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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 1,261 records · Page 70

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NASA NTRS1986

Flowfield survey over a 75 deg swept delta wing at an angle of attack of 20.5 deg

An experimental investigation of the flowfield over a 75 deg swept delta wing at an angle of attack of 20.5 deg has been conducted. The data include pitot pressure surveys and two types of flow visualization. Surface and flowfield visualization data were obtained at Reynolds number, Rn, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 million in increments of 0.25 million. Detailed pitot pressure surveys were made at five longitudinal stations at Rn = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 million in both the primary and secondary vortices. The results indicate that Reynolds number has only a minor effect on the global structure of the flowfield in the Reynolds number range that was investigated. The boundary layer transitions from laminar to turbulent at the trailing edge of the wing at Rn = 1.0 x 10 to the 6th, and the transition moves forward to x/L = 0.4 at Rn = 2.0 x 10 to the 6th. The positions of the primary vortex cores are insensitive to Reynolds number in this range; however, the lateral position of the secondary vortex core moves outboard aft of the region where the boundary layer transitions from laminar to turbulent.

Kjelgaard, S. O.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Extrema principles of entrophy production and energy dissipation in fluid mechanics

A survey is presented of several extrema principles of energy dissipation as applied to problems in fluid mechanics. An exact equation is derived for the dissipation function of a homogeneous, isotropic, Newtonian fluid, with terms associated with irreversible compression or expansion, wave radiation, and the square of the vorticity. By using entropy extrema principles, simple flows such as the incompressible channel flow and the cylindrical vortex are identified as minimal dissipative distributions. The principal notions of stability of parallel shear flows appears to be associated with a maximum dissipation condition. These different conditions are consistent with Prigogine's classification of thermodynamic states into categories of equilibrium, linear nonequilibrium, and nonlinear nonequilibrium thermodynamics; vortices and acoustic waves appear as examples of dissipative structures. The measurements of a typical periodic shear flow, the rectangular wall jet, show that direct measurements of the dissipative terms are possible.

Horne, W. Clifton↗

NASA NTRS1988

Extrema principles of entropy production and energy dissipation in fluid mechanics

A survey is presented of several extrema principles of energy dissipation as applied to problems in fluid mechanics. An exact equation is derived for the dissipation function of a homogeneous, isotropic, Newtonian fluid, with terms associated with irreversible compression or expansion, wave radiation, and the square of the vorticity. By using entropy extrema principles, simple flows such as the incompressible channel flow and the cylindrical vortex are identified as minimal dissipative distributions. The principal notions of stability of parallel shear flows appear to be associated with a maximum dissipation condition. These different conditions are consistent with Prigogine's classification of thermodynamic states into categories of equilibrium, linear nonequilibrium, and nonlinear nonequilibrium thermodynamics; vortices and acoustic waves appear as examples of dissipative structures. The measurements of a typical periodic shear flow, the rectangular wall jet, show that direct measurements of the dissipative terms are possible.

Horne, W. Clifton↗

NASA NTRS1988

Nonlinear interaction of near-planar TS waves and longitudinal vortices in boundary-layer transition

The nonlinear interactions that evolve between a planar or nearly planar Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) wave and the associated longitudinal vortices are considered theoretically for a boundary layer at high Reynolds number. The vortex flow is either induced by the TS nonlinear forcing or is input upstream, and similarly for the nonlinear wave development. Three major kinds of nonlinear spatial evolution, Types 1-3, are found. Each can start from secondary instability and then become nonlinear, Type 1 proving to be relatively benign but able to act as a pre-cursor to the Types 2, 3 which turn out to be very powerful nonlinear interactions. Type 2 involves faster stream-wise dependence and leads to a finite-distance blow-up in the amplitudes, which then triggers the full nonlinear 3-D triple-deck response, thus entirely altering the mean-flow profile locally. In contrast, Type 3 involves slower streamwise dependence but a faster spanwise response, with a small TS amplitude thereby causing an enhanced vortex effect which, again, is substantial enough to entirely alter the meanflow profile, on a more global scale. Streak-like formations in which there is localized concentration of streamwise vorticity and/or wave amplitude can appear, and certain of the nonlinear features also suggest by-pass processes for transition and significant changes in the flow structure downstream. The powerful nonlinear 3-D interactions 2, 3 are potentially very relevant to experimental findings in transition.

