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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Studies of the acoustic transmission characteristics of coaxial nozzles with inverted velocity profiles: Comprehensive data report

The efficiency of internal noise radiation through a coannular exhaust nozzle with an inverted velocity profile was studied. A preliminary investigation was first undertaken (1) to define the test parameters which influence the internal noise radiation; (2) to develop a test methodology which could realistically be used to examine the effects of the test parameters; and (3) to validate this methodology. The result was the choice of an acoustic impulse as the internal noise source in the jet nozzles. Noise transmission characteristics of a coannular nozzle system were then investigated. In particular, the effects of fan convergence angle, core extension length to annulus height ratio and flow Mach numbers and temperatures were studied. Relevant spectral data only is presented in the form of normalized nozzle transfer function versus nondimensional frequency.

Dean, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Advanced Methods for Acoustic and Thrust Benefits for Aircraft Engine Nozzle

The purpose of this paper is to address the problems of Aircraft Engine Technology, Airframe Technology, and Rotorcraft Technology. In addition, several applied problems for domestic industry are also studied using knowledge and experience from Aerospace Sciences. The reduction of aircraft noise is a significant driver in the success of the NASA AST and HSR programs as they attempt to meet stringent international environment regulations on noise for commercial aircraft. In accordance with the project fulfillment under this NASA grant the (Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory) FM&AL investigates novel and promising concepts for reduction of noise and improvement of propulsion efficiency in jet exhaust nozzles and fans.

Gilinsky, Mikhail M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Advanced Methods for Aircraft Engine Thrust and Noise Benefits: Nozzle-Inlet Flow Analysis

In this project, we continue to develop the previous joint research between the Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics Laboratory (FM&AL) at Hampton University (HU) and the Jet Noise Team (JNT) at the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA LaRC). The FM&AL was established at Hampton University in June of 1996 and has conducted research under two NASA grants: NAG-1-1835 (1996-99), and NAG-1-1936 (1997-00). In addition, the FM&AL has jointly conducted research with the Central AeroHydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI, Moscow) in Russia under a Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) grant #RE2-136 (1996-99). The goals of the FM&AL programs are twofold: (1) to improve the working efficiency of the FM&AUs team in generating new innovative ideas and in conducting research in the field of fluid dynamics and acoustics, basically for improvement of supersonic and subsonic aircraft engines, and (2) to attract promising minority students to this research and training and, in cooperation with other HU departments, to teach them basic knowledge in Aerodynamics, Gas Dynamics, and Theoretical and Experimental Methods in Aeroacoustics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The research at the HU FM&AL supports reduction schemes associated with the emission of engine pollutants for commercial aircraft and concepts for reduction of observables for military aircraft. These research endeavors relate to the goals of the NASA Strategic Enterprise in Aeronautics concerning the development of environmentally acceptable aircraft. It is in this precise area, where the US aircraft industry, academia, and Government are in great need of trained professionals and which is a high priority goal of the Minority University Research and Education (MUREP) Program, that the HU FM&AL can make its most important contribution. The main achievements for the reporting period in the development of concepts for noise reduction and improvement in efficiency for jet exhaust nozzles and inlets for aircraft engines are as follows: (1) Publications- The AIAA Paper #99-1924 has been presented at the 5th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, May 10-12, 1999, Seattle, WA; the AIAA Paper #00-3315 has been accepted for the 36th AIAA/ASME/ SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 17-19 July, 2000, Huntsville, AL; and another paper has been accepted for the International Environmental Congress, 14-16 June, 2000, St.-Petersburg, Russia. (2) Two patents were granted on July 20, 1999, and January 12, 2000. (3) Three reports/presentations at the NASA LaRC and GRC (06/22199, 09/26/ 99, and 06/25/00). (4) Grants and Proposals: Four proposals were submitted to the NASA and CRDF; a NASA Faculty Award was granted on January, 2000. A CRDF Young Investigator Program Award was granted for a 3 months visit of the Russian scientist to the HU FM&AL (03/99-05/99). (5) Theory and Numerical Simulations- Analytical theory, numerical simulation, comparison of theoretical with experimental results, and modification of theoretical approaches, models, grids etc. have been conducted for several complicated 2D and 3D nozzle and inlet designs using NASA codes based on full Euler and Navier-Stokes solvers: CFL3D, CRAFT, GODUNOV, and others. New approach for environmental monitoring via infrasound. (6) Experimental Tests: Experimental acoustic tests at the TsAGI, Moscow, with nozzles having Screwdriver or Axisymmetric Plug and Permeable Shells. A small scale working model of the NASA Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) has been installed in the Experimental Hall of the HU FM&AL (June, 1999). Preliminary preparations for experimental tests were made. (7) Students Research Activity: Involvement of the two graduate students as research assistants in the current research project.

