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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 955 records · Page 53

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NASA NTRS1973

Performance of a 1.20 pressure ratio STOL fan stage at three rotor blade setting angles

A model of a short takeoff and landing (STOL) fan stage was testedin a single-stage compressor research facility. Surveys of the airflow conditions ahead of the rotor, between the rotor and stator, and behind the stator were made over the stable operating range of the stage. At the design speed of 213.3 meters per second and a weight flow of 31.2 kilograms per second, the stage pressure ratio of 1.15 was less than the design value of 1.2. The stage was tested with the rotor blades reset for more flow. Design pressure ratio was achieved and surpassed with the minus 5 deg and minus 7 deg resets, respectively. The stage efficiency was 0.88 for the minus 5 deg reset and 0.85 for the minus 7 deg reset.

Lewis, G. W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Demonstration, Testing and Qualification of a High Temperature, High Speed Magnetic Thrust Bearing

The gas turbine industry has a continued interest in improving engine performance and reducing net operating and maintenance costs. These goals are being realized because of advancements in aeroelasticity, materials, and computational tools such as CFD and engine simulations. These advancements aid in increasing engine thrust-to-weight ratios, specific fuel consumption, pressure ratios, and overall reliability through higher speed, higher temperature, and more efficient engine operation. Currently, rolling element bearing and squeeze film dampers are used to support rotors in gas turbine engines. Present ball bearing configurations are limited in speed (<2 million DN) and temperature (<5OO F) and require both cooling air and an elaborate lubrication system. Also, ball bearings require extensive preventative maintenance in order to assure their safe operation. Since these bearings are at their operational limits, new technologies must be found in order to take advantage of other advances. Magnetic bearings are well suited to operate at extreme temperatures and higher rotational speeds and are a promising solution to the problems that conventional rolling element bearings present. Magnetic bearing technology is being developed worldwide and is considered an enabling technology for new engine designs. Using magnetic bearings, turbine and compressor spools can be radically redesigned to be significantly larger and stiffer with better damping and higher rotational speeds. These advances, a direct result of magnetic bearing technology, will allow significant increases in engine power and efficiency. Also, magnetic bearings allow for real-time, in-situ health monitoring of the system, lower maintenance costs and down time.

DeWitt, Kenneth↗

NASA NTRS1977

Advanced acoustic and aerodynamic 20-inch fan program

The aerodynamic analyses, mechanical analyses, and stress tests of a 20-inch diameter advanced fan design intended for acoustic investigation by NASA-LeRC are discussed. A high tip speed transonic fan rotor was scaled directly to 20.0 inches (0.508 m) from a 28.74-inch (0.73-m) diameter rotor. A new stator was designed and fabricated for the fan and incorporated with a test rig housing and adapter hardware for installation in the NASA-LeRC Jet Noise Facility for acoustic evaluation. The stator was designed to allow mounting at three axial locations, and the fan, housing, and adapters are reversible so that either the inlet or the exhaust ends of the assembly face the open room of the test facility. Excellent aerodynamic performance is predicted, and a low noise signature is expected since the unique aerodynamic design features of this fan are directly conductive to producing minimum sound power.

Erwin, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Three-dimensional viscous rotor flow calculations using boundary-layer equations

A three-dimensional viscous-inviscid interaction analysis has been developed to predict the performance of rotors in hover and forward flight at subsonic and transonic tip speeds. The analysis solves the full-potential and boundary-layer equations by finite-difference numerical procedures. Calculations were made for several different model rotor configurations in hover and forward flight at subsonic and transonic tip speeds. The results were compared with predictions from a two-dimensional integral method and with experimental data. The comparisons show good agreement between test data and predictions.

