TECHNICAL NOTE

0-53I

EXPERJMENTAL INVESTIGATION O F THE NATURAL FREQUENCIES

O F LIQUIDS I N TOROIDAL TANKS

By John Locke McCarty, H. Wayne Leonard, and

William C . Walton, Jr.

Langley Research Center

Langley Field, Va.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON October 1960
 TECH LIBRARY KAFB. NM

NATIONAL AEXONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINl 03sza33

TECHNICAL NOTE D-531

ExpERlMENTAL ITCVESTIGATION OF THE NATURAL FREQUENCIES

GF LIQUIDS IN TOROIDAL TANKS

By John Locke McCarty, H. Wayne Leonard, and

W i l l i a m C . Walton, Jr.

SUMMARY

S e v e r a l t o r o i d a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n s a p p l i c a b l e t o m i s s i l e and space-
v e h i c l e l i q u i d s t o r a g e systems were o s c i l l a t e d t o study t h e n a t u r a l
f r e q u e n c i e s of t h e antisymmetric modes of contained l i q u i d s over a
range of l i q u i d depths and tank s i z e s . Natural frequencies w e r e obtained
f o r tank o s c i l l a t i o n s p a r a l l e l t o t h e f r e e s u r f a c e of b o t h v e r t i c a l and
h o r i z o n t a l tank o r i e n t a t i o n s .

The data are p r e s e n t e d i n terms of dimensionless parameters which

are obtained by r e l a t i n g experimentally determined n a t u r a l l i q u i d fre-
quencies t o a n a l y t i c a l expressions developed through c o n s i d e r a t i o n of
t h e p h y s i c s of t h e problem and from e x i s t i n g s o l u t i o n s f o r l i q u i d s i n
t a n k s having similar boundaries a t t h e l i q u i d s u r f a c e . The experimental
r e s u l t s obtained f o r t h e t o r o i d s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e s e parameters are
a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e p r e d i c t i o n of t h e n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s of f l u i d s i n
t o r o i d s of g e n e r a l geometry and s i z e .

INTRODUCTION

I n missiles o r space v e h i c l e s employing l i q u i d - f u e l e d p r o p u l s i o n

systems o r l a r g e volumes of l i q u i d s f o r l i f e support, the responses of
t h e system t o motions of t h e contained l i q u i d s may g r e a t l y a f f e c t t h e
dynamic s t a b i l i t y of t h e e n t i r e v e h i c l e . The magnitudes of t h e s e
responses can i n c r e a s e g r e a t l y i f t h e n a t u r a l l i q u i d f r e q u e n c i e s a r e n e a r
f r e q u e n c i e s of e x t e r n a l p e r i o d i c f o r c e s which may 'be induced by c o n t r o l
impulses o r by p e r i o d i c s t r u c t u r a l deformations of t h e v e h i c l e . It i s
imperative, t h e r e f o r e , t h a t methods f o r a c c u r a t e l y p r e d i c t i n g t h e n a t u r a l
f r e q u e n c i e s of t h e s e l i q u i d s i n p r o p e l l a n t tank c o n f i g u r a t i o n s of i n t e r e s t
be a v a i l a b l e b e f o r e t h e t a n k i s incorporated i n t o any v e h i c l e design.
The n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s of t h e antisymmetric modes a r e of p a r t i c u l a r
i n t e r e s t s i n c e t h e l i q u i d motions i n these modes involve l a t e r a l s h i f t s
i n t h e l i q u i d c e n t e r of g r a v i t y . Some r e s u l t s of experimental and
2

a n a l y t i c a l s t u d i e s of t h e n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s and mode shapes of l i q u i d s

i n spheres and r i g h t c i r c u l a r c y l i n d e r s are given i n r e f e r e n c e 1. Recent
s t u d i e s , however, i n d i c a t e t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y of employing t o r o i d a l s t o r a g e
tanks f o r p r o p e l l a n t s o r l i q u i d s f o r l i f e - s u p p o r t systems i n some future
v e h i c l e s , b u t no information on t h e n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s of l i q u i d s i n
s u c h t a d s i s presented i n t h e available l i t e r a t u r e .

