Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wake modeling”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

NASA AVOSS Fast-Time Models for Aircraft Wake Prediction: User's Guide (APA3.8 and TDP2.1)

NASA's current distribution of fast-time wake vortex decay and transport models includes APA (Version 3.8) and TDP (Version 2.1). This User's Guide provides detailed information on the model inputs, file formats, and model outputs. A brief description of the Memphis 1995, Dallas/Fort Worth 1997, and the Denver 2003 wake vortex datasets is given along with the evaluation of models. A detailed bibliography is provided which includes publications on model development, wake field experiment descriptions, and applications of the fast-time wake vortex models.

Ahmad, Nash'at N.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Modeling the Lunar Wake Response to a CME Using a Hybrid PIC Model

In the solar wind, a low-density wake region forms downstream of the nightside lunar surface. In this study, we use a series of 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations to model the response of the lunar wake to a passing coronal mass ejection (CME). Average plasma parameters are derived from the Wind spacecraft located at 1 au during three distinct phases of a passing halo (Earth-directed) CME on 2015 June 22. Each set of plasma parameters, representing the shock/plasma sheath, a magnetic cloud, and plasma conditions we call the mid-CME phase, are used as the time-static upstream boundary conditions for three separate simulations. These simulation results are then compared with results that use nominal solar wind conditions. Results show a shortened plasma void compared to nominal conditions and a distinctive rarefaction cone originating from the terminator during the CME's plasma sheath phase, while a highly elongated plasma void reforms during the magnetic cloud and mid-CME phases. Developments of electric and magnetic field intensification are also observed during the plasma sheath phase along the central wake, while electrostatic turbulence dominates along the plasma void boundaries and 2–3 lunar radii RM downstream in the central wake during the magnetic cloud and mid-CME phases. The simulations demonstrate that the lunar wake responds in a dynamic way with the changes in the upstream solar wind during a CME.

Anthony P. Rasca↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of wake characteristics of model and prototype buildings in transverse winds

Previously measured mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles in the wake of a 26.8-m long building 3.2 m high and transverse to the wind direction in an atmospheric boundary layer several hundred meters thick were compared with profiles at corresponding stations downstream of a 1/50-scale model on the floor of a large meteorological wind tunnel in a boundary layer 0.61 m in thickness. The validity of using model wake data to predict full scale data was determined. Preliminary results are presented which indicate that disparities result from differences in relative depth of logarithmic layers, surface roughness, and the proximity of upstream obstacles.

Logan, E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Updated Results for the Wake Vortex Inverse Model

NorthWest Research Associates (NWRA) has developed an Inverse Model for inverting aircraft wake vortex data. The objective of the inverse modeling is to obtain estimates of the vortex circulation decay and crosswind vertical profiles, using time history measurements of the lateral and vertical position of aircraft vortices. The Inverse Model performs iterative forward model runs using estimates of vortex parameters, vertical crosswind profiles, and vortex circulation as a function of wake age. Iterations are performed until a user-defined criterion is satisfied. Outputs from an Inverse Model run are the best estimates of the time history of the vortex circulation derived from the observed data, the vertical crosswind profile, and several vortex parameters. The forward model, named SHRAPA, used in this inverse modeling is a modified version of the Shear-APA model, and it is described in Section 2 of this document. Details of the Inverse Model are presented in Section 3. The Inverse Model was applied to lidar-observed vortex data at three airports: FAA acquired data from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Denver International Airport (DEN), and NASA acquired data from Memphis International Airport (MEM). The results are compared with observed data. This Inverse Model validation is documented in Section 4. A summary is given in Section 5. A user's guide for the inverse wake vortex model is presented in a separate NorthWest Research Associates technical report (Lai and Delisi, 2007a).

Robins, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The UTRC wind energy conversion system performance analysis for horizontal axis wind turbines (WECSPER)

The theory for the UTRC Energy Conversion System Performance Analysis (WECSPER) for the prediction of horizontal axis wind turbine performance is presented. Major features of the analysis are the ability to: (1) treat the wind turbine blades as lifting lines with a prescribed wake model; (2) solve for the wake-induced inflow and blade circulation using real nonlinear airfoil data; and (3) iterate internally to obtain a compatible wake transport velocity and blade loading solution. This analysis also provides an approximate treatment of wake distortions due to tower shadow or wind shear profiles. Finally, selected results of internal UTRC application of the analysis to existing wind turbines and correlation with limited test data are described.

Egolf, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Potential flow theory and operation guide for the panel code PMARC

The theoretical basis for PMARC, a low-order potential-flow panel code for modeling complex three-dimensional geometries, is outlined. Several of the advanced features currently included in the code, such as internal flow modeling, a simple jet model, and a time-stepping wake model, are discussed in some detail. The code is written using adjustable size arrays so that it can be easily redimensioned for the size problem being solved and the computer hardware being used. An overview of the program input is presented, with a detailed description of the input available in the appendices. Finally, PMARC results for a generic wing/body configuration are compared with experimental data to demonstrate the accuracy of the code. The input file for this test case is given in the appendices.