Chen, Ching S.↗

NASA NTRS1937

Static Thrust Analysis of the Lifting Airscrew

This report presents the results of a combined theoretical and experimental investigation conducted at the Georgia School of Technology on the static thrust of the lifting air screw of the type used in modern autogiros and helicopters. The theoretical part of this study is based on Glauert's analysis but certain modifications are made that further clarify and simplify the problem. Of these changes the elimination of the solidity as an independent parameter is the most important. The experimental data were obtained from tests on four rotor models of two, four, and five blades and, in general, agree quite well with the theoretical calculations. The theory indicates a method of evaluating scale effects on lifting air screws, and these corrections have been applied to the model results to derive general full-scale static thrust, torque, and figure-of-merit curves for constant-chord, constant-incidence rotors. Convenient charts are included that enable hovering flight performance to be calculated rapidly.

Knight, Montgomery↗

NASA NTRS2014

Modeling the Deterioration of Engine and Low Pressure Compressor Performance During a Roll Back Event Due to Ice Accretion

The main focus of this study is to apply a computational tool for the flow analysis of the engine that has been tested with ice crystal ingestion in the Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL) of NASA Glenn Research Center. A data point was selected for analysis during which the engine experienced a full roll back event due to the ice accretion on the blades and flow path of the low pressure compressor. The computational tool consists of the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) engine system thermodynamic cycle code, and an Euler-based compressor flow analysis code, that has an ice particle melt estimation code with the capability of determining the rate of sublimation, melting, and evaporation through the compressor blade rows. Decreasing the performance characteristics of the low pressure compressor (LPC) within the NPSS cycle analysis resulted in matching the overall engine performance parameters measured during testing at data points in short time intervals through the progression of the roll back event. Detailed analysis of the fan-core and LPC with the compressor flow analysis code simulated the effects of ice accretion by increasing the aerodynamic blockage and pressure losses through the low pressure compressor until achieving a match with the NPSS cycle analysis results, at each scan. With the additional blockages and losses in the LPC, the compressor flow analysis code results were able to numerically reproduce the performance that was determined by the NPSS cycle analysis, which was in agreement with the PSL engine test data. The compressor flow analysis indicated that the blockage due to ice accretion in the LPC exit guide vane stators caused the exit guide vane (EGV) to be nearly choked, significantly reducing the air flow rate into the core. This caused the LPC to eventually be in stall due to increasing levels of diffusion in the rotors and high incidence angles in the inlet guide vane (IGV) and EGV stators. The flow analysis indicating compressor stall is substantiated by the video images of the IGV taken during the PSL test, which showed water on the surface of the IGV flowing upstream out of the engine, indicating flow reversal, which is characteristic of a stalled compressor.

Veres, Joseph P.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Modeling the Deterioration of Engine and Low Pressure Compressor Performance During a Roll Back Event Due to Ice Accretion

Jorgenson, Philip C. E.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Analysis of Large Civil Tilt Rotor Wind Tunnel Blockage and Validation Using RotCFD

Ground based experiments are often used to understand and measure rotor and airframe aerodynamic performance; however, these experiments have certain limitations. The effects of these limitations are evaluated here using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling techniques. Through this study, data from the 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel experiments of the Large Civil Tilt Rotor (LCTR) at NASA Ames Research Center is validated using CFD. The Reynolds Averages Navier-Stokes solver, RotCFD, is used for the computations. In particular, the effect of the blockage generated by the test hardware on the walls is investigated. To study this problem, simplified geometries such as a flat plate, cube and cylinder are also investigated for blockage effects. This is done to explore if these different geometries can represent the LCTR as a simplified case to reduce computational time and get a quick first understanding of tunnel blockage effects. The focus of this research is to understand the limitations and accuracy of the recent small-scale Large Civil Tilt Rotor wind tunnel test campaigns.

