Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “estimating methodology”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Volumetrics of Hydrogen Storage by Physical Adsorption

Physical adsorption remains a promising method for achieving fast, reversible hydrogen storage at both ambient and cryogenic conditions. Research in this area has recently shifted to focus primarily on the volumetric (H 2 stored/delivered per volume) gains achieved within an adsorptive storage system over that of pure H 2 compression; however, the methodology for estimating a volumetric stored or delivered amount requires several assumptions related to the ultimate packing of the adsorbent material into an actual storage system volume. In this work, we critically review the different assumptions commonly employed, and thereby categorize and compare the volumetric storage and delivery across numerous different porous materials including benchmark metal-organic frameworks, porous carbons, and zeolites. In several cases, there is a significant gain in both storage and delivery by the addition of an adsorbent to the high-pressure H 2 storage system over that of pure compression, even at room temperature. Lightweight, low-density materials remain the optimal adsorbents at low temperature, while higher density, open metal-containing frameworks are necessary for high-density room temperature storage and delivery.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Analysis of advanced programs (Study 2.3). Volume 1: Executive summary

An analysis of advanced programs for space missions is presented. The subjects discussed are (1) alternate space shuttle configurations, (2) space transportation systems, (3) computer programs and methodology to estimate program cost implications of space vehicle program uncertainties, (4) vehicle synthesis program, (5) relative effectiveness of various proposals for space vehicles, and (6) cost analysis of solid propellant rocket engine program to support space shuttle vehicle.

Source record↗

Forecasting the demand potential for STOL air transportation

A process for predicting the potential demand for STOL aircraft was investigated to provide a conceptual framework, and an analytical methodology for estimating the STOL air transportation market. It was found that: (1) schedule frequency has the strongest effect on the traveler's choice among available routes, (2) work related business constitutes approximately 50% of total travel volume, and (3) air travel demand follows economic trends.

Fan, S.↗

Analysis of wind tunnel test results for a 9.39-per cent scale model of a VSTOL fighter/attack aircraft. Volume 2: Evaluation of prediction methodologies

An evaluation of current prediction methodologies to estimate the aerodynamic uncertainties identified for the E205 configuration is presented. This evaluation was accomplished by comparing predicted and wind tunnel test data in three major categories: untrimmed longitudinal aerodynamics; trimmed longitudinal aerodynamics; and lateral-directional aerodynamic characteristics.

Lummus, J. R.↗

Spacecraft material applications: Long-term stability questions

An examination of the materials concerns for a variety of spacecraft components shows that long-term stability within the space environments is a major issue in the design of large space antenna systems. This survey paper will review some of the more recent work on the effect of space environment on (1) thin films, (2) structural composites, and (3) thermal control materials. Degradation in thermal-mechanical and optical properties associated with atmospheric and trapped particles and ultraviolet light will be highlighted. Finally, the dimensional instability associated with microcracking during thermal cycling will be examined and a methodology for estimating thermal fatigue effects from results of mechanical fatigue tests will be presented.

Crossman, F. W.↗

Stand-alone flat-plate photovoltaic power systems: System sizing and life-cycle costing methodology for Federal agencies

A simple methodology to estimate photovoltaic system size and life-cycle costs in stand-alone applications is presented. It is designed to assist engineers at Government agencies in determining the feasibility of using small stand-alone photovoltaic systems to supply ac or dc power to the load. Photovoltaic system design considerations are presented as well as the equations for sizing the flat-plate array and the battery storage to meet the required load. Cost effectiveness of a candidate photovoltaic system is based on comparison with the life-cycle cost of alternative systems. Examples of alternative systems addressed are batteries, diesel generators, the utility grid, and other renewable energy systems.

Borden, C. S.↗

Development of an LED display system for cross-track distance and velocity for Loran-C flight

The methodology for estimating cross-track velocity by combining rate-gyro and Loran-C data is illustrated in block diagrams. At present, preliminary analysis has established values for K sub 1, K sub 2, the parameters of the digital control loops. A computer program was written to implement a digital simulation of the system as illustrated. Given a model for the noise in the rate-gyro and Loran-C receiver, and their dynamic response, the simulation provides a working model to establish good control loop parameters. The layout of the LED display for flight testing of Loran-C approach flying, which was constructed during a visit to Langley Research Center, is shown. Four bar-graph LED displays are paired to provide cross-track distance and velocity from a Loran-C defined runway centerline. Two seven-segment LED displays are used to provide alphanumeric readout of range to touchdown and desired height. A metal case was built, a circuit board designed, and manufactured with the assistance of NASA Langley personnel.

