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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of tabs having different corner geometries on the flow characteristics of a supersonic convergent–divergent (C-D) nozzle.

A circular C-D nozzle of Mach 2.0 was used, and the tabs were positioned at the exit of the nozzle in diametrically opposite directions. Three tabs having different corner geometry implemented in the experiments were rectangular tab with triangular top edge, triangular tab with a bell-shaped edge and tapered tab. The pressure profiles across the tabs and the centerline pressure decay along the jets were measured. The shadowgraph technique illustrated the waves present in the center of an oncoming jet. The nozzle pressure ratios (NPR) were varied from 4 to 8, in the steps of one, covering various overexpansion and under expansion levels at the exit of the nozzle.

The results showed tapered tabs act as a better mixing promoter than the other tabs used in the study. A reduction of 91.25% in core length for NPR 8 was observed for the tapered tabs. Subsequently, core length reductions generated by triangular tabs with a bell-shaped top edge were 87.5%, and those caused by rectangular tabs with a triangular top edge were 7.5%.

The research results could be used for designing combustion chambers and chemical reactors that require jets to enhance mixing levels.

The tabs having three different corners geometries, i.e. sharp or pointed, bell-shaped and straight edge has never been investigated before. The idea of only modifying corners is the innovative step of this research.

The purpose of this study is to increase the jet mixing effectiveness of Mach 1.6 axisymmetric jet using semi-circular corrugated triangular tabs (Tabs A, B and C), in which the locations of the semi-circular corrugations are varied along the leaned sides of the triangular tabs.

The tabs are fixed at the exit of the nozzle facing each other 180° apart. To quantify the jet mixing effectiveness of the semi-circular corrugated tabs, Pitot pressure measurements were carried out for the cases of over-expansion, marginally over-expansion and under-expansion levels of Mach 1.6 jet, along the jet centerline and the jet spread, along and normal to the tab axis.

The results exhibit that the semi-circular corrugated Tab A augments the jet mixing when compared to Tabs B and C. This impact in jet mixing is strongly due to the small-scale vortices shed from the tabs and the mixed effect of the corrugation locations and expansion ratio. The maximum percentage reduction in core length is about 73.6 per cent for the jet with semi-circular corrugated Tab A at NPR 5, whereas it is 71.4 and 67.1 per cent for Tabs B and C, respectively.

The reduction in core length of the jet with minimum thrust loss is obtained by controlling the jet used with semi-circular corrugated triangular tabs of equal blockage ratio 5.12 per cent with respect to the nozzle exit diameter.

The locations of the semi-circular corrugations varied systematically at the equally leaned sides of the triangular tab ensure the novelty of this study.

EACH September the eyes of the aeronautical World turn towards the S.B.A.C. Air Display and Exhibition with interest unequalled by any other event. It is fitting that the Display is now held each year at the airfield of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, one of the world's most prominent aeronautical research centres. This interest becomes increasingly keen too, as the preview day comes closer, because new prototypes of unorthodox designs often appear a short time before the Show to illustrate the results of years of careful planning, development and research of the particular company. These designs often mould the path of progress for smaller countries without the economic resources to forge the way ahead alone. Most British citizens are very proud of their country's place in aviation today, both in the military and civil fields. This is understood by most foreigners because it is clear that Britain has won a place in aeronautical development second to none.

The purpose of this paper is to propose and optimize plastic optical fiber (POF) probe with macro-bending biconical tapered structure for the relative humidity (RH) sensing.

In this study, the principle is the evanescent wave power modulated by the ambient humidity. The probe is fabricated by using fused biconical taper and heat-setting method and then coated with a fluorescent moisture-sensitive film.

The probe’s sensing performance can be optimized by changing the probe’s curvature radius, biconical tapered transition length and taper waist diameter. The result shows that the sensitivity of the probe is up to 1.60 and 3.40 mV/ per cent, respectively, at low humidity (10-45 per cent) and high humidity (45-90 per cent). Also, this probe has good linearity, repeatability, photostability and long-term stability.

The proposed probe can improve the sensitivity and linearity of RH sensing without complex devices, which is necessary for mass production, remote measurement and convenient operation.

POF probe with macro-bending biconical tapered structure is investigated in this paper, which is proved to be effective in improving the sensitivity and linearity.

Short food supply chains have the potential to facilitate the transition to more sustainable food systems. Related distribution processes, however, can be challenging for smallholder and family farmers. To extend the market reach of farmers without the need for extensive investments, crowd logistics (CL) can be used. The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits and trade-offs of implementing CL platforms in short food supply chains (SFSCs).

A decision support system (DSS) based on agent-based and discrete event simulation (DES) modelling is developed, which closely approximates the behaviour of customers and distribution processes at outlets. Different scenarios are explored to evaluate the potential of CL in rural and urban settings using the example of regions from Bavaria, Germany.

Results show that CL can be used to increase the reach of farmers in SFSCs at the cost of minor food quality losses. Moreover, a difference between urban and rural settings is noted: An urban scenario requires less investment in the driver base, whereas the rural scenario shows a higher potential to increase market reach.

Platform-based food delivery services are still mostly unexplored in the context of SFSCs. This research shows that platform services such as CL can be used to support local agriculture and facilitate the distribution of perishable food items, introducing a simulation-based DSS and providing detailed results on various application settings; this research serves as a steppingstone to facilitate successful real-world implementations and encourage further research.

