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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Applying Pressure Sensitive Paint Technology to Rotor Blades

This report will present details of a Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) system for measuring global surface pressures on rotorcrtaft blades in simulated forward flight at the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. The basics of the PSP method will be discussed and the modifications that were needed to extend this technology for use on rotor blades. Results from a series of tests will also be presented as well as several areas of improvement that have been identified and are currently being developed for future testing.

Watkins, A. Neal↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigation of Unsteady Flow Field in a Low-Speed One and a Half Stage Axial Compressor: Effects of Tip Gap Size On the Tip Clearance Flow Structure at Near Stall Operation - Part 2

The primary focus of this paper is to investigate the effect of rotor tip gap size on how the rotor unsteady tip clearance flow structure changes in a low speed one and half stage axial compressor at near stall operation (for example, where maximum pressure rise is obtained). A Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is applied to calculate the unsteady flow field at this flow condition with both a small and a large tip gaps. The numerically obtained flow fields at the small clearance matches fairly well with the available initial measurements obtained at the Johns Hopkins University with 3-D unsteady PIV in an index-matched test facility which renders the compressor blades and casing optically transparent. With this setup, the unsteady velocity field in the entire flow domain, including the flow inside the tip gap, can be measured. The numerical results are also compared with previously published measurements in a low speed single stage compressor (Maerz et al. [2002]). The current study shows that, with the smaller rotor tip gap, the tip clearance vortex moves to the leading edge plane at near stall operating condition, creating a nearly circumferentially aligned vortex that persists around the entire rotor. On the other hand, with a large tip gap, the clearance vortex stays inside the blade passage at near stall operation. With the large tip gap, flow instability and related large pressure fluctuation at the leading edge are observed in this one and a half stage compressor. Detailed examination of the unsteady flow structure in this compressor stage reveals that the flow instability is due to shed vortices near the leading edge, and not due to a three-dimensional separation vortex originating from the suction side of the blade, which is commonly referred to during a spike-type stall inception. The entire tip clearance flow is highly unsteady. Many vortex structures in the tip clearance flow, including the sheet vortex system near the casing, interact with each other. The core tip clearance vortex, which is formed with the rotor tip gap flows near the leading edge, is also highly unsteady or intermittent due to pressure oscillations near the leading edge and varies from passage to passage. For the current compressor stage, the evidence does not seem to support that a classical vortex breakup occurs in any organized way, even with the large tip gap. Although wakes from the IGV influence the tip clearance flow in the rotor, the major characteristics of rotor tip clearance flows in isolated or single stage rotors are observed in this one and a half stage axial compressor.

Unsteady↗
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of pressure distributions on model and full-scale NACA 64-621 airfoils with ailerons for wind turbine application

The aerodynamic similarity between a small (4-inch chord) wind tunnel model and a full-scale wind turbine blade (24-foot tip section with a 36-inch chord) was evaluated by comparing selected pressure distributions around the geometrically similar cross sections. The airfoils were NACA 64-621 sections, including trailing-edge ailerons with a width equal to 38 percent of the airfoil chord. The model airfoil was tested in the OSU 6- by 12-inch High Reynolds Number Wind Tunnel; the full-scale blade section was tested in the NASA Langley Research Center 30- by 60-foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel. The model airfoil contained 61 pressure taps connected by embedded tubes to pressure transducers. A belt containing 29 pressure taps was fixed to the full-scale section at midspan to obtain surface pressure data. Lift coefficients were obtained by integrating pressures, and corrections were made for the 3-D effects of blade twist and downwash in the blade tip section. The results of the two different experimental methods correlated well for angles of attack from minus 4 to 36 degrees and aileron reflections from 0 to 90 degrees.

Gregorek, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1951

Effect of Tunnel Configuration and Testing Technique on Cascade Performance

An investigation has been conducted to determine the influence of aspect ratio, boundary-layer control by means of slots and porous surfaces, Reynolds number, and tunnel end-wall condition upon the performance of airfoils in cascades. A representative compressor-blade section (the NACA 65-(12)(10) of aspect ratios of 1, 2, and 4 has been tested at low speeds in cascades with solid and with porous side walls. Two-dimensional flow was established in porous-wall cascades of each of the three aspect ratios tested; the flow was not two-dimensional in any of the solid-wall cascades. Turbine-blade sections of aspect ratio 0.83 were tested in cascades with solid and porous side walls and blade sections of aspect ratio 3.33 were tested in cascades with solid wall. No particular advantage was observed in the use of porous walls for the turbine cascades tested.

