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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 235 records · Page 13

CF6 jet engine diagnostics program. High pressure turbine roundness/clearance investigation

The effects of high pressure turbine clearance changes on engine and module performance was evaluated in addition to the measurement of CF6-50C high pressure turbine Stage 1 tip clearance and stator out-of-roundness during steady-state and transient operation. The results indicated a good correlation of the analytical model of round engine clearance response with measured data. The stator out-of-roundness measurements verified that the analytical technique for predicting the distortion effects of mechanical loads is accurate, whereas the technique for calculating the effects of certain circumferential thermal gradients requires some modifications. A potential for improvement in roundness was established in the order of 0.38 mm (0.015 in.), equivalent to 0.86 percent turbine efficiency which translates to a cruise SFC improvement of 0.36 percent. The HP turbine Stage 1 tip clearance performance derivative was established as 0.44 mm (17 mils) per percent of turbine efficiency at take-off power, somewhat smaller, therefore, more sensitive than predicted from previous investigations.

Howard, W. D.↗

Estimation of squeeze-film damping and inertial coefficients from experimental free-decay data

The results are given for an experimental program concerned with a parametric identification of the damping and inertial coefficients of a cylindrical squeeze-film bearing, through an analysis of transient response data. The results enable the operating range for which a linear model of the squeeze-film is appropriate to be determined. Comparisons are made between the estimated coefficients and theoretical predictions. Presentation is by courtesy of the Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London.

Roberts, J. B.↗

Implementation of optimal trajectory control of series resonant converter

Due to the presence of a high-frequency LC tank circuit, the dynamics of a resonant converter are unpredictable. There is often a large surge of tank energy during transients. Using state-plane analysis technique, an optimal trajectory control utilizing the desired solution trajectory as the control law was previously proposed for the series resonant converters. The method predicts the fastest response possible with minimum energy surge in the resonant tank. The principle of the control and its experimental implementation are described here. The dynamics of the converter are shown to be close to time-optimal.

Oruganti, Ramesh↗

Dynamics of a phase conjugate resonator - Transient build-up and decay rates

The standard four wave mixing model in a sluggish photorefractive medium is employed to calculate the transient response of a phase conjugate resonator. General trends are revealed and discussed in view of the possible utilization of the system in image processing. Experimental results are given to confirm qualitatively the predicted behavior.

Liu, S. R.↗

Slow dynamics in a single bead with mechanical conditioning and transient heating

The contact stiffness of an aluminum bead confined between two slabs diminishes upon mechanical conditioning, and then recovers like log(t) after the conditioning ceases. Here that structure is evaluated for its response to transient heating and cooling, with and without accompanying conditioning vibrations. It is found that, under heating or cooling alone, stiffness changes are mostly consistent with temperature dependent material moduli; there is little or no slow dynamics. Hybrid tests in which vibration conditioning is followed by heating or cooling lead to recoveries that begin like log(t) and then become more complex. On subtracting the known response to heating or cooling alone we discern the influence of higher or lower temperatures on slow dynamic recovery from vibrations. It is found that heating accelerates the initial log(t) recovery, but by an amount more than predicted by an Arrhenius model of thermally activated barrier penetrations. Furthermore, transient cooling has no discernable effect, in contrast to the Arrhenius prediction that it slows recovery.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development and Validation of a Slosh-Based Ullage Collapse Model

Ullage collapse modeling is an essential tool for the success of spacecraft powered by cryogenic propellants. The degree of ullage collapse can have a major impact on the design of cryogenic propellant tanks as well as the mission’s concept of operations. Additional commodities (e.g., helium gas for pressure control) and their quantities are dependent on the amount of heat transfer and phase change of propellants expected during flight. Currently, high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with heat transfer and phase change is the most accurate method for predicting ullage collapse. CFD simulations of this kind, however, can become very costly for problems requiring large domains, long simulation times, or significant liquid motion. Consequently, there is a need for a reduced order model to provide fast responses which can be used in engineering design decisions. The proposed numerical model is a nodal approach, augmented by outputs from CFD analyses that are generated rapidly and reliably. These outputs include transient values for liquid-vapor interface area, interface velocity, and liquid position using a volume of fluid (VoF) method. There are several benefits of combining a nodal approach with slosh predictions from CFD simulations: leveraging of the Loci/STREAM-VoF solver that has been validated in high-g and low-g environments, rapid modeling of VoF with isothermal propellant simplifications and relatively coarse meshes, and improved model predictions from the nodal tool. The nodal approach, informed by the slosh predictions from CFD, assumes uniform conditions in the liquid and gas domains. Modifications to account for temperature stratification in the liquid and gas may be implemented as a future improvement. Thermodynamic changes within the tank are solved at user-defined timesteps. First, impacts due to mass entering or leaving the control volume are captured. Second, heat transfer impacts are accounted for by tracking the volume of the gas which has been contacted by liquid in that timestep and rebalancing the internal energy. Finally, phase change is approximated using the area and velocity of the interface. The tank conditions are re-computed by conserving mass and energy. Calibration of the model to several test flights and experiments are required to baseline the predictive power and uncertainty. The final product will enable designers and engineers to create quick-turnaround predictions for ullage collapse and inform design feasibility.

