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At least 163 records · Page 9

A Computational Study of a New Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Concept

A computational investigation of a two-dimensional nozzle was completed to assess the use of fluidic injection to manipulate flow separation and cause thrust vectoring of the primary jet thrust. The nozzle was designed with a recessed cavity to enhance the throat shifting method of fluidic thrust vectoring. Several design cycles with the structured-grid, computational fluid dynamics code PAB3D and with experiments in the NASA Langley Research Center Jet Exit Test Facility have been completed to guide the nozzle design and analyze performance. This paper presents computational results on potential design improvements for best experimental configuration tested to date. Nozzle design variables included cavity divergence angle, cavity convergence angle and upstream throat height. Pulsed fluidic injection was also investigated for its ability to decrease mass flow requirements. Internal nozzle performance (wind-off conditions) and thrust vector angles were computed for several configurations over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 2 to 7, with the fluidic injection flow rate equal to 3 percent of the primary flow rate. Computational results indicate that increasing cavity divergence angle beyond 10 is detrimental to thrust vectoring efficiency, while increasing cavity convergence angle from 20 to 30 improves thrust vectoring efficiency at nozzle pressure ratios greater than 2, albeit at the expense of discharge coefficient. Pulsed injection was no more efficient than steady injection for the Dual Throat Nozzle concept.

Deere, Karen A.↗

Some flow phenomena associated with aligned, sequential apertures with Borda-type inlets

Choked flow rate and pressure profile data were taken and studied for a configuration consisting of four axially aligned, sequential Borda tubes of 1.9 length diameter ratio with separation distances of 0.8 and 30 tube diameters. For either case the flow rate data could be represented by a flow coefficient reduced temperature plot. At a separation distance of 30 tube diameters the pressure profiles dropped sharply at the entrance and recovered within each Borda tube; except at low temperatures, where fluid jetting through the last Borda tube occurred. At a separation distance of 0.8 tube jetting was prevalent, and application of a significant backpressure did not alter the jetting. These results agree with other data for tubes with Borda or sharp edge orifice inlets and with a water flow visualization study reported herein.

Hendericks, R. C.↗

Flow through aligned sequential orifice type inlets

Chocked flow rate and pressure profile data were taken and studied for configurations consisting of four axially aligned, sequential orifice inlets of 0.5 length diameter ratio with separation distances of 0.66 and 32 diameters. A flow coefficient - reduced temperature plot represents the flow rate data for the two cases. At a separation distance of 32 diameters the pressure profiles dropped sharply at the entrance and partially recovered within each orifice - the exception being at low temperatures, where fluid jetting through the last orifice occurred. At a separation distance of 0.66 diameter fluid jetting was prevalent at the lower inlet temperatures. These results are in qualitative agreement with data for four axially aligned, sequential Borda inlets and for tubes with single sharp edge orifice or Borda inlets to L/D's of 105 and with a water flow visualization study.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Design, development, and test of a laser velocimeter for a small 8:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor

The instrument was designed as a diagnostic tool for the basic fluid dynamics of the inducer, impeller, and diffuser regions of this type compressor. The LV instrumentation was optimized to measure instantaneous velocities up to approximately 500 m/s, measured in absolute coordinates, within the rotating compressor impeller and in the two dimensional radial plane of the diffuser. Some measurements were made within the diffuser and the impeller inlet flows; however, attempts to make detailed measurements of the velocity field were not successful. Difficulties in maintaining high seed particle rates within the probe volume and the improper operation of the blade gating optics may explain the lack of success. Recommendations are made to further pursue these problems. At 100% speed the stage attained a total static pressure ratio of 7.5:1 at 75% total-static efficiency. Flow range from choke-to-surge was 6.8% of choking mass flow rate. Performance was lower than the design intent of 8:1 pressure ratio at 77% efficiency and 12% flow range. Detailed measurements of the stage components are presented which show the reasons for the stage performance deficiencies.

Dolan, F. X.↗

Dilution jet mixing program

Parametric tests were conducted to quantify the mixing of opposed rows of jets (two-sided injection) in a confined cross flow. Results show that jet penetrations for two sided injections are less than that for single-sided injections, but the jet spreading rates are faster for a given momentum ratio and orifice plate. Flow area convergence generally enhances mixing. Mixing characteristics with asymmetric and symmetric convergence are similar. For constant momentum ratio, the optimum S/H(0) with in-line injections is one half the optimum value for single sided injections. For staggered injections, the optimum S/H(0) is twice the optimum value for single-sided injection. The correlations developed predicted the temperature distributions within first order accuracy and provide a useful tool for predicting jet trajectory and temperature profiles in the dilution zone with two-sided injections.

