Engineering topics

Blaha, R. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Blaha, R. J..

7 records

NASA NTRS1979

Dynamic analysis of a photovoltaic power system with battery storage capability

A photovolataic power system with a battery storage capability is analyzed. A dual battery current control concept is proposed, which enables the battery to either supply or accept power depending upon system environment and load conditions. A simulation of the power system, including the battery current control, is developed and evaluated. The evaulation demonstrate the visbility of the battery control concept of switch the battery from a charge to discharge mode and back as required by load and environmental conditions. An acceptable system operation is demonstrated over the entire insolation range. Additionally, system sensitivity, bandwidth, and damping characteristics of the battery control are shown to be acceptable for a projected hardware implementation.

Merrill, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Performance and stability analysis of a photovoltaic power system

The performance and stability characteristics of a 10 kVA photovoltaic power system are studied using linear Bode analysis and a nonlinear analog simulation. Power conversion efficiencies, system stability, and system transient performance results are given for system operation at various levels of solar insolation. Additionally, system operation and the modeling of system components for the purpose of computer simulation are described.

Merrill, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Analysis of dynamic inlet distortion applied to a parallel compressor model

An investigation of surge was conducted by using a parallel compressor model of the J85-13 compressor implement on an analog computer. Surges were initiated by various types of dynamic disturbances in inlet pressure. The compressor model was less sensitive to disturbances of short duration, high frequency, and long duration where the compressor discharge pressure could react. Adding steady distortion to dynamic disturbances reduced the amount of dynamic disturbance required to effect surge. Steady and unsteady distortions combined linearly to reduce surge margin.

Wenzel, L. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Prediction of axial-flow instabilities in a turbojet engine by use of a multistage compressor simulation on the digital computer

A method of estimating the undistorted stall line for an axial-flow compressor by using the digital computer is presented. The method involves linearization of nonlinear dynamic equations about an operating point on a speed line, and then application of the first method of Lyapunov to determine the stability of the nonlinear system from the stability of the linear system. The method is applied to a simulation of the J85 compressor, which utilizes stage stacking and lumped volume techniques for the interstage regions to simulate steady-state and dynamic compressor performance. The stability boundary predicted by the digital simulation compares quite well with the stall line predicted by a dynamic simulation of the J85 compressor programmed on the analog computer. Since previous studies have shown that the analog-predicted stall line agrees well with the stall line of the compressor, the digital method presented is also a good means of estimating the stall line.

Daniele, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Strapdown system performance optimization test evaluations (SPOT), volume 1

A three axis inertial system was packaged in an Apollo gimbal fixture for fine grain evaluation of strapdown system performance in dynamic environments. These evaluations have provided information to assess the effectiveness of real-time compensation techniques and to study system performance tradeoffs to factors such as quantization and iteration rate. The strapdown performance and tradeoff studies conducted include: (1) Compensation models and techniques for the inertial instrument first-order error terms were developed and compensation effectivity was demonstrated in four basic environments; single and multi-axis slew, and single and multi-axis oscillatory. (2) The theoretical coning bandwidth for the first-order quaternion algorithm expansion was verified. (3) Gyro loop quantization was identified to affect proportionally the system attitude uncertainty. (4) Land navigation evaluations identified the requirement for accurate initialization alignment in order to pursue fine grain navigation evaluations.

Blaha, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Strapdown system Performance Optimization Test evaluations (SPOT), volume 2

A three axis inertial system is packaged in an Apollo gimbal fixture for fine grain evaluation of strapdown system performance in dynamic environments. These evaluations have provided information to assess the effectiveness of real-time compensation techniques and to study system performance tradeoffs to factors such as quantization iteration rate. The strapdown performance and tradeoff studies conducted in this program are discussed.

Blaha, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Generalized simulation technique for turbojet engine system analysis

A nonlinear analog simulation of a turbojet engine was developed. The purpose of the study was to establish simulation techniques applicable to propulsion system dynamics and controls research. A schematic model was derived from a physical description of a J85-13 turbojet engine. Basic conservation equations were applied to each component along with their individual performance characteristics to derive a mathematical representation. The simulation was mechanized on an analog computer. The simulation was verified in both steady-state and dynamic modes by comparing analytical results with experimental data obtained from tests performed at the Lewis Research Center with a J85-13 engine. In addition, comparison was also made with performance data obtained from the engine manufacturer. The comparisons established the validity of the simulation technique.

Seldner, K.↗