Surface selection in optimization of compact heat exchangers for space applications.
Heat exchanger design optimization for spacecraft systems applications, emphasizing weight minimization and heat transfer surface selection
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Heat exchanger design optimization for spacecraft systems applications, emphasizing weight minimization and heat transfer surface selection
Materials/design optimization of antenna-aiming mechanism deployed on moon by Apollo 12 astronauts to transmit ALSEP experiments data to earth stations
Engineering optimization problems involve minimizing some function subject to constraints. In areas such as aircraft optimization, the constraint equations may be from numerous disciplines such as transfer of information between these disciplines and the optimization algorithm. They are also suited to problems which may require numerous re-optimizations such as in multi-objective function optimization or to problems where the design space contains numerous local minima, thus requiring repeated optimizations from different initial designs. Their use has been limited, however, by the fact that development of response surfaces randomly selected or preselected points in the design space. Thus, they have been thought to be inefficient compared to algorithms to the optimum solution. A development has taken place in the last several years which may effect the desirability of using response surfaces. It may be possible that artificial neural nets are more efficient in developing response surfaces than polynomial approximations which have been used in the past. This development is the concern of the work.
This report considers the effect of canard and horizontal tail vertical position on the aerodynamic characteristics of the PTC configuration without nacelles and diverters. This analysis is followed by three optimization studies using canard and tail incidence as design variables in the first problem followed by an optimization run with canard and tail incidence and wing camber design variables and finally an optimization run with canard incidence and wing camber. The first problem was run at fixed lift while the other two problems were run at fixed angle of attack. The final investigation reported here will show data from a component buildup study using the PTC configuration. This final study will show the aerodynamic interference between the canard, wing and horizontal tail.
A multidisciplinary design optimization methodology to directly minimize the ground-level noise generated by a supersonic aircraft's sonic boom is presented. A gradient-based optimizer is coupled with a Cartesian Euler flow solver and an atmospheric propagation tool to forge a unique design capability. Adjoint formulations for both the flow solver and propagation tool are also coupled to provide sensitivities in an efficient manner. The design method is demonstrated on the X-59 Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator by optimizing control surface deflections to improve ground-level noise while maintaining trimmed cruise flight. Two noise minimization examples and a noise maximization are presented. All optimized designs result in measurable improvement in the ground-level noise objective. Extensive surveys of the design space confirm that the optimization method is effective in finding a local optimum. Moreover, repeated application of the method with varying initial design points also demonstrates the robustness of the method.
This paper discusses response surface methods for approximation model building and multidisciplinary design optimization. The response surface methods discussed are central composite designs, Bayesian methods and D-optimal designs. An over-determined D-optimal design is applied to a configuration design and optimization study of a wing-body, launch vehicle. Results suggest that over determined D-optimal designs may provide an efficient approach for approximation model building and for multidisciplinary design optimization.
Frequency selective surfaces are widely used in the microwave and millimeter wave regions of the spectrum for filtering signals. They are used in telecommunication systems for multi-frequency operation or in instrument detectors for spectroscopy. The frequency selective surface operation depends on a periodic array of elements resonating at prescribed wavelengths producing a filter response. The size of the elements is on the order of half the electrical wavelength, and the array period is typically less than a wavelength for efficient operation. When operating in the optical region, diffraction gratings are used for filtering. In this regime the period of the grating may be several wavelengths producing multiple orders of light in reflection or transmission. In regions between these bands (specifically in the infrared band) frequency selective filters consisting of patterned metal layers fabricated using electron beam lithography are beginning to be developed. The operation is completely analogous to surfaces made in the microwave and millimeter wave region except for the choice of materials used and the fabrication process. In addition, the lithography process allows an arbitrary distribution of patterns corresponding to resonances at various wavelengths to be produced. The design of sub-millimeter filters follows the design methods used in the microwave region. Exacting modal matching, integral equation or finite element methods can be used for design. A major difference though is the introduction of material parameters and thicknesses that may not be important in longer wavelength designs. This paper describes the design of multi- bandwidth filters operating in the 1-5 micrometer wavelength range. This work follows on a previous design. In this paper extensions based on further optimization and an examination of the specific shape of the element in the periodic cell will be reported. Results from the design, manufacture and test of linear wedge filters built using microlithographic techniques and used in spectral imaging applications will be presented.