Smith, F. T.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Near wake structure for a generic ASTV configuration

Results of a numerical study are presented for hypersonic low-density flow about a 70-deg blunt cone using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. Particular emphasis is given to the near wake flow and its sensitivity to rarefaction and other parametric variations. The flow conditions simulated are attainable in existing low-density hypersonic wind tunnels; that is, Mach 20 nitrogen flow encompassing freestream Knudsen numbers of 0.03 to 0.001. A stable vortex forms in the near wake at and below a freestream Knudsen number of 0.01 and the size of the vortex increases with decreasing freestream Knudsen number. The base region of the flow remains in thermal nonequilibrium for all cases. There is no formation of a lip separation shock or a distinct wake shock at these rarefied conditions.

Dogra, Virendra K.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Development of an engineering level prediction method for high angle of attack aerodynamics

The present work is concerned with predicting the unsteady flow considered to be the cause of the structural failure of twin vertical tail aircraft. An engineering tool has been produced for high angle of attack aerodynamics using the simplest physical models. The main innovation behind this work is its emphasis on the modeling of two key aspects of the dominant physics associated with high angle-of-attack airflows, namely unsteady separation and vortex breakdown.

Reisenthel, Patrick H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Tollmien-Schlichting/vortex interactions in compressible boundary layer flows

The weakly nonlinear interaction of oblique Tollmien-Schlichting waves and longitudinal vortices in compressible, high Reynolds number, boundary-layer flow over a flat plate is considered for all ranges of the Mach number. The interaction equations comprise of equations for the vortex which is indirectly forced by the waves via a boundary condition, whereas a vortex term appears in the amplitude equation for the wave pressure. The downstream solution properties of interaction equations are found to depend on the sign of an interaction coefficient. Compressibility is found to have a significant effect on the interaction properties; principally through its impact on the waves and their governing mechanism, the triple-deck structure. It is found that, in general, the flow quantities will grow slowly with increasing downstream co-ordinate; i.e. in general, solutions do not terminate in abrupt, finite-distance 'break-ups'.

Blackaby, Nicholas D.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Radar Reflectivity in Wingtip-Generated Wake Vortices

This report documents new predictive models of radar reflectivity, with meter-scale resolution, for aircraft wakes in clear air and fog. The models result from a radar design program to locate and quantify wake vortices from commercial aircraft in support of the NASA Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS). The radar reflectivity model for clear air assumes: 1) turbulent eddies in the wake produce small discontinuities in radar refractive index; and 2) these turbulent eddies are in the 'inertial subrange' of turbulence. From these assumptions, the maximum radar frequency for detecting a particular aircraft wake, as well as the refractive index structure constant and radar volume reflectivity in the wake can be obtained from the NASA Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS) output. For fog conditions, an empirical relationship is used to calculate radar reflectivity factor from TASS output of bulk liquid water. Currently, two models exist: 1) Atlas-based on observations of liquid water and radar reflectivity factor in clouds; and 2) de Wolf- specifically tailored to a specific measured dataset (1992 Vandenberg Air Force Base).

Marshall, Robert E.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Nonlinear Stability and Structure of Compressible Reacting Mixing Layers

The parabolized stability equations (PSE) are used to investigate issues of nonlinear flow development and mixing in compressible reacting shear layers. Particular interest is placed on investigating the change in flow structure that occurs when compressibility and heat release are added to the flow. These conditions allow the 'outer' instability modes- one associated with each of the fast and slow streams-to dominate over the 'central', Kelvin-Helmholtz mode that unaccompanied in incompressible nonreacting mixing layers. Analysis of scalar probability density functions in flows with dominant outer modes demonstrates the ineffective, one-sided nature of mixing that accompany these flow structures. Colayer conditions, where two modes have equal growth rate and the mixing layer is formed by two sets of vortices, offer some opportunity for mixing enhancement. Their extent, however, is found to be limited in the mixing layer's parameter space. Extensive validation of the PSE technique also provides a unique perspective on central- mode vortex pairing, further supporting the view that pairing is primarily governed perspective sheds insight on how linear stability theory is able to provide such an accurate prediction of experimentally-observed, fully nonlinear flow phenomenon.

