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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 253 records · Page 14

Validation of an interior noise prediction model for a composite cylinder

An acoustic modal analysis has been performed in the cavity of a composite cylinder model of an aircraft fuselage. The filament wound, composite shell is 12 feet long and 5.5 feet in diameter. A one-half-in. thick plywood floor is attached to the shell 69 deg from the vertical centerline through the bottom of the shell. The acoustic modal frequencies were obtained from a sound pressure level and phase survey conducted throughout the interior volume bounded by the floor, endcaps and stiffened shell, while being excited by white noise from a loudspeaker source. The measured acoustic resonance frequencies and mode shapes compare well with analytical predictions from the Propeller Aircraft Interior Noise (PAIN) model. Details of the theory and derivation of the acoustic characteristics have been included. Reverberation time measurements, using the integrated impulse technique, have been performed to determine acoustic loss factors. These measured loss factors have been input to the PAIN program in order to more accurately predict the space-averaged interior noise of the composite cylinder.

Beyer, Todd B.↗

A review of Shuttle payload bay low-frequency response for STS-1 through STS-5

Flight data from the Space Shuttle missions STS-1 through STS-5 have been evaluated to assess the Orbiter payload bay low-frequency loads and dynamics. An overview of external loading environments for lift-off is presented and a summary of landing impact conditions is given. Accelerometer data at various Orbiter locations are presented and comparisons are made with analytical predictions. The measured accelerations at lift-off for the STS-2 through STS-5 missions were very repeatable and much lower than those of STS-1 because of the reduction of solid rocket booster overpressure loading on the Shuttle. The environments for the quasi-static conditions were below design requirements for all flights. The landing conditions and responses for STS-3 were near limit but nominal on the other flights. Comparisons are made with frequency content of analytical and test data. The primary emphasis of this assessment was to verify the adequacy of Space Transportation System design load environments to envelop flight responses.

Hamilton, D. A.↗

Computational Fluid Dynamics Uncertainty Analysis Applied to Heat Transfer over a Flat Plate

There have been few discussions on using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) without experimental validation. Pairing experimental data, uncertainty analysis, and analytical predictions provides a comprehensive approach to verification and is the current state of the art. With pressed budgets, collecting experimental data is rare or non-existent. This paper investigates and proposes a method to perform CFD uncertainty analysis only from computational data. The method uses current CFD uncertainty techniques coupled with the Student-T distribution to predict the heat transfer coefficient over a at plate. The inputs to the CFD model are varied from a specified tolerance or bias error and the difference in the results are used to estimate the uncertainty. The variation in each input is ranked from least to greatest to determine the order of importance. The results are compared to heat transfer correlations and conclusions drawn about the feasibility of using CFD without experimental data. The results provide a tactic to analytically estimate the uncertainty in a CFD model when experimental data is unavailable

Computational↗

A new experimental method for the accelerated characterization of composite materials

A method which permits the prediction of long-term properties of graphite/epoxy laminates on the basis of short-term (15 min) laboratory tests is described. Demonstration of delayed viscoelastic fracture in one laminate configuration, and data on the time and temperature response of a matrix-dominated unidirectional laminate contributed to a characterization of the viscoelastic process in the graphite/epoxy composites. Master curves from short-term tests of certain laminate configurations can be employed to generate long-term master curves. In addition, analytical predictions from short-term results can be used to predict long-term (25-hour) laminate properties.

Brinson, H. F.↗

Control research in the NASA high-alpha technology program

NASA is conducting a focused technology program, known as the High-Angle-of-Attack Technology Program, to accelerate the development of flight-validated technology applicable to the design of fighters with superior stall and post-stall characteristics and agility. A carefully integrated effort is underway combining wind tunnel testing, analytical predictions, piloted simulation, and full-scale flight research. A modified F-18 aircraft has been extensively instrumented for use as the NASA High-Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle used for flight verification of new methods and concepts. This program stresses the importance of providing improved aircraft control capabilities both by powered control (such as thrust-vectoring) and by innovative aerodynamic control concepts. The program is accomplishing extensive coordinated ground and flight testing to assess and improve available experimental and analytical methods and to develop new concepts for enhanced aerodynamics and for effective control, guidance, and cockpit displays essential for effective pilot utilization of the increased agility provided.

