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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 469 records · Page 26

A new sunspot umbral model and its variation with the solar cycle

Semiempirical model atmospheres are presented for the darkest parts of large sunspot umbrae, regions have called umbral cores. The approach is based on general-purpose computational procedures that are applicable to different types of stellar atmospheres. It is shown that recent umbral intensity measurements of the spectral energy distribution may be accounted for by an umbral core atmospheric model that varies with time during the solar cycle; the observed center-limb variation can be accounted for by the properties of the model. Three umbral core models are presented, corresponding to the early, middle, and late phases of the solar cycle. These three models also may be regarded as having the properties of dark, average, and bright umbral cores respectively. The effects of atomic, opacity, and abundance data uncertainties on the model calculations are briefly discussed. For comparison, a new reference model for the average quiet solar photosphere is given.

Maltby, P.↗

Decentralized control experiments on NASA's flexible grid

Methods arising from the area of decentralized control are emerging for analysis and control synthesis for large flexible structures. In this paper the control strategy involves a decentralized model reference adaptive approach using a variable structure control. Local models are formulated based on desired damping and response time in a model-following scheme for various modal configurations. Variable structure controllers are then designed employing co-located angular rate and position feedback. In this scheme local control forces the system to move on a local sliding mode in some local error space. An important feature of this approach is that the local subsystem is made insensitive to dynamical interactions with other subsystems once the sliding surface is reached. Experiments based on the above have been performed for NASA's flexible grid experimental apparatus. The grid is designed to admit appreciable low-frequency structural dynamics, and allows for implementation of distributed computing components, inertial sensors, and actuation devices. A finite-element analysis of the grid provides the model for control system design and simulation; results of several simulations are reported on here, and a discussion of application experiments on the apparatus is presented.

Ozguner, U.↗

The Effect of Seasonal and Long-Period Geopotential Variations on the GPS Orbits

We examine the impact of using seasonal and long-period time-variable gravity field (TVG) models on GPS orbit determination, through simulations from 1994 to 2012. The models of time-variable gravity that we test include the GRGS release RL02 GRACE-derived 10-day gravity field models up to degree and order 20 (grgs20x20), a 4 x 4 series of weekly coefficients using GGM03S as a base derived from SLR and DORIS tracking to 11 satellites (tvg4x4), and a harmonic fit to the above 4 x 4 SLR-DORIS time series (goco2s_fit2). These detailed models are compared to GPS orbit simulations using a reference model (stdtvg) based on the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) and International GNSS Service (IGS) repro1 standards. We find that the new TVG modeling produces significant along, cross-track orbit differences as well as annual, semi-annual, draconitic and long-period effects in the Helmert translation parameters (Tx, Ty, Tz) of the GPS orbits with magnitudes of several mm. We show that the simplistic TVG modeling approach used by all of the IGS Analysis Centers, which is based on the models provided by the IERS standards, becomes progressively less adequate following 2006 when compared to the seasonal and long-period TVG models.

Orbit determination↗

Numerical models for Halley dust environments

The algebra, parameter values, and results of a reference model for the dust environment of Comet P/Halley are presented. The model employs simplified treatments of the icy conglomerate nucleus and of the hydrodynamic outflow of gas and dust. The model includes a gas production rate derived from observations of Halley's visual magnitude in 1910, gas and dust flux nonuniformly distributed over the nuclear surface, a dust distribution function consistent with large particle inferences from comet antitails, dust density variable with mass, and an approximation to the distribution of particles near the dust envelope. Many parameter values are derived by analogy with the results for other comets. The features are incorporated in a computer program which calculates the concentration, flux, and fluence of dust particles as functions of time, position and particle mass.