Srinivasan, R.↗

Performance Capability of Single-Cavity Vortex Gaseous Nuclear Rockets

An analysis was made to determine the maximum powerplant thrust-to-weight ratio possible with a single-cavity vortex gaseous reactor in which all the hydrogen propellant must diffuse through a fuel-rich region. An assumed radial temperature profile was used to represent conduction, convection, and radiation heat-transfer effects. The effect of hydrogen property changes due to dissociation and ionization was taken into account in a hydrodynamic computer program. It is shown that, even for extremely optimistic assumptions of reactor criticality and operating conditions, such a system is limited to reactor thrust-to-weight ratios of about 1.2 x 10(exp -3) for laminar flow. For turbulent flow, the maximum thrust-to-weight ratio is less than 10(exp -3). These low thrusts result from the fact that the hydrogen flow rate is limited by the diffusion process. The performance of a gas-core system with a specific impulse of 3000 seconds and a powerplant thrust-to-weight ratio of 10(exp -2) is shown to be equivalent to that of a 1000-second advanced solid-core system. It is therefore concluded that a single-cavity vortex gaseous reactor in which all the hydrogen must diffuse through the nuclear fuel is a low-thrust device and offers no improvement over a solid-core nuclear-rocket engine. To achieve higher thrust, additional hydrogen flow must be introduced in such a manner that it will by-pass the nuclear fuel. Obviously, such flow must be heated by thermal radiation. An illustrative model of a single-cavity vortex system employing supplementary flow of hydrogen through the core region is briefly examined. Such a system appears capable of thrust-to-weight ratios of approximately 1 to 10. For a high-impulse engine, this capability would be a considerable improvement over solid-core performance. Limits imposed by thermal radiation heat transfer to cavity walls are acknowledged but not evaluated. Alternate vortex concepts that employ many parallel vortices to achieve higher hydrogen flow rates offer the possibility of sufficiently high thrust-to-weight ratios, if they are not limited by short thermal-radiation path lengths.

Ragsdale, Robert G.↗

Experimental performance of a 13.65-centimeter-tip-diameter tandem-bladed sweptback centrifugal compressor designed for a pressure ratio of 6

A 13.65 cm tip diameter backswept centrifugal impeller having a tandem inducer and a design mass flow rate of 0.907 kg/sec was experimentally investigated to establish stage and impeller characteristics. Tests were conducted with both a cascade diffuser and a vaneless diffuser. A pressure ratio of 5.9 was obtained near surge for the smallest clearance tested. Flow range at design speed was 6.3 percent for the smallest clearance test. Impeller exit to shroud axial clearance at design speed was varied to determine the effect on stage and impeller performance.

Klassen, H. A.↗

Initial Thrust Measurements of Marshall's Ion-ioN Thruster

Electronegative ion thrusters are a variation of traditional gridded ion thruster technology differentiated by the production and acceleration of both positive and negative ions. Benefits of electronegative ion thrusters include the elimination of lifetime-limiting cathodes from the thruster architecture and the ability to generate appreciable thrust from both charge species. While much progress has been made in the development of electronegative ion thruster technology, direct thrust measurements are required to unambiguously demonstrate the efficacy of the concept and support continued development. In the present work, direct thrust measurements of the thrust produced by the MINT (Marshall's Ion-ioN Thruster) are performed using an inverted-pendulum thrust stand in the High-Power Electric Propulsion Laboratory's Vacuum Test Facility-1 at the Georgia Institute of Technology with operating pressures ranging from 4.8 x 10(exp -5) and 5.7 x 10(exp -5) torr. Thrust is recorded while operating with a propellant volumetric mixture ratio of 5:1 argon to nitrogen with total volumetric flow rates of 6, 12, and 24 sccm (0.17, 0.34, and 0.68 mg/s). Plasma is generated using a helical antenna at 13.56 MHz and radio frequency (RF) power levels of 150 and 350 W. The acceleration grid assembly is operated using both sinusoidal and square waveform biases of +/-350 V at frequencies of 4, 10, 25, 125, and 225 kHz. Thrust is recorded for two separate thruster configurations: with and without the magnetic filter. No thrust is discernable during thruster operation without the magnetic filter for any volumetric flow rate, RF forward Power level, or acceleration grid biasing scheme. For the full thruster configuration, with the magnetic filter installed, a brief burst of thrust of approximately 3.75 mN +/- 3 mN of error is observed at the start of grid operation for a volumetric flow rate of 24 sccm at 350 W RF power using a sinusoidal waveform grid bias at 125 kHz and +/- 350 V. Similar bursts in thrust are observed using a square waveform grid bias at 10 kHz and +/- 350 V for volumetric flow rates of 6, 10, and 12 sccm at 150, 350, and 350 W respectively. The only operating condition that exhibits repeated thrust spikes throughout thruster operation is the 24 sccm condition with a 5:1 mixture ratio at 150 W RF power using the 10 kHz square waveform acceleration grid bias. Thrust spikes for this condition measure 3 mN with an error of +/- 2.5 mN. There are no operating conditions tested that show continuous thrust production.

