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At least 181 records · Page 10

Shake Test Results and Dynamic Calibration Efforts for the Large Rotor Test Apparatus

Prior to the full-scale wind tunnel test of the UH-60A Airloads rotor, a shake test was completed on the Large Rotor Test Apparatus. The goal of the shake test was to characterize the oscillatory response of the test rig and provide a dynamic calibration of the balance to accurately measure vibratory hub loads. This paper provides a summary of the shake test results, including balance, shaft bending gauge, and accelerometer measurements. Sensitivity to hub mass and angle of attack were investigated during the shake test. Hub mass was found to have an important impact on the vibratory forces and moments measured at the balance, especially near the UH-60A 4/rev frequency. Comparisons were made between the accelerometer data and an existing finite-element model, showing agreement on mode shapes, but not on natural frequencies. Finally, the results of a simple dynamic calibration are presented, showing the effects of changes in hub mass. The results show that the shake test data can be used to correct in-plane loads measurements up to 10 Hz and normal loads up to 30 Hz.

Large Rotor Test Apparatus↗

High-Speed Wind Tunnel Tests of a Full-Scale Proprotor on the Tiltrotor Test Rig

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) is a NASA project, joint with the U.S. Army and Air Force, to develop a new, large scale proprotor test system for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). The first wind-tunnel entry was completed in November 2018 with a modern, 26-ft diameter proprotor. The primary purpose was to complete the development of the TTR, including systems integration with the NFAC. The TTR and rotor were tested up to 273 knots in axial flow. This is the highest airspeed ever achieved by a full-scale proprotor in any wind tunnel. Extensive conversion-mode data were also acquired, and hover/climb conditions were explored. Additional testing included aerodynamic tares, motor tests, thermal tests, modal vibration tests, and other checkout activities. This paper summarizes the results of the test, including examples of the most significant data.

Wind Tunnel Tests↗

A Summary of Test Results from a NASA Lift + Cruise eVTOL Crash Test

On November 9, 2022, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a full-scale crash test of the NASA Lift+Cruise (LPC) reference vehicle at the NASA Langley Research Center Landing and Impact Research Facility (LandIR) under combined vertical and horizontal impact conditions to simulate a severe but survivable crash. The LPC test article is a carbon-composite skin/frame structure design, developed and fabricated for the cabin section only. The test utilized various configurations of seats and Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs, a.k.a. crash test dummies) intended to encompass a variety of occupant conditions. In addition, an in-house developed energy absorbing subfloor was utilized for the evaluation of load attenuation. Overhead mass was simulated using attached lifting hardware and other systems were simulated using ballast mass. The test article impacted the ground with velocities of 38.1 ft/s horizontal and 31.4 ft/s vertical. During the first approximately 38 milliseconds (ms), the cabin section experienced a large amount of acceleration on the belly which was attenuated by the subfloor structures and seats. Over the next approximately 160 ms, the test article experienced failure in the a-, b- and c-pillars, leading to a partial collapse of the overhead structure. Test data was collected on the belly, floors, seats, overhead mass, and tail. In addition, there was high speed full-field digital image correlation analysis data collected on the port side skin surface. Collected ATD data showed that the ATDs seated in the energy absorbing seats experienced loads at limits below the those in current regulations. Even without an energy absorbing seat, the energy absorbing subfloors crushed as intended, and limited the load on the large 95 th percentile ATD to 10% over suggested limits. The collapse of the roof did affect the 95 th percentile ATD, which showed high neck loading values due to head contact, whereas survivable volume was maintained for the other ATDs. While the energy absorbing subfloor and energy absorbing seats both contributed to occupant load attenuation, further optimization is suggested to increase their robustness.

