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At least 91 records · Page 5

Composites emerging for aeropropulsion applications

The paper deals with applying composites to the cold- and hot-section components of aircraft turbine engines and analyzing composite structures. The primary experience to date has been with graphite-epoxy materials. The emerging new composites based on fabricable polyimides will find application in components that can operate at temperatures higher than the 350 F allowed by the epoxies. Further major benefits would result if the fiber-reinforced polymer composites could be used for key rotating components, such as the fans of large high-bypass-ratio engines. For the very critical hot turbine components, fiber-reinforced superalloys for turbine blades are considered.

Ault, G. M.↗

Laser anemometer measurements and computations in an annular cascade of high turning core turbine vanes

An advanced laser anemometer (LA) was used to measure the axial and tangential velocity components in an annular cascade of turbine stator vanes designed for a high bypass ratio engine. These vanes were based on a redesign of the first-stage stator, of a two-stage turbine, that produced 75 degrees of flow turning. Tests were conducted on a 0.771 scale model of the engine size stator. The advanced LA fringe system was designed to employ thinner than usual laser beams resulting in a 50-micron-diameter probe volume. Window correction optics were used to ensure that the laser beams did not uncross in passing through the curved optical access port. Experimental LA measurements of velocity and turbulence were obtained both upstream, within, and downstream of the stator vane row at the design exit critical velocity ratio of 0.896 at the hub. Static pressures were also measured on the vane surface. The measurements are compared, where possible with calculations from a 3-D inviscid flow analysis. The data are presented in both graphic and tabulated form so that they may be readily used to compare against other turbomachinery computations.

Goldman, Louis J.↗

Reducing Propulsion Airframe Aeroacoustic Interactions with Uniquely Tailored Chevrons: Isolated Nozzles - 1.

The flow/acoustic environment surrounding an engine nozzle installed on an airplane, say, under the wing, is asymmetric due to the pylon, the wing and the interaction of the exhaust jet with flaps on the wing. However, the conventional chevrons, which are azimuthally uniform serrations on the nozzle lip, do not exploit the asymmetry due to these propulsion airframe aeroacoustic interactions to reduce jet noise. In this pioneering study we use this non-axisymmetry to our advantage and examine if the total jet-related noise radiated to the ground can be reduced by using different types of azimuthally varying chevrons (AVC) which vary the mixing around the nozzle periphery. Several scale models of the isolated nozzle, representative of high bypass ratio engine nozzles, were made with a pylon and azimuthally varying chevrons on both fan and core nozzles to enhance mixing at the top (near the pylon) with less mixing at the bottom (away from the pylon) or vice versa. Various combinations of fan and core AVC nozzles were systematically tested at typical take-off conditions inside a free jet wind-tunnel and, here, in Part 1 we analyze the acoustics results for the isolated nozzle with a pylon, with installation effects reported in Parts 2 and 3. Several interesting results are discovered: amongst the fan AVCs the top-enhanced mixing T-fan chevron nozzle is quieter in combination with any core AVC nozzle when compared to conventional chevrons; however, the bottom-mixing B-fan chevrons, as well as the core AVC nozzles, by themselves, are noisier. Further, the low-frequency source strengths in the jet plume, obtained via phased microphone arrays, also corroborate the far field sound, and for the T-fan chevrons such sources move further downstream than those for baseline or conventional chevron nozzles.

Mengle, Vinod G.↗

Subsonic Jet Noise Reduced With Improved Internal Exhaust Gas Mixers

Aircraft noise pollution is becoming a major environmental concern for the world community. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responding to this concern by imposing more stringent noise restrictions for aircraft certification then ever before to keep the U.S. industry competitive with the rest of the world. At the NASA Lewis Research Center, attempts are underway to develop noise-reduction technology for newer engines and for retrofitting existing engines so that they are as quiet as (or quieter than) required. Lewis conducted acoustic and Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) tests using Pratt & Whitney's Internal Exhaust Gas Mixers (IEGM). The IEGM's mix the core flow with the fan flow prior to their common exhaust. All tests were conducted in Lewis' Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory--a semihemispheric dome open to the ambient atmosphere. This was the first time Laser Doppler Velocimetry was used in such a facility at Lewis. Jet exhaust velocity and turbulence and the internal velocity fields were detailed. Far-field acoustics were also measured. Pratt & Whitney provided 1/7th scale model test hardware (a 12-lobe mixer, a 20-lobe mixer, and a splitter) for 1.7 bypass ratio engines, and NASA provided the research engineers, test facility, and test time. The Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engine power conditions were used for all tests.

