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At least 145 records · Page 8

Multi-Body Analysis of the 1/5 Scale Wind Tunnel Model of the V-22 Tiltrotor

The paper presents a multi-body analysis of the 1/5 scale wind tunnel model of the V-22 tiltrotor, the Wing and Rotor Aeroelastic Testing System (WRATS), currently tested at NASA Langley Research Center. An original multi-body formulation has been developed at the Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale of the Politecnico di Milano, Italy. It is based on the direct writing of the equilibrium equations of independent rigid bodies, connected by kinematic constraints that result in the addition of algebraic constraint equations, and by dynamic constraints, that directly contribute to the equilibrium equations. The formulation has been extended to the simultaneous solution of interdisciplinary problems by modeling electric and hydraulic networks, for aeroservoelastic problems. The code has been tailored to the modeling of rotorcrafts while preserving a complete generality. A family of aerodynamic elements has been introduced to model high aspect aerodynamic surfaces, based on the strip theory, with quasi-steady aerodynamic coefficients, compressibility, post-stall interpolation of experimental data, dynamic stall modeling, and radial flow drag. Different models for the induced velocity of the rotor can be used, from uniform velocity to dynamic in flow. A complete dynamic and aeroelastic analysis of the model of the V-22 tiltrotor has been performed, to assess the validity of the formulation and to exploit the unique features of multi-body analysis with respect to conventional comprehensive rotorcraft codes; These are the ability to model the exact kinematics of mechanical systems, and the possibility to simulate unusual maneuvers and unusual flight conditions, that are particular to the tiltrotor, e.g. the conversion maneuver. A complete modal validation of the analytical model has been performed, to assess the ability to reproduce the correct dynamics of the system with a relatively coarse beam model of the semispan wing, pylon and rotor. Particular care has been used to model the kinematics of the gimbal joint, that characterizes the rotor hub, and of the control system, consisting in the entire swashplate mechanism. The kinematics of the fixed and the rotating plates have been modeled, with variable length control links used to input the controls, the rotating flexible links, the pitch horns and the pitch bearings. The investigations took advantage of concurring wind tunnel test runs, that were performed in August 1998, and allowed the acquisition of data specific to the multi-body analysis.

Ghiringhelli, G. L.↗

Steady-state and transient Zener parameters in viscoplasticity: Drag strength versus yield strength

A hypothesis is put forth which enables the viscoplastician to formulate a theory of viscoplasticity that reduces, in closed form, to the classical theory of creep. This hypothesis is applied to a variety of drag and yield strength models. Because of two theoretical restrictions that are a consequence of this hypothesis, three different yield strength models and one drag strength model are shown to be theoretically admissible. One of these yield strength models is selected as being the most appropriate representation for isotropic hardening.

Freed, A. D.↗

Gas-Particle Interaction Model Development in Plume Surface Interaction Erosion and Cratering

As part of the Game Changing Development (GCD) Program, funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), the development of simulation capability for the prediction of extra-terrestrial Plume Surface Interaction (PSI) environments has been undertaken by the Fluid Dynamics Branch at NASA/MSFC. The GCD PSI Project, planned to be completed over a four year period, contains a Predictive Simulation Capability (PSC) Element focused on creating simulation capability for the reliable and accurate prediction of PSI in Martian (~650 Pa) and Lunar (vacuum) ambient environments. In addition to the PSC Element, the GCD Program also contains a companion Ground Testing Element for development of focused datasets for validation of predictive capability as well as a Flight-focused Instrumentation Element. This paper describes the activities and accomplishments of the past year in the gas-particle interaction modeling portion of the GCD PSI project. The objectives of this task are to investigate and construct models of particle drag and gas-particle cloud interactions leading to what is known as particle turbulent kinetic energy (PTKE). While drag on a lone particle suspended in a flow gas of gas is well-known, the drag and drag-induced dynamics of a cloud of particles in a gas flow are not. The PSC element of the PSI project requires models of gas-particle cloud interactions to implement in the Gas Granular Flow Solver (GGFS) in order to arrive at a predictive simulation capability for PSI-induced soil erosion, cratering and ejecta transport. Experiments of dilute mixtures of soil particles in supersonic gas flow are being conducted at Johns Hopkins University in order to provide a dataset describing gas-particle cloud interactions. Augmented by a separate funding source are efforts to perform small-scale particle-resolved direct numerical simulations (PR-DNS) and larger scale Eulerian-Lagrangian simulations. Together, these experiments and simulations are being used to devise models of particle cloud drag and particle cloud drag-induced dynamics. The final product of these efforts will be particle drag models suitable for implementation into the GGFS application and a PTKE model suitable for the same purpose.