evtol↗

A Summary of Test Results from a NASA Lift + Cruise eVTOL Crash Test

On November 9, 2022, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a full-scale crash test of the NASA Lift+Cruise (LPC) reference vehicle at the NASA Langley Research Center Landing and Impact Research Facility (LandIR) under combined vertical and horizontal impact conditions to simulate a severe but survivable crash. The LPC test article is a carbon-composite skin/frame structure design, developed and fabricated for the cabin section only. The test utilized various configurations of seats and Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs, a.k.a. crash test dummies) intended to encompass a variety of occupant conditions. In addition, an in-house developed energy absorbing subfloor was utilized for the evaluation of load attenuation. Overhead mass was simulated using attached lifting hardware and other systems were simulated using ballast mass. The test article impacted the ground with velocities of 38.1 ft/s horizontal and 31.4 ft/s vertical. During the first approximately 38 milliseconds (ms), the cabin section experienced a large amount of acceleration on the belly which was attenuated by the subfloor structures and seats. Over the next approximately 160 ms, the test article experienced failure in the a-, b- and c-pillars, leading to a partial collapse of the overhead structure. Test data was collected on the belly, floors, seats, overhead mass, and tail. In addition, there was high speed full-field digital image correlation analysis data collected on the port side skin surface. Collected ATD data showed that the ATDs seated in the energy absorbing seats experienced loads at limits below the those in current regulations. Even without an energy absorbing seat, the energy absorbing subfloors crushed as intended, and limited the load on the large 95 th percentile ATD to 10% over suggested limits. The collapse of the roof did affect the 95 th percentile ATD, which showed high neck loading values due to head contact, whereas survivable volume was maintained for the other ATDs. While the energy absorbing subfloor and energy absorbing seats both contributed to occupant load attenuation, further optimization is suggested to increase their robustness.

evtol↗

Scalable Asset Discovery, Vulnerability Scanning, and Penetration Testing for Remote Sites and Wireless Spectrums Utilizing an Embedded Linux Plug - PwniPlug and the Raspberry Pi B+ as a Sample Pen Test

All devices attached to the NASA KSC network are subject to security vulnerability scanning and/or penetration testing. In today's changing environment, vulnerable and/or unprotected systems can easily be overlooked. Systems that are not properly managed can become a potential threat to the operational integrity of our systems and networks. This includes all NASA (internal and external) information systems within NASA KSC Internet Protocol (IP) address space, and NASA KSC facilities. The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) recommends that all NASA Centers and information systems be subject to penetration testing on a regular interval in accordance with the guidelines identified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (ITS-HBK-2810.04-02A) Protecting information and equipment at NASA is an area of increasing concern. In addition to the CPU's on the network; Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are especially vulnerable because these systems have lacked standards, use embedded controllers with little computational power and informal software, are connected to physical processes, have few operators, and are increasingly also being connected to corporate networks. The scope of work is comprised of several individual components which together build upon previous work by Drew Branch, NASA KSC Intern. The Pwn Plug is the selected COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) device chosen to test simplification of mandatory IT Security tasks. The device will be utilized to provide services to NASA KSC and enable an assessment of infrastructure soundness and regulatory compliance in an efficient, economical, and business responsive manner. The Pwn Plug is designed as a pen testing appliance which provides a hardware platform that can support commercial penetration testing efforts at significantly reduced costs. The expected outcomes are: 1) External Penetration Testing, 2) Social Engineering, 3) Procedural Documentation, 4) Recommended Remediation Action Plan, 5) System Retest & Remediation Attestation and 6) Final Reports, out briefing and Presentation. Due to physical and material constraints beyond intern and mentor control, the project was redefined as a working pen-test scenario. Limitations of lab availability and tools dictated an academic exercise. This report was developed within the scenario guidelines suggested by the project mentor. The guidelines were to be creative in developing a Pen Test program for a client.