The purpose of t h i s paper i s t o r e p o r t t h e r e s u l t s of an e x p e r i -

mental i n v e s t i g a t i o n of t h e n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s and mode shapes of t h e
antisymmetric modes of l i q u i d s contained i n t o r o i d a l tanks. The fre-
quencies and mode shapes were obtained f o r t a n k s having v a r i o u s major
and minor radii, l i q u i d depths ranging from empty t o f u l l , and d i f f e r e n t
o r i e n t a t i o n s of t h e tanks with r e s p e c t t o t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h e a p p l i e d
o s c i l l a t i o n . The n a t u r a l f r e q u e n c i e s a r e p r e s e n t e d as dimensionless
parameters t o permit a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e r e s u l t s t o t o r o i d a l t a n k s of
practical interest.

SYMBOIS

€5 a c c e l e r a t i o n due t o g r a v i t y

h l i q u i d depth

h C l i q u i d depth i n an annular r i g h t c i r c u l a r c y l i n d e r having t h e

same l i q u i d - s u r f a c e geometry and y i e l d i n g l i q u i d volume
e q u i v a l e n t t o t h a t contained i n a h o r i z o n t a l t o r o i d a t l i q u i d
depth h ( f i g . 7)

f i r s t d e r i v a t i v e of t h e B e s s e l f u n c t i o n of t h e f i r s t o r d e r and
first kind

mode of l i q u i d o s c i l l a t i o n

minor r a d i u s of t o r o i d ( f i g . 1)

major r a d i u s of t o r o i d ( f i g . 1)

i n n e r and o u t e r r a d i i of l i q u i d s u r f a c e f o r l i q u i d s i n h o r i -
z o n t a l t o r o i d s ( f i g . 7)

first. &riva.t.ive of t h e B e s s e l f u n c t i o n of t h e f i r s t o r d e r
and second kind

n t h zero of Jl1
 3

e angle measured from t h e v e r t i c a l t o t h e r a d i u s of l e n g t h R

that terminates a t t h e l i q u i d s u r f a c e of v e r t i c a l tanks
(fig. 8 )

An frequency parameter f o r n t h mode of a l i q u i d i n a h o r i z o n t a l

1

Vn

frequency parameter f o r t h e nth t r a n s v e r s e mode of a l i q u i d

i n a v e r t i c a l t o r o i d a l tank, %fi
angle between t h e v e r t i c a l and t h e r a d i u s t o t h e p o i n t of
i n t e r s e c t i o n of t h e l i q u i d surface with t h e p e r i p h e r a l
c i r c l e of v e r t i c a l t a n k s ( f i g . 8)

Jln frequency parameter f o r t h e nth l o n g i t u d i n a l mode of a l i q u i d

i n regions of a v e r t i c a l t o r o i d ( f i g . 1); f o r regions A and C,

and f o r region B,

experimental n a t u r a l c i r c u l a r frequency of o s c i l l a t i o n of
l i q u i d s i n n t h mode

a n a l y t i c a l n a t u r a l c i r c u l a r frequency of o s c i l l a t i o n of Liq~icZs
iii iitii mocie
4

APPARATUS

Description of Models

Mode Plane of major Direction of oscillation with

torus radius R respect to plane of major radius

Hor izonta1 Horizonta1 Farallel

Longitudinal Vertical Parallel

Transverse 1 Vertical , I Perpendicular

In all modes the direction of oscillation was in a plane parallel to the

liquid surface.

All models were constructed of clear Plexiglas to permit visual

observation of the liquid motion. In a l l cases water was used as the
liquid.