Dogan, Norry↗

An improved model for the Earth's gravity field

An improved model for the Earth's gravity field, TEG-1, was determined using data sets from fourteen satellites, spanning the inclination ranges from 15 to 115 deg, and global surface gravity anomaly data. The satellite measurements include laser ranging data, Doppler range-rate data, and satellite-to-ocean radar altimeter data measurements, which include the direct height measurement and the differenced measurements at ground track crossings (crossover measurements). Also determined was another gravity field model, TEG-1S, which included all the data sets in TEG-1 with the exception of direct altimeter data. The effort has included an intense scrutiny of the gravity field solution methodology. The estimated parameters included geopotential coefficients complete to degree and order 50 with selected higher order coefficients, ocean and solid Earth tide parameters, Doppler tracking station coordinates and the quasi-stationary sea surface topography. Extensive error analysis and calibration of the formal covariance matrix indicate that the gravity field model is a significant improvement over previous models and can be used for general applications in geodesy.

Tapley, B. D.↗

Seasonal and nonseasonal variability of satellite-derived surface pigment concentration in the California Current

The large-scale patterns of satellite-derived surface pigment concentration off the west coast of North America are presented and are averaged into monthly mean surface wind fields over the California Current system (CCS) for the July 1979 to June 1986 period. The patterns are discussed in terms of both seasonal and nonseasonal variability for the indicated time period. The large-scale seasonal characteristics of the California Current are summarized. The data and methods used are described, and the problems known to affect the satellite-derived pigment concentrations and the wind data used in the study are discussed. The statistical analysis results are then presented and discussed in light of past observations and theory. Details of the CZCS data processing are described, and details of the principal estimator pattern methodology used here are given.

Strub, P. Ted↗

Performance degradation due to multiprogramming and system overheads in real workloads - Case study on a shared memory multiprocessor

The performance degradation due to the multiprogramming (MP) overhead in a parallel execution environment is quantified. In addition, total system overhead is also measured. A methodology, which estimates the MP overhead present in real workloads, is illustrated with real measurents. It is found that MP overhead usually consumes between 10 and 23 percent of the processing power available to parallel programs. The mean MP overhead is determined to be 16 percent which is well over half the total system overhead executed on the system (the mean system overhead is determined to be 24 percent of the processing power). It is found that MP overhead, total system overhead, and application completion time are all moderately correlated.

Dimpsey, R. T.↗

Measuring dry plant residues in grasslands: A case study using AVIRIS

Grasslands, savannah, and hardwood rangelands are critical ecosystems and sensitive to disturbance. Approximately 20 percent of the Earth's surface are grasslands and represent 3 million ha. in California alone. Developing a methodology for estimating disturbance and the effects of cumulative impacts on grasslands and rangelands is needed to effectively monitor these ecosystems. Estimating the dry biomass residue remaining on rangelands at the end of the growing season provides a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of land management practices. The residual biomass is indicative of the grazing pressure and provides a measure of the system capacity for nutrient cycling since it represents the maximum organic matter available for decomposition, and finally, provides a measure of the erosion potential for the ecosystem. Remote sensing presents a possible method for measuring dry residue. However, current satellites have had limited application due to the coarse spatial scales (relative to the patch dynamics) and insensitivity of the spectral coverage to resolve dry plant material. Several hypotheses for measuring the biochemical constituents of dry plant material, particularly cellulose and lignin, using high spectral resolution sensors were proposed. The use of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometers (AVIRIS) to measure dry plant residues over an oak savannah on the eastern slopes of the Coast Range in central California was investigated and it was asked what spatial and spectral resolutions are needed to quantitatively measure dry plant biomass in this ecosystem.

