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At least 109 records · Page 6

Euler and Navier-Stokes solutions for hypersonic flows

An upwind finite-element technique that uses cell-centered quantities and implicit and/or explicit time marching has been developed for computing hypersonic laminar viscous flows using adaptive unstructured grids in two and three dimensions. A perfect gas model as well as an equilibrium air model is implemented for solving high-speed flows. A first-order basic scheme and a higher-order flux-corrected transport (FCT) scheme have been implemented. This technique has been used to predict 'Type III and IV' shock interactions on a cylinder in two dimensions and a swept cylinder in three dimensions, with a view to determine the pressure and heating rate augmentation caused by an impinging shock on the leading edge of a cowl lip of an engine inlet. The predictions of wall pressure and heating rates compare very well with experimental data. The flow features are very distinctly captured with a sequence of adaptively-generated grids. Three-dimensional corner flow, typically encountered in engine inlets due to compression of the flow by ramps in the walls, is also modeled. This procedure is the first step in developing an integrated fluid, thermal, structural analysis capability for hypersonic flight vehicles like the National Aero-Space Plane.

Thareja, Rajiv R.↗

A parametric study of scramjet combustors for Mach 8 to Mach 20 flight

Performance trends for a combustor with ramp and slot fuel injectors are investigated through a three-dimensional parametric study at flight Mach numbers of 8, 10, 12, 16, and 20. Focus is placed on the mixing (combustion) efficiency, combustor loads, and thrust over the Mach number range. It is observed that the mixing efficiency decreases by 0.2 when a flight Mach number is increased from 8 to 12 but changes little for higher Mach numbers; the lower mixing is attributed more to a large decrease in the fuel-to-air velocity ratio and residence time over the Mach number range than to compressibility. It is pointed out that the ramp generates a shock impinging on the cowl, while a combined ramp and slot injection produces better mixing, both because of the action of this shock on the slot fuel and because of better fuel distribution in the duct.

Kamath, Pradeep S.↗

Viscous analysis of high speed flows using an upwind finite volume technique

A numerical study using an upwind finite volume technique to analyze high speed viscous flows is described. Two test cases were considered: a Mach 4.0 shock wave/laminar-boundary-layer interaction, and Mach 14.1 compression corners (15-deg and 24-deg ramp angle). PNS, TLNS, and NS equation results were obtained on each test case. As expected, PNS solutions are not adequate to resolve the flow physics. For the grids used in this study, there is no noticeable difference between the TLNS and full NS solutions. Both the TLNS and full NS solutions compared favorably with experimental data.

Ng, W. F.↗

Experimental Methods Using Force Application of A Single Boom for A 500-M²-Class Solar Sail

Solar sailing missions rely on deployable systems for large area-to-mass ratios once in space, while still being small enough for launcher envelopes in the stowed configuration. Many of these deployable systems feature booms that are flattened and subsequently coiled onto a spool / hub. As part of a collaborative deployable space structures research effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and German Aerospace Center (DLR), a boom deployment system for a future 500 m² solar sail has been developed. To achieve the respective solar sail size goal, 16.5-m-long booms produced by NASA were integrated into a DLR-designed deployer mechanism. This considerable size, as well as the lightweight construction of the booms and respective deployable systems makes testing on the ground a significant challenge. Some systems for gravity compensation as well as vertical testing to minimize the influence of gravity have been used in the past. However, an uncertainty factor remains towards the behaviour in the space environment. The focus of this paper is the load application testing of the integrated boom-deployment mechanism system under microgravity condition, as well as a comparison to vertical testing under gravity. Testing in microgravity was performed during a parabolic flight test inside an aircraft and it included stowage and full deployment of a single boom along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The load application was split into two categories: static testing, which induced a linear force ramp to the static boom for either compression or compression-bending; and dynamic testing, which applied a constant force to a boom during extension provided by the deployer mechanism. Both types of tests were performed multiple times at two distinct lengths of the boom, fully deployed (12.76 m) and ~28.6 % deployed (3.65 m). More parameters that are vital to the test philosophy are the angles of attack in the force application and the highest force applied. The data acquisition used for the applied load and deflection measurements of the boom is also presented.