Mechanical Shaker

The models were mounted on a support platform which was suspended

in pendulum fashion from overhead beams. Oscillations of the models
were induced by means of a mechanical shaker which was directly con-
nected to the support platform as shown in figure 2. The mechanical
shaker, described fully in reference 2, consists of a slider-crank
mechanism driven by a variable-speed motor and designed so as to provide
a means for conveniently varying the frequency and amplitude of the
reciprocating motion applied to the platform. A tachometer, also shown
in figure 2, was attached to the drive shaft of the motor and provided
a means for directly obtaining the excitation frequency. The shaker
had an tLriiLitloiial des%= feature ?Jk?i~h
permitted a rapid shutdown of
the driving motion so that the liquid modes excited at a given frequency
could be studied during the decay of the fluid motions.
 TEST PROCEDURE

The testing technique involved inducing translatory oscillations of

the models over a range of frequencies to obtain the natural frequencies
of the contained liquid. The procedure was repeated over the full range
of liquid depths. In measuring the lower mode natural frequencies for
all mpdels except toroid 5 , the mode in question was induced by means of
the mechanical shaker and, upon f u l l development of the wave form, the
platform motion was stopped and the frequencies were obtained by visually
timing the low-amplitude oscillations of the liquid during the decay of
the wave form. In the cases of the higher modes, for toroids 1 to 4,
the excitation amplitudes were maintained at low levels and the natural
frequencies were taken as those frequencies yielding maximum liquid
response. In these cases, the frequencies were read directly from the
tachometer. Inasmuch as toroid 5 was too large for installation on the
shaker platform, the testing technique for this toroid was modified. The
toroid was mounted on rollers and manually excited to induce the desired
liquid mode shape. All liquid modes of this toroid were obtained by
visually timing the low-amplitude liquid oscillations during the decay
of the fully developed wave form. Representative mode shapes of the
liquid in half-filled toroids mounted horizontally and vertically are
shown in figures 3 to 5. Data were taken for all modes visually detected
with sufficient clarity for their definition.

DATA FSDUCTION

A sample of the test results is given in figure 6, which presents

some of the experimental data taken on toroid 3. This figure shows the
variation of the measured natural frequencies of the first two liquid
modes in cycles per second with fullness ratio for the three tank orien-
tations. In order to apply the results of the experimental tests to
toroids of variable geometry, an extension of these results to permit
the prediction of natural liquid frequencies in toroids of different
dimensions is desired. The ideal method, one using dimensionless param-
eters which express the ratio of the experimentally determined natural
liquid frequencies to simple, exact, closed-form solutions for the
natural liquid frequencies, is not possible at this time since no such
exact solutions are known to exist. It is possible, however, that cer-
tain alternate expressions may be derived which, when similarly applied,
will yield frequency parameters independent of tank dimensions. The
existence of such expressions is suggested by recognition of the fact
that at various liquid depths in a toroid, the liquid has physical
bounderies relatively similar to those of liquids in containers for
which information concernin~ n a t . 1 ~ ~f h~ i1d fre-;cnzles Ls av-ailable
r

(e.g., cylinders, spheres, and U-tubes). For some such containers,

either simple, exact, closed-form solutions exist for the natural liquid
frequencies, or a combination of pertinent variables has been proven
experimentally to yield frequency parameters that are essentially inde-
pendent of tank dimensions. The derivation of the toroidal frequency
parameters based upon these expressions is presented in the following
sections for each mode of oscillation. It should be noted that the fre-
quency parameters used in the reduction of the experimental data are not
the only parameters which will nondimensionalize the data. Several
parameters for each mode were investigated, and those yielding the best
results were selected for use.

