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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Attitude determination using an adaptive multiple model filtering Scheme

Attitude determination has been considered as a permanent topic of active research and perhaps remaining as a forever-lasting interest for spacecraft system designers. Its role is to provide a reference for controls such as pointing the directional antennas or solar panels, stabilizing the spacecraft or maneuvering the spacecraft to a new orbit. Least Square Estimation (LSE) technique was utilized to provide attitude determination for the Nimbus 6 and G. Despite its poor performance (estimation accuracy consideration), LSE was considered as an effective and practical approach to meet the urgent need and requirement back in the 70's. One reason for this poor performance associated with the LSE scheme is the lack of dynamic filtering or 'compensation'. In other words, the scheme is based totally on the measurements and no attempts were made to model the dynamic equations of motion of the spacecraft. We propose an adaptive filtering approach which employs a bank of Kalman filters to perform robust attitude estimation. The proposed approach, whose architecture is depicted, is essentially based on the latest proof on the interactive multiple model design framework to handle the unknown of the system noise characteristics or statistics. The concept fundamentally employs a bank of Kalman filter or submodel, instead of using fixed values for the system noise statistics for each submodel (per operating condition) as the traditional multiple model approach does, we use an on-line dynamic system noise identifier to 'identify' the system noise level (statistics) and update the filter noise statistics using 'live' information from the sensor model. The advanced noise identifier, whose architecture is also shown, is implemented using an advanced system identifier. To insure the robust performance for the proposed advanced system identifier, it is also further reinforced by a learning system which is implemented (in the outer loop) using neural networks to identify other unknown quantities such as spacecraft dynamics parameters, gyro biases, dynamic disturbances, or environment variations.

Lam, Quang↗
NASA NTRS1995

A numerical study of fundamental shock noise mechanisms

The results of this thesis demonstrate that direct numerical simulation can predict sound generation in unsteady aerodynamic flows containing shock waves. Shock waves can be significant sources of sound in high speed jet flows, on helicopter blades, and in supersonic combustion inlets. Direct computation of sound permits the prediction of noise levels in the preliminary design stage and can be used as a tool to focus experimental studies, thereby reducing cost and increasing the probability of a successfully quiet product in less time. This thesis reveals and investigates two mechanisms fundamental to sound generation by shocked flows: shock motion and shock deformation. Shock motion is modeled by the interaction of a sound wave with a shock. During the interaction, the shock wave begins to move and the sound pressure is amplified as the wave passes through the shock. The numerical approach presented in this thesis is validated by the comparison of results obtained in a quasi-one dimensional simulation with linear theory. Analysis of the perturbation energy demonstrated for the first time that acoustic energy is generated by the interaction. Shock deformation is investigated by the numerical simulation of a ring vortex interacting with a shock. This interaction models the passage of turbulent structures through the shock wave. The simulation demonstrates that both acoustic waves and contact surfaces are generated downstream during the interaction. Analysis demonstrates that the acoustic wave spreads cylindrically, that the sound intensity is highly directional, and that the sound pressure level increases significantly with increasing shock strength. The effect of shock strength on sound pressure level is consistent with experimental observations of shock noise, indicating that the interaction of a ring vortex with a shock wave correctly models a dominant mechanism of shock noise generation.

Meadows, Kristine R.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Simultaneous Active Source Control of Blade Row Interaction Generated Discrete Tones

Unsteady blade row interactions in turbomachines generate discrete-frequency tones at blade pass frequency and its harmonics. Specific circumferential acoustic modes are generated. However, only certain of these modes propagate upstream and downstream to the far field, with these the discrete frequency noise received by an observer. This paper is directed at experimentally demonstrating the viability of active noise control utilizing active airfoils to generate propagating spatial modes that interact with and simultaneously cancel the upstream and downstream propagating acoustic modes. This is accomplished by means of fundamental experiments performed in the Purdue Annular Cascade Research Facility configured with 16 rotor blades and 18 stator vanes. At blade pass frequency, only the k(sub 0) = -2 spatial mode propagates. Significant simultaneous noise reductions are achieved for these upstream and downstream propagating spatial modes over a wide range of operating conditions.

Sawyer, Scott↗
NASA NTRS2004

Accreting Neutron Stars as Astrophysical Laboratories

In the last year, we have made an extremely important breakthrough in establishing the relationship between thermonuclear burst oscillations in accreting neutron stars and the stellar spin. More broadly, we have continued t o make significant scientific progress in all four of the key focus areas identified in our original proposal: (1) the disk-magnetosphere interaction in neutron stars, (2) rapid variability in accreting neutron stars, (3) physics of accretion flows, and (4) fundamental properties of neutron stars. A list of all publications that have arising from this work since the start of our program is given.