Erwin, John R↗
NASA NTRS2011

Open Rotor - Analysis of Diagnostic Data

NASA is researching open rotor propulsion as part of its technology research and development plan for addressing the subsonic transport aircraft noise, emission and fuel burn goals. The low-speed wind tunnel test for investigating the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of a benchmark blade set at the approach and takeoff conditions has recently concluded. A high-speed wind tunnel diagnostic test campaign has begun to investigate the performance of this benchmark open rotor blade set at the cruise condition. Databases from both speed regimes will comprise a comprehensive collection of benchmark open rotor data for use in assessing/validating aerodynamic and noise prediction tools (component & system level) as well as providing insights into the physics of open rotors to help guide the development of quieter open rotors.

Envia, Edmane↗
NASA NTRS1999

Rotor Re-Design for the SSME Fuel Flowmeter

The present report describes the process of redesigning a new rotor for the SSME Fuel Flowmeter. The new design addresses the specific requirement of a lower rotor speed which would allow the SSME operation at 1 15% rated power level without reaching a blade excitation by the wakes behind the hexagonal flow straightener upstream at frequencies close to the blade natural frequency. A series of calculations combining fleet flowmeters test data, airfoil fluid dynamics and CFD simulations of flow patterns behind the flowmeter's hexagonal straightener has led to a blade twist design alpha = alpha (radius) targeting a kf constant of 0.8256. The kf constant relates the fuel volume flow to the flowmeter rotor speed, for this particular value 17685 GPM at 3650 RPM. Based on this angle distribution, two actual blade designs were developed. A first design using the same blade airfoil as the original design targeted the new kf value only. A second design using a variable blade chord length and airfoil relative thickness targeted simultaneously the new kf value and an optimum blade design destined to provide smooth and stable operation and a significant increase in the blade natural frequency associated with the first bending mode, such that a comfortable margin could be obtained at 115% RPL. The second design is a result of a concurrent engineering process, during which several iterations were made in order to achieve a targeted blade natural frequency associated with the first bending mode of 1300 Hz. Water flow tests preliminary results indicate a kf value of 0.8179 for the f-irst design, which is within 1% of the target value. The second design rotor shows a natural frequency associated with the first bending mode of 1308 Hz, and a water-flow calibration constant of kf 0.8169.

Marcu, Bogdan↗
NASA NTRS1981

Study of controlled diffusion stator blading. 1. Aerodynamic and mechanical design report

Pratt & Whitney Aircraft is conducting a test program for NASA in order to demonstrate that a controlled-diffusion stator provides low losses at high loadings and Mach numbers. The technology has shown great promise in wind tunnel tests. Details of the design of the controlled diffusion stator vanes and the multiple-circular-arc rotor blades are presented. The stage, including stator and rotor, was designed to be suitable for the first-stage of an advanced multistage, high-pressure compressor.

Canal, E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Investigation of a bearingless helicopter rotor concept having a composite primary structure

Experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to evaluate a bearingless helicopter rotor concept (CBR) made possible through the use of the specialized nonisotropic properties of composite materials. The investigation was focused on four principal areas which were expected to answer important questions regarding the feasibility of this concept. First, an examination of material properties was made to establish moduli, ultimate strength, and fatigue characteristics of unidirectional graphite/epoxy, the composite material selected for this application. The results confirmed the high bending modulus and strengths and low shear modulus expected of this material, and demonstrated fatigue properties in torsion which make this material ideally suited for the CBR application. Second, a dynamically scaled model was fabricated and tested in the low speed wind tunnel to explore the aeroelastic characteristics of the CBR and to explore various concepts relative to the method of blade pitch control. Two basic control configurations were tested, one in which pitch flap coupling could occur and another which eliminated all coupling. It was found that both systems could be operated successfully at simulated speeds of 180 knots; however, the configuration with coupling present revealed a potential for undesirable aeroelastic response. The uncoupled configuration behaved generally as a conventional hingeless rotor and was stable for all conditions tested.

Bielawa, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Splitter-bladed centrifugal compressor impeller designed for automotive gas turbine application

Mechanical design and fabrication of two splitter-bladed centrifugal compressor impellers were completed for rig testing at NASA Lewis Research Center. These impellers were designed for automotive gas turbine application. The mechanical design was based on NASA specifications for blade-shape and flowpath configurations. The contractor made engineering drawings and performed calculations for mass and center-of-gravity, for stress and vibration analyses, and for shaft critical speed analysis. One impeller was machined to print; the other had a blade height and exit radius of 2.54 mm larger than print dimensions.