Validation↗

DOE OSTI2023

Design and Modeling of an Open-Source Baseline Floating Marine Turbine: Preprint

Marine energy resources such as river, tidal, and ocean currents can provide abundant, predictable, and clean power to both densely populated and remote communities globally. However, marine turbine technologies are still in an early stage of development. Recently, features have been added to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's open-source wind turbine modeling tool OpenFAST to support the simulation of axial-flow marine turbines. These new features enable marine energy developers to predict the performance and safety of their turbines and allow researchers and students to advance the field through the exploration of novel designs. Developing and demonstrating the new capabilities of OpenFAST for marine turbines requires a baseline design that can be used as an example and test case. There are limited open-source turbine models suitable for this purpose. One existing baseline design is the Reference Model 1 (RM1), a fixed-bottom, dual-rotor marine turbine that was published in 2014 as part of the Department of Energy's Water Power Reference Model Project. To test and demonstrate OpenFAST's ability to model floating marine turbines, several modifications were made to the RM1. A floating platform and mooring system were designed to support a single RM1 rotor in a wide range of possible current and wave conditions. The system and model are intended to be a stable reference case and starting point for research efforts. The platform features all cylindrical members and familiar design elements from the offshore wind industry; the mooring system uses simple catenary chains. While not optimized for the lowest platform cost, the design is understandable and robust and can serve as a baseline for floating marine turbine technologies. This is a useful starting point for studies to explore new technologies or design methodologies. Additionally, the floating RM1 design enables cross-collaboration among industry, academia, and national lab researchers and serves as an educational platform for newcomers to marine energy. This short paper presents the specifications of the turbine, including its floating support structure and mooring system. The rationale behind the selection of certain design parameters is described. To enable adoption of this baseline case for research and educational efforts, an OpenFAST model of the full system has been made publicly available at https://github.com/OpenFAST/r-test/tree/main/glue-codes/openfast/MHK_RM1_Floating.

floating↗

NASA NTRS1995

Blade-Mounted Flap Control for BVI Noise Reduction Proof-of-Concept Test

This report describes a wind tunnel test of the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MDHS) Active Flap Model Rotor at the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel. The test demonstrated that BVI noise reductions and vibration reductions were possible with the use of an active flap. Aerodynamic results supported the acoustic data trends, showing a reduction in the strength of the tip vortex with the deflection of the flap. Acoustic results showed that the flap deployment, depending on the peak deflection angle and azimuthal shift in its deployment schedule, can produce BVI noise reductions as much as 6 dB on the advancing and retreating sides. The noise reduction was accompanied by an increase in low frequency harmonic noise and high frequency broadband noise. A brief assessment of the effect of the flap on vibration showed that significant reductions were possible. The greatest vibration reductions (as much as 76%) were found in the four per rev pitching moment at the hub. Performance improvement cam results were inconclusive, as the improvements were predicted to be smaller than the resolution of the rotor balance.

Dawson, Seth↗

NASA NTRS1974

Investigation of rotor blade element airloads for a teetering rotor in the blade stall regime

A model of a teetering rotor was tested in a low speed wind tunnel. Blade element airloads measured on an articulated model rotor were compared with the teetering rotor and showed that the teetering rotor is subjected to less extensive flow separation. Retreating blade stall was studied. Results show that stall, under the influence of unsteady aerodynamic effects, consists of four separate stall events, each associated with a vortex shed from the leading edge and sweeping over the upper surface of the rotor blade. Current rotor performance prediction methodology was evaluated through computer simulation.

Dadone, L. U.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Small, two-stage, partial-admission turbine

The Rocketdyne Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) cryogenic, rocket engine system, high pressure, liquid hydrogen turbopump was designed with a two-stage, partial-admission axial turbine. The turbine is basically two single-stage, partial-admission, subsonic impulse stages designed so the kinetic energy leaving the first-stage rotor is discharged directly into the second-stage nozzle at nominal operation to minimize staging losses. Very little data were available in the literature for this type of turbine design. Therefore, it was decided to test a full-size model of the turbine design using ambient-temperature gaseous nitrogen as the working fluid. The tester design features a variable orientation second-stage nozzle to determine the optimum circumferential location for highest performance. The tester also features the capability to vary the nozzle arcs of admission and incorporates quartz windows to study the flowfield upstream of the second-stage nozzle using a laser velocimeter. The test operations will probe the efficiency and flow characteristics for three arcs of admission and the effects of second-stage nozzle circumferential orientations over wide ranges of speed and pressure ratios as well as the interstage pressure distributions.

