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At least 127 records · Page 7

TranAir: Recent advances and applications

TranAir is a computer code which solves the full-potential equation for transonic flow about very general and complex configurations. Piecewise flat surface panels are used to describe the surface geometry. This paneled definition is then embedded in an unstructured cartesian flow field grid. Finite elements are used in the discretization of the flow field grid in a manner which is fully conservative and second-order accurate. Since geometries may be defined with relative ease, and since the user is not involved in the generation of the flow field grid, computational results may be generated rather quickly for a wide range of geometries. For transonic cases in the cruise angle-of-attack range, TranAir has generated results which are in generally good agreement with both Euler results and wind tunnel data. A typical transonic case runs in 1 to 2 CPU hours on a Cray X-MP. For subcritical cases, the code runs in 15 to 30 CPU minutes, even for geometries in which several thousand surface panels are used in the definition. This ability to rapidly and accurately provide both subsonic and transonic predictions about very complex aircraft configurations gives TranAir the potential of being a very powerful and widely used design tool.

Madson, Michael D.↗

The investigation of flow instabilities on a rotating disk with curvature in the radial direction

The major objective is to explore any visible differences of the flow field with wall curvature of the test body, including possible interaction between Taylor-Gortler instabilities present along concave walls and the inflexional instabilities investigated here. An experimental study was conducted with emphasis placed on making visual observations and recording photographically the flow instabilities present under three different rotating bodies: a flat disk, a concave paraboloid, and a convex paraboloid. The data collected for the three test bodies lead to the conclusion that the wall curvature of the concave and convex paraboloids did not alter the observed flow field significantly from that observed on the flat disk.

Intemann, P. A.↗

Tracing Material Flow Paths in Friction Stir Welds

Heat and mechanical work are coupled in the friction stir welding process. The process variables are RPM, translational weld speed, and downward plunge force. The strain-temperature history of a metal element at each point on the cross-section of the weld is determined by the process variables plus the individual flow path taken by the particular filament of metal flowing around the tool and ending on flat point. The strain-temperature history determines the properties of a metal element on the weld cross-section. The strain-temperature history is carefully controlled in metal processes where direct control is feasible. Indirect estimates of the flow paths and the strain-temperature histories of filaments comprising friction stir welds can be made from a model, if the model is good enough. This paper describes marker studies of flow path geometries for various process parameters. Observed geometries are compared with geometries estimated from models.

Sanders, Johnny↗

King Crater and its environs, part M

Superb photographs of King Crater were returned by the Apollo 16 crew. The metric and panoramic cameras provided stereoscopic coverage with which high quality topographic maps may be made. King crater, approximately 75 km in diameter and, on the average, 3.8 km deep, is among the most significant features photographed and visually studied from lunar orbit on the Apollo 16 mission. It is the freshest crater on the far side in its size range and has several unique characteristics. (1) Although its ejecta blanket displays very sharp features, the crater does not appear to have extensive ray systems and secondary crater chains. (2) As depicted for the first time by Apollo 16 photographs, the ejecta blanket is strewn with numerous flow fronts and scarps. (3) A flat and smooth, dark, lavalike deposit 15 km across is on the northern rim of the crater. (4) The central peak of the crater is a Y-shaped structure that begins at the southern rim. (5) Bright units that are aligned with the central peak on the northern wall and rim suggest that a preexisting tabular body was excavated by the cratering process.

El-Baz, F.↗

Effect of wing-tip dihedral on the longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic cruise configuration at subsonic speeds

Force and moment data studies were conducted to determine the effect of wing-tip dihedral on the longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic characteristics of a supersonic cruise fighter configuration. Oil flow studies were also performed to investigate the model surface flow. Three models were tested: a flat (0 deg dihedral) wing tip, a dihedral, and an anhedral wing tip. The tests were conducted at the NASA Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel.

Washburn, K. E.↗

Influence of phase cancellation and pulse shape artifacts on ultrasonic spectrum analysis

Both continuous wave and Fourier transformed pulse ultrasonic spectroscopy are being applied to material and flow characterization. Ideal samples and flaws (flat, parallel, and homogeneous) and ideal ultrasonic apparatus (producing delta function stress waves) provide acoustic spectra which can be partially inverted. However, in the presence of material inhomogeneity, lack of sample flatness or parallelism, or finite risetime pulses, the spectra become quite complex and produce phase cancellations at the transducer as well as pulse shape spectral artifacts. In this paper, we examine the nature of these artifacts for both simple and practical samples. Sample spectra are contrasted for several different transducer/electronic systems. Spectra obtained with a phase insensitive acousto-electric transducer (AET) combined with a frequency tracked tone-burst spectroscopy (TBS) method are presented. Analysis of the test configuration is shown to produce spectra consistent with that obtained with the AET-TBS combination.

