Energy transfer from a pulse network to a propagating current sheet.
Energy transfer from pulse network to mass associated with propagating current sheet in linear pinch discharge, discussing pulsed plasma accelerator efficiency
Jahn, R. G.↗
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Energy transfer from a pulse network to a propagating current sheet
Energy transfer from pulse network to mass associated with propagating current sheet in linear pinch discharge, discussing pulsed plasma accelerator efficiency
Jahn, R. G.↗
Models of subjective response to in-flight motion data
Mathematical relationships between subjective comfort and environmental variables in an air transportation system are investigated. As a first step in model building, only the motion variables are incorporated and sensitivities are obtained using stepwise multiple regression analysis. The data for these models have been collected from commercial passenger flights. Two models are considered. In the first, subjective comfort is assumed to depend on rms values of the six-degrees-of-freedom accelerations. The second assumes a Rustenburg type human response function in obtaining frequency weighted rms accelerations, which are used in a linear model. The form of the human response function is examined and the results yield a human response weighting function for different degrees of freedom.
Rudrapatna, A. N.↗
Relation between perception of vertical axis rotation and vestibulo-ocular reflex symmetry
Subjects seated in a vertical axis rotation chair controlled their rotational velocity by adjusting a potentiometer. Their goal was to null out pseudorandom rotational perturbations in order to remain perceptually stationary. Most subjects showed a slow linear drift of velocity (a constant acceleration) to one side when they were deprived of an earth-fixed visual reference. The amplitude and direction of this drift can be considered a measure of a static bias in the subject's perception of rotation. The presence of a perceptual bias is consistent with a small, constant imbalance of vestibular function which could be of either central or peripheral origin. Deviations from perfect vestibulocular reflex (VOR) symmetry are also assumed to be related to imbalances in either peripheral or central vestibular function. Researchers looked for correlations between perceptual bias and various measures of vestibular reflex symmetry that might suggest a common source for both reflective and perceptual imbalances. No correlations were found. Measurement errors could not account for these results since repeated tests on the same subjects of both perceptual bias and VOR symmetry were well correlated.
Peterka, Robert J.↗
Relation between perception of vertical axis rotation and vestibulo-ocular reflex symmetry
Subjects seated in a vertical axis rotation chair controlled their rotational velocity by adjusting a potentiometer. Their goal was to null out pseudorandom rotational perturbations in order to remain perceptually stationary. Most subjects showed a slow linear drift of velocity (a constant acceleration) to one side when they were deprived of an earth-fixed visual reference. The amplitude and direction of this drift can be considered a measure of a static bias in the subject's perception of rotation. The presence of a perceptual bias is consistent with a small, constant imbalance of vestibular function which could be of either central or peripheral origin. Deviations from perfect vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) symmetry are also assumed to be related to imbalances in either peripheral or central vestibular function. Researchers looked for correlations between perceptual bias and various measures of vestibular reflex symmetry that might suggest a common source for both reflective and perceptual imbalances. No correlations were found. Measurement errors could not account for these results since repeated tests on the same subjects of both perceptual bias and VOR symmetry were well correlated.
Peterka, Robert J.↗
Modal Correction Method For Dynamically Induced Errors In Wind-Tunnel Model Attitude Measurements
This paper describes a method for correcting the dynamically induced bias errors in wind tunnel model attitude measurements using measured modal properties of the model system. At NASA Langley Research Center, the predominant instrumentation used to measure model attitude is a servo-accelerometer device that senses the model attitude with respect to the local vertical. Under smooth wind tunnel operating conditions, this inertial device can measure the model attitude with an accuracy of 0.01 degree. During wind tunnel tests when the model is responding at high dynamic amplitudes, the inertial device also senses the centrifugal acceleration associated with model vibration. This centrifugal acceleration results in a bias error in the model attitude measurement. A study of the response of a cantilevered model system to a simulated dynamic environment shows significant bias error in the model attitude measurement can occur and is vibration mode and amplitude dependent. For each vibration mode contributing to the bias error, the error is estimated from the measured modal properties and tangential accelerations at the model attitude device. Linear superposition is used to combine the bias estimates for individual modes to determine the overall bias error as a function of time. The modal correction model predicts the bias error to a high degree of accuracy for the vibration modes characterized in the simulated dynamic environment.
Buehrle, R. D.↗
Loci-STREAM Version 0.9
Loci-STREAM is an evolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software tool for simulating possibly chemically reacting, possibly unsteady flows in diverse settings, including rocket engines, turbomachines, oil refineries, etc. Loci-STREAM implements a pressure- based flow-solving algorithm that utilizes unstructured grids. (The benefit of low memory usage by pressure-based algorithms is well recognized by experts in the field.) The algorithm is robust for flows at all speeds from zero to hypersonic. The flexibility of arbitrary polyhedral grids enables accurate, efficient simulation of flows in complex geometries, including those of plume-impingement problems. The present version - Loci-STREAM version 0.9 - includes an interface with the Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) library for access to enhanced linear-equation-solving programs therein that accelerate convergence toward a solution. The name "Loci" reflects the creation of this software within the Loci computational framework, which was developed at Mississippi State University for the primary purpose of simplifying the writing of complex multidisciplinary application programs to run in distributed-memory computing environments including clusters of personal computers. Loci has been designed to relieve application programmers of the details of programming for distributed-memory computers.
