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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 397 records · Page 22

Lumped-Parameter Representation of Wind Tunnel

Mathematical model of proposed wind-tunnel facility represents wind-tunnel circuit and associated equipment in terms of lumped-parameter components. Requires less computational effort and computing time than full three-dimensional aerodynamic computer analysis of system with many volume elements. Approximates distributed nature of wind tunnel well enough to simulate steady-state and transient behavior for analysis of proposed control subsystems and for training of operators. Lumped-parameter circuit model represents wind tunnel and associated equipment. Implemented on analog or digital computers to simulate wind-tunnel performance without risk to operators or equipment.

Krosel, Susan M.↗

1-D Transient Thermal Modeling of an Ablative Material (MCC-1) Exposed to a Simulated Convective Titan 4 Launch Environment

The purpose of the work is to demonstrate that the flat test panel substrate temperatures are consistent with analysis predictions for MCC-1 applied to a aluminum substrate. The testing was performed in an aerothermal facility on samples of three different thicknesses of MCC-1 on an aluminum substrate. The results of the test were compared with a Transient Thermal model. The key assumptions of the Transient Thermal model were: (1) a one-dimensional heat transfer; (2) a constant ablation recession rate (determined from pre and post-test measurements); (3) ablation temperature of 540 degrees F; (4) Char left behind the ablation front; and (5) temperature jump correction for incident heat transfer coefficient. Two methods were used to model the heating of bare MCC-1: (1) Directly input surface temperature as a function of time; and (2) Aerothermal heating using calibration plate data and subtracting the radiation losses to tunnel walls. The results are presented as graphs. This article is presented in Viewgraph format.

Reinarts, Thomas R.↗

Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. II - Shell and three-dimensional simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element solution strategy is developed to handle traveling load problems in rolling, moving and rotating structure. The main thrust of this section consists of the development of three-dimensional and shell type moving elements. In conjunction with this work, a compatible three-dimensional contact strategy is also developed. Based on these modeling capabilities, extensive analytical and experimental benchmarking is presented. Such testing includes traveling loads in rotating structure as well as low- and high-speed rolling contact involving standing wave-type response behavior. These point to the excellent modeling capabilities of moving element strategies.

Kennedy, Ronald↗

Model of the Radio Frequency (RF) Excitation Response from Monopole and Dipole Antennas in a Large Scale Tank

Good antenna-mode coupling is needed for determining the amount of propellant in a tank through the method of radio frequency mass gauging (RFMG). The antenna configuration and position in a tank are important factors in coupling the antenna to the natural electromagnetic modes. In this study, different monopole and dipole antenna mounting configurations and positions were modeled and responses simulated in a full-scale tank model with the transient solver of CST Microwave Studio (CST Computer Simulation Technology of America, Inc.). The study was undertaken to qualitatively understand the effect of antenna design and placement within a tank on the resulting radio frequency (RF) tank spectrum.

Wilson, Jeffrey D.↗

Controlled multibody dynamics simulation for large space structures

Multibody dynamics discipline, and dynamic simulation in control structure interaction (CSI) design are discussed. The use, capabilities, and architecture of the Large Angle Transient Dynamics (LATDYN) code as a simulation tool are explained. A generic joint body with various types of hinge connections; finite element and element coordinate systems; results of a flexible beam spin-up on a plane; mini-mast deployment; space crane and robotic slewing manipulations; a potential CSI test article; and multibody benchmark experiments are also described.

Housner, J. M.↗

Effect of Impact Location on the Response of Shuttle Wing Leading Edge Panel 9

The objective of this paper is to compare the results of several simulations performed to determine the worst-case location for a foam impact on the Space Shuttle wing leading edge. The simulations were performed using the commercial non-linear transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA. These simulations represent the first in a series of parametric studies performed to support the selection of the worst-case impact scenario. Panel 9 was selected for this study to enable comparisons with previous simulations performed during the Columbia Accident Investigation. The projectile for this study is a 5.5-in cube of typical external tank foam weighing 0.23 lb. Seven locations spanning the panel surface were impacted with the foam cube. For each of these cases, the foam was traveling at 1000 ft/s directly aft, along the orbiter X-axis. Results compared from the parametric studies included strains, contact forces, and material energies for various simulations. The results show that the worst case impact location was on the top surface, near the apex.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

Enhancement of an Electrified Tilt-Wing Propulsion System using Turbine Electrified Energy Management

Hybrid gas-electric aircraft propulsion architectures provide flexibility in the way that power and energy is managed when compared to their traditional pure-gas counterparts. In this paper, investigations are conducted for the impact this added flexibility has on the operability of turbomachinery. Specifically, the Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) concept is applied. It takes a controls approach to improving operability of the turbomachinery by utilizing electric hardware. In this paper, TEEM is applied to a propulsion system for a 15 passenger vertical lift concept vehicle. This is the first application of TEEM to a turbine engine that generates power. The study establishes TEEM as being applicable to this smaller thrust/power class of air transportation vehicle and explores how power can be otherwise managed in the propulsion system to benefit the aircraft. The simulation study demonstrates significant improvements in transient operability that expands the engine design space to enable a more efficient and lighter weight engine design. Simulation results also demonstrate tighter regulation of the power turbine and rotor speeds, a slight decrease in bulk fuel burn, and an increase in the maximum thrust of ~7%. This is achieved through the power management control strategy and modestly sized electric machines with re usable energy storage.

