Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Design And Development Of An Online Wind Tunnel, Konstantinos Kanistras

Summer Community of Scholars (RCEU and HCR) Project Proposals

No abstract provided.

Flame-Generated Turbulence For Flame Acceleration And Detonation Transition, Rachel Hytovick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Detonations are a supersonic mode of combustion witnessed in a variety of applications, from next-generation propulsion devices to catastrophic explosions and the formation of supernovas. Detonations are typically initiated through the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT), a detailed process where a subsonic flame undergoes rapid acceleration increasing compressibility until a hotspot forms on the flame front inciting a detonation wave to form. Due to the complex nature of the phenomena, DDT is commonly investigated in three stages – (i) preconditioning, (ii) detonation onset, and (iii) wave propagation and stability. The research presented explores each of these stages individually, with a …

Energy Based Diagnostics Of Cfd: Revealing New Insights To Complex Aerodynamics, George Loubimov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This thesis documents a new approach to assess the aerodynamics of complex fluid dynamic systems using modern assessment methods associated with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The method is developed to extract novel and additional insight in the context of a higher-fidelity modeling tool. Although the methods are based on classical control volume techniques balancing fluid momentum and energy, the approach uses the detailed data provided by CFD to expand on it. Classical methods typically use a fixing control volume defined at simple control surfaces, whereas this assessment method utilizes CFD to provide complex integrals on the control surfaces and uses …

The Effects Of Supersonic Reacting Flow Over A Wedge, Taylor R. Brown

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is a growing need for a fundamental understanding of how detonations are formed and sustained as propulsion technology advances toward the use of detonation-based engines. The deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) phenomenon is studied to better understand both the fundamentals of detonation physics and the conditions surrounding how detonations are formed and sustained. This research aims to study the effects of a wedge on DDT and detonation formation. A hydrogen-air mixture is pumped into a chamber and ignited by a spark plug. Turbulence-driven flame acceleration is induced by turbulators in the chamber through which the flame propagates. The flame then flows …

Vibrations Of Rotationally Periodic Structures: A Metric For Mistuning Characterization And Vibration Localization, Andres Rodriguez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Blisk components are an integral part of jet engines and power generation systems. Composed of a single monolithic structure, integral blisks combine the blade-and-disk portion of primary components such as the fan, compressor stage, or turbine stage. This design modification increases the aerodynamic performance while decreasing the cost and eliminating time of assembly. However, these benefits come with the loss of blade-disk connection interfaces, which greatly reduces the structure's damping and its ability to attenuate unwanted structural vibrations. Blisk dynamics are impacted by mistuning, which is a disruption of the periodic symmetry of otherwise identical bladed sections. This disruption degrades …

Sensitivity Of Combustion Liner Contour To Sand Ingestion Clogging, Nelson Padilla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This currently presented work is an evaluation of the characteristics of different cooling hole geometries to particulate ingestion clogging. Experimentation was conducted using a premixed bluff body flame combustor facility to generate high temperature combustor flow conditions. Sand ingestion along the cooling path of the combustion liner was reproduced using an air-assisted seeder providing consistent sand ingestion. Mass flow rate of cooling air was controlled using a sonic orifice downstream of a pressure regulator so that the mass flow rate of the air and sand mixture is independent of the clogging state. Pressure data upstream of a small section of …

The Breakup Of Rp-2 Liquid Fuel Droplets In A Detonation Field, Daniel Dyson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Experimentally obtained droplet breakup patterns are presented for RP-2 liquid fuel droplets in the environment behind a detonation wave. To the best of our knowledge, this data is the first of its kind to examine the fundamental interactions between detonation waves and an individual fuel droplet. The experiments presented here are expected to support the ongoing effort of creating accurate models of droplet breakup in a variety of environments, which in turn will lead to enhanced predictions of rotating detonation engine performance, improved safety considerations for facilities operating in hazardous conditions, and new knowledge in energetics, hypersonics, and explosion dynamics …

Integrating Experimental Parameter Space For Granular Flow Within Polygon Tumblers, Michaela Mcmahon

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Granular flows are complex phenomena bridging both fluid and solid mechanics and observed frequently in the natural world. The transitional dynamics of acceleration from solid body motion to rapid flow can affect many aspects including volume flow rates and mixing behaviors. In order to study the combination of both variables together within polygon-shaped tumblers, control systems are necessary with a corresponding user interface. This thesis reports an interface for changing variable inputs to the system. Predictions of rotation rates with corresponding interfaces with hardware connections are described. Results of image analysis verify output performance that incorporates the following variable changes: …