Computational Fluid Dynamics↗

Modeling of zero gravity venting

The venting of cylindrical containers partially filled with initially saturated liquids was conducted under zero gravity conditions and compared with an analytical model which determined the effect of interfacial mass transfer on the ullage pressure response during venting. A model is proposed to improve the estimation of the interfacial mass transfer. Duhammel's superposition integral is incorporated in this analysis to approximate the transient temperature response of the interface, treating the liquid as a semiinfinite solid with conduction heat transfer. This approach to estimating interfacial mass transfer gives improved response when compared to previous models. The model still predicts a pressure decrease greater than those in the experiments reported.

Merte, H., Jr.↗

Robust constrained tension control for high-precision roll-to-roll processes

Tension control is critical for maintaining good product quality in most roll-to-roll (R2R) production systems. Previous work has primarily focused on improving the disturbance rejection performance of tension controllers. Here, a robust linear parameter-varying model predictive control (LPV-MPC) scheme is designed to enhance the tension tracking performance of a pilot R2R system for deposition of materials used in flexible thin film applications. The performance of a tension controller may degrade due to disturbances associated with model uncertainties and the slowly-changing dynamics in R2R systems. We introduce a method that separately treats these two sources of disturbance. The controller utilizes an incremental model to eliminate the errors caused by the mismatch between the nominal model and the actual system. A tube-based MPC formulation combined with scheduled parameters adequately updates models and corrects for the time-varying dynamics. Constraints on the rated motor torque are incorporated in the MPC to maintain the controller reliability and avoid machine failures. We illustrate the operation of our control algorithm through simulation of an actual R2R system. The controller outperforms the benchmarks in terms of fast transient response and offset-free tension tracking. Furthermore, it also demonstrates immunity from variations due to parametric uncertainties.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Structure-Informed Graph Learning of Networked Dependencies for Online Prediction of Power System Transient Dynamics

Online transient analysis plays an increasingly important role in dynamic power grids as the renewable generation continues growing. Traditional numerical methods for transient analysis not only are computationally intensive but also require precise contingency information as input, and therefore, are not suitable for online applications. Existing online transient assessment studies focus on the determination of post-contingency system stability or stability margin. Here, this paper develops a novel graph-learning framework, Deep-learning Neural Representation or DNR, for online prediction, of the time-series trajectories of the system states using initial system responses that can be measured by phasor measurement units (PMUs). The proposed DNR framework consists of two sequential modules: a Network Constructor that captures network dependencies among generators, and a Dynamics Predictor that predicts the system trajectories. The key to improved prediction performance is the introduction of the spatio-temporal message-passing operations into graph neural networks with structural knowledge. Its effectiveness and scalability are validated through comparative studies, demonstrating the prediction performance under different contingency scenarios for systems of different sizes. This framework provides a solution to online predicting post-fault system dynamics based on real-time PMU measurements. Additionally, it can also be applied to facilitate the offline transient simulation without simulating the entire trajectories.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Across‐model spread and shrinking in predicting peatland carbon dynamics under global change

Abstract Large across‐model spread in simulating land carbon (C) dynamics has been ubiquitously demonstrated in model intercomparison projects (MIPs), and became a major impediment in advancing climate change prediction. Thus, it is imperative to identify underlying sources of the spread. Here, we used a novel matrix approach to analytically pin down the sources of across‐model spread in transient peatland C dynamics in response to a factorial combination of two atmospheric CO 2 levels and five temperature levels. We developed a matrix‐based MIP by converting the C cycle module of eight land models (i.e., TEM, CENTURY4, DALEC2, TECO, FBDC, CASA, CLM4.5 and ORCHIDEE) into eight matrix models. While the model average of ecosystem C storage was comparable to the measurement, the simulation differed largely among models, mainly due to inter‐model difference in baseline C residence time. Models generally overestimated net ecosystem production (NEP), with a large spread that was mainly attributed to inter‐model difference in environmental scalar. Based on the sources of spreads identified, we sequentially standardized model parameters to shrink simulated ecosystem C storage and NEP to almost none. Models generally captured the observed negative response of NEP to warming, but differed largely in the magnitude of response, due to differences in baseline C residence time and temperature sensitivity of decomposition. While there was a lack of response of NEP to elevated CO 2 (eCO 2 ) concentrations in the measurements, simulated NEP responded positively to eCO 2 concentrations in most models, due to the positive responses of simulated net primary production. Our study used one case study in Minnesota peatland to demonstrate that the sources of across‐model spreads in simulating transient C dynamics can be precisely traced to model structures and parameters, regardless of their complexity, given the protocol that all the matrix models were driven by the same gross primary production and environmental variables.

