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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 127 records · Page 7

Experimental study of flow deflectors designed to alleviate ground winds induced by exhaust of 80-by 120-foot wind tunnel

An experimental study directed at finding a deflector ramp that will reduce to an acceptable level the ground winds under the exhaust jet of the 80 by 120 Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Center is described. A one-fifieth scale model of the full-scale facility was used to investigate how the jet flow field was modified by the various design parameters of the ramp. It was concluded that the ground winds were alleviated sufficiently by a ramp with end plates located next to the wind tunnel building along the ground edge of the exhaust opening. At full scale, the ramp should have a slant length of 7.62 m (25 ft) or more, and would be elevated at about 45 degrees to the ground plane. The material should have holes less than 15.2 (6 in) in diameter distributed uniformly over its surface to produce a porosity of about 30%.

Rossow, V. J.↗

An experimental study of the effects of aft blowing on a 3.0 caliber tangent ogive body at high angles of attack

An experimental study of the effects of aft blowing on the forebody vortex asymmetry over a 3.0 caliber tangent ogive body at high angles of attack was conducted. The tip of the ogive body was equipped with a single blowing nozzle whose position could be adjusted. The tests were conducted in a subsonic wind tunnel at laminar flow conditions. The effects of model roll, angle of attack, blowing coefficient, and blowing nozzle axial position were independently studied. Surface pressure measurements and flow visualization results were obtained. Aft blowing was observed to alleviate the degree of vortex asymmetry at all angles of attack. The blowing was found to be more effective at the higher angles of attack. However, proportional control of the degree of vortex asymmetry was not observed, because the initial flowfield was highly asymmetric.

Gittner, Nathan M.↗

Experimental Study of Vane Heat Transfer and Film Cooling at Elevated Levels of Turbulence

This report documents the results of an experimental study on the influence of high level turbulence on vane film cooling and the influence of film cooling on vane heat transfer. Three different cooling configurations were investigated which included one row of film cooling on both pressure and suction surfaces, two staggered rows of film cooling on both suction and pressure surfaces, and a shower-head cooling array. The turbulence had a strong influence on film cooling effectiveness, particularly on the pressure surface where local turbulence levels were the highest. For the single row of holes, the spanwise mixing quickly reduced centerline effectiveness levels while mixing in the normal direction was more gradual. The film cooling had a strong influence on the heat transfer in the laminar regions of the vane. The effect of film cooling on heat transfer was noticeable in the turbulent regions but augmentation ratios were significantly lower. In addition to heat transfer and film cooling, velocity profiles were taken downstream of the film cooling rows at three spanwise locations. These profile comparisons documented the strong spanwise mixing due to the high turbulence. Total pressure exit measurements were also documented for the three configurations.

Ames, Forrest E.↗

An experimental study of the aeroacoustics of a subsonic jet impinging normal to a large rigid surface

This paper presents results from an experimental study of unsteady surface pressures and far-field noise produced by a subsonic jet impinging normal to a large, rigid, flat surface. The tests were performed in an anechoic room for jet Mach numbers from 0.54 to 0.85, and for jet-to-surface heights of from 5 to 10 jet diameters. Results showed that the root-mean-square surface pressure levels were proportional to jet dynamic pressure and were independent of jet height for radial distances from the stagnation point greater than 3 jet diameters. Far-field measurements indicated a significant increase in noise over that of a free jet for all cases of impingement. Cross spectral calculations between the surface and the far field suggested that at a Mach number of 0.70 and a height of 5 jet diameters the additional noise originated mainly in the outer edge of the impingement region between 1 and 3 jet diameters from the stagnation point.

Preisser, J. S.↗

An Experimental Study of the Operating Temperature in a Loop Heat Pipe with Two Evaporators and Two Condensers

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of the loop operating temperature in a loop heat pipe (LHP) which has two parallel evaporators and two parallel condensers. In a single evaporator LHP, it is well known that the loop operating temperature is a function of the heat load, the sink temperature and the ambient temperature. The objective of the present study emphasizes on the stability of the loop operating temperature and parameters that affects the loop operation. Tests results show that the loop operating temperature is a function of the total system heat load, sink temperature, ambient temperature, and beat load distribution between the two evaporators. Under most conditions, only one compensation chamber (CC) contains two-phase fluid and controls the loop operating temperature, and the other CC is completely filled with liquid. Moreover, as the test condition changes, control of the loop operating temperature often shifted from one CC to another. In spite of complex interactions between various components, the test loop has demonstrated very robust operation even during fast transients.

