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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 55 records · Page 3

POST Explorer: A Design Space Exploration Tool for POST2

Recent improvements for the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II (POST2) have included the development of an application programming interface (API). This API allows POST2 simulation inputs to be directly manipulated from other applications (such as MATLAB or Python), and the outputs from POST2 are streamed directly to the external application that enables visualization, data manipulation, etc. Through this framework, a new tool called POST Explorer is being developed that provides a user the capability to modify the simulation inputs and interrogate the outputs within the same application, with raw data inspection and visualization embedded. This tool can be leveraged for multiple types of analyses, such as parametric sweeps and sensitivity studies, and will be available with a future release of the POST2 software.

Anthony Williams↗

Sensitivity study of orbital atmospheric density models

Results are presented from a parametric study involving the comparison of the sensitivity to changes in the solar flux and geomagnetic index of the three models currently available at the Marshall Space Flight Center, namely J70, J71, and J77. Twelve different cases of solar/geomagnetic input are used in the study. The inputs of each model are the average daily solar flux parameter, the 162-day centered average solar flux parameter, and the 3-hour average geomagnetic index. Values representing solar conditions close to low, medium, and high are used. All the computations are made over an 81-point latitude/longitude earth matrix coonsisting of nine latitudes from 80 deg N to 80 deg S, along with nine longitudes from 40 deg E to 360 deg, with spacing of 20 deg for latitude and 40 deg for longitude.

Johnson, D. L.↗

Lunar Latitude and Terrain Radiator Sensitivity Study

The thermal environment on the moon is highly complex and diverse. The lunar surface near the equator develops extreme hot average temperatures during the lunar day due to solar flux vectors that are nearly orthogonal to the surface. The lunar poles have a cold and uniquely complex thermal environment with low solar elevation angles and permanently shadowed regions located just kilometers from some of the most highly illuminated regions of the moon. Likewise, the topography can range from very flat crater basins to dramatically tall features such as mountains and crater rims. Consequently, when sizing the radiators of a lunar surface vehicle, the specific thermal environment found in the targeted landing or deployment zone must be well understood to build robust appropriately scaled thermal control systems. Here described are parametric studies that characterize the sensitivity of lunar radiator performance to lunar terrain and latitude. Heat rejection is calculated for different radiator tilt angles in a variety of terrain environments. Radiator performance as a function of underside thermal condition is also characterized at lunar latitudes ranging from equatorial to polar. Impacts of latitude and terrain on radiator performance are quantified, and regions are identified where the thermal environment is more or less favorable for specific radiator designs.

Lunar Vehicle Radiator↗

Lunar Latitude and Terrain Radiator Sensitivity Study

The thermal environment on the moon is highly complex and diverse. The lunar surface near the equator develops extreme hot average temperatures during the lunar day due to solar flux vectors that are nearly orthogonal to the surface. The lunar poles have a cold and uniquely complex thermal environment with low solar elevation angles and permanently shadowed regions located just kilometers from some of the most highly illuminated regions of the moon. Likewise, the topography can range from very flat crater basins to dramatically tall features such as mountains and crater rims. Consequently, when sizing the radiators of a lunar surface vehicle, the specific thermal environment found in the targeted landing or deployment zone must be well understood to build robust, appropriately scaled thermal control systems. Here described are parametric studies that characterize the sensitivity of lunar radiator performance to lunar terrain and latitude. Heat rejection is calculated for different radiator tilt angles in a variety of terrain environments. Radiator performance as a function of underside thermal condition is also characterized at lunar latitudes ranging from equatorial to polar. Impacts of latitude and terrain on radiator performance are quantified, and regions are identified where the thermal environment is more or less favorable for specific radiator designs.

