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At least 37 records · Page 2

Optimal Control Modification for Robust Adaptation of Singularly Perturbed Systems with Slow Actuators

Recently a new optimal control modification has been introduced that can achieve robust adaptation with a large adaptive gain without incurring high-frequency oscillations as with the standard model-reference adaptive control. This modification is based on an optimal control formulation to minimize the L2 norm of the tracking error. The optimal control modification adaptive law results in a stable adaptation in the presence of a large adaptive gain. This study examines the optimal control modification adaptive law in the context of a system with a time scale separation resulting from a fast plant with a slow actuator. A singular perturbation analysis is performed to derive a modification to the adaptive law by transforming the original system into a reduced-order system in slow time. The model matching conditions in the transformed time coordinate results in increase in the feedback gain and modification of the adaptive law.

Nguyen, Nhan T.

Effects of forward contour modification on the aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 641-212 airfoil section

Two different forward contour modifications designed to increase the maximum lift coefficient of the NACA 64 sub 1-212 airfoil section were evaluated experimentally at low speeds. One modification consisted of a slight droop of the leading edge with an increased leading-edge radius; the other modification incorporated increased thickness over the forward 35 percent of the upper surface of the profile. Both modified airfoil sections were found to provide substantially higher maximum lift coefficients than the 64 sub 1-212 section. The drooped leading-edge modification incurred a drag penalty of approximately 10 percent at low and moderate lift coefficients and exhibited a greater nosedown pitching moment than the 64 sub 1-212 profile. The upper surface modification produced about the same drag level as the 64 sub 1-212 section at low and moderate lift coefficients and less nosedown pitching moment than the 64 sub 1-212 profile. Both modified airfoil sections had lower drag coefficients than the 64 sub 1-212 section at high lift coefficients.

Hicks, R. M.

Structural modification utilizing beam elements

A method for analyzing the effects of sophisticated beam-type structural modifications to a structure with a known modal database is presented. The modification technique integrates the dual modal space modification method with the transfer matrix method to perform general beam modifications. Consideration is given to two examples: one demonstrates the performance of the modification scheme when a severe structural change is made, while the other demonstrates a change to a complex structure.

Elliott, K. B.

Prediction of effects of wing contour modifications on low-speed maximum lift and transonic performance for the EA-6B aircraft

Computational predictions of the effects of wing contour modifications on maximum lift and transonic performance were made and verified against low speed and transonic wind tunnel data. This effort was part of a program to improve the maneuvering capability of the EA-6B electronics countermeasures aircraft, which evolved from the A-6 attack aircraft. The predictions were based on results from three computer codes which all include viscous effects: MCARF, a 2-D subsonic panel code; TAWFIVE, a transonic full potential code; and WBPPW, a transonic small disturbance potential flow code. The modifications were previously designed with the aid of these and other codes. The wing modifications consists of contour changes to the leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps and were designed for increased maximum lift with minimum effect on transonic performance. The prediction of the effects of the modifications are presented, with emphasis on verification through comparisons with wind tunnel data from the National Transonic Facility. Attention is focused on increments in low speed maximum lift and increments in transonic lift, pitching moment, and drag resulting from the contour modifications.

Allison, Dennis O.

Influence of tooth profile modification on spur gear dynamic tooth strain

This paper presents results of dynamic strain gage measurements performed on the NASA gear-noise rig. The experiments were part of a joint research program between NASA and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to advance the technology of rotorcraft transmissions. Tests were performed on six sets of low contact ratio spur gears with different tooth profile modifications. Results presented include static and dynamic measurements of gear tooth strain taken over a matrix of operating conditions. The results demonstrate that a well-designed tooth profile modification can significantly reduce dynamic loads in spur gears, especially for gears which operate at high speed and under high torque. The two parabolic modifications tested were not as effective as linear modifications, possibly because the modification zone was too long.

Oswald, Fred B.