Ku, Jentung↗

Experimental study of shock wave interference heating on a cylindrical leading edge at Mach 6 and 8

This paper presents the details of an experimental study of shock wave interference heating on a cylindrical leading edge representative of the cowl of a rectangular hypersonic engine inlet. The study was conducted at Mach numbers of 6.3, 6.5 and 8.0. This study has provided the first (1) detailed pressure and heat transfer rate distributions for a two-dimensional shock wave interference on a cylinder and (2) insight into the effects of temperature dependent specific heats on the phenomena. The peak pressure and heat transfer rates were 10 times the undisturbed flow stagnation point levels. The peak levels and their gradients increased with Mach number. Variation in specific heats and hence the ratio of specific heats with temperature manifest in slightly lower loads and amplification factors than for corresponding perfect gas conditions.

Wieting, Allan R.↗

Preliminary results of an experimental study of the interactions of basalt glass and a water vapor atmosphere: Implications for weathering on Mars

Models of weathering processes on the surface of Mars invoke hydrothermal alteration as the primary mechanism responsible for clay formation. Previous experimental studies of basalt glass interactions with water under hydrothermal conditions demonstrate that phyllosilicates and zeolites are the primary alteration minerals. Gas-solid weathering is thought to be less thermodynamically favorable and relatively unimportant, however, the experimental alteration of basalt glass under vapor ion conditions (large SA/V) can result in the formation of clay minerals, zeolites, and hydrated calcium silicates. We have undertaken a study of the reacted layers formed on basalt glasses experimentally altered under vapor hydration conditions to resolve this issue. High SA/V ratios promote reaction product buildup in solution and promote alteration mineral formation. It was previously shown that these reaction conditions promote weathering processes similar to those found in nature for tektite glasses, rhyolitic glasses, and basalt glasses. The hydration of basalt glass is described for 100 percent relative humidity experiments at temperatures of 150, 175, and 200 C for up to 400 days. Preliminary characterization of the alteration layers with analytical electron and scanning microscopy suggest that the reaction mechanism includes precipitation of a smectite clay on the outermost surface of the glass. Between the clay and the unreacted glass is an amorphous gel-like phase (palagonite). Our results provide an experimental basis for proposing that basalt glass interactions with vapor atmospheres can be an important source of clay minerals.

Mazer, J. J.↗

An experimental study of high contraction ratio, subsonic wind tunnel inlets

The inlet or contraction section has significant impact on the performance and operating characteristics of any subsonic wind tunnel. Previous experimental studies have been conducted to examine specific aspects of inlet performance and design. This work builds on this earlier experience by performing a comprehensive experimental analysis of a member of a family of high contraction ratio inlets used on indraft type wind tunnels. Quantitative flow field measurements were made using wall static ports, a five-hole pressure probe, and a hot wire anemometry system. Smoke flow visualization techniques were used to examine the inlet flow in a more qualitative manner and to correlate with quantitative measurements. This experimental investigation has provided insight into some of the many problems associated with inlet flows.

Caylor, M. J.↗

Experimental study of the space-time development of the particle production process in hadron-nucleon collisions, using massive target nucleus as a detector

Experimental study of the space-time development of the particle production process in hadronic collisions at its initial stage was performed. Massive target nuclei have been used as fine detectors of properties of the particle production process development within time intervals smaller than 10 to the 22nd power s and spatial distances smaller than 10 to the 12th power cm. In hadron-nucleon collisions, in particular in nucleon-nucleon collisions, the particle production process goes through intermediate objects in 2 yields 2 type endoergic reactions. The objects decay into commonly observed resonances and paricles.

