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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 649 records · Page 36

Theory and operation of the Gould 32/27 programs ABLE-2A and EBLE for the tropospheric air motion measurement system

Software development for the Trospheric Air Motion Measurement Systems (TAMMS) is documented. In July/August the TAMMS was flown on the NASA/Goddard Flight Center Electra aircraft for 19 mission for the ABLE-2A (Amazon Boundary Layer Experiment) in Brazil. In December 1985, several flights were performed to assess the contamination and boundary layer of the Electra. Position data, flow angles, pressure transducer measurements were recorded. The programs written for the ABLE-2A were modified due to timing considerations for this particular program. The 3-step programs written for EBLE (Electra Boundary Layer Experiment) are described. Power up and log-on procedures are discussed. A few editing techniques are described for modification of the programs.

Butler, C.↗

System analysis for the Huntsville Operation Support Center distributed computer system

A simulation model of the NASA Huntsville Operational Support Center (HOSC) was developed. This simulation model emulates the HYPERchannel Local Area Network (LAN) that ties together the various computers of HOSC. The HOSC system is a large installation of mainframe computers such as the Perkin Elmer 3200 series and the Dec VAX series. A series of six simulation exercises of the HOSC model is described using data sets provided by NASA. The analytical analysis of the ETHERNET LAN and the video terminals (VTs) distribution system are presented. An interface analysis of the smart terminal network model which allows the data flow requirements due to VTs on the ETHERNET LAN to be estimated, is presented.

Ingels, F. M.↗

Low Reynolds number separation bubble research at UTRC

The facilities and techniques being applied in investigations of laminar separation bubbles on low Re airfoils at the United Technologies Research Center are described. The research is focused on developing a database and predictive models for use in designing compressor, fan and turbine blades. Flow data are gathered primarily by laser Doppler velocimetry. Experimental procedures are being devised which will permit formation of a short bubble for characterizations of the velocity profiles in and around the bubble and boundary layer. Further tests are directed at defining the size and location of the bubble and the transition in the separated shear layer. The sensitivity of the bubble to alterations in the Re, pressure gradient, turbulence intensity and the turbulence scales will be examined. The effects of surface curvature and roughness on the bubble will also be studied. Details of the wind tunnel facility and the steps being taken to define conditions for reliably producing the short bubble are outlined.

Patrick, W. P.↗

Twos-complement data processing form improved encoded matrix-vector processors

A new method for handling bipolar data by twos-complement representation is detailed. This technique requires fewer bits, uses simpler optical processor devices (fewer channels), and provides a higher processing rate and throughput. It is directly extendable to more complex matrix operations because of its data flow property and requires only a modest increase in the complexity of the digital support system.

Taylor, B. K.↗

Computation of turbulent flows on rotating bodies and ducts

A K-epsilon model for three-dimensional boundary layers modified to include anisotropy and one modified for rotating flows are described. Based on these models, the predictions of a space-marching code show good agreement with the flow data for a rotating cylinder and a rotating channel.

Pougare, M.↗

Enhanced heat transfer combustor technology, subtasks 1 and 2, tast C.1

Analytical and experimental studies are being conducted for NASA to evaluate means of increasing the heat extraction capability and service life of a liquid rocket combustor. This effort is being conducted in conjunction with other tasks to develop technologies for an advanced, expander cycle, oxygen/hydrogen engine planned for upper stage propulsion applications. Increased heat extraction, needed to raise available turbine drive energy for higher chamber pressure, is derived from combustion chamber hot gas wall ribs that increase the heat transfer surface area. Life improvement is obtained through channel designs that enhance cooling and maintain the wall temperature at an accepatable level. Laboratory test programs were conducted to evaluate the heat transfer characteristics of hot gas rib and coolant channel geometries selected through an analytical screening process. Detailed velocity profile maps, previously unavailable for rib and channel geometries, were obtained for the candidate designs using a cold flow laser velocimeter facility. Boundary layer behavior and heat transfer characteristics were determined from the velocity maps. Rib results were substantiated by hot air calorimeter testing. The flow data were analytically scaled to hot fire conditions and the results used to select two rib and three enhanced coolant channel configurations for further evaluation.

Baily, R. D.↗

Systolic VLSI for Kalman filters

A novel two-dimensional parallel computing method for real-time Kalman filtering is presented. The mathematical formulation of a Kalman filter algorithm is rearranged to be the type of Faddeev algorithm for generalizing signal processing. The data flow mapping from the Faddeev algorithm to a two-dimensional concurrent computing structure is developed. The architecture of the resulting processor cells is regular, simple, expandable, and therefore naturally suitable for VLSI chip implementation. The computing methodology and the two-dimensional systolic arrays are useful for Kalman filter applications as well as other matrix/vector based algebraic computations.

Yeh, H.-G.↗

MAST flight system operations

The integration process of the MAST flight system is surveyed. Insight is given into the planned orbital experiment process. The data flow necessary to support the flight operation is outlined.

Brumfield, M. Larry↗

A research program in advanced information systems

Topics addressed cover: identification of large space structure dynamics; special-purpose architectures for computational fluid dynamics; fault-tolerant processor architectures; data flow techniques; software specification and verification tools; management of software development; software environment for concurrent computing; and parallel algorithms and architectures for the solution of partial differential equations.

Vandervelde, Wallace E.↗

Automating the parallel processing of fluid and structural dynamics calculations

The NASA Lewis Research Center is actively involved in the development of expert system technology to assist users in applying parallel processing to computational fluid and structural dynamic analysis. The goal of this effort is to eliminate the necessity for the physical scientist to become a computer scientist in order to effectively use the computer as a research tool. Programming and operating software utilities have previously been developed to solve systems of ordinary nonlinear differential equations on parallel scalar processors. Current efforts are aimed at extending these capabilities to systems of partial differential equations, that describe the complex behavior of fluids and structures within aerospace propulsion systems. This paper presents some important considerations in the redesign, in particular, the need for algorithms and software utilities that can automatically identify data flow patterns in the application program and partition and allocate calculations to the parallel processors. A library-oriented multiprocessing concept for integrating the hardware and software functions is described.

Arpasi, Dale J.↗

A strategy for automatically generating programs in the lucid programming language

A strategy for automatically generating and verifying simple computer programs is described. The programs are specified by a precondition and a postcondition in predicate calculus. The programs generated are in the Lucid programming language, a high-level, data-flow language known for its attractive mathematical properties and ease of program verification. The Lucid programming is described, and the automatic program generation strategy is described and applied to several example problems.

Johnson, Sally C.↗

Guidelines for applying the Composite Specification Model (CSM)

The Composite Specification Model (CSM) is an approach to representing software requirements. Guidelines are provided for applying CSM and developing each of the three descriptive views of the software: the contextual view, using entities and relationships; the dynamic view, using states and transitions; and the function view, using data flows and processes. Using CSM results in a software specification document, which is outlined.

Agresti, William↗

Thermal inertia characteristics of the Martian crater Curie

Thermal inertia characteristics have been determined for the martian crater Curie from high resolution groundtracks of Viking Thermal Infrared Mapper (IRTM) data. Flow features near the southeastern edge of the ejecta indicate that at least part of the Curie ejecta was emplaced in a manner similar to the ejecta of rampart craters. Within the study region there appears to be a general southeastern trend towards lower thermal inertia values. This trend may