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At least 217 records · Page 12

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NASA NTRS1990

A single-axis testbed for slewing control experiments

A simple single-axis testbed is described, and initial experimental results are presented to illustrate collocated and noncollocated control for this structure. The testbed is made up of a pair of single-axis flexible beams attached to a DC servo motor. An optical encoder and strain gauges provide hub and beam position information, respectively. The system is driven by an IBM PC system; with a motor controller, a programmable digital filter processes position error information through user-selected gains and pole-zero configurations. A 25-kHz data acquisition system provides the necessary interface between processor and motor. The control approaches currently being investigated include collocated PD control and noncollocated phase compensation.

Hamilton, Jonathan↗

NASA NTRS1992

Automatic Detection Of Faults In Turbomachinery Bearings

System of analog and digital signal-processing equipment, computers, and programs detects faults in ball bearings in turbomachines. System operates in real time, extracting information from vibrations sensed by accelerometers, strain gauges, and/or acoustical sensors. Vibrations caused when pits in balls contact races, and pits in races contact balls.

Higbie, Nathan B.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Generating Multiple Calibrating Voltages Simultaneously

Calibrating unit containing signal generator controlled by microprocessor puts out ac signals of known voltages on fifty channels simultaneously. Signals used to calibrate high-frequency tape recorder channels for multiple, ac-coupled strain gauges simultaneously. Calibrating voltage required on each tape channel determined by remote computer, and corresponding data and commands transmitted to microprocessor via modems.

Dutreix, Lionel J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Effect of type of load on stress analysis of thin-walled ducts

The standard procedure for qualifying the design of duct (pipe) systems in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) has been fairly well defined. However, since pipe elbows are quite common and important in the SSME duct systems, a clear understanding of the detailed stress profile of the components is necessary for accurate structural and life assessments. This study was initiated to predict the stress profile at/near the tangent point along the cross section of the duct under various types of loads. Also, this study was further extended to understand the stiffening effect on stresses due to pressure at the tangent point. The intention of this study was to identify the importance of selecting proper locations for mounting strain gauges and to utilize the obtained results to anchor dynamic models for accurate structural and life assessments of the SSME ducts under a dynamic environment. The finite element method was utilized in this study.

Min, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

A quantitative method for studying human arterial baroreflexes

A new system is described that delivers precise, stereotyped pressure changes to the human neck and elicits neurally-mediated heart rate changes. The centerpiece of this system is a Silastic chamber that is strapped to the anterior neck. This chamber is connected to a stepping-motor-controlled bellows assembly. A strain-gauge transducer measures the intensity of pressure changes. The entire system is controlled by microprocessors, and both stimuli and responses are displayed on a digital oscilloscope. The end-product of this system is a reproducible baroreceptor stimulus-cardiac response relation that can be recorded rapidly and safely in astronauts in space.

Eckberg, Dwain L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

On-line identification of forward/inverse systems for adaptive control applications

The paper is concerned with the on-line identification of system Markov parameters using observers. Two types of parameters are sought: the forward system parameters, which provide estimates of the outputs for given inputs, and inverse system parameters, which provide estimates of inputs for given outputs. A procedure is proposed which uses the inverse system to generate commands that produce a desired system response. The feasibility of the procedure is demonstrated using test results from an implementation of a truss structure fitted with piezoelectric actuators and collocated strain gauges.

Horta, Lucas G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Further buffeting tests in a cryogenic wind tunnel

Further measurements of buffeting, using wing-root strain gauges, were made in the NASA Langley 0.3 m Cryogenic Wind Tunnel to refine techniques which will be used in larger cryogenic facilities such as the United States National Transonic Facility (NTF) and European Transonic Wind Tunnel (ETW). The questions addressed included the relative importance of variations in frequency parameter and Reynolds number, the choice of model material (considering both stiffness and damping) and the effects of static aeroelastic distortion. The main series of tests was made on half models of slender 65 deg delta wings with a sharp leading edge. The three delta wings had the same planform but widely different bending stiffness and frequencies (obtained by varying both the material and the thickness of the wings). It was known that the flow on this configuration would be insensitive to variations in Reynold number. Additional tests were made on one unswept half-wing of aspect ratio 1.5 with an NPL 9510 aerofoil section, known to be sensitive to variations in Reynolds number at transonic speeds. For brevity the test Mach numbers were restricted to M = 0.21 and 0.35 for the delta wings and to M = 0.30 for the unswept wing.