Day, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS2004

LDV Surveys Over a Fighter Model at Moderate to High Angles of Attack

The vortex flowfield over an advanced twin-tailed fighter configuration was measured in a low-speed wind tunnel at two angles of attack. The primary test data consisted of 3-component velocity surveys obtained using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. Laser light sheet and surface flow visualization were also obtained to provide insight into the flowfield structure. Time-averaged velocities and the root mean square of the velocity fluctuations were obtained at two cross-sections above the model. At 15 degrees angle of attack, the vortices generated by the wing leading edge extension (LEX) were unburst over the model and passed outboard of the vertical tail. At 25 degrees angle of attack, the vortices burst in the vicinity of the wing-LEX intersection and impact directly on the vertical tails. The RMS levels of the velocity fluctuations reach values of approximately 30% in the region of the vertical tails.

Sellers, William L., III↗

NASA NTRS1995

Fast Multipole Methods for Three-Dimensional N-body Problems

We are developing computational tools for the simulations of three-dimensional flows past bodies undergoing arbitrary motions. High resolution viscous vortex methods have been developed that allow for extended simulations of two-dimensional configurations such as vortex generators. Our objective is to extend this methodology to three dimensions and develop a robust computational scheme for the simulation of such flows. A fundamental issue in the use of vortex methods is the ability of employing efficiently large numbers of computational elements to resolve the large range of scales that exist in complex flows. The traditional cost of the method scales as Omicron (N(sup 2)) as the N computational elements/particles induce velocities at each other, making the method unacceptable for simulations involving more than a few tens of thousands of particles. In the last decade fast methods have been developed that have operation counts of Omicron (N log N) or Omicron (N) (referred to as BH and GR respectively) depending on the details of the algorithm. These methods are based on the observation that the effect of a cluster of particles at a certain distance may be approximated by a finite series expansion. In order to exploit this observation we need to decompose the element population spatially into clusters of particles and build a hierarchy of clusters (a tree data structure) - smaller neighboring clusters combine to form a cluster of the next size up in the hierarchy and so on. This hierarchy of clusters allows one to determine efficiently when the approximation is valid. This algorithm is an N-body solver that appears in many fields of engineering and science. Some examples of its diverse use are in astrophysics, molecular dynamics, micro-magnetics, boundary element simulations of electromagnetic problems, and computer animation. More recently these N-body solvers have been implemented and applied in simulations involving vortex methods. Koumoutsakos and Leonard (1995) implemented the GR scheme in two dimensions for vector computer architectures allowing for simulations of bluff body flows using millions of particles. Winckelmans presented three-dimensional, viscous simulations of interacting vortex rings, using vortons and an implementation of a BH scheme for parallel computer architectures. Bhatt presented a vortex filament method to perform inviscid vortex ring interactions, with an alternative implementation of a BH scheme for a Connection Machine parallel computer architecture.

Koumoutsakos, P.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Dynamics of coherent structures in a plane mixing layer

An incompressible, time developing 3-D mixing layer with idealized initial conditions was simulated numerically. Consistent with the suggestions from experimental measurements, the braid region between the dominant spanwise vortices or rolls develops longitudinal vortices or ribs, which are aligned upstream and downstream of a roll and produce spanwise distortion of the rolls. The process by which this distortion occurs is explained by studying a variety of quantities of dynamic importance (e.g., production of enstrophy, vortex stretching). Other quantities of interest (dissipation, helicity density) are also computed and discussed. The currently available simulation only allows the study of the early evolution (before pairing) of the mixing layer. New simulations in progress will relieve this restriction.

Hussain, Fazle↗

DOE OSTI2021

The effect of entrance flow development on vortex formation and wall shear stress in a curved artery model

In this work, we numerically investigate the effect of entrance condition on the spatial and temporal evolution of multiple three-dimensional vortex pairs and the wall shear stress distribution in a curved artery model. We perform this study using a Newtonian blood-analog fluid subjected to a pulsatile flow with two inflow conditions. The first flow condition is fully developed while the second condition is undeveloped (i.e., uniform). We discuss the connection along the axial direction between regions of organized vorticity observed at various cross sections of the model and compare results between the different entrance conditions. We model a human artery with a simple, rigid 180° curved pipe with a circular cross section and constant curvature, neglecting the effects of taper, torsion, and elasticity. Numerical results are computed from a discontinuous high-order spectral element flow solver. The flow rate used in this study is physiological. We observe differences in secondary flow patterns, especially during the deceleration phase of the physiological waveform where multiple vortical structures of both Dean-type and Lyne-type coexist. The results indicate that decreased axial velocities under an undeveloped condition produce smaller secondary flows that ultimately inhibit growth of any interior flow vortices. We highlight the effect of the entrance condition on the formation of these structures and subsequent appearance of abnormal inner wall shear stresses, which suggest there may be a lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease in curved arteries where the flow is rather undeveloped—a potentially physiologically significant result to help understand the influence of blood flow development on disease.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Irradiation response of commercial, high-Tc superconducting tapes: Electromagnetic transport properties