Horizontal Modes

The frequency parameter for the horizontal modes was selected as

the ratio of the experimentally determined liquid frequencies to the
natural frequencies of liquids contained in an upright annular circular
cylinder having dimensions ri and ro (the inner and outer radii of
the liquid surface; see sketch in fig. 7) and a liquid depth hc neces-
sary to produce a liquid volume equal to the volume of liquid contained
in the toroid. The exact expression for the liquid frequencies % in
such an annular cylinder, given by reference 3, is

where n is the mode of liquid oscillation, g is acceleration due to

gravity and vn is the nth root of the equation

The first four roots of this equation are plotted in figure 7 as a func-
tion of 2. The resulting parameter for the horizontal modes, denoted
r0
by , A
, is
 7

Vertical Modes

The distinct differences in the geometry of the liquid boundaries

for various depths in vertical toroids suggest the division of the tanks
into three separate regions to permit a comparison of the experimental
data for toroidal tanks of various geometry and size on the same non-
dimensional fullness basis. These regions are designated A, B, and C
and are indicated on figure 1.

Transverse.- In vertical toroidal tanks undergoing transverse oscil-

lations,’the liquids in regions A (0 < h < 2r) and C (2R < h < 2(R + r))
have boundaries which are somewhat similar to those of liquids in spheres
or horizontal cylinders undergoing transverse oscillations. It has been
theoretically determined (ref. 4) and experimentally verified (ref. 1)
that for a sphere or a horizontal cylinder undergoing transverse oscil-
lations a frequency parameter an of the form

will insure satisfactory nondimensionalization of the natural frequencies

. of liquids contained in such tanks. Because of the similarity in the
liquid boundary conditions, this parameter was selected for use in
regions A and C.

In region B (2r < h < 2R) the liquid boundary is somewhat similar
to that of liquids in an upright circular cylinder. The exact expres-
sion for the natural frequencies of liquids in an upright circular
cylinder of radius a, given in reference 5, is

where h is the depth of liquid in the cylinder and En is the nth

zero of the first derivative of the Bessel function of the first order
and first kind. In the treatment of the liquid in region B as though
it were contained in a cylinder of radius r, the reasonable assumption
is made that the value of the equivalent liquid depth is sufficiently
large to insure that tanh(hr en) approaches unity (tanh@ ~ 1 )+ 1.0
at p 1.6;tanh($ e2) + 1.0 at
= = 0.6). With this assumption,
equation (5) reduces to
8

It may be seen from t h i s expression t h a t t h e prime v a r i a b l e s for

nondimensionalization a r e g and r - t h e same v a r i a b l e s t h a t con-
s t i t u t e t h e frequency parameter i n regions A and C ( e q . ( 4 ) ) . The
frequency parameter f o r t h e u p r i g h t t r a n s v e r s e modes, t h e r e f o r e , i s
made t o be c o n s i s t e n t throughout t h e depth range; t h a t is,

Longitudinal.- The first l o n g i t u d i n a l mode of t h e l i q u i d i n

regions A and C i s nondimensionalized by t a k i n g t h e r a t i o of t h e e x p e r i -
mental n a t u r a l frequency t o t h e n a t u r a l frequency of a simple pendulum
whose l e n g t h i s equal t o t h e d i s t a n c e from t h e c e n t e r of t h e t o r o i d t o
t h e center of m a s s of a mass d i s t r i b u t e d uniformly along an a r c of t h e
p e r i p h e r a l c i r c l e subtended by t h e l i q u i d s u r f a c e . (See f i g s . 8 ( a ) and
8( c ) . ) The expression f o r t h e n a t u r a l frequency of such a pendulum i s

xhere $ i s t h e angle between t h e v e r t i c a l and t h e r a d i u s t o t h e p o i n t

of i n t e r s e c t i o n of t h e f l u i d s u r f a c e w i t h t h e p e r i p h e r a l c i r c l e . The
r e s u l t i n g parameter f o r t h e f i r s t mode $1 i s

Nondimensionalization of t h e higher modes i n t h e s e two t o r o i d a l regions

w a s accomplished through t h e consideration of t h e r e l a t i v e s i m i l a r i t y of
t h e l i q u i d boundaries t o those of l i q u i d s contained i n spheres of r a d i u s
R + r . The r e s u l t i n g frequency parameter $, i s then

