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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 343 records · Page 19

Identification of 15-15 Aeroelastic Modes using Frequency-Domain Methods

The XV-15 Tilt-Rotor wing has six major aeroelastic modes that are close in frequency. To precisely excite individual modes during flight test, dual flaperon exciters with automatic frequency-sweep controls were installed. The resulting structural data were analyzed in the frequency domain (Fourier-transformed). Modal frequencies and damping were determined by performing curve fits to frequency-response magnitude and phase data. Results are given for the XV-15 with its original metal rotor blades. Frequency and damping values are also compared with new predictions by two different programs, CAMRAD and ASAP.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗

Acoustic Beam Forming Array Using Feedback-Controlled Microphones for Tuning and Self-Matching of Frequency Response

A feedback-controlled microphone includes a microphone body and a membrane operatively connected to the body. The membrane is configured to be initially deflected by acoustic pressure such that the initial deflection is characterized by a frequency response. The microphone also includes a sensor configured to detect the frequency response of the initial deflection and generate an output voltage indicative thereof. The microphone additionally includes a compensator in electric communication with the sensor and configured to establish a regulated voltage in response to the output voltage. Furthermore, the microphone includes an actuator in electric communication with the compensator, wherein the actuator is configured to secondarily deflect the membrane in opposition to the initial deflection such that the frequency response is adjusted. An acoustic beam forming microphone array including a plurality of the above feedback-controlled microphones is also disclosed.

Radcliffe, Eliott↗

Dynamic Shaping of Grid Response of Multi-Machine Multi-Inverter Systems Through Grid-Forming IBRs

We consider the problem of controlling the frequency response of weakly-coupled multi-machine multi-inverter low-inertia power systems via grid-forming inverter-based resources (IBRs). In contrast to existing methods, our approach relies on dividing the larger system into multiple strongly-coupled subsystems, without ignoring either the underlying network or approximating the subsystem response as an aggregate harmonic mean model. Rather, through a structured clustering and recursive dynamic shaping approach, the frequency response of the overall system to load perturbations is shaped appropriately. We demonstrate the proposed approach for a three-node triangular configuration and a small-scale radial network. Furthermore, previous synchronization analysis for heterogeneous systems requires the machines to satisfy certain proportionality property. In our approach, the effective transfer functions for each cluster can be tuned by the IBRs to satisfy such property, enabling us to apply the shaping control to systems with a wider range of heterogeneous machines.

frequency-shaping control↗

Evaluation of total energy-rate feedback for glidescope tracking in wind shear

Low-altitude wind shear is recognized as an infrequent but significant hazard to all aircraft during take-off and landing. A total energy-rate sensor, which is potentially applicable to this problem, has been developed for measuring specific total energy-rate of an airplane with respect to the air mass. This paper presents control system designs, with and without energy-rate feedback, for the approach to landing of a transport airplane through severe wind shear and gusts to evaluate application of this sensor. A system model is developed which incorporates wind shear dynamics equations with the airplance equations of motion, thus allowing the control systems to be analyzed under various wind shears. The control systems are designed using optimal output feedback and are analyzed using frequency domain control theory techniques. Control system performance is evaluated using a complete nonlinear simulation of the airplane and a severe wind shear and gust data package. The analysis and simulation results indicate very similar stability and performance characteristics for the two designs. An implementation technique for distributing the velocity gains between airspeed and ground speed in the simulation is also presented, and this technique is shown to improve the performance characteristics of both designs.