Source record↗

Sector Tests of a Low-NO(sub x), Lean, Direct- Injection, Multipoint Integrated Module Combustor Concept Conducted

The low-emissions combustor development described is directed toward advanced high pressure aircraft gas-turbine applications. The emphasis of this research is to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) at high-power conditions and to maintain carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons at their current low levels at low power conditions. Low-NOx combustors can be classified into rich-burn and lean-burn concepts. Lean-burn combustors can be further classified into lean-premixed-prevaporized (LPP) and lean direct injection (LDI) concepts. In both concepts, all the combustor air, except for liner cooling flow, enters through the combustor dome so that the combustion occurs at the lowest possible flame temperature. The LPP concept has been shown to have the lowest NOx emissions, but for advanced high-pressure-ratio engines, the possibility of autoignition or flashback precludes its use. LDI differs from LPP in that the fuel is injected directly into the flame zone, and thus, it does not have the potential for autoignition or flashback and should have greater stability. However, since it is not premixed and prevaporized, good atomization is necessary and the fuel must be mixed quickly and uniformly so that flame temperatures are low and NOx formation levels are comparable to those of LPP. The LDI concept described is a multipoint fuel injection/multiburning zone concept. Each of the multiple fuel injectors has an air swirler associated with it to provide quick mixing and a small recirculation zone for burning. The multipoint fuel injection provides quick, uniform mixing and the small multiburning zones provide for reduced burning residence time, resulting in low NOx formation. An integrated-module approach was used for the construction where chemically etched laminates, diffusion bonded together, combine the fuel injectors, air swirlers, and fuel manifold into a single element. The multipoint concept combustor was demonstrated in a 15 sector test. The configuration tested had 36 fuel injectors and fuel-air mixers that replaced two fuel injectors in a conventional dual-annular combustor. During tests, inlet temperatures were up to 870 K and inlet pressures were up to 5400 kPa. A correlation was developed that related the NOx emissions with the inlet temperature, inlet pressure, fuel-air ratio, and pressure drop. At low-power conditions, fuel staging was used so that high combustion efficiency was obtained with only one-fourth of the fuel injectors flowing. The test facility had optical access, and visual images showed the flame to be very short, approximately 25 mm long.

Tacina, Robert R.↗

New technology in turbine aerodynamics

A cursory review is presented of some of the recent work that has been done in turbine aerodynamic research at NASA-Lewis Research Center. Topics discussed include the aerodynamic effect of turbine coolant, high work-factor (ratio of stage work to square of blade speed) turbines, and computer methods for turbine design and performance prediction. An extensive bibliography is included. Experimental cooled-turbine aerodynamics programs using two-dimensional cascades, full annular cascades, and cold rotating turbine stage tests are discussed with some typical results presented. Analytically predicted results for cooled blade performance are compared to experimental results. The problems and some of the current programs associated with the use of very high work factors for fan-drive turbines of high-bypass-ratio engines are discussed. Turbines currently being investigated make use of advanced blading concepts designed to maintain high efficiency under conditions of high aerodynamic loading. Computer programs have been developed for turbine design-point performance, off-design performance, supersonic blade profile design, and the calculation of channel velocities for subsonic and transonic flow fields. The use of these programs for the design and analysis of axial and radial turbines is discussed.

Glassman, A. J.↗

New technology in turbine aerodynamics.

Cursory review of some recent work that has been done in turbine aerodynamic research. Topics discussed include the aerodynamic effect of turbine coolant, high work-factor (ratio of stage work to square of blade speed) turbines, and computer methods for turbine design and performance prediction. Experimental cooled-turbine aerodynamics programs using two-dimensional cascades, full annular cascades, and cold rotating turbine stage tests are discussed with some typical results presented. Analytically predicted results for cooled blade performance are compared to experimental results. The problems and some of the current programs associated with the use of very high work factors for fan-drive turbines of high-bypass-ratio engines are discussed. Computer programs have been developed for turbine design-point performance, off-design performance, supersonic blade profile design, and the calculation of channel velocities for subsonic and transonic flowfields. The use of these programs for the design and analysis of axial and radial turbines is discussed.