Martin Richter↗

Experimental Methods Using Force Application of A Single Boom for A 500-M²-Class Solar Sail

Solar sailing missions rely on deployable systems for large area-to-mass ratios once in space, while still being small enough for launcher envelopes in the stowed configuration. Many of these deployable systems feature booms that are flattened and subsequently coiled onto a spool / hub. As part of a collaborative deployable space structures research effort between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and German Aerospace Center (DLR), a boom deployment system for a future 500 m² solar sail has been developed. To achieve the respective solar sail size goal, 16.5-m-long booms produced by NASA were integrated into a DLR-designed deployer mechanism. This considerable size, as well as the lightweight construction of the booms and respective deployable systems makes testing on the ground a significant challenge. Some systems for gravity compensation as well as vertical testing to minimize the influence of gravity have been used in the past. However, an uncertainty factor remains towards the behaviour in the space environment. The focus of this paper is the load application testing of the integrated boom-deployment mechanism system under microgravity condition, as well as a comparison to vertical testing under gravity. Testing in microgravity was performed during a parabolic flight test inside an aircraft and it included stowage and full deployment of a single boom along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The load application was split into two categories: static testing, which induced a linear force ramp to the static boom for either compression or compression-bending; and dynamic testing, which applied a constant force to a boom during extension provided by the deployer mechanism. Both types of tests were performed multiple times at two distinct lengths of the boom, fully deployed (12.76 m) and ~28.6 % deployed (3.65 m). More parameters that are vital to the test philosophy are the angles of attack in the force application and the highest force applied. The data acquisition used for the applied load and deflection measurements of the boom is also presented.

Martin Richter↗

The 3D computation of single-expansion-ramp and scramjet nozzles

A description of the computations for three-dimensional nonaxisymmetric nozzles and an analysis of the flowfields are presented. Two different types of nozzles are investigated for compressible flows at high Reynolds numbers. These are the single-expansion-ramp and scramjet nozzles. The computation for the single-expansion-ramp nozzle focuses on the condition of low pressure ratio, which requires the simulation for turbulent flow that is not needed at high pressure ratios. The flowfield contains the external quiescent air, and the internal regions of subsonic and low supersonic flows. The second type is the scramjet nozzle, which typically has a very large area ratio and is designed to operate at high speeds and pressure ratios. The freestream external flow has a Mach number of 6, and the internal flow leaving the combustion chamber is at a Mach number of 1.62. The flowfield is mostly supersonic except in the viscous region near walls. The computed results from both cases are compared with experimental data for the surface pressure distributions.

Lai, H. T.↗

Control of unsteady separated flow associated with the dynamic pitching of airfoils

Although studies have been done to understand the dependence of parameters for the occurrence of deep stall, studies to control the flow for sustaining lift for a longer time has been little. To sustain the lift for a longer time, an understanding of the development of the flow over the airfoil is essential. Studies at high speed are required to study how the flow behavior is dictated by the effects of compressibility. When the airfoil is pitched up in ramp motion or during the upstroke of an oscillatory cycle, the flow development on the upper surface of the airfoil and the formation of the vortex dictates the increase in lift behavior. Vortex shedding past the training edge decreases the lift. It is not clear what is the mechanism associated with the unsteady separation and vortex formation in present unsteady environment. To develop any flow control device, to suppress the vortex formation or delay separation, it is important that this mechanism be properly understood. The research activities directed toward understanding these questions are presented and the results are summarized.

