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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

An innovative approach to compensator design

The design is considered of a computer-aided-compensator for a control system from a frequency domain point of view. The design technique developed is based on describing the open loop frequency response by n discrete frequency points which result in n functions of the compensator coefficients. Several of these functions are chosen so that the system specifications are properly portrayed; then mathematical programming is used to improve all of these functions which have values below minimum standards. To do this, several definitions in regard to measuring the performance of a system in the frequency domain are given, e.g., relative stability, relative attenuation, proper phasing, etc. Next, theorems which govern the number of compensator coefficients necessary to make improvements in a certain number of functions are proved. After this a mathematical programming tool for aiding in the solution of the problem is developed. This tool is called the constraint improvement algorithm. Then for applying the constraint improvement algorithm generalized, gradients for the constraints are derived. Finally, the necessary theory is incorporated in a Computer program called CIP (compensator Improvement Program). The practical usefulness of CIP is demonstrated by two large system examples.

Mitchell, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary testing of a SNAP-19 TAGS RTG in support of the Pioneer F and G missions.

This paper presents the results of a preliminary performance evaluation of the SNAP-19 TAGS thermoelectric generator which was selected as the power source for the Pioneer Space Flight Mission. The performance of the SNAP-19 generator was evaluated at various input powers and fin-root temperatures. Results of this evaluation are analyzed and discussed. Tests were also performed to provide the Pioneer Flight Project Management with applicable data such as generator thermal dynamic behavior during launch and prior to deployment. These special tests measure generator performance as a function of fin-root temperature and the dynamic frequency response of the generator.

Stapfer, G.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Global Gravity Wave Variances from Aura MLS: Characteristics and Interpretation

The gravity wave (GW)-resolving capabilities of 118-GHz saturated thermal radiances acquired throughout the stratosphere by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Aura satellite are investigated and initial results presented. Because the saturated (optically thick) radiances resolve GW perturbations from a given altitude at different horizontal locations, variances are evaluated at 12 pressure altitudes between 21 and 51 km using the 40 saturated radiances found at the bottom of each limb scan. Forward modeling simulations show that these variances are controlled mostly by GWs with vertical wavelengths z 5 km and horizontal along-track wavelengths of y 100-200 km. The tilted cigar-shaped three-dimensional weighting functions yield highly selective responses to GWs of high intrinsic frequency that propagate toward the instrument. The latter property is used to infer the net meridional component of GW propagation by differencing the variances acquired from ascending (A) and descending (D) orbits. Because of improved vertical resolution and sensitivity, Aura MLS GW variances are 5?8 times larger than those from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) MLS. Like UARS MLS variances, monthly-mean Aura MLS variances in January and July 2005 are enhanced when local background wind speeds are large, due largely to GW visibility effects. Zonal asymmetries in variance maps reveal enhanced GW activity at high latitudes due to forcing by flow over major mountain ranges and at tropical and subtropical latitudes due to enhanced deep convective generation as inferred from contemporaneous MLS cloud-ice data. At 21-28-km altitude (heights not measured by the UARS MLS), GW variance in the tropics is systematically enhanced and shows clear variations with the phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation, in general agreement with GW temperature variances derived from radiosonde, rocketsonde, and limb-scan vertical profiles.

MLS (MICROWAVE LIMB SOUNDER)↗
NASA NTRS1980

Maximum likelihood method for estimating airplane stability and control parameters from flight data in frequency domain

A frequency domain maximum likelihood method is developed for the estimation of airplane stability and control parameters from measured data. The model of an airplane is represented by a discrete-type steady state Kalman filter with time variables replaced by their Fourier series expansions. The likelihood function of innovations is formulated, and by its maximization with respect to unknown parameters the estimation algorithm is obtained. This algorithm is then simplified to the output error estimation method with the data in the form of transformed time histories, frequency response curves, or spectral and cross-spectral densities. The development is followed by a discussion on the equivalence of the cost function in the time and frequency domains, and on advantages and disadvantages of the frequency domain approach. The algorithm developed is applied in four examples to the estimation of longitudinal parameters of a general aviation airplane using computer generated and measured data in turbulent and still air. The cost functions in the time and frequency domains are shown to be equivalent; therefore, both approaches are complementary and not contradictory. Despite some computational advantages of parameter estimation in the frequency domain, this approach is limited to linear equations of motion with constant coefficients.