Glassman, A. J.↗

Advanced concept considerations for STOL short-haul systems

Design, performance, and economic tradeoffs for STOL short-haul systems are presented. The analyses showed that quiet, short-field aircraft can be economically viable and provide benefits to airport congestion and to community noise relief. The objective of the studies was to compare and evaluate propulsive-lift systems and low-wing-loading aircraft provided with ride quality control and gust load alleviation, and to determine fuel consumption and cost tradeoffs, along with recommendations for development of technology, noise criteria, and airport planning. In the low density arena, the optimum aircraft sized for less than 50 passengers have active controls for ride quality and gust alleviation; turboprop propulsion offers significant cost and fuel saving with no appreciable block time penalty for the short typical stage lengths (on the order of 150 miles). In the high density arena, high bypass-ratio fan-powered aircraft, with design cruise speed of 0.7 to 0.75M and range capability to 1500 miles, are considered to be optimum. Field performance of 3000 feet or better can be achieved by the hybrid over-the-wing/internally blown flap concept with viable economics and low fuel consumption. Mechanical flap aircraft with high bypass-ratio engines are indicated to be superior for field lengths of 3500 feet or more. Technology development of propulsive lift is required, and further definition of the best fan-powered engine for low noise and low fuel consumption is needed.

Sweet, H. S.↗

Effect of flame stabilizer design on performance and exhaust pollutants of a two-row 72-module swirl-can combustor

A test program was conducted to evaluate the effects of four flame stabilizer designs on the performance and gaseous pollutant levels of an experimental full-annular swirl-can combustor. Combustor operating parameters, including inlet-air temperature, reference velocity, and fuel-air ratio, were set to simulate conditions in a 30:1 pressure ratio engine. Combustor inlet total pressure was held constant at 6 atm due to the facility limit. Combustor performance and gaseous pollutant levels were strongly affected by the geometry and resulting total pressure loss of the four flame stabilizer designs investigated. The addition of shrouds to two designs produced an 18 to 22% decrease in the combustion chamber pressure loss and thus resulted in doubling the exit temperature pattern factor and up to 42% higher levels of oxides of nitrogen. A previously developed oxides of nitrogen correlating parameter agreed with each model within an emission index of plus or minus 1 but was not capable of correlating all models together.

Biaglow, J. A.↗

Fluctuating loads on the flap surfaces of an externally-blown-flap configuration

An experimental program to obtain the fluctuating loads on the surfaces of a triple-slotted externally-blown-flap powered-lift STOL configuration was conducted. A large model of a wing/flap system and a TF-34 medium bypass ratio engine was investigated. Measurements of the fluctuating pressure, static pressure, and surface temperature resulting from the jet impingement were obtained at several locations on the surfaces of the second and third flaps. Fluctuating pressure data include overall level, power-spectral density (PSD), cross-correlation coefficient, coherency, and phase angle of the cross power-spectral density. These data indicate that more than one mechanism contributes to the fluctuating pressure levels on the flaps. In the immediate area above the intersection of the engine centerline and the flap, low frequency pressures dominate the overall fluctuating pressure levels. In other areas, such as below this intersection and outboard on the flaps, the PSD curve reaches a peak value at a Strouhal number ranging from 0.22 to 0.45.

Schoenster, J. A.↗

Analytical investigation of fan tone noise due to ingested atmospheric turbulence

The atmospheric turbulence involved in the fan noise generation is evaluated with an existing model for the atmospheric turbulence and an extended version of an existing model concerned with the effects of a flow contraction on convected turbulence. Fan tone noise due to ingested atmospheric turbulence is evaluated with existing fan noise models. The results indicate that the difference in fan narrowband noise due to atmospheric turbulence between static and flight landing approach conditions is in the order of 30 dB. It is concluded that fan noise due to atmospheric turbulence is insignificant in flight conditions for the fans used in the current high bypass ratio engines. The difference in fan narrowband noise between the two conditions is primarily due to the low intensity of the turbulence involved in fan noise generation in flight conditions. Fan noise due to atmospheric turbulence in static conditions should be reduced below the flight fan broadband noise levels which is best achieved with a reduction in the intensity of the fan inflow turbulence. Such a reduction can be obtained with the use of an inflow control device, low wind velocities, small surface roughness in the test stand environment, and large engine axis height above the ground. Peak sound power levels for fan tone noise due to ingested turbulence occur for transverse integral scales in the order of 25% of the rotor blade spacing in the fan tip region.