Gilinsky, Mikhail↗
NASA NTRS1996

Prediction Capability for Transonic Nozzle Afterbodies Improved

Under the High Speed Research (HSR) Program, the NASA Lewis Research Center, the NASA Langley Research Center, and the aerospace industry have been developing exhaust nozzle concepts for a future High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). For such an aircraft to be both economically viable and environmentally acceptable, the exhaust nozzles must combine highly efficient operation throughout the flight envelope with low noise levels at takeoff. A team composed of researchers from Lewis, Langley, and McDonnell Douglas created a two-dimensional data base using computational fluid dynamics. First, each group validated their computational fluid dynamics code against existing experimental data to gain confidence in the code's results. Next, the organizations analyzed several configurations, and the results were used to create the new data base. Then, the analysis methods were updated to account for the effects of two-dimensional nozzles. This will result in a more accurate analysis of the propulsion system for the High Speed Civil Transport.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

Effects of fuel nozzle design on performance of an experimental annular combustor using natural gas fuel

Tests of various fuel nozzles were conducted with natural gas fuel in a full-annulus combustor. The nozzles were designed to provide either axial, angled, or radial fuel injection. Each fuel nozzle was evaluated by measuring combustion efficiency at relatively severe combustor operating conditions. Combustor blowout and altitude ignition tests were also used to evaluate nozzle designs. Results indicate that angled injection gave higher combustion efficiency, less tendency toward combustion instability, and altitude relight characteristics equal to or superior to those of the other fuel nozzles that were tested.

Wear, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Design of a Nozzle for the Spyder 2nd Stage Solid Rocket Motor