Ashby, Dale L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Updated Panel-Method Computer Program

Panel code PMARC_12 (Panel Method Ames Research Center, version 12) computes potential-flow fields around complex three-dimensional bodies such as complete aircraft models. Contains several advanced features, including internal mathematical modeling of flow, time-stepping wake model for simulating either steady or unsteady motions, capability for Trefftz computation of drag induced by plane, and capability for computation of off-body and on-body streamlines, and capability of computation of boundary-layer parameters by use of two-dimensional integral boundary-layer method along surface streamlines. Investigators interested in visual representations of phenomena, may want to consider obtaining program GVS (ARC-13361), General visualization System. GVS is Silicon Graphics IRIS program created to support scientific-visualization needs of PMARC_12. GVS available separately from COSMIC. PMARC_12 written in standard FORTRAN 77, with exception of NAMELIST extension used for input.

Ashby, Dale L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A computer program to calculate the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of upper-surface-blown wing-flap configurations

A user's manual is presented for a computer program in which a vortex-lattice lifting-surface method is used to model the wing and multiple flaps. The engine wake model consists of a series of closely spaced vortex rings with rectangular cross sections. The jet wake is positioned such that the lower boundary of the jet is tangent to the wing and flap upper surfaces. The two potential flow models are used to calculate the wing-flap loading distribution including the influence of the wakes from up to two engines on the semispan. The method is limited to the condition where the flow and geometry of the configurations are symmetric about the vertical plane containing the wing root chord. The results include total configuration forces and moments, individual lifting-surface load distributions, pressure distributions, flap hinge moments, and flow field calculation at arbitrary field points. The use of the program, preparation of input, the output, program listing, and sample cases are described.

Mendenhall, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Wake Vortex Encounter Research

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting research to improve airport capacity by reducing the separation distance between aircraft. The limiting factor in reducing separation distances and improving airport capacity is the wake vortex hazard. The ability to accurately model wake vortices and predict the outcome of a vortex encounter is critical in developing a system to safely improve airport capacity. This is the focus of the wake vortex research being done at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). This paper will concentrate on two topics. The first topic is the control system developed for the Boeing 737 freeflight model in support of vortex encounter tests to be conducted in the 30- by 60- foot tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center later this year. The second topic discussed is the limited degree of freedom (DOF) trajectory generation study that is being conducted to determine the relative severity of a multitude of paths through a wake vortex.

Wilson, Jeffrey M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Calculation of static longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of STOL aircraft with upper surface blown flaps

An existing prediction method developed for EBF aircraft configurations was applied to USB configurations to determine its potential utility in predicting USB aerodynamic characteristics. An existing wing-flap vortex-lattice computer program was modified to handle multiple spanwise flap segments at different flap angles. A potential flow turbofan wake model developed for circular cross-section jets was used to model a rectangular cross-section jet wake by placing a number of circular jets side by side. The calculation procedure was evaluated by comparison of measured and predicted aerodynamic characteristics on a variety of USB configurations. The method is limited to the case where the flow and geometry of the configuration are symmetric about a vertical plane containing the wing root chord. Comparison of predicted and measured lift and pitching moment coefficients were made on swept wings with one and two engines per wing panel, various flap deflection angles, and a range of thrust coefficients. The results indicate satisfactory prediction of lift for flap deflections up to 55 and thrust coefficients less than 2. The applicability of the prediction procedure to USB configurations is evaluated, and specific recommendations for improvements are discussed.

Mendenhall, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A variable structure approach to robust control of VTOL aircraft

This paper examines the application of variable structure control theory to the design of a flight control system for the AV-8A Harrier in a hover mode. The objective in variable structure design is to confine the motion to a subspace of the total state space. The motion in this subspace is insensitive to system parameter variations and external disturbances that lie in the range space of the control. A switching type of control law results from the design procedure. The control system was designed to track a vector velocity command defined in the body frame. For comparison purposes, a proportional controller was designed using optimal linear regulator theory. Both control designs were first evaluated for transient response performance using a linearized model, then a nonlinear simulation study of a hovering approach to landing was conducted. Wind turbulence was modeled using a 1052 destroyer class air wake model.

Calise, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A new approach to the free wake problem for hovering rotors

In the present approach to the hovering rotor free wake problem, an influence coefficient solution method is used to find that rotor wake solution which is steady in a reference frame that rotates with the blades; this scheme solves directly for the conditions of free wake equilibrium by a procedure that does not involve time-stepping and the associated use of numerical damping or special convergence methods. The solution method has been implemented in a hover wake computer program having a three-part wake model for the tip vortex. All three wake regions are represented by the new Basic Curved Vortex Elements. Sample hover calculations are presented for single blade and multiblade rotors.