Ganz, U. W.↗

Ground effects on aircraft noise for a wide-body commercial airplane

Ground effects on noise from a high-bypass ratio engined aircraft are investigated. A 747 is flown at altitudes from 30 to 960 m past a 20-microphone array, and ground effects are calculated from noise measurements as a function of elevation angle and slant range. Results are given in terms of EPNL units and are compared with previous results of a turbojet-powered T-38 and SAE-recommended empirical lateral attenuation prediction procedures. Theoretical predictions are made based on a method developed by Pao et al. (1978) and are compared with both 747 and T-38 results, demonstrating good agreement although a consistent underprediction of peak measured attenuation is observed. Measured ground effects are found largest at 200 Hz, and no definite shielding differences are apparent for a directivity angle of 122.5 deg. Less lateral attenuation of effective perceived noise is measured for both aircraft and is attributed to the dominance of low-frequency noise in the source spectrum.

Willshire, W. L., Jr.↗

Performance of a high-work low aspect ration turbine tested with a realistic inlet radial temperature profile

Experimental results are presented for a 0.767 scale model of the first stage of a two-stage turbine designed for a high by-pass ratio engine. The turbine was tested with both uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The inlet temperature profile was essentially mixed-out in the rotor. There was also substantial underturning of the exit flow at the mean diameter. Both of these effects were attributed to strong secondary flows in the rotor blading. There were no significant differences in the stage performance with either inlet condition when differences in tip clearance were considered. Performance was very close to design intent in both cases.

Stabe, R. G.↗

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

Experimental results are presented for a 0.767 scale model of the first stage of a two-stage turbine designed for a high by-pass ratio engine. The turbine was tested with both uniform inlet conditions and with an inlet radial temperature profile simulating engine conditions. The inlet temperature profile was essentially mixed-out in the rotor. There was also substantial underturning of the exit flow at the mean diameter. Both of these effects were attributed to strong secondary flows in the rotor blading. There were no significant differences in the stage performance with either inlet condition when differences in tip clearance were considered. Performance was very close to design intent in both cases. Previously announced in STAR as N84-24589

Stabe, R. G.↗

Design issues for propulsion systems using metallized propellants

Metallized propellants are liquid propellants that contain metal particles. These particles are suspended in a gelled fuel or oxidizer. Aluminum is used as the metal additive. The addition of metal to conventional propellants can increase their specific impulse and their density over conventional propellants, and consequently, the payload delivered on Mars and lunar transportation vehicles, Earth-to-Orbit vehicles and upper stages for robotic planetary missions. Gelled fuels also provide increased safety during accidental propellant leakage or spills. To take full advantage of these potential performance increases, there are changes that must be made to the vehicle design. The differences are discussed between metallized propellant and traditional liquid propellants and their effect on the propulsion system design. These differences include the propellant density, mixture ratio, engine performance, and propellant rheology. Missions related to the Space Exploration Initiative are considered as design examples to illustrate these issues.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗

Design issues for propulsion systems using metallized propellants

Metallized propellants are liquid propellants that contain metal particles. These particles are suspended in a gelled fuel or oxidizer. Aluminum is used as the metal additive. The addition of metal to conventional propellants can increase their specific impulse and their density over conventional propellants, and consequently, the payload delivered on Mars and lunar transportation vehicles, Earth-to-Orbit vehicles and upper stages for robotic planetary missions. Gelled fuels also provide increased safety during accidental propellant leakage or spills. To take full advantage of these potential performance increases, there are changes that must be made to the vehicle design. The differences are discussed between metallized propellant and traditional liquid propellants and their effect on the propulsion system design. These differences include the propellant density, mixture ratio, engine performance, and propellant rheology. Missions related to the Space Exploration Initiative are considered as design examples to illustrate these issues.

Palaszewski, Bryan↗

Performance at Simulated High Altitudes of a Prevaporizing Annular Turbojet Combustor Having Low Pressure Loss

An annular prevaporizing turbojet combustor having pressure losses lower than those obtained in current turbojet combustors was developed, Pressure losses of 2 to 4 percent, satisfactory temperature profiles, and combustion efficiencies of 98, 88, and 81 percent were obtained at 56,000, 70,000, and 80,000 feet respectively, for a simulated 5.2- pressure-ratio engine at rated speed and 0.6 flight Mach number with JP-4 fuel. Use of JP-5 fuel resulted in a small penalty in efficiency due, at least in part, to insufficient prevaporizer capacity.

Norgren, Carl T↗