During the 2019 summer term, the author worked with a group of four interns to complete the preliminary design of a 2nd stage solid rocket motor for Up Aerospace’s Spyder Launch Vehicle. The Spyder vehicle is a four stage, solid fuel rocket designed as part of collaboration between NASA and Up Aerospace to develop a vehicle capable of delivering a 10 kg, 6U CubeSat into a 350 km, circular, low Earth orbit. As part of the agreement, NASA is tasked with designing high performance 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages while Up Aerospace will provide the 1st stage, derived from the first stage of the company’s sub-orbital Spaceloft XL vehicle. Previous intern teams have designed the 3rd and 4th stages, which left the preliminary design of the 2nd stage motor to be completed this summer. The purpose of this report is to highlight a trade study which the author conducted to determine the nozzle geometry which would most benefit the performance of the 2nd stage motor. In this study, various nozzle parameters such as throat radius (RSI), expansion ratio, mass and their effects on the Isp and Delta V of the 2nd Stage were investigated. From this study, a nozzle geometry providing the necessary performance was chosen and implemented as part of the preliminary design of the 2nd stage motor. To mature the 2nd stage motor design, a trade space was needed to determine the nozzle configuration which would most benefit the performance of the 2nd stage. The trade space established did not only evaluate different expansion ratios for the same throat radius, but also investigated the possible performance gained from decreasing the throat radius to increase the expansion ratio and Isp capable of being delivered by the nozzle. Decreasing the throat radius would cause the chamber pressure to increase, consequently increasing the case and insulation mass required to safely operate a motor at higher pressures. To account for this factor, accurate estimates of inert mass first needed to be established. After doing so, the effects of varying nozzle expansion ratios, exit half angles, and subsequently length and mass were evaluated against motor and nozzle performance factors such as delta V and Isp. For this study, four throat radii ranging from 1.75” to 2.375” and consequently four different chamber pressures ranging 550 psia to 1200 psia were investigated. BACKGROUND To launch into Low Earth Orbit, a payload needs to be accelerated to the orbital velocity necessary to keep it from falling back to Earth. The change in velocity required between launch and orbital insertion is known as Delta V. The Delta V which a rocket or stage can deliver can be calculated using the Ideal Rocket equation, 𝛥𝑉=−𝑔0∗𝐼𝑠𝑝∗ln(𝑀𝑓𝑀𝑖) (3) Where 𝑔0 is the acceleration due to gravity at the earth’s surface, 𝐼𝑠𝑝 is the specific impulse of the rocket, 𝑀𝑖 is the initial mass of the rocket, and 𝑀𝑓 is the final mass of the rocket after burnout. From preliminary calculations beyond the scope of this paper, it was determined that 30500 ft/s of delta V would be required for a payload to be inserted into a 350 km circular orbit around the Earth. Using the known masses and Isp values of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th stages and equation 3, the delta V of each stage was calculated. The delta V required by the 2nd stage could then be found by taking the difference between the total delta V required and the delta V of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th stages. From this, the required delta V of the 2nd Stage was calculated to be 7340 ft/s. Specific impulse is an efficiency factor of the nozzle which defines the impulse delivered by the motor per unit of propellant weight. The main variables of a nozzle’s specific impulse investigated in this trade were exit cone half angle, throat radius, and expansion ratio which is affected by the throat radius. The expansion ratio, ε, of a nozzle is defined as the ratio between the nozzle exit area and throat area, and can be calculated using the equation, ε=𝑅𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡2𝑅𝑠𝑖2 (2) Where 𝑅𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 is the radius of the nozzle’s exit and 𝑅𝑠𝑖 is the radius of the nozzle’s throat. A larger expansion ratio and smaller exit half angle will increase the Isp of a nozzle by allowing the gas to expand more and by allowing more of the exhaust gas to produce thrust in the direction of the motor’s central axis. A cross section view of the 2nd Stage motor with the major components annotated is provided in figure 1.

Bennett, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1990

Efficient Monte Carlo simulation of rarefied flow in a small nozzle

The flow of carbon dioxide through a small conical nozzle is computed using two different numerical approaches. The first of these is the direct simulation Monte Carlo method in which the physical phenomena are modeled at the molecular level. The second technique solves the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid flow. The purpose of the paper is to compare the solutions generated by these two methods for the conditions prevailing in a small, low density nozzle. The comparison between the two sets of solutions reveals only small differences. However, the flow properties in the thick viscous layer close to the nozzle at the exit plane show important deviations which have implications for the subsequent determination of the plume backflow.

Boyd, Iain D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Preliminary investigation of a low power pulsed arcjet thruster

A type of pulsed arcjet is examined which operates with gaseous helium propellant at powers from 100 to 1500 W and pulse rats from 360 to 6000 pulses per second. During the pulse, peak power is 50 to 250 kW generating chamber pressures of 10 to 50 atmospheres. The high operating pressure substantially reduces ionization in the 2.5 mm diameter x 12.5 mm long capillary and lowers frozen flow losses in the nozzle. The thruster thermal efficiency, measured calorimetrically, is 43 percent at 440 W and 8 mg/sec helium mass flow rate. Thruster performance trends are predicted by a time-dependent lumped-parameter model which includes heat exchange between the propellant and the wall. The model substantially underpredicts the experimental thermal efficiency values. Alternative thruster configurations yielding significant improvements in thrust efficiency and specific impulse are discussed.