Heyman, J. S.↗

Pollutant emissions from flat-flame burners at high pressures

Maximum flame temperatures and pollutant emission measurements for NOx, CO, and UHC (unburned hydrocarbons) are reported for premixed methane air flat flames at constant total mass flow rate over the pressure range from 1.9 to 30 atm and for equivalence ratios from 0.84 to 1.12. For any given pressure, maxima typically occur in both the temperature and NOx emissions curves slightly to the lean side of stoichiometric conditions. The UHC emissions show minima at roughly the same equivalence ratios. The CO emissions, however, increase continually with increasing equivalence ratio. Flame temperature and NOx emissions decrease with increasing pressure, while the opposite is true for the CO and UHC emissions. The NOx data correlate reasonably well as a function of flame temperature only. Four flameholders, differing only slightly, were used. In general, the temperature and emissions data from these four flameholders are similar, but some differences also exist. These differences appear to be related to minor variations in the condition of the flameholder surfaces.

Maahs, H. G.↗

Fluid mechanical aspects of cell culture

The influence of shear rate on cell cultures was determined. Cells were cultured on a flat substrate in a specially designed flow chamber in which shear rate is known and controlled.

Hellums, J. D.↗

The mechanisms of flame holding in the wake of a bluff body

The flame holding mechanism for lean methane and lean propane air flames is examined under conditions where the recirculation zone is absent. The holding process is studied in detail in an attempt to determine the mechanism of flame holding and also the conditions where this mechanism is viable and when it fails and blow off occurs. Inverted flames held in the wake of a flat strip are studied. The velocity flow field is determined using a Laser Doppler Velocimetry technique. Equation of continuity is used to calculate the flame temperature from the change in area of flow streamlines before and after the flame. For methane air flame the controlling factor for blow off is incomplete reaction due to higher blowing rate leading to reduced residence time in the reaction zone.

Strehlow, R. A.↗

Design parameters for flow energizers

One of the most significant uses of flow energizers, which are small highly swept strakes mounted immediately above a lifting surface, is in flow control over regions where a lifting surface is joined to another body, such as a fuselage or nacelle. In the presently reported systematic wind tunnel test study of flow energizers, 14 different geometric configurations using a 75-deg sweep flow energizer were tested on a light twin-engine general aviation aircraft model. It is found that cambered flow energizers perform better than their flat counterparts. All but two of the energizer installations developed lower L/D at cruise angles of attack, lower maximum lift coefficients, and lower stall angles of attack than the baseline model.

Ward, D. T.↗

Deccan volcanism and K-T boundary signatures

The Deccan Traps in the Indian subcontinent represent one of the most extensive flood basalt provinces in the world. These basalts occur mainly as flat-lying, subaerially erupted tholeiitic lava flows, some of which are traceable for distances of more than 100 km. Offshore drilling and geophysical surveys indicate that a part of the Deccan subsided or was downfaulted to the west beneath the Arabian Sea. The presence of 1 to 5 m thick intertrappean sediments deposited by lakes and rivers indicates periods of quiescence between eruptions. The occurrence of numerous red bole beds among the flows suggests intense weathering of flow tops between eruptive intervals. Although the causative relationship of the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) biotic extinctions to Deccan volcanism is debatable, the fact that the main Deccan eruptions straddle the K-T event appears beyond doubt from the recent Ar-40/Ar-39 ages of various Deccan flows. This temporal relationship of the K-T event with Deccan volcanism makes the petrochemical signatures of the entire Deccan sequence (basalt flows, intercalated intertrappean sediments, infratrappean Lameta beds (with dinosaur fossils), and the bole beds) pertinent to studies of the K-T event. The results of ongoing study is presented.

