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At least 271 records · Page 15

Design, analysis, and testing of a hybrid scale structural dynamic model of a Space Station

The impracticality of testing the fully-assembled on-orbit configurations of future large erectable space platforms fosters an increased reliance on other means for verifying predicted structural dynamic performance. One option is scale modeling. This paper discusses the design of a hybrid scale dynamic test model of the Freedom Space Station and its associated suspension system. Hybrid scaling laws are reviewed, followed by scale factor trades, component design examples, and an analytical evaluation of the overall model fidelity. Component and subassembly test results from a six-bay hybrid scale model truss are presented. Potential interactions of gravity and the suspension system with the free-free dynamics of the scale model are investigated. Suspension system design parameters, such as the number, location, mass, and stiffness of the suspension devices are traded to minimize undesirable interactions and form the basis for an overall suspension system concept for the scale model.

Gronet, Marc J.↗

Pressure broadening and line coupling in bending bands of CO2

The pressure broadening and line coupling cross sections in the Fano-Ben Reuven theory of line shapes are calculated for bending bands of CO2 in a bath of He atoms. Molecular collision dynamics are simplified by invoking the infinite order sudden (IOS) approximation for molecular rotational and vibrational angular momentum in a manner similar to but not identical with the method developed by Clary and shown to be accurate for CO2-He. Numerical values are obtained using a pairwise additive interaction potential developed by Clary. Predictions are in good accord with data for various infrared bands and pure rotational Raman spectra. It is found that all pressure broadening and state-to-state cross sections depend on only a few dynamical factors (generalized IOS cross sections) and are therefore closely interrelated. Results are used to assess models developed previously to analyze line shapes in this and similar systems.

Green, Sheldon↗

Application of a vectorized particle simulation in high-speed near-continuum flow

An efficient particle simulation technique, developed for use on vector architecture based supercomputers for studying hypersonic rarefied gas flows is employed to simulate the complex wake generated by Mach six flow over a 10 deg half-angle wedge for freestream Reynolds numbers of 1780 and 3560. Data obtained are compared against higher Reynolds number experimental results. Simulations utilized as many as 10 to the 5th computational cells and 10 to the 7th simulated particles having power-law interaction potentials. A code performance of 1.8-2.4 microsec of Cray-2 CPU time to process a single particle per timestep is achieved. Diffuse adiabatic and isothermal wedge surface models are used in this investigation. Although the wedge geometry is two-dimensional, the simulation incorporates a width-wise direction, resulting in a three-dimensional computation.

Woronowicz, Michael S.↗

Study of hypersonic flow past sharp cones

Calculations using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of Bird for flow past sharp cones in the near continuum to free molecule flow regime are presented and compared with experiment. It is found that results are sensitive to the grid and the interaction potential. Moreover, the time counter method was found to be as accurate as other methods when the solution is grid independent. Finally, the results show that the effects of the wake on the forebody surface properties are minimal.

Taylor, Jeff C.↗

Comment on linewidths and shifts in the Stokes-Raman Q branch of D2 in He

Collision-induced widths and shifts for Raman Q-branch transitions of D2 in He were calculated from S matrices obtained with converged close coupling scattering calculations on an accurate theoretical interaction potential. Results agree well with experimental values. Discrepancies between experimental line shifts and theoretical values from an earlier study (Blackmore et al., 1988) are traced to a computational error in that work. The effects of vibrational inelasticity and of centrifugal distortion on energy levels and on potential matrix elements, all of which were ignored in the earlier study, are explicitly considered here and found to be small.

Green, Sheldon↗

Collisional excitation of interstellar molecules - Deuterated water, HDO

Using an accurate theoretical interacting potential and coupled-channel molecular scattering calculations, excitation rates for deuterated water (HDO) in collisions with He atoms were computed. Data are presented for rates among the 34 rotational levels with energy below 400/cm for temperatures between 50 and 500 K. Excitation rate constants were determined using data from fixed energy cross sections averaged over thermal (Boltzmann) distributions of collision energies. Based on the agreement (for H2O) of rates from two different theoretical potentials and on agreement with the limited experimental data, the larger rates for HDO were estimated to be generally accurate to better than 50 percent.

