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At least 145 records · Page 8

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NASA NTRS1984

Correlation of transonic-cone preston-tube data and skin friction

Preston-tube measurements obtained on the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Transition Cone have been correlated with theoretical skin friction coefficients in transitional and turbulent flow. This has been done for the NASA Ames 11-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnel (11 TWT) and flight tests. The developed semi-empirical correlations of Preston-tube data have been used to derive a calibration procedure for the 11 TWT flow quality. This procedure has been applied to the corrected laminar data, and an effective freestream unit Reynolds number is defined by requiring a matching of the average Preston-tube pressure in flight and in the tunnel. This study finds that the operating Reynolds number is below the effective value required for a match in laminar Preston-tube data. The distribution of this effective Reynolds number with Mach number correlates well with the freestream noise level in this tunnel. Analyses of transitional and turbulent data, however, did not result in effective Reynolds numbers that can be correlated with background noise. This is a result of the fact that vorticity fluctuations present in transitional and turbulent boundary layers dominate Preston-tube pressure fluctuations and, therefore, mask the tunnel noise eff ects. So, in order to calibrate the effects of noise on transonic wind tunnel tests only laminar data should be used, preferably at flow conditions similar to those in flight tests. To calibrate the effects of transonic wind-tunnel noise on drag measurements, however, the Preston-tube data must be supplemented with direct measurements of skin friction.

Abu-Mostafa, A. S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Icing characteristics of a natural-laminar-flow, a medium-speed, and a swept, medium-speed airfoil

Tests were conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel at the NASA Lewis Research Center to determine the icing characteristics of three modern airfoils: a natural-laminar-flow, a medium-speed, and a swept medium-speed airfoil. The tests measured the impingement characteristics and drag degradation for angles-of-attack typifying cruise and climb for cloud conditions typifying the range that might be encountered in flight. The maximum degradation occurred at the cruise angle-of-attack for the long, glaze ice condition for all three airfoils with increases over baseline drag being 486 percent, 510 percent, and 465 percent for the natural-laminar-flow, the medium-speed, and the swept, medium-speed airfoils, respectively. For the climb angle-of-attack, the maximum drag degradation (and total extent of impingement) observed were also for the long, glaze ice condition and were 261 percent, 181 percent, and 331 percent, respectively. The minimum drag degradation (and extent of impingement) occurred for the cruise condition and for the short, rime spray with increases over baseline drag values being 47 percent, 28 percent, 46 percent, respectively.

Bidwell, Colin S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Viscous flow effects on hydrogen leaks from cracks in the Orbiter Challenger main engines

An analytical model was developed to provide additional insight and understanding of the factors that influence the simulation and prediction of leak rates from small cracks in pressurized containers. Specifically, the analysis was aimed at developing an analytical model capable of predicting the hydrogen leak rates from a crack in the combustion chamber coolant discharge manifold on main engine 1 of the Orbiter Challenger that was discovered during flight readiness firings 1 and 2. This model was based on viscous pipe flow analyses and calibrated for the crack geometry by using helium leak-rate data obtained from both low- and high-pressure tests used to simulate the flight readiness firing test conditions. In addition, this model includes the effects of crack width changes caused by different working stresses associated with the different test conditions. Because of the combination of the small crack dimensions and the wide range of pressures used for the test conditions, either laminar or turbulent viscous effects dominated the flows at all test conditions. This model was used to illustrate the sensitivity of the predicted leak rates to considerations of test conditions, viscous flow effects, and geometric features of the crack. In addition, the model was certified by comparing the hydrogen leak-rate prediction for the flight readiness firing test condition to the actual measured leak rate. The prediction was within 9 percent of the measured value.

Goodrich, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Effects of an aft facing step on the surface of a laminar flow glider wing

A motor glider was used to perform a flight test study on the effects of aft facing steps in a laminar boundary layer. This study focuses on two dimensional aft facing steps oriented spanwise to the flow. The size and location of the aft facing steps were varied in order to determine the critical size that will force premature transition. Transition over a step was found to be primarily a function of Reynolds number based on step height. Both of the step height Reynolds numbers for premature and full transition were determined. A hot film anemometry system was used to detect transition.

Sandlin, Doral R.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Experimental system for the control of surgically induced infections

The development tests to be performed on the experimental system are described in detail. The test equipment, conditions, and procedures are given. The portable clean room tests include assembly, collapsability, portability, and storage; laminar flow rate; static pressure; air flow pattern; and electrostatic buildup. The other tests are on the ventilation system, human factors evaluation, electrical subsystem, and material compatibility.