Wright, Jeffrey↗
Acceleration and Velocity Sensing from Measured Strain
A simple approach for computing acceleration and velocity of a structure from the strain is proposed in this study. First, deflection and slope of the structure are computed from the strain using a two-step theory. Frequencies of the structure are computed from the time histories of strain using a parameter estimation technique together with an autoregressive moving average model. From deflection, slope, and frequencies of the structure, acceleration and velocity of the structure can be obtained using the proposed approach. Simple harmonic motion is assumed for the acceleration computations, and the central difference equation with a linear autoregressive model is used for the computations of velocity. A cantilevered rectangular wing model is used to validate the simple approach. Quality of the computed deflection, acceleration, and velocity values are independent of the number of fibers. The central difference equation with a linear autoregressive model proposed in this study follows the target response with reasonable accuracy. Therefore, the handicap of the backward difference equation, phase shift, is successfully overcome.
shape sensing↗
Ion acceleration in a plasma focus
The electric and magnetic fields associated with anomalous diffusion to the axis of a linear plasma discharge are used to compute representative ion trajectories. Substantial axial acceleration of the ions is demonstrated.
Gary, S. P.↗
Time-optimal Aircraft Pursuit-evasion with a Weapon Envelope Constraint
The optimal pursuit-evasion problem between two aircraft including a realistic weapon envelope is analyzed using differential game theory. Six order nonlinear point mass vehicle models are employed and the inclusion of an arbitrary weapon envelope geometry is allowed. The performance index is a linear combination of flight time and the square of the vehicle acceleration. Closed form solution to this high-order differential game is then obtained using feedback linearization. The solution is in the form of a feedback guidance law together with a quartic polynomial for time-to-go. Due to its modest computational requirements, this nonlinear guidance law is useful for on-board real-time implementation.
Menon, P. K. A.↗
Creation of high-energy electron tails by means of the modified two-stream instability
Particle simulations of the modified two-stream instability demonstrate strong electron acceleration rather than bulk heating when the relative drift speed is below a critical speed Vc. A very interesting nonlinear mode transition and autoresonance acceleration process is observed which accelerates the electrons much above the phase speed of the linearly unstable modes. Simple criteria are presented that predict the value of Vc and the number density of the accelerated electrons.
Tanaka, M.↗
Manipulator control by exact linearization
Comments on the application to rigid link manipulators of geometric control theory, resolved acceleration control, operational space control, and nonlinear decoupling theory are given, and the essential unity of these techniques for externally linearizing and decoupling end effector dynamics is discussed. Exploiting the fact that the mass matrix of a rigid link manipulator is positive definite, a consequence of rigid link manipulators belonging to the class of natural physical systems, it is shown that a necessary and sufficient condition for a locally externally linearizing and output decoupling feedback law to exist is that the end effector Jacobian matrix be nonsingular. Furthermore, this linearizing feedback is easy to produce.
Kruetz, K.↗
Shock propagation and the generation of magnetohydrodynamic wave fields in inhomogeneous molecular clouds
We develop a simple one-dimensional model for the interaction of a steady, thin, planar shock wave with a nonrigid cloud which may be in motion relative to the surrounding medium, and we apply the model to shocks impinging on, and propagating through, molecular clouds. Both 'adiabatic' (gamma = 5/3) and radiative (gamma = 1) shocks are considered and we allow for the presence of a uniform magnetic field directed either parallel or perpendicular to the shock normal. The former field orientation is equivalent to the hydrodynamic case, and the latter involves only fast MHD shocks. We focus on the manner in which such shocks can generate internal kinetic motions in the cloud on a range of size and density scales through the direct acceleration of cores and clumps by shocks transmitted into them and through the generation of an MHD wavefield via the reflection of the incident shock at clump boundaries. We find that stronger incident Mach numbers and smaller density contrasts lead to more efficient cloud acceleration, as do isothermal intercloud shocks and small intercloud magnetic field strengths. The acceleration efficiency is insensitive to the adiabatic index and the magnetic field strength in the cloud itself. For typical parameter choices, the direct acceleration of clouds and clumps by strong shocks is found to be substantial and could at least in part account for their observed velocity dispersions. If the shocks are moderately weak, the final velocity of the cloud is linearly related to its initial velocity, with higher acceleration giving shallower slopes (i.e., final velocity distributions which are less sensitive to the initial distribution). Compared to the kinetic energy of the postshock cloud, the energy given to the wavefield at each encounter is small, and the heating of the interclump medium by the dissipation of this wavefield is found to be insufficient to balance the cooling rate in the cloud as a whole (although it may be important in particular regions), even if this medium is warm, unless it is also extremely tenuous (n approximately less than 0.1/cu cm). Nevertheless, the correction for the velocity imparted to the cloud leads to a substantial increase in the critical incident Mach numner for wave emission over that reported by Spitzer for the rigid case. The implications of our model for shock-induced star formation are discussed briefly.