Fitzgerald, Michael↗

Probabilistic Material Strength Degradation Model for Inconel 718 Components Subjected to High Temperature, Mechanical Fatigue, Creep and Thermal Fatigue Effects

This thesis presents the on-going development of methodology for a probabilistic material strength degradation model. The probabilistic model, in the form of a postulated randomized multifactor equation, provides for quantification of uncertainty in the lifetime material strength of aerospace propulsion system components subjected to a number of diverse random effects. This model is embodied in the computer program entitled PROMISS, which can include up to eighteen different effects. Presently, the model includes four effects that typically reduce lifetime strength: high temperature, mechanical fatigue, creep, and thermal fatigue. Statistical analysis was conducted on experimental Inconel 718 data obtained from the open literature. This analysis provided regression parameters for use as the model's empirical material constants, thus calibrating the model specifically for Inconel 718. Model calibration was carried out for four variables, namely, high temperature, mechanical fatigue, creep, and thermal fatigue. Methodology to estimate standard deviations of these material constants for input into the probabilistic material strength model was developed. Using the current version of PROMISS, entitled PROMISS93, a sensitivity study for the combined effects of mechanical fatigue, creep, and thermal fatigue was performed. Results, in the form of cumulative distribution functions, illustrated the sensitivity of lifetime strength to any current value of an effect. In addition, verification studies comparing a combination of mechanical fatigue and high temperature effects by model to the combination by experiment were conducted. Thus, for Inconel 718, the basic model assumption of independence between effects was evaluated. Results from this limited verification study strongly supported this assumption.

Bast, Callie Corinne Scheidt↗

An HP Adaptive Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws

This dissertation addresses various issues for model classes of hyperbolic conservation laws. The basic approach developed in this work employs a new family of adaptive, hp-version, finite element methods based on a special discontinuous Galerkin formulation for hyperbolic problems. The discontinuous Galerkin formulation admits high-order local approximations on domains of quite general geometry, while providing a natural framework for finite element approximations and for theoretical developments. The use of hp-versions of the finite element method makes possible exponentially convergent schemes with very high accuracies in certain cases; the use of adaptive hp-schemes allows h-refinement in regions of low regularity and p-enrichment to deliver high accuracy, while keeping problem sizes manageable and dramatically smaller than many conventional approaches. The use of discontinuous Galerkin methods is uncommon in applications, but the methods rest on a reasonable mathematical basis for low-order cases and has local approximation features that can be exploited to produce very efficient schemes, especially in a parallel, multiprocessor environment. The place of this work is to first and primarily focus on a model class of linear hyperbolic conservation laws for which concrete mathematical results, methodologies, error estimates, convergence criteria, and parallel adaptive strategies can be developed, and to then briefly explore some extensions to more general cases. Next, we provide preliminaries to the study and a review of some aspects of the theory of hyperbolic conservation laws. We also provide a review of relevant literature on this subject and on the numerical analysis of these types of problems.

Bey, Kim S.↗

Monitoring sea ice flux through Fram Strait

A methodology for estimating daily ice velocity through Fram Strait is presented. Ice velocity fields are estimated from a combination of motions observed by SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) or buoys and drift estimated by a simple wind drift model. The analysis includes ice motion vectors from approximately 300 pairs of ERS-1 images, Feb. - Jun. 1993. ESA UILR8 low resolution images derived from the Fast Delivery (FD) products are analyzed to produce ice velocity vectors using a semi-automated interactive approach. This method reveals substantial variability in the ice motion field that would not be apparent from a single data source.

Schweiger, Axel J.↗

Fatigue reliability method with in-service inspections

The first reliability method (FORM) has traditionally been applied in a fatigue reliability setting to one inspection interval at a time, so that the random distribution of crack lengths must be recharacterized following each inspection. The FORM presented here allow each analysis to span several inspection periods without explicit characterization of the crack length distribution upon each inspection. The method thereby preserves the attractive feature of FORM in that relatively few realizations in the random variable space need to be considered. Examples are given which show that the present methodology gives estimates which are in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations and is efficient even for complex components.