Mabey, D. G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A dynamic study of fragmentation and energy loss during high velocity impact

Research conducted under this contract can be divided into two main areas: hypervelocity (in the range up to 7 km/s) and high velocity (less than 1 km/s). Work in the former was performed at NASA-MSFC using the Light Gas Gun Facility. The lower velocity studies were conducted at Auburn University using the ballistic gun. The emphasis of the project was on the hypervelocity phenomenon especially in the characterization of the debris cloud formed by the primary impact events. Special devices were made to determine the angular distributions of momentum and energy of the debris cloud as a function of impact conditions. After several iteration processes, it was decided to concentrate on the momentum effort. Prototype devices were designed, fabricated, and tested. These devices were based on the conservation of momentum. Distributions of the debris cloud formed were measured by determining the amount of momentum transferred from the debris cloud to strategically placed pendulum measurement devices. The motion of the pendula was monitored using itegrated opto-interrupters. The distribution of momentum in the debris cloud was found to be a strong function of the impact condition. Small projectiles at high velocities were observed to produce finely dispersed debris whereas large projectiles generated discrete particles in the debris. Results also show that the momentum in the forward direction was enhanced due to the impact. This phenomenon of momentum multiplication was also observed in other studies and in computer simulations. It was initially planned to determine the energy distribution using deformation energy in a rod with strain gauges. Results from preliminary studies show that this technique is acceptable but too tedious. A new technique was explored based on measuring the heating effect of the debris cloud using an IR camera. The feasibility and sensitivity was established at Auburn University. This type of energy distribution measurement method can easily be adapted to the gas gun facility at MSFC. The objective of the lower velocity studies at Auburn was to simulate the damage produced in advanced materials by the lower energy debris cloud.

Zee, Ralph H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Rugged, no-moving-parts windspeed and static pressure probe designs for measurements in planetary atmospheres

Instruments developed for making meteorological observations under adverse conditions on Earth can be applied to systems designed for other planetary atmospheres. Specifically, a wind sensor developed for making measurements within tornados is capable of detecting induced pressure differences proportional to wind speed. Adding strain gauges to the sensor would provide wind direction. The device can be constructed in a rugged form for measuring high wind speeds in the presence of blowing dust that would clog bearings and plug passages of conventional wind speed sensors. Sensing static pressure in the lower boundary layer required development of an omnidirectional, tilt-insensitive static pressure probe. The probe provides pressure inputs to a sensor with minimum error and is inherently weather-protected. The wind sensor and static pressure probes have been used in a variety of field programs and can be adapted for use in different planetary atmospheres.

Bedard, A. J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Load test set-up for the Airmass Sunburst Ultra-Light Aircraft

The purpose of this project was to set up, instrument, and test a Sunburst Ultra-Light aircraft. The intentions of the project were that the aircraft would need to be suspended from the test stand, leveled in the stand, the strain gauges tested and wired to the test equipment, and finally, the aircraft would be destroyed to obtain the failing loads. All jobs were completed, except for the destruction of the aircraft. This notebook shows the group's progress as these tasks were completed, and the following section attempts to explain the photographs in the notebook.

Krug, Daniel W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Application of composite materials to impact-insensitive munitions

An approach is outlined for developing bullet-impact-insensitive munitions based on composite materials that provide rapid venting of the rocket-motor case. Impact experiments are conducted with test specimens of hybrid laminates of graphite/epoxy and epoxy reinforcing with woven glass fibers. The dynamic strain response and initial impact force are measured with strain gauges, and perforation damage is examined in the plates. The results show that impact damage can be designed by means of parametric variations of the fiber, matrix, and ply orientations. It is suggested that rocket-motor cases can be designed with composite materials to provide rapid venting during the failure mode. The experimental ballistic testing performed provides data that can be used comparatively with analytical data on composite materials.

Neradka, Vincent F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Orthostatic intolerance during a 13-day bed rest does not result from increased leg compliance

Increased leg compliance (LC) has been proposed as a mechanism for orthostatic intolerance after spaceflight or bed rest. Using venous occlusion plethysmography with mercury-in-Silastic strain gauge, we evaluated LC before, during, and after a 13-day head-down bed rest in 10 men. LC was measured by the relationship between the increased calf areas at thigh cuff occlusions of 20, 30, 50, 70, and 80 mmHg. Orthostatic tolerance was evaluated by a presyncopal-limited lower body negative pressure test before and after bed rest. The 10 subjects were divided into TOL (n= 5) and INT (n=5) groups for which the orthostatic tolerance was similar and lower after bed rest, respectively. For TOL (INT) before bed rest, calf area increases were 2.2 +/- 0.5 (SE) (1.3 +/- 0.4), 3.5 +/- 0.7 (2.3 +/- 0.5), 5.0 +/- 0.9 (3.5 +/- 0.6), 5.6 +/- 0.9 (4.4 +/- 0.6), and 6.4 +/- 1.1 (4.7 +/- 0.6) sq cm for thigh occlusion pressures of 20, 30, 50, 70, and 80 mmHg, respectively. Neither for INT nor for TOL were these results significantly changed by bed rest. These results suggest that other mechanisms than increased LC have to be taken into account to explain the decreased orthostatic tolerance induced by this 13-day bed rest.