Tevebaugh, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Flutter clearance of the F-14 variable-sweep transition flight experiment airplane, phase 1

An F-14 airplane was modified to become the test bed aircraft for the variable sweep transition flight experiment (VSTFE) program. The latter is a laminar flow program designed to measure the effects of wing sweep on boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The airplane was modified by adding an upper surface foam-fiberglass glove over a portion of the left wing. Ground vibration and flight flutter testing were accomplished to clear a sufficient flight envelope to conduct the laminar flow experiments. Flight test data indicated satisfactory damping levels and damping trends for the elastic structural modes of the airplane. The data presented include frequency and damping as functions of Mach number.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Numerical study of laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct with and without guide vanes

The purpose of this study is to examine in detail incompressible laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct with and without guide vanes and to investigate the effects of vanes on the flow characteristics. To perform this study, an implicit finite difference code cast in general curvilinear coordinates is further developed. The code is based on the method of pseudo-compressibility and utilize ADI or implicit approximate factorization algorithm to achieve computational efficiency. Method of segmental sweeping is developed to overcome the multiple-zone problem due to imposition of guide vanes. In the present study, several test cases have been computed. These test cases include laminar and turbulent flows inside a turnaround duct without and with two or three guide vanes. The study reveals that: (1) there exists large recirculation zones inside the duct if no vanes are present; (2) properly shaped and positional guide vanes are effective in eliminating flow separation; and (3) laminar and turbulent flows have similar flow features. But turbulent flow has less total pressure drop.

Lin, S.-J.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Laminar flow studies of a low-temperature space radiator model using D-shaped tubes

Test results of a low-temperature space radiator model are presented. Radiator performance is evaluated with a low-thermal-conductivity fluid in laminar flow in D-shaped cross-section tubes. The test covered a Reynolds number range from 50 to 4500 and a fluid temperature range from 294 to 414 K (70 to 286 F). For low-temperature radiators, the fluid-to-surface temperature differential was predominately influenced by fluid temperature in laminar flow. Heat transfer and pressure drop for the radiator tube could be predicted within engineering accuracy from existing correlations.

Cintula, T. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A multilevel-multigrid technique for recirculating flows

A solution algorithm has been developed for the prediction of recirculating flows. Brandt's multilevel acceleration technique is used with Leonard's QUICK differencing scheme and a modified pressure implicit operator splitting scheme. Intermediate calculations enable a tau error distribution to be used for the identification of regions for local grid refinement, i.e., multigrid. The algorithm was tested for the prediction of laminar flow in a shear-driven and a buoyancy-driven cavity.

Phillips, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Simulated airline service experience with laminar-flow control leading-edge systems

The first JetStar leading edge flight test was made November 30, 1983. The JetStar was flown for more than 3 years. The titanium leading edge test articles today remain in virtually the same condition as they were in on that first flight. No degradation of laminar flow performance has occurred as a result of service. The JetStar simulated airline service flights have demonstrated that effective, practical leading edge systems are available for future commercial transports. Specific conclusions based on the results of the simulated airline service test program are summarized.

Maddalon, Dal V.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A faster 'transition' to laminar flow

A discussion is given of the ongoing research related to laminar flow airfoils, nacelles, and wings where the laminar flow is maintained by a favorable pressure gradient, surface suction or a combination of the two. Design methologies for natural laminar flow airfoil sections and wings for both low and high speed applications are outlined. Tests of a 7-foot chord, 23-deg sweep laminar flow-control airfoil at high subsonic Mach numbers are described, along with the associated stability theory used to design the suction system. The state-of-the-art of stability theory is simply stated and a typical calculation illustrated. In addition, recent computer simulations of transition using the time dependent Navier-Stokes equations are briefly described. Advances in wind tunnel capabilities and instrumentation will be reviewed, followed by the presentation of a few results from both wind tunnels and flight. Finally, some suggestions for future work will complete the paper.

Bobbitt, P. J.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Implementation of a Compact Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren System for Measurements with the SBLT-II Flight Test Article

Previous flight testing of a supersonic natural laminar flow airfoil on the NASA F-15Baircraft showed evidence of multiple impinging shocks (shock train) of unknown origin, which generated sufficient crossflow on the airfoil to affect the primary measurement goal of transition location. A compact self-aligned focusing schlieren (SAFS) system is being developed to visualize this shock train on the forward surface of the Supersonic Boundary Layer Transition - PhaseII (SBLT-II) flight test article. Details of the design of the SAFS flight system, the constraints imposed by the imaging pod that will be mounted to the F-15B aircraft, preliminary laboratory results obtained with the system, and challenges associated with integrating the imaging system into the aircraft are presented. The resulting schlieren images obtained from this flight test will allow for a three-dimensional reconstruction of the unknown shock structure, validating the use of SAFS for flight testing.