Divine, N.↗

Experimental and numerical analysis of the performance and wake of a scale–model horizontal axis marine hydrokinetic turbine

Here, this paper presents an experimental and numerical study of a scale-model Horizontal Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine (HAHT). The model turbine is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Reference Model 1 (RM1), with the blade geometry modified to reproduce the design C p –TSR performance curve of the RM1 at the flume scale Reynolds numbers (5 × 10 4 –10 × 10 5 ). The performance and wake structure of a 45:1 scale turbine were measured using a load cell (torque applied on shaft) and a magnetic angular encoder (rotor rpm), and by planar particle image velocimetry, respectively. The details of the rotor flow field and three-dimensional wake evolution are analyzed from the numerical solution of the RANS equations solved around a computational model of the turbine. The comparison of experimental and numerical results highlights the strengths and limitations of the experimental and numerical analyses in the characterization of HAHT. Useful guidelines for developing experimental flume scale data and using them for validating numerical tools, as well as for performing a similar type of analysis and design validation of full scale devices as pilot projects start to go in the water in the United States, are provided.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Interstellar simulations using a unified microscopic-macroscopic Monte Carlo model with a full gas-grain network including bulk diffusion in ice mantles

We have designed an improved algorithm that enables us to simulate the chemistry of cold dense interstellar clouds with a full gas-grain reaction network. The chemistry is treated by a unified microscopic-macroscopic Monte Carlo approach that includes photon penetration and bulk diffusion. To determine the significance of these two processes, we simulate the chemistry with three different models. In Model 1, we use an exponential treatment to follow how photons penetrate and photodissociate ice species throughout the grain mantle. Moreover, the products of photodissociation are allowed to diffuse via bulk diffusion and react within the ice mantle. Model 2 is similar to Model 1 but with a slower bulk diffusion rate. A reference Model 0, which only allows photodissociation reactions to occur on the top two layers, is also simulated. Photodesorption is assumed to occur from the top two layers in all three models. We found that the abundances of major stable species in grain mantles do not differ much among these three models, and the results of our simulation for the abundances of these species agree well with observations. Likewise, the abundances of gas-phase species in the three models do not vary. However, the abundances of radicals in grain mantles can differ by up to two orders of magnitude depending upon the degree of photon penetration and the bulk diffusion of photodissociation products. We also found that complex molecules can be formed at temperatures as low as 10 K in all three models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

diffReplication - An Energy-Aware Fault Tolerance Model for Silent Error Detection and Mitigation in Heterogeneous Extreme-scale Computing Environment

At extreme scale, the frequency of silent errors – a class of errors that remain undetected by low-level error detection mechanisms – increases significantly with the computational complexity of the application and the scale of the computing infrastructure. As hardware and software advances are made to usher in the next scientific era of computing, developing new approaches to mitigate the impact of silent errors remains a challenging problem. In this work, we propose an energy-aware fault-tolerance model, referred to diffReplication to overcome silent errors. In the proposed model, the main process is associated with one replica that executes at the same rate as the main process, and one diffReplica that is executed at a fraction of the main process' execution rate. If the main and its replica reach consensus at the end of a computation phase, the state of the diffReplica is updated and computation is resumed. If the synchronization attempt results in a disagreement, however, the diffReplica increases its execution speed to complete the computation and quickly reach the synchronization barrier. Assuming a single error over any given synchronization interval, a majority voting is used to reach consensus and tolerate silent errors. To further enhance its performance, diffReplication is augmented with speculative execution, whereby the main or its fast replica is selected to continue execution without waiting for the diffReplica. The selection process is based on the previous behaviour of the main and its replica. A performance analysis study is carried out to assess the performance of diffReplication, in terms of the energy saving and time-to-completion reduction achieved by the diffReplication scheme. The experiment shows that speculative execution reduces the time to completion with additional energy, and dynamic decision-making balances the energy consumption and time to completion.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Space station dynamic modeling, disturbance accommodation, and adaptive control

Dynamic models for two space station configurations were derived. Space shuttle docking disturbances and their effects on the station and solar panels are quantified. It is shown that hard shuttle docking can cause solar panel buckling. Soft docking and berthing can substantially reduce structural loads at the expense of large shuttle and station attitude excursions. It is found predocking shuttle momentum reduction is necessary to achieve safe and routine operations. A direct model reference adaptive control is synthesized and evaluated for the station model parameter errors and plant dynamics truncations. The rigid body and the flexible modes are treated. It is shown that convergence of the adaptive algorithm can be achieved in 100 seconds with reasonable performance even during shuttle hard docking operations in which station mass and inertia are instantaneously changed by more than 100%.