Melchior, Francois M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Anomaly detection of turbopump vibration in Space Shuttle Main Engine using statistics and neural networks

The statistical and neural networks methods have been applied to investigate the feasibility in detecting anomalies in turbopump vibration of SSME. The anomalies are detected based on the amplitude of peaks of fundamental and harmonic frequencies in the power spectral density. These data are reduced to the proper format from sensor data measured by strain gauges and accelerometers. Both methods are feasible to detect the vibration anomalies. The statistical method requires sufficient data points to establish a reasonable statistical distribution data bank. This method is applicable for on-line operation. The neural networks method also needs to have enough data basis to train the neural networks. The testing procedure can be utilized at any time so long as the characteristics of components remain unchanged.

Lo, C. F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Fiber optic and laser sensors X; Proceedings of the Meeting, Boston, MA, Sept. 8-11, 1992

Topics addressed include acoustic and pressure sensors; fiber optic gyros; electric and magnetic field sensors; bend, strain, and temperature sensors; industrial applications of sensors; and processing techniques. Particular attention is given to fiber optic interferometric acoustic sensors for wind tunnel applications, polished coupler and resonator fabrication, second-harmonic detection for rotation sensing in fiber optic gyros, simplified control theory in closed-loop fiber optic gyroscopes, and a Fabry-Perot sensor with digital signal processing for the measurement of magnetostriction. Also discussed are a Bragg fiber laser sensor, commercialization of fiber optic strain gauge systems, thermal ignition in hazardous environments due to stray light from optical fibers, a system for absolute measurements by interferometric sensors, and high-performance interferometric demodulation techniques.

Udd, Eric↗

NASA NTRS1994

Monitoring Integrity Of Composite Aircraft Components

System developed that monitors integrity of composite-material structural components of aircraft in service. Includes strain gauges and accelerometers installed permanently in components to monitor vibrations, microprocessor-based data-acquisition system to process outputs of these vibration sensors, and desktop computer to analyze acquired data. By automating significant part of inspection process, system reduces amount of time needed for inspection and cost of inspection equipment. Contributes to safety by giving timely warning of hidden flaws that necessitate early, detailed inspection of critical components to determine whether components should be replaced immediately.

Tang, Shu Shing↗

NASA NTRS1994

The Anderson Current Loop

Four-wire-probe concept applied to electrical-resistance transducers. Anderson current loop is excitation-and-signal-conditioning circuit suitable for use with strain gauges, resistance thermometers, and other electrical-resistance transducers mounted in harsh environments. Used as alternative to Wheatstone bridge. Simplifies signal-conditioning problem, enabling precise measurement of small changes in resistance of transducer. Eliminates some uncertainties in Wheatstone-bridge resistance-change measurements in flight research. Current loop configuration makes effects of lead-wire and contact resistances insignificantly small. Also provides output voltage that varies linearly with change in gauge resistance, and does so at double sensitivity of Wheatstone bridge.

Anderson, Karl F.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Initiation and propagation of small corner cracks

The behaviour of small corner cracks, inclined or perpendicular to loading direction, is presented. There are two aspects to this investigation: initiation of small cracks and monitoring their subsequent growth. An initial pre-cracking procedure under cyclic compression is adopted to minimize the residual damage at the tip of the growing and self-arresting crack under cyclic compression. A final fatigue specimen, cut from the larger pre-cracked specimen, has two corner flaws. The opening load of corner flaw is monitored using a novel strain gauge approach. The behaviour of small corner cracks is described in terms of growth rate relative to the size of the crack and its shape.

Ellyin, Ferdnand↗

NASA NTRS1994

Development of a multicomponent force and moment balance for water tunnel applications, volume 1

The principal objective of this research effort was to develop a multicomponent strain gauge balance to measure forces and moments on models tested in flow visualization water tunnels. An internal balance was designed that allows measuring normal and side forces, and pitching, yawing and rolling moments (no axial force). The five-components to applied loads, low interactions between the sections and no hysteresis. Static experiments (which are discussed in this Volume) were conducted in the Eidetics water tunnel with delta wings and a model of the F/A-18. Experiments with the F/A-18 model included a thorough baseline study and investigations of the effect of control surface deflections and of several Forebody Vortex Control (FVC) techniques. Results were compared to wind tunnel data and, in general, the agreement is very satisfactory. The results of the static tests provide confidence that loads can be measured accurately in the water tunnel with a relatively simple multicomponent internal balance. Dynamic experiments were also performed using the balance, and the results are discussed in detail in Volume 2 of this report.

Suarez, Carlos J.↗