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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

Effect of a part-span variable inlet guide vane on the performance of a high-bypass turbofan engine

The ability of a part-span variable inlet guide vane to modulate the thrust of a high bypass turbofan engine was evaluated at altitude/Mach number conditions of 4572 m/0.6 and 9144 m/0.93. Fan-tip, gas generator and supercharger performance were also determined, both on operating lines and during fan duct throttling. The evaluation was repeated with the bypass splitter extended forward to near the fan blade trailing edge. Gross thrust attenuation of over 50% was achieved with 50 deg variable inlet guide vane closure at 100% corrected fan speed. Gas generator supercharger performance fell off with variable inlet guide vane closure but this loss was reduced when a splitter extension was added. The effect of variable inlet guide vane closure on gas generator performance was minimal.

Bobula, G. A.↗

Effect of tip vanes on the performance and flow field of a rotor in hover

Tests run with a single bladed model rotor with a vane located at the tip of the blade indicated significantly increased performance under certain test conditions. Data reveal that a figure of merit increase of over one third occurred in hover. Flow visualization using smoke revealed that a pair of vortices sprung from the blade tip and the vane tip. The vane tip vortex tended to roll up and over the primary vortex. The vortices in the wake became much less well defined with the tip vane configurations.

Velkoff, H. R.↗

Energy efficient engine high-pressure turbine single crystal vane and blade fabrication technology report

The objective of the High-Pressure Turbine Fabrication Program was to demonstrate the application and feasibility of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft-developed two-piece, single crystal casting and bonding technology on the turbine blade and vane configurations required for the high-pressure turbine in the Energy Efficient Engine. During the first phase of the program, casting feasibility was demonstrated. Several blade and vane halves were made for the bonding trials, plus solid blades and vanes were successfully cast for materials evaluation tests. Specimens exhibited the required microstructure and chemical composition. Bonding feasibility was demonstrated in the second phase of the effort. Bonding yields of 75 percent for the vane and 30 percent for the blade were achieved, and methods for improving these yield percentages were identified. A bond process was established for PWA 1480 single crystal material which incorporated a transient liquid phase interlayer. Bond properties were substantiated and sensitivities determined. Tooling die materials were identified, and an advanced differential thermal expansion tooling concept was incorporated into the bond process.

Giamei, A. F.↗

Effect of jet exit vanes on flow pulsations in an open-jet wind tunnel

An investigation was conducted of various jet exit vane configurations in the open test section of the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel to determine their effectiveness in reducing flow pulsations. The data consist of the instantaneous velocity fluctuations measured with hot-wire anemometers located at the tunnel centerline, 39.5 ft (12.0) downstream of the jet exit. The data are presented in the form of measured root-mean-square turbulence levels in the test section and a time series analysis for the baseline jet exit configuration (without vanes) and forthe most effective vane configuration, which consisted of triangular vanes alternating into and out of the flow around the jet exit.

Sellers, W. L., III↗

Performance of an alpha-vane and pitot tube in simulated heavy rain environment

Experimental tests were conducted in the UDRI Environmental Wind/Rain Tunnel to establish the performance of an alpha-vane, that measures angle of attack, in a simulated heavy rain environment. The tests consisted of emersing the alpha-vane in an airstream with a concurrent water spray penetrating vertically through the airstream. The direction of the spray was varied to make an angle of 5.8 to 18 deg with the airstream direction in order to simulate the conditions that occur when an aircraft lands in a heavy rain environment. Rainrates simulated varied from 1000 to 1200 mm/hr which are the most severe ever expected to be encountered by an aircraft over even a 30 second period. Tunnel airspeeds ranged from 85 to 125 miles per hour. The results showed that even the most severe rainrates produced a misalignment in the alpha-vane of only 1 deg away from the airstream direction. Thus for normal rain conditions experienced by landing aircraft no significant deterioration in alpha-vane performance is expected.