Experimental Analysis Of Flowing Layer Characteristics In Equilateral Triangular Tumblers For Quasi-2d Macro-Particle Flow, Jason Quinn Ostenburg

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Rotating tumblers are used in a wide variety of industrial applications from mixing anddeburring to flow regulation and storage. Almost all model tumblers previously analyzed, both theoretically and experimentally, had circular cross sections that produced consistent flowing layer dimensions and steady state flow. In contrast, tumblers with triangular cross sections produced unsteady flow as a direct result of the dynamic dimensions of the flowing surface. Although unsteady, the flow produced in triangular tumblers is periodic every 120◦ of rotation after an initial mixing period. The mechanisms by which the flow characteristics vary as a triangular tumbler rotates and the number …

Recent Analytic Development Of The Dynamic Q-Tensor Theory For Nematic Liquid Crystals, Xiang Xu

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Liquid crystals are a typical type of soft matter that are intermediate between conventional crystalline solids and isotropic fluids. The nematic phase is the simplest liquid crystal phase, and has been studied the most in the mathematical community. There are various continuum models to describe liquid crystals of nematic type, and Q-tensor theory is one among them. The aim of this paper is to give a brief review of recent PDE results regarding the Q-tensor theory in dynamic configurations.

Editorial For The Special Issue On Micromachines For Non-Newtonian Microfluidics, Lanju Mei, Shizhi Qian

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

In lieu of an abstract, this is an excerpt from the first page.

Microfluidics has seen a remarkable growth over the past few decades, with its extensive applications in engineering, medicine, biology, chemistry, etc [...]

On The Implementation And Further Validation Of A Time Domain Boundary Element Method Broadband Impedance Boundary Condition, Fang Q. Hu, Douglas M. Nark

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

A time domain boundary integral equation with Burton-Miller reformulation is presented for acoustic scattering by surfaces with liners in a uniform mean flow. The Ingard-Myers impedance boundary condition is implemented using a broadband multipole impedance model and converted into time domain differential equations to augment the boundary integral equation. The coupled integral-differential equations are solved numerically by a March-On-in-Time (MOT) scheme. While the Ingard-Myers condition is known to support Kelvin-Helmholtz instability due to its use of a vortex sheet interface between the flow and the liner surface, it is found that by neglecting a second derivative term in the current …

Autoignition Delay Time Measurements And Chemical Kinetic Modeling Of Hydrogen/Ammonia/Natural Gas Mixtures, Jessica Baker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

In recent years, hydrogen-carrying compounds have accrued interest as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels due to their function as zero-emission fuels. As such, there is interest in investigating hydrogen-carrying compounds to improve understanding of the fuels' characteristics for use in high pressure systems. In the current study, the oxidation of ammonia/natural gas/hydrogen mixtures was carried out to study CO formation profiles as well as the ignition delay times behind reflected shock waves in order to refine chemical kinetic models. Experiments were carried out in the University of Central Florida's shock tube facility by utilizing chemiluminescence to obtain OH* emission …

Shock Tube And Gas Dynamic Design Considerations And Implementation For Extended Test Times, Jacklyn Higgs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

A new shock tube test section has been designed and manufactured for the purpose of increasing the test time and expanding the applications of the shock tube for a multitude of ongoing and future projects. One purpose for the test section extension is to allow for flow visualization of droplets impacted by a shock wave for the interaction of hypersonic vehicles and atmospheric disturbances. Another purpose is to measure behind the incident shock to capture the chemical kinetics for a high-altitude environment and low-pressure, high-temperature space applications. This new test section contains 24 round optical ports for laser spectroscopy for …

Investigating The Effect Of Cmas Infiltration On Residual Stress Of High Temperature Ceramic Coatings For Turbine Engines Using 3d Confocal Raman Spectroscopy, Zachary Stein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Calcium-magnesium-aluminosilicates (CMAS), such as sand or volcanic ash, are ingested by aircraft jet engines during operation. CMAS then becomes molten while traveling through the combustor of the engine before depositing onto turbine blades within the turbine section of the engine. The molten CMAS melt infiltrates and interacts with the high temperature ceramic coated turbine blades. This infiltration increases coating stiffness and promotes coating phase destabilization, encouraging micro-crack formation and increasing the risk of spallation. Thermomechanical effects from CMAS infiltration were mapped over time with confocal Raman spectroscopy. The residual stresses within infiltrated 7YSZ EB-PVD coatings were captured with microscale resolution. …

A Decoupled Engineering Methodology For Accurate Prediction Of Ablative Surface Boundary Conditions In Thermal Protection Systems, Justin Cooper

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The main objective of the present work is to demonstrate a method for prediction of aerothermal environments in the engineering design of hypersonic vehicles as an alternative to the current heritage method. Flat plate and stagnation point boundary layer theory require multiple assumptions to establish the current engineering paradigm. Chief among these assumptions is the similarity between mass and heat transfer. Origins of these assumptions are demonstrated and their relationship to conservative engineering design is analyzed, as well as conditions where they possibly break down. An alternative approach for assessing aerothermal environments from the fluid domain is presented, which permits …

Numerical And Scaling Study On Application Of Inkjet Technology To Automotive Coating, Masoud Arabghahestani Dr.