Ahmed, Sajeer↗

Computation of separated flow on a ramp using the space marching conservative supra-characteristics method

Steady, hypersonic viscous flows over compression corners with streamwise separation have been computed using the space marching Conservative Supra-Characteristics Method (CSCM-S) of Lombard. The CSCM-S method permits stable space marching of the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) equations through large separated flow regions. The present method has been used to compute surface pressure, heat transfer, and skin friction coefficients for two compression corner cases studied experimentally by Holden and Moselle. The computed results compare favorably with previous Navier-Stokes results and the experimental data. The present method has also been compared with the conventional Beam-Warming scheme for solving the PNS equations. Comparison are made for accuracy, computer time, and computer storage.

Stookesberry, D. C.↗

Hydrogen no-vent fill testing in a 5 cubic foot (142 liter) tank using spray nozzle and spray bar liquid injection

A total of 38 hydrogen no-vent fill tests were performed in this test series using various size spray nozzles and a spray bar with different hole sizes in a 5 cubic foot receiver tank. Fill levels of 90 percent by volume or greater were achieved in 26 of the tests while maintaining a receiver tank pressure below 30 psia. Spray nozzles were mounted at the top of the tank, whereas, the spray bar was centered in the tank axially. The spray nozzle no-vent fills demonstrated tank pressure and temperature responses comparable to previous test series. Receiver tank pressure responses for the spray bar configuration were similar to the spray nozzle tests with the pressure initially rising rapidly, then leveling off as vapor condenses onto the discharging liquid streams, and finally ramping up near the end of the test due to ullage compression. Both liquid injection techniques tested were capable of filling the receiver tank to 90 percent under variable test conditions. Comparisons between the spray nozzle and spray bar configurations for well matched test conditions indicate the spray nozzle injection technique is more effective in minimizing the receiving tank pressure throughout a no-vent fill compared to the spray bar under normal gravity conditions.

Moran, Matthew E.↗

Hydrogen no-vent testing in a 5 cubic foot (142 liter) tank using spray nozzle and spray bar liquid injection

A total of 38 hydrogen no-vent fill tests were performed in this test series using various size spray nozzles and a spray bar with different hole sizes in a 5 cubic foot receiver tank. Fill levels of 90 percent by volume or greater were achieved in 26 of the tests while maintaining a receiver tank pressure below 30 psia. Spray nozzles were mounted at the top of the tank, whereas, the spray bar was centered in the tank axially. The spray nozzle no-vent fills demonstrated tank pressure and temperature responses comparable to previous test series. Receiver tank pressure responses for the spray bar configuration were similar to the spray nozzle tests with the pressure initially rising rapidly, then leveling off as vapor condenses onto the discharging liquid streams, and finally ramping up near the end of the test due to ullage compression. Both liquid injection techniques tested were capable of filling the receiver tank to 90 percent under variable test conditions. Comparisons between the spray nozzle and spray bar configurations for well matched test conditions indicate the spray nozzle injection technique is more effective in minimizing the receiving tank pressure throughout a no-vent fill compared to the spray bar under normal gravity conditions.

Moran, Matthew E.↗

Navier-Stokes computations of cavity aeroacoustics with suppression devices

Effectiveness of two devices to suppress the cavity acoustics was computationally investigated. Two dimensional, computational simulations were performed for the transonic, turbulent flows past a cavity, which was first equipped with a rear face ramp and then with a spoiler. The Reynolds-averaged, unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations were solved time accurately by a second-order accurate, implicit, upwind, finite-volume method. The effect of turbulence was included through a Baldwin-Lomax model with modifications for the multiple-wall effects and for the highly vortical flow with a shear layer. The results included instantaneous and time-averaged flow properties, and time-series analyses of the pressure inside the cavity, which compared favorably with the available experimental data. These results were also contrasted with the computed aeroacoustics of the same cavity (length-to-depth ratio of 4.5), but without a device, to demonstrate the suppression effectiveness.