Caruso, Natalie R. S.↗

Detailed design of a quiet high flow fan

A single stage fan was designed to demonstrate the noise abatement properties of near-sonic inlet flow and long-chord stator vanes for the reduction of both upstream and downstream propagated fan source noise. It is designed to produce a pressure ratio of 1.653:1 with an adiabatic efficiency of 83.9%. The fan has a 508 mm inlet diameter with a hub/tip ratio of 0.426 and a design tip speed of 533.4 m/sec. The design inlet specific flow rate is 219.71 kg/sec sq m and there are 10 tandem stator vanes with a combined aspect ratio of 0.54.

Soltau, J. D.↗

Electrical gas heater with large flow range capability

Auxiliary heat transfer device in form to tightly-wound helical tube was incorporated into conventional heater design to provide hydrogen heater with turn-down ratio greater than 100. Device greatly increases low flow rate capacity of heater by providing maximum heat-transfer area for low mass flows.

Benson, B. A.↗

Experimental study of the spray characteristics of a research airblast atomizer

Airblast atomization was studied using a especially designed atomizer in which the liquid first impinges on a splash plate, then is directed radially outward and is atomized by the air passing through two concentric, vaned swirlers that swirl the air in opposite directions. The effect of flow conditions, air mass velocity (mass flow rate per unit area) and liquid to air ratio on the mean drop size was studied. Seven different ethanol solutions were used to simulate changes in fuel physical properties. The range of atomizing air velocities was from 30 to 80 m/s. The mean drop diameter was measured at ambient temperature (295 K) and atmospheric pressure.

Acosta, W. A.↗

Experimental study of the spray characteristics of a research airblast atomizer

Airblast atomization was studied using a especially designed atomizer in which the liquid first impinges on a splash plate, then is directed radically outward and is atomized by the air passing through two concentric, vaned swirlers that swirl the air in opposite directions. The effect of flow conditions, air mass velocity (mass flow rate per unit area) and liquid to air ratio on the mean drop size was studied. Seven different ethanol solutions were used to simulate changes in fuel physical properties. The range of atomizing air velocities was from 30 to 80 m/s. The mean drop diameter was measured at ambient temperature (295 K) and atmospheric pressure.

Acosta, W. A.↗

MOCVD of GaAs in a horizontal reactor - Modeling and growth

A two-dimensional model for metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of GaAs in a horizontal reactor is presented. The model is characterized by the following parameters: reactor geometry and operating pressure, thermal boundary conditions, ratio of reactants, chemical reactions, total inlet gas flow rate, as well as molecular weights, thermal conductivities, heat capacities, viscosities, and binary diffusion coefficients of the gas-phase species. Film thickness profiles predicted by the model are compared with those of GaAs thin films grown in the modeled reactor. Results obtained show a good agreement between the predictions and data over the entire length of the deposition region for the low pressure and high flow rate run. Attention is also given to the reactor design and growth conditions.

Clark, Ivan O.↗

Overview of Extractive and Optical PM Measurements from the NASA SE-5 High Pressure Flame Diagnostics Laboratory

Soot emissions measurements of multiphase non-premixed flames are sparse in the literature due to the complexities of sampling in such environments. We present an overview from on-going work at the NASA SE-5 High Pressure Flame Diagnostics laboratory focusing on soot and gaseous emissions at elevated pressures. SE-5 is a gaseous and liquid fueled high pressure flame tube facility capable of operating at pressures up to 880 psia, cooling capacity of 4,000,000 BTU/hr, liquid fuel flow rates up to 2 GPH, and an equivalence ratio range of 0.2 (fuel lean) to 4 (fuel rich). SE-5 provides optical access via four UV-grade fused silica optical windows of the primary reaction zone enabling non-intrusive optical diagnostics of the flame.