Belcastro, C. M.↗

A study of helicopter stability and control including blade dynamics

A linearized model of rotorcraft dynamics has been developed through the use of symbolic automatic equation generating techniques. The dynamic model has been formulated in a unique way such that it can be used to analyze a variety of rotor/body coupling problems including a rotor mounted on a flexible shaft with a number of modes as well as free-flight stability and control characteristics. Direct comparison of the time response to longitudinal, lateral and directional control inputs at various trim conditions shows that the linear model yields good to very good correlation with flight test. In particular it is shown that a dynamic inflow model is essential to obtain good time response correlation, especially for the hover trim condition. It also is shown that the main rotor wake interaction with the tail rotor and fixed tail surfaces is a significant contributor to the response at translational flight trim conditions. A relatively simple model for the downwash and sidewash at the tail surfaces based on flat vortex wake theory is shown to produce good agreement. Then, the influence of rotor flap and lag dynamics on automatic control systems feedback gain limitations is investigated with the model. It is shown that the blade dynamics, especially lagging dynamics, can severly limit the useable values of the feedback gain for simple feedback control and that multivariable optimal control theory is a powerful tool to design high gain augmentation control system. The frequency-shaped optimal control design can offer much better flight dynamic characteristics and a stable margin for the feedback system without need to model the lagging dynamics.

Zhao, Xin↗

Frequency and time generation and control

High precision quartz crystal oscillators, cesium beam atomic resonators, and cesium beam atomic standards for time and frequency generation equipment for ground, airborne, and space use are described. Because of the high risk factors involved, and the commercial applications of these products being too far off in the future, private capital for research and development is difficult if not impossible to obtain. More specific analysis and recommendations to overcome these difficulties are objectively presented.

Bloch, M.↗

A vision-based end-point control for a two-link flexible manipulator

The measurement and control of the end-effector position of a large two-link flexible manipulator are investigated. The system implementation is described and an initial algorithm for static end-point positioning is discussed. Most existing robots are controlled through independent joint controllers, while the end-effector position is estimated from the joint positions using a kinematic relation. End-point position feedback can be used to compensate for uncertainty and structural deflections. Such feedback is especially important for flexible robots. Computer vision is utilized to obtain end-point position measurements. A look-and-move control structure alleviates the disadvantages of the slow and variable computer vision sampling frequency. This control structure consists of an inner joint-based loop and an outer vision-based loop. A static positioning algorithm was implemented and experimentally verified. This algorithm utilizes the manipulator Jacobian to transform a tip position error to a joint error. The joint error is then used to give a new reference input to the joint controller. The convergence of the algorithm is demonstrated experimentally under payload variation. A Landmark Tracking System (Dickerson, et al 1990) is used for vision-based end-point measurements. This system was modified and tested. A real-time control system was implemented on a PC and interfaced with the vision system and the robot.

Obergfell, Klaus↗

Effect of Wing Thickness and Sweep on the Oscillating Hinge-Moment and Flutter Characteristics of a Flap-Type Control at Transonic Speeds

Free-oscillation tests were made in the Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot tunnel to determine the effects of wing thickness and wing sweep on the hinge-moment and flutter characteristics of a trailing-edge flap-type control. The untapered semispan wings had full-span aspect ratios of 5 and NACA 65A-series airfoil sections. Unswept wings having ratios of wing thickness to chord of 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 were investigated. The swept wings were 6 percent thick and had sweep angles of 30 deg and 45 deg. The full-span flap-type controls had a total chord of 50 percent of the wing chord and were hinged at the 0.765-wing-chord line. Tests were made at zero angle of attack over a Mach number range from 0.60 to 1.02, control oscillation amplitudes up to about 12 deg, and a range of control-reduced frequencies. Static hinge-moment data were also obtained. Results indicate that the control aerodynamic damping for the 4-percent-thick wing-control model was unstable in the Mach number range from 0.92 to 1.02 (maximum for these tests). Increasing the ratio of wing thickness to chord to 0.06, 0.08, and then to 0.10 had a stabilizing effect on the aerodynamic damping in this speed range so that the aerodynamic damping was stable for the 10-percent-thick model at all Mach numbers. The 6-percent-thick unswept-wing-control model generally had unstable aerodynamic damping in the Mach number range from 0.96 to 1.02. Increasing the wing sweep resulted in a general decrease in the stable aerodynamic damping at the lower Mach numbers and in the unstable aerodynamic damping at the higher Mach numbers. The one-degree-of-freedom control-surface flutter which occurred in the transonic Mach number range (0.92 to 1.02) for the 4-, 6-, and 8-percent-thick unswept-wing-control models could be eliminated by further increasing the ratio of thickness to chord to 0.10. Flutter could also be eliminated by increasing the wing sweep angle to either 30 deg or 45 deg. The magnitude of variation in spring moment derivative with Mach number at transonic speeds was decreased by either increasing the ratio of wing thickness to chord or increasing the wing sweep angle.