Green, Sheldon↗

A new computation of the infrared absorption by H2 pairs in the fundamental band at temperatures from 600 to 5000 K

A new computation of the absorption spectrum of H2 pairs in the fundamental band is given for temperatures from 600 to 5000 K. It is based on advanced interaction potentials and recent induced dipole components which were shown to be consistent with the existing laboratory measurements of low-temperature absorption spectra. The absorption is greater by factors of 2-3 than previous estimates and show a different band profile at the higher temperatures.

Borysow, Aleksandra↗

Theoretical line shapes for rotational spectra of HCl in Ar

An interaction potential for HCl-Ar recently derived from spectra of van der Waals complexes (Hutson,1988) has been used to obtain converged close-coupling scattering S matrices from which pressure broadening (linewidth, line shift, and line coupling) cross sections have been computed within the Fano-Ben-Reuven formalism. Linewidths agree well with experimental data with the exception of the 0-1 line at low temperatures (an error of about 15 percent at 125 K). Line shifts, especially the largest, for the 0-1 line, are also in reasonable accord with experimental data. Line coupling is predicted to be quite small. The coupled-states molecular scattering approximation is found to be accurate except at very low collision energies. The infinite-order sudden approximations, on the other hand, is not reliable for this system. Inelastic scattering out of the spectroscopic levels accounts for only a fraction of the linewidth at thermal energies, especially in the lower rotational levels.

Green, Sheldon↗

Exploring the living universe: A strategy for space life sciences

The knowledge obtained by space life sciences will play a pivotal role as humankind reaches out to explore the solar system. Information is needed concerning the existence of life beyond the Earth, the potential interactions between planets and living organisms, and the possibilities for humans to inhabit space safely and productively. Programs in the involved disciplines are an integral part of NASA's current and future missions. To realize their objectives, the development and operation of diverse ground and flight facilities and clost coordination with numerous scientific and governmental organizations in the U.S. and abroad are required. The status and goals of the life sciences programs are examined. Ways and means for attaining these goals are suggested.

Source record↗

Polarizabilities of two-electron positive ions and Rydberg levels of lithium

Second-order sums are computed for the two-electron positive ions Li(+), Be(2+), and B(3+) by representing the intermediate states as discrete pseudostates. The Hamiltonian for the system is given and translated to semi-Jacobi variables for its derivation in reduced Rydberg units. The interaction potential is developed in its multipole form and employed in second-order perturbation theory. The perturbation is always a multipole-potential term, and the initial and intermediate states are constructed from two-particle Hylleraas basis sets. The resulting pseudostates are shown to represent the continuum with good convergence, and the asymptotic-optical-potential method is applied to the two-body quantities to determine the energy levels of three-electron systems in high Rydberg states. The method is shown to give accurate values for the polarizabilities of the two-electron isoelectronic systems.

Bhatia, A. K.↗

Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories has identified technology transfer to U.S. industry as a laboratory mission which complements our national security mission and as a key component of the Laboratory's future. A number of technology transfer mechanisms - such as CRADA's, licenses, work-for-others, and consortia - are identified and specific examples are given. Sandia's experience with the Specialty Metals Processing Consortium is highlighted with a focus on the elements which have made it successful. A brief discussion of Sandia's potential interactions with NASA under the Space Exploration Initiative was included as an example of laboratory-to-NASA technology transfer. Viewgraphs are provided.

Gilliom, Laura R.↗

Raman linewidths and rotationally inelastic collision rates in nitrogen

Using the N2-N2 interaction potential of van der Avoird et al. (1986) rotationally inelastic collision cross sections have been computed within the infinite order sudden (IOS) approximation, assuming the molecules are distinguishable. Methods for enforcing detailed balance and correcting for effects of inelasticity, which are ignored in the IOS approximation, are considered, including the energy corrected sudden (ECS) method. Suitably averaged cross sections are compared with experimental Raman Q-branch linewidths for temperatures from 295 to 1500 K and with recently measured room temperature state-to-state rates. Agreement is rather good, especially if ECS corrections are applied.

