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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Box truss analysis and technology development. Task 1: Mesh analysis and control

An analytical tool was developed to model, analyze and predict RF performance of box truss antennas with reflective mesh surfaces. The analysis system is unique in that it integrates custom written programs for cord tied mesh surfaces, thereby drastically reducing the cost of analysis. The analysis system is capable of determining the RF performance of antennas under any type of manufacturing or operating environment by integrating together the various disciplines of design, finite element analysis, surface best fit analysis and RF analysis. The Integrated Mesh Analysis System consists of six separate programs: The Mesh Tie System Model Generator, The Loadcase Generator, The Model Optimizer, The Model Solver, The Surface Topography Solver and The RF Performance Solver. Additionally, a study using the mesh analysis system was performed to determine the effect of on orbit calibration, i.e., surface adjustment, on a typical box truss antenna.

Bachtell, E. E.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Visualizing Hierarchical Performance Profiles of Parallel Codes Using CallFlow

Calling context trees (CCTs) couple performance metrics with call paths, helping understand the execution and performance of parallel programs. To identify performance bottlenecks, programmers and performance analysts visually explore CCTs to form and validate hypotheses regarding degraded performance. However, due to the complexity of parallel programs, existing visual representations do not scale to applications running on a large number of processors. In this work, we present CallFlow, an interactive visual analysis tool that provides a high-level overview of CCTs together with semantic refinement operations to progressively explore CCTs. Using a flow-based metaphor, we visualize a CCT by treating execution time as a resource spent during the call chain, and demonstrate the effectiveness of our design with case studies on large-scale, production simulation codes.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS1994

Advanced Video Analysis Needs for Human Performance Evaluation

Evaluators of human task performance in space missions make use of video as a primary source of data. Extraction of relevant human performance information from video is often a labor-intensive process requiring a large amount of time on the part of the evaluator. Based on the experiences of several human performance evaluators, needs were defined for advanced tools which could aid in the analysis of video data from space missions. Such tools should increase the efficiency with which useful information is retrieved from large quantities of raw video. They should also provide the evaluator with new analytical functions which are not present in currently used methods. Video analysis tools based on the needs defined by this study would also have uses in U.S. industry and education. Evaluation of human performance from video data can be a valuable technique in many industrial and institutional settings where humans are involved in operational systems and processes.

Campbell, Paul D.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Discrete Spring Model for Predicting Delamination Growth in Z-Fiber Reinforced DCB Specimens

Beam theory analysis was applied to predict delamination growth in DCB specimens reinforced in the thickness direction with pultruded pins, known as Z-fibers. The specimen arms were modeled as cantilever beams supported by discrete springs, which were included to represent the pins. A bi-linear, irreversible damage law was used to represent Z-fiber damage, the parameters of which were obtained from previous experiments. Closed-form solutions were developed for specimen compliance and displacements corresponding to Z-fiber row locations. A solution strategy was formulated to predict delamination growth, in which the parent laminate mode I fracture toughness was used as the criterion for delamination growth. The solution procedure was coded into FORTRAN 90, giving a dedicated software tool for performing the delamination prediction. Comparison of analysis results with previous analysis and experiment showed good agreement, yielding an initial verification for the analytical procedure.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Discrete Spring Model for Predicting Delamination Growth in Z-Fiber Reinforced DCB Specimens

Beam theory analysis was applied to predict delamination growth in Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens reinforced in the thickness direction with pultruded pins, known as Z-fibers. The specimen arms were modeled as cantilever beams supported by discrete springs, which were included to represent the pins. A bi-linear, irreversible damage law was used to represent Z-fiber damage, the parameters of which were obtained from previous experiments. Closed-form solutions were developed for specimen compliance and displacements corresponding to Z-fiber row locations. A solution strategy was formulated to predict delamination growth, in which the parent laminate mode I critical strain energy release rate was used as the criterion for delamination growth. The solution procedure was coded into FORTRAN 90, giving a dedicated software tool for performing the delamination prediction. Comparison of analysis results with previous analysis and experiment showed good agreement, yielding an initial verification for the analytical procedure.

Ratcliffe, James G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Proposed CTV design reference missions in support of Space Station Freedom

Use of design reference missions (DRM's) for the cargo transfer vehicle (CTV) in support of Space Station Freedom (SSF) can provide a common baseline for the design and assessment of CTV systems and mission operations. These DRM's may also provide baseline operations scenarios for integrated CTV, Shuttle, and SSF operations. Proposed DRM's for CTV, SSF, and Shuttle operations envisioned during the early post-PMC time frame and continuing through mature, SSF evolutionary operations are described. These proposed DRM's are outlines for detailed mission definition; by treating these DRM's as top-level input for mission design studies, a range of parametric studies for systems/operations may be performed. Shuttle flight design experience, particularly rendezvous flight design, provides an excellent basis for DRM operations studies. To begin analysis of the DRM's, shuttle trajectory design tools were used in single case analysis to define CTV performance requirements. A summary of these results is presented.