Chakrabarty, Deepto↗
NASA NTRS2008

Interactive Inverse Design Optimization of Fuselage Shape for Low-Boom Supersonic Concepts

This paper introduces a tool called BOSS (Boom Optimization using Smoothest Shape modifications). BOSS utilizes interactive inverse design optimization to develop a fuselage shape that yields a low-boom aircraft configuration. A fundamental reason for developing BOSS is the need to generate feasible low-boom conceptual designs that are appropriate for further refinement using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based preliminary design methods. BOSS was not developed to provide a numerical solution to the inverse design problem. Instead, BOSS was intended to help designers find the right configuration among an infinite number of possible configurations that are equally good using any numerical figure of merit. BOSS uses the smoothest shape modification strategy for modifying the fuselage radius distribution at 100 or more longitudinal locations to find a smooth fuselage shape that reduces the discrepancies between the design and target equivalent area distributions over any specified range of effective distance. For any given supersonic concept (with wing, fuselage, nacelles, tails, and/or canards), a designer can examine the differences between the design and target equivalent areas, decide which part of the design equivalent area curve needs to be modified, choose a desirable rate for the reduction of the discrepancies over the specified range, and select a parameter for smoothness control of the fuselage shape. BOSS will then generate a fuselage shape based on the designer's inputs in a matter of seconds. Using BOSS, within a few hours, a designer can either generate a realistic fuselage shape that yields a supersonic configuration with a low-boom ground signature or quickly eliminate any configuration that cannot achieve low-boom characteristics with fuselage shaping alone. A conceptual design case study is documented to demonstrate how BOSS can be used to develop a low-boom supersonic concept from a low-drag supersonic concept. The paper also contains a study on how perturbations in the equivalent area distribution affect the ground signature shape and how new target area distributions for low-boom signatures can be constructed using superposition of equivalent area distributions derived from the Seebass-George-Darden (SGD) theory.

Li, Wu↗
NASA NTRS2012

Principles to Products: Toward Realizing MOS 2.0

This is a report on the Operations Revitalization Initiative, part of the ongoing NASA-funded Advanced Multi-Mission Operations Systems (AMMOS) program. We are implementing products that significantly improve efficiency and effectiveness of Mission Operations Systems (MOS) for deep-space missions. We take a multi-mission approach, in keeping with our organization's charter to "provide multi-mission tools and services that enable mission customers to operate at a lower total cost to NASA." Focusing first on architectural fundamentals of the MOS, we review the effort's progress. In particular, we note the use of stakeholder interactions and consideration of past lessons learned to motivate a set of Principles that guide the evolution of the AMMOS. Thus guided, we have created essential patterns and connections (detailed in companion papers) that are explicitly modeled and support elaboration at multiple levels of detail (system, sub-system, element...) throughout a MOS. This architecture is realized in design and implementation products that provide lifecycle support to a Mission at the system and subsystem level. The products include adaptable multi-mission engineering documentation that describes essentials such as operational concepts and scenarios, requirements, interfaces and agreements, information models, and mission operations processes. Because we have adopted a model-based system engineering method, these documents and their contents are meaningfully related to one another and to the system model. This means they are both more rigorous and reusable (from mission to mission) than standard system engineering products. The use of models also enables detailed, early (e.g., formulation phase) insight into the impact of changes (e.g., to interfaces or to software) that is rigorous and complete, allowing better decisions on cost or technical trades. Finally, our work provides clear and rigorous specification of operations needs to software developers, further enabling significant gains in productivity.

AMMOS↗
NASA NTRS2021

Planetary Boundary Layer Height Estimates From ICESat-2 and CATS Backscatter Measurements

The lowest layer of the atmosphere in which all human activity occurs is called the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). All physical interactions with the surface, such as heat and moisture transport, pollution dispersion and transport happen in this relatively shallow layer. The ability to understand and model the complex interactions that occur in the PBL is very important to air quality, weather prediction and climate modeling. A fundamental and physically important property of the PBL is its thickness or height. This work presents two methods to obtain global PBL height using satellite lidar data from the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) and the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS). The first method is a straightforward backscatter threshold technique and the second is a machine learning approach known as a Convolutional Neural Network. The PBL height retrievals from the two methods are compared with each other and with PBL height from the NASA GEOS MERRA-2 reanalysis. The lidar-retrieved PBL heights have a high degree of spatial correlation with the model heights but are generally higher over ocean (∼400 m) and over northern hemisphere high latitude regions (∼1,000 m). Over mid-latitude and tropical land areas, the satellite estimated PBL heights agree well with model mid-day estimates. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using satellite lidar backscatter measurements to obtain global PBL height estimates, as well as determining seasonal and regional variability of PBL height.