Frequency selective surfaces are widely used in the microwave and millimeter wave regions of the spectrum for filtering signals. They are used in telecommunication systems for multi-frequency operation or in instrument detectors for spectroscopy. The frequency selective surface operation depends on a periodic array of elements resonating at prescribed wavelengths producing a filter response. The size of the elements is on the order of half the electrical wavelength, and the array period is typically less than a wavelength for efficient operation. When operating in the optical region, diffraction gratings are used for filtering. In this regime the period of the grating may be several wavelengths producing multiple orders of light in reflection or transmission. In regions between these bands (specifically in the infrared band) frequency selective filters consisting of patterned metal layers fabricated using electron beam lithography are beginning to be developed. The operation is completely analogous to surfaces made in the microwave and millimeter wave region except for the choice of materials used and the fabrication process. In addition, the lithography process allows an arbitrary distribution of patterns corresponding to resonances at various wavelengths to be produced. The design of sub-millimeter filters follows the design methods used in the microwave region. Exacting modal matching, integral equation or finite element methods can be used for design. A major difference though is the introduction of material parameters and thicknesses tha_ may not be important in longer wavelength designs. This paper describes the design of multi-bandwidth filters operating in the I-5 micrometer wavelength range. This work follows on previous design [1,2]. In this paper extensions based on further optimization and an examination of the specific shape of the element in the periodic cell will be reported. Results from the design, manufacture and test of linear wedge filters built using micro-lithographic techniques and used ir spectral imaging applications will be presented.
Heat transfer analysis for cellular model of pool film boiling - optimal boundary value process
Pool film boiling based on cellular model, postulating time-averaged cell configuration to adjust itself to maximize rate of heat transfer
The efficient estimation of geoid and sea state parameters is discussed, and the optimum processing structures, including maximum likelihood estimators, and their accuracy limits are given for a model. The model accounts for random surface reflectivity, sea height, and additive noise, and allows for arbitrary radar system parameters, based on the assumption the received signal is a sample function of a normal random process. The integral equation associated with the Gaussian signal in Gaussian noise inference problem was solved. It is shown that the optimum processing is generally a mixture of coherent and incoherent integrations which may be viewed as a weighted summation of received power of the match-filtered received data. When estimates are correlated, the strongest correlation appears between geoid and asymmetry estimates, and between wave height standard deviation and reflectivity estimates.
Methods for increasing the electromagnetic (EM) performance of reflectors with rough surfaces were tested and evaluated. First, one quadrant of the 15-meter hoop-column antenna was retrofitted with computer-driven and controlled motors to allow automated adjustment of the reflector surface. The surface errors, measured with metric photogrammetry, were used in a previously verified computer code to calculate control motor adjustments. With this system, a rough antenna surface (rms of approximately 0.180 inch) was corrected in two iterations to approximately the structural surface smoothness limit of 0.060 inch rms. The antenna pattern and gain improved significantly as a result of these surface adjustments. The EM performance was evaluated with a computer program for distorted reflector antennas which had been previously verified with experimental data. Next, the effects of the surface distortions were compensated for in computer simulations by superimposing excitation from an array feed to maximize antenna performance relative to an undistorted reflector. Results showed that a 61-element array could produce EM performance improvements equal to surface adjustments. When both mechanical surface adjustment and feed compensation techniques were applied, the equivalent operating frequency increased from approximately 6 to 18 GHz.