Klein, V.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Concepts for a theoretical and experimental study of lifting rotor random loads and vibrations, Phase 2

A comparison with NASA conducted simulator studies has shown that the approximate digital method for computing rotor blade flapping responses to random inputs, tentatively suggested in Phase I Report, gives with increasing rotor advance ratio the wrong trend. Consequently, three alternative methods of solution have been considered and are described: (1) an approximate method based on the functional relation between input and output double frequency spectra, (2) a numerical method based on the system responses to deterministic inputs and (3) a perturbation approach. Among these the perturbation method requires the least amount of computation and has been developed in two forms - the first form to obtain the response correlation function and the second for the time averaged spectra of flapping oscillations.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Wideband phase-locked angular modulator

A phase-locked loop (PLL) angular modulator scheme has been proposed which has the characteristics of wideband modulation frequency response. The modulator design is independent of the PLL closed-loop transfer function H(s), thereby allowing independent optimization of the loop's parameters as well as the modulator's parameters. A phase modulator implementing the proposed scheme was built to phase modulate a low-noise phase-locked signal source at the output frequency of 2290 MHz. The measurement results validated the analysis by demonstrating that the resulting baseband modulation bandwidth exceeded that of the phase-locked loop by over an order of magnitude. However, it is expected to be able to achieve much wider response still.

Nguyen, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Ride quality flight testing

The ride quality experienced by passengers is a function of airframe rigid-body, elastic dynamic responses, autopilot, and stability augmentation system control inputs. A frequency response method has been developed to select sinusoidal elevator input time histories yielding vertical load factor distributions, within a given limit, as a function of fuselage station. The numerical technique is illustrated by applying two-degree-of-freedom short-period and first symmetric mode equations of motion to a B-1 aircraft at Mach 0.85 during sea level flight conditions.

Swaim, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Measurement of driver/vehicle multiloop response properties with a single disturbance input

Multiloop response properties of controllers are, in general, very difficult to obtain because an independent forcing function is needed for each describing function to be measured, and interpolation procedures may be required to obtain intermediate describing functions at common frequencies. Two examples are provided for the measurement of driver/vehicle multiloop response properties using a single disturbance input. The validity of the procedure is based on current multiloop operator adjustment rules and is made plausible by comparison with experimental data.

Mcruer, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Synthesis of feedback systems with large plant ignorance for prescribed time domain tolerances

There is given a minimum-phase plant transfer function, with prescribed bounds on its parameter values. The plant is imbedded in a two-degree-of freedom feedback system, which is to be designed such that the system time response to a deterministic input lies within specified boundaries. Subject to the above, the design should be such as to minimize the effect of sensor noise at the input to the plant. This report presents a design procedure for this purpose, based on frequency response concepts. The time-domain tolerances are translated into equivalent frequency response tolerances. The latter lead to bounds on the loop transmission function in the form of continuous curves on the Nichols chart. The properties of the loop transmission function which satisfy these bounds with minimum effect of sensor noise, are derived.

Horowitz, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Frequency response of electrochemical cells

Impedance concepts can be applied to the analysis of battery electrodes, yielding information about the structure of the electrode and the processes occurring in the electrode. Structural parameters such as the specific area (surface area per gram of electrode) can be estimated. Electrode variables such as surface overpotential, ohmic losses, and diffusion limitations may be studied. Nickel and cadmium electrodes were studied by measuring the ac impedance as a function of frequency, and the specific areas that were determined were well within the range of specific areas determined from BET measurements. Impedance spectra were measured for the nickel and cadmium electrodes, and for a 20 A-hr NiCd battery as functions of the state of charge. More work is needed to determine the feasibility of using frequency response as a nondestructive testing technique for batteries.

Thomas, Daniel L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Shake test of rotor test apparatus in the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel

A shake test was conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics of a rotor test apparatus on strut systems. The rotor-off hub transfer function (acceleration per unit force as a function of frequency) was measured in the longitudinal and lateral directions, using a combination of broadband and discrete frequency excitation techniques. The dynamic data is summarized for the configurations tested, giving the following properties for each mode identified: the natural frequency, the hub response at resonance, and the fixed system damping. The complete transfer functions are presented, and the detailed test results are included as an appendix. Data analysis techniques developed to obtain on-line measurements of the system modal properties, including the damping coefficient and the damping ratio are discussed.

