Results for “Design Tools” — Page 3

NASA NTRS2012

An Update on Design Tools for Optimization of CMC 3D Fiber Architectures

Objective: Describe and up-date progress for NASA's efforts to develop 3D architectural design tools for CMC in general and for SIC/SiC composites in particular. Describe past and current sequential work efforts aimed at: Understanding key fiber and tow physical characteristics in conventional 2D and 3D woven architectures as revealed by microstructures in the literature. Developing an Excel program for down-selecting and predicting key geometric properties and resulting key fiber-controlled properties for various conventional 3D architectures. Developing a software tool for accurately visualizing all the key geometric details of conventional 3D architectures. Validating tools by visualizing and predicting the Internal geometry and key mechanical properties of a NASA SIC/SIC panel with a 3D orthogonal architecture. Applying the predictive and visualization tools toward advanced 3D orthogonal SiC/SIC composites, and combining them into a user-friendly software program.

Lang, J.↗

NASA NTRS2017

Development of an Unstructured, Three-Dimensional Material Response Design Tool

A preliminary verification and validation of a new material response model is presented. This model, Icarus, is intended to serve as a design tool for the thermal protection systems of re-entry vehicles. Currently, the capability of the model is limited to simulating the pyrolysis of a material as a result of the radiative and convective surface heating imposed on the material from the surrounding high enthalpy gas. Since the major focus behind the development of Icarus has been model extensibility, the hope is that additional physics can be quickly added. The extensibility is critical since thermal protection systems are becoming increasing complex, e.g. woven carbon polymers. Additionally, as a three-dimensional, unstructured, finite-volume model, Icarus is capable of modeling complex geometries as well as multi-dimensional physics, which have been shown to be important in some scenarios and are not captured by one-dimensional models. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical formulation is presented followed by a discussion of the software architecture and some preliminary verification and validation studies.

Material Response Model↗

NASA NTRS2017

Development of a Three-Dimensional, Unstructured Material Response Design Tool

A preliminary verification and validation of a new material response model is presented. This model, Icarus, is intended to serve as a design tool for the thermal protection systems of re-entry vehicles. Currently, the capability of the model is limited to simulating the pyrolysis of a material as a result of the radiative and convective surface heating imposed on the material from the surrounding high enthalpy gas. Since the major focus behind the development of Icarus has been model extensibility, the hope is that additional physics can be quickly added. This extensibility is critical since thermal protection systems are becoming increasing complex, e.g. woven carbon polymers. Additionally, as a three-dimensional, unstructured, finite-volume model, Icarus is capable of modeling complex geometries. In this paper, the mathematical and numerical formulation is presented followed by a discussion of the software architecture and some preliminary verification and validation studies.

Thermal Protection System↗

NASA NTRS2006

Electronics Shielding and Reliability Design Tools

It is well known that electronics placement in large-scale human-rated systems provides opportunity to optimize electronics shielding through materials choice and geometric arrangement. For example, several hundred single event upsets (SEUs) occur within the Shuttle avionic computers during a typical mission. An order of magnitude larger SEU rate would occur without careful placement in the Shuttle design. These results used basic physics models (linear energy transfer (LET), track structure, Auger recombination) combined with limited SEU cross section measurements allowing accurate evaluation of target fragment contributions to Shuttle avionics memory upsets. Electronics shielding design on human-rated systems provides opportunity to minimize radiation impact on critical and non-critical electronic systems. Implementation of shielding design tools requires adequate methods for evaluation of design layouts, guiding qualification testing, and an adequate follow-up on final design evaluation including results from a systems/device testing program tailored to meet design requirements.

Wilson, John W.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Investigating the Effects of Pin Tool Design on Friction Stir Welded Ti-6Al-4V

Friction stir welding (FSWing), a solid state joining technique, uses a non-consumable rotating pin tool to thermomechanically join materials. Heating of the weldment caused by friction and deformation is a function of the interaction between the pin tool and the work piece. Therefore, the geometry of the pin tool is in part responsible for the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. In this study microwave sintered tungsten carbide (WC) pin tools with tapers and flats were used to FSW Ti-6Al-4V. Transverse sections of welds were mechanically tested, and the microstructure was characterized using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning election microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the texture within the welds produced from the different pin tool designs.