Stephen P Palm↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

3d Particle Geometry Characterization of Apollo Regolith Samples Via Laser Diffraction and Dynamic Image Analysis

Establishing a fundamental understanding of regolith mechanics hinges on the characterization of the foundational physical parameters that dictate granular particle interactions both on micro- and macro-scales. Specifically, particle size distribution, particle geometry and grain density govern the geotechnical properties, including compressibility, shear strength, hydraulic conductivity (i.e., permeability), void ratio (i.e., porosity), and thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith. The absence of terrestrial geologic processes on the lunar surface, a lack of water, clay minerals, and organic material in lunar soils, and the narrow compositional range in terms of mineral diversity of the regolith produces a unique problem when attempting to project terrestrial soil mechanics concepts to the lunar surface. Additionally, the occurrence of agglutinates, exclusive to the lunar surface, further disassociates the physical behavior (e.g., particle crushability, flowability, etc.) of regolith from that observed in terrestrial soils.

R. Kovtun↗
NASA NTRS2002

Particle Segregation in a Flowing Suspension Subject to High-Gradient Strong Electric Fields

The widespread use of electro-hydrodynamic devices and processes emphasizes a critical need for developing a comprehensive predictive theory capable of improving our fundamental understanding of the behavior of a suspension subject to an AC electric field and shear, and of facilitating the design and optimization of such devices. The currently favored approach to the qualitative interpretation of the AC field driven manipulation of suspensions is based on a model which considers only the force exerted on a single particle by an external field and neglects the field-induced and hydrodynamic interparticle interactions both being inversely proportional to the interparticle distance raised to the power three. On the other hand, the purpose of the field-induced separation is to concentrate particles in certain regions of a device. This clearly raises the fundamental question regarding the extent to which we can neglect these slow decaying electrical and hydrodynamic collective interactions and rely on the predictions of a single-particle model. Another important issue that still remains open is how to characterize the polarization of a particle exposed to a strong electric field. The presentation will address both these questions. Experiments were conducted in a parallel-plate channel in which a 10(exp -3) (v/v) suspension of heavy, positively polarized Al2O3 spheres was exposed to an AC field under conditions such that the field lines were arranged in the channel cross-section perpendicular to the streamlines of the main flow. To reduce the effects of the gravitational settling of the particles, the channel was slowly rotated (4 rpm) around a horizontal axis. Following the application of a high-gradient strong AC field (approx. kV/mm), the particles were found to move towards both the high-voltage (HV) and grounded (GR) electrodes and to form 'bristles' along their edges.

Acrivos, Andreas↗
NASA NTRS1973

Mechanics of wheel-soil interaction

An approximate theory for wheel-soil interaction is presented which forms the basis for a practical solution to the problem. It is shown that two fundamental observations render the problem determinate: (1) The line of action of the resultant of radial stresses acting at the wheel soil interface approximately bisects the wheel-soil contact angle for all values of slip. (2) A shear stress surface can be hypothesized. The influence of soil inertia forces is also evaluated. A concept of equivalent cohesion is introduced which allows a convenient experimental comparison for both cohesive and frictional soils. This theory compares favorably with previous analyses and experimental data, and shows that soil inertia forces influencing the motion of a rolling wheel can be significant.

Houland, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Geodetic and dynamical properties of planets

The study of planetary dynamics and geodesy is a difficult subject. This is so, not simply because of the complexity of the interactions between several scientific disciplines, including geophysics, geology, geochemistry, seismology, celestial mechanics, radar astronomy, and meteoritics, but perhaps more fundamentally, because of a lack of data. Although it is true that the space age has brought about important new observational techniques, which are responsible in large part for the rapid developments in planetary science over the past decade, and although we should expect to see significant progress in the field over the next few years, it is still a sad fact that data will be severely limited for an indefinite period of time in the future. The basic problem is that we can observe and study, at present, only one planetary system in the universe. This system, our solar system, contains only four major planets, five terrestrial planets, where we are inclined to include the moon but exclude Pluto, and a fairly limited collection of debris, presumably left over from some inadequately understood formation process. Thus it is impossible to base the study of planets on a significant statistical sample.

J. D.. Anderson↗
NASA NTRS1978

Prediction of nearfield jet entrainment by an interactive mixing/afterburning model

The development of a computational model (BOAT) for calculating nearfield jet entrainment, and its application to the prediction of nozzle boattail pressures, is discussed. BOAT accounts for the detailed turbulence and thermochemical processes occurring in the nearfield shear layers of jet engine (and rocket) exhaust plumes while interfacing with the inviscid exhaust and external flowfield regions in an overlaid, interactive manner. The ability of the model to analyze simple free shear flows is assessed by detailed comparisons with fundamental laboratory data. The overlaid methodology and the entrainment correction employed to yield the effective plume boundary conditions are assessed via application of BOAT in conjunction with the codes comprising the NASA/LRC patched viscous/inviscid model for determining nozzle boattail drag for subsonic/transonic external flows. Comparisons between the predictions and data on underexpanded laboratory cold air jets are presented.

