NASA Research in Aeropropulsion

The role of the Lewis Research Center in aeronautical propulsion is described. The state of the art in engine systems and components are discussed and some of the problems that confront the civil and military aeronautic sectors are addressed. Some of the programs that are under way are summarized with emphasis on the future needs and opportunities in aeronautics

Multistage multiple-reentry turbine Patent

Multistage, multiple reentry, single rotor, axial flow turbin

Multistage multiple-reentry turbine Patent

Multistage multiple reentry axial flow reaction turbine with reverse flow reentry ductin

Flank solar wind interaction

This report summarizes the results of the first 12 months of our program to study the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind on the far flanks of the bow shock. This study employs data from the ISEE-3 spacecraft during its traversals of the Earth's magnetotail and correlative data from spacecraft monitoring the solar wind upstream. Our main effort to date has involved assembling data sets and developing new plotting programs. Two talks were given at the Spring Meeting of the American Geophysical Union describing our initial results from analyzing data from the far flank foreshock and magnetosheath. The following sections summarize our results

Methods for predicting thermal stress cracking in turbine stator or rotor blades Summary report

Test rig for predicting thermal stress cracking in turbine stator or rotor blade

NASA Research in aeropropulsion

Selected examples of recent accomplishments and current activities that are relevant to the principal classes of civil and military vehicles: subsonic transports, commuters, supersonic transports, general aviation, rotorcraft, V/STOL, and high performance. Some instances of emerging technologies with potential high impact on further progress are discussed

Parametric studies with an atmospheric diffusion model that assesses toxic fuel hazards due to the ground clouds generated by rocket launches

Parametric studies were made with a multilayer atmospheric diffusion model to place quantitative limits on the uncertainty of predicting ground-level toxic rocket-fuel concentrations. Exhaust distributions in the ground cloud, cloud stabilized geometry, atmospheric coefficients, the effects of exhaust plume afterburning of carbon monoxide CO, assumed surface mixing-layer division in the model, and model sensitivity to different meteorological regimes were studied. Large-scale differences in ground-level predictions are quantitatively described. Cloud alongwind growth for several meteorological conditions is shown to be in error because of incorrect application of previous diffusion theory. In addition, rocket-plume calculations indicate that almost all of the rocket-motor carbon monoxide is afterburned to carbon dioxide CO2, thus reducing toxic hazards due to CO. The afterburning is also shown to have a significant effect on cloud stabilization height and on ground-level concentrations of exhaust products

Use of similarity parameters for examination of geometry characteristics of high-expansion- ratio axial-flow turbines

Similarity parameters used for examining geometry characteristics of axial flow turbines with high expansion rati

Supercharged topping rocket propellant feed system

A rocket propellant feed system utilizing a bleed turbopump to supercharge a topping turbopump is presented. The bleed turbopump is of a low pressure type to meet the cavitation requirements imposed by the propellant storage tanks. The topping turbopump is of a high pressure type and develops 60 to 70 percent of the pressure rise in the propellant

A review of NASA's propulsion programs for aviation

A review of five NASA engine-oriented propulsion programs of major importance to civil aviation are presented and discussed. Included are programs directed at exploring propulsion system concepts for (1) energy conservation subsonic aircraft (improved current turbofans, advanced turbofans, and advanced turboprops); (2) supersonic cruise aircraft (variable cycle engines); (3) general aviation aircraft (improved reciprocating engines and small gas turbines); (4) powered lift aircraft (advanced turbofans); and (5) advanced rotorcraft