Rubisoff, H. A.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

On the Modeling of Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Takeoff and Landing Operations in the FAA Aviation Environmental Design Tool

Urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles are anticipated to operate in close proximity to the public. A possible barrier to the introduction of UAM vehicles as a transit solution is their community noise impact, particularly around vertiports. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) is the mandated tool to assess aircraft noise and other environmental impacts due to federal actions at civilian airports, vertiports, or in U.S. airspace for commercial flight operations. However, AEDT was designed to model fixed-wing aircraft and conventional helicopter operations, not UAM vehicles. Prior work by the authors showed significant differences in noise contours of UAM departures and approaches when modeling operations as fixed-wing and helicopter types in AEDT. This paper identifies the sources of those differences. Additionally, a NASA time-marching simulation tool is used to generate noise exposure predictions for equivalent operations to help identify differences associated with the noise model implemented in AEDT and offer possible changes to assess UAM community noise impact more consistently with simulation-based modeling.

aeroacoustics↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

On the Modeling of Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Takeoff and Landing Operations in the FAA Aviation Environmental Design Tool

Urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles are anticipated to operate in close proximity to the public. A possible barrier to the introduction of UAM vehicles as a transit solution is their community noise impact, particularly around vertiports. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) is the mandated tool to assess aircraft noise and other environmental impacts due to federal actions at civilian airports, vertiports, or in U.S. airspace for commercial flight operations. However, AEDT was designed to model fixed-wing aircraft and conventional helicopter operations, not UAM vehicles. Prior work by the authors showed significant differences in noise contours of UAM departures and approaches when modeling operations as fixed-wing and helicopter types in AEDT. This paper identifies the sources of those differences. Additionally, a NASA time-marching simulation tool is used to generate noise exposure predictions for equivalent operations to help identify differences associated with the noise model implemented in AEDT and offer possible changes to assess UAM community noise impact more consistently with simulation-based modeling.

aeroacoustics↗

NASA NTRS2003

Development of Design Tools for Flow-Control Actuators

This report discusses the: 1. Development coupled electro/fluid/structural lumped-element model (LEM) of a prototypical flow-control actuator. 2. Validation the coupled electro/fluid/structural dynamics lumped-element models. 3. Development simple, yet effective, design tools for actuators. 4. Development structural dynamic models that accurately characterize the dynamic response of piezoelectric flap actuators using the Finite Element Method (FEW as well as analytical methods. 5. Perform a parametric study of a piezo-composite flap actuator. 6.Develop an optimization scheme for maximizing the actuator performance.

Mathew, Jose↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Second-Generation UAM Community Noise Assessment Using the FAA Aviation Environmental Design Tool

Vehicles serving the urban air mobility (UAM) market are anticipated to operate in communities close to the public at large. The approved model for assessing environmental impact of air traffic actions in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), does not support analysis of such operations due to a combined lack of a UAM aircraft performance model and aircraft noise data. This paper discusses second-generation developments to assess the acoustic impact of UAM fleet operations on the community using AEDT and demonstrates its use for representative UAM operations. In particular, methods were developed to add broadband self noise into computed noise-power-distance data, and vertiport-centric operations were evaluated for two concept vehicles.

urban air mobility↗

NASA NTRS1995

Validation of space/ground antenna control algorithms using a computer-aided design tool

The validation of the algorithms for controlling the space-to-ground antenna subsystem for Space Station Alpha is an important step in assuring reliable communications. These algorithms have been developed and tested using a simulation environment based on a computer-aided design tool that can provide a time-based execution framework with variable environmental parameters. Our work this summer has involved the exploration of this environment and the documentation of the procedures used to validate these algorithms. We have installed a variety of tools in a laboratory of the Tracking and Communications division for reproducing the simulation experiments carried out on these algorithms to verify that they do meet their requirements for controlling the antenna systems. In this report, we describe the processes used in these simulations and our work in validating the tests used.

Gantenbein, Rex E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Community Noise Assessment of Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Operations using the FAA Aviation Environmental Design Tool

In contrast to most commercial air traffic today, vehicles serving the urban air mobility (UAM) market are anticipated to operate in communities close to the public at large. The approved model for assessing environmental impact of air traffic actions in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), does not support analysis of such operations due to a combined lack of a UAM aircraft performance model and aircraft noise data. This paper discusses the initial development of a method to assess the acoustic impact of UAM fleet operations on the community using AEDT and demonstrates its use for representative UAM operations. In particular, methods were developed using fixed-point flight profiles and user-supplied noise data in a manner that avoids unwanted behavior in AEDT. A set of 32 routes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area were assessed for single and multiple (fleet) operations for two concept vehicles.

urban air mobility↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Community Noise Assessment of Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Operations using the FAA Aviation Environmental Design Tool