Pampreen, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Aftbody Closure Effects on the Reference H Configuration at Subsonic and Transonic Speeds

Experience with afterbody closure effects and accompanying test techniques issues on a High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT)-class configuration is described. An experimental data base has been developed which includes force, moment, and surface pressure data for the High Speed Research (HSR) Reference H configuration with a closed afterbody at subsonic and transonic speeds, and with a cylindrical afterbody at transonic and supersonic speeds. A supporting computational study has been performed using the USM3D unstructured Euler solver for the purposes of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method assessment and model support system interference assessment with a focus on lower blade mount effects on longitudinal data at transonic speeds. Test technique issues related to a lower blade sting mount strategy are described based on experience in the National Transonic Facility (NTF). The assessment and application of the USM3D code to the afterbody/sting interference problem is discussed. Finally, status and plans to address critical test technique issues and for continuation of the computational study are presented.

Wahls, Richard A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Single stage experimental evaluation of tandem-airfoil rotor and stator blading for compressors. Part 4: Data and performance for stage B

Stage B, composed of tandem-airfoil rotor B and stator B, was tested with uniform inlet flow and with hub radial, tip radial and 90 degree one-per-revolution circumferential distortion of the inlet flow as part of an overall program to evaluate the effectiveness of tandem airfoils for increasing the design point loading capability and stable operating range of rotor and stator blading. The results of this series of tests provide overall performance and blade element data for evaluating: (1) the potential of tandem blading for extending the loading limit and stable operating range of a stage representative of a middle stage of an advanced high pressure compressor, (2) the effect of loading split between the two airfoils in tandem on the performance of tandem blading, and (3) the effects of inlet flow distortion on the stage performance. The rotor had an inlet hub/tip ratio of 0.8 and a design tip velocity of 757 ft/sec. With uniform inlet flow, rotor B achieved a maximum adiabatic efficiency of 88.4% at design equivalent rotor speed and a pressure ratio of 1.31. The stage maximum adiabatic efficiency at design equivalent rotor speed with uniform inlet flow was 82.5% at a pressure ratio of 1.28. Tip radial and circumferential distortion of the inlet flow caused substantial reductions in surge margin.

Brent, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Engine component improvement: Performance improvement, JT9D-7 3.8 AR fan

A redesigned, fuel efficient fan for the JT9D-7 engine was tested. Tests were conducted to determine the effect of the 3.8 AR fan on performance, stability, operational characteristics, and noise of the JT9D-7 engine relative to the current 4.6 AR Bill-of-Material fan. The 3.8 AR fan provides increased fan efficiency due to a more advanced blade airfoil with increased chord, eliminating one part span shroud and reducing the number of fan blades and fan exit guide vanes. Engine testing at simulated cruise conditions demonstrated the predicted 1.3 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption with the redesigned 3.8 AR fan. Flight testing and sea level stand engine testing demonstrated exhaust gas temperature margins, fan and low pressure compressor stability, operational suitability, and noise levels comparable to the Bill-of-Material fan.

Gaffin, W. O.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of an Additively Manufactured Turbine Blade Tuned Mass Absorber

An innovative concept using a tuned mass absorber for resonant response reduction of turbine blades that is integrally fabricated into the blades using additive manufactured has been developed. Avoiding high resonant response and resulting high cycle fatigue failure is a major concern of the $100B worldwide turbine industry, which encompasses power generation, jet engines and rocket engine turbomachinery. Blade failure is potentially catastrophic, and although preventative measures using dampers do exist, these solutions are extremely expensive to develop and are not always effective. In addition, many of the existing techniques do not work for newer integrally bladed disks (or blisks), where there is no inherent damping in the assembly. The proposed concept, in which a tuned mass absorber re-arranges the structural dynamics and moves energy from the blade to the absorber, is designed specifically for blisks, and is intentionally linear, enabling accurate response prediction during design. Single blade prototypes have been analyzed, fabricated, and tested, and different absorber concepts have shown a reduction in response of up to 60%. After an extensive commercialization and prior art search, MSFC determined the innovation merited the generation and submission of a patent application in August ’21. Funding is now being sought to fabricate a 20-bladed blisk which would be spun at operational speeds with substantially higher and more realistic pressure loads in a special spin facility. Successful completion of this program would raise the TRL from 3/4 to 6/7, significantly improving the viability for adoption of the concept not only in rocket engines but other industrial applications as well.