Effects of low dose irradiation on the electrical transport current properties of commercially available high-temperature superconducting, coated-conductor tapes were investigated, in view of potential applications in the irradiative environment of fusion reactors. Three different tapes, each with unique as-grown flux-pinning structures, were irradiated with Au and Ni ions at energies that provide a range of damage effects, with accumulated damage levels near that expected for conductors in a fusion reactor environment. Measurements using transport current determined the pre- and post-irradiation resistivity, critical current density, and pinning force density, yielding critical temperatures, irreversibility lines, and inferred vortex creep rates. Results show that at the irradiation damage levels tested, any detriment to as-grown pre-irradiation properties is modest; indeed in one case already-superior pinning forces are enhanced, leading to higher critical currents.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Ion acceleration in laser generated megatesla magnetic vortex

We report that Magnetic Vortex Acceleration (MVA) from near critical density targets is one of the promising schemes of laser-driven ion acceleration. 3D particle-in-cell simulations are used to explore a more extensive laser-target parameter space than previously reported in the literature as well as to study the laser pulse coupling to the target, the structure of the fields, and the properties of the accelerated ion beam in the MVA scheme. The efficiency of acceleration depends on the coupling of the laser energy to the self-generated channel in the target. The accelerated proton beams demonstrate a high level of collimation with achromatic angular divergence, and carry a significant amount of charge. For petawatt-class lasers, this acceleration regime provides a favorable scaling of the maximum ion energy with the laser power for the optimized interaction parameters. Lastly, the megatesla-level magnetic fields generated by the laser-driven coaxial plasma structure in the target are a prerequisite for accelerating protons to the energy of several hundred mega-electron-volts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Dynamical Scaling Reveals Topological Defects and Anomalous Evolution of a Photoinduced Phase Transition

Nonequilibrium states of quantum materials can exhibit exotic properties and enable unprecedented functionality and applications. These transient states are inherently inhomogeneous, characterized by the formation of topologically protected structures, requiring nanometer spatial resolution on femtosecond timescales to resolve their evolution. Using ultrafast total x-ray scattering at a free electron laser and a sophisticated scaling analysis, we gain unique access to the dynamics on the relevant mesoscopic lengthscales. Our results provide direct evidence that ultrafast excitation of LaTe$_3$ leads to formation of topological vortex strings of the charge density wave. These dislocations of the charge density wave exhibit anomalous, subdiffusive dynamics, slowing the equilibration process, providing rare insight into the nonequilibrium mesoscopic response in a quantum material. Our findings establish a general framework to investigate properties of topological defects, which are expected to be ubiquitous in nonequilibrium phase transitions and may arrest equilibration and enhance competing orders.

FOS: Physical sciences↗

NASA NTRS1988

Simulation of vortex breakdown in tubes

The breakdown of a vortex flow in a tube is studied for a slightly diverging tube by means of a numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for a quasi-stationary, incompressible, laminar flow. Numerical results are compared to experiments of Faler and Leibovich. The numerical data display features similar to the experimental results concerning breakdown conditions, location, and structure.

Menne, Stefan↗

NASA NTRS1989

Numerical experiments on stability and transition in plane channel flow

Various secondary and tertiary instabilities in plane channael flow are explored via time-dependent numerical simulations using the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Comparisons are made between transitional flows at Reynolds numbers 1500, 5000, and 8000. The lambda vortex, detached shear layer, and inverted vortex regions are identified, and the origin of the latter is explained. The laminar breakdown of the Re = 1500 flow is computed with high resolution, and the nature of its ensuing hairpin eddies is clarified by numerical particle paths. The potential of center-mode, rather than wall-mode transitions is proposed, and the resulting flow structure is described.

Zang, Thomas A.↗