Penetration Testing↗

Integrated Test and Evaluation (ITE) Flight Test Series 4

The integrated Flight Test 4 (FT4) will gather data for the UAS researchers Sense and Avoid systems (referred to as Detect and Avoid in the RTCA SC 228 ToR) algorithms and pilot displays for candidate UAS systems in a relevant environment. The technical goals of FT4 are to: 1) perform end-to-end traffic encounter test of pilot guidance generated by DAA algorithms; 2) collect data to inform the initial Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for Detect and Avoid systems. FT4 objectives and test infrastructure builds from previous UAS project simulations and flight tests. NASA Ames (ARC), NASA Armstrong (AFRC), and NASA Langley (LaRC) Research Centers will share responsibility for conducting the tests, each providing a test lab and critical functionality. UAS-NAS project support and participation on the 2014 flight test of ACAS Xu and DAA Self Separation (SS) significantly contributed to building up infrastructure and procedures for FT3 as well. The DAA Scripted flight test (FT4) will be conducted out of NASA Armstrong over an eight-week period beginning in April 2016.

ITE↗

Shake Test Results and Dynamic Characterization of the Large Rotor Test Apparatus in the NFAC 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel

Prior to the full-scale wind tunnel test of the UH-60A Airloads rotor, a shake test was completed on the Large Rotor Test Apparatus. The goal of the shake test was to characterize the oscillatory response of the test rig and provide a dynamic calibration of the balance to permit accurate measurement of vibratory hub loads. This paper provides a summary of the shake test results, including balance, shaft bending gauge, and accelerometer measurements. Sensitivity to hub mass and angle of attack were investigated during the shake test. Hub mass was found to have an important impact on the vibratory forces and moments measured at the balance, especially near the UH-60A 4/rev frequency. Comparisons were made between the accelerometer data and an existing finite-element model, showing agreement on mode shapes, but not on natural frequencies. The results suggest that the shake test data can be used to correct in-plane loads measurements up to 10 Hz and normal loads up to 30 Hz.

Shake Test↗

Summary of Alloy 617 and Alloy 709 Elevated Temperature Crack Growth Test Results from the Planned FY24 Crack Growth Test Activities

This report covers the results from crack growth rate testing performed at Idaho National Laboratory in the fiscal year 2024. It includes two creep crack growth rate tests and two creep-fatigue crack growth rate tests. Results are shown for each of these tests, included crack growth measured during the test using direct current potential drop, and measurements based off of the fracture surface. Load line displacement, as well as load, were also collected during the tests. Detailed analysis of the results will continue into the next fiscal year, however, a number of potential improvements to the equipment and testing procedures were identified that will increase testing reliability and throughput, as well as decrease complications with the analysis.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Test Capabilities of the NASA Langley Direct Connect Supersonic Combustion Test Facility with Historical Perspective

In 1969, a combustion-heated direct-connect test facility was assembled at the NASA Langley Research Center to conduct basic research in ramjet and scramjet propulsion systems. The facility was initially used in assessing the mixing, ignition, flame holding, and combustion characteristics of various ramjet and scramjet combustors. Over the years, the facility was updated and modified to conduct increasingly longer and more complicated tests. Today, the facility is known as the Direct Connect Supersonic Combustion Test Facility and is part of the NASA Langley Scramjet Test Complex. More recently, the facility has been used by external customers to test fuel-cooled and uncooled, flight-like test articles. Tests have been conducted at ramjet flight conditions for up to 15 minutes of continuous operation. Even though the facility is nearly 50 years old, it remains a viable and useful tool in the support of various U.S. hypersonic programs.

direct connect test facility↗

Test Stand Functional Requirements for Testing MQXFA Magnets and Q1/Q3 Cryostat Assemblies (Rev.3)

This document specifies test stand requirements for testing the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC, or HiLumi LHC) MQXFA magnets and LQXFA/B cryostat assemblies. Total of 12 (3 pre-series, 7 series production and 2 re-work) of these cryostat assemblies are expected to be fabricated and delivered to CERN by the U.S. HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (US HL-LHC AUP) as part of the U.S. contributions to the LHC High Luminosity Upgrade. These cryostat assemblies are the quadrupole magnetic components of the HL-LHC Q1 (LQXFA) and Q3 (LQXFB) inner triplet optical elements in front of the interactions points 1 (ATLAS) and 5 (CMS). One LMQXFA cold mass is installed in each cryostat assembly and each cold mass consists of two MQXFA quadrupole magnets. MQXFA, LMQXFA and LQXFA/B functional requirements are specified in [1,2,3].MQXFA magnets will be tested at BNL Vertical Magnet Test Facility (VMTF) and 12 cryostat assembly tests planned at Fermilab’s Horizontal Magnet Test Facility (HMTF). This document specifies the test stand functional requirements for testing MQXFA magnets and LQXFA/B cryostat assemblies.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Preliminary Plan to Inform Testing of a Heat Exchanger Test Article