Soot↗

Femtosecond Laser Tagging Characterization of a Sweeping Jet Actuator Operating in the Compressible Regime

A sweeping jet (SWJ) actuator operating over a range of nozzle pressure ratios (NPRs) was characterized with femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (FLEET), single hot-wire anemometry (HWA) and high-speed/phase-averaged schlieren. FLEET velocimetry was successfully demonstrated in a highly unsteady, oscillatory flow containing subsonic through supersonic velocities. Qualitative comparisons between FLEET and HWA (which measured mass flux since the flow was compressible) showed relatively good agreement in the external flow profiles. The spreading rate was found to vary from 0.5 to 1.2 depending on the pressure ratio. The precision of FLEET velocity measurements in the external flow field was poorer (is approximately equal to 25 m/s) than reported in a previous study due to the use of relatively low laser fluences, impacting the velocity fluctuation measurements. FLEET enabled velocity measurements inside the device and showed that choking likely occurred for NPR ≥ 2.0, and no internal shockwaves were present. Qualitative oxygen concentration measurements using FLEET were explored in an effort to gauge the jet's mixing with the ambient. The jet was shown to mix well within roughly four throat diameters and mix fully within roughly eight throat diameters. Schlieren provided visualization of the internal and external flow fields and showed that the qualitative structure of the internal flow does not vary with pressure ratio and the sweeping mechanism observed for incompressible NPRs also probably holds for compressible NPRs.

Peters, Christopher J.↗

Capillary Channel Flow (CCF) EU2-02 on the International Space Station (ISS): An Experimental Investigation of Passive Bubble Separations in an Open Capillary Channel

It would be signicantly easier to design fluid systems for spacecraft if the fluid phases behaved similarly to those on earth. In this research an open 15:8 degree wedge-sectioned channel is employed to separate bubbles from a two-phase flow in a microgravity environment. The bubbles appear to rise in the channel and coalesce with the free surface in much the same way as would bubbles in a terrestrial environment, only the combined effects of surface tension, wetting, and conduit geometry replace the role of buoyancy. The host liquid is drawn along the channel by a pump and noncondensible gas bubbles are injected into it near the channel vertex at the channel inlet. Control parameters include bubble volume, bubble frequency, liquid volumetric flow rate, and channel length. The asymmetrically confined bubbles are driven in the cross-flow direction by capillary forces until they at least become inscribed within the section or until they come in contact with the free surface, whereupon they usually coalesce and leave the flow. The merging of bubbles enhances, but does not guarantee, the latter. The experiments are performed aboard the International Space Station as a subset of the Capillary Channel Flow experiments. The flight hardware is commanded remotely and continuously from ground stations during the tests and an extensive array of experiments is conducted identifying numerous bubble flow regimes and regime transitions depending on the ratio and magnitude of the gas and liquid volumetric flow rates. The breadth of the publicly available experiments is conveyed herein primarily by narrative and by regime maps, where transitions are approximated by simple expressions immediately useful for the purposes of design and deeper analysis.

fluid dynamics↗

Heat transfer characteristics for jet array impingement with initial crossflow

Two-dimensional arrays of circular air jets impinging on a heat transfer surface parallel to the jet orifice plate are considered. The jet flow, after impingement, is constrained to exit in a single direction along the channel formed by the jet orifice plate and the heat transfer surface. In addition to the crossflow which originates from the jets following impingement, an initial crossflow is present which approaches the array through an upstream extension of the channel. The temperature of the initial crossflow air may differ from the jet air temperature. The configurations considered are intended to model the impingement cooled midchord region of gas turbine airfoils in cases where an initial crossflow is also present. Nusselt numbers and dimensionless adiabatic wall temperatures resolved to one streamwise jet hole spacing were experimentally determined for ratios of the initial crossflow rate to the total jet flow rate ranging from zero to unity. These are presented and discussed relative to the flow and geometric parameters.

Florschuetz, L. W.↗

On Bi-Grid Local Mode Analysis of Solution Techniques for 3-D Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations

A procedure is presented for utilizing a bi-grid stability analysis as a practical tool for predicting multigrid performance in a range of numerical methods for solving Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Model problems based on the convection, diffusion and Burger's equation are used to illustrate the superiority of the bi-grid analysis as a predictive tool for multigrid performance in comparison to the smoothing factor derived from conventional von Neumann analysis. For the Euler equations, bi-grid analysis is presented for three upwind difference based factorizations, namely Spatial, Eigenvalue and Combination splits, and two central difference based factorizations, namely LU and ADI methods. In the former, both the Steger-Warming and van Leer flux-vector splitting methods are considered. For the Navier-Stokes equations, only the Beam-Warming (ADI) central difference scheme is considered. In each case, estimates of multigrid convergence rates from the bi-grid analysis are compared to smoothing factors obtained from single-grid stability analysis. Effects of grid aspect ratio and flow skewness are examined. Both predictions are compared with practical multigrid convergence rates for 2-D Euler and Navier-Stokes solutions based on the Beam-Warming central scheme.

Ibraheem, S. O.↗