Jm=%
J R-
'pr
First-mode l i q u i d motion i n region B i s much l i k e t h a t i n t h e
c i r c u l a r - a r c tube of s m a l l c r o s s s e c t i o n i l l u s t r a t e d i n f i g u r e 8 ( b ) .
-_
' m e n a t u r a i rreyueiicy of t h e licpLd 5:: E U C ~ E t l h e is
 h

where R i s t h e r a d i u s t o the c e n t e r l i n e of t h e t u b e and 0 i s the

angle between t h e v e r t i c a l and t h e radius R which t e r m i n a t e s i n t h e
l i q u i d s u r f a c e . The dimensionless frequency parameter Jrl selected
f o r t h e f i r s t mode i s t h e r a t i o of t h e experimental n a t u r a l l i q u i d f r e -
quency t o t h e frequency expression given by equation (ll), o r

Nondimensionalization of t h e higher modes i s accomplished, as with t h e

t r a n s v e r s e modes i n t h i s region, through t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e rela-
t i v e s i m i l a r i t y of t h e l i q u i d boundaries t o t h e boundaries of l i q u i d s
contained i n an u p r i g h t c i r c u l a r cylinder. The o r d e r of t h e analogous
c y l i n d r i c a l frequency i s decreased b y i s i n c e t h e manometer-type mode
not p r e s e n t i n t h e u p r i g h t c y l i n d e r w a s considered as t h e fundamental
mode f o r t h i s r e g i o n . Again, i f it i s assumed t h a t t h e e q u i v a l e n t l i q u i d
depth i s s u f f i c i e n t l y l a r g e t o i n s u r e t h a t tan,($ E). approaches u n i t y
i n t h e natural-frequency expression ( e q . (6) ), t h e frequency parameter i s

The l i q u i d frequency parameters f o r t h e v a r i o u s t o r o i d a l tank

o r i e n t a t i o n s and t h e sources f o r t h e corresponding a n a l y t i c a l expres-
s i o n s are summarized i n t a b l e I.

DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The frequency parameters are p l o t t e d as a f u n c t i o n of f u l l n e s s

ratio h/2r f o r t h e h o r i z o n t a l t o r o i d a l t a n k s and as a f u n c t i o n of
h -
2r ; r e g i o n C,
2(R r)-
- ^)
2r
f o r the v e r t i c a l t o r o i d a l tanks. Data f o r each mode of a given
c o n f i g u r a t i o n are p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s form i n figures 9 t o 11. The d a t a
obtained f o r the h i g h e r modes of t h e small models were l i m i t e d because
t h e mode shapes could not b e c l e a r l y defined i n some c a s e s .

Modes of Horizontal Toroids

The experimental. d a t a f o r t h e first. fmr mndes cf lLcydLds iii f i v e

h o r i z o n t a l t o r o i d a l tanks a r e p r e s e n t e d in f i g u r e 9 i n terms of t h e
10

frequency parameter An. The values of t h i s frequency parameter are

p l o t t e d as a f u n c t i o n of t h e f u l l n e s s r a t i o . The figure i n d i c a t e s t h a t
a t a given f u l l n e s s r a t i o , t h e frequency parameter f o r a given mode i s
t h e same f o r a l l t o r o i d s examined. It appears, t h e r e f o r e , t h a t t h e fre-
quency parameter An i s independent of t h e tank dimensions ( b o t h a c t u a l
s i z e and geometric r a t i o R / r ) and a p p l i c a b l e f o r p r e d i c t i n g t h e n a t u r a l
l i q u i d frequencies i n any h o r i z o n t a l t o r o i d a l tank.