Luers, J. K.↗

De-icing of the altitude wind tunnel turning vanes by electro-magnetic impulse

The Altitude Wind Tunnel at the NASA-Lewis facility is being proposed for a refurbishment and moderization. Two major changes are: (1) the increasing of the test section Mach number to 0.90, and (2) the addition of spray nozzles to provide simulation of flight in icing clouds. Features to be retained are the simulation of atmospheric temperature and pressure to 50,000 foot altitude and provision for full-scale aircraft engine operation by the exhausting of the aircraft combustion gases and ingestion of air to replace that used in combustion. The first change required a re-design of the turning vanes in the two corners downstream of the test section due to the higher Mach number at the corners. The second change threatens the operation of the turning vanes by the expected ice build-up, particulary on the first-corner vanes. De-icing by heat has two drawbacks: (1) an extremely large amount of heat is required, and (2) the melted ice would tend to collect as ice on some other surfaces in the tunnel, namely, the tunnel propellers and the cooling coils. An alternate de-icing method had been under development for three years under NASA-Lewis grants to the Wichita State University. This report describes the electro-impulse de-icing (EIDI) method and the testing work done to assess its applicability to wind tunnel turning vane de-icing. Tests were conducted in the structural dynamics laboratory and in the NASA Icing Research Tunnel. Good ice protection was achieved at lower power consumption and at a wide range of tunnel operations conditions. Recommendations for design and construction of the system for this application of the EIDI method are given.

Zumwalt, G. W.↗

Unsteady aerodynamic load estimates on turning vanes in the national full-scale aerodynamic complex

Unsteady aerodynamic design loads have been estimated for each of the vane sets in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC). These loads include estimates of local loads over one vane section and global loads over an entire vane set. The analytical methods and computer programs used to estimate these loads are discussed. In addition, the important computer input parameters are defined and the rationale used to estimate them is discussed. Finally, numerical values are presented for both the computer input parameters and the calculated design loads for each vane set.

Norman, Thomas R.↗

Experimental evaluation of corner turning vanes

Two types of turning vane airfoils (a controlled-diffusion shape and a circular arc shape) have been evaluated in the high-speed and fan-drive corners of a 0.1-scale model of NASA Lewis Research Center's proposed Altitude Wind Tunnel. The high-speed corner was evaluated with and without a simulated engine exhaust removal scoop. The fan-drive corner was evaluated with and without the high-speed corner. Flow surveys of pressure and flow angle were taken for both the corners and the vanes to determine their respective losses. The two-dimensional vane losses were low; however, the overall corner losses were higher because three-dimensional flow was generated by the complex geometry resulting from the turning vanes intersecting the end wall. The three-dimensional effects were especially pronounced in the outer region of the circular corner.

Moore, Royce D.↗

Experimental evaluation of corner vanes - Summary

Two types of turning vane airfoils (a controlled-diffusion shape and a circular arc shape) have been evaluated in the high-speed and fan-drive corners of a 0.1-scale model of NASA Lewis Research Center's proposed Altitude Wind Tunnel. The high-speed corner was evaluated with and without a simulated engine exhaust removal scoop. The fan-drive corner was evaluated with and without the high-speed corner. Flow surveys of pressure and flow angle were taken for both the corners and the vanes to determine their respective losses. The two-dimensional vane losses were low; however, the overall corner losses were higher because three-dimensional flow was generated by the complex geometry resulting from the turning vanes intersecting the end wall. The three-dimensional effects were especially pronounced in the outer region of the circular corner.

Moore, Royce↗

Unsteady diffuser vane pressure and impeller wake measurements in a centrifugal pump

Unsteady surface pressure measurements on a vaned diffuser of a centrifugal pump, and wake measurements of the flow exiting a centrifugal impeller into a vaneless diffuser are presented. Frequency spectra and ensemble averages are given for the unsteady measurements. Two different impellers were used, the pump impeller of the HPOTP (High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump) of the SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) and a two-dimensional impeller. The magnitude of the unsteady total pressure measured in the stationary frame at the impeller exit was found to be of the same order of magnitude as the total pressure rise across the pump. The magnitude of the unsteady diffuser vane pressures was observed to be significantly different on suction and pressure side of the vane, attaining its largest value on the suction side the leading edge while decreasing along the vane.