Dash, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A computational model for the prediction of jet entrainment in the vicinity of nozzle boattails (the BOAT code)

The development of a computational model (BOAT) for calculating nearfield jet entrainment, and its incorporation in an existing methodology for the prediction of nozzle boattail pressures, is discussed. The model accounts for the detailed turbulence and thermochemical processes occurring in the mixing layer formed between a jet exhaust and surrounding external stream while interfacing with the inviscid exhaust and external flowfield regions in an overlaid, interactive manner. The ability of the BOAT model to analyze simple free shear flows is assessed by comparisons with fundamental laboratory data. The overlaid procedure for incorporating variable pressures into BOAT and the entrainment correction employed to yield an effective plume boundary for the inviscid external flow are demonstrated. This is accomplished via application of BOAT in conjunction with the codes comprising the NASA/LRC patched viscous/inviscid methodology for determining nozzle boattail drag for subsonic/transonic external flows.

Dash, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Report from the Transfer-Laser Working Group

Light absorbing molecules and lasing molecules were discussed with regard to satisfying the following criteria for blackbody transfer lasers: (1) Good absorbers of blackbody radiation at 1500-2000 K; (2) Near resonant energy transfer from the absorbing gas to the lasant, provided not too many quantum number changes are required; (3) Dipole-dipole interactions for most efficient energy transfer; (4) Exothermic forward transfer reaction; (5) Polyatomic lasant molecules with at least two fundamental vibrational modes to ensure one or more states between the upper laser level and the ground state; (6) Polyatomic lasant molecules should not be so large or so complex that fast V-V relaxation occurs; (7) Metastable upper laser level for maintaining inversion, at least with respect to radiative and V-V decay; (8) Fast V-V into the upper laser level and out of the lower laser level; and (9) Lasing wavelengths less than 10.6 microns. Possible combinations of absorbers and lasants satisfying these criteria were discussed.

Meador, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An introduction to three-dimensional climate modeling

The development and use of three-dimensional computer models of the earth's climate are discussed. The processes and interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, and sea ice are examined. The basic theory of climate simulation which includes the fundamental equations, models, and numerical techniques for simulating the atmosphere, oceans, and sea ice is described. Simulated wind, temperature, precipitation, ocean current, and sea ice distribution data are presented and compared to observational data. The responses of the climate to various environmental changes, such as variations in solar output or increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, are modeled. Future developments in climate modeling are considered. Information is also provided on the derivation of the energy equation, the finite difference barotropic forecast model, the spectral transform technique, and the finite difference shallow water waved equation model.

Washington, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer

The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer was proposed in 1986 for NASA's Explorer Concept Study Program by an international collaboration of 25 scientists from nine institutions. The one-year feasibility study began in June 1988. The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer would obtain high resolution observations of gamma-ray lines, E/Delta E about 1000, at a sensitivity of about 0.000003 ph/sq cm s, in order to study fundamental problems in astrophysics such as nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron star and black-hole physics, and particle acceleration and interactions. The instrument would operate from 15 keV to 10 Mev and use a heavily shielded array of nine cooled Ge spectrometers in a very low background configuration. Its 10 deg FWHM field of view would contain a versatile coded mask system which would provide two-dimensional imaging with 4 deg resolution, one-dimensional imaging with 2 deg resolution, and efficiendt measurements of diffuse emission. An unshielded Ge spectrometer would obtain wide-field measurements of transient gamma-ray sources. The earliest possible mission would begin in 1995.

Matteson, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Containerless processing projects

The primary research objective was the examination of fundamental acoustics of the Drop Physics Module. An advanced chamber system was developed for acoustics and sample characterization. Sample interaction with an acoustic field was studied. The shaping of liquid drops by acoustic forces was also examined. The acoustic torque as a function of sample position and shape was studied along with levitated sample stability and the effects of feedback systems.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermal phases of the interstellar medium in galaxies

This review deals with the theory of multiphase media in astrophysical systems. The basic reasons for the existence of multiple thermal phases, and the fundamental connection between multiphase media and thermal instability are discussed. Important examples of multiphase media are described, and the interactions among phases, i.e., mass exchange driven by thermal conduction and hydrodynamic ablation are examined. Mass exchange may compete with radiative heating and cooling for control of the thermal state of the hot phase, and may alter the thermal stability properties of the system.

Begelman, Mitchell C.↗