Green, Sheldon↗

Improved collisional excitation rates for interstellar water

Theoretical rate constants among the lowest 45 para and 45 ortho rotational levels of water in collisions with He atoms have been calculated for temperatures between 20 and 2000 K using a recently improved theoretical interaction potential. These values are about 30-40 percent larger than those reported previously but relative sizes of different state-to-state rates have not changed significantly. Successive improvements to the theoretical description of this system now appear to have converged.

Green, Sheldon↗

Liquid rocket propulsion impeller CFD modeling

Steady-state impeller geometric modeling and typical Navier-Stokes CFD algorithm analysis procedures are assessed using two benchmark quality impeller data sets. Two geometric modeling and grid generation software packages, ICEM-CFD and PATRAN, are considered. Results show that a significant advantage of PATRAN's open-ended architecture is the potential interaction between CFD and structural/thermal analysts inside the mechanical computer-aided engineering environment. However the time required to construct the inducer grid would be unacceptable in a design and engineering environment. The ICEM-CFD package is considered to be more appropriate for structural grid generation but lacks the mature link to structural/thermal analysis arena as compared to PATRAN.

Ratcliff, Mark L.↗

Attitude and articulation control of the CRAF/Cassini spacecraft in the presence of structural flexibilities and propellant slosh

Preliminary attitude and articulation controller designs for the CRAF/Cassini spacecraft have prompted a consideration of potential interactions with structural dynamics and propellant motion. The two algorithms significantly affected are attitude control during main engine burns, and articulation control of the high-precision scan platform (HPSP). For main engine burns, the primary concerns are the sloshing of the bipropellant, which constitutes 70 percent of initial spacecraft mass, and the vibration of the three large appendages, especially the HPSP, on which the gyros are mounted. For the HPSP pointing algorithm, the main concern is the fairly large offset of the HPSP center-of-mass from the gimbals, which is motivated by other system and subsystem considerations. This offset results in significant coupling between HPSP articulation and HPSP boom structural dynamics. This paper surveys the operational scenarios of these algorithms, and the impacts of nonrigid dynamics on controller design and performance.

Enright, Paul J.↗

Computational chemistry research

Task 41 is composed of two parts: (1) analysis and design studies related to the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) Extended Operating Configuration (EOC) and (2) computational chemistry. During the first half of 1987, Dr. Levin served as a member of an advanced system planning team to establish the requirements, goals, and principal technical characteristics of the NAS EOC. A paper entitled 'Scaling of Data Communications for an Advanced Supercomputer Network' is included. The high temperature transport properties (such as viscosity, thermal conductivity, etc.) of the major constituents of air (oxygen and nitrogen) were correctly determined. The results of prior ab initio computer solutions of the Schroedinger equation were combined with the best available experimental data to obtain complete interaction potentials for both neutral and ion-atom collision partners. These potentials were then used in a computer program to evaluate the collision cross-sections from which the transport properties could be determined. A paper entitled 'High Temperature Transport Properties of Air' is included.

Levin, Eugene↗

Modeling of collision induced absorption spectra of CO2-CO2 pairs for planetary atmosphere of Venus

The objective of the proposal was to model the rototranslational and rotovibrational collision induced absorption spectral bands of importance for the radiative transfer analysis of the atmosphere of Venus. Our main task has involved CO2 pairs. The approach is not straightforward: whereas computational techniques to compute CIA spectra of small linear molecules exist, and were successfully applied to molecules like H2 or N2, they fail when applied to large molecules like CO2. For small molecules one can safely assume that the interaction potential is isotropic. The same approximation does not work for CO2, and when employed, it gives an incorrect band shape and only 50 percent of the CIA intensity.

Borysow, Aleksandra↗

Theoretical calculations of pressure broadening coefficients for H2O perturbed by hydrogen or helium gas

Halfwidths were calculated for H2O with H2 as a broadening gas and were estimated for He as the broadening species. The calculations used the model of Robert and Bonamy with parabolic trajectories and all relevant terms in the interaction potential. The calculations investigated the dependence of the halfwidth on the order of the atom-atom expansion, the rotational states, and the temperature in the range 200 to 400K. Finally, calculations were performed for many transitions of interest in the 5 micrometer window region of the spectrum. The resulting data will be supplied to Dr. R. Freedman for extracting accurate water mixing ratios from the analysis of the thermal channels for the Net Flux experiment on the Galileo probe.

Gamache, Robert R.↗