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Results for “Mathematics of computing”

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 577 records · Page 32

Development of a phase-change thermal storage system using modified anhydrous sodium hydroxide for solar electric power generation

A thermal storage system for use in solar power electricity generation was investigated analytically and experimentally. The thermal storage medium is principally anhydrous NaOH with 8% NaNO3 and 0.2% MnO2. Heat is charged into storage at 584 K and discharged from storage at 582 K by Therminol-66. Physical and thermophysical properties of the storage medium were measured. A mathematical simulation and computer program describing the operation of the system were developed. A 1/10 scale model of a system capable of storing and delivering 3.1 x 10 to the 6th power kJ of heat was designed, built, and tested. Tests included steady state charging, discharging, idling, and charge-discharge conditions simulating a solar daily cycle. Experimental data and computer-predicted results are correlated. A reference design including cost estimates of the full-size system was developed.

Cohen, B. M.↗

The Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment /LACIE/ - A summary of three years' experience

Aims, history and schedule of the Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) conducted by NASA, USDA and NOAA from 1974-1977 are described. The LACIE experiment designed to research, develop, apply and evaluate a technology to monitor wheat production in important regions throughout the world (U.S., Canada, USSR, Brasil) utilized quantitative multispectral data collected by Landsat in concert with current weather data and historical information. The experiment successfully exploited computer data and mathematical models to extract timely corp information. A follow-on activities for the early 1980's is planned focusing especially on the early warning of changes affecting production and quality of renewable resources and commodity production forecast.

Erb, R. B.↗

A network of automatic atmospherics analyzer

The design and function of an atmospheric analyzer which uses a computer are discussed. Mathematical models which show the method of measurement are presented. The data analysis and recording procedures of the analyzer are discussed.

Schaefer, J.↗

Flight dynamics analysis and simulation of heavy lift airships. Volume 1: Executive summary

A generic, yet comprehensive mathematical model and computer simulation of the HLA flight dynamics over its entire flight envelope was developed. Implicit in this simulation development are the data reviews and analyses which support the equations of motion and the calculation of forces and moments acting on the vehicle. The simulation, HYBRDS, is addressed to the broad requirements and is intended for use as a synthesis and analysis tool for the evaluation of competing HLA design concepts.

Ringland, R. F.↗

Capillary priming characteristics of a high capacity dual passage heat pipe

A parametric study of the forces governing the liquid-vapor interface was performed for the purpose of determining the capillary priming characteristics of Grumman's dual passage monogroove heat pipe when subjected to low-g or zero-g conditions. The static liquid-vapor interface configuration was determined through minimization of the free surface energies and a mathematical model and computer program which describe the time to prime was developed. Modeling predictions confirmed expectations of proper priming action and established the criteria for sizing of the liquid and vapor channels.

Peterson, G. P.↗

Simulation of cardiovascular response to acceleration stress following weightless exposure

Physiological adjustments taking place during space flight tend to reduce the tolerance of the crew to headward (+Gz) acceleration experienced during the reentry phase of the flight. This reduced tolerance to acceleration stress apparently arises from an adaptation to the microgravity environment of space, including a decrease in the total circulating blood volume. Countermeasures such as anti-g garments have long been known to improve the tolerance to headward g-force, but their effectiveness in space flight has not been fully evaluated. The simulation study presented in this paper is concerned with the response of the cardiovascular system to g-stress following cardiovascular deconditioning, resulting from exposure to weightlessness, or any of its ground-based experimental analogs. The results serve to demonstrate the utility of mathematical modeling and computer simulation for studying the causes of orthostatic intolerance and the remedial measures to lessen it.

Srinivasan, R.↗

Rotorcraft simulation at Ames

Attention is given to rotorcraft simulation experience at NASA's Ames research facility, which has involved complex mathematical modeling, high computational capability requirements, and strong influences from pilot motion and visual cues. A development history and performance assessment is presented for the rotorcraft simulation hardware, together with projections of near term development improvements of capabilities. Greater demand is anticipated for the simulation of all-digital helicopter flight control systems.

Alderete, T. S.↗

Precision maneuver determination for trajectory corrections

The interplanetary navigation of a spacecraft requires precise calculation of trajectory correction maneuver parameters. Velocity increments must be found which make the required corrections, minimize propellant consumption, and do not violate hardware design constraints or scientific objectives. This process is illustrated by its application to the Galileo Mission. The paper describes inflight analysis techniques, mathematical modeling, and computational algorithms used in the precision maneuver calculation scenario.

Hintz, G. R.↗

Math modelling as a complement to the scientific inquiry of physiological adaptation to space flight: Fluid, endocrine and circulatory regulation

The contribution of mathematical modeling and computer simulation to the understanding of problems arising during weightless space flight is reviewed. Examples from fluid, endocrine, and circulatory regulation are provided to illustrate the utility of modeling as an adjunct to the process of scientific inquiry, especially in the development and theoretical testing of hypotheses. The models were used to examine the acute and chronic phases of space flight. Paradoxial results appear when data obtained during chronic adaptation is interpreted using theories which pertain to acute adjustments. The modeling process provides a means of developing a theoretical basis for interpreting the chronic adaptive phase of flight.

Leonard, J. I.↗

Path discrepancies between great circle and rhumb line

A simulation of a mathematical model to compute path discrepancies between great circle and rhumb line flight paths is presented. The model illustrates that the path errors depend on the latitude, the bearing, and the trip length of the flight.

