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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Dynamics and Controls of a Conceptual Jovian Moon Tour Spacecraft

The dynamics and control challenges presented by a conceptual Jovian Moon Tour spacecraft are summarized in this paper. Attitude and orbital dynamics interactions are present due to the designed low-thrust trajectory, and controls structure interactions are also present due to the non-collocated sensor-actuator pairs on board the flexible spacecraft. A finite-element based simulation model is described which is capable of handling the complex orbital and attitude dynamics arising during the low-thrust spiraling maneuvers of the spacecraft. A few numerical simulations demonstrate that some of the challenges hitherto identified can be faced via integrated dynamics and control analysis, and that reasonable assessments of the pointing performance can be made.

dynamics↗
NASA NTRS2012

Comparison of Computed and Measured Performance of a Pulsed Inductive Thruster Operating on Argon Propellant

Pulsed inductive plasma accelerators are electrodeless space propulsion devices where a capacitor is charged to an initial voltage and then discharged through a coil as a high-current pulse that inductively couples energy into the propellant. The field produced by this pulse ionizes the propellant, producing a plasma near the face of the coil. Once a plasma is formed if can be accelerated and expelled at a high exhaust velocity by the Lorentz force arising from the interaction of an induced plasma current and the magnetic field. A recent review of the developmental history of planar-geometry pulsed inductive thrusters, where the coil take the shape of a flat spiral, can be found in Ref. [1]. Two concepts that have employed this geometry are the Pulsed Inductive Thruster (PIT)[2, 3] and the Faraday Accelerator with Radio-frequency Assisted Discharge (FARAD)[4]. There exists a 1-D pulsed inductive acceleration model that employs a set of circuit equations coupled to a one-dimensional momentum equation. The model was originally developed and used by Lovberg and Dailey[2, 3] and has since been nondimensionalized and used by Polzin et al.[5, 6] to define a set of scaling parameters and gain general insight into their effect on thruster performance. The circuit presented in Fig. 1 provides a description of the electrical coupling between the current flowing in the thruster I1 and the plasma current I2. Recently, the model was upgraded to include an equation governing the deposition of energy into various modes present in a pulsed inductive thruster system (acceleration, magnetic flux generation, resistive heating, etc.)[7]. An MHD description of the plasma energy density evolution was tailored to the thruster geometry by assuming only one-dimensional motion and averaging the plasma properties over the spatial dimensions of the current sheet to obtain an equation for the time-evolution of the total energy. The equation set governing the dynamics of the coupled electrodynamic-current sheet system is composed of first-order, coupled ordinary differential equations that can be easily solved numerically without having to resort to much more complex 2-D finite element plasma simulations.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Near Real-Time Probabilistic Damage Diagnosis Using Surrogate Modeling and High Performance Computing

This work investigates novel approaches to probabilistic damage diagnosis that utilize surrogate modeling and high performance computing (HPC) to achieve substantial computational speedup. Motivated by Digital Twin, a structural health management (SHM) paradigm that integrates vehicle-specific characteristics with continual in-situ damage diagnosis and prognosis, the methods studied herein yield near real-time damage assessments that could enable monitoring of a vehicle's health while it is operating (i.e. online SHM). High-fidelity modeling and uncertainty quantification (UQ), both critical to Digital Twin, are incorporated using finite element method simulations and Bayesian inference, respectively. The crux of the proposed Bayesian diagnosis methods, however, is the reformulation of the numerical sampling algorithms (e.g. Markov chain Monte Carlo) used to generate the resulting probabilistic damage estimates. To this end, three distinct methods are demonstrated for rapid sampling that utilize surrogate modeling and exploit various degrees of parallelism for leveraging HPC. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the methods are compared on the problem of strain-based crack identification in thin plates. While each approach has inherent problem-specific strengths and weaknesses, all approaches are shown to provide accurate probabilistic damage diagnoses and several orders of magnitude computational speedup relative to a baseline Bayesian diagnosis implementation.

Warner, James E.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Negative stress margins – are they real?

