpha Research Vehicle

Pressure distributions on the wings of the F/A-18A High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) were obtained using both flush-mounted pressure orifices and surface-mounted pressure tubing. During quasi-stabilized 1-g flight, data were gathered at ranges for angle of attack from 5 deg to 70 deg, for angle of sideslip from -12 deg to +12 deg, and for Mach from 0.23 to 0.64, at various engine settings, and with and without the leading edge extension fence installed. Angle of attack strongly influenced the wing pressure distribution, as demonstrated by a distinct flow separation pattern that occurred between the range from 15 deg to 30 deg. Influence by the leading edge extension fence was evident on the inboard wing pressure distribution, but little influence was seen on the outboard portion of the wing. Angle-of-sideslip influence on wing pressure distribution was strongest at low angle of attack. Influence of Mach number was observed in the regions of local supersonic flow, diminishing as angle of attack was increased. Engine throttle setting had little influence on the wing pressure distribution.

Davis, Mark C.↗

Photographing flow fields and heat-transfer patterns in color simultaneously.

A color-schlieren technique is described that combines the flow-field shock shapes and the phase-change coating to give a very descriptive account of aerodynamic heating. This technique employs, in addition to the conventional schlieren system, a temperature-sensitive material as a thin surface coating that undergoes a visible phase change from opaque solid to clear liquid at a known temperature. The resulting pictures can lead to a better understanding of shock/boundary layer interactions, as shown with the aid of a specific example.

Creel, T. R., Jr.↗

Aerodynamic effects of leading-edge serrations on a two-dimensional airfoil

An investigation was conducted to determine the flow field and aerodynamic effects of leading-edge serrations on a two-dimensional airfoil at a Mach number of 0.13. The model was a NACA 66-012 airfoil section with a 0.76 m (30 in.) chord, 1.02 m (40 in.) span, and floor and end plates. It was mounted in the Ames 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. Serrated brass strips of various sizes and shapes were attached to the model in the region of the leading edge. Force and moment data, and photographs of tuft patterns and of oil flow patterns are presented. Results indicated that the smaller serrations, when properly placed on the airfoil, created vortices that increased maximum lift and angle of attack for maximum lift. The drag of the airfoil was not increased by these serrations at airfoil angles of attack near zero and was decreased at large angles of attack. Important parameters were serration size, position on the airfoil, and spacing between serrations.

Soderman, P. T.↗

THIRTY DAY ENDURANCE TEST OF A 30KW ARC JET ENGINE

Details are presented on a 30-day run of a radiation cooled thermal arc jet engine. The engine performed satisfactorily throughout the test period, maintaining a thrust of 250 grams and a propellant specific impulse greater than 1000 seconds a t an input power level of 30 kilowatts. The resulting propulsive efficiency was greater than 40 percent. Visual examination of the arc discharge through a quartz constrictor indicates that there is a smooth, constant diameter, bright core extending from the cathode completely through the constrictor to the cathode. Photographic observations on the arc discharge, using a red filter, indicate that the center of the column is darker than the outside: and this, in turn, suggests that the maximum core temperature is greater than 20,000°K. Calculations on the energy flow rate through a fully developed laminar column, combined with the experimental observation that the longitudinal energy flux gradient along the column is small, suggest that there may be a region of high volumetric energy release in the vicinity of the cathode tip.

Arc jet↗

Reynolds number and Mach number effect on space shuttle configurations

Analytical studies have been conducted concerning the lee-surface flow phenomena over a space shuttle orbiter model based on the experimental data obtained during September, 1971 through August, 1972. Lee-surface peak heating phenomena and flow separation patterns were analyzed. Major results of analyses are briefly presented.

Zakkay, V.↗

Wind tunnel simulations of light and dark streaks on Mars

Wind tunnel experiments have revealed a characteristic flow field pattern over raised-rim craters which causes distinctive zones of aeolian erosion and deposition. Comparisons of the results with Mariner 9 images of Mars show that some crater-associated dark zones result from wind erosion and that some crater-associated light streaks are depositional.