It i s of i n t e r e s t t h a t , except a t t h e n e a r - f u l l and near-empty con-

d i t i o n s , t h e values of An a r e i n t h e neighborhood of u n i t y , which
i n d i c a t e s that t h e a n a l y t i c a l expression f o r t h e frequency ( e q . (1))i s
a good approximation t o t h e n a t u r a l frequency of t h e l i q u i d i n h o r i z o n t a l
t o r o i d s . Both t h i s expression and t h e frequency parameter derived t h e r e -
from may be r e a d i l y u t i l i z e d t o o b t a i n t h e l i q u i d frequencies by using
t h e values of Vn presented i n f i g u r e 7 f o r t h e f i r s t f o u r modes.

Transverse Modes of V e r t i c a l Toroids

The r e s u l t s obtained from t h e t r a n s v e r s e o s c i l l a t i o n s of t h e v e r t i c a l

t o r o i d s are presented i n f i g u r e 10. The frequency parameter un i s
shown as a f u n c t i o n of f u l l n e s s r a t i o of t h e t h r e e t o r o i d a l regions f o r
t h e f i r s t two l i q u i d modes. As i n t h e case of t h e l i q u i d modes i n h o r i -
zontal t o r o i d s , t h e nondimensional d a t a obtained f o r a given t r a n s v e r s e
mode of t h e v e r t i c a l t o r o i d s may b e represented by one curve. It appears,
t h e r e f o r e , t h a t t h e r e s u l t i n g curve i s a p p l i c a b l e f o r t h e p r e d i c t i o n of
t h e n a t u r a l l i q u i d frequencies i n v e r t i c a l t o r o i d s of any s i z e and
geometry undergoing t r a n s v e r s e o s c i l l a t i o n s .

Longitudinal Modes of V e r t i c a l Toroids

Liquid frequency-depth r e l a t i o n s h i p s f o r t h e l o n g i t u d i n a l modes of

v e r t i c a l t o r o i d s are presented i n f i g u r e 11 i n terms of t h e frequency
parameter $,. The values of t h i s parameter f o r each of t h e three regions
a r e p l o t t e d s e p a r a t e l y as a f u n c t i o n of t h e region f u l l n e s s r a t i o . The
r e s u l t s f o r region A are presented i n figure 11(a) and i n d i c a t e t h a t f o r
a given f u l l n e s s r a t i o , t h e frequency parameter f o r t h e f i r s t mode $1
i s the same f o r a l l t o r o i d s examined. The f i g u r e a l s o shows that t h e
values of \I'l are near u n i t y throughout t h e region, which i n d i c a t e s
t h a t the expression given by equation (8) e s s e n t i a l l y p r e d i c t s t h e f i r s t
i o n g i t u d i n a i iiquici rr-equeiicy iii i-egloii A of v z r t i c a l t ~ d- s

The frequency parameter developed f o r t h e higher l i q u i d modes i n

region A, based upon an expression involving t h e v a r i a b l e s necessary t o
nondimensionalize s a t i s f a c t o r i l y t h e t r a n s v e r s e modes of spheres and
h o r i z o n t a l c y l i n d e r s , i s a l s o p r e s e n t e d as a f u n c t i o n of region f u l l n e s s
 11

r a t i o i n figure l l ( a ) . The data show t h a t t h i s parameter, Jrn (where

n > l), while dimensionless, i s dependent on t h e r a t i o R / r , b u t inde-
pendent of t a n k s i z e . The e f f e c t of R / r on t h e second mode, however,
appears t o be n e g l i g i b l e . The f a i r e d d a t a of t h e higher modes show t h a t
t h e value of t h e frequency parameter a t a given l i q u i d depth i n c r e a s e s
with t h i s r a t i o R / r .

