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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 505 records · Page 28

Analytical Investigation of a Flicker-Type Roll Control for a Mach Number 6 Missile with Aerodynamic Controls Over An Altitude Range of 82,000 to 282,000 feet

An analytical investigation has been carried out to determine the responses of a flicker-type roll control incorporated in a missile which traverses a range of Mach number of 6.3 at an altitude of 82,000 feet to 5.26 at an altitude of 282,000 feet. The missile has 80 deg delta wings in a cruciform arrangement with aerodynamic controls attached to the fuselage near the wing trailing edge and indexed 450 to the wings. Most of the investigation was carried out on an analog computer. Results showed that roll stabilization that may be adequate for many cases can be obtained over the altitude range considered, providing that the rate factor can be changed with altitude. The response would be improved if the control deflection were made larger at the higher altitudes. lag times less than 0.04 second improve the response appreciably. Asymmetries that produce steady rolling moments can be very detrimental to the response in some cases. The wing damping made a negligible contribution to the response.

Lundstrom, Reginald R.↗

A Control Law Design Method Facilitating Control Power, Robustness, Agility, and Flying Qualities Tradeoffs: CRAFT

A multi-input, multi-output control law design methodology, named "CRAFT", is presented. CRAFT stands for the design objectives addressed, namely, Control power, Robustness, Agility, and Flying Qualities Tradeoffs. The methodology makes use of control law design metrics from each of the four design objective areas. It combines eigenspace assignment, which allows for direct specification of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, with a graphical approach for representing the metrics that captures numerous design goals in one composite illustration. Sensitivity of the metrics to eigenspace choice is clearly displayed, enabling the designer to assess the cost of design tradeoffs. This approach enhances the designer's ability to make informed design tradeoffs and to reach effective final designs. An example of the CRAFT methodology applied to an advanced experimental fighter and discussion of associated design issues are provided.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗

Information Presentation and Control in a Modern Air Traffic Control Tower Simulator

The proper presentation and management of information in America's largest and busiest (Level V) air traffic control towers calls for an in-depth understanding of many different human-computer considerations: user interface design for graphical, radar, and text; manual and automated data input hardware; information/display output technology; reconfigurable workstations; workload assessment; and many other related subjects. This paper discusses these subjects in the context of the Surface Development and Test Facility (SDTF) currently under construction at NASA's Ames Research Center, a full scale, multi-manned, air traffic control simulator which will provide the "look and feel" of an actual airport tower cab. Special emphasis will be given to the human-computer interfaces required for the different kinds of information displayed at the various controller and supervisory positions and to the computer-aided design (CAD) and other analytic, computer-based tools used to develop the facility.

Haines, Richard F.↗

Preliminary Effect of Synthetic Vision Systems Displays to Reduce Low-Visibility Loss of Control and Controlled Flight Into Terrain Accidents

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effectiveness of Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) flight displays as a means of eliminating Low Visibility Loss of Control (LVLOC) and Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents by low time general aviation (GA) pilots. A series of basic maneuvers were performed by 18 subject pilots during transition from Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) to Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), with continued flight into IMC, employing a fixed-based flight simulator. A total of three display concepts were employed for this evaluation. One display concept, referred to as the Attitude Indicator (AI) replicated instrumentation common in today's General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The second display concept, referred to as the Electronic Attitude Indicator (EAI), featured an enlarged attitude indicator that was more representative of a glass display that also included advanced flight symbology, such as a velocity vector. The third concept, referred to as the SVS display, was identical to the EAI except that computer-generated terrain imagery replaced the conventional blue-sky/brown-ground of the EAI. Pilot performance parameters, pilot control inputs and physiological data were recorded for post-test analysis. Situation awareness (SA) and qualitative pilot comments were obtained through questionnaires and free-form interviews administered immediately after the experimental session. Initial pilot performance data were obtained by instructor pilot observations. Physiological data (skin temperature, heart rate, and muscle flexure) were also recorded. Preliminary results indicate that far less errors were committed when using the EAI and SVS displays than when using conventional instruments. The specific data example examined in this report illustrates the benefit from SVS displays to avoid massive loss of SA conditions. All pilots acknowledged the enhanced situation awareness provided by the SVS display concept. Levels of pilot stress appear to be correlated with skin temperature measurements.