Moseley, William C., Jr.↗

Controlled breathing protocols probe human autonomic cardiovascular rhythms

The purpose of this study was to determine how breathing protocols requiring varying degrees of control affect cardiovascular dynamics. We measured inspiratory volume, end-tidal CO2, R-R interval, and arterial pressure spectral power in 10 volunteers who followed the following 5 breathing protocols: 1) uncontrolled breathing for 5 min; 2) stepwise frequency breathing (at 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, and 0.05 Hz for 2 min each); 3) stepwise frequency breathing as above, but with prescribed tidal volumes; 4) random-frequency breathing (approximately 0.5-0.05 Hz) for 6 min; and 5) fixed-frequency breathing (0.25 Hz) for 5 min. During stepwise breathing, R-R interval and arterial pressure spectral power increased as breathing frequency decreased. Control of inspired volume reduced R-R interval spectral power during 0.1 Hz breathing (P < 0.05). Stepwise and random-breathing protocols yielded comparable coherence and transfer functions between respiration and R-R intervals and systolic pressure and R-R intervals. Random- and fixed-frequency breathing reduced end-tidal CO2 modestly (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that stringent tidal volume control attenuates low-frequency R-R interval oscillations and that fixed- and random-rate breathing may decrease CO2 chemoreceptor stimulation. We conclude that autonomic rhythms measured during different breathing protocols have much in common but that a stepwise protocol without stringent control of inspired volume may allow for the most efficient assessment of short-term respiratory-mediated autonomic oscillations.

Non-NASA Center↗

An Active Damping at Blade Resonances Using Piezoelectric Transducers

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing an active damping at blade resonances using piezoelectric structure to reduce excessive vibratory stresses that lead to high cycle fatigue (HCF) failures in aircraft engine turbomachinery. Conventional passive damping work was shown first on a nonrotating beam made by Ti-6A1-4V with a pair of identical piezoelectric patches, and then active feedback control law was derived in terms of inductor, resister, and capacitor to control resonant frequency only. Passive electronic circuit components and adaptive feature could be easily programmable into control algorithm. Experimental active damping was demonstrated on two test specimens achieving significant damping on tip displacement and patch location. Also a multimode control technique was shown to control several modes.

Choi, Benjamin↗

A frequency-domain estimator for use in adaptive control systems

The paper presents a frequency-domain estimator which can identify both a nominal model of a plant as well as a frequency-domain bounding function on the modeling error associated with this nominal model. This estimator, which is called a robust estimator, can be used in conjunction with a robust control-law redesign algorithm to form a robust adaptive controller.

Lamaire, Richard O.↗

A frequency-domain estimator for use in adaptive control systems

This paper presents a frequency-domain estimator that can identify both a parametrized nominal model of a plant as well as a frequency-domain bounding function on the modeling error associated with this nominal model. This estimator, which we call a robust estimator, can be used in conjunction with a robust control-law redesign algorithm to form a robust adaptive controller.

Lamaire, Richard O.↗

The Role of Individual Differences in Executive Attentional Networks and Switching Choices in Multi-Task Management

Individual differences in cognitive processing relate to critical performance differences in real-world environments. Task switching is required for many of them and especially for task management during overload. Research exploring individual differences related to switching behavior (both frequency, and adherence to optimal switch times) is, however, sparse. We examined these relationships here, using the attentional network task to index executive control, and an ongoing tracking task (within a larger suite of concurrent task demands) to examine switching behavior. The results failed to support a general relationship between executive control and frequency in a complex, heterogeneous multi-task environment. However, higher executive control participants more successfully exploited optimal switching times, highlighting the varying role of individual differences in task management, when choice is unconstrained.