Bliss, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Calculation of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of upper-surface-blown wing-flap configurations

An investigation has been carried out to develop an engineering method for predicting the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of wing-flap configurations with upper surface blown (USB) high lift devices. Potential flow models of the lifting surfaces and the jet wakes are combined to calculate the induced interference of the engine wakes on the wing and flaps. The wing may have an arbitrary planform with camber and twist and multiple trailing edge flaps. The jet wake model has a rectangular cross section over its entire length and it is positioned such that the wake is tangent to the upper surfaces of the wing and flaps. Comparisons of measured and predicted pressure distributions, spanload distributions, and total lift and pitching-moment coefficients on swept and unswept USB configurations are presented for a wide range of thrust coefficients and flap deflection angles.

Mendenhall, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Predictions of Control Inputs, Periodic Responses and Damping Levels of an Isolated Experimental Rotor in Trimmed Flight

Since the early 1990s the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate at the Ames Research Center has been conducting tests on isolated hingeless rotors in hover and forward flight. The primary objective is to generate a database on aeroelastic stability in trimmed flight for torsionally soft rotors at realistic tip speeds. The rotor test model has four soft inplane blades of NACA 0012 airfoil section with low torsional stiffness. The collective pitch and shaft tilt are set prior to each test run, and then the rotor is trimmed in the following sense: the longitudinal and lateral cyclic pitch controls are adjusted through a swashplate to minimize the 1/rev flapping moment at the 12 percent radial station. In hover, the database comprises lag regressive-mode damping with pitch variations. In forward flight the database comprises cyclic pitch controls, root flap moment and lag regressive-mode damping with advance ratio, shaft angle and pitch variations. This report presents the predictions and their correlation with the database. A modal analysis is used, in which nonrotating modes in flap bending, lag bending and torsion are computed from the measured blade mass and stiffness distributions. The airfoil aerodynamics is represented by the ONERA dynamic stall models of lift, drag and pitching moment, and the wake dynamics is represented by a state-space wake model. The trim analysis of finding, the cyclic controls and the corresponding, periodic responses is based on periodic shooting with damped Newton iteration; the Floquet transition matrix (FTM) comes out as a byproduct. The stabillty analysis of finding the frequencies and damping levels is based on the eigenvalue-eigenvector analysis of the FTM. All the structural and aerodynamic states are included from modeling to trim analysis. A major finding is that dynamic wake dramatically improves the correlation for the lateral cyclic pitch control. Overall, the correlation is fairly good.

Gaonkar, G. H.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and Verification of an Improved Wake-Added Turbulence Model in FAST.Farm

We introduce a generalized wake-added turbulence (WAT) model in the multiphysics, multiturbine simulation tool FAST.Farm. The WAT model introduces additional small-scale turbulence that represents the breakdown of vortical structures and shear layers in the wake. The article describes the development, implementation, calibration, and verification of the model. The novelties of the model include support for wake asymmetry, buildup of WAT across the wind farm, and secondary effects of wake-induced turbulence (e.g., wake meandering) driven by smaller-scale turbulence structures that arise from wake breakdown. Large-eddy simulations were run to support the calibration of the WAT parameters and verification of the model. Previous studies hypothesized that the lack of WAT modeling was the source of underprediction of fatigue loads, in particular for cases at low turbulence intensities and/or stable atmospheric boundary layers. This study confirms that the newly implemented WAT model enhances the loads predictions in these cases.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1980

Recent research on V/STOL test limits at the University of Washington aeronautical laboratory

The occurence of flow breakdown during the wind tunnel testing of a powered V/STOL aircraft was studied. Flow breakdown is the low forward speed test limit in a solid wall wind tunnel and is characterized by a vortex which forms on the floor and walls of the wind tunnel thereby failing to simulate free air conditions. The flow is caused by the interaction of the model wake and tunnel boundary layer and affects the model's aerodynamic characteristics in such fashion as to negate their reliability as correctable wind tunnel data. The low speed test limit was examined using a model that possessed a discretely concentrated powered lift system using a pair of lift jets. The system design is discussed and the tests and results which show that flow breakdown occurs at a velocity ratio of approximately 0.20 are reported.

Shindo, S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Calculation of the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of STOL aircraft with externally-blown jet-augmented flaps

A theoretical investigation was made to develop methods for predicting the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of externally-blown, jet-augmented wing-flap combinations. A potential flow analysis was used to develop two models: a wing-flap lifting surface model and a high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine wake model. Use of these two models in sequence provides for calculation of the wing-flap load distribution including the influence of the engine wake. The method can accommodate multiple engines per wing panel and part-span flaps but is limited to the case where the flow and geometry of the configuration are symmetric about a vertical plane containing the wing root chord. Comparisons of predicted and measured lift and pitching moment on unswept and swept wings with one and two engines per panel and with various flap deflection angles indicate satisfactory prediction of lift and moment for flap deflections up to 30 to 40 degrees. At higher flap angles with and without power, the method begins to overpredict lift, due probably to the appearance of flow separation on the flaps.

Dillenius, M. F. E.↗