Gilbert, William P.↗

Integrated Modeling of Advanced Opto-Mechanical Systems

The design of optical hardware for space applications is particularly challenging when developing high performance, novel systems that have no precedent. Integrated modeling and analysis of such opto-mechanical systems seeks to describe the end-to-end performance of the hardware using mission-relevant metrics. This multidisciplinary analysis might start with thermal disturbances from observation maneuvers, compute the system temperatures, compute the distorted positions and shapes of the hardware and compute the resulting optical performance. Dynamic disturbances such as reaction wheel imbalance or inertia imbalance of optical delay lines might be applied to a structural dynamic model and used in a guidance and control analysis. Mission-relevant science metrics might include wavefront quality, pointing error or imaging stability. Assembling a tool chain that can be both nimble and effective when scaled to the high fidelity models of detail design has been challenging. An integrated thermal, mechanical and optical analysis capability suitable for detail design has been developed and verified through experimental measurement. This capability was used in the design of flight-like breadboard hardware and development of a test apparatus that established both the level of performance of the hardware and the validity of the analysis. The analysis includes prediction of the thermal environment of the test chamber, detailed temperature distributions on the breadboard hardware, fine scale deformations of the optical elements, and computation of the wavefront quality using geometric optics. A battery of tests were conducted to assess the experiment data acquisition, measurement and control system and to establish the performance of the hardware design and accuracy of the integrated modeling. Thermal loads that represent operational observing maneuvers were imposed and the hardware optical performance was measured and compared to analytical predictions.

optomechanical analysis↗

Dynamic Finite Element Predictions for Mars Sample Return Cellular Impact Test #4

The nonlinear, transient dynamic finite element code, MSC.Dytran, was used to simulate an impact test of an energy absorbing Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) that will impact without a parachute. EEVOs are designed to return materials from asteroids, comets, or planets for laboratory analysis on Earth. The EEV concept uses an energy absorbing cellular structure designed to contain and limit the acceleration of space exploration samples during Earth impact. The spherical shaped cellular structure is composed of solid hexagonal and pentagonal foam-filled cells with hybrid graphite-epoxy/Kevlar cell walls. Space samples fit inside a smaller sphere at the center of the EEVOs cellular structure. Pre-test analytical predictions were compared with the test results from a bungee accelerator. The model used to represent the foam and the proper failure criteria for the cell walls were critical in predicting the impact loads of the cellular structure. It was determined that a FOAM1 model for the foam and a 20% failure strain criteria for the cell walls gave an accurate prediction of the acceleration pulse for cellular impact.

Fasanella, Edwin L.↗

Experimental and analytical results of tangential blowing applied to a subsonic V/STOL inlet

Engine inlets for subsonic V/STOL aircraft must operate over a wide range of conditions without internal flow separation. Experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of tangential blowing to maintain attached flow to high angles of attack. The inlet had a relatively thin lip with a blowing slot located either on the lip or in the diffuser. The height and width of these slots was varied. Experimentally determined flow separation boundaries showed that lip blowing achieved higher angle of attack capability than diffuser blowing. This capability was achieved with the largest slot circumferential extent and either of the two slot heights. Predicted (analytical) separation boundaries showed good agreement except at the highest angles of attack.

Burley, R. R.↗

Structural dynamics research in a full-scale transport aircraft crash test

A remotely piloted air-to-ground crash test of a full-scale transport aircraft was conducted for the first time for two purposes: (1) to demonstrate performance of an antimisting fuel additive in suppressing fire in a crash environment, and (2) to obtain structural dynamics data under crash conditions for comparison with analytical predictions. The test, called the Controlled Impact Demonstration (CID), was sponsored by FAA and NASA with cooperation of industry, the Department of Defense, and the British and French governments. The test aircraft was a Boeing 720 jet transport. The aircraft impacted a dry lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the structural aspects of the CID. The fuselage section tests and the CID itself are described. Structural response data from these tests are presented and discussed. Nonlinear analytical modeling efforts are described, and comparisons between analytical results and experimental results are presented.