Jeff West↗

Dislocation drag and its influence on elastic precursor decay

Plastic deformation is mediated by the creation and movement of dislocations, and at high stress the latter is dominated by dislocation drag from phonon wind. Here, by simulating a 1-D shock impact problem we analyze the importance of accurately modeling dislocation drag and dislocation density evolution in the high stress regime. Dislocation drag is modeled according to a first-principles derivation as a function of stress and dislocation character, and its temperature and density dependence are approximated to the extent currently known. Much less is known about dislocation density evolution, leading to far greater uncertainty in these model parameters. In studying anisotropic fcc metals with character dependent dislocations, the present work generalizes similar earlier studies by other authors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Orbital, Rotational and Climatic Interactions: Energy Dissipation and Angular Momentum Exchange in the Earth-Moon System

A numerical ocean tide model has been developed and tested using highly accurate TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) tidal solutions. The hydrodynamic model is based on time stepping a finite difference approximation to the non-linear shallow water equations. Two novel features of our implementation are a rigorous treatment of self attraction and loading (SAL), and a physically based parameterization for internal tide (IT) radiation drag. The model was run for a range of grid resolutions, and with variations in model parameters and bathymetry. For a rational treatment of SAL and IT drag, the model run at high resolution (1/12 degree) fits the T/P solutions to within 5 cm RMS in the open ocean. Both the rigorous SAL treatment and the IT drag parameterization are required to obtain solutions of this quality. The sensitivity of the solution to perturbations in bathymetry suggest that the fit to T/P is probably now limited by errors in this critical input. Since the model is not constrained by any data, we can test the effect of dropping sea-level to match estimated bathymetry from the last glacial maximum (LGM). Our results suggest that the 100 m drop in sea-level in the LGM would have significantly increased tidal amplitudes in the North Atlantic, and increased overall tidal dissipation by about 40%. However, details in tidal solutions for the past 20 ka are sensitive to the assumed stratification. IT drag accounts for a significant fraction of dissipation, especially in the LGM when large areas of present day shallow sea were exposed, and this parameter is poorly constrained at present.

Egbert, Gary D.↗

Beyond Basic Drag in Interplanetary CME Modeling: Effects of Solar Wind Pileup and High-Speed Streams

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) cause severe space weather effects throughout our solar system. As a fast CME propagates through interplanetary space, it accumulates solar wind materials at its front. This pileup of materials, or CME-driven sheath, can be important in determining the geoeffectiveness of a CME. We take an existing arrival time model that includes expansion and deformation of the CME flux rope (ANTEATR; Kay & Gopalswamy, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025780; Kay & Nieves-Chinchilla, 2021a, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028911) and add a pileup procedure (PUP) as a physics-based approach to modeling the CME-driven sheath. ANTEATR-PUP solves the Rankine-Hugoniot equations for an oblique shock to determine the shock speed and sheath density, magnetic field, and temperature. The extra sheath mass affects the background drag calculation. Additionally, ANTEATR can now use any 1D profile for the background solar wind as opposed to the simple empirical models it previously relied upon. We present initial results from ANTEATR-PUP and compare with previous ANTEATR findings. Using results from an MHD simulation, we explore the effects of interactions with a static high-speed stream (HSS) on the CME's and sheath's interplanetary evolution. The drag forces essentially disappear while a CME remains within the HSS, but reappear stronger once the CME exits. The HSS-CME interaction produces the largest changes in the CME and sheath properties at 1 au when it occurs either close to the Sun near the inner simulation boundary at 0.1 au or right before the CME reaches 1 au. We estimate that these changes could significantly affect the geoeffectiveness.

C Kay↗

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Air Drag Coefficient Estimation: From an Algebraic Perspective

When a heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) operates at the nominal highway speed, over two-thirds of its total resistive force comes from the air drag, contributing to more than half of its fuel consumption. One effective countermeasure to reduce the fuel consumption of HDVs is platooning, which employs connectivity and automated driving technologies to link two or more HDVs in convoy. Platooning allows HDVs to drive closer together and yields improved fuel economy and less CO2 emission thanks to the reduced air drag. Maximizing the energy benefits of an HDV platoon requires quantifying the drag interaction between vehicles. In practice, modeling the drag reduction in a platoon boils down to identifying the relationship between the air drag coefficient C d and the inter-vehicle distance d. Existing approaches to identify C d (d) include vehicle field tests, wind tunnel experiments, and computational fluid dynamics simulation, which can howbeit be time-consuming and cost prohibitive. In contrast, this paper proposes an algebraic approach, which relies on onboard-measurable variables, to estimate the air drag coefficient of an HDV in a platoon. Its algebraic nature avoids the classical persistence of excitation condition for parameter identification and can yield the identified parameter almost instantaneously. Simulation results demonstrate its effectiveness and the improved estimation speed over a recursive least squares identifier.

