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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Mechanical characteristics of stability-bleed valves for a supersonic inlet

Mechanical characteristics of a set of direct-operated relief valves used in a throat-bypass stability-bleed system designed for the YF-12 aircraft inlet are described. A comparison of data taken before and after the windtunnel tests (at room temperature) showed that both the effective spring rate and the piston friction had decreased during the wind tunnel tests. In neither the effective spring rate nor the piston friction was the magnitude of change great enough to cause significant impairment of overall system effectiveness. No major valve mechanical problems were encountered in any of the tests. During high temperature bench tests, piston frictional drag increased. The friction returned to its initial room temperature value when the stability-bleed valve was disassembled and reassembled. The problem might be solved by using a different material for the piston sleeve bearing and the piston rings.

Neiner, G. H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enhanced carbon-transfer and -utilization efficiencies achieved using membrane carbonation with gas sources having a range of CO 2 concentrations

The economic viability of microalgal biofuels relies on increasing productivity in a cost-effective manner. As microalgal biomass contains > 50% carbon, a high rate of CO 2 delivery is required for high productivity, and inefficient CO 2 delivery amplifies operating costs. Membrane carbonation using non-porous hollow fiber membranes can ideally deliver CO 2 without bubble formation and high carbon transfer efficiency. Because CO 2 streams from industrial resources are not 100% CO 2 , the buildup of inert gasses can significantly lower the CO 2 delivery rate when the distal end of the membrane is closed. To overcome the buildup of inert gases, we managed the distal end of the membranes with three different approaches: fully open end, restricted bleed valve, and restricted bleed valve with pH-actuated venting. For all approaches, CO 2 was delivered to membranes ondemand based on a pH set point. Evaluating a wide range of CO 2 concentrations (10% to 100%), we found that all approaches eliminated the buildup of inert gases, could maintain target pH values and gave the same biomass productivities and carbon distributions. However, carbon transfer efficiency depended on the operation of the distal end. Fully open-end operation gave a poor carbon transfer efficiency because of excessive loss of CO 2 from the distal end. However, restricting the exit flow rate to ≤4 cm 3 /min mitigated the problems of excessive CO 2 loss, but without incurring a large loss of CO 2 -delivery flux. For the continuous cultivation, combining a restricted bleed valve with pH-actuated venting improved the carbon-transfer efficiency and -utilization efficiencies up to 85% and 67%, respectively, with a sufficient CO 2 delivery flux.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

High Pressure Vent Line Mishap: Investigation Summary

During testing on the E-1 Test Stand, the High Pressure (HP) Liquid Hydrogen (LH) vent line was displaced off its supports, damaging the expansion joints (EJ), piping, and pipe supports of the line. The damage to the vent line is believed to have occurred during Cell 3 testing on Thursday, September 21, during the first test of the day. The fuel systems being used for Cell 3 testing are connected to the LP and HP LH Vent systems and are being used in Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) service. The Cell 3 interface bleed valve that discharges to the HP LH Vent system was inadvertently left at 100% open during the chill-in process for longer than the typical amount of time. Since this valve is usually at a lower set point or intermittently closed during the chill-in process, more than the typical amount of LNG flowed into the vent line as pre-test procedures continued as normal. The open bleed valve was noticed before test preparations were completed and prior to refilling of the HP LH Tank before test. The test sequence was started, run, and shutdown normally. Video of the flare stack showed an atypical discharge of liquid at the flare stack exit. Pressure downstream of the Cell 3 interface bleed valve (a valve connected to the southernmost part of the vent system) spiked to a higher-than-normal level. No evidence of damage was captured at the time of the event. The system was used in a typical fashion after the event and for 4 subsequent tests on Thursday and Friday, before the damage was observed. A drive-by inspection of the flare stack was performed on Friday (September 22nd) morning before sunrise and before test activities began, but no damage of the vent line was observed at that time. No abnormal system behavior was observed during testing on Friday. The damage was discovered and reported to NASA Test Operations on Monday, initiating the Incident Response Team. The Mishap appointment letter was issued September 27th to formally initiate the Mishap Investigation.

LNG↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mean flow and noise measurements in a Mach 3.5 pilot quiet tunnel

The use of Mach 3.5 two-dimensional rapid expansion nozzle for wind tunnel testing at supersonic speeds and low noise conditions encountered in high altitude flights is described. The supersonic pilot quiet tunnel is located at the NASA Langley Research Center and a description of the facility is provided, along with instrumentation and noise measurement test data at 30, 50, and 75 psia. The mean pitot pressure distributions, rms noise levels, the effect of unit Reynolds number, wall waviness, wall contaminants, and the effects of closing the bleed valve are analyzed. Typical laminar and turbulent spectra are presented, along with a summary of the effect of slot throat adjustment on the power spectra. Comparisons are made of the power spectra with the bleed valve open and closed, and of the rms fluctuating pressures with levels from conventional nozzles, and the performance capabilities are evaluated for use in transition studies.