Arndt, N.↗

The effects of leading edge and downstream film cooling on turbine vane heat transfer

The progress under contract NAS3-24619 toward the goal of establishing a relevant data base for use in improving the predictive design capabilities for external heat transfer to turbine vanes, including the effect of downstream film cooling with and without leading edge showerhead film cooling. Experimental measurements were made in a two-dimensional cascade previously used to obtain vane surface heat transfer distributions on nonfilm cooled airfoils under contract NAS3-22761 and leading edge showerhead film cooled airfoils under contract NAS3-23695. The principal independent parameters (Mach number, Reynolds number, turbulence, wall-to-gas temperature ratio, coolant-to-gas temperature ratio, and coolant-to-gas pressure ratio) were maintained over ranges consistent with actual engine conditions and the test matrix was structured to provide an assessment of the independent influence of parameters of interest, namely, exit Mach number, exit Reynolds number, coolant-to-gas temperature ratio, and coolant-to-gas pressure ratio. Data provide a data base for downstream film cooled turbine vanes and extends the data bases generated in the two previous studies. The vane external heat transfer obtained indicate that considerable cooling benefits can be achieved by utilizing downstream film cooling. The data obtained and presented illustrate the interaction of the variables and should provide the airfoil designer and computational analyst the information required to improve heat transfer design capabilities for film cooled turbine airfoils.

Hylton, L. D.↗

Composite-Material Airflow Vane

"Alpha/beta" lightweight instrumentation vanes made of composite of phenolic, epoxy, and fiberglass stronger and more accurate than conventional vanes made partly of balsa wood. Absorbs little or no moisture and provides more repeatable measurements. Because weight same as balsa vanes, no instrumentation changes needed. If vane breaks away from stem, not likely to damage aircraft engine if ingested; more likely crumbles into low-density particles that pass through without causing harm.

Vranas, Thomas L.↗

Turbulence and pressure loss characteristics of the inlet vanes for the 80- by 120-ft wind tunnel

A series of wind tunnel investigations were conducted to determine the flow characteristics downstream of a set of wind tunnel inlet flow conditioning vanes. The purpose was to develop an understanding of the flow mechanisms that contributed to the pressure loss and turbulence generated by the vane set. The near-field characteristics and flow field development were investigated with a 1/3 scale two dimensional model of the vane set at near full-scale Reynolds numbers. In a second series of tests, the global flow field characteristics were investigated by means of a 1/15 scale model of the full vane set and the 5:1 contraction leading to the model's test section. Scale effects due to Reynolds number mismatch were identified and their significance noted and accounted for when possible. Scaling parameters were adopted that allowed predictions to be made of the expected turbulence and pressure distributions in the full-scale wind tunnel test section, based on the small-scale test results. The predictions were found to be in good agreement with actual measurements made in the full-scale facility.

Dudley, Michael R.↗

Influence of vane sweep on rotor-stator interaction noise

The influence of vane sweep in rotor-stator interaction noise is investigated. In an analytical approach, the interaction of a convected gust representing the rotor viscous wake, with a cascade of cascade of finite span swept airfoils, representing the stator, is analyzed. The analysis is based on the solution of the exact linearized equations of motion. High frequency convected gusts for which noise generation is concentrated near the leading edge of airfoils is considered. In a preliminary study, the problem of an isolated finite span swept airfoil interacting with a convected gust is analyzed. Results indicate that sweep can substantially reduce the farfield noise levels for a single airfoil. Using the single airfoil model, an approximate solution to the problem of noise radiation from a cascade of finite span swept airfoils interacting with a convected gust is derived. A parametric study of noise generated by gust cascade interaction is carried out to assess the effectiveness of vane sweep in reducing rotor-stator interaction noise. The results show that sweep is beneficial in reducing noise levels. Rotor wake twist or circumferential lean substantially influences the effectiveness of vane sweep. The orientation of vane sweep must be chosen to enhance the natural phase lag caused by wake lean, in which case rather small sweep angles substantially reduce the noise levels.

