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At least 37 records · Page 2

Rotor dynamic state and parameter identification from simulated forward flight transients, part 1

State and parameter identifications from simulated forward flight blade flapping measurements are presented. The transients were excited by progressing cyclic pitch stirring or by hub stirring with constant stirring acceleration. Rotor dynamic inflow models of varying degree of sophistication were used from a one parameter inflow model (equivalent Lock number) to an eight parameter inflow model. The maximum likelihood method with assumed fixed measurement error covariance matrix was applied. The rotor system equations for both fixed hub and tilting hub are given. The identified models were verified by comparing true responses with predicted responses. An optimum utilization of the simulated measurement data can be defined. From the numerical results it can be anticipated that brief periods of either accelerated cyclic pitch stirring or of hub stirring are sufficient to extract with adequate accuracy up to 8 rotor dynamic inflow parameters plus the blade Lock number from the transients.

Hohenemser, K. H.↗

Synthesis of a modern/classical controller for large space structures

The paper is concerned with wide-sense stationary random vibrations of a representative large space structure subject to nonwhite excitations, and with synthesis of its controller amid modeling uncertainties due to truncated modes. Dynamics is analyzed by residue calculus in frequency domain. Steady state variance of a modal coordinate is shown to depend on, among other things, power spectral density of excitation at the modal frequency. Modal cost analysis is performed for an order reduction with a performance objective of attitude, attitude rate and energy control. Optimal and suboptimal output feedback controllers are compared. By treating deleted modes as an additive and a multiplicative perturbation in an idealized transfer function, the low frequency modes omitted according to modal cost analysis are found to cause instability. Finally, the size of the idealized model is shown to be governed by light damping and stringency in performance and stability specifications.

Hablani, H. B.↗

The quantum dynamics of electronically nonadiabatic chemical reactions

Considerable progress was achieved on the quantum mechanical treatment of electronically nonadiabatic collisions involving energy transfer and chemical reaction in the collision of an electronically excited atom with a molecule. In the first step, a new diabatic representation for the coupled potential energy surfaces was created. A two-state diabatic representation was developed which was designed to realistically reproduce the two lowest adiabatic states of the valence bond model and also to have the following three desirable features: (1) it is more economical to evaluate; (2) it is more portable; and (3) all spline fits are replaced by analytic functions. The new representation consists of a set of two coupled diabatic potential energy surfaces plus a coupling surface. It is suitable for dynamics calculations on both the electronic quenching and reaction processes in collisions of Na(3p2p) with H2. The new two-state representation was obtained by a three-step process from a modified eight-state diatomics-in-molecules (DIM) representation of Blais. The second step required the development of new dynamical methods. A formalism was developed for treating reactions with very general basis functions including electronically excited states. Our formalism is based on the generalized Newton, scattered wave, and outgoing wave variational principles that were used previously for reactive collisions on a single potential energy surface, and it incorporates three new features: (1) the basis functions include electronic degrees of freedom, as required to treat reactions involving electronic excitation and two or more coupled potential energy surfaces; (2) the primitive electronic basis is assumed to be diabatic, and it is not assumed that it diagonalizes the electronic Hamiltonian even asymptotically; and (3) contracted basis functions for vibrational-rotational-orbital degrees of freedom are included in a very general way, similar to previous prescriptions for locally adiabatic functions in various quantum scattering algorithms.

Truhlar, Donald G.↗

The dynamic behaviour of postbuckled composite plates under acoustic excitation

The Rayleigh-Ritz method was used to find the postbuckling static displacement pattern of a composite plane (CFRP) under uniaxial in-plane compression of uniform edge-shortening. The resonance frequencies and mode shapes at various postbuckled states are then evaluated by eigenvalue analysis of the dynamical matrix equation consisting of up-dated tangential stiffness matrix at corresponding static configuration. The theoretical results are compared with experimental results obtained in 16-layered CFRP laminate of aspect ratio 1.5. The resonance frequencies and mode shapes obtained are used to interpret the multimodal and nonlinear strain responses to high level of acoustic excitation. The dominance of second-mode contribution and softening-spring behavior are found in the strain response of postbuckled plates.

