CaltechAUTHORS
  A Caltech Library Service

Some recent results for nonlinear acoustics in combustion chambers

Culick, F. E. C. (1990) Some recent results for nonlinear acoustics in combustion chambers. AIAA Papers, 90-3927. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics . https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20101129-112004053

[img] PDF - Published Version
See Usage Policy.

1MB

Use this Persistent URL to link to this item: https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20101129-112004053

Abstract

Conditions of high energy densities and low losses in combustion chambers encourage the excitation and sustenance of organized unsteady motions generically called combustion instabilities. The fluctuations, common in propulsion systems, often reach sufficient amplitudes to cause excessive rates of heat transfer to exposed surfaces and unacceptable structural vibrations, causing failure in extreme cases. In many cases, to avoid the occurrence of instabilities, combustion chambers are operated below their maximum performance. Considerable effort has been spent, for more than four decades, on experimental and analytical programs devoted to solving problems of combustion instabilities. Much of the work has been required to measure quantities which, because of the complex processes involved, cannot be predicted accurately from first principles. Analytical work has been concerned largely with linear behavior, the chief purpose being to predict stability of small disturbances in combustion chambers. Many useful results have been obtained, serving in practice to help design experiments, correlate data, and predict the stability of new systems. However, linear behavior is only a small part of the general problem. A combustion chamber is an isolated system so far as its stability is concerned, and unstable disturbances evolve as 'self-excited' motions. Hence their amplitudes will grow indefinitely unless nonlinear processes are effective. Complete understanding of observed behavior will therefore be reached only by treating nonlinear behavior. In the recent past, increased attention has been paid to nonlinear combustion instabilities. It is particularly important for practical purposes to explain the existence of limit cycles and the occurrence of unstable motions in linearly stable systems exposed to large initial disturbances. These matters are far from closed, and although substantial progress has been accomplished, little impact has been made on the development of new systems. The chief purpose of this paper is to provide a brief review of work on nonlinear combustion instabilities, largely in the framework of an approximate analysis. Some connections will be made with the modern theory of nonlinear dynamical systems, including very recent and incomplete attempts by others to assess the possible chaotic behavior observed in laboratory tests.


Item Type:Report or Paper (Report)
Additional Information:© 1990 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. Most of the work described here, both mine and that of others, has been supported for many years, at variable levels, by the Air Force, Navy, and NASA. My students and I have received much support from Caltech and currently by the Office of Naval Research, Grant No. N00014-89-J-1753. I have personally benefitted greatly from close collaborations in the recent past with Mr. Jay Levine of the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory; Professors Vigor Yang and Leonidas Paparizos, Pennsylvania State University and Carnegie-Mellon University respectively; and, currently members of the Research Faculty at Caltech, Drs. Craig Jahnke and James Sterling.
Group:Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center, GALCIT
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Air ForceUNSPECIFIED
NavyUNSPECIFIED
NASAUNSPECIFIED
CaltechUNSPECIFIED
Office of Naval ResearchN00014-89-J-1753
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center315
AIAA90-3927
Series Name:AIAA Papers
Issue or Number:90-3927
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20101129-112004053
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20101129-112004053
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:21039
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:29 Nov 2010 22:57
Last Modified:03 Oct 2019 02:18

Repository Staff Only: item control page