Strugalski, Z.↗

An Experimental Study of Ignition Effects and Flame Growth Over a Thin Solid Fuel in Low-Speed Concurrent Flow Using Drop-Tower Facilities

An experimental study of ignition and flame growth over a thin solid fuel in oxidizer flow speeds from 0 to 10 cm/sec concurrent flow was performed. This study examined the differences between ignition using a resistively heated wire (woven in a sawtooth pattern over the leading edge of the fuel), and a straight resistively heated wire augmented by a chemical ignitor doped onto the leading edge of the fuel. Results showed that the chemical system yielded non-uniform ignition bursts, while the system using only the hotwire gave more uniform ignition. At speeds up to 2.5 cm/sec, the chemical system yielded non-uniform pyrolysis fronts, while the hotwire system gave more uniform pyrolysis fronts. At speeds of 5 cm/sec or greater, both systems gave uniform pyrolysis fronts. The chemically-ignited flames tended to become too dim to see faster than the hotwire-ignited flames, and the flame lengths were observed to be shorter (after the initial burst subsided) for the chemical system for all speeds. Flame and pyrolysis element velocities were measured. Temperature profiles for selected tests were measured using thermocouples at the fuel surface and in the gas phase. Comparisons between the flame element velocities and peak temperatures recorded in these tests with calculated spread rates and peak temperatures from a steady-state model are presented. Agreement was found to be within 20% for most flame elements for nominal velocities of 5 cm/sec and 7.5 cm/sec.

Pettegrew, Richard Dale↗

Experimental studies related to the origin of the genetic code and the process of protein synthesis - A review

A survey is presented of the literature on the experimental evidence for the genetic code assignments and the chemical reactions involved in the process of protein synthesis. In view of the enormous number of theoretical models that have been advanced to explain the origin of the genetic code, attention is confined to experimental studies. Since genetic coding has significance only within the context of protein synthesis, it is believed that the problem of the origin of the code must be dealt with in terms of the origin of the process of protein synthesis. It is contended that the answers must lie in the nature of the molecules, amino acids and nucleotides, the affinities they might have for one another, and the effect that those affinities must have on the chemical reactions that are related to primitive protein synthesis. The survey establishes that for the bulk of amino acids, there is a direct and significant correlation between the hydrophobicity rank of the amino acids and the hydrophobicity rank of their anticodonic dinucleotides.

Lacey, J. C., Jr.↗

Experimental studies of crystal-melt differentiation in planetary basalt compositions

An important process that controls the evolution of magmas on and within planetary bodies is crystal-melt differentiation. Experimental studies of silicate melt solidification were performed on several planetary and terrestrial melt compositions, and experiments on one of these compositions in the microgravity environment of the space station would provide an opportunity to understand the factors that control crystal growth and crystal-melt exchange processes at crystal-melt interfaces during solidification. Experimental requirements are presented.

Grove, T. L.↗

Progress on Experimental Impact Studies

Experimental impact studies were undertaken. Ejecta velocity distributions and related results from regolith targets were studied. The velocity distributions, energy partitioning, and related properties from 14 impacts at speeds 5 to 2321 m/s in vacuo into regolith-like fine powders were derived. Data are analyzed on: velocity and mass distributions as a function of azimuth around the crater during oblique impacts catastrophic disruption of spherical targets of variable strength, and catastrophic disruption of irregular-shaped natural rock targets and artificial granular aggregate targets.

Hartmann, W. K.↗

An experimental study of compression failure of fibrous laminated composites in the presence of stress gradients

Mechanisms of failure in laminates in the presence of a stress raiser were experimentally studied. The damage initiation and propagation throughout the entire load history were examined via real-time holographic interferometry and photomicrography of the hole surface. Multilayered composite flat plates made of T300/BP907 and IM7/8551-7 were tested. It is shown that the failure is initiated as a localized instability in the 0-deg plies at the hole surface approximately at right angles to the loading direction. A series of events is described which culminates in the complete loss of flexural stiffness of each of the delaminated portions, leading to catastrophic failure of the plate.

Waas, A. M.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions

The results obtained in the second year of a three year collaborative effort with MSFC are summarized. A succession of experimental studies was completed to determine the effects of the natural and induced space vehicle environment on the measurement of auroral images from space-based platforms. In addition, a global model which incorporates both auroral and dayglow emission sources is being developed to allow interpretation of measured auroral emissions. A description of work completed on these two tasks is presented.

Keffer, Charles E.↗

Analytical and experimental study of resonance ignition tubes

The application of the gas-dynamic resonance concept was investigated in relation to ignition of rocket propulsion systems. Analytical studies were conducted to delineate the potential uses of resonance ignition in oxygen/hydrogen bipropellant and hydrazine monopropellant rocket engines. Experimental studies were made to: (1) optimize the resonance igniter configuration, and (2) evaluate the ignition characteristics when operating with low temperature oxygen and hydrogen at the inlet to the igniter.

Stabinsky, L.↗