Greeley, R.↗

Interactions Between Convective Storms and Their Environment

The ways in which intense convective storms interact with their environment are considered for a number of specific severe storm situations. A physical model of subcloud wind fields and vertical wind profiles was developed to explain the often observed intensification of convective storms that move along or across thermal boundaries. A number of special, unusually dense, data sets were used to substantiate features of the model. GOES imagery was used in conjunction with objectively analyzed surface wind data to develop a nowcast technique that might be used to identify specific storm cells likely to become tornadic. It was shown that circulations associated with organized meso-alpha and meso-beta scale storm complexes may, on occasion, strongly modify tropospheric thermodynamic patterns and flow fields.

Maddox, R. A.↗

Exploratory investigation of the effects of vortex bursting on the high angle-of-attack lateral-directional stability characteristics of highly-swept wings

A recent low-speed wind-tunnel investigation of highly-swept wings has shown that vortex breakdown at high angles of attack can cause large destabilizing effects on static lateral-directional stability characteristics, and that the destabilizing effects of vortex breakdown can be greatly aggravated by model support strut interference effects. The present paper discusses these effects based on the results of static force tests of several highly-swept wing configurations for different wind-tunnel strut setup arrangements. Also included in the paper are photographs obtained during tuft-, smoke-, and helium-bubble flow visualization studies to indicate wing flow behavior patterns

Johnson, J. L., Jr.↗

Steady, periodic, and aperiodic atmospheric flows

Atmospheric weather patterns usually occur on scales of a 1000 km or 5000 km and greater, and quasisteady situations can be caused by the appearance of high pressure, blocking zones. Attention is given to the wave-wave interactions and their effects on atmospheric flows on the large scale. The discussion is performed with the beta-plane model for a spherical geometry and a large number of degrees of freedom. The barotropic potential vorticity equation is defined, and discretization of the topography of the sphere results in a spectral truncation with 25 components. The solutions are generated as a function of a forcing and a dissipative parameter. The model yields steady, periodic, and aperiodic solutions, which are shown to be analogous to zonal and blocked atmospheric flows.

Legras, B.↗

Investigations of flowfields found in typical combustor geometries

Studies are concerned with experimental and theoretical research on 2-D axisymmetric geometries under low speed, nonreacting, turbulent, swirling flow conditions. The flow enters the test section and proceeds into a larger chamber (the linear expansion ratio D/d = 2, 1.5 and 1) via a sudden or gradual expansion (side wall angle alpha = 90 and 45 degrees). A weak or strong nozzle (of area ratio A/a = 2 and 4) may be positioned downstream at x/D = 2 to form a contraction exit to the test section. Inlet swirl vanes are adjustable to a variety of vane angles with values of theta = 0, 38, 45, 60 and 70 degrees being emphasized. The objective is to determine the effect of these parameters on isothermal flow field patterns, time mean velocities and turbulence quantities, and to establish an improved simulation in the form of a computer prediction code equipped with a suitable turbulence model. The goal of the on going research is to perform experiments and complementary computations with the idea of doing the necessary type of research that will yield improved calculation capability. This involves performing experiments where time mean turbulence quantities are measured and taking input conditions and running an existing prediction code for a variety of test cases so as to compare predictions against experiment.

Lilley, D. G.↗

Experimental flowfield visualization of a high alpha wing at Mach 1.62

Experimental oil-flow and tuft patterns and vapor-screen flow-visualization data were obtained on a cambered wing model at Mach 1.62 for an angle-of-attack range of 0 to 14 deg. These data were used as flow diagnostic tools along with surface-pressure and force data and full-potential theory calculations. A large separation bubble was found on the lower wing surface at low angle of attack. The high-angle-of-attack flowfield was characterized by a large attached-flow leading-edge expansion followed by a cross-flow shock. At 14 deg, the cross-flow shock apparently induced discrete regions of streamwise separated flow which were clearly indicated in the vapor-screen and oil-flow photographs.

Pittman, James L.↗

Experimental flowfield visualization of a high alpha wing at Mach 1.62

Experimental oil-flow and tuft patterns and vapor-screen flow-visualization data were obtained on a cambered wing model at Mach = 1.62 for an angle-of attack range of 0-14 deg. These data were used as flow diagnostic tools along with surface-pressure and force data and full-potential theory calculations. A large separation bubble was found on the lower wing surface at low angle of attack. The high-angle-of-attack flowfield was characterized by a large attached-flow leading-edge expansion followed by a crossflow shock. At alpha = 14 deg the crossflow shock apparently induced discrete regions of streamwise separated flow, which were clearly indicated in the vapor-screen and oil-flow photographs.

Pittman, James L.↗