Lunar Vehicle Radiator↗

Lunar Latitude and Terrain Radiator Sensitivity Study

The thermal environment on the moon is highly complex and diverse. The lunar surface near the equator develops extreme hot average temperatures during the lunar day due to solar flux vectors that are nearly orthogonal to the surface. The lunar poles have a cold and uniquely complex thermal environment with low solar elevation angles and permanently shadowed regions located just kilometers from some of the most highly illuminated regions of the moon. Likewise, the topography can range from very flat crater basins to dramatically tall features such as mountains and crater rims. Consequently, when sizing the radiators of a lunar surface vehicle, the specific thermal environment found in the targeted landing or deployment zone must be well understood to build robust, appropriately scaled thermal control systems. Here described are parametric studies that characterize the sensitivity of lunar radiator performance to lunar terrain and latitude. Heat rejection is calculated for different radiator tilt angles in a variety of terrain environments. Radiator performance as a function of underside thermal condition is also characterized at lunar latitudes ranging from equatorial to polar. Impacts of latitude and terrain on radiator performance are quantified, and regions are identified where the thermal environment is more or less favorable for specific radiator designs.

Lunar Thermal Analysis↗

Lunar Latitude and Terrain Radiator Sensitivity Study

The thermal environment on the moon is highly complex and diverse. The lunar surface near the equator develops extreme hot average temperatures during the lunar day due to solar flux vectors that are nearly orthogonal to the surface. The lunar poles have a cold and uniquely complex thermal environment with low solar elevation angles and permanently shadowed regions located just kilometers from some of the most highly illuminated regions of the moon. Likewise, the topography can range from very flat crater basins to dramatically tall features such as mountains and crater rims. Consequently, when sizing the radiators of a lunar surface vehicle, the specific thermal environment found in the targeted landing or deployment zone must be well understood to build robust appropriately scaled thermal control systems. Here described are parametric studies that characterize the sensitivity of lunar radiator performance to lunar terrain and latitude. Heat rejection is calculated for different radiator tilt angles in a variety of terrain environments. Radiator performance as a function of underside thermal condition is also characterized at lunar latitudes ranging from equatorial to polar. Impacts of latitude and terrain on radiator performance are quantified, and regions are identified where the thermal environment is more or less favorable for specific radiator designs.

Lunar Vehicle Radiator↗

Parametric study of laser photovoltaic energy converters

Photovoltaic converters are of interest for converting laser power to electrical power in a space-based laser power system. This paper describes a model for photovoltaic laser converters and the application of this model to a neodymium laser silicon photovoltaic converter system. A parametric study which defines the sensitivity of the photovoltaic parameters is described. An optimized silicon photovoltaic converter has an efficiency greater than 50 percent for 1000 W/sq cm of neodymium laser radiation.

Walker, G. H.↗

Dynamic analysis of Apollo-Salyut/Soyuz docking

The use of a docking-system computer program in analyzing the dynamic environment produced by two impacting spacecraft and the attitude control systems is discussed. Performance studies were conducted to determine the mechanism load and capture sensitivity to parametric changes in the initial impact conditions. As indicated by the studies, capture latching is most sensitive to vehicle angular-alinement errors and is least sensitive to lateral-miss error. As proved by load-sensitivity studies, peak loads acting on the Apollo spacecraft are considerably lower than the Apollo design-limit loads.

Schliesing, J. A.↗

Low-Velocity Impact Analyses of Composite Panels Using Cohesive Zone Modeling and Continuum Damage Mechanics

A parametric study was conducted to gage the sensitivity of simulations of low-velocity impacts on laminated composite panels to various finite element model and material model features. The material model used in this parametric study was previously verified and validated for conducting progressive damage analyses of post-buckled composite structures subjected to quasi-static loading conditions. Based on the results of this parametric study, updates have been made to a progressive damage analysis material model and the best practices for its application. Experimental results are compared to computational results obtained with and without the updates to the models. Both thermoset and thermoplastic fiber-reinforced materials are considered. The resulting enhancements to the material model are presented in detail.

Frank A Leone↗

Low-Velocity Impact Analyses of Composite Panels Using Cohesive Zone Modeling and Continuum Damage Mechanics

A parametric study was conducted to gage the sensitivity of simulations of low-velocity impacts on laminated composite panels to various finite element model and material model features. The material model used in this parametric study was previously verified and validated for conducting progressive damage analyses of post-buckled composite structures subjected to quasi-static loading conditions. Based on the results of this parametric study, updates have been made to a progressive damage analysis material model and the best practices for its application. Experimental results are compared to computational results obtained with and without the updates to the models. Both thermoset and thermoplastic fiber-reinforced materials are considered. The resulting enhancements to the material model are presented in detail.