Analytical benefits of variable-camber capability on subsonic transport aircraft are explored. Using aerodynamic performance models, including drag as a function of deflection angle for control surfaces of interest, optimal performance benefits of variable camber are calculated. Results demonstrate that if all wing trailing-edge surfaces are available for optimization, drag can be significantly reduced at most points within the flight envelope. The optimization approach developed and illustrated for flight uses variable camber for optimization of aerodynamic efficiency (maximizing the lift-to-drag ratio). Most transport aircraft have significant latent capability in this area. Wing camber control that can affect performance optimization for transport aircraft includes symmetric use of ailerons and flaps. In this paper, drag characteristics for aileron and flap deflections are computed based on analytical and wind-tunnel data. All calculations based on predictions for the subject aircraft and the optimal surface deflection are obtained by simple interpolation for given conditions. An algorithm is also presented for computation of optimal surface deflection for given conditions. Benefits of variable camber for a transport configuration using a simple trailing-edge control surface system can approach more than 10 percent, especially for nonstandard flight conditions. In the cruise regime, the benefit is 1-3 percent.
In multidisciplinary optimization problems, response surface techniques can be used to replace the complex analyses that define the objective function and/or constraints with simple functions, typically polynomials. In this work a response surface is applied to the design optimization of a helicopter rotor blade. In previous work, this problem has been formulated with a multilevel approach. Here, the response surface takes advantage of this decomposition and is used to replace the lower level, a structural optimization of the blade. Problems that were encountered and important considerations in applying the response surface are discussed. Preliminary results are also presented that illustrate the benefits of using the response surface.
This paper considers the aeroelastic optimization of a subsonic transport wingbox under a variety of static and dynamic aeroelastic constraints. Three types of design variables are utilized: structural variables (skin thickness, stiffener details), the quasi-steady deflection scheduling of a series of control surfaces distributed along the trailing edge for maneuver load alleviation and trim attainment, and the design details of an LQR controller, which commands oscillatory hinge moments into those same control surfaces. Optimization problems are solved where a closed loop flutter constraint is forced to satisfy the required flight margin, and mass reduction benefits are realized by relaxing the open loop flutter requirements.
This paper gives an update on the performance of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) which have been continually performing for more than 3 years beyond their original 90-day missions. The paper also gives the latest results on the optimization of a multijunction solar cell that is optimized to give more power on the surface of Mars.
An optimization procedure, based on the Aerodynamic Energy concept, is applied to the problem of flutter suppression using trailing-edge (T.E.) and tab control surfaces. A control law is assumed which allows the T.E.-Tab system to be driven by both linear and rotational sensors, and the optimum control law parameters are determined. Results are presented which indicate the capability of the T.E.-Tab control system to suppress flutter. A comparison is also made between the T.E.-Tab and the leading edge (L.E.)-T.E. control systems which shows their relative effectiveness together with some aspects connected to the realization of the control law.
The unparalleled success of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) powered by GaInP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells has demonstrated a lifetime for the rovers that exceeded the baseline mission duration by more than a factor of five. This provides confidence in future longer-term solar powered missions on the surface of Mars. However, the solar cells used on the rovers are not optimized for the Mars surface solar spectrum, which is attenuated at shorter wavelengths due to scattering by the dusty atmosphere. The difference between the Mars surface spectrum and the AM0 spectrum increases with solar zenith angle and optical depth. The recent results of a program between JPL and Spectrolab to optimize GaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cells for Mars are presented. Initial characterization focuses on the solar spectrum at 60-degrees zenith angle at an optical depth of 0.5. The 60-degree spectrum is reduced to ~1/6 of the AM0 intensity and is further reduced in the blue portion of the spectrum. JPL has modeled the Mars surface solar spectra, modified an X-25 solar simulator, and completed testing of Mars-optimized solar cells previously developed by Spectrolab with the modified X-25 solar simulator. Spectrolab has focused on the optimization of the higher efficiency Ultra Triple-Junction (UTJ) solar cell for Mars. The attenuated blue portion of the spectrum requires the modification of the top sub-cell in the GaInP/GaAs/Ge solar cell for improved current balancing in the triple-junction cell. Initial characterization confirms the predicted increase in power and current matched operation for the Mars surface 60-degree zenith angle solar spectrum.