Taylor, Russell D.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Durability and Damage Development in Woven Ceramic Matrix Composites

Damage development in woven SiC/SiNC ceramic matrix composites (CMC's) under tensile and cyclic loading both at room and elevated temperatures have been investigated for the exhaust nozzle of high-efficient turbine engines. The ultimate strength, failure strain, proportional limit and modulus data at a temperature range of 23 to 1250 C are generated. The tensile strength of SiC/SiNC woven composites have been observed to increase with increased temperatures up to 1000 C. The stress/strain plot shows a pseudo-yield point at 25 percent of the failure strain (epsilon(sub r)) which indicates damage initiation in the form of matrix cracking. The evolution of damage beyond 0.25 epsilon(sub f), both at room and elevated temperature comprises multiple matrix cracking, interfacial debonding, and fiber pullout. Although the nature of the stress/strain plot shows damage-tolerant behavior under static loading both at room and elevated temperature, the life expectancy of SiC/SiNC composites degrades significantly under cyclic loading at elevated temperature. This is mostly due to the interactions of fatigue damage caused by the mechanically induced plastic strain and the damage developed by the creep strain. The in situ damage evolutions are monitored by acoustic event parameters, ultrasonic C-scan and stiffness degradation. Rate equations for modulus degradation and fatigue life prediction of ceramic matrix composites both at room and elevated temperatures are developed. These rate equations are observed to show reasonable agreement with experimental results.

Haque, A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Aerodynamic Performance Measurements for a Forward Swept Low Noise Fan

One source of noise in high tip speed turbofan engines, caused by shocks, is called multiple pure tone noise (MPT's). A new fan, called the Quiet High Speed Fan (QHSF), showed reduced noise over the part speed operating range, which includes MPT's. The QHSF showed improved performance in most respects relative to a baseline fan; however, a partspeed instability discovered during testing reduced the operating range below acceptable limits. The measured QHSF adiabatic efficiency on the fixed nozzle acoustic operating line was 85.1 percent and the baseline fan 82.9 percent, a 2.2 percent improvement. The operating line pressure rise at design point rotational speed and mass flow was 1.764 and 1.755 for the QHSF and baseline fan, respectively. Weight flow at design point speed was 98.28 lbm/sec for the QHSF and 97.97 lbm/sec for the baseline fan. The operability margin for the QHSF approached 0 percent at the 75 percent speed operating condition. The baseline fan maintained sufficient margin throughout the operating range as expected. Based on the stage aerodynamic measurements, this concept shows promise for improved performance over current technology if the operability limitations can be solved.

Fite, E. Brian↗
NASA NTRS1983

Two-phase turbine staging

Two-phase turbines would be useful in Rankine cycles using low-quality or saturated-liquid working fluids. The chief problem is low efficiency due to slip losses in nozzles and due to liquid impact and friction losses in rotors. To raise efficiency, a staging method was tested in which the first stage operated at high speed with low relative liquid velocity, and the second stage recovered the first-stage exit energy. The theoretical efficiency for an experimental turbine operating with Refrigerant-22 was raised from 55 percent to 66 percent, and the measured efficiency was raised from 52 percent to 57 percent.

Elliott, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Droplets Generated from a new OGEE shaped, liquid, air-shear, electrostatic nozzle

A series of experimental tests was carried out on an 'OGEE' shaped planform, liquid air-shear electrostatic nozzle. Liquid was ejected from the upper surface of the nozzle and was then dispersed and atomized efficiently by a high speed air flow passing over the nozzle and by the effect of two very strong coherent air vortices generated by the 'OGEE' shaped nozzle surface. Initial test results which are presented show the nozzle to perform far superior to a similar delta wing shaped design which is used extensively in various industries applications.

Inculet, I. I.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Progress with variable cycle engines

The evaluation of components of an advanced propulsion system for a future supersonic cruise vehicle is discussed. These components, a high performance duct burner for thrust augmentation and a low jet noise coannular exhaust nozzle, are part of the variable stream control engine. An experimental test program involving both isolated component and complete engine tests was conducted for the high performance, low emissions duct burner with excellent results. Nozzle model tests were completed which substantiate the inherent jet noise benefit associated with the unique velocity profile possible of a coannular exhaust nozzle system on a variable stream control engine. Additional nozzle model performance tests have established high thrust efficiency levels at takeoff and supersonic cruise for this nozzle system. Large scale testing of these two critical components is conducted using an F100 engine as the testbed for simulating the variable stream control engine.