Optimal Control Modification Adaptive Law for Time-Scale Separated Systems

Recently a new optimal control modification has been introduced that can achieve robust adaptation with a large adaptive gain without incurring high-frequency oscillations as with the standard model-reference adaptive control. This modification is based on an optimal control formulation to minimize the L2 norm of the tracking error. The optimal control modification adaptive law results in a stable adaptation in the presence of a large adaptive gain. This study examines the optimal control modification adaptive law in the context of a system with a time scale separation resulting from a fast plant with a slow actuator. A singular perturbation analysis is performed to derive a modification to the adaptive law by transforming the original system into a reduced-order system in slow time. A model matching conditions in the transformed time coordinate results in an increase in the actuator command that effectively compensate for the slow actuator dynamics. Simulations demonstrate effectiveness of the method.

Nguyen, Nhan T.

Modifications of a Composite-Material Combustion Chamber

Two short reports discuss modifications of a small, lightweight combustion chamber that comprises a carbon/carbon composite outer shell and an iridium/ rhenium inner liner. The first report discusses chamber design modifications made as results of hot-fire tests and post-test characterization. The Books & Reports 32 NASA Tech Briefs, June 2005 modifications were intended to serve a variety of purposes, including improving fabrication, reducing thermal-expansion mismatch stresses, increasing strength-to-weight ratios of some components, and improving cooling of some components. The second report discusses (1) the origin of stress in the mismatch between the thermal expansions of the Ir/Re liner and a niobium sleeve and flange attached to the carbon/ carbon shell and (2) a modification intended to relieve the stress. The modification involves the redesign of an inlet connection to incorporate a compressible seal between the Ir/Re liner and the Nb flange. A nickel alloy was selected as the seal material on the basis of its thermal-expansion properties and its ability to withstand the anticipated stresses, including the greatest stresses caused by the high temperatures to be used in brazing during fabrication.

Williams, Brian E.

Optimal Control Modification for Time-Scale Separated Systems

Recently a new optimal control modification has been introduced that can achieve robust adaptation with a large adaptive gain without incurring high-frequency oscillations as with the standard model-reference adaptive control. This modification is based on an optimal control formulation to minimize the L2 norm of the tracking error. The optimal control modification adaptive law results in a stable adaptation in the presence of a large adaptive gain. This study examines the optimal control modification adaptive law in the context of a system with a time scale separation resulting from a fast plant with a slow actuator. A singular perturbation analysis is performed to derive a modification to the adaptive law by transforming the original system into a reduced-order system in slow time. A model matching conditions in the transformed time coordinate results in an increase in the actuator command that effectively compensate for the slow actuator dynamics. Simulations demonstrate effectiveness of the method.

Adaptive Control

Adaptive Control for Linear Uncertain Systems with Unmodeled Dynamics Revisited via Optimal Control Modification

This paper presents the optimal control modification for linear uncertain plants. The Lyapunov analysis shows that the modification parameter has a limiting value depending on the nature of the uncertainty. The optimal control modification exhibits a linear asymptotic property that enables it to be analyzed in a linear time invariant framework for linear uncertain plants. The linear asymptotic property shows that the closed-loop plants in the limit possess a scaled input-output mapping. Using this property, we can derive an analytical closed-loop transfer function in the limit as the adaptive gain tends to infinity. The paper revisits the Rohrs counterexample problem that illustrates the nature of non-robustness of model-reference adaptive control in the presence of unmodeled dynamics. An analytical approach is developed to compute exactly the modification parameter for the optimal control modification that stabilizes the plant in the Rohrs counterexample. The linear asymptotic property is also used to address output feedback adaptive control for non-minimum phase plants with a relative degree 1.