Turbine Electrified Energy Management↗

Enhancement of an Electrified Tilt-Wing Propulsion System using Turbine Electrified Energy Management

Hybrid gas-electric aircraft propulsion architectures provide flexibility in the way that power and energy is managed when compared to their traditional pure-gas counterparts. In this paper, investigations are conducted for the impact this added flexibility has on the operability of turbomachinery. Specifically, the Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) concept is applied. It takes a controls approach to improving operability of the turbomachinery by utilizing electric hardware. In this paper, TEEM is applied to a propulsion system for a 15 passenger vertical lift concept vehicle. This is the first application of TEEM to a turbine engine that generates power. The study establishes TEEM as being applicable to this smaller thrust/power class of air transportation vehicle and explore show power can be otherwise managed in the propulsion system to benefit the aircraft. The simulation study demonstrates significant improvements in transient operability that expands the engine design space to enable a more efficient and lighter-weight engine design. Simulation results also demonstrate tighter regulation of the power turbine and rotor speeds, a slight decrease in bulk fuel burn, and an increase in the maximum thrust of ~7%. This is achieved through the power management control strategy and modestly sized electric machines with re-usable energy storage.

Turbine Electrified Energy Management↗

Statistical modeling of software reliability

This working paper discusses the statistical simulation part of a controlled software development experiment being conducted under the direction of the System Validation Methods Branch, Information Systems Division, NASA Langley Research Center. The experiment uses guidance and control software (GCS) aboard a fictitious planetary landing spacecraft: real-time control software operating on a transient mission. Software execution is simulated to study the statistical aspects of reliability and other failure characteristics of the software during development, testing, and random usage. Quantification of software reliability is a major goal. Various reliability concepts are discussed. Experiments are described for performing simulations and collecting appropriate simulated software performance and failure data. This data is then used to make statistical inferences about the quality of the software development and verification processes as well as inferences about the reliability of software versions and reliability growth under random testing and debugging.

Miller, Douglas R.↗

Parameter Dependencies of Early-Stage Tangential Discontinuity-Driven Foreshock Bubbles in Local Hybrid Simulations

Foreshock bubbles (FBs) are significant foreshock transients that can accelerate particles and disturb the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. In the kinetic formation model, foreshock ions interact with the discontinuity by performing partial gyrations to generate currents that change the magnetic field topology around the discontinuity. However, how different foreshock ion properties affect the growth of the field variations is not well understood. Therefore, we use 2-D local hybrid simulations to study the effects of different foreshock ion distributions and properties on the growth of tangential discontinuity (TD)-driven FBs. We discover that for a gyrophase-bunched distribution with an initial phase where the guiding center is on the other side of the TD, the foreshock ions gyrate together across the TD, causing more foreshock ions to cross the TD and leading to a faster expansion of the structure than for a Maxwellian distribution. A ring distribution also yields higher expansion speeds because of the higher projected velocity into the new perpendicular direction. For Maxwellian distributions, there are positive and linear correlations of the FB expansion speeds with the initial foreshock ion densities, thermal speeds, parallel speeds, and sine of the TD magnetic shear angles. These parameter dependencies grow in strength as the structures evolve with time. The foreshock ion distributions and properties that lead to stronger currents produce more significant magnetic field variations and higher expansion speeds. Our study helps quantify the formation and expansion of FBs to forecast their space weather effects and contribution to shock acceleration.

Andrew Vu↗

The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Programme: Modelling Selection Efficiency and Observed Core-collapse Supernova Contamination

The analysis of current and future cosmological surveys of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at high redshift depends on the accuratephotometric classification of the SN events detected. Generating realistic simulations of photometric SN surveys constitutes anessential step for training and testing photometric classification algorithms, and for correcting biases introduced by selectioneffects and contamination arising from core-collapse SNe in the photometric SN Ia samples. We use published SN time-seriesspectrophotometric templates, rates, luminosity functions, and empirical relationships between SNe and their host galaxies toconstruct a framework for simulating photometric SN surveys. We present this framework in the context of the Dark EnergySurvey (DES) 5-yr photometric SN sample, comparing our simulations of DES with the observed DES transient populations.We demonstrate excellent agreement in many distributions, including Hubble residuals, between our simulations and data.We estimate the core collapse fraction expected in the DES SN sample after selection requirements are applied and beforephotometric classification. After testing different modelling choices and astrophysical assumptions underlying our simulation,we find that the predicted contamination varies from 7.2 to 11.7 per cent, with an average of 8.8 per cent and an r.m.s. of 1.1 percent. Our simulations are the first to reproduce the observed photometric SN and host galaxy properties in high-redshift surveyswithout fine-tuning the input parameters. The simulation methods presented here will be a critical component of the cosmologyanalysis of the DES photometric SN Ia sample: correcting for biases arising from contamination, and evaluating the associatedsystematic uncertainty.

