This paper is a historical review of the science, both experimental and theoretical, behind the iconic Moody diagram used to avoid tedious iterations choosing pumps and pipes. The large body of historical pipe flow measurements and the choice of dimensionless groups and the Buckingham-Π theorem are also discussed. The traditional use of the Moody diagram to solve common pipe flow problem is discussed. Alternatives to the Moody diagram from the literature and novel ones presented here are shown to produce a solution without iteration for any type of pipe loss problem.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of combustion chamber geometry on exit temperature fields using an ambient pressure test rig. The apparatus contained a 120° sector of a combustion section of a Rolls Royce (previously Allison) T56-A-15 gas turbine engine. A thermocouple rake acquired high-resolution temperature measurements in the combustion chamber exit plane. Rig test conditions were set to simulate an engine operating condition of 463 km/h (250 knots) at 7620 m (25000ft) by matching the Mach number, the equivalence ratio and the Sauter mean diameter of the fuel spray. To quantify the geometric deviations of the combustion chamber specimens, which varied in service conditions, a three-dimensional laser scanning system was used. Combustion chamber geometric deviations were extracted through comparison of the scanned data to a reference model using the selected software. The relationship between combustion chamber exit temperature profile and geometric deviation was then compared. The main conclusion of this research was that small deviations from nominal dimensions in the dilution zone of the combustion chamber correlated to an increase in pattern factor. A decrease in the mixing of the products of combustion and dilution air was observed as damage in the dilution zone increased. This reduction in mixing created a more compact, higher temperature core flow. The results obtained from this research were compared to past studies.

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The purpose of this continuing research was to investigate the effects of combustion chamber geometry on exit temperature fields using a validated ambient pressure test rig. Rig test conditions were set to simulate an engine operating condition of 463 km/h (250 kn) at 7620 m (25,000 fl) by matching Mach number, equivalence ratio, and Sauter mean diameter of the fuel spray. Using a thermocouple rake, high resolution temperature measurements were obtained in the combustion chamber exit plane. Following the previously published procedures, a three-dimensional laser scanning system was used to quantify geometric deviations from two populations of combustion chambers. These populations differed in that one had a significantly higher allowable engine operating temperature for continuous cruise condition. Geometric deviations of both populations were compared with the reference model. The relationship between combustion chamber exit temperature profile and geometric deviation of each population was then compared. The main conclusion of this research was that the temperature profile degradation of both populations due to geometric deviations followed similar trends. These results highlighted that the difference in operating limitations of these populations did not significantly affect component performance.

It has been demonstrated by previous researchers that an approximate value of the bulk flow velocity through the spark plug gap of a running spark ignition engine may be deduced from the voltage and current wave forms of the spark. The technique has become known as spark anemometry and offers a robust means of velocity sensing for engine combustion chambers and other high temperature environments. This paper describes an experimental study aimed at improving performance of spark anemometry as an engine research tool. Bench tests were conducted using flow provided by a calibrated nozzle apparatus discharging to atmospheric pressure. While earlier studies had relied upon assumptions about the shape of the stretching spark channel to relate the spark voltage to the flow velocity, the actual spark channel shape was documented using high-speed video in the present study. A programmable ignition system was used to generate well-controlled constant current discharges. The spark anemometry apparatus was then tested in a light duty automotive engine. Results from the image analysis of the spark channel shape undertaken in the present study have shown that the spark kernel moves at a velocity of less than that of the freestream gas velocity. A lower velocity threshold exists below, which there is no response from the spark. It is possible to obtain a consistent, nearly linear relationship between the first derivative of the sustaining voltage of a constant current spark and the freestream velocity if the velocity falls within certain limits. The engine tests revealed a great deal of cycle-to-cycle variation in the in-cylinder velocity measurements. Instances where the spark restrikes occur during the cycle must also be recognized in order to avoid false velocity indications.