Johnson, W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Transfer function verification and block diagram simplification of a very high-order distributed pole closed-loop servo by means of non-linear time-response simulation

Linear frequency domain methods are inadequate in analyzing the 1975 Viking Orbiter (VO75) digital tape recorder servo due to dominant nonlinear effects such as servo signal limiting, unidirectional servo control, and static/dynamic Coulomb friction. The frequency loop (speed control) servo of the VO75 tape recorder is used to illustrate the analytical tools and methodology of system redundancy elimination and high order transfer function verification. The paper compares time-domain performance parameters derived from a series of nonlinear time responses with the available experimental data in order to select the best possible analytical transfer function representation of the tape transport (mechanical segment of the tape recorder) from several possible candidates. The study also shows how an analytical time-response simulation taking into account most system nonlinearities can pinpoint system redundancy and overdesign stemming from a strictly empirical design approach. System order reduction is achieved through truncation of individual transfer functions and elimination of redundant blocks.

Mukhopadhyay, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Uniform apparent contrast noise: A picture of the noise of the visual contrast detection system

A picture which is a sample of random contrast noise is generated. The noise amplitude spectrum in each region of the picture is inversely proportional to spatial frequency contrast sensitivity for that region, assuming the observer fixates the center of the picture and is the appropriate distance from it. In this case, the picture appears to have approximately the same contrast everywhere. To the extent that contrast detection thresholds are determined by visual system noise, this picture can be regarded as a picture of the noise of that system. There is evidence that, at different eccentricities, contrast sensitivity functions differ only by a magnification factor. The picture was generated by filtering a sample of white noise with a filter whose frequency response is inversely proportional to foveal contrast sensitivity. It was then stretched by a space-varying magnification function. The picture summmarizes a noise linear model of detection and discrimination of contrast signals by referring the model noise to the input picture domain.

Ahumada, A. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modulation characteristics of a high-power semiconductor Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA)

A semiconductor master oscillator-power amplifier was demonstrated using an anti-reflection (AR) coated broad area laser as the amplifier. Under CW operation, diffraction-limited single-longitudinal-mode powers up to 340 mW were demonstrated. The characteristics of the far-field pattern were measured and compared to a two-dimensional reflective Fabry-Perot amplifier model of the device. The MOPA configuration was modulated by the master oscillator. Prior to injection into the amplifier, the amplitude and frequency modulation properties of the master oscillator were characterized. The frequency response of the MOPA configuration was characterized for an AM/FM modulated injection beam, and was found to be a function of the frequency detuning between the master oscillator and the resonant amplifier. A shift in the phase was also observed as a function of frequency detuning; this phase shift is attributed to the optical phase shift imparted to a wave reflected from a Fabry-Perot cavity. Square-wave optical pulses were generated at 10 MHz and 250 MHz with diffraction-limited peak powers of 200 mW and 250 mW. The peak power for a given modulation frequency is found to be limited by the injected power and the FM modulation at that frequency. The modulation results make the MOPA attractive for use as a transmitter source in applications such as free-space communications and ranging/altimetry.

Cornwell, Donald Mitchell, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Full wave modulator-demodulator amplifier apparatus

A full-wave modulator-demodulator apparatus is described including an operational amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to a circuit input terminal, and a second input terminal alternately coupled to the circuit input terminal. A circuit is ground by a switching circuit responsive to a phase reference signal and the operational amplifier is alternately switched between a non-inverting mode and an inverting mode. The switching circuit includes three field-effect transistors operatively associated to provide the desired switching function in response to an alternating reference signal of the same frequency as an AC input signal applied to the circuit input terminal.

Black, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Challenges to the successful implementation of 3-D sound

The major challenges for the successful implementation of 3-D audio systems involve minimizing reversals, intracranially heard sound, and localization error for listeners. Designers of 3-D audio systems are faced with additional challenges in data reduction and low-frequency response characteristics. The relationship of the head-related transfer function (HRTF) to these challenges is shown, along with some preliminary psychoacoustic results gathered at NASA-Ames.

Begault, Durand R.↗