Sutton, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Wave rotor demonstrator engine assessment

The objective of the program was to determine a wave rotor demonstrator engine concept using the Allison 250 series engine. The results of the NASA LERC wave rotor effort were used as a basis for the wave rotor design. A wave rotor topped gas turbine engine was identified which incorporates five basic requirements of a successful demonstrator engine. Predicted performance maps of the wave rotor cycle were used along with maps of existing gas turbine hardware in a design point study. The effects of wave rotor topping on the engine cycle and the subsequent need to rematch compressor and turbine sections in the topped engine were addressed. Comparison of performance of the resulting engine is made on the basis of wave rotor topped engine versus an appropriate baseline engine using common shaft compressor hardware. The topped engine design clearly demonstrates an impressive improvement in shaft horsepower (+11.4%) and SFC (-22%). Off design part power engine performance for the wave rotor topped engine was similarly improved including that at engine idle conditions. Operation of the engine at off design was closely examined with wave rotor operation at less than design burner outlet temperatures and rotor speeds. Challenges identified in the development of a demonstrator engine are discussed. A preliminary design was made of the demonstrator engine including wave rotor to engine transition ducts. Program cost and schedule for a wave rotor demonstrator engine fabrication and test program were developed.

Snyder, Philip H.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Recent Results from Dragonfly Testing/Analysis as we head to PDR

Dragonfly is a relocatable lander mission to Saturn's moon Titan4, which as well as being a target of out-standing astrobiological interest as an organic-rich Ocean World, has the combination of low gravity (1/7 that of Earth) and a thick atmosphere (4x the density of Earth), making it an environment uniquely suitable for flight. Thus, the Dragonfly lander (similar in size to the Curiosity Mars rover) can take off using lift from a set of eight rotors and fly to a new landing site several kilometers away. The ability to perform such flights, lasting approximately 30 minutes, every month or so on Titan brings unprecedented mobility to planetary exploration, on a world known to have a diverse land-scape of dunes, craters and other features. Dragonfly is planned to launch in 2027, and following a nearly seven year interplanetary cruise would arrive at Titan by 2034. Due to the large scale height of the Titan atmosphere, Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) will be prolonged affair, taking nearly two hours to reach the surface. The ballistic entry environments that Dragonfly will be subjected to are fairly similar to that experienced by recent Mars missions; peak heating on the aeroshell will be about 300 W/sq.cm and peak deceleration is about 10g’s. Following the five minute entry segment, much of the remaining time is spent descending on the drogue and main para-chutes, which carry the dual role of decelerating the spacecraft and stabilizing the system during the long descent. While on one hand, this leisurely EDL sequence affords a relaxed timeline and plenty of time for event staging, it also provides ample opportunity for small disturbances to grow into potential flight safety risks, adding emphasis to the need for careful modeling, simulation and testing of key dynamic events. About two hours after entering the atmosphere, the nearly one metric ton rotocraft will be lowered approximately one meter out of the backshell (the ‘pose’ maneuver) to expose all eight rotors. The rotors will then be used to arrest any residual spin rate and prepare the system for transition to powered flight. Once despin is complete and the lander reaches a target altitude of 1.2 km above the surface (as verified by on-board lidar), the lander will be released and free fall for approximately one second before beginning controlled free flight. This entire “preparation for powered flight” process takes place over several minutes while the system is subject to the dynamic environment produced by so-called “wrist-mode” oscillations as the lander and backshell swing on the main parachute. Once in free flight, the lander will engage on-board terrain relative navigation to locate and navigate to a safe landing zone in the Shangri-La dune field south of Selk crater. Communication during this sequence will be limited to a series of direct-to-Earth X-band tones signalling key events and providing forensic information. Once on the ground, the lander will begin to send additional information, including data collected during this EDL sequence by the on-board Dragonfly Entry Aerosciences Measurements (DrEAM) instrumentation suite. This presentation will walk through the entry to first landing timeline in more detail, with a focus on recent analysis and testing results that inform system performance, margins and residual risk estimation.