Wang, S. J.↗

Empirical modeling of the quiet time nightside magnetosphere

Empirical modeling of plasma pressure and magnetic field for the quiet time nightside magnetosphere is investigated. Two models are constructed for this study. One model, referred to here as T89R, is basically the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1989) but is modified by the addition of an inner eastward ring current at a radial distance of approximately 3 R(sub E) as suggested by observation. The other is a combination of the T89R model and the long version of the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1987) such that the former dominates the magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere, whereas the latter prevails in the distant tail. The distribution of plasma pressure, which is required to balance the magnetic force for each of these two field models, is computed along the tail axis in the midnight meridian. The occurrence of pressure anisotropy in the inner magnetospheric region is also taken into account by determining an empirical fit to the observed plasma pressure anisotropy. This effort is the first attempt to obtain the plasma pressure distribution in force equilibrium with magnetic stresses from an empirical field model with the inclusion of pressure anisotropy. The inclusion of pressure anisotropy alters the plasma pressure by as much as a factor of approximately 3 in the inner magnetosphere. The deduced plasma pressure profile along the tail axis is found to be in good agreement with the observed quiet time plasma pressure for geocentric distances between approximately 2 and approximately 35 R(sub E).

Lui, A. T. Y.↗

Empirical modeling of the quiet time nightside magnetosphere

Empirical modeling of plasma pressure and magnetic field for the quiet time nightside magnetosphere is investigated. Two models are constructed for this study. One model, referred to here as T89R, is basically the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1989) but is modified by the addition of an inner eastward ring current at a radial distance of approximately 3 RE as suggested by observation. The other is a combination of the T89R model and the long version of the magnetic field model of Tsyganenko (1987) such that the former dominates the magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere while the latter prevails in the distant tail. The distribution of plasma pressure which is required to balance the magnetic force for each of these two field models is computed along the tail axis in the midnight meridian. The occurrence of pressure anisotropy in the inner magnetospheric region is also taken into account by determining an empirical fit to the observed plasma pressure anisotropy. This represents the first effort to obtain the plasma pressure distribution in force equilibrium with magnetic stresses from an empirical field model with the inclusion of pressure anisotropy. The inclusion of pressure anisotropy alters the plasma pressure by as much as a factor of approximately 3 in the inner magnetosphere. The deduced plasma pressure profile along the tail axis is found to be in good agreement with the observed quiet time plasma pressure for geocentric distances between approximately 2 and approximately 35 RE.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗

Adaptive Control of a Utility-Scale Wind Turbine Operating in Region 3

Adaptive control techniques are well suited to nonlinear applications, such as wind turbines, which are difficult to accurately model and which have effects from poorly known operating environments. The turbulent and unpredictable conditions in which wind turbines operate create many challenges for their operation. In this paper, we design an adaptive collective pitch controller for a high-fidelity simulation of a utility scale, variable-speed horizontal axis wind turbine. The objective of the adaptive pitch controller in Region 3 is to regulate generator speed and reject step disturbances. The control objective is accomplished by collectively pitching the turbine blades. We use an extension of the Direct Model Reference Adaptive Control (DMRAC) approach to track a reference point and to reject persistent disturbances. The turbine simulation models the Controls Advanced Research Turbine (CART) of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The CART is a utility-scale wind turbine which has a well-developed and extensively verified simulator. The adaptive collective pitch controller for Region 3 was compared in simulations with a bas celliansesical Proportional Integrator (PI) collective pitch controller. In the simulations, the adaptive pitch controller showed improved speed regulation in Region 3 when compared with the baseline PI pitch controller and it demonstrated robustness to modeling errors.

Frost, Susan A.↗

Inelastic analysis procedure based on the Grade 91 unified viscoplastic constitutive model for ASME implementation

This report describes a design by inelastic analysis procedure for Grade 91 to be proposed for incorporation in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The package of proposed additions includes guidance on inelastic modeling and a reference constitutive model for Grade 91 to be used with the existing Section III, Division 5, Subsection HB, Subpart B rules for design by inelastic analysis. The current Code specifies acceptance criteria for design by inelastic analysis but does not provide an acceptable constitutive model for Grade 91 or any of the other Class A materials. The proposed Nonmandatory Appendix would provide such a reference model, greatly easing the use of design by inelastic analysis. As the inelastic methods produce significantly less overconservative designs than the design by elastic analysis rules this proposed Code change could reduce the design and fabrication cost of future high temperature reactors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Charge-dependent many-body exchange and dispersion interactions in combined QM/MM simulations