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

A thorough literature review identified lack of precision control over quality of droplets generated by the currently available industrial sprayers and a growing need for higher quality droplets in the coating industry. Particularly, lack of knowledge and understanding in continuous inkjets (CIJ) and drop-on-demand (DOD) technologies is identified as significant. Motivated by these needs, this dissertation is dedicated to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and scaling studies to improve existing inkjet technologies and develop new designs of efficient coating with single and/or multiple piezoelectric sensors to produce on-demand droplets. This dissertation study aims at developing a new DOD type coating technology, …

Experimental Investigation Of Roughness And Blowing Effects Over Ablator-Like Surfaces, Colby Borchetta

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Two separate experiments using PIV were carried out to investigate the effects of
roughness and blowing over surfaces geometrically similar to ablation materials used for atmospheric re-entry. The first, water tunnel experiments, employed a dimpled surface similar to AVCOAT, while the second set was completed in a wind tunnel with a material similar to PICA. For the first set, the flow with blowing becomes destabilized, and more disorganized. The blowing disrupts the relatively simple vorticity shedding process and significantly modifies momentum transport via interaction of detached structures. Flow structure and their modifications were examined with a sPOD analysis. The focus …

Quantification Of The Aerodynamic Drivers Of A Deployable Propeller, David Malyszek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

With the use deployable drones becoming more common research into their improvement is necessary. Deployable drones that are launched from tubes have size limits on the diameter of the propeller during launch and storage. The purpose of this research is to develop deployable propeller blades for practical uses, such as tube launched propeller driven drones and easier to transport wind turbine blades. A deployable propeller will allow for the utilization of larger propellers when a large non-deployable blade isn't an option. Because deployable propellers need to fold, the deployable propeller blades were designed to be hollow and with a slit …

A Study Of Microgravity On Fluid Transport Through Porous Structures In Microfluidic Devices, Sylvain Le Henaff

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The objective of this study is to refine the understanding of micro-fluidics subject to micro-gravity in an attempt to support future space exploration efforts. A combination of experimental and numerical approaches were utilized to build a validated assessment approach. A quasi-pore geometry, inspired by CT scans of rat bones, was used in lieu of human bone structures. A quasi-1D assessment of the conservation of momentum was used to identify the dominant forces acting on the fluid at the operating length-scales. The dominant forces were surface tension, gravity, and shear stress. Experiments were conducted to visualize the flow moving through the …

Interactions Of Aerosol Droplets With Ventilated Airflows In The Context Of Airborne Pathogen Transmission, Steven Schroeder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This multidisciplinary study provides a comprehensive visualization of airborne aerosols and droplets coming into contact with a crossflow of moving air utilizing both experimental particle measuring methods and multiphase computational fluids dynamics (CFD). The aim of this research is to provide a Eulerian visualization of how ventilation can alter the position and density of an aerosol cloud, with the goal of applying this information to our understanding of social distancing ranges within outdoor settings and ventilated rooms. The results indicate that even minor perpendicular crossflows across the trajectory of an aerosol cloud can greatly reduce both the linear displacement and …

Modelling Air Quality In An Aircraft Passenger Cabin Using Health Care Standards, Bert Silich

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The interest in aerosol contamination of aircraft passenger cabins has increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mathematical models have been developed to help describe how an aerosol behaves in a closed space. The number of infectious particles inhaled is of scientific interest because it can be related to the risk of getting ill from a pathogen. The data required to calculate these results is often difficult to obtain in real world settings. In fact, particle inhalation details are not obtained in the day-to-day routine of a health care environment and are they not required to maintain safety. Hospital …

Aerodynamic Characterization Of An Elliptical Fairing In The Wake Of A Bluff Body, Luis Amaya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Aerodynamic optimization is a key step in designing planes, cars, and even buildings. Numerical modeling is used to automate the optimization process and can use different methods to iterate through designs. In this process, consideration of the starting design is paramount as a poor choice can use up computational time and effort. Often, these designs are made with the intention of being out in the open, for which studies on shape variations in freestream situations abound. However, for the case where an object must be placed in the wake of another, there is little research. The study presented here aims …