Ng, C. F.↗

Optical damage and internal fields in pyroelectrics.

The physical conditions under which the models of optical damage in pyroelectrics suggested by Johnston (1970) and by Amodei (1971) might be valid are described. Whether the zero-internal-field final state described by Johnston or the no-current-flow steady state of Amodei can be reached depends on the pattern of excitation and the dynamics of the damage process. In view of the small carrier diffusion lengths, the one-dimensional models generally used may not be entirely satisfactory for investigation of dynamics.

Wood, V. E.↗

Adjoint-Based Algorithms for Adaptation and Design Optimizations on Unstructured Grids

Schemes based on discrete adjoint algorithms present several exciting opportunities for significantly advancing the current state of the art in computational fluid dynamics. Such methods provide an extremely efficient means for obtaining discretely consistent sensitivity information for hundreds of design variables, opening the door to rigorous, automated design optimization of complex aerospace configuration using the Navier-Stokes equation. Moreover, the discrete adjoint formulation provides a mathematically rigorous foundation for mesh adaptation and systematic reduction of spatial discretization error. Error estimates are also an inherent by-product of an adjoint-based approach, valuable information that is virtually non-existent in today's large-scale CFD simulations. An overview of the adjoint-based algorithm work at NASA Langley Research Center is presented, with examples demonstrating the potential impact on complex computational problems related to design optimization as well as mesh adaptation.

Nielsen, Eric J.↗

Vibration signature analysis of multistage gear transmission

An analysis is presented for multistage multimesh gear transmission systems. The analysis predicts the overall system dynamics and the transmissibility to the gear box or the enclosed structure. The modal synthesis approach of the analysis treats the uncoupled lateral/torsional model characteristics of each stage or component independently. The vibration signature analysis evaluates the global dynamics coupling in the system. The method synthesizes the interaction of each modal component or stage with the nonlinear gear mesh dynamics and the modal support geometry characteristics. The analysis simulates transient and steady state vibration events to determine the resulting torque variations, speeds, changes, rotor imbalances, and support gear box motion excitations. A vibration signature analysis examines the overall dynamic characteristics of the system, and the individual model component responses. The gear box vibration analysis also examines the spectral characteristics of the support system.

Choy, F. K.↗

Vibration signature analysis of multistage gear transmission

An analysis is presented for multistage multimesh gear transmission systems. The analysis predicts the overall system dynamics and the transmissibility to the gear box or the enclosed structure. The modal synthesis approach of the analysis treats the uncoupled lateral/torsional model characteristics of each stage or component independently. The vibration signature analysis evaluates the global dynamics coupling in the system. The method synthesizes the interaction of each modal component or stage with the nonlinear gear mesh dynamics and the modal support geometry characteristics. The analysis simulates transient and steady state vibration events to determine the resulting torque variations, speeds, changes, rotor imbalances, and support gear box motion excitations. A vibration signature analysis examines the overall dynamic characteristics of the system, and the individual model component responses. The gear box vibration analysis also examines the spectral characteristics of the support system.

Choy, F. K.↗

Collisional excitation of interstellar sulfur dioxide

State-to-state rotational excitation rates for the asymmetric top molecule SO2 in collisions with low-energy He atoms have been computed. The intermolecular forces were obtained from an electron gas model, and collision dynamics were treated with the finite-order sudden approximation. The total excitation rate is probably accurate to better than 50 percent; however, individual state-to-state rates may be in error by factors of 2 or 3, and some smaller rates may be accurate only to an order of magnitude. Present results are expected to reflect within the same level of accuracy rates for excitation by collisions with H2 molecules.

Palma, Amedeo↗

Coupled Lorenz systems in an optically pumped CH3F laser

The output emission of a short CH3F metallic waveguide laser pumped by an injection-locked CO2 transversely excited atmosphere laser is studied experimentally. The output is found to be extremely unpredictable when lasing occurs in both the excited and ground vibrational states on two separate transitions (496 and 452 microns, respectively). The dynamics and sensitivity to initial conditions are explained in terms of two Lorenz lasers with pump coupled population inversions.