Joshua M. Weisberger↗

NASA NTRS1973

Control of supersonic wind-tunnel noise by laminarization of nozzle-wall boundary layer

One of the principal design requirements for a quiet supersonic or hypersonic wind tunnel is to maintain laminar boundary layers on the nozzle walls and thereby reduce disturbance levels in the test flow. The conditions and apparent reasons for laminar boundary layers which have been observed during previous investigations on the walls of several nozzles for exit Mach numbers from 2 to 20 are reviewed. Based on these results, an analysis and an assessment of nozzle design requirements for laminar boundary layers including low Reynolds numbers, high acceleration, suction slots, wall temperature control, wall roughness, and area suction are presented.

Beckwith, I. E.↗

NASA NTRS2019

Verification of Unstructured Grid Adaptation Components

Adaptive unstructured grid techniques have made limited impact on production analysis workflows where the control of discretization error is critical to obtaining reliable simulation results. Recent progress has matured a number of independent implementations of flow solvers, error estimation methods, and anisotropic grid adaptation mechanics. Known differences and previously unknown differences in grid adaptation components and their integrated processes are identified here for study. Unstructured grid adaptation tools are verified using analytic functions and the Code Comparison Principle. Three analytic functions with different smoothness properties are adapted to show the impact of smoothness on implementation differences. A scalar advection-diffusion problem with an analytic solution that models a boundary layer is adapted to test individual grid adaptation components. Laminar flow over a delta wing and turbulent flow over an ONERA M6 wing are verified with multiple, independent grid adaptation procedures to show consistent convergence to fine-grid forces and a moment. The scalar problems illustrate known differences in a grid adaptation component implementation and a previously unknown interaction between components. The wing adaptation cases in the current study document a clear improvement to existing grid adaptation procedures. The stage is set for the infusion of verified grid adaptation into production fluid flow simulations.

Park, Michael A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Flight test investigation of certification issues pertaining to general-aviation-type aircraft with natural laminar flow

Development of Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) technology for application to general aviation-type aircraft has raised some question as to the adequacy of FAR Part 23 for certification of aircraft with significant NLF. A series of flight tests were conducted with a modified Cessna T210R to allow quantitative comparison of the aircraft's ability to meet certification requirements with significant NLF and with boundary layer transition fixed near the leading edge. There were no significant differences between the two conditions except an increasing in drag, which resulted in longer takeoff distances and reduced climb performance.

Doty, Wayne A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The Langley 8-ft transonic pressure tunnel laminar-flow-control experiment

An account is given of the considerations involved in selecting the NASA-Langley transonic pressure tunnel's design and test parameters, as well as its liner and a swept wing for laminar flow control (LFC) experimentation. Attention is given to the types and locations of the instrumentation employed. Both slotted and perforated upper surfaces were tested with partial- and full-chord suction; representative results are presented for all.

Bobbitt, Percy J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Numerical design of the contoured wind-tunnel liner for the NASA swept-wing LFC test

A contoured, nonporous, wind-tunnel liner has been designed in order to simulate a free-flight infinite yawed-wing, transonic-flow condition about a large-chord, supercritical-section, laminar-flow-control (LFC), swept-wing test panel. The numerical procedure developed for this aerodynamic liner design is based upon the simple idea of streamlining and incorporates several existing transonic and boundary-layer analysis codes. A summary of the entire procedure is presented to indicate: what was done and why, the sequence of steps, and the overall data flow. The liner is being installed in the NASA Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel (TPT). Test results indicating the aerodynamic performance of the liner are not yet available; thus, the liner design results given here are examples of the calculated requirements and the hardware implementation.

Newman, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Analytical design of a contoured wind-tunnel liner for supercritical testing

The present analytical design procedure is being developed in order to determine the shape of a contoured nonporous wind tunnel liner for use in the Ames 12-foot pressure wind tunnel test of a large chord, laminar flow control, swept wing panel which has a supercritical airfoil section. This procedure is applicable to the two-dimensional streamlined tunnel problem wall shape with that found experimentally.

Newman, P. A.↗