Mccomb, H. G., Jr.↗

Probable Rotation States of Rocket Bodies in Low Earth Orbit

In order for Active Debris Removal to be accomplished, it is critically important to understand the probable rotation states of orbiting, spent rocket bodies. As compared to the question of characterizing small unresolved debris, in this problem there are several advantages: (1) objects are of known size, mass, shape and color, (2) they have typically been in orbit for a known period of time, (3) they are large enough that resolved images may be obtainable for verification of predicted orientation, and (4) the dynamical problem is simplified to first order by largely cylindrical symmetry. It is also nearly certain for realistic rocket bodies that internal friction is appreciable in the case where residual liquid or, to a lesser degree, unconsolidated solid fuels exist. Equations of motion have been developed for this problem in which internal friction as well as torques due to solar radiation, magnetic induction, and gravitational gradient are included. In the case of pure cylindrical symmetry, the results are compared to analytical predictions patterned after the standard approach for analysis of symmetrical tops. This is possible because solar radiation and gravitational torques may be treated as conservative. Agreement between results of both methods ensures their mutual validity. For monotone symmetric cylinders, solar radiation torque vanishes if the center of mass resides at the geometric center of the object. Results indicate that in the absence of solar radiation effects, rotation states tend toward an equilibrium configuration in which rotation is about the axis of maximum inertia, with the axis of minimum inertia directed toward the center of the earth. Solar radiation torque introduces a modification to this orientation. The equilibrium state is asymptotically approached within a characteristic timescale given by a simple ratio of relevant characterizing parameters for the body in question. Light curves are simulated for the expected asymptotic final rotation states of model objects, and these are compared to data derived from physical models of the same objects, tested in the Optical Measurements Center at JSC. Comparison to relevant light curves from actual orbiting rocket bodies are also performed, and diagnostic features of such curves are examined.

Ojakangas, Gregory W.↗

Analysis of a Channeled Centerbody Supersonic Inlet for F-15B Flight Research

The Propulsion Flight Test Fixture at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is a unique test platform available for use on the NASA F-15B airplane, tail number 836, as a modular host for a variety of aerodynamics and propulsion research. The first experiment that is to be flown on the test fixture is the Channeled Centerbody Inlet Experiment. The objectives of this project at Dryden are twofold: 1) flight evaluation of an innovative new approach to variable geometry for high-speed inlets, and 2) flight validation of channeled inlet performance prediction by complex computational fluid dynamics codes. The inlet itself is a fixed-geometry version of a mixed-compression, variable-geometry, supersonic in- let developed by TechLand Research, Inc. (North Olmsted, Ohio) to improve the efficiency of supersonic flight at off-nominal conditions. The concept utilizes variable channels in the centerbody section to vary the mass flow of the inlet, enabling efficient operation at a range of flight conditions. This study is particularly concerned with the starting characteristics of the inlet. Computational fluid dynamics studies were shown to align well with analytical predictions, showing the inlet to remain unstarted as designed at the primary test point of Mach 1.5 at an equivalent pressure altitude of 29,500 ft local conditions. Mass-flow-related concerns such as the inlet start problem, as well as inlet efficiency in terms of total pressure loss, are assessed using the flight test geometry.

Ratnayake, Nalin A.↗

Two-Pendulum Model of Propellant Slosh in Europa Clipper PMD Tank

The objective of this fluids analysis is to model propellant slosh for the Europa Clipper mission using a two-pendulum model, such that controls engineers can predict slosh behavior during the mission. Propellant slosh causes shifts in center of mass and exerts forces and torques on the spacecraft which, if not adequately controlled, can lead to mission failure. The two-pendulum model provides a computationally simple model that can be used to predict slosh for the Europa Clipper tank geometry. The Europa Clipper tank is cylindrical with a domed top and bottom and includes a propellant management device (PMD). Due to the lack of experimental data in low gravity environments, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results were used as 'real' slosh behavior for two propellants at three fill fractions. Key pendulum parameters were derived that allow the pendulum model's center of mass, forces, and moments to closely match the CFD data. The parameter trends were examined as a function of tank fill fraction and compared with solutions to analytic equations that describe the frequency of slosh in tanks with simple geometries. The trends were monotonic as expected, and parameters resembled analytical predictions; any differences could be explained by the specific differences in the geometry of the tank. This paper summarizes the new method developed at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for deriving pendulum parameters for two-pendulum equivalent sloshing models. It presents the results of this method and discusses the validity of the results. This analysis is at a completed stage and will be applied in the immediate future to the evolving tank geometry as Europa Clipper moves past its preliminary design review (PDR) phase.