Saucillo, Rudy J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Converting a C-130 Hercules into a Compound Helicopter: A Conceptual Design Study

This study presents the performance and weight changes for a Compound C-130 as compared to the Baseline C-130H Hercules, using NDARC as the primary analysis tool. First, the C-130H was modeled within NDARC, from which performance at various conditions and a parametric weight statement were generated. Then, the C-130H NDARC file was modified to represent the Compound C-130, which was then put through the same performance analysis as the C-130H. A parametric weight statement was also calculated for the Compound C-130, which allowed for comparison to the C-130H. As part of the modeling of the Compound C-130, a Rotor Design Spreadsheet was created that would allow the direct calculation of the weight of the main rotors being added. Using composite materials led to considerable weight savings for both the rotor system and the hub weights. These weight savings are reflected in the NDARC Technology Factors which were determined to be 0.71 and 0.5 for the rotor blades and the hub/hinge system, respectively. Such Technology Factors suggest that using composites for other components could drastically lighten the Operating Empty Weight of the aircraft. The weight statements show the weights for each of the components on each aircraft. It is quite evident that the Compound C-130 has a higher Operating Empty Weight due to the addition of the two main rotors and a drive system to connect each engine group on the wing tips. Upon further analysis, the main weight driver is the drive system. While the main rotor/hub/hinge weight increase is to be expected, the weight increase due to the transmission drive and gear boxes are cause for concern. Unless a method can be found of reducing the weight of the drive system, the weight penalty makes the Compound a C-130 an inefficient aircraft in terms of payload/fuel capacity. Possible solutions are either off-loading some of the power requirements through the drive system or using composite materials in the construction of the drive system. The performance of the Compound C-130 versus the C-130H shows a clear need for more powerful engines than are currently present on the C-130H. This would also adversely affect the Operating Empty Weight since a larger power plant requires more weight. However, one advantage that the Compound C-130 presents is the ability to hover and operate at low speeds in Helicopter Mode. While the C-130H is unable to travel at speeds lower than its stall speed, the Compound C-130 is able to hover using the main rotors. Thus, the Compound C-130 is able to operate independent of runways, let alone the condition of the nearest runway. Ultimately, the Compound C-130 is an effective aircraft in theaters requiring VTOL aircraft due to geographical considerations in terms or performance. Unfortunately, the weight penalty associated with converting the C-130H to a Compound C-130 suggests that further work in the area of the drive systems is required.

Kottapalli, Anjaney P.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Risk-Informed Safety Analysis for Accident Tolerant Fuels

Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) are being tested by different nuclear vendors and research organizations and their introduction in the US light water reactors fleet is planned for the second half of the 2020`s. In the framework of the US-DOE Light-Water Reactor Sustainability program, Risk-Informed Systems Analysis pathway, researches are being conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory for developing tools and methods that can help the industry quantifying the benefits from the adoption of ATF technology. In this paper we describe the developed risk-informed methodology including the safety analysis codes improvements, and we present some results for selected accident scenarios. The developed methodology combines INL state-of-the-art deterministic Best Estimate code RELAP5-3D, and Probabilistic Risk Analysis tools RAVEN and SAPHIRE. The analyses are performed on a three-loops pressurized water reactor, simulating Station Blackout and LB-LOCA accidents and considering near-term ATFs, or FeCrAl and Chromium-coated clads. Finally, we show how, applying our methodology, the new Core Damage Frequency can be assessed. The results indicated that the main benefits in introducing near-term ATFs concern a significant reduction in the hydrogen production during accident conditions. No significant Core Damage Frequency reduction was found.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1986