Turbine Blades↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cruise noise measurements of a scale model advanced ducted propulsor

A scale model Advanced Ducted Propulsor (ADP) was tested in NASA Lewis Research Center's 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel to obtain acoustic data at cruise conditions. The model, designed and manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Division of United Technologies, was tested with three inlet lengths. The model has 16 rotor blades and 22 stator vanes, which results in a cut-on condition with respect to rotor-stator interaction noise. Comparisons of the noise directivity of the ADP with that of a previously tested high-speed, unducted propeller showed that the ADP peak blade passing tone was about 30 dB below that of the propeller, and therefore, should not present a cabin or enroute noise problem. The maximum blade passing tone first increased with increasing helical tip Mach number, peaked, and then decreased at a higher Mach number. The ADP tests with the shortest inlet showed more noise in the inlet arc than did tests with either of the other two inlet lengths.

Dittmar, James H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Application of advanced coating techniques to rocket engine components

The materials problem in the space shuttle main engine (SSME) is reviewed. Potential coatings and the method of their application for improved life of SSME components are discussed. A number of advanced coatings for turbine blade components and disks are being developed and tested in a multispecimen thermal fatigue fluidized bed facility at IIT Research Institute. This facility is capable of producing severe strains of the degree present in blades and disk components of the SSME. The potential coating systems and current efforts at IITRI being taken for life extension of the SSME components are summarized.

Verma, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hamilton Standard Q-fan demonstrator dynamic pitch change test program, volume 1

Tests of a full scale variable pitch fan engine to obtain data on the structural characteristics, response times, and fan/core engine compatibility during transient changes in blade angle, fan rpm, and engine power is reported. Steady state reverse thrust tests with a take off nozzle configuration were also conducted. The 1.4 meter diameter, 13 bladed controllable pitch fan was driven by a T55 L 11A engine with power and blade angle coordinated by a digital computer. The tests demonstrated an ability to change from full forward thrust to reverse thrust in less than one (1) second. Reverse thrust was effected through feather and through flat pitch; structural characteristics and engine/fan compatibility were within satisfactory limits.

Demers, W. J.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Advanced blade-shaped thermal energy storage device: Development and application

Thermal energy storage (TES) using phase change materials (PCMs) is a promising approach for capturing and reusing excess thermal energy, yet widespread adoption is limited by low thermal conductivity, bulky configurations, and inadequate scalability. Here, this study presents a modular, blade-shaped TES prototype designed to address these challenges. The device integrates a lightweight aluminum shell, an embedded serpentine coil for active or passive heat exchange, and a cost-effective corrugated metal mesh for enhanced PCM thermal conductivity. With thickness-to-length and thickness-to-width ratios of 0.03 and 0.08, respectively, the blade-shaped TES achieves a compact, modular form factor suitable for space-constrained applications. Experimental testing demonstrated the efficient charge and discharge behavior of blade-shaped TES, capturing PCM superheating, phase-change transitions, and subcooling dynamics, with charging and discharging efficiencies of 94.9% and 94.6%, respectively. Also, the system can potentially achieve higher energy density than that of conventional TES designs. When integrated into a household refrigerator during the study, three blade-shaped TES modules successfully shifted 100% of peak-time compressor operation to off-peak hours, reducing energy consumption while maintaining more stable compartment temperatures. The blade-shaped TES's thin geometry, modularity, and enhanced thermal performance support scalable deployment across residential, commercial, and industrial applications, providing a versatile, cost-effective solution for high-efficiency, demand-flexible thermal energy management.

Blade-shaped↗
NASA NTRS1976

Overall and blade element performance of a 1.20-pressure-ratio fan stage with rotor blades reset -5 deg

A 51-cm-diam model of a fan stage for a short haul aircraft was tested in a single stage-compressor research facility. The rotor blades were set 5 deg toward the axial direction (opened) from design setting angle. Surveys of the air flow 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 m/sec and a weight flow of 31.5 kg/sec, the stage pressure ratio and efficiency were 1.195 and 0.88, respectively. The design speed rotor peak efficiency of 0.91 occurred at the same flow rate.

Lewis, G. W., Jr.↗