Propellant Slosh↗

Practical Methodology for the Inclusion of Nonlinear Slosh Damping in the Stability Analysis of Liquid-Propelled Space Vehicles

A method is presented that allows for the prediction of the magnitude of limit cycles due to adverse control-slosh interaction in liquid propelled space vehicles using non-linear slosh damping. Such a method is an alternative to the industry practice of assuming linear damping and relying on: mechanical slosh baffles to achieve desired stability margins; accepting minimal slosh stability margins; or time domain non-linear analysis to accept time periods of poor stability. Sinusoidal input describing functional analysis is used to develop a relationship between the non-linear slosh damping and an equivalent linear damping at a given slosh amplitude. In addition, a more accurate analytical prediction of the danger zone for slosh mass locations in a vehicle under proportional and derivative attitude control is presented. This method is used in the control-slosh stability analysis of the NASA Space Launch System.

Ottander, John A.↗

An investigation of airflow over the aft portions of a variable sweep fighter configuration

An investigation of air flow over the aft portions of a variable sweep fighter aircraft configuration was made. Tests conducted in the unitary plan wind tunnel at Mach number 2.16 included measurements of forces, moments, and local static pressures as well as visual recordings of the air flow. An aerodynamic analytical prediction method was evaluated when used in data comparison at angles of attack of 0, 5, and 15 degrees. The results indicate that in supersonic flow the typical outboard located twin vertical tail arrangement tends to provide a more positive increment in normal-force on the afterbody fuselage and the horizontal tail than a single center-mounted vertical tail of similar planform shape. In addition, the results indicate that a method for aerodynamic analysis of wing-body-tail configurations currently available can provide reasonable estimates of pressure coefficient distributions on configurations in regions of complex supersonic flow. At this time, however, the available analytical method cannot adequately replace experimental wind tunnel tests for determining the supersonic flow environment of a given configuration.

Graves, E. B.↗

Transonic aerodynamics of dense gases

Transonic flow of dense gases for two-dimensional, steady-state, flow over a NACA 0012 airfoil was predicted analytically. The computer code used to model the dense gas behavior was a modified version of Jameson's FL052 airfoil code. The modifications to the code enabled modeling the dense gas behavior near the saturated vapor curve and critical pressure region where the fundamental derivative, Gamma, is negative. This negative Gamma region is of interest because the nonclassical gas behavior such as formation and propagation of expansion shocks, and the disintegration of inadmissible compression shocks may exist. The results indicated that dense gases with undisturbed thermodynamic states in the negative Gamma region show a significant reduction in the extent of the transonic regime as compared to that predicted by the perfect gas theory. The results support existing theories and predictions of the nonclassical, dense gas behavior from previous investigations.

Morren, Sybil Huang↗

Electrical Performance of the International Space Station U.S. Photovoltaic Array During Bifacial Illumination

With the first United States (U.S.) photovoltaic array (PVA) activated on International Space Station (ISS) in December 2000, on-orbit data can now be compared to analytical predictions. Due to ISS operational constraints, it is not always possible to point the front side of the arrays at the Sun. Thus, in many cases, sunlight directly illuminates the backside of the PVA as well as albedo illumination on either the front or the back. During this time, appreciable power is produced since the solar cells are mounted on a thin, solar transparent substrate. It is important to present accurate predictions for both front and backside power generation for mission planning, certification of flight readiness for a given mission, and on-orbit mission support. To provide a more detailed assessment of the ISS power production capability, the authors developed a PVA electrical performance model applicable to generalized bifacial illumination conditions. On-orbit PVA performance data were also collected and analyzed. This paper describes the ISS PVA performance model, and the methods used to reduce orbital performance data. Analyses were performed using SPACE. a NASA-GRC developed computer code for the ISS program office. Results showed a excellent comparison of on-orbit performance data and analytical results.

Delleur, Ann M.↗