Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “inequality”

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 217 records · Page 12

Composite model of a 3-D image

This paper presents a composite model of a moving (3-D) image especially useful for the sequential image processing and encoding. A non-linear predictor based on the composite model is described. The performance of this predictor is used as a measure of the validity of the model for a real image source. The minimization of a total mean square prediction error provides an inequality which determines a condition for the profitable use of the composite model and can serve as a decision device for the selection of the number of subsources within the model. The paper also describes statistical properties of the prediction error and contains results of computer simulation of two non-linear predictors in the case of perfect classification between subsources.

Dukhovich, I. J.↗

Recent results on output feedback problems

Given a real linear system sigma = (A, B, C) with m inputs, p outputs and degree n, the problem of generic pole placement by output feedback is studied, which is to compute the constant C(m,p) such that the inequality C(m,p) not less than n is necessary and sufficient for generically positioning the poles of the generic linear system by constant output feedback. A constant C prime (m,p) is determined, which gives a sufficient condition for generic pole placement and which, to the best of the author's knowledge, is at least as good an estimate of C(m,p) as any in the literature. Some results on the construction of solutions in case mp = n are announced, based on the degree formula of Brockett and Byrnes and the Galois theory. In particular, a question raised by Anderson, Bose, and Jury, on the existence of a rational procedure for computing the feedback law from the desired characteristic polynomial is answered.

Byrnes, C. I.↗

Application of advanced reliability methods to local strain fatigue analysis

When design factors are considered as random variables and the failure condition cannot be expressed by a closed form algebraic inequality, computations of risk (or probability of failure) might become extremely difficult or very inefficient. This study suggests using a simple, and easily constructed, second degree polynomial to approximate the complicated limit state in the neighborhood of the design point; a computer analysis relates the design variables at selected points. Then a fast probability integration technique (i.e., the Rackwitz-Fiessler algorithm) can be used to estimate risk. The capability of the proposed method is demonstrated in an example of a low cycle fatigue problem for which a computer analysis is required to perform local strain analysis to relate the design variables. A comparison of the performance of this method is made with a far more costly Monte Carlo solution. Agreement of the proposed method with Monte Carlo is considered to be good.

Wu, T. T.↗

Finite difference numerical methods for boundary control problems governed by hyperbolic partial differential equations

This paper briefly reviews convergent finite difference schemes for hyperbolic initial boundary value problems and their applications to boundary control systems of hyperbolic type which arise in the modelling of vibrations. These difference schemes are combined with the primal and the dual approaches to compute the optimal control in the unconstrained case, as well as the case when the control is subject to inequality constraints. Some of the preliminary numerical results are also presented.

Chen, G.↗

Wedge coupling of lasers into multimode fibers

Design and experimental data for obtuse-angled wedges used in coupled configurations of diode lasers and multimode fibers are presented. An analytic definition of the connection between the wedge angle and the fiber acceptance half-angle is developed, along with a formula for the minimum half-angle. An inequality is defined for determining the bevel angle of the output end of the fiber to eliminate end reflections. The fiber parameters are accounted for in the bevel. The formulations were tested in comparison with the performance of a coupled CDH laser system and good agreement was found in the output spectrum.

Ladany, I.↗

Computational fluid dynamics of airfoils and wings

It is pointed out that transonic flow is one of the fields where computational fluid dynamics turns out to be most effective. Codes for the design and analysis of supercritical airfoils and wings have become standard tools of the aircraft industry. The present investigation is concerned with mathematical models and theorems which account for some of the progress that has been made. The most successful aerodynamics codes are those for the analysis of flow at off-design conditions where weak shock waves appear. A major breakthrough was achieved by Murman and Cole (1971), who conceived of a retarded difference scheme which incorporates artificial viscosity to capture shocks in the supersonic zone. This concept has been used to develop codes for the analysis of transonic flow past a swept wing. Attention is given to the trailing edge and the boundary layer, entropy inequalities and wave drag, shockless airfoils, and the inverse swept wing code.

Garabedian, P.↗

A new minimax algorithm

The representation min t s.t. F(I)(x). - t less than or equal to 0 for all i is examined. An active set strategy is designed of functions: active, semi-active, and non-active. This technique will help in preventing zigzagging which often occurs when an active set strategy is used. Some of the inequality constraints are handled with slack variables. Also a trust region strategy is used in which at each iteration there is a sphere around the current point in which the local approximation of the function is trusted. The algorithm is implemented into a successful computer program. Numerical results are provided.

