Effects of axisymmetric contractions on turbulence of various scales

Digitally acquired and processed results from an experimental investigation of grid generated turbulence of various scales through and downstream of nine matched cubic contour contractions ranging in area ratio from 2 to 36, and in length to inlet diameter ratio from 0.25 to 1.50 are reported. An additional contraction with a fifth order contour was also utilized for studying the shape effect. Thirteen homogeneous and nearly isotropic test flow conditions with a range of turbulence intensities, length scales and Reynolds numbers were generated and used to examine the sensitivity of the contractions to upstream turbulence. The extent to which the turbulence is altered by the contraction depends on the incoming turbulence scales, the total strain experienced by the fluid, as well as the contraction ratio and the strain rate. Varying the turbulence integral scale influences the transverse turbulence components more than the streamwise component. In general, the larger the turbulence scale, the lesser the reduction in the turbulence intensity of the transverse components. Best agreement with rapid distortion theory was obtained for large scale turbulence, where viscous decay over the contraction length was negligible, or when a first order correction for viscous decay was applied to the results

Experiments on identification and control of inflow disturbances in contracting streams

Vorticity from all surfaces and isolated objects in the vicinity of the fan intake, including the outside surfaces of the fan housing, were identified as the major sources for disturbances leading to blade passing frequency noise. The previously proposed mechanism based on atmospheric turbulence is refuted. Flow visualization and hot wire techniques were used in three different facilities to document the evolution of various types of disturbances, including the details of the mean flow and turbulence characteristics. The results suggest that special attention must be devoted to the design of the inlet and that geometric modeling may not lead to adequate simulation of the in flight characteristics. While honeycomb type flow manipulators appear to be effective in reducing some of the disturbances, higher pressure drop devices that generate adequate turbulence, for mixing of isolated nonuniformities, may be necessary to suppress the remaining disturbances. The results are also applicable to the design of inlets of open return wind tunnels and similar flow facilities

On the Interpretation of the Output of Hot-Film Anemometers and a Scheme of Dynamic Compensation for Water Temperature Variation

Using a special calibration tunnel developed during the course of this study, the static and dynamic response of several kinds of commercially available hot-film probes with single and multiple sensors of the cylindrical-fiber type are examined. The effects of different parameters, including those of the anemometer bridge, on the output and performance of the probes are evaluated. In particular, the consequences of variations in water temperature on the hot-film anemometer output are determined. The results reveal a large effect of the water temperature on the calibration curves (in an extreme case a change in temperature of only 5.5°F can result in a 100% error in the mean velocity reading). In general, the Fourier components are inclined to the wall - the lower frequencies making smaller angles with the wall than the higher frequencies. The higher frequency disturbances became more nearly perpendicular to the wall in the central region of the pipe. For points very near the wall the disturbances appear to be very obliquely inclined. A scheme which utilizes a temperature sensing probe immersed in the working fluid is used to compensate for the water temperature variation. Several possible circuit configurations for this scheme, including an optimum circuit design, are investigated and the results from some of them are presented and discussed. The circuit has a frequency response to temperature variations which depends on the thermal time constant of the temperature probe (up to several cycles per second can be obtained using commercially available probes) and can be used to compensate for temperature variations of more than 20°F with an accuracy better than + 0.2%. By using an effective value (much smaller than EQ) instead of the zero- velocity bridge voltage (E0) in exponential-type linearizers, a constant exponent is found useful in linearizing the anemometer output over a wider range of velocities, especially the very low ones. Finally, a linearized hot-film anemometer compensated for temperature variation by utilizing the present scheme is successfully used to obtain precision measurements in a standard laminar flow- field where the water temperature varied. The results compare favorably with classical theory which is quite encouraging in view of the low overheat ratio used with hot-films and the large effects of temperature on water density and viscosity

Interpretation of 2-probe turbulence measurements in an axisymmetric contraction

Simultaneous measurements of the streamwise and radial velocity components at two points, one on and one off the centerline with variable radial separation, were digitally recorded and processed at several stations along a four to one contraction with controlled upstream turbulence conditions. Various statistical quantities are presented including spectra and coherence functions. The integral L sub ux, L sub um, L sub vx, L sub vm were also estimated and their variation along the contraction is examined

Evaluation of a new concept for reducing free-stream turbulence in wind tunnels

The feasibility of using a 45 deg-honeycomb for improving the flow quality in wind tunnels was investigated. The results of the experiments indicate that the turbulence levels in a wind tunnel using the 45 deg-honeycomb would be comparable to those obtainable using a conventional honeycomb, i.e., a honeycomb which is positioned normal to the mean flow in the settling chamber. However, this is true only when a 45 deg-screen is mounted immediately downstream of the honeycomb, and when some distance is provided between the trailing edges of the corner turning vanes and the upstream side of the 45 deg-honeycomb. This distance is required for adequate decay of the turning-vane wakes, thereby providing a reasonably uniform mean flow entering the honeycomb. Results demonstrate that this distance should be at least twice the spacing between the turning vanes. Even though the resulting turbulence intensity is the same downstream of both the 45 deg-honeycomb and the conventional honeycomb, there would have to be a significant improvement in the test-section turbulence intensity using the 45 deg-honeycomb to justify the additional expense in fabricating and installing this type of honeycomb

Spanwise variations in nominally two-dimensional rough-wall boundary layers

Laboratory experiments have been conducted in two separate boundary layer facilities to investigate steady spanwise variations in mean velocity discovered during studies of developing flows over regular arrays of large roughness elements. Regular spanwise variation was found with a steady wavelength, moderated by the growing boundary layer, which was an integer multiple of the repeating unit of roughness. Amplitude variations greater than ±5% in the mean were found over the roughness and greater than ±10% in turbulence quantities. Due to the dominating nature of this phenomena throughout the layer, care should be taken in undertaking local measurements aimed at identifying flow variations caused by roughness heterogeneity