Advances in modeling and simulation, new finite element software, modeling engines and powerful computers are providing opportunities to interrogate designs in a very different manner and in a more detailed approach than ever before. Margins of safety are also often evaluated using local stresses for various design concepts and design parameters quickly once analysis models are defined and developed. This paper suggests that not all the negative margins of safety evaluated are real. The structural areas where negative margins are frequently encountered are often near stress concentrations, point loads and load discontinuities, near locations of stress singularities, in areas having large gradients but with insufficient mesh density, in areas with modeling issues and modeling errors, and in areas with connections and interfaces, in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transitions, bolts and bolt modeling, and boundary conditions. Now, more than ever, structural analysts need to examine and interrogate their analysis results and perform basic sanity checks to determine if these negative margins are real.

Raju, Ivatury S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Using Digital Image Correlation for Material Testing at Cryogenic Temperatures

Recent efforts were made to parametrize an aluminum alloy at cryogenic temperatures to calibrate finite element models simulating material deformation. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure material properties using front/back strains of specimens during tensile tests. Data acquired from DIC was compared to physical extensometer measurements. Two camera pairs (front and back) were mounted via aluminum extrusion to the exterior of an environmental chamber of a hydraulic test stand. Images were taken through single-pane optical glass windows of the environment chamber. Positive pressure bags encased the cameras, attaching to the perimeter of the glass to keep out moisture and prevent windows from frosting. Figure 1 shows the environmental setup and the camera setup during cryogenic testing. Some of the challenges during testing at cryogenic temperatures include the gaseous flow of liquid nitrogen in the optical path of the mounted cameras, frost buildup on the windows as seen in Figure 1b, and frost on the test coupon. The temperature gradient present during the introduction of liquid nitrogen into the chamber can increase the projection error of images captured of the specimen. Figure 2 shows the estimated projection error from DIC as a function of temperature during the cool down process. This presentation addresses some of the concerns and observations when using DIC for testing at cryogenic temperatures using methods of isolated camera system and techniques for maintaining the glass panel clear from frost.

Joseph Cochran↗
NASA NTRS2019

X-57 60kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Cruise Motor Finite Element Electromagnetic Modeling

The X-57 60kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor for cruise applications was modeled utilizing a two-dimensional electromagnetics simulation software called Finite Element Method Magnets (FEMM, D. Meeker). Through FEMM, the simulated induction and torque characteristics of the X-57 PMSM were obtained. These parameters and other values were compared to actual static laboratory measurements. A three-dimensional electromagnetic model of the X-57 cruise motor was created utilizing OperaFEA (Dassault Systemes SE, Velizy-Villacoublay, France). Torque, RPM, power, resistance, and inductance characteristics were examined along with establishing work to begin examining heat flow and heat dissipation for efficiency purposes.

Marrufo, Marco↗
NASA NTRS2015

An Enriched Shell Element for Delamination Simulation in Composite Laminates

A formulation is presented for an enriched shell finite element capable of delamination simulation in composite laminates. The element uses an adaptive splitting approach for damage characterization that allows for straightforward low-fidelity model creation and a numerically efficient solution. The Floating Node Method is used in conjunction with the Virtual Crack Closure Technique to predict delamination growth and represent it discretely at an arbitrary ply interface. The enriched element is verified for Mode I delamination simulation using numerical benchmark data. After determining important mesh configuration guidelines for the vicinity of the delamination front in the model, a good correlation was found between the enriched shell element model results and the benchmark data set.

McElroy, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2003

Application of Probability Methods to Assess Crash Modeling Uncertainty

Full-scale aircraft crash simulations performed with nonlinear, transient dynamic, finite element codes can incorporate structural complexities such as: geometrically accurate models; human occupant models; and advanced material models to include nonlinear stress-strain behaviors, and material failure. Validation of these crash simulations is difficult due to a lack of sufficient information to adequately determine the uncertainty in the experimental data and the appropriateness of modeling assumptions. This paper evaluates probabilistic approaches to quantify the effects of finite element modeling assumptions on the predicted responses. The vertical drop test of a Fokker F28 fuselage section will be the focus of this paper. The results of a probabilistic analysis using finite element simulations will be compared with experimental data.