M Vincenzi↗

An Investigation of the Ability to Recover from Transients Following Failures for Single-Pilot Rotorcraft

A moving-base simulation was conducted to investigate a pilot's ability to recover from transients following single-axis hard-over failures of the flight-control system. The investigation was performed in conjunction with a host simulation that examined the influence of control modes on a single pilot's ability to perform various mission elements under high-workload conditions. The NASA Ames large-amplitude-motion Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) was utilized, and the experimental variables were the failure axis, the severity of the failure, and the airspeed at which the failure occurred. Other factors, such as pilot workload and terrain and obstacle proximity at the time of failure, were kept as constant as possible within the framework of the host simulation task scenarios. No explicit failure warnings were presented to the pilot. Data from the experiment are shown, and pilot ratings are compared with the proposed handling-qualities requirements for military rotorcraft. Results indicate that the current proposed failure transient requirements may need revision.

Mansur, M. Hossein↗

Sensitivity Equation Derivation for Transient Heat Transfer Problems

The focus of the paper is on the derivation of sensitivity equations for transient heat transfer problems modeled by different discretization processes. Two examples will be used in this study to facilitate the discussion. The first example is a coupled, transient heat transfer problem that simulates the press molding process in fabrication of composite laminates. These state equations are discretized into standard h-version finite elements and solved by a multiple step, predictor-corrector scheme. The sensitivity analysis results based upon the direct and adjoint variable approaches will be presented. The second example is a nonlinear transient heat transfer problem solved by a p-version time-discontinuous Galerkin's Method. The resulting matrix equation of the state equation is simply in the form of Ax = b, representing a single step, time marching scheme. A direct differentiation approach will be used to compute the thermal sensitivities of a sample 2D problem.

Hou, Gene↗

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Ablative Thermal Response and Thermostructural Design of Thermal Protection Systems

A finite element ablation and thermal response program is presented for simulation of three-dimensional transient thermostructural analysis. The three-dimensional governing differential equations and finite element formulation are summarized. A novel probabilistic design methodology for thermal protection systems is presented. The design methodology is an eight step process beginning with a parameter sensitivity study and is followed by a deterministic analysis whereby an optimum design can determined. The design process concludes with a Monte Carlo simulation where the probabilities of exceeding design specifications are estimated. The design methodology is demonstrated by applying the methodology to the carbon phenolic compression pads of the Crew Exploration Vehicle. The maximum allowed values of bondline temperature and tensile stress are used as the design specifications in this study.

Dec, John A.↗

Simulation of Aircraft Landing Gears with a Nonlinear Dynamic Finite Element Code

Recent advances in computational speed have made aircraft and spacecraft crash simulations using an explicit, nonlinear, transient-dynamic, finite element analysis code more feasible. This paper describes the development of a simple landing gear model, which accurately simulates the energy absorbed by the gear without adding substantial complexity to the model. For a crash model, the landing gear response is approximated with a spring where the force applied to the fuselage is computed in a user-written subroutine. Helicopter crash simulations using this approach are compared with previously acquired experimental data from a full-scale crash test of a composite helicopter.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

CME Flux Rope and Shock Identifications and Locations: Comparison of White Light Data, Graduated Cylindrical Shell Model, and MHD Simulations

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are major transient phenomena in the solar corona that are observed with ground-based and spacecraft-based coronagraphs in white light or with in situ measurements by spacecraft. CMEs transport mass and momentum and often drive shocks. In order to derive the CME and shock trajectories with high precision, we apply the graduated cylindrical shell (GCS) model to fit a flux rope to the CME directed toward STEREO A after about 19:00 UT on 29 November 2013 and check the quality of the heliocentric distance-time evaluations by carrying out a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the same CME with the Block Adaptive Tree Solar-Wind Roe Upwind Scheme (BATS-R-US) code. Heliocentric distances of the CME and shock leading edges are determined from the simulated white light images and magnetic field strength data. We find very good agreement between the predicted and observed heliocentric distances, showing that the GCS model and the BATS-R-US simulation approach work very well and are consistent. In order to assess the validity of CME and shock identification criteria in coronagraph images, we also compute synthetic white light images of the CME and shock. We find that the outer edge of a cloud-like illuminated area in the observed and predicted images in fact coincides with the leading edge of the CME flux rope and that the outer edge of a faint illuminated band in front of the CME leading edge coincides with the CME-driven shock front.

Schmidt, J. M.↗