The r e s u l t s of t h e frequency d a t a obtained i n r e g i o n B a r e shown i n

figure l l ( b ) and i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e frequencies f o r t h e t h r e e modes
examined i n t h i s region a r e r e a d i l y nondimensionalized b y t h e parameters
s e l e c t e d . The natural-frequency p a r m e t e r Jm ;( = 1, 2, 3 ) has t h e
same value f o r a l l t o r o i d s examined at a given region f u l l n e s s r a t i o and
a given mode. Thus it may be concluded t h a t t h e parameters a r e inde-
pendent of t h e t a n k dimensions and applicable i n t h e p r e d i c t i o n of t h e
l o n g i t u d i n a l l i q u i d frequencies i n t h e midregion of v e r t i c a l t o r o i d s of
p r a c t i c a l i n t e r e s t . Furthermore, s i n c e the parameters a r e near u n i t y
except a t t h e n e a r - f u l l condition, t h e a n a l y t i c a l expressions f o r t h e
frequencies may be used t o o b t a i n approximate n a t u r a l frequencies through-
o u t most of t h e depth range of region B.

The v a r i a t i o n of t h e frequency parameters Jm with f u l l n e s s r a t i o

f o r region C i s presented i n f i g u r e ll( c ) . A s w a s t h e case f o r region A,
t h e frequency parameters s e l e c t e d appear t o be s u f f i c i e n t t o reduce t h e
d a t a t o a family of curves i n d i c a t i n g t h e dependency of t h e n a t u r a l f r e -
quencies on R / r . Thus f a r , no e f f e c t i v e parameter has been found which
i s u s e f u l f o r combining t h e e f f e c t s of v a r i a t i o n s of both tank s i z e and
geometry i n t h i s region. The d a t a f o r a given geometric r a t i o m a y b e
extended d i r e c t l y t o geometrically s i m i l a r tanks.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency d a t a have been obtained and parameters synthesized f o r

l i q u i d s i n t o r o i d a l tanks of d i f f e r e n t s i z e s and geometric r a t i o s R/r
(where R i s t h e major r a d i u s and r t h e minor r a d i u s of t h e t o r o i d ) .
These parameters are developed f o r tanks o r i e n t e d i n three ways w i t h
r e s p e c t t o t h e d i r e c t i o n of o s c i l l a t i o n and have been found t o be inde-
pendent of tank s i z e and i n most cases independent of t h e geometric
ratio R/r. These p a r m e t e r s are b e l i e v e d t o b e a p p l i c a b l e i n t h e p r e -
d i c t i o n of t h e n a t u r a l frequencies of f l u i d s i n t o r o i d s of p r a c t i c a l
i n t e r e s t i n m i s s i l e and space-vehicle l i q u i d - s t o r a g e systems.

The n a t u r a l frequencies of l i q u i d s i n h o r i z o n t a l t o r o i d s i n g e n e r a l
may be a c c u r a t e l y p r e d i c t e d by t h e a n a l y t i c a l expression f o r t h e modal
frequencies of l i q u i d s i n annular cylinders having t h e radial dimpr,sims
12

of the toroidal liquid surface and a depth yielding a volume equivalent

to the volume of liquid in the toroid.

The transverse modes of liquids in the upper and lower regions of

vertical toroids behave in a manner similar to modes of liquids in
spheres, whereas the modes in the midregions behave in a manner analogous
to modes of liquids in deep upright circular cylinders.

For the longitudinal modes of liquid in vertical toroids no method

has been found to achieve complete nondimensionalization with respect
to both size and geometry, but as expected, it was found in all cases
that natural-frequency data for geometrically similar toroids can be
rendered dimensionless and thus the effects of tank size can be isolated.
The data presented indicate that the degree of dependence of the natural
frequencies on R/r is a function of both liquid depth and the order of
the liquid mode.

Langley Research Center,

National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Langley Field, Va., July 15, 1960.

REFERENCES

1. McCarty, John Locke, and Stephens, David G.: Investigation of the

Natural Frequencies of Fluids in Spherical and Cylindrical Tanks.
NASA TN D-252, 1960.

2. Silveira, Milton A., Maglieri, Domenic J., and Brooks, George W.:
Results of an Experimental Investigation of Small Viscous Dampers.
NACA TN 4257, 1958.

3. Okhotsimskii, D. E.: Theory of the Motion of a Body With Cavities

Partly Filled With a Liquid. NASA TT F-33, 1960.