Rabinovich, W. S.↗

A Generic Nonlinear Aerodynamic Model for Aircraft

A generic model of the aerodynamic coefficients was developed using wind tunnel databases for eight different aircraft and multivariate orthogonal functions. For each database and each coefficient, models were determined using polynomials expanded about the state and control variables, and an othgonalization procedure. A predicted squared-error criterion was used to automatically select the model terms. Modeling terms picked in at least half of the analyses, which totalled 45 terms, were retained to form the generic nonlinear aerodynamic (GNA) model. Least squares was then used to estimate the model parameters and associated uncertainty that best fit the GNA model to each database. Nonlinear flight simulations were used to demonstrate that the GNA model produces accurate trim solutions, local behavior (modal frequencies and damping ratios), and global dynamic behavior (91% accurate state histories and 80% accurate aerodynamic coefficient histories) under large-amplitude excitation. This compact aerodynamics model can be used to decrease on-board memory storage requirements, quickly change conceptual aircraft models, provide smooth analytical functions for control and optimization applications, and facilitate real-time parametric system identification.

Grauer, Jared A.↗

A nonequilibrium model for a moderate pressure hydrogen microwave discharge plasma

This document describes a simple nonequilibrium energy exchange and chemical reaction model to be used in a computational fluid dynamics calculation for a hydrogen plasma excited by microwaves. The model takes into account the exchange between the electrons and excited states of molecular and atomic hydrogen. Specifically, electron-translation, electron-vibration, translation-vibration, ionization, and dissociation are included. The model assumes three temperatures, translational/rotational, vibrational, and electron, each describing a Boltzmann distribution for its respective energy mode. The energy from the microwave source is coupled to the energy equation via a source term that depends on an effective electric field which must be calculated outside the present model. This electric field must be found by coupling the results of the fluid dynamics and kinetics solution with a solution to Maxwell's equations that includes the effects of the plasma permittivity. The solution to Maxwell's equations is not within the scope of this present paper.

Scott, Carl D.↗

Absolute vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption cross section studies of atomic and molecular species: Techniques and observational data

Absorption of a high energy photon (greater than 6 eV) by an isolated molecule results in the formation of highly excited quasi-discrete or continuum states which evolve through a wide range of direct and indirect photochemical processes. These are: photoionization and autoionization, photodissociation and predissociation, and fluorescence. The ultimate goal is to understand the dynamics of the excitation and decay processes and to quantitatively measure the absolute partial cross sections for all processes which occur in photoabsorption. Typical experimental techniques and the status of observational results of particular interest to solar system observations are presented.

Judge, D. L.↗

The role of radiative acceleration in outflows from broad absorption line QSOs. 1: Comparison with O star winds

We investigate the role of radiation pressure in accelerating the broad absorption line (BAL) outflows in QSOs by comparing their properties with those of radiatively driven O star winds. We find that, owing to their lower column densities and higher velocity spreads, BAL outflows have only a few tens of strong resonance lines that are dynamically important, as compared with 10(exp 3) - 10(exp 4) lines in O star winds. We show that the combined radiative force (the 'force multiplier') declines more rapidly as a function of column density for BAL outflows than for O star winds. This is mainly attributed to the absence of lines from excited states in the BAL region. The absorbing gas in BAL outflows must have a small filling factor in order for radiative acceleration to be important dynamically. This allows the absorbing material to remain at a high enough density to maintain the ion species necessary for efficient radiative acceleration as well (as those responsible for the observed absorption), without the average flow density becoming so large that the absorbing matter cannot be accelerated by an increment larger than its own sound speed. The latter condition is necessary if the outflow is to tap a large portion of the incident photon momentum. Once a small filling factor is assumed, radiative acceleration can be more efficient in BAL outflows than in O stars. We show that terminal velocities of a few times 10(exp 4) km/sec can be expected, provided that the absorbing matter does not have to drag with it a much heavier substrate.