Wang, Zejiang↗

Flight Investigation at High Speeds of the Drag of Three Airfoils and a Circular Cylinder Representing Full-Scale Propeller Shanks

Tests have been made at high speeds to determine the drag of models, simulating propeller shanks, in the form of a circular cylinder and three airfoils, the NACA 16-025, the NACA 16-040, and the NACA 16-040 with the rear 25 percent chord cut off. All the models had a maximum thickness of 4 1/2 inches to conform with average propeller-shank dimensions and a span of 20 1/4 inches. For the tests the models were supported perpendicular to the lower surface of the wing of an XP-51 airplane. A wake-survey rake mounted below the wing directly behind the models was used to determine profile drag of Mach numbers of 0.3 to 0.8 over a small range of angle of attack. The drag of the cylinder was also determined from pressure-distribution and force measurements.

Barlow, William H↗

Drag characteristics of V-groove and transverse curvature riblets

The paper examines the drag characteristics of longitudinally ribbed surfaces where the rib dimensions are the order of the initial turbulent wall burst region near the wall. Direct drag measurements are presented for symmetric and unsymmetric V-groove, and (larger wavelength) transverse curvature riblets. The direct drag data indicate net drag reductions as large as 7% for certain V-groove riblets with heights in terms of law of the wall coordinates h+ less than 30. For one of the riblet models, the drag reduction is confirmed by reductions in the momentum thickness, turbulent velocity fluctuations, and Reynolds stress profiles. Although the direct drag data for the transverse curvature riblets showed drag increases, certain models did show that the drag increase diminished with increasing velocity. This trend is opposite to the normal one found for rough surfaces and should be investigated further.

Walsh, M. J.↗

Transonic Lift and Drag Predictions using Wall Modelled Large Eddy Simulations

Wall-modelled Large Eddy Simulations (WMLES) of the NASA Common Research Model (CRM) at transonic conditions and various angles of attacks leading up to and including shock-induced flow separation are performed using the LAVA computational framework. The simulations are shown to accurately predict the lift curve slope and the onset of separation characterized by the break in the pitching moment. Furthermore, careful assessment of skin-friction drag at cruise condition and its subsequent decrease with increasing angles of attack are shown to be in agreement with viscous sublayer resolving Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes(RANS) simulations. The small differences between WMLES and RANS appear to be of the same order as differences seen between two RANS models at the cruise-point. Some sensitivity is observed to the coefficient used in the subgrid scale model, although this can be reconciled by noting the low chord- and shock-incidence Reynolds numbers (Rex≈106) seen in the outboard regions of the wing, along with the uncertainties associated with tripping and the numerical transition that occurs near the leading edge. Among the primary drawbacks seen in the WMLES predictions is the subdued increase in wave-drag with increasing angle-of-attack and the shock intensity when compared with experimental data. Preliminary assessment suggests that additional span- and stream-wise grid resolution is likely needed in mid- and out-board portions of the wing to better resolve the shock-induced separated flow and to further investigate prediction accuracy of unsteady temporal characteristics of the problem.

ARMD↗

Revisiting the empirical particle-fluid coupling model used in DEM-CFD by high-resolution DEM-LBM-IMB simulations: A 2D perspective

The work investigates the applicability of the unresolved Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method (CFDDEM) technique based on empirical equations for fluid-particle coupling. We first carry out a series of representative volume element simulations using the high-resolution particle-resolved Lattice Boltzmann method and Discrete Element Method (LBMDEM) coupled by an Immersed Moving Boundary (IMB) scheme. Then, we compare the results obtained by both LBMDEM and empirical equations used in unresolved CFDDEM with analytical solutions. It is found that the existing empirical equations used in solving fluid-particle interactions in 2D CFDDEM fail to accurately calculate the hydrodynamic force applied to solid particles. The underlying reason is that the existing empirical models are obtained based on 3D experimental results and thus are not applicable to 2D problems. Based on the simulation results, a new drag coefficient model is then proposed. The estimated drag forces using the new model are compared favourably with the simulated ones, indicating the good performance of the proposed model.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Nonlinear and adaptive estimation in reentry.

The problem of real-time estimation of a lifting reentry vehicle trajectory of the shuttle orbiter type is considered. Simulations feature large position and velocity uncertainties at radar acquisition and realistic model errors in lift, drag and other model parameters. Radar tracking and accelerometer data are simulated. Significant nonlinearities are found to exist on spacecraft acquisition. An iterated nonlinear filter is shown to perform optimally during the radar acquisition phase. An adaptive filter is shown to track time-varying model errors, such as errors in the lift and drag coefficients, down to the noise level. Such real-time model tracking (identification) is frequently required for guidance and control implementation.

Jazwinski, A. H.↗

Flight Tests of Rocket-Powered "Tin-Can" Models of AAF Project MX-800

Flight tests were made of six noninstrumented rocket-powered "Tin Can" models of AAF Project MX-800. Velocity and drag data were obtained by use of CU Doppler radar. The existence of stability and adequate structural strength for flight near zero lift was checked by visual and photographic observation. Drag data obtained during the tests agreed reasonably well with estimates based on experimental data from NACA RM-2 rocket-powered drag research models.

Purser, Paul E.↗