Lyle, Karen H.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Application of Probability Methods to Assess Crash Modeling Uncertainty

Full-scale aircraft crash simulations performed with nonlinear, transient dynamic, finite element codes can incorporate structural complexities such as: geometrically accurate models; human occupant models; and advanced material models to include nonlinear stress-strain behaviors, and material failure. Validation of these crash simulations is difficult due to a lack of sufficient information to adequately determine the uncertainty in the experimental data and the appropriateness of modeling assumptions. This paper evaluates probabilistic approaches to quantify the effects of finite element modeling assumptions on the predicted responses. The vertical drop test of a Fokker F28 fuselage section will be the focus of this paper. The results of a probabilistic analysis using finite element simulations will be compared with experimental data.

Lyle, Karen H.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Finite Element Modeling of the Posterior Eye in Microgravity

Microgravity experienced during spaceflight affects astronauts in various ways, including weakened muscles and loss of bone density. Recently, visual impairment and intracranial pressure (VIIP) syndrome has become a major concern for space missions lasting longer than 30 days. Astronauts suffering from VIIP syndrome have changes in ocular anatomical and visual impairment that persist after returning to earth. It is hypothesized that a cephalad fluid shift in microgravity may increase the intracranial pressure (ICP), which leads to an altered biomechanical environment of the posterior globe and optic nerve sheath (ONS).Currently, there is a lack of knowledge of how elevated ICP may lead to vision impairment and connective tissue changes in VIIP. Our goal was to develop a finite element model to simulate the acute effects of elevated ICP on the posterior eye and optic nerve sheath. We used a finite element (FE) analysis approach to understand the response of the lamina cribrosa and optic nerve to the elevations in ICP thought to occur in microgravity and to identify which tissue components have the greatest impact on strain experienced by optic nerve head tissues.

intraocular pressure↗
NASA NTRS2009

The Development of Directional Decohesion Finite Elements for Multiscale Failure Analysis of Metallic Polycrystals

Atomistic simulations of intergranular fracture have indicated that grain-scale crack growth in polycrystalline metals can be direction dependent. At these material length scales, the atomic environment greatly influences the nature of intergranular crack propagation, through either brittle or ductile mechanisms, that are a function of adjacent grain orientation and direction of crack propagation. Methods have been developed to obtain cohesive zone models (CZM) directly from molecular dynamics simulations. These CZMs may be incorporated into decohesion finite element formulations to simulate fracture at larger length scales. A new directional decohesion element is presented that calculates the direction of Mode I opening and incorporates a material criterion for dislocation emission based on the local crystallographic environment to automatically select the CZM that best represents crack growth. The simulation of fracture in 2-D and 3-D aluminum polycrystals is used to illustrate the effect of parameterized CZMs and the effectiveness of directional decohesion finite elements.

Saether, Erik↗
NASA NTRS1989

Enhanced rotor modeling tailored for rub dynamic stability analysis and simulation

New methods are presented that allow straightforward application of complex nonlinearities to finite element based rotor dynamic analyses. The key features are: (1) the methods can be implemented with existing finite element or dynamic simulation programs, (2) formulation is general for simple application to a wide range of problems, and (3) implementation is simplified because nonlinear aspects are separated from the linear part of the model. The new techniques are illustrated with examples of inertial nonlinearity and torquewhirl which can be important in rubbing turbomachinery. The sample analyses provide new understanding of these nonlinearities which are discussed.

Davis, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Finite Element Methods for real-time Haptic Feedback of Soft-Tissue Models in Virtual Reality Simulators

We have applied the linear elastic finite element method to compute haptic force feedback and domain deformations of soft tissue models for use in virtual reality simulators. Our results show that, for virtual object models of high-resolution 3D data (>10,000 nodes), haptic real time computations (>500 Hz) are not currently possible using traditional methods. Current research efforts are focused in the following areas: 1) efficient implementation of fully adaptive multi-resolution methods and 2) multi-resolution methods with specialized basis functions to capture the singularity at the haptic interface (point loading). To achieve real time computations, we propose parallel processing of a Jacobi preconditioned conjugate gradient method applied to a reduced system of equations resulting from surface domain decomposition. This can effectively be achieved using reconfigurable computing systems such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), thereby providing a flexible solution that allows for new FPGA implementations as improved algorithms become available. The resulting soft tissue simulation system would meet NASA Virtual Glovebox requirements and, at the same time, provide a generalized simulation engine for any immersive environment application, such as biomedical/surgical procedures or interactive scientific applications.