Robust detection, isolation and accommodation for sensor failures

The objective is to extend the recent advances in robust control system design of multivariable systems to sensor failure detection, isolation, and accommodation (DIA), and estimator design. This effort provides analysis tools to quantify the trade-off between performance robustness and DIA sensitivity, which are to be used to achieve higher levels of performance robustness for given levels of DIA sensitivity. An innovations-based DIA scheme is used. Estimators, which depend upon a model of the process and process inputs and outputs, are used to generate these innovations. Thresholds used to determine failure detection are computed based on bounds on modeling errors, noise properties, and the class of failures. The applicability of the newly developed tools are demonstrated on a multivariable aircraft turbojet engine example. A new concept call the threshold selector was developed. It represents a significant and innovative tool for the analysis and synthesis of DiA algorithms. The estimators were made robust by introduction of an internal model and by frequency shaping. The internal mode provides asymptotically unbiased filter estimates.The incorporation of frequency shaping of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian cost functional modifies the estimator design to make it suitable for sensor failure DIA. The results are compared with previous studies which used thresholds that were selcted empirically. Comparison of these two techniques on a nonlinear dynamic engine simulation shows improved performance of the new method compared to previous techniques

Emami-Naeini, A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Orbit Software Suite

Orbit Software Suite is used to support a variety of NASA/DM (Dependable Multiprocessor) mission planning and analysis activities on the IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) platform. The suite of Orbit software tools (Orbit Design and Orbit Dynamics) resides on IPS/Linux workstations, and is used to perform mission design and analysis tasks corresponding to trajectory/ launch window, rendezvous, and proximity operations flight segments. A list of tools in Orbit Software Suite represents tool versions established during/after the Equipment Rehost-3 Project.

Osgood, Cathy↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced composites structural concepts and materials technologies for primary aircraft structures. Structural response and failure analysis: ISPAN modules users manual

The ISPAN Program (Interactive Stiffened Panel Analysis) is an interactive design tool that is intended to provide a means of performing simple and self contained preliminary analysis of aircraft primary structures made of composite materials. The program combines a series of modules with the finite element code DIAL as its backbone. Four ISPAN Modules were developed and are documented. These include: (1) flat stiffened panel; (2) curved stiffened panel; (3) flat tubular panel; and (4) curved geodesic panel. Users are instructed to input geometric and material properties, load information and types of analysis (linear, bifurcation buckling, or post-buckling) interactively. The program utilizing this information will generate finite element mesh and perform analysis. The output in the form of summary tables of stress or margins of safety, contour plots of loads or stress, and deflected shape plots may be generalized and used to evaluate specific design.

Hairr, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Application of modern tools and techniques to maximize engineering productivity in the development of orbital operations plans for the space station progrm

The Space Station Program will incorporate analysis of operations constraints and considerations in the early design phases to avoid the need for later modifications to the Space Station for operations. The application of modern tools and administrative techniques to minimize the cost of performing effective orbital operations planning and design analysis in the preliminary design phase of the Space Station Program is discussed. Tools and techniques discussed include: approach for rigorous analysis of operations functions, use of the resources of a large computer network, and providing for efficient research and access to information.

Manford, J. S.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tuning Multigrid Methods with Robust Optimization and Local Fourier Analysis

Local Fourier analysis is a useful tool for predicting and analyzing the performance of many efficient algorithms for the solution of discretized PDEs, such as multigrid and domain decomposition methods. The crucial aspect of local Fourier analysis is that it can be used to minimize an estimate of the spectral radius of a stationary iteration, or the condition number of a preconditioned system, in terms of a symbol representation of the algorithm. In practice, this is a “minimax” problem, minimizing with respect to solver parameters the appropriate measure of work, which involves maximizing over the Fourier frequency. Often, several algorithmic parameters may be determined by local Fourier analysis in order to obtain efficient algorithms. Analytical solutions to minimax problems are rarely possible beyond simple problems; the status quo in local Fourier analysis involves grid sampling, which is prohibitively expensive in high dimensions. In this paper, we propose and explore optimization algorithms to solve these problems efficiently. Finally, several examples, with known and unknown analytical solutions, are presented to show the effectiveness of these approaches.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2024

Airfoil Table Modification for Improved Calculation of Ingenuity Rotor Performance

To better characterize the behavior of the Ingenuity helicopter, multiple test campaigns were conducted. These tests included the Engineering Design Model 1 (EDM1) tests and the Transonic Rotor Test (TRT), both of which assessed Ingenuity rotor performance at various conditions. Using a comprehensive rotorcraft analysis tool, CAMRAD II, test setups of the two different Ingenuity test campaigns were simulated. The EDM1 test used coaxial test stand which focused on varying collective at various feasible Martian atmospheric densities and the TRT test used a single rotor test stand which focused on varying RPM to assess performance at different blade tip Mach numbers. Initial CAMRAD II analyses yielded performance results which differed significantly from experimental results. To reconcile the experimental results and the CAMRAD II analyses, modifications were made to the input airfoil decks for CAMRAD II. After several iterations of modifications, a specific method of modification was found that more accurately predicted experimental behavior at all tested densities for the coaxial rotor. This same modification was less successful for the single rotor test results. There are a number of differences between coaxial and single rotor aerodynamics and between the two test stands (hub and control system); also, there is a small influence of RPM (mainly tip Mach number) on dimensionless performance. These differences may be causing the coaxial rotor modifications not being successful for the single rotor.