Hou, Enqing↗

A new method for analysis of limit cycle behavior of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

A piecewise linear method of analyzing the effects of discontinuous nonlinearities on control system performance is described. The limit cycle oscillatory behavior of the system resulting from the nonlinearities is described in terms of a sequence of linear system transient responses. The equations are derived which relate the initial and the terminal conditions of successive transients and the boundary conditions imposed by the non-linearities. The method leads to a convenient computation algorithm for prediction of limit cycle characteristics resulting from discontinuous nonlinearities such as friction, deadzones, and hysteresis.

Hill, R. E.↗

Probabilistic modeling for simulation of aerodynamic uncertainties in propulsion systems

The numerical simulation of the probabilistic aerothermodynamic response of propulsion system components to randomness in their environment was explored. The reusable rocket engine turbopumps were selected as an example because of the severe cryogenic environment in which they operate. The thermal and combustion instabilities, coupled with the engine thrust requirements from start up to shut down, lead to randomness in the flow variables and uncertainties in the aerodynamic loading. The probabilistic modeling of the turbopumps aerodynamic response was accomplished using the panel method coupled with fast probability integration methods. The aerodynamic response in the form of probabilistic rotor blades and splitter loading were predicted and the results presented for specified flow coefficient and rotor preswirl variance. Possible future applications of the aerothermodynamic probabilistic modeling in engine transient simulation, condition monitoring and engine life prediction are briefly discussed.

Hamed, Awatef↗

Probabilistic modeling for simulation of aerodynamic uncertainties in propulsion systems

The numerical simulation of the probabilistic aerothermodynamic response of propulsion system components to randomness in their environment was explored. The reusable rocket engine turbopumps were selected as an example because of the severe cryogenic environment in which they operate. The thermal and combustion instabilities, coupled with the engine thrust requirements from start up to shut down, lead to randomness in the flow variables and uncertainties in the aerosynamic loading. The probabilistic modeling of the turbopumps' aerodynamic response was accomplished using the panel method coupled with fast probability integration methods. The aerodynamic response in the form of probabilistic rotor blades and splitter loading were predicted and the results presented for specified flow coefficient and rotor preswirl variance. Possible future applications of the aerothermodynamic probabilistic modeling in engine transient simulation, condition monitoring, and engine life prediction are briefly discussed.

Hamed, A.↗

JPL transient radiation analysis by computer program (JTRAC)

Digital computer program, JTRAC, simulates time response of electronic circuit to arbitrary forcing functions which may include electrical and/or radiation stimuli. Program is designed to solve linear and nonlinear simultaneous equations which characterize mathematical models used to predict circuit response for electrical and/or radiation input.

Weinstein, S.↗

Transient evolution of basal drag during glacier slip

Glacier slip is usually described using steady-state sliding laws that relate drag, slip velocity and effective pressure, but where subglacial conditions vary rapidly transient effects may influence slip dynamics. Here we use results from a set of laboratory experiments to examine the transient response of glacier slip over a hard bed to velocity perturbations. The drag and cavity evolution from lab experiments are used to parameterize a rate-and-state drag model that is applied to observations of surface velocity and ice-bed separation from the Greenland ice sheet. The drag model successfully predicts observed lags between changes in ice-bed separation and sliding speed. These lags result from the time (or displacement) required for cavities to evolve from one steady-state condition to another. In comparing drag estimates resulting from applying rate-and-state and steady-state slip laws to transient data, we find the peaks in drag are out of phase. This suggests that in locations where subglacial conditions vary on timescales shorter than those needed for cavity adjustment transient slip processes control basal drag.

Glacier↗

Transient airload computer analysis for simulating wind induced impulsive noise conditions of a hovering helicopter rotor

A numerical analysis was developed to determine the airloads on helicopter rotors operating under near-hovering flight conditions capable of producing impulsive noise. A computer program was written in which the solutions for the rotor tip vortex geometry, inflow, aeroelastic response, and airloads are solved in a coupled manner at sequential time steps, with or without the influence of an imposed steady ambient wind or transient gust. The program was developed for future applications in which predicted airloads would be incorporated in an acoustics analysis to attempt to predict and analyze impulsive noise (blade slap). The analysis was applied to a hovering full-scale rotor for which impulsive noise was recorded in the presence of ambient wind. The predicted tip vortex coordinates are in reasonable agreement with the test data, and the blade airload solutions converged to a periodic behavior for an imposed steady ambient wind conditions.

Hall, G. F.↗

Oscillatory combustion of monopropellant droplets

A theoretical study of combustion response to imposed pressure oscillations was conducted for monopropellant droplets and sprays. A first-order perturbation analysis was used, yielding the linear response. Transient gas phase phenomena were considered in some cases, but the bulk of the calculations assume a quasi-steady gas phase. The calculations employed properties representative of hydrazine decomposition. Calculated steady combustion results and response predictions for large hydrazine droplets agreed favorably with earlier measurements. Droplet and spray response factors in excess of unity were found. High response was associated with high pressures (1000-10,000 kN/sq m), large droplets, large mean liquid temperature gradients, and frequencies near the characteristic frequency of the liquid phase thermal wave. Spray response factors are lower than the response factor of the largest injected drop, however, a small percentage of large drops can still provide substantial response for the combustion process.

Chanin, S. P.↗