Miesch, Mark S.↗
Impairment of Human Ocular Tracking with Low-Dose Alcohol
Previous studies have documented adverse effects of alcohol on oculomotor performance. For example, moderate-dose alcohol (yielding a Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC of 0.04-0.1%) has been shown to decrease steady-state pursuit gain (Fransson et al., 2010, Clin Neurophysiol, 121(12): 2134; Moser et al., 1998, J Neurol, 245(8): 542; Roche & King, 2010, Psychopharmacology, 212(1): 33), to increase saccade latency (Moser et al., 1998, J Neurol, 245(8): 542; Roche & King, 2010, Psychopharmacology, 212(1): 33), to decrease peak saccadic velocity (Fransson et al., 2010, Clin Neurophysiol, 121(12): 2134; Roche & King, 2010, Psychopharmacology, 212(1): 33), and to increase the frequency of catch-up saccades (Moser et al., 1998, J Neurol, 245(8): 542). Here, we administered two doses of ethanol on different days, yielding moderate (0.06%) and low (0.02%) levels of initial BAC, to examine the effects on human ocular tracking over BACs ranging from 0.00 to 0.07%. Twelve subjects (8 females) participated in a 5-day study. Three days of at-home measurements of daily activity and sleep were monitored, followed by two laboratory days where, ~5 hours after awakening, we administered one of the two possible single doses of alcohol. Using a previously published paradigm (Liston & Stone, 2014, J Vis, 14(14): 12), we measured oculomotor performance multiple times throughout the day with three pre-dosing baseline runs and bi-hourly post-dosing test runs until the subject recorded a BAC of 0.00% for two hours. BAC was measured before each run using an Alco-Sensor IV breathalyzer (Intoximeters, Inc., St. Louis, MO). For each of the oculometric measures, for each subject, we computed the within-subject % deviation for each test run from their baseline averaged across their three pre-dosing runs. We then averaged the data across subjects in 0.01% BAC bins. Finally, we used linear regression to compute the slope and x-intercept (threshold) of the mean binned % deviation as a function of BAC. We found that pursuit initiation was impaired at very low BAC levels, with significant (p < 0.002) linear trends in latency (+1.3%/0.01%BAC) and initial acceleration (-4.6%/0.01%BAC) with extrapolated absolute thresholds at or below 0.01% BAC. We also found that steady-state tracking was impaired showing significant (p < 0.002) linear trends in gain (- 3.8%/0.01%BAC) and catch-up saccade amplitude (+9.1%/0.01%BAC), again with extrapolated absolute thresholds around 0.01% BAC. We also found a significant (p < 0.02) increase in pursuit direction noise (+9.8%/0.01%BAC) with an extrapolated absolute threshold below 0.01% BAC. Many aspects of ocular tracking are impaired in a dose-dependent manner beginning at a BAC level around 0.01%, with significant effects at levels lower than previously reported and up to 8-times lower than the legal limit for driving in most states.
human performance↗
A technique for optimal final value control of powered flight trajectories.
Technique for controlling acceleration vector along powered flight trajectory, using linear perturbation method
TRAJECTORY CONTROL↗
Minimum time acceleration of aircraft turbofan engines by using an algorithm based on nonlinear programming
Minimum time accelerations of aircraft turbofan engines are presented. The calculation of these accelerations was made by using a piecewise linear engine model, and an algorithm based on nonlinear programming. Use of this model and algorithm allows such trajectories to be readily calculated on a digital computer with a minimal expenditure of computer time.
Teren, F.↗
Knolle Magnetrans: A magnetically levitated train system
The Knolle Magnetrans is a continuous transportation system featuring small cars traveling in rapid succession, levitated by permanent magnets in repulsion, and propelled by stationary linear induction motors. The vehicles' headway, speed, acceleration, and deceleration are designed into the system and mechanically enforced. Passengers board dynamically and controls consist of a simple on-off relay. This paper summarizes the system design goals, describes the system components and discusses related environmental issues.
Knolle, Ernst G.↗
Turbulent transport in the solar nebula
This paper describes the current state of an ongoing project to simulate turbulent flow in a solar nebula, which is the flattened disk of dust and gas out of which a solar system forms. The goal of this project is to determine a model for the transport of mass and angular momentum in the nebula. The nebula flow exhibits compressibility, thermal conduction, viscosity, internal heating through viscous dissipation, a stable shear due to Keplerian rotation, and a gravitational acceleration in the vertical direction which is linear with altitude. These properties combine to give flow patterns not seen in terrestrial applications. Primordial solar systems are known to exist and are presumably undergoing an evolution similar to the early stages of our own solar system; for example, the IRAS infrared telescope has discovered such a protoplanetary system around the star Vega. Solar nebula evolution is the subject of much research in the astrophysical community. In the long run, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of planetary formation and the processes which dissipate the solar nebula with time.
Thompson, K. W.↗