Dragonfly↗

NASA NTRS1981

Main rotor six degree-of-freedom isolation system analysis

The design requirements of the system have been defined and an isolator concept satisfies these requirements identified. Primary design objectives for the isolation system are 90% attenuation of all NP main rotor shaft loads at a weight penalty less than or equal to 1% of design gross weight. The configuration is sized for a UH-60A BLACK HAWK helicopter and its performance, risk, and system integration were evaluated through a series of parametric studies. Preliminary design was carried forward to insure that the design is practical and that the details of the integration of the isolator into the helicopter system are considered. Alternate ground and flight test demonstration programs necessary to verify the proposed isolator design are defined.

Eastman, L. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Vehicle concepts and technology requirements for buoyant heavy-lift systems

Several buoyant-vehicle (airship) concepts proposed for short hauls of heavy payloads are described. Numerous studies identified operating cost and payload capacity advantages relative to existing or proposed heavy-lift helicopters for such vehicles. Applications involving payloads of from 15 tons up to 800 tons were identified. The buoyant quad-rotor concept is discussed in detail, including the history of its development, current estimates of performance and economics, currently perceived technology requirements, and recent research and technology development. It is concluded that the buoyant quad-rotor, and possibly other buoyant vehicle concepts, has the potential of satisfying the market for very heavy vertical lift but that additional research and technology development are necessary. Because of uncertainties in analytical prediction methods and small-scale experimental measurements, there is a strong need for large or full-scale experiments in ground test facilities and, ultimately, with a flight research vehicle.

Ardema, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Computational Modeling Develops Ultra-Hard Steel

Glenn Research Center's Mechanical Components Branch developed a spiral bevel or face gear test rig for testing thermal behavior, surface fatigue, strain, vibration, and noise; a full-scale, 500-horsepower helicopter main-rotor transmission testing stand; a gear rig that allows fundamental studies of the dynamic behavior of gear systems and gear noise; and a high-speed helical gear test for analyzing thermal behavior for rotorcraft. The test rig provides accelerated fatigue life testing for standard spur gears at speeds of up to 10,000 rotations per minute. The test rig enables engineers to investigate the effects of materials, heat treat, shot peen, lubricants, and other factors on the gear's performance. QuesTek Innovations LLC, based in Evanston, Illinois, recently developed a carburized, martensitic gear steel with an ultra-hard case using its computational design methodology, but needed to verify surface fatigue, lifecycle performance, and overall reliability. The Battelle Memorial Institute introduced the company to researchers at Glenn's Mechanical Components Branch and facilitated a partnership allowing researchers at the NASA Center to conduct spur gear fatigue testing for the company. Testing revealed that QuesTek's gear steel outperforms the current state-of-the-art alloys used for aviation gears in contact fatigue by almost 300 percent. With the confidence and credibility provided by the NASA testing, QuesTek is commercializing two new steel alloys. Uses for this new class of steel are limitless in areas that demand exceptional strength for high throughput applications.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2008

Collaboration with Williams International to Demonstrate the Characteristics of a Foam-Metal-Liner Installed Over-the-Rotor of a Turbofan Engine

A Williams International FJ44-3A 3000-lb thrust class turbofan engine was used as a demonstrator for foam-metal liner installed in close proximity to the fan. Two foam metal liner designs were tested and compared to the hardwall. Traditional Single-Degree-of-Freedom liner designs were also evaluated to provide a comparison. Normalized information on farfield acoustics is presented in this paper. The results show that up to 5 dB PWL overall attenuation was achieved in the forward quadrant. In general, the foam-metal liners performed better when the fan tip speed was below sonic.

Sutliff, Daniel↗