Baysal, Oktay↗

Response of a small-turboshaft-engine compression system to inlet temperature distortion

An experimental investigation was conducted into the response of a small-turboshaft-engine compression system to steady-state and transient inlet temperature distortions. Transient temperature ramps range from less than 100 K/sec to above 610 K/sec and generated instantaneous temperatures to 420 K above ambient. Steady-state temperature distortion levels were limited by the engine hardware temperature list. Simple analysis of the steady-state distortion data indicated that a particle separator at the engine inlet permitted higher levels of temperature distortion before onset of compressor surge than would be expected without the separator.

Biesiadny, T. J.↗

Inviscid-viscous interaction on triple-deck scales in a hypersonic flow with strong wall cooling

The influence of wall temperatures on the flow structure in a region near a laminar separation is presently studied on the triple-deck scales, for the case of a high supersonic flow's inviscid-viscous interactions. A critical wall-temperature range is identified whose lower deck pressure-displacement relation departs from that of the classical formulation; below it, the pressure-displacement relation undergoes still greater transformations in conjunction with drastic scale-changes in the triple deck. The reduced lower-deck problem falls into supercritical, transcritical, and subcritical domains. A computational study is conducted for the compressive free-interaction solutions, and solutions are obtained for a sharp-corner ramp in the three wall-temperature ranges.

Brown, S. N.↗

Highly Loaded Composite Strut Test Results

Highly loaded composite struts from a proposed truss-based Altair lunar lander descent stage concept were selected for development under NASA's Advanced Composites Technology program. Predicted compressive member forces during launch and ascent of over -100,000 lbs were much greater than the tensile loads. Therefore, compressive failure modes, including structural stability, were primary design considerations. NASA's industry partner designed and built highly loaded struts that were delivered to NASA for testing. Their design, fabricated on a washout mandrel, had a uniform-diameter composite tube with composite tapered ends. Each tapered end contained a titanium end fitting with facing conical ramps that are overlaid and overwrapped with composite materials. The highly loaded struts were loaded in both tension and compression, with ultimate failure produced in compression. Results for the two struts tested are presented and discussed, along with measured deflections, strains and observed failure mechanisms.

Wu, K. C.↗

TPSAS-NF1676L-13538-DND

Highly loaded composite struts from a proposed truss-based Altair lunar lander descent stage concept were selected for development under NASA's Advanced Composites Technology program. Predicted compressive member forces during launch and ascent of over -100,000 lbs were much greater than the tensile loads. The development of a capability for experimental evaluation of the structural performance of these struts is presented. Strut lengths range from 60 to over 120 inches, and compressive launch and ascent loads can exceed -100,000 lbs, or approximately two times the corresponding tensile loads. Allowing all possible compressive structural responses, including elastic buckling, were primary considerations for designing the test hardware. NASA's industry partner designed and built highly loaded struts that were delivered to NASA for testing. Their design, fabricated on a washout mandrel, had a uniform-diameter composite tube with composite tapered ends. Each tapered end contained a titanium end fitting with facing conical ramps that are overlaid and overwrapped with composite materials. The highly loaded struts were loaded in both tension and compression, with ultimate failure produced in compression. Test results for these struts are presented and discussed, along with measured deflections, strains and observed failure mechanisms.

K Chauncey Wu↗

Turbulence measurements in a compressible reattaching shear layer

Detailed hot-wire measurements of the longitudinal component of the mass-flow fluctuations have been made in an approximately self-preserving free shear layer reattaching on a 20 degree ramp at Mach number of 2.9. The experimental configuration is especially designed to provide a well-defined initial condition for the reattachment process. The absolute mass-flow turbulence intensity increases dramatically through the compression in the reattachment region, which is in sharp contrast to similar subsonic reattachments. It is clear that the mean dilatation contributes significantly to the turbulence amplification. In addition, the length scale is affected strongly by the presence of extra strain rates. Prediction of this flow will require some sophisticated modelling, and the challenge to the predictor is clear.

Hayakawa, K.↗