This report presents a preliminary plan to guide the qualification testing of advanced heat exchanger (HX) components for nuclear-to-industrial heat transfer applications. The objective is to establish a defensible, physics-based methodology that integrates computational modeling, targeted experimentation, and in-service inspection considerations to demonstrate component performance and reliability under representative reactor conditions. The analysis identifies Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) and High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) systems as reference configurations in terms of temperature, pressure, and chemical environment. Within these operating envelopes, dominant degradation mechanisms— including creep–fatigue interaction, flow-induced vibration, corrosion, and diffusion-bond deterioration—were evaluated to define test requirements. A comprehensive computationalexperimental framework is proposed to support life prediction and qualification activities. The framework couples high-fidelity structural-mechanics, thermal-hydraulic, and fluid-structure interaction models with accelerated degradation testing to produce a traceable linkage between microstructural evolution, mechanical performance, and remaining useful life (RUL). The approach adheres to established Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) standards (ASME V&V 10/20; NUREG-2152) and incorporates a digital-twin architecture for continuous model refinement through data assimilation. The plan further outlines testing methodologies, including pre-test analyses, test-loop design parameters, and sensor placement strategies that maximize information yield while maintaining mechanistic fidelity. Complementary sections describe in-service inspection (ISI), on-line monitoring (OLM), and structural-health-monitoring (SHM) techniques applicable to compact HX geometries typical of advanced reactors. Collectively, these activities establish the technical foundation for demonstrating 40-60-year equivalent service life of advanced heat exchangers in support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor and Integrated Energy Systems programs. The forthcoming phase will execute the defined pre-test analyses, initiate hardware fabrication, and implement the integrated testing campaign to validate the proposed qualification methodology.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The V-3 contamination test of the chamber A facility and a subsequent cryogenic/vacuum study of the V-3 test quartz crystal microbalance

The areas of orbital and ground contamination of flight experiment hardware have been well established. This report relates directly to results of vacuum chamber testing for the ground evaluation of flight experiment hardware performance. First, the data obtained during the V-3 contamination testing in the Johnson Space Center's Chamber A space simulation test facility are presented. Second, during the V-3 contamination tests, the MSFC Space Sciences Laboratory's quartz crystal microbalance exhibited two periods of anomalous readings. Therefore, a subsequent small chamber tests was conducted in a controlled cryogenic/vacuum environment. The objective was to reproduce with known parameters the anomalous behavior patterns of the V-3 test data. Analyses of the anomalous readings are made on the basis of these tests. Additionally, as a by-product of the small chamber tests, calibration curves then existing for the quartz crystal microbalance were empirically extended, and certain data-formatting aids were documented.

Moore, W. W., Jr.↗

Testing of aircraft passenger seat cushion materials. Full scale, test description and results, volume 1

Eight different seat cushion configurations were subjected to full-scale burn tests. Each cushion configuration was tested twice for a total of sixteen tests. Two different fire sources were used. They consisted of one liter of Jet A fuel for eight tests and a radiant energy source with propane flame for eight tests. Both fire sources were ignited by a propane flame. During each test, data were recorded for smoke density, cushion temperatures, radiant heat flux, animal response to combustion products, rate of weight loss of test specimens, cabin temperature, and for the type and content of gas within the cabin atmosphere. When compared to existing passenger aircraft seat cushions, the test specimens incorporating a fire barrier and those fabricated from advanced materials, using improved construction methods, exhibited significantly greater fire resistance.