Accurate modeling of the molecular environment is critical in condensed phase simulations of chemical reactions. Conventional quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations traditionally model non-electrostatic non-bonded interactions through an empirical Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential which, in violation of intuitive chemical principles, is bereft of any explicit coupling to an atom’s local electronic structure. This oversight results in a model whereby short-ranged exchange-repulsion and long-ranged dispersion interactions are invariant to changes in the local atomic charge, leading to accuracy limitations for chemical reactions where significant atomic charge transfer can occur along the reaction coordinate. The present work presents a variational, charge-dependent exchange-repulsion and dispersion model, referred to as the charge-dependent exchange and dispersion (QXD) model, for hybrid QM/MM simulations. Analytic expressions for the energy and gradients are provided, as well as a description of the integration of the model into existing QM/MM frameworks, allowing QXD to replace traditional LJ interactions in simulations of reactive condensed phase systems. After initial validation against QM data, the method is demonstrated by capturing the solvation free energies of a series of small, chlorine-containing compounds that have varying charge on the chlorine atom. The model is further tested on the S{sub N}2 attack of a chloride anion on methylchloride. Results suggest that the QXD model, unlike the traditional LJ model, is able to simultaneously obtain accurate solvation free energies for a range of compounds while at the same time closely reproducing the experimental reaction free energy barrier. The QXD interaction model allows explicit coupling of atomic charge with many-body exchange and dispersion interactions that are related to atomic size and provides a more accurate and robust representation of non-electrostatic non-bonded QM/MM interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Design, evaluation and test of an electronic, multivariable control for the F100 turbofan engine

A digital, multivariable control design procedure for the F100 turbofan engine is described. The controller is based on locally linear synthesis techniques using linear, quadratic regulator design methods. The control structure uses an explicit model reference form with proportional and integral feedback near a nominal trajectory. Modeling issues, design procedures for the control law and the estimation of poorly measured variables are presented.

Skira, C. A.↗

Adaptive Control Of Remote Manipulator

Robotic control system causes remote manipulator to follow closely reference trajectory in Cartesian reference frame in work space, without resort to computationally intensive mathematical model of robot dynamics and without knowledge of robot and load parameters. System, derived from linear multivariable theory, uses relatively simple feedforward and feedback controllers with model-reference adaptive control.

Seraji, Homayoun↗

Robustness In Suppressing Vibrations With Adaptive Control

Report describes theoretical and experimental study of robustness of adaptive model-reference control scheme designed to suppress vibrations in large, flexible structure. Model can be mathematical model or collection of models approximating dynamics of structure, vibration sensors, and vibration-suppressing actuators.

Ih, Che-Hang C.↗

COLD-SAT dynamic model

This report discusses the development and underlying mathematics of a rigid-body computer model of a proposed cryogenic on-orbit liquid depot storage, acquisition, and transfer spacecraft (COLD-SAT). This model, referred to in this report as the COLD-SAT dynamic model, consists of both a trajectory model and an attitudinal model. All disturbance forces and torques expected to be significant for the actual COLD-SAT spacecraft are modeled to the required degree of accuracy. Control and experimental thrusters are modeled, as well as fluid slosh. The model also computes microgravity disturbance accelerations at any specified point in the spacecraft. The model was developed by using the Boeing EASY5 dynamic analysis package and will run on Apollo, Cray, and other computing platforms.

Adams, Neil S.↗

Recent Improvements in Semi-Span Testing at the National Transonic Facility (Invited)

Three wind tunnel investigations of a commercial transport, high-lift, semi-span configuration have recently been conducted in the National Transonic Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. Throughout the course of these investigations multiple improvements have been developed in the facility semi-span test capability. The primary purpose of the investigations was to assess Reynolds number scale effects on a modern commercial transport configuration up to full-scale flight test conditions (Reynolds numbers on the order of 27 million). The tests included longitudinal aerodynamic studies at subsonic takeoff and landing conditions across a range of Reynolds numbers from that available in conventional wind tunnels up to flight conditions. The purpose of this paper is to discuss lessons learned and improvements incorporated into the semi-span testing process. Topics addressed include enhanced thermal stabilization and moisture reduction procedures, assessments and improvements in model sealing techniques, compensation of model reference dimensions due to test temperature, significantly improved semi-span model access capability, and assessments of data repeatability.

Gatlin, Gregory M.↗