Beckwith, I. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Feasibility study of inlet shock stability system of YF-12

The feasibility of self actuating bleed valves as a shock stabilization system in the inlet of the YF-12 is considered for vortex valves, slide valves, and poppet valves. Analytical estimation of valve performance indicates that only the slide and poppet valves located in the inlet cowl can meet the desired steady state stabilizing flows, and of the two the poppet valve is substantially faster in response to dynamic disturbances. The poppet valve is, therefore, selected as the best shock stability system for the YF-12 inlet.

Blausey, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Copyboard Quickly Makes Clean Printing Plates

Vacuum-chuck eliminates glass and sponge artwork support. Vacuum copyboard allows camera-ready original slid on top plate for proper positioning, then holds securely for photography. Bleed valve allows vacuum in copyboard box adjusted for small or large originals. With new copyboard, time-consuming and costly procedures unnecessary.

Balandis, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Magnetic susceptibility of Inconel alloys 718, 625, and 600 at cryogenic temperatures

After a hydrogen fuel bleed valve problem on the Discovery Space Shuttle was traced to the strong magnetization of Inconel 718 in the armature of the linear variable differential transformer near liquid hydrogen temperatures, the ac magnetic susceptibility of three samples of Inconel 718 of slightly different compositions, one sample of Inconel 625, and on sample of Inconel 600 were measured as a function of temperature. Inconel 718 alloys are found to exhibit a spin glass state below 16 K. Inconel 600 exhibits three different magnetic phases, the lowest-temperature state (below 6 K) being somewhat similar to that of Inconel 718. The magnetic states of the Inconel alloys and their magnetic susceptibilities appear to be strongly dependent on the exact composition of the alloy.

Goldberg, Ira B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Active stabilization to prevent surge in centrifugal compression systems

This report documents an experimental and analytical study of the active stabilization of surge in a centrifugal engine. The aims of the research were to extend the operating range of a compressor as far as possible and to establish the theoretical framework for the active stabilization of surge from both an aerodynamic stability and a control theoretic perspective. In particular, much attention was paid to understanding the physical limitations of active stabilization and how they are influenced by control system design parameters. Previously developed linear models of actively stabilized compressors were extended to include such nonlinear phenomena as bounded actuation, bandwidth limits, and robustness criteria. This model was then used to systematically quantify the influence of sensor-actuator selection on system performance. Five different actuation schemes were considered along with four different sensors. Sensor-actuator choice was shown to have a profound effect on the performance of the stabilized compressor. The optimum choice was not unique, but rather shown to be a strong function of some of the non-dimensional parameters which characterize the compression system dynamics. Specifically, the utility of the concepts were shown to depend on the system compliance to inertia ratio ('B' parameter) and the local slope of the compressor speedline. In general, the most effective arrangements are ones in which the actuator is most closely coupled to the compressor, such as a close-coupled bleed valve inlet jet, rather than elsewhere in the flow train, such as a fuel flow modulator. The analytical model was used to explore the influence of control system bandwidth on control effectiveness. The relevant reference frequency was shown to be the compression system's Helmholtz frequency rather than the surge frequency. The analysis shows that control bandwidths of three to ten times the Helmholtz frequency are required for larger increases in the compressor flow range. This has important implications for implementation in gas turbine engines since the Helmholtz frequencies can be over 100 Hz, making actuator design extremely challenging.

Epstein, Alan H.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Intelligent Engine Systems: Adaptive Control

We have studied the application of the baseline Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm to the control of main fuel flow rate (WF36), variable bleed valve (AE24) and variable stator vane (STP25) control of a simulated high-bypass turbofan engine. Using reference trajectories for thrust and turbine inlet temperature (T41) generated by a simulated new engine, we have examined MPC for tracking these two reference outputs while controlling a deteriorated engine. We have examined the results of MPC control for six different transients: two idle-to-takeoff transients at sea level static (SLS) conditions, one takeoff-to-idle transient at SLS, a Bode power command and reverse Bode power command at 20,000 ft/Mach 0.5, and a reverse Bode transient at 35,000 ft/Mach 0.84. For all cases, our primary focus was on the computational effort required by MPC for varying MPC update rates, control horizons, and prediction horizons. We have also considered the effects of these MPC parameters on the performance of the control, with special emphasis on the thrust tracking error, the peak T41, and the sizes of violations of the constraints on the problem, primarily the booster stall margin limit, which for most cases is the lone constraint that is violated with any frequency.