Murali, A. V.↗

High Temperature Transfer Molding Resins Based on 2,3,3',4'-Biphenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride

As part of an ongoing effort to develop materials for resin transfer molding (RTM) processes to fabricate high performance/high temperature composite structures, phenylethynyl containing imides have been under investigation. New phenylethynyl containing imide compositions were prepared using 2,3,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (a-BPDA) and evaluated for cured glass transition temperature (Tg), melt flow behavior, and for processability into flat composite panels via RTM. The a-BPDA imparts a unique combination of properties that are desirable for high temperature transfer molding resins. In comparison to its symmetrical counterpart (i.e. 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride), a-BPDA affords oligomers with lower melt viscosities and when cured, higher Tgs. Several candidates exhibited the appropriate combination of properties such as a low and stable melt viscosity required for RTM processes, high cured Tg, and moderate toughness. The chemistry, physical, and composite properties of select resins will be discussed.

Smith, J. G., Jr.↗

Modeling the VARTM Composite Manufacturing Process

A comprehensive simulation model of the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Modeling (VARTM) composite manufacturing process has been developed. For isothermal resin infiltration, the model incorporates submodels which describe cure of the resin and changes in resin viscosity due to cure, resin flow through the reinforcement preform and distribution medium and compaction of the preform during the infiltration. The accuracy of the model was validated by measuring the flow patterns during resin infiltration of flat preforms. The modeling software was used to evaluate the effects of the distribution medium on resin infiltration of a flat preform. Different distribution medium configurations were examined using the model and the results were compared with data collected during resin infiltration of a carbon fabric preform. The results of the simulations show that the approach used to model the distribution medium can significantly effect the predicted resin infiltration times. Resin infiltration into the preform can be accurately predicted only when the distribution medium is modeled correctly.

Song, Xiao-Lan↗

An Experimental Study of n-Heptane and JP-7 Extinction Limits in an Opposed Jet Burner

Propulsion engine combustor design and analysis requires experimentally verified data on the chemical kinetics of fuel. Among the important data is the combustion extinction limit as measured by observed maximum flame strain rate. The extinction limit relates to the ability to maintain a flame in a combustor during operation. Extinction limit data can be obtained for a given fuel by means of a laminar flame experiment using an opposed jet burner (OJB). Laminar extinction limit data can be applied to the turbulent application of a combustor via laminar flamelet modeling. The OJB consists of two axi-symmetric tubes (one for fuel and one for oxidizer), which produce a flat, disk-like counter-flow diffusion flame. This paper presents results of experiments to measure extinction limits for n-heptane and the military specification fuel JP-7, obtained from an OJB. JP-7 is an Air Force-developed fuel that continues to be important in the area of hypersonics. Because of its distinct properties it is currently the hydrocarbon fuel of choice for use in Scramjet engines. This study provides much-desired data for JP-7, for which very little information previously existed. The interest in n-heptane is twofold. First, there has been a significant amount of previous extinction limit study and resulting data with this fuel. Second, n-heptane (C7H16) is a pure substance, and therefore does not vary in composition as does JP-7, which is a mixture of several different hydrocarbons. These two facts allow for a baseline to be established by comparing the new OJB results to those previously taken. Additionally, the data set for n-heptane, which previously existed for mixtures up to 26 mole percent in nitrogen, is completed up to 100% n-heptane. The extinction limit data for the two fuels are compared, and complete experimental results are included.

Convery, Janet L.↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE). Aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance of a 50.8 cm (20 inch) diameter 1.34 PR variable pitch fan with core flow

The fan aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance tests of the quiet clean short haul experimental engine under the wing fan and inlet with a simulated core flow are described. Overall forward mode fan performance is presented at each rotor pitch angle setting with conventional flow pressure ratio efficiency fan maps, distinguishing the performance characteristics of the fan bypass and fan core regions. Effects of off design bypass ratio, hybrid inlet geometry, and tip radial inlet distortion on fan performance are determined. The nonaxisymmetric bypass OGV and pylon configuration is assessed relative to both total pressure loss and induced circumferential flow distortion. Reverse mode performance, obtained by resetting the rotor blades through both the stall pitch and flat pitch directions, is discussed in terms of the conventional flow pressure ratio relationship and its implications upon achievable reverse thrust. Core performance in reverse mode operation is presented in terms of overall recovery levels and radial profiles existing at the simulated core inlet plane. Observations of the starting phenomena associated with the initiation of stable rotor flow during acceleration in the reverse mode are briefly discussed. Aeromechanical response characteristics of the fan blades are presented as a separate appendix, along with a description of the vehicle instrumentation and method of data reduction.

Giffin, R. G.↗