Airfoil↗
DOE OSTI2022

The SENSEI Generic In Situ Interface: Tool and Processing Portability at Scale [Book Chapter]

One key challenge when doing in situ processing is the investment required to add code to numerical simulations needed to take advantage of in situ processing. Such instrumentation code is often specialized, and tailored to a specific in situ method or infrastructure. Then, if a simulation wants to use other in situ tools, each of which has its own bespoke API [4], then the simulation code team will quickly become overwhelmed with having a different set of instrumentation APIs, one per in situ tool or method. In an ideal situation, such instrumentation need happen only once, and then the instrumentation API provides access to a large diversity of tools. In this way, a data producer’s instrumentation need not be modified if the user desires to take advantage of a different set of in situ tools. The SENSEI generic in situ interface addresses this challenge, which means that SENSEI-instrumented codes enjoy the benefit of being able to use a diversity of tools at scale, tools that include Libsim, Catalyst, Ascent, as well as user-defined methods written in C++ or Python. SENSEI has been shown to scale to greater than 1M-way concurrency on HPC platforms, and provides support for a rich and diverse collection of common scientific data models. Furthermore, this chapter presents the key design challenges that enable tool and processing portability at scale, some performance analysis, and example science applications of the methods.

Bethel, E. Wes↗
DOE OSTI2025

High fidelity multiphysics tightly coupled model for a lead cooled fast reactor concept and application to statistical calculation of hot channel factors

A tightly coupled multiphysics code system is established using the MOOSE framework for hot channel factor (HCF) evaluation on a Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) concept. The coupled system is driven by the Griffin multiphysics coupling capability under which the MOOSE Heat Transfer module and NekRS computational fluid dynamics solver are coupled for conjugate heat transfer using the Cardinal application. The coupled capability is demonstrated on an LFR assembly model based on materials and geometry of a prototypical lead-cooled fast reactor design by Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC. Moreover, the work integrates the Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) Stochastic Tools Module (STM) to perform calculations for statistical analysis of HCF. Furthermore, the coupling strategy and workflow demonstrated in this paper is not only useful for predicting accurate hot channel factors for different kinds of advanced reactors but also for other engineering applications such as control rod worth assessment, generation of high-fidelity database for Artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) training, design optimization and multi-resolution modeling.

Cardinal↗
DOE OSTI2024

High repetition-rate 0.5 Hz broadband neutron source driven by the Advanced Laser Light Source

Neutron beams are an essential tool to investigate material structure and perform nondestructive analysis, as they give unique access to element composition, thus ideally complementing density analysis allowed by standard x-rays investigation. Laser-driven neutron sources, though compact and cost-effective, currently have lower average flux than conventional neutron sources, due to the limited repetition rate of the lasers used so far. However, advancements in laser technology allow nowadays to address this challenge. Here, we report results obtained at the Advanced Laser Light Source characterizing stable production of broadband (0.1–2 MeV) neutrons produced at a high repetition rate (0.5 Hz). The interaction of laser pulses of 22 fs duration and 3.2 J on-target energy with 2-μm-thick tantalum targets produced protons in the Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) regime up to 7.3 MeV. These protons were subsequently converted into neutrons by (p,n) reactions in lithium fluoride (LiF). Activation measurements and bubble detectors were used to characterize neutron emissions, with a neutron fluence of up to ∼1.4×105 neutrons/shot/sr and energies mainly between a few hundred of kilo-electron volt and 2 MeV. The total neutron yield was ∼5×105 neutrons/shot. This paves the way for numerous applications, e.g., in homeland security, materials science, or cultural heritage.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multiscale simulations of novel lithium electrolytes for improved processability and performance of solid-state batteries

In FY23, we performed atomic-scale simulations and developed analysis tools to understand the dynamic behaviors of Li ions and cation/anion components and predict mechanical properties in a new class of Li-ion solid electrolytes (SEs) developed by TRINA. Specifically, we revealed the transport characteristics of Li ions in anion sublattice, rotational dynamics of anion and cation components, and the effect of cation and anion on Li transport as well as interactions between cation and anions. The results imply that the transport characteristics in these soft materials may be affected by processing conditions significantly, which will offer the necessary insights to optimize these future SEs and accelerate the deployment of practical and easily processable Solid-state batteries (SSBs).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