Envia, Edmane↗

Multiaxis thrust vectoring using axisymmetric nozzles and postexit vanes on an F/A-18 configuration vehicle

A ground-based investigation was conducted on an operational system of multiaxis thrust vectoring using postexit vanes around an axisymmetric nozzle. This thrust vectoring system will be tested on the NASA F/A-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) aircraft. The system provides thrust vectoring capability in both pitch and yaw. Ground based data were gathered from two separate tests at NASA Langley Research Center. The first was a static test in the 16-foot Transonic Tunnel Cold-Jet Facility with a 14.25 percent scale model of the axisymmetric nozzle and the postexit vanes. The second test was conducted in the 30 by 60 foot wind tunnel with a 16 percent F/A-18 complete configuration model. Data from the two sets are being used to develop models of jet plume deflection and thrust loss as a function of vane deflection. In addition, an aerodynamic interaction model based on plume deflection angles will be developed. Results from the scale model nozzle test showed that increased vane deflection caused exhaust plume turning. Aerodynamic interaction effects consisted primarily of favorable interaction of moments and unfavorable interaction of forces caused by the vectored jet plume.

Bowers, Albion H.↗

Laser anemometer measurements and computations in an annular cascade of high turning core turbine vanes

An advanced laser anemometer (LA) was used to measure the axial and tangential velocity components in an annular cascade of turbine stator vanes designed for a high bypass ratio engine. These vanes were based on a redesign of the first-stage stator, of a two-stage turbine, that produced 75 degrees of flow turning. Tests were conducted on a 0.771 scale model of the engine size stator. The advanced LA fringe system was designed to employ thinner than usual laser beams resulting in a 50-micron-diameter probe volume. Window correction optics were used to ensure that the laser beams did not uncross in passing through the curved optical access port. Experimental LA measurements of velocity and turbulence were obtained both upstream, within, and downstream of the stator vane row at the design exit critical velocity ratio of 0.896 at the hub. Static pressures were also measured on the vane surface. The measurements are compared, where possible with calculations from a 3-D inviscid flow analysis. The data are presented in both graphic and tabulated form so that they may be readily used to compare against other turbomachinery computations.

Goldman, Louis J.↗

Enhanced Boiling-Metal Cooling Of Vanes Exposed To Hot Gases

Incorporation of automatic, self-powered jet pumps proposed to enhance boiling-liquid-metal cooling of vanes exposed to hot gases. In original intended application, vanes and probes thrust-vector-control devices inserted in supersonic flows of hot gases in rocket-engine nozzles; this cooling concept also applicable to vanes and blades in high-performance turbine engines. In further improvement, additional axial and transverse slots added to coolant passages in vane or probe and to coolant reservoir. Slots reduce stresses caused by thermal expansion and contraction of solid coolant.

Osofsky, I. B.↗

Active Flow Separation Control of a Stator Vane Using Surface Injection in a Multistage Compressor Experiment

Micro-flow control actuation embedded in a stator vane was used to successfully control separation and improve near stall performance in a multistage compressor rig at NASA Glenn. Using specially designed stator vanes configured with internal actuation to deliver pulsating air through slots along the suction surface, a research study was performed to identify performance benefits using this microflow control approach. Pressure profiles and unsteady pressure measurements along the blade surface and at the shroud provided a dynamic look at the compressor during microflow air injection. These pressure measurements lead to a tracking algorithm to identify the onset of separation. The testing included steady air injection at various slot locations along the vane. The research also examined the benefit of pulsed injection and actively controlled air injection along the stator vane. Two types of actuation schemes were studied, including an embedded actuator for on-blade control. Successful application of an online detection and flow control scheme will be discussed. Testing showed dramatic performance benefit for flow reattachment and subsequent improvement in diffusion through the use of pulsed controlled injection. The paper will discuss the experimental setup, the blade configurations, and preliminary CFD results which guided the slot location along the blade. The paper will also show the pressure profiles and unsteady pressure measurements used to track flow control enhancement, and will conclude with the tracking algorithm for adjusting the control.

Culley, Dennis E.↗