Unmodeled Dynamics

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

Fortifying the frontier: cell wall modifications during plant immunity

The plant cell wall (CW) was long thought to be a rigid barrier encasing the plant cell and protecting it against biotic and abiotic stressors. Different CW polysaccharides interact with each other, and modifications of either the components or organization of these polysaccharides result in impaired growth or immunity. Emerging evidence suggests that the CW is dynamically modified and reorganized based on internal and external cues. Thus, the CW is both the first barrier that pathogens encounter and the critical final step in defense signaling that leads to fortification of the CW. Here, in this work, we review recent findings on how CW components are remodeled to fortify the CW upon pathogen attack and propose a novel concept: layered CW remodeling as an immune strategy. Within this framework, we categorize three interconnected layers of CW remodeling upon pathogen attack: (i) rapid and reversible CW depositions that provide immediate but transient protection; (ii) flexible modifications with plausible signaling functions that integrate defense and surveillance; and (iii) irreversible fortifications that encase pathogen, delimiting infected cells from uninfected cells. This layered framework provides a cohesive view of how different CW modifications are integrated into, and contribute to, plant defense. We also discuss the challenges in studying CW modifications during biotic stresses and highlight important questions that remain unanswered.

Bhandari, Deepak D. [Michigan State Univ., East La

Site-Selective Modification of Lanthanum Oxychloride to Modulate Halide-Ion Conduction

Design principles for solid-state halide-ion conduction remain poorly defined despite the increasing importance of halide ions as charge carriers in a variety of energy storage and electrochemical computing technologies. Here, we employ a siteselective modification strategy in which aliovalent cations are preferentially introduced at the La 3+ crystallographic site of LaOCl in the 2c Wyckoff position, enabling controlled generation of chloride vacancies and modification of lattice dynamics to enhance chloride-ion conductivity. Aliovalent substitution of La 3+ with Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , and Sr 2+ generates charge-compensating Cl vacancies while preserving the matlockite crystal structure. X-ray excited optical luminescence measurements with Dy 3+ as a reporter chromophore evidence vacancy-derived midgap electronic states and an extended energy range of radiation-less Auger electron emission corresponding to substantial modification of electronic structure and local electrostatic potentials. Ca alloying at 8−10 at. % increases the chloride-ion conductivity by three- to 4 orders of magnitude as compared to unalloyed LaOCl, whereas comparable amounts of Sr- and Mg-alloying in LaOCl imbue less pronounced conductivity enhancements. Temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy measurements reveal that Ca- and Sr-alloying substantially soften the La−Cl sublattice and yield a more compliant crystal lattice that can deform to accommodate Cl-ion migration. Structure solutions derived from Rietveld refinements to powder Xray diffraction reveal larger O−La−Cl bond-angle deviations and enhanced out-of-plane cation displacements for Ca- and Sr-alloyed compositions as compared to Mg-alloyed LaOCl. Such local distortions enhance chloride-ion mobility by reshaping and flattening vacancy migration energy landscapes and by modulating lattice dynamics governing anion conduction. We further illustrate that coalloying of Ca with Mg and Sr induces a nonmonotonic conductivity−defect stoichiometry relationship that can be rationalized based on cooperative interactions. Together, these results establish site-selective aliovalent alloying of LaOCl as an effective route to halide-ion solid electrolytes and provide broadly generalizable design principles for site-selective modification to induce vacancy formation and lattice softening to engender facile anion transport

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

MXenoids: Generalization of MXene-Inspired Covalent Surface Modifications Across Two-Dimensional Materials

The ability to perform versatile covalent surface modifications in two-dimensional (2D) inorganic materials marks a significant advance in the functionalization of this broad family of materials. One particularly successful example of 2D materials with chemically modifiable surfaces are 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes). MXenes' strong in-plane metal-carbon bonds and labile surface metal-halide bonds create altogether unprecedented opportunities for versatile postsynthetic modifications and assembling complex materials, including various organic-inorganic hybrids. Here, we demonstrate the general applicability of this surface modification strategy to non-MXene halide-terminated 2D materials, termed MXenoids. These surface modifications enable compositional and electronic structure engineering, introduce chiral hybrid organic-inorganic structures, and photoluminescence ranging from near-IR to blue. This study highlights the avenue of surface chemistry-driven materials design, enhancing the functional capabilities of 2D materials.