Frank, Andreas O.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A unique set of micromechanics equations for high temperature metal matrix composites

A unique set of micromechanic equations is presented for high temperature metal matrix composites. The set includes expressions to predict mechanical properties, thermal properties and constituent microstresses for the unidirectional fiber reinforced ply. The equations are derived based on a mechanics of materials formulation assuming a square array unit cell model of a single fiber, surrounding matrix and an interphase to account for the chemical reaction which commonly occurs between fiber and matrix. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to perform a preliminary validation of the equations. Excellent agreement between properties predicted using the micromechanics equations and properties simulated by the finite element analyses are demonstrated. Implementation of the micromechanics equations as part of an integrated computational capability for nonlinear structural analysis of high temperature multilayered fiber composites is illustrated.

Hopkins, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A unique set of micromechanics equations for high-temperature metal matrix composites

A unique set of micromechanic equations is presented for high-temperature metal matrix composites. The set includes expressions to predict mechanical properties, thermal properties and constituent microstresses for the unidirectional fiber reinforced ply. The equations are derived based on a mechanics of materials formulation assuming a square array unit cell model of a single fiber, surrounding matrix and an interphase to account for the chemical reaction which commonly occurs between fiber and matrix. A three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to perform a preliminary validation of the equations. Excellent agreement between properties predicted using the micromechanics equations and properties simulated by the finite element analyses are demonstrated. Implementation of the micromechanics equations as part of an integrated computational capability for nonlinear structural analysis of high temperature multilayered fiber composites is illustrated.

Hopkins, Dale A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Investigation of finite element: ABC methods for electromagnetic field simulation

The mechanics of wave propagation in the presence of obstacles is of great interest in many branches of engineering and applied mathematics like electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, geophysics, seismology, etc. Such problems can be broadly classified into two categories: the bounded domain or the closed problem and the unbounded domain or the open problem. Analytical techniques have been derived for the simpler problems; however, the need to model complicated geometrical features, complex material coatings and fillings, and to adapt the model to changing design parameters have inevitably tilted the balance in favor of numerical techniques. The modeling of closed problems presents difficulties primarily in proper meshing of the interior region. However, problems in unbounded domains pose a unique challenge to computation, since the exterior region is inappropriate for direct implementation of numerical techniques. A large number of solutions have been proposed but only a few have stood the test of time and experiment. The goal of this thesis is to develop an efficient and reliable partial differential equation technique to model large three dimensional scattering problems in electromagnetics.

Chatterjee, A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Development of a nondestructive vibration technique for bond assessment of Space Shuttle tiles

This final report describes the achievements of the above titled project. The project is funded by NASA-KSC (Grant No. NAG 10-0117) for the period of 1 Jan. to 31 Dec. 1993. The purpose of this project was to develop a nondestructive, noncontact technique based on 'vibration signature' of tile systems to quantify the bond conditions of the thermal protection system) tiles of Space Shuttle orbiters. The technique uses a laser rapid scan system, modal measurements, and finite element modeling. Finite element models were developed for tiles bonded to both clamped and deformable integrated skin-stringer orbiter mid-fuselage. Results showed that the size and location of a disbonded tile can be determined from frequency and mode shape information. Moreover, a frequency response survey was used to quickly identify the disbonded tiles. The finite element results were compared with experimentally determined frequency responses of a 17-tile test panel, where a rapidscan laser system was employed. An excellent degree of correlation between the mathematical simulation and experimental results was realized. An inverse solution for single-tile assemblies was also derived and is being implemented into a computer program that can interact with the modal testing software. The output of the program displays the size and location of disbond. This program has been tested with simulated input (i.e., finite element data), and excellent agreement between predicted and simulated disbonds was shown. Finally, laser vibration imaging and acoustic emission techniques were shown to be well suited for detecting and monitoring the progressive damage in Graphite/Epoxy composite materials.

Moslehy, Faissal A.↗