Vardi, A.↗

Improved finite difference schemes for transonic potential calculations

Engquist and Osher (1980) have introduced a finite difference scheme for solving the transonic small disturbance equation, taking into account cases in which only compression shocks are admitted. Osher et al. (1983) studied a class of schemes for the full potential equation. It is proved that these schemes satisfy a new discrete 'entropy inequality' which rules out expansion shocks. However, the conducted analysis is restricted to steady two-dimensional flows. The present investigation is concerned with the adoption of a heuristic approach. The full potential equation in conservation form is solved with the aid of a modified artificial density method, based on flux biasing. It is shown that, with the current scheme, expansion shocks are not possible.

Hafez, M.↗

Global variation of the para hydrogen fraction in Jupiter's atmosphere and implications for dynamics on the outer planets

A detailed analysis of the Voyager infrared spectrometer measurements on Jupiter's atmosphere is presented, and possible implications of para hydrogen disequilibrium for the energetics and dynamics of that atmosphere are examined. The method of data analysis is described, and results for the large scale latitude variation of the para hydrogen fraction are presented. The Jovian results show pronounced latitude variation, and are compared with other parameters including wind fields, thermal structure, and various indicators of atmospheric clouds. The problem of equilibration rate is reexamined, and it is concluded that on Jupiter the equilibration time is longer than the radiative time constant at the level of emission to space, but that this inequality reverses at greater depths. A model for the interaction of fluid motions with the ortho-para conversion process is presented, and a consistent mixing length theory for the reacting ortho-para mixture is developed. Several implications of the Jovian data for atmospheric energetics and stability on the outer planets are presented.

Conrath, B. J.↗

Advanced reliability method for fatigue analysis

When design factors are considered as random variables and the failure condition cannot be expressed by a closed form algebraic inequality, computations of risk (or probability of failure) may become extremely difficult or very inefficient. This study suggests using a simple and easily constructed second degree polynomial to approximate the complicated limit state in the neighborhood of the design point; a computer analysis relates the design variables at selected points. Then a fast probability integration technique (i.e., the Rackwitz-Fiessler algorithm) can be used to estimate risk. The capability of the proposed method is demonstrated in an example of a low cycle fatigue problem for which a computer analysis is required to perform local strain analysis to relate the design variables. A comparison of the performance of this method is made with a far more costly Monte Carlo solution. Agreement of the proposed method with Monte Carlo is considered to be good.

Wu, Y.-T.↗

Theoretical study of miscibility and glass-forming trends in mixtures of polystyrene spheres

A theoretical study of glass-forming trends and miscibility in mixtures of polystyrene spheres (polyballs) of different diameters, suspended in an aqueous solution, is presented. The polyballs are assumed to be charged and to interact via a Debye-Hueckel screened Coulomb potential. The Helmholtz free energy is calculated from a variational principle based on the Gibbs-Bogoliubov inequality, in which a mixture of hard spheres of different diameters is chosen as the reference system. It is found that when the charges of the two types of polyballs are sufficiently different, the variationally determined ratio of hard-sphere diameters differs substantially, leading to packing difficulties characteristic of glass formation. The experimentally observed range of glass formation corresponds to a ratio of hard-sphere diameters of 0.8 or less. Calculations of the free energy as a function of concentration indicate that the liquid polyball mixture is stable against the phase separation, even for widely different polyball charges.

Shih, W.-H.↗

The fundamental constants of orthotropic affine plate/slab equations

The global constants associated with orthotropic slab/plate equations are discussed, and the rotational behavior of the modulus/compliance components associated with orthotropic slabs/plates are addressed. It is concluded that one cluster constant is less than or equal to unity for all physically possible materials. Rotationally anomalous behavior is found in two materials, and a simple inequality which can be used to identify regular or anomalous behavior is presented and discussed in detail.