Frank Leone↗

Gamma-Ray Bursts and Relativistic MHD around Coalescing Neutron Stars

In this proposal we performed the first relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of the binary neutron stars near coalescence. Calculations were performed in three spatial dimensions and were supplemented with magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the magnetic reconnection as the neutron star fluid responds to the relativistic forces of the binary. The ultimate goal of the proposed work was to develop a theoretical model for the temporal and spectral evolution of cosmological gamma-ray bursts produced during the magnetic reconnection. This is the first time such hydrodynamic calculations were performed and some surprising results were obtained. The neutrons stars were observed to compress and heat in the simulations. They could even collapse to black holes many orbits before coalescence. The question then arose as to whether this strange phenomenon could power a gamma-ray burst. The bulk of computing effort in this proposal was therefore devoted to an analysis of the implications of this possible new gamma-ray burst paradigm. The initial focus of the work performed under this proposal was therefore to utilize (3+1) dimensional and spherical numerical general relativistic hydrodynamics to study the origin, evolution, and parametric sensitivity of the collapse instability. We derived modified conditions of hydrostatic equilibrium for stars in the curved space of quasi-static orbits. We followed the magnetic field evolution for approximately one orbit (10 msec). The magnetic field energy was observed to exponentiate with an e-folding time of about 1 msec. Thus, the field should build up very quickly to a magnitude such that reconnection and back reaction of the fluid inhibits further growth.

Mathews, Grant J.↗

Observers' sensitivity to dynamic anomalies in collisions

The present study examined observers' ability to discriminate canonical and dynamically anomalous collisions that were presented in either frictionless or frictional systems. Whereas previous research has provided qualitative demonstrations that dynamic information can be extracted from visual events, the current study provides a parametric assessment of observers' sensitivity to dynamic invariants. The findings indicate that observers are competent when viewing both familiar, terrestrial (frictional) systems and unfamiliar but computationally simpler, 0-G (frictionless) systems. Thus, the sensitivity to these dynamic invariants in visual events is robust in natural systems whose dynamic properties differ from those of the environment in which humans evolved and developed.

Kaiser, Mary Kister↗

Holt film wall shear instrumentation for boundary layer transition research

Measurements of the performance of hot-film wall-shear sensors were performed to aid development of improved sensors. The effect of film size and substrate properties on the sensor performance was quantified through parametric studies carried out both electronically and in a shock tube. The results show that sensor frequency response increases with decreasing sensor size, while at the same time sensitivity decreases. Substrate effects were also studied, through parametric variation of thermal conductivity and heat capacity. Early studies used complex dual-layer substrates, while later studies were designed for both single-layer and dual-layer substrates. Sensor failures and funding limitations have precluded completion of the substrate thermal-property tests.

Schneider, Steven P.↗

A cracked orthotropic sheet stiffened by a semi-infinite orthotropic sheet

The stress intensity factor is determined for a cracked orthotropic sheet adhesively bonded to an orthotropic stringer. Since the stringer is modeled as a semiinfinite sheet, the solution is most appropriate for a crack tip located near a stringer edge. Both adherends are treated as homogeneous, orthotropic media. It is assumed they are in plane stress and the adhesive is in pure shear. From Green's functions and the complex variable theory of orthotropic elasticity developed by Lekhnitskiy, a set of integral equations is obtained. The integral equations are replaced by an equivalent set of algebraic equations which is solved to obtain the shear stress distribution in the adhesive layer. With these stresses, equations for the stress intensity factors at both crack tips are found. A parametric study is conducted to determine the sensitivity of the system to material properties and specimen configuration. Unless the crack tip is very close to or under the stringer the stress intensity factor is approximately that of an unstiffened sheet. However, as the crack propagates beneath the stringer, the stress intensity factor decreases significantly. Increasing the stiffness of the stringer or the adhesive also results in a decrease in the stress intensity factor.