Glaab, Louis J.↗

International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support System Acceptance Testing for Node 1 Atmosphere Control and Supply Subsystem

The International Space Station (ISS) Node 1 Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) System is comprised of five subsystems: Atmosphere Control and Supply (ACS), Atmosphere Revitalization (AR), Fire Detection and Suppression (FDS), Temperature and Humidity Control (THC), and Water Recovery and Management (WRM). This paper provides a summary of the Node 1 ECLS ACS subsystem design and a detailed discussion of the ISS ECLS Acceptance Testing methodology utilized for that subsystem.

Williams, David E.↗

Request for Information Response for the Flight Validation of Adaptive Control to Prevent Loss-of-Control Events. Overview of RFI Responses

Adaptive control should be integrated with a baseline controller and only used when necessary (5 responses). Implementation as an emergency system. Immediately re-stabilize and return to controlled flight. Forced perturbation (excitation) for fine-tuning system a) Check margins; b) Develop requirements for amplitude of excitation. Adaptive system can improve performance by eating into margin constraints imposed on the non-adaptive system. Nonlinear effects due to multi-string voting.

Bosworth, John T.↗

Some Issues Related to Integrating Active Flow Control With Flight Control

Time varying control of CL is necessary for integrating AFC and Flight Control (Biasing allows for +/- changes in lift) Time delays associated with actuation are long (APPROX.5.8 c/U) and must be included in controllers. Convolution of input signal with single pulse kernel gives reasonable prediction of lift response.

Williams, David↗

Verifiable Adaptive Control with Analytical Stability Margins by Optimal Control Modification

This paper presents a verifiable model-reference adaptive control method based on an optimal control formulation for linear uncertain systems. A predictor model is formulated to enable a parameter estimation of the system parametric uncertainty. The adaptation is based on both the tracking error and predictor error. Using a singular perturbation argument, it can be shown that the closed-loop system tends to a linear time invariant model asymptotically under an assumption of fast adaptation. A stability margin analysis is given to estimate a lower bound of the time delay margin using a matrix measure method. Using this analytical method, the free design parameter n of the optimal control modification adaptive law can be determined to meet a specification of stability margin for verification purposes.

Nguyen, Nhan T.↗

Numerical Evaluation of Entry System Trajectory Control via Active Porosity Control of Transpiration Cooled Thermal Protection System

As space exploration expands, atmospheric descent requirements will tighten to improve landing accuracy to areas of interest. One way to meet higher landing accuracy requirements is by increasing vehicle maneuverability. This study explores the concept of manipulating a transpiration cooling scheme for entry capsules that could provide both active aerodynamic control as well as thermal protection for external surfaces. Numerical methods of fluid dynamics and heat transfer are presented to study the effectiveness of the concept in both thermal protection and entry vehicle attitude control. This effort works through development of an entry vehicle model at aeromaneuvering conditions with designated boundary activated for effects of transpiration cooling. Preliminary results show calculated values of heat flux and aerodynamic forces as a function of varying transpiration cooling flow rates. This contributes evidence of asymmetric cooling utilization as an additional mechanism for vehicle attitude control.

Caroline Anderson↗

Microstructure Controlled Multi-Layer Porous Material Liner Tested On The Advanced Noise Control Fan

A novel concept of multilayer micro structurally controlled noise mitigation porous material was developed and experimentally validated in the laboratory by normal incidence impedance test. Extensive parametric studies were made to understand various parameters that influence acoustic absorption and transmission loss based on the test specimen size, particle size, porosity, pore size, and its distribution through the thickness. The results were reported in many publications. This work was focused on applying the concept and assessing the validity of the technology to aircraft turbomachine engines. The NASA Glenn Research Center’s Advanced Noise Control Fan (ANCF) low-speed test rig was selected. The liner insert required a 4-ft internal diameter cylinder with a 2-inch thick and 9-inch axial length. The liner was fabricated in eight segments and assembled in an aluminum test rig. The liner was tested for both tonal and broadband noise at the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Lab White Field test facility, where the ANCF is located. The study concludes that: Microstructurally controlled porous material is very effective in dissipating the sound energy; the liner is effective for tonal noise (2 to 13 dB reduction in noise levels) that constitutes the major part of the overall fan noise, especially the blade passing frequency which is generally the dominating component; Also, the liner is effective for broadband noise with reductions in sound pressure level of about 3 dB for the shaft order greater than 20. The proposed two-layer liner model demonstrated the validity of the concept. More studies are required to optimize the design.

Liner↗