Gibson, Nathan↗
NASA NTRS2017

Acoustic Detection of Faults and Degradation in a High-Bypass Turbofan Engine during VIPR Phase III Testing

The Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) Phase III project was executed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and several industry, academic, and government partners in the summer of 2015. One of the research objectives was to use external radial acoustic microphone arrays to detect changes in the noise characteristics produced by the research engine during volcanic ash ingestion and seeded fault insertion scenarios involving bleed air valves. Preliminary results indicate the successful acoustic detection of suspected degradation as a result of cumulative exposure to volcanic ash. This detection is shown through progressive changes, particularly in the high-frequency content, as a function of exposure to greater cumulative quantities of ash. Additionally, detection of the simulated failure of the 14th stage stability bleed valve and, to a lesser extent, the station 2.5 stability bleed valve, to their fully-open fail-safe positions was achieved by means of spectral comparisons between nominal (normal valve operation) and seeded fault scenarios.

noise spectra↗
NASA NTRS1975

Evaluation by step response tests of prototype relief valves designed for YF-12 inlet stability bleed system

Two stability bleed system relief valves were tested in a special dynamic test facility. These poppet valves are prototypes for a stability bleed system designed for use in a YF-12 flight inlet. One valve is unshielded, while the other has a special shield to eliminate the flow effect pressures on the piston. The tests determined the size of a damping orifice to be used during wind tunnel tests of the bleed system and verified an analog simulation of the valves. The effects of initial pressure level, pressure step size, and spring rate were investigated.

Dustin, M. O.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A throat-bypass stability-bleed system using relief valves to increase the transient stability of a mixed-compression inlet

A stability-bleed system was installed in a YF-12 flight inlet that was subjected to internal and external airflow disturbances in the NASA Lewis 10 by 10 foot supersonic wind tunnel. The purpose of the system is to allow higher inlet performance while maintaining a substantial tolerance (without unstart) to internal and external disturbances. At Mach numbers of 2.47 and 2.76, the inlet tolerance to decreases in diffuser-exit corrected airflow was increased by approximately 10 percent of the operating-point airflow. The stability-bleed system complemented the terminal-shock-control system of the inlet and did not show interaction problems. For disturbances which caused a combined decrease in Mach number and increase in angle of attack, the system with valves operative kept the inlet started 4 to 28 times longer than with the valves inoperative. Hence, the stability system provides additional time for the inlet control system to react and prevent unstart. This was observed for initial Mach numbers of 2.55 and 2.68. For slow increase in angle of attack at Mach 2.47 and 2.76, the system kept the inlet started beyond the steady-state unstart angle. However, the maximum transient angles of attack without unstart could not be determined because wind-tunnel mechanical-stop limits for angle of attack were reached.

Neiner, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS2017

A Dynamic Model for the Evaluation of Aircraft Engine Icing Detection and Control-Based Mitigation Strategies

Aircraft flying in regions of high ice crystal concentrations are susceptible to the buildup of ice within the compression system of their gas turbine engines. This ice buildup can restrict engine airflow and cause an uncommanded loss of thrust, also known as engine rollback, which poses a potential safety hazard. The aviation community is conducting research to understand this phenomena, and to identify avoidance and mitigation strategies to address the concern. To support this research, a dynamic turbofan engine model has been created to enable the development and evaluation of engine icing detection and control-based mitigation strategies. This model captures the dynamic engine response due to high ice water ingestion and the buildup of ice blockage in the engines low pressure compressor. It includes a fuel control system allowing engine closed-loop control effects during engine icing events to be emulated. The model also includes bleed air valve and horsepower extraction actuators that, when modulated, change overall engine operating performance. This system-level model has been developed and compared against test data acquired from an aircraft turbofan engine undergoing engine icing studies in an altitude test facility and also against outputs from the manufacturers customer deck. This paper will describe the model and show results of its dynamic response under open-loop and closed-loop control operating scenarios in the presence of ice blockage buildup compared against engine test cell data. Planned follow-on use of the model for the development and evaluation of icing detection and control-based mitigation strategies will also be discussed. The intent is to combine the model and control mitigation logic with an engine icing risk calculation tool capable of predicting the risk of engine icing based on current operating conditions. Upon detection of an operating region of risk for engine icing events, the control mitigation logic will seek to change the engines operating point to a region of lower risk through the modulation of available control actuators while maintaining the desired engine thrust output. Follow-on work will assess the feasibility and effectiveness of such control-based mitigation strategies.

engine control↗
NASA NTRS2017

A Dynamic Model for the Evaluation of Aircraft Engine Icing Detection and Control-Based Mitigation Strategies