In this chapter we investigate the ownership and control of UK firms using contemporary methods from computational graph theory. Specifically, we analyze a ‘small-world’ model of ownership and control. A small-world is a network whose actors are linked by a short chain of acquaintances (short path lengths), but at the same time have a strongly overlapping circle of friends (high clustering). We simulate a set of corporate worlds using an ensemble of random graphs introduced by Chung and Lu (2002a, 2002b). We find that the corporate governance network structures analyzed here are more clustered (‘clubby’) than would be predicted by the random-graph model. Path lengths, though, are generally not shorter than expected. In addition, we investigate the role of financial institutions: potentially important conduits creating connectivity in corporate networks. We find such institutions give rise to systematically different network topologies.

This paper introduces thermal‐stress analysis methods which follow electrical engineering procedures. The spring constant or c‐value is found to be related to the electrical impedance, combining dimensions and material characteristics in a performance parameter which simplifies calculations. Voltage is used to represent thermal deformation, and thermal forces are modelled as currents. Relationships equivalent to Ohm's Law are applied to calculate thermal stresses in leads or traces of surface‐mount assemblies. The thermal performance of laminates, e.g., thermal expansion coefficients of interconnect boards with a restraining core, and the thermal stresses in the bonded layers, are derived from the analysis of an electrical network which represents the composite structure. The method provides visual concepts which facilitate a first‐order solution of engineering problems related to thermal stress.

The paper aims to assess the potential of aircraft operation from city centres to achieve shortened travel times and the involved aircraft design process.

The paper describes the methodical approach and iterative procedure of the design process. An assessment of potential technologies is conducted to provide the required enhancements to fulfil the constraints following an inner-city operation. Operational procedures were analysed to reduce the noise propagation through flight path optimization. Furthermore, a ground-based assisted take-off system was conceived to lower required take-off field length and to prevent engine sizing just for the take-off case. Cabin design optimization for a fast turnaround has been conducted to ensure a wide utilization spectrum. The results prove the feasibility of an aircraft developed for inner city operation.

A detailed concept for a 60-passenger single aisle aircraft is proposed for an Entry-Into-Service year 2040 with a design range of 1,500 nautical miles for a load factor of 90 per cent. Although the design for Short Take-off and Landing and low noise operation had to be traded partly with cruise efficiency, a noteworthy reduction in fuel burn per passenger and nautical mile could be achieved against current aircraft.

The findings will contribute to the evaluation of the feasibility and impact of the Flightpath 2050 goal of a 4-h door-to-door by providing a feasible but ambitious example. Furthermore, it highlights possible bottlenecks and problems faced when realizing this goal.

The paper draws its value from the consideration of the overall sizing effects at aircraft level and from a holistic view on an inner-city airport/aircraft concept design for a 4-h door-to-door goal.

The purpose of this study reports the effects of aspect ratio (AR) on mean flow characteristics of the cruciform orifice jet.

The aspect ratio is the height-to-width ratio of the lobe of the cruciform shape. The aspect ratios considered are 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3 and 4. The turbulent jet flow is issued through an orifice being fitted to the jet tunnel facility. The velocity measurements are recorded with the help of pitot-static tube connected to a digital manometer setup. The Reynolds number calculated using the equivalent diameter 50.46 × 10^–3 m and exit velocity 51.23 m/s was 1.75 × 10⁵. Based on the experimental data, the streamline velocity decay plots, the potential core length (PCL), mean velocity profiles and velocity half widths were plotted, and discussions were made based on the measured data. A smoke-based flow visualization was carried out at moderate Reynolds number 5396.

The PCL remains almost constant for the aspect ratio 0.25:1 and then starts decreasing for the aspect ratio 1:4. The decrease in PCL indicates improved mixing. The off-center peaks are found along the major axis in mean velocity profiles for almost all cruciform jets. More than one axis switching occurs and can be identified by the crossover points. The location of the first crossover point shifts forward, and the second crossover point shows an oscillating trend. The flow visualization exhibits the jet evolution, and the distance up to which the jet maintains the cruciform shape is increased with the aspect ratio.

The experiments are limited to air in air jet under isothermal conditions.

The cruciform orifices can be used as fuel injectors and in air-conditioning systems, thereby improving efficiency and energy usage.

The aspect ratio effects on PCL and axis switching are used to explain the mixing characteristics. Flow visualization was also used to support the discussion.

In combination with a propeller having blades mounted for pitch changing rotational movements, a hollow drive shaft supporting and driving said propeller, a hydraulic motor carried, by said drive shaft and rotatable therewith operatively connected with said blades to rotate the same for pitch adjustment, a piston in said motor, a relatively stationary source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and a relatively stationary drain sump, a two part valve, a connexion between said course and said valve, a connexion between said sump and said valve and a pair of connexions leading from said valve through said hollow drive shaft to opposite sides of said piston, registerable ports in the two parts of said valve for controlling the connexions between said source and said sump and the opposite sides of said piston, manually operable means for moving one of said valve parts to control said connexions to move said motor piston in a selected direction, and piston actuated means for moving the other valve part to control said connexions to discontinue movement of said piston, when said piston has moved a distance having a predetermined relation to the amount of movement of said manually movable valve part.