Kaul, Rajan↗

Real-time comparison of X-29A flight data and simulation data

This paper presents a technique for comparing, in real time, the flight test time histories for X-29A aircraft with time histories computed from linearized mathematical models. Such a comparison allows the flight test personnel to verify that the aircraft is performing as predicted, to determine regions of nonlinear behavior, and to increase the rate of envelope expansion. The types of mathematical modeling and equipment required, the procedure used, and actual flight test results are discussed.

Gera, Joseph↗

Real-time operational planning for the U.S. air traffic system

This paper describes an integrated planning model for the U.S. air traffic system. The approach incorporates the dual objectives of monitoring collision risk while minimizing transportation costs. Specialized solution algorithms exploit the underlying structure of the model - especially for large-scale examples. The proposed formulation is tested with real-world data for the Indianapolis control sector. Additional experiments with a CRAY X-MP/24 supercomputer show that a full-scale model can be solved under real time conditions. Despite these advances, additional work is required in developing a practical system. Suggestions are made for combining advances in computer graphics and mathematical modeling.

Mulvey, John M.↗

Primary instabilities and bicriticality in flow between counter-rotating cylinders

The primary instabilities and bicritical curves for flow between counter-rotating cylinders have been computed numerically from the Navier-Stokes equations assuming axial periodicity. The computations provide values of the Reynolds numbers, wavenumbers, and wave speeds at the primary transition from Couette flow for radius ratios from 0.40-0.98. Particular attention has been focused on the bicritical curves that separate (as the magnitude of counter-rotation is increased) the transitions from Couette flow to flows with different azimuthal wavenumbers m and m + 1. This lays the foundation for further analysis of nonlinear mode interactions and pattern formation occurring along the bicritical curves and serves as a benchmark for experimental studies. Preliminary experimental measurements of transition Reynolds numbers and wave speeds presented here agree well with the computations from the mathematical model.

Langford, W. F.↗

Computing Flows In Turbine End Bearings

Computer program implements mathematical model of flow through turbine and bearings of high-pressure-oxygen turbopump of Space Shuttle main engine. Intended to determine rate of flow and margin before vaporization in these bearings for various types of geometries. Effects of hydrostatic damper and/or back-pressure seal included. Modified for application to other turbomachines and fluids other than oxygen.

Smith, Tyn S.↗

Costas loop lock detection in the advanced receiver

The advanced receiver currently being developed uses a Costas digital loop to demodulate the subcarrier. Previous analyses of lock detector algorithms for Costas loops have ignored the effects of the inherent correlation between the samples of the phase-error process. Accounting for this correlation is necessary to achieve the desired lock-detection probability for a given false-alarm rate. Both analysis and simulations are used to quantify the effects of phase correlation on lock detection for the square-law and the absolute-value type detectors. Results are obtained which depict the lock-detection probability as a function of loop signal-to-noise ratio for a given false-alarm rate. The mathematical model and computer simulation show that the square-law detector experiences less degradation due to phase jitter than the absolute-value detector and that the degradation in detector signal-to-noise ratio is more pronounced for square-wave than for sine-wave signals.

Mileant, A.↗

Growth Of Instabilities In Two Types Of Mixing Layers

Report discusses issues involved in computation of growth of instabilities and vorticity in mixing (shear) layer between two parallel flows having different speeds and separated initially by flat surface. Study focusses upon degree to which these growing flow structures hasten or retard their own further growth, and upon related question of differences between flows computed according to mathematical models of S-layer and T-layer mixing. Transformation method used offers suitable tool for study of such flows.

Kaul, Upender K.↗

Data reduction of digitized images processed from calibrated photographic and spectroscopic films obtained from terrestial, rocket and space shuttle telescopic instruments

The Microvax 2 computer, the basic software in VMS, and the Mitsubishi High Speed Disk were received and installed. The digital scanning tunneling microscope is fully installed and operational. A new technique was developed for pseudocolor analysis of the line plot images of a scanning tunneling microscope. Computer studies and mathematical modeling of the empirical data associated with many of the film calibration studies were presented. A gas can follow-up experiment which will be launched in September, on the Space Shuttle STS-50, was prepared and loaded. Papers were presented on the structure of the human hair strand using scanning electron microscopy and x ray analysis and updated research on the annual rings produced by the surf clam of the ocean estuaries of Maryland. Scanning electron microscopic work was conducted by the research team for the study of the Mossbauer and Magnetic Susceptibility Studies on NmNi(4.25)Fe(.85) and its Hydride.

Hammond, Ernest C., Jr.↗

Modeling of rolling element bearing mechanics

Roller element bearings provide the primary mechanical interface between rotating and nonrotating components in the high performance turbomachinery of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Knowledge of bearing behavior under various loading and environmental conditions is essential to predicting and understanding the overall behavior of turbopumps, including rotordynamic stability, critical speeds and bearing life. The objective is to develop mathematical models and computer programs to describe the mechanical behavior of ball and cylinder roller bearings under the loading and environmental conditions encountered in the SSME and future high performance rocket engines. This includes characteristics such as nonlinear load/motion relationships, stiffness and damping, rolling element loads for life prediction, and roller and cage stability.

Greenhill, L. M.↗