Aerodynamics Wind Tunnel Lab, James Soroczak, Brett Preslar

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this project is to create a lab for an aerodynamics class with the purpose of exploring the effects of various physical features and aerodynamic conditions on a wing. The main area of study will be the effects on lift, drag, and moment. To best display these effects, an airfoil/wing to wind tunnel interface with variable physical characteristics will be designed. The various physical alterations will be implemented to show the effect each one has on lift, drag, and moment. These alterations will include different aspect ratios, removable winglets, and various lengths. The airspeed and angle of attack …

Aerodynamic Performance Of A Biologically Inspired Hybrid Plasma-Mechanical Flow Control And Sensing Device, Joseph Dygert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The continued high global demand for passenger and freight air traffic along with increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles operating in broader Reynolds number regimes has resulted in researchers examining alternative technologies, which would result in safer, more reliable, and superior performing aircraft. Aerodynamic flow control may be one of the most promising approaches to solving this problem, having already proven its ability to enable higher flow efficiency while simultaneously improving overall control of flow behavior such as laminar-to-turbulent transition. Recent research in aerodynamic flow control has seen a pronounced growth in the areas of biomimicry and plasma flow control …

Aerodynamic Analysis Of Damage State Missiles Using Overset Meshing Techniques For Application To Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation, Jonathan A. D'Alessio

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Significant research over the years has aimed to redefine the flight capabilities of aircraft after sustaining structural damage to critical components. Flight survivability and controllability are key areas of concern when designing fault-tolerant flight control systems to handle a wide range of potential scenarios. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of physically damaged missile systems. Missile counter-defense and intercept capabilities have become more advanced as the United States has focused heavily on these areas over the years. Damaged missiles due to a kinetic intercept capability present an opportunity for analysis of the post-damage implications on flight …

Comparative Analysis Of Winglet Efficiency On Supercritical Versus Traditionally Cambered Airfoils, Evan Cathers

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study serves to define the performance of several industry-recognized and exploratory wing tip devices on aircraft wings utilizing contemporary supercritical airfoil geometry. For comparison, the same examination is performed on a wing comprised of traditionally cambered airfoils, the platform upon which winglets were initially developed. The supercritical wing design is based on that of the Airbus A320, while the conventional airfoil is based upon the Boeing 737-800 platform. Tip devices selected for analysis include blended, raked, split scimitar, fence, and spiroid winglets, as well as tip sails, characterized by the spreading of a bird’s primary flight feathers. Methodology for …

Experiences During The Implementation Of Two Different Project-Based Learning Assignments In A Fluid Mechanics Course., Orlando Ayala, Kristie Gutierrez, Francisco Cima, Julia Noginova, Min Jung Lee, Stacie Ringleb, Pilar Pazos, Krishnanand Kaipa, Jennifer Kidd

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of project-based learning (PBL) in preparing students to solve complex problems. In PBL implementations in engineering, students are treated as professional engineers facing projects centered around real-world problems, including the complexity and uncertainty that influence such problems. Not only does this help students to analyze and solve an authentic real-world task, promoting critical thinking, but also students learn from each other, learning valuable communication and teamwork skills. Faculty play an important part by assuming non-conventional roles (e.g., client, senior professional engineer, consultant) to help students throughout this instructional and learning approach. Typically in …

Cfd And Heat Transfer Analysis Of Rocket Cooling Techniques On An Aerospike Nozzle, Geoffrey Sullivan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In recent years the development of rocket engines has been mainly focused on improving the engine cycle and creating new fuels. Rocket nozzle design has not been changed since the late 1960s. Recent needs for reliable and reusable rockets, as well as advancements in additive manufacturing, have brought new interest into the aerospike nozzle concept. This nozzle is a type of altitude adjusting nozzle that is up to 90% more efficient than bell nozzles at low altitudes and spends up to 30% less fuel. Since the nozzle body is submerged in the hot exhaust gasses it is difficult to keep …

Schlieren Imaging Of A Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Caleb Townsend, Tayler S. Powell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project exemplifies Schlieren Imaging on a Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Schlieren Imaging allows one to visualize fluid flow by refracting light through a fluid. The Schlieren Imaging system denoted in this paper is used to visualize the shock waves of air onto a test section within a supersonic wind tunnel. This is done by directing a beam of light through a test section and then focusing the light onto a blade edge. This blade edge then breaks up the light beam so that the refractions, created by the pressure differences, are blocked by the knife edge which allows the pressure …