Brunelle, E. J.↗

On some properties of force-free magnetic fields in infinite regions of space

Techniques for solving boundary value problems (BVP) for a force free magnetic field (FFF) in infinite space are presented. A priori inequalities are defined which must be satisfied by the force-free equations. It is shown that upper bounds may be calculated for the magnetic energy of the region provided the value of the magnetic normal component at the boundary of the region can be shown to decay sufficiently fast at infinity. The results are employed to prove a nonexistence theorem for the BVP for the FFF in the spatial region. The implications of the theory for modeling the origins of solar flares are discussed.

Aly, J. J.↗

Fitting aerodynamic forces in the Laplace domain: An application of a nonlinear nongradient technique to multilevel constrained optimization

A technique which employs both linear and nonlinear methods in a multilevel optimization structure to best approximate generalized unsteady aerodynamic forces for arbitrary motion is described. Optimum selection of free parameters is made in a rational function approximation of the aerodynamic forces in the Laplace domain such that a best fit is obtained, in a least squares sense, to tabular data for purely oscillatory motion. The multilevel structure and the corresponding formulation of the objective models are presented which separate the reduction of the fit error into linear and nonlinear problems, thus enabling the use of linear methods where practical. Certain equality and inequality constraints that may be imposed are identified; a brief description of the nongradient, nonlinear optimizer which is used is given; and results which illustrate application of the method are presented.

Tiffany, S. H.↗

Maser and secondary clock in telecommunications networks

Telecommunication networks of time division switches, interconnected by digital transmission are being put into place. At each switch, each incoming bit stream is brought into its own buffer. Then the clock in the switch reads each buffer to re-establish phase. Care must be taken to keep frequency differences between various clocks from becoming too large. Based on empirically defined data transmission requirements, one major network has determined that fractional frequency inequality between switches should be no worse than 1.7 X 10 to the minus 9 power. A network needs near frequency equality between its own switches, and also between its switches and other networks with which it interfaces. As a practical matter, the best way to achieve needed frequency equality is for each network to have master clock with an accuracy which is at least as good as 1 X 10 to the minus 10 power. The relationship between the master and the secondary clock is discussed. The questions of master clock accuracy and precision and the free-running capability of the secondary clocks are examined.

Risley, A.↗

ISAAC (integrated Structural Analysis and Control) via Continuum Modeling and Distributed Frequency Domain Design Techniques

A methodology is proposed for the integrated design of structures and their controls. The integration of design is accomplished through simultaneous selection, via optimization, of designer-specified parameters governing the structure and its controller. The cost function is chosen to address the primary structural and control goals. Inequality constraints are added to insure that additional design requirements are met. The methodology is illustrated through development of an example involving a cantilever beam. A distributed transfer function is derived from the Bernoulli-Euler beam equation. A controller parameterization is then chosen, and performance requirements specified. A controller is then obtained via optimization, which is shown to give good performance.

Gustafson, C. L.↗

Sensor/Actuator Selection for the Constrained Variance Control Problem

The problem of designing a linear controller for systems subject to inequality variance constraints is considered. A quadratic penalty function approach is used to yield a linear controller. Both the weights in the quadratic penalty function and the locations of sensors and actuators are selected by successive approximations to obtain an optimal design which satisfies the input/output variance constraints. The method is applied to NASA's 64 meter Hoop-Column Space Antenna for satellite communications. In addition the solution for the control law, the main feature of these results is the systematic determination of actuator design requirements which allow the given input/output performance constraints to be satisfied.

Delorenzo, M. L.↗

A survey of unified constitutive theories

The state of the art of time temperature dependent elastic viscoplastic constitutive theories which are based on the unified approach werre assessed. This class of constitutive theories is characterized by the use of kinetic equations and internal variables with appropriate evolutionary equations for treating all aspects of inelastic deformation including plasticity, creep, and stress relaxation. More than 10 such unified theories which are shown to satisfy the uniqueness and stability criteria imposed by Drucker's postulate and Ponter's inequalities are identified. The theories are compared for the types of flow law, kinetic equation, evolutionary equation of the internal variables, and treatment of temperature dependence. The similarities and differences of these theories are outlined in terms of mathematical formulations and illustrated by comparisons of theoretical calculations with experimental results which include monotonic stress-strain curves, cyclic hysteresis loops, creep and stress relaxation rates, and thermomechanical loops. Numerical methods used for integrating these stiff time temperature dependent constitutive equations are reviewed.

Chan, K. S.↗