Gutzwiller, Robert S.↗

Pulsed radio frequency power modulation for profile control in cryogenic reactive ion etching of silicon gratings

Cryogenic silicon etching with SF 6 /O 2 plasmas enables vertical sidewalls and smooth surfaces for high–aspect-ratio structures, yet precise control of etched profiles (sidewall angle, lateral etching, and linewidth retention) remains challenging under continuous-wave excitation due to coupling among radical fluxes, ion energy distributions, and in situ passivation dynamics. In this work, we investigated pulsed radio frequency bias delivery as a process knob for profile control during cryogenic silicon etching. Systematic experiments on 500 nm-wide, 1 μm-pitch gratings etched to 0.8–1.1 μm depth at 0.5–2 kHz pulsing frequency and 25%–75% duty cycle revealed strong dependencies of etch rate, linewidth, and sidewall angle on modulation conditions. We proposed a conceptual kinetic picture combined with feature-scale electrostatic analysis to understand the alternation of ion-driven etching and passivation recovery between on/off segments and local electric field shaping and modulation of ion trajectories within the trench. Moderate duty cycles (50%–75%) near 1 kHz achieved a balance between anisotropy and etch rate. These results demonstrate pulsed-bias modulation can be utilized to tune directionality and sidewall preservation in cryogenic SF 6 /O 2 etching, which are relevant to photonic, metrology, and quantum device fabrication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Adaptive Inverse Control for Rotorcraft Vibration Reduction

This thesis extends the Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm to solve the mult!ple-input, multiple-output problem of alleviating N/Rev (revolutions per minute by number of blades) helicopter fuselage vibration by means of adaptive inverse control. A frequency domain locally linear model is used to represent the transfer matrix relating the higher harmonic pitch control inputs to the harmonic vibration outputs to be controlled. By using the inverse matrix as the controller gain matrix, an adaptive inverse regulator is formed to alleviate the N/Rev vibration. The stability and rate of convergence properties of the extended LMS algorithm are discussed. It is shown that the stability ranges for the elements of the stability gain matrix are directly related to the eigenvalues of the vibration signal information matrix for the learning phase, but not for the control phase. The overall conclusion is that the LMS adaptive inverse control method can form a robust vibration control system, but will require some tuning of the input sensor gains, the stability gain matrix, and the amount of control relaxation to be used. The learning curve of the controller during the learning phase is shown to be quantitatively close to that predicted by averaging the learning curves of the normal modes. For higher order transfer matrices, a rough estimate of the inverse is needed to start the algorithm efficiently. The simulation results indicate that the factor which most influences LMS adaptive inverse control is the product of the control relaxation and the the stability gain matrix. A small stability gain matrix makes the controller less sensitive to relaxation selection, and permits faster and more stable vibration reduction, than by choosing the stability gain matrix large and the control relaxation term small. It is shown that the best selections of the stability gain matrix elements and the amount of control relaxation is basically a compromise between slow, stable convergence and fast convergence with increased possibility of unstable identification. In the simulation studies, the LMS adaptive inverse control algorithm is shown to be capable of adapting the inverse (controller) matrix to track changes in the flight conditions. The algorithm converges quickly for moderate disturbances, while taking longer for larger disturbances. Perfect knowledge of the inverse matrix is not required for good control of the N/Rev vibration. However it is shown that measurement noise will prevent the LMS adaptive inverse control technique from controlling the vibration, unless the signal averaging method presented is incorporated into the algorithm.

Jacklin, Stephen A.↗

Radio Frequency Algorithms

Final Technical Report for DOE SC0019287 award titled Radio Frequency Algorithms. This project supported the design, simulation, analysis, and optimization of robust algorithms to configure, optimize, and control Radio Frequency and Low-Level RF systems for several modern accelerator systems.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