Bigelow, C. A.↗

Parametric study of stress-intensity factors in bonded composite stringer panels

Stress-intensity factors are determined for an infinite cracked orthotropic sheet adhesively bonded to an orthotropic stringer. Since the stringer is modeled as a semi-infinite sheet, the solution is most appropriate for a crack tip located near a stringer edge. Both adherends are treated as homogeneous, orthotropic media which are representative of many fiber-reinforced composite materials. The complex variable theory of elasticity was used to obtain a set of integral equations describing the problem. The integral equations are replaced by an equivalent sheet of algebraic equations, which are solved to obtain the shear stress distribution in the adhesive layer. From these adhesive stresses, the stress-intensity factors are found. A parametric study is conducted to determine the sensitivity of the system to material properties and specimen configuration. Unless the crack tip is very close to or under the stringer, the stress-intensity factor is approximately that of the unstiffened sheet. However, as the crack propagates beneath the stringer, the stress-intensity factor decreases significantly. Increasing the stringer stiffness or the adhesive stiffness also decreases the stress-intensity factor.

Bigelow, C. A.↗

Vibrations and structureborne noise in space station

Analytical models were developed to predict vibrations and structureborne noise generation of cylindrical and rectangular acoustic enclosures. These models are then used to determine structural vibration levels and interior noise to random point input forces. The guidelines developed could provide preliminary information on acoustical and vibrational environments in space station habitability modules under orbital operations. The structural models include single wall monocoque shell, double wall shell, stiffened orthotropic shell, descretely stiffened flat panels, and a coupled system composed of a cantilever beam structure and a stiffened sidewall. Aluminum and fiber reinforced composite materials are considered for single and double wall shells. The end caps of the cylindrical enclosures are modeled either as single or double wall circular plates. Sound generation in the interior space is calculated by coupling the structural vibrations to the acoustic field in the enclosure. Modal methods and transfer matrix techniques are used to obtain structural vibrations. Parametric studies are performed to determine the sensitivity of interior noise environment to changes in input, geometric and structural conditions.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

Investigation of lunar base thermal control system options

Long duration human exploration missions to the Moon will require active thermal control systems which have not previously been used in space. The two technologies which are most promising for long term lunar base thermal control are heat pumps and radiator shades. Recent trade-off studies at the Johnson Space Center have focused development efforts on the most promising heat pump and radiator shade technologies. Since these technologies are in the early stages of development and many parameters used in the study are not well defined, a parametric study was done to test the sensitivity to each assumption. The primary comparison factor in these studies was the total mass system, with power requirements included in the form of a mass penalty for power. Heat pump technologies considered were thermally driven heat pumps such as metal hydride, complex compound, absorption and zeolite. Also considered were electrically driven Stirling and vapor compression heat pumps. Radiator shade concepts considered included step shaped, V-shaped and parabolic (or catenary) shades and ground covers. A further trade study compared the masses of heat pump and radiator shade systems.

Ewart, Michael K.↗

Development of a Model Based Technique for Gear Diagnostics using the Wigner-Ville method

Imperfections in gear tooth geometry often result from errors in the manufacturing process or excessive material wear during operation. Such faults in the gear tooth geometry can result in large vibrations in the transmission system, and, in some cases, may lead to early failure of the gear transmission system. This report presents the study of the effects of imperfection in gear tooth geometry on the dynamic characteristics of a gear transmission system. The faults in the gear tooth geometry are modeled numerically as the deviation of the tooth profile from its original involute geometry. The changes in gear mesh stiffness due to various profile and pattern variations are evaluated numerically. The resulting changes in the mesh stiffness are incorporated into a computer code to simulate the dynamics of the gear transmission system. A parametric study is performed to examine the sensitivity of gear tooth geometry imperfections on the vibration of a gear transmission system. The parameters variations in this study consist of the magnitude of the imperfection, the pattern of the profile variation, and the total number of teeth affected. Numerical results from the dynamic simulations are examined in both the time and the frequency domains. A joint time-frequency analysis procedure using the Wigner-Ville Distribution is also introduced to identify the location of the damaged tooth from the vibration signature. Numerical simulations of the system dynamics with gear faults were compared to experimental results. An optimal tracker was introduced to quantify the level of damage in the gear mesh system. Conclusions are drawn from the results of this numerical study.

Choy, F.↗