In contrast to most commercial air traffic today, vehicles serving the urban air mobility (UAM) market are anticipated to operate in communities close to the public at large. The approved model for assessing environmental impact of air traffic actions in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), does not support analysis of such operations due to a combined lack of a UAM aircraft performance model and aircraft noise data. This paper discusses the initial development of a method to assess the acoustic impact of UAM fleet operations on the community using AEDT and demonstrates its use for representative UAM operations. In particular, methods were developed using fixed-point flight profiles and user-supplied noise data in a manner that avoids unwanted behavior in AEDT. A set of 32 routes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area were assessed for single and multiple (fleet) operations for two concept vehicles.

urban air mobility↗

NASA NTRS1998

Preliminary Assessment of a Neptune Aerocapture Mission Using an Integrated Design Tool

Aerocapture is an efficient orbit insertion technique that uses the planet's atmosphere to decelerate an arriving spacecraft. With current technology and for vehicles of reasonable mass, it is the only technique that might deliver the high delta-V's required for insertion to orbits around the outer planets. Preliminary design studies for outer planet orbital missions must evaluate aerocapture strategies, and must therefore consider the coupling between vehicle geometry, aerodynamics, aerocapture trajectory, heating and thermal protection system mass. The analyses have been linked into an integrated design environment, with the critical parameters grouped in a global database. The designer is free to use single point evaluations, parametric variation, and numerical optimization to evaluate a range of vehicle shapes and insertion trajectories. The application of this design tool to a preliminary study for Neptune aerocapture has implications for the use of such computational environments for any atmospheric entry mission.

Gage, Peter J.↗

NASA NTRS2023

Sizing and Design Tool for Tall Lunar Tower

Tall lunar towers enable direct collection of solar energy using solar panels that can generate power exceeding 50kW. Tall lunar towers also support solar reflectors and concentrators for solar farms, which enable various mission architectures on the lunar surface. The Tall Lunar Tower project at NASA Langley Research Center is focused on the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of an assembled tall lunar tower engineering development unit. This paper presents the development of a sizing and design tool for the tall lunar tower. The predicted frequency and buckling responses of the tall lunar tower from the tool are compared with the results obtained from finite element analysis.

Solar Tower↗

NASA NTRS2023

Sizing and Design Tool for Tall Lunar Tower

Tall lunar towers enable direct collection of solar energy using solar panels that can generate power exceeding 50kW. Tall lunar towers also support solar reflectors and concentrators for solar farms, which enable various mission architectures on the lunar surface. The Tall Lunar Tower project at NASA Langley Research Center is focused on the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of an assembled tall lunar tower engineering development unit. This paper presents the development of a sizing and design tool for the tall lunar tower. The predicted frequency and buckling responses of the tall lunar tower from the tool are compared with the results obtained from finite element analysis.

Solar Tower↗

NASA NTRS1990

Topology and boundary shape optimization as an integrated design tool

The optimal topology of a two dimensional linear elastic body can be computed by regarding the body as a domain of the plane with a high density of material. Such an optimal topology can then be used as the basis for a shape optimization method that computes the optimal form of the boundary curves of the body. This results in an efficient and reliable design tool, which can be implemented via common FEM mesh generator and CAD type input-output facilities.

Bendsoe, Martin Philip↗

NASA NTRS1992

An integrated modeling and design tool for advanced optical spacecraft

Consideration is given to the design and status of the Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems (IMOS) tool and to critical design issues. A multidisciplinary spacecraft design and analysis tool with support for structural dynamics, controls, thermal analysis, and optics, IMOS provides rapid and accurate end-to-end performance analysis, simulations, and optimization of advanced space-based optical systems. The requirements for IMOS-supported numerical arrays, user defined data structures, and a hierarchical data base are outlined, and initial experience with the tool is summarized. A simulation of a flexible telescope illustrates the integrated nature of the tools.

Briggs, Hugh C.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Design tool for multiprocessor scheduling and evaluation of iterative dataflow algorithms

A graph-theoretic design process and software tool is defined for selecting a multiprocessing scheduling solution for a class of computational problems. The problems of interest are those that can be described with a dataflow graph and are intended to be executed repetitively on a set of identical processors. Typical applications include signal processing and control law problems. Graph-search algorithms and analysis techniques are introduced and shown to effectively determine performance bounds, scheduling constraints, and resource requirements. The software tool applies the design process to a given problem and includes performance optimization through the inclusion of additional precedence constraints among the schedulable tasks.

Jones, Robert L., III↗