Aircraft flying in regions of high ice crystal concentrations are susceptible to the buildup of ice within the compression system of their gas turbine engines. This ice buildup can restrict engine airflow and cause an uncommanded loss of thrust, also known as engine rollback, which poses a potential safety hazard. The aviation community is conducting research to understand this phenomena, and to identify avoidance and mitigation strategies to address the concern. To support this research, a dynamic turbofan engine model has been created to enable the development and evaluation of engine icing detection and control-based mitigation strategies. This model captures the dynamic engine response due to high ice water ingestion and the buildup of ice blockage in the engines low pressure compressor. It includes a fuel control system allowing engine closed-loop control effects during engine icing events to be emulated. The model also includes bleed air valve and horsepower extraction actuators that, when modulated, change overall engine operating performance. This system-level model has been developed and compared against test data acquired from an aircraft turbofan engine undergoing engine icing studies in an altitude test facility and also against outputs from the manufacturers customer deck. This paper will describe the model and show results of its dynamic response under open-loop and closed-loop control operating scenarios in the presence of ice blockage buildup compared against engine test cell data. Planned follow-on use of the model for the development and evaluation of icing detection and control-based mitigation strategies will also be discussed. The intent is to combine the model and control mitigation logic with an engine icing risk calculation tool capable of predicting the risk of engine icing based on current operating conditions. Upon detection of an operating region of risk for engine icing events, the control mitigation logic will seek to change the engines operating point to a region of lower risk through the modulation of available control actuators while maintaining the desired engine thrust output. Follow-on work will assess the feasibility and effectiveness of such control-based mitigation strategies.

engine control↗
NASA NTRS1961

The Development of an 8-inch by 8-inch Slotted Tunnel for Mach Numbers up to 1.28

An 8-inch by 8-inch transonic tunnel model with test section slotted on two opposite walls was constructed in which particular emphasis -was given to the development of slot geometry, slot-flow reentry section, and short-diffuser configurations for good test-region flow and minimum total-pressure losses. Center-line static pressures through the test section, wall static pressures through the other parts of the tunnel, and total-pressure distributions at the inlet and exit stations of the diffuser were measured- With a slot length equal to two tunnel heights and 1/14 open-area-ratio slotted walls) a test region one tunnel height in length was obtained in which the deviation from the mean Mach number was less than +/- 0.01 up to Mach number 1.15. With 1/7 open-area-ratio slotted walls, a test region 0.84 tunnel heights in length with deviation less than +/- O.01 was obtained up to Mach number 1.26. Increasing the tunnel diffuser angle from 6.4 to 10 deg. increased pressure loss through the tunnel at Mach number 1.20 from 15 percent to 20 percent of the total pressure. The use of other diffusers with equivalent angles of 10 deg. but contoured so that the initial diffusion angle was less than 10 deg. and the final angle was 200 reduced the losses to as low as 16 percent. A method for changing the test-section Mach number rapidly by controlling the flow through a bypass line from the tunnel settling chamber to the slot-flow plenum chamber of the test section was very effective. The test-section Mach number was reduced approximately 5 percent in 1/8 second by bleeding into the test section a flow of air equal to 2 percent of the mainstream flow and 30 percent in 1/4 second with bleed flow equal to 10 percent of the mainstream flow. The rate of reduction was largely determined by the opening rate of the bleed-flow-control valve.

Little, B. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dynamic response of a Mach 2.5 axisymmetric inlet and turbojet engine with a poppet-value controlled inlet stability bypass system when subjected to internal and external airflow transients

The throat of a Mach 2.5 inlet that was attached to a turbojet engine was fitted with a poppet-valve-controlled stability bypass system that was designed to provide a large, stable airflow range. Propulsion system response and stability bypass performance were determined for several transient airflow disturbances, both internal and external. Internal airflow disturbances included reductions in overboard bypass airflow, power lever angle, and primary-nozzle area as well as compressor stall. For reference, data are also included for a conventional, fixed-exit bleed system. The poppet valves greatly increased inlet stability and had no adverse effects on propulsion system performance. Limited unstarted-inlet bleed performance data are presented.

Sanders, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Liquid propellant densification

Super cooling the cryogenic liquid propellant in a vehicle propellant tank densities the propellant allowing the vehicle propellant tank to carry more fuel in the same volume tank while lowering the vapor pressure and thus the tank operating pressure. Lowering the tank operating pressure reduces the stress and therefore allows the walls of the tank to be thinner. Both the smaller tank volume and thinner tank wall results in an overall smaller and lighter vehicle with increased payload capability. The cryogenic propellant can be supercooled well below the normal boiling point temperature level by transporting the liquid propellant from the vehicle tanks to a ground based cooling unit which utilizes a combination of heat exchanger and compressor. The compressor lowers the coolant fluid bath pressure resulting in a low temperature boiling liquid which is subsequently used to cool the recirculating liquid. The cooled propellant is then returned to the vehicle propellant tank. In addition to reducing the vehicle size and weight the invention also allows location of the vent valve on the ground, elimination of on-board recirculation pumps or bleed systems, smaller and lighter engine pumps and valves, lighter and more stable ullage gas, and significant reduction in tank fill operation. All of these mentioned attributes provide lower vehicle weight and cost.

Lak, Tibor I.↗