Zhou, Chenkun [University of Chicago, IL (United S

Modification of ion-temperature-gradient turbulence by impurities in stellarator plasmas

Recent nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations have shown that impurities can strongly modify the turbulent heat flux in stellarator plasmas. Here, the ion-temperature-gradient (ITG) dispersion relation in a plasma containing impurities is analytically solved in certain limits and an expression for the modification of the ITG growth rate by impurities is derived. The analytical expression is the sum of three terms corresponding to three different physical causes (impurity density gradient, impurity temperature gradient and dilution) of the change in the growth rate. The scalings predicted analytically for the modification of the growth rate are shown to be reproduced by linear gyrokinetic simulations. The conditions for reduction or increase of the ITG growth by impurities are also correctly predicted by the analytical solution to the dispersion relation. Finally, a remarkable correlation is found between the analytical expression for the modification of the growth rate and the modification of the turbulent heat flux obtained from nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations.

Calvo, Iván [Research Centre for Energy, Environme

An experimental study of USB flap noise reduction through mean flow modification

The effect of mean flow modification on the noise production of upper surface blown flaps has been studied experimentally. Mean velocity profile at the nozzle exit was modified from the usual 'top-hat' shape to 'Gamma' and 'L'-shaped profiles. The 'L'-modification caused noise reduction around and above the peak frequency of the 'top-hat' spectrum when compared on an equal thrust per exit area basis. Modification to 'Gamma'-shaped profile resulted in a shift of the spectrum to lower frequencies and a lower overall noise reduction. These modifications alter the development of the large scale disturbances in the upper shear layer and trailing edge wake of the wall jet geometry.

Joshi, M. C.

Modification of NASA Langley 8 foot high temperature tunnel to provide a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems

A planned modification of the NASA Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel to make it a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems is described, and some of the ongoing supporting research for that modification is discussed. The modification involves: (1) the addition of an oxygen-enrichment system which will allow the methane-air combustion-heated test stream to simulate air for propulsion testing; and (2) supplemental nozzles to expand the test simulation capability from the current nominal Mach number to 7.0 include Mach numbers 3.0, 4.5, and 5.0. Detailed design of the modifications is currently underway and the modified facility is scheduled to be available for tests of large scale propulsion systems by mid 1988.

Kelly, H. N.

Modification of NASA Langley 8 Foot High Temperature Tunnel to provide a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems

A planned modification of the NASA Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel to make it a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems is described, and some of the ongoing supporting research for that modification is discussed. The modification involves: (1) the addition of an oxygen-enrichment system which will allow the methane-air combustion-heated test stream to simulate air for propulsion testing; and (2) supplemental nozzles to expand the test simulation capability from the current nominal Mach number to 7.0 include Mach numbers 3.0, 4.5, and 5.0. Detailed design of the modifications is currently underway and the modified facility is scheduled to be available for tests of large scale propulsion systems by mid 1988.

Kelly, H. N.

Effects of wing modification on an aircraft's aerodynamic parameters as determined from flight data

A study of the effects of four wing-leading-edge modifications on a general aviation aircraft's stability and control parameters is presented. Flight data from the basic aircraft configuration and configurations with wing modifications are analyzed to determine each wing geometry's stability and control parameters. The parameter estimates and aerodynamic model forms are obtained using the stepwise regression and maximum likelihood techniques. The resulting parameter estimates and aerodynamic models are verified using vortex-lattice theory and by analysis of each model's ability to predict aircraft behavior. Comparisons of the stability and control derivative estimates from the basic wing and the four leading-edge modifications are accomplished so that the effects of each modification on aircraft stability and control derivatives can be determined.

Hess, R. A.