Schutter, K. J.↗

Comparison of road load simulator test results with track tests on electric vehicle propulsion system

A special-purpose dynamometer, the road load simulator (RLS), is being used at NASA's Lewis Research Center to test and evaluate electric vehicle propulsion systems developed under DOE's Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Program. To improve correlation between system tests on the RLS and track tests, similar tests were conducted on the same propulsion system on the RLS and on a test track. These tests are compared in this report. Battery current to maintain a constant vehicle speed with a fixed throttle was used for the comparison. Scatter in the data was greater in the track test results. This is attributable to variations in tire rolling resistance and wind effects in the track data. It also appeared that the RLS road load, determined by coastdown tests on the track, was lower than that of the vehicle on the track. These differences may be due to differences in tire temperature.

Dustin, M. O.↗

Accelerated stress testing of thin film solar cells: Development of test methods and preliminary results

If thin film cells are to be considered a viable option for terrestrial power generation their reliability attributes will need to be explored and confidence in their stability obtained through accelerated testing. Development of a thin film accelerated test program will be more difficult than was the case for crystalline cells because of the monolithic construction nature of the cells. Specially constructed test samples will need to be fabricated, requiring committment to the concept of accelerated testing by the manufacturers. A new test schedule appropriate to thin film cells will need to be developed which will be different from that used in connection with crystalline cells. Preliminary work has been started to seek thin film schedule variations to two of the simplest tests: unbiased temperature and unbiased temperature humidity. Still to be examined are tests which involve the passage of current during temperature and/or humidity stress, either by biasing in the forward (or reverse) directions or by the application of light during stress. Investigation of these current (voltage) accelerated tests will involve development of methods of reliably contacting the thin conductive films during stress.

Lathrop, J. W.↗

Fatigue testing a plurality of test specimens and method

Described is a fatigue testing apparatus for simultaneously subjecting a plurality of material test specimens to cyclical tension loading to determine the fatigue strength of the material. The fatigue testing apparatus includes a pulling head having cylinders defined therein which carry reciprocating pistons. The reciprocation of the pistons is determined by cyclical supplies of pressurized fluid to the cylinders. Piston rods extend from the pistons through the pulling head and are attachable to one end of the test specimens, the other end of the test specimens being attachable to a fixed base, causing test specimens attached between the piston rods and the base to be subjected to cyclical tension loading. Because all the cylinders share a common pressurized fluid supply, the breaking of a test specimen does not substantially affect the pressure of the fluid supplied to the other cylinders nor the tension applied to the other test specimens.

Hodo, James D.↗

Development and testing of a 20-kHz component test bed

A history of the General Dynamics Space Systems Division 20 kHz Breadboard is presented including its current configuration and its role in the Space Station Freedom (SSF) program. Highlights and results are presented on a series of tests conducted on the 20 kHz Breadboard. The first test presented is the 20 kHz Breadboard Acceptance test. This test verified the operation of the delivered Breadboard and also characterized the main components of the system. Next, an indepth efficiency testing effort is presented. The tests attempted to apportion all the power losses in the 20 kHz Breadboard Main Invert Units. Distortion test data is presented showing the distortion characteristics of a Mapham inverter. Lastly, current work on the 20 kHz Breadboard is presented including Main Inverter Unit paralleling tests. Conclusions are summarized and references given.

Button, Robert M.↗

Development and testing of a 20 kHz component test bed

A history of the General Dynamics Space Systems Division 20-kHz breadboard is presented, including its current configuration and its role in the SSF program. Highlights and results are presented of a series of tests conducted on the 20 kHz breadboard. The first test presented is the 20 kHz Breadboard Acceptance test. This test verified the operation of the delivered Breadboard and also characterized the main components of the system. Next, an in-depth efficiency testing effort is presented. The tests attempted to apportion all the power losses in the 20 Hz Breadboard Main Inverter Units. Distortion test data are presented, showing the distortion characteristics of a Mapham inverter. Lastly, current work on the 20 kHz Breadboard is presented including Main Inverter Unit paralleling tests. Conclusions are summarized and references given.

Button, Robert M.↗