Westmoreland, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1951

Effect of fuel volatility on performance of tail-pipe burner

Fuels having Reid vapor pressures of 6.3 and 1.0 pounds per square inch were investigated in a tail-pipe burner on an axial-flow-type turbojet engine at a simulated flight Mach number of 0.6 and altitudes from 20,000 to 45,000 feet. With the burner configuration used in this investigation, having a mixing length of only 8 inches between the fuel manifold and the flame holder, the low-vapor-pressure fuel gave lower combustion efficiency at a given tail-pipe fuel-air ratio. Because the exhaust-nozzle area was fixed, the lower efficiency resulted in lower thrust and higher specific fuel consumption. The maximum altitude at which the burner would operate was practically unaffected by the change in fuel volatility.

FUELS - TURBINE ENGINES, RAM JETS, AND PULSE JETS↗
NASA NTRS2006

Design Enhancements of the Two-Dimensional, Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Concept

A Dual Throat Nozzle fluidic thrust vectoring technique that achieves higher thrust-vectoring efficiencies than other fluidic techniques, without sacrificing thrust efficiency has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center. The nozzle concept was designed with the aid of the structured-grid, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational fluidic dynamics code PAB3D. This new concept combines the thrust efficiency of sonic-plane skewing with increased thrust-vectoring efficiencies obtained by maximizing pressure differentials in a separated cavity located downstream of the nozzle throat. By injecting secondary flow asymmetrically at the upstream minimum area, a new aerodynamic minimum area is formed downstream of the geometric minimum and the sonic line is skewed, thus vectoring the exhaust flow. The nozzle was tested in the NASA Langley Research Center Jet Exit Test Facility. Internal nozzle performance characteristics were defined for nozzle pressure ratios up to 10, with a range of secondary injection flow rates up to 10 percent of the primary flow rate. Most of the data included in this paper shows the effect of secondary injection rate at a nozzle pressure ratio of 4. The effects of modifying cavity divergence angle, convergence angle and cavity shape on internal nozzle performance were investigated, as were effects of injection geometry, hole or slot. In agreement with computationally predicted data, experimental data verified that decreasing cavity divergence angle had a negative impact and increasing cavity convergence angle had a positive impact on thrust vector angle and thrust efficiency. A curved cavity apex provided improved thrust ratios at some injection rates. However, overall nozzle performance suffered with no secondary injection. Injection holes were more efficient than the injection slot over the range of injection rates, but the slot generated larger thrust vector angles for injection rates less than 4 percent of the primary flow rate.

Flamm, Jeffrey D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experimental evaluation of a translating nozzle sidewall radial turbine

Studies have shown that reduced specific fuel consumption of rotorcraft engines can be achieved with a variable capacity engine. A key component in such an engine in a high-work, high-temperature variable geometry gas generator turbine. An optimization study indicated that a radial turbine with a translating nozzle sidewall could produce high efficiency over a wide range of engine flows but substantiating data were not available. An experimental program with Teledyne CAE, Toledo, Ohio was undertaken to evaluate the moving sidewall concept. A variety of translating nozzle sidewall turbine configurations were evaluated. The effects of nozzle leakage and coolant flows were also investigated. Testing was done in warm air (121 C). The results of the contractual program were summarized.

Roelke, Richard J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Progress on Variable Cycle Engines

Progress in the development and future requirements of the Variable Stream Control Engine (VSCE) are presented. The two most critical components of this advanced system for future supersonic transports, the high performance duct burner for thrust augmentation, and the low jet coannular nozzle were studied. Nozzle model tests substantiated the jet noise benefit associated with the unique velocity profile possible with a coannular nozzle system on a VSCE. Additional nozzle model performance tests have established high thrust efficiency levels only at takeoff and supersonic cruise for this nozzle system. An experimental program involving both isolated component and complete engine tests has been conducted for the high performance, low emissions duct burner with good results and large scale testing of these two components is being conducted using a F100 engine as the testbed for simulating the VSCE. Future work includes application of computer programs for supersonic flow fields to coannular nozzle geometries, further experimental testing with the duct burner segment rig, and the use of the Variable Cycle Engine (VCE) Testbed Program for evaluating the VSCE duct burner and coannular nozzle technologies.

Westmoreland, J. S.↗