Arav, Nahum↗

Unstable transition properties of the driven magnetohydrodynamic sheet pinch

The unstable transition behavior of a bounded current-carrying two-dimensional magnetofluid is explored, using the hydrodynamic theory developed for parallel shear flows as a guide. Nonlinear excitation of the higher wavenumbers results in the development of electric current sheets of finite extent, as well as the formation of 'attraction currents' centered at the magnetic O-points. A secondary instability mechanism, the dynamic tearing of the electric current sheet, is also observed. This dynamic tearing leads to sawtoothlike temporal oscillations in certain global quantities. The long-time state of the system resembles a nonlinearly saturated state with significant excitation of many wavenumbers. Some features of this state can be understood by means of a Landau nonlinear stability theory based on certain assumptions about the perturbation energy balance.

Dahlburg, R. B.↗

Observation of Vibrational Relaxation Dynamics in X(sup 3)Sigma(sup -)(sub g) Oxygen Following Stimulated Raman Excitation to the v=1 Level: Implications for the RELIEF Flow Tagging Technique

The vibrational relaxation of ground-state molecular oxygen (O2, X(sup 3)Sigma(sup -)(sub g)) has been observed, following stimulated Raman excitation to the first excited vibrational level (v=1). Time delayed laser-induced fluorescence probing of the ro-vibrational population distribution was used to examine the temporal relaxation behavior. In the presence of water vapor, the relaxation process is rapid, and is dominated by near-resonant vibrational energy exchange between the v=1 level of O2 and the n2 bending mode of H2O. In the absence of H2O, reequilibration proceeds via homogeneous vibrational energy transfer, in which a collision between two v=1 O2 molecules leaves one molecule in the v=2 state and the other in the v=0 state. Subsequent collisions between molecules in v=1 and v>1 result in continued transfer of population up the vibrational ladder. The implications of these results for the RELIEF flow tagging technique are discussed.

Diskin, Glenn S.↗

Hybrid Active-Passive Systems for Control of Aircraft Interior Noise

Previous work has demonstrated the large potential for hybrid active-passive systems for attenuating interior noise in aircraft fuselages. The main advantage of an active-passive system is, by utilizing the natural dynamics of the actuator system, the control actuator power and weight is markedly reduced and stability/robustness is enhanced. Three different active-passive approaches were studied in the past year. The first technique utilizes multiple tunable vibration absorbers (ATVA) for reducing narrow band sound radiated from panels and transmitted through fuselage structures. The focus is on reducing interior noise due to propeller or turbo fan harmonic excitation. Two types of tunable vibration absorbers were investigated; a solid state system based upon a piezoelectric mechanical exciter and an electromechanical system based upon a Motran shaker. Both of these systems utilize a mass-spring dynamic effect to maximize tile output force near resonance of the shaker system and so can also be used as vibration absorbers. The dynamic properties of the absorbers (i.e. resonance frequency) were modified using a feedback signal from an accelerometer mounted on the active mass, passed through a compensator and fed into the drive component of the shaker system (piezoelectric element or voice coil respectively). The feedback loop consisted of a two coefficient FIR filter, implemented on a DSP, where the input is acceleration of tile ATVA mass and the output is a force acting in parallel with the stiffness of the absorber. By separating the feedback signal into real and imaginary components, the effective natural frequency and damping of the ATVA can be altered independently. This approach gave control of the resonance frequencies while also allowing the simultaneous removal of damping from the ATVA, thus increasing the ease of controllability and effectiveness. In order to obtain a "tuned" vibration absorber the chosen resonant frequency was set to the excitation frequency. In order to minimize sound radiation a gradient descent algorithm was developed which globally adapted the resonance frequencies of multiple ATVA's while minimizing a cost based upon the radiated sound power or sound energy obtained from an array of microphones.

Fuller, Chris R.↗

Computer analysis of railcar vibrations

Computer models and techniques for calculating railcar vibrations are discussed along with criteria for vehicle ride optimization. The effect on vibration of car body structural dynamics, suspension system parameters, vehicle geometry, and wheel and rail excitation are presented. Ride quality vibration data collected on the state-of-the-art car and standard light rail vehicle is compared to computer predictions. The results show that computer analysis of the vehicle can be performed for relatively low cost in short periods of time. The analysis permits optimization of the design as it progresses and minimizes the possibility of excessive vibration on production vehicles.

Vlaminck, R. R.↗