4. Budiansky, Bernard: Sloshing of Liquids in Circular Canals and

Spherical Tanks. Jour. Aero/Space Sci., vol. 27, no. 3, Mar. 1960,
pp. 161-173.

5. m h , Esrzce : EydrcXiymmics - S i x t h ed. Dover Publications, 1945,

p. 440.
 13

TABLE I.- SUMMARY OF NONDIMENSIONAL FREQUENCY PARAMETERS

FOR LIQUIDS IN TOROIDAL TANKS

Orientation Region
~
Mode I Parameter Source

Horizontal All Annular circular

cylinder

All Sphere of radius r

Vertical
transverse
B C i r c u l a r cylinder
of radius r

Simple pendulum

Sphere of radius
R + r
Vertical
longitudina
Circular-arc tube

B
Circular cylinder of
radius r

aFor convenience, values of are listed below:

€1 = 1.841
€2 = 5.331
c3 = 8.536
c4 = 11.706
14

Region B t--
l l

-
Longitudinal excitation Transverse excitation

I I
_7

Horizontal excitation

Figure 1.- Sketch showing orientation of toroidal tank and dimensions of

test configurations.
 16

( a ) F i r s t mode.

(b ) Second mode.

( c ) Third mode. L-60-4306

Figure 3.- F i r s t t h r e e modes of l i q u i d i n a horizontal t o r o i d .

:
(a) F i r s t mode.

(b) Second mode. L-60-4307

18

(a) F i r s t mode.

( b ) Second mode.

( c ) Third mode. L-60-4308

Figure 5.- F i r s t t h r e e longitudinal modes of l i q u i d i n a v e r t i c a l t o r o i d .
4-1
0
20

36 -

b- '0 -4
HorizontaI toroid

I
Equivalent

Y '0 -I

4-
I

1 I I I I I
I I I
 21

PeripheraI circle

( a ) Region A .

C i rcular-arc tube

( b l Region B.

(c Region C.

F i g w e 8.- Sk;etzh defining symbols used in treatment of longitudinal

liquid modes in vertical toroidal tanks.
22

R, in. r, in.

I:
c I
0
0
0
A
n
4.0
7.9
11.9
11.9
16.0
4.0
3.9
5.9
3.9
8.0

.8 1 I I I

I .o

.8 ' I I I I I

1.2

I.o

.8 I I I I I I

I.2

I .o

.8 1 I 1 I 1 1
0 .2 .4 .6 .8 1.0
Fullness ratio

F i g u r e 9.- V a r i a t i o n of l i q u i d frequency parameter

I
1 w i t h depth f o r h o r i -

zontal toroidal tanks.

 23

4.

3.

3.

2.l

0
2.4

a;l 2.C

I.€
P
1.2

.a R, in. r, in.
0 4.0 4.0
0 7.9 3.9

- -
.4 0 11.9 5.9
A 11.9 3.9
0 16.0 8.0

0 I I I I
.5 1.0 0 .5 I .o .5 I.o
Regional fullness rotio

Figure 10.- Variation of liquid frequency parameter On = % E with

depth for transverse modes of vertical toroidal tanks.
24

rin. R/r

4'6 F
II 0 11.9
16.0
3.9 2.03
5.9 2.02

11.9 3.9 3.05

P

30 7
4.4 -
-
-
$3 -
3.4 -
- u

-
I I I I I
2.4

2.4r

$1 1'21"""7""b-"r"..,
.8
0 .2 .4 .6 .8 I .o
Regionol fullness ratio

F i g u r e 11.- V a r i a t i o n of l i q u i d frequency parameters w i t h depth f o r

l o n g i t u d i n a l modes o f v e r t i c a l t o r o i d a l t a n k r e g i o n s .
 25

1.2

I .o

.8
Regional fullness ratio

Figure 11.- Continued.

26

NASA - Langley Field, Va. L-1069

~ ~~~ ~