Harkness, H. H.↗

The software analysis project for the Office of Human Resources

There were two major sections of the project for the Office of Human Resources (OHR). The first section was to conduct a planning study to analyze software use with the goal of recommending software purchases and determining whether the need exists for a file server. The second section was analysis and distribution planning for retirement planning computer program entitled VISION provided by NASA Headquarters. The software planning study was developed to help OHR analyze the current administrative desktop computing environment and make decisions regarding software acquisition and implementation. There were three major areas addressed by the study: current environment new software requirements, and strategies regarding the implementation of a server in the Office. To gather data on current environment, employees were surveyed and an inventory of computers were produced. The surveys were compiled and analyzed by the ASEE fellow with interpretation help by OHR staff. New software requirements represented a compilation and analysis of the surveyed requests of OHR personnel. Finally, the information on the use of a server represents research done by the ASEE fellow and analysis of survey data to determine software requirements for a server. This included selection of a methodology to estimate the number of copies of each software program required given current use and estimated growth. The report presents the results of the computing survey, a description of the current computing environment, recommenations for changes in the computing environment, current software needs, management advantages of using a server, and management considerations in the implementation of a server. In addition, detailed specifications were presented for the hardware and software recommendations to offer a complete picture to OHR management. The retirement planning computer program available to NASA employees will aid in long-range retirement planning. The intended audience is the NASA civil service employee with several years until retirement. The employee enters current salary and savings information as well as goals concerning salary at retirement, assumptions on inflation, and the return on investments. The program produces a picture of the employee's retirement income from all sources based on the assumptions entered. A session showing features of the program was conducted for key personnel at the Center. After analysis, it was decided to offer the program through the Learning Center starting in August 1994.

Tureman, Robert L., Jr.↗

Probabilistic material strength degradation model for Inconel 718 components subjected to high temperature, high-cycle and low-cycle mechanical fatigue, creep and thermal fatigue effects

This report presents the results of both the fifth and sixth year effort of a research program conducted for NASA-LeRC by The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The research included on-going development of methodology for a probabilistic material strength degradation model. The probabilistic model, in the form of a postulated randomized multifactor equation, provides for quantification of uncertainty in the lifetime material strength of aerospace propulsion system components subjected to a number of diverse random effects. This model is embodied in the computer program entitled PROMISS, which can include up to eighteen different effects. Presently, the model includes five effects that typically reduce lifetime strength: high temperature, high-cycle mechanical fatigue, low-cycle mechanical fatigue, creep and thermal fatigue. Statistical analysis was conducted on experimental Inconel 718 data obtained from the open literature. This analysis provided regression parameters for use as the model's empirical material constants, thus calibrating the model specifically for Inconel 718. Model calibration was carried out for five variables, namely, high temperature, high-cycle and low-cycle mechanical fatigue, creep and thermal fatigue. Methodology to estimate standard deviations of these material constants for input into the probabilistic material strength model was developed. Using an updated version of PROMISS, entitled PROMISS93, a sensitivity study for the combined effects of high-cycle mechanical fatigue, creep and thermal fatigue was performed. Then using the current version of PROMISS, entitled PROMISS94, a second sensitivity study including the effect of low-cycle mechanical fatigue, as well as, the three previous effects was performed. Results, in the form of cumulative distribution functions, illustrated the sensitivity of lifetime strength to any current value of an effect. In addition, verification studies comparing a combination of high-cycle mechanical fatigue and high temperature effects by model to the combination by experiment were conducted. Thus, for Inconel 718, the basic model assumption of independence between effects was evaluated. Results from this limited verification study strongly supported this assumption.

Bast, Callie C.↗

Radiation Safety Issues in High Altitude Commercial Aircraft

The development of a global economy makes the outlook for high speed commercial intercontinental flight feasible, and the development of various configurations operating from 20 to 30 km have been proposed. In addition to the still unresolved issues relating to current commercial operations (12-16 km), the higher dose rates associated with the higher operating altitudes makes il imperative that the uncertainties in the atmospheric radiation environment and the associated health risks be re-examined. Atmospheric radiation associated with the galactic cosmic rays forms a background level which may, under some circumstances, exceed newly recommended allowable exposure limits proposed on the basis of recent evaluations of the A -bomb survivor data (due to increased risk coefficients). These larger risk coefficients, within the context of the methodology for estimating exposure limits, are resulting in exceedingly low estimated allowable exposure limits which may impact even present day flight operations and was the reason for the CEC workshop in Luxembourg (1990). At higher operating altitudes, solar particles events can produce exposures many orders of magnitude above background levels and pose significant health risks to the most sensitive individuals (such as during pregnancy). In this case the appropriate quality factors are undefined, and some evidence exists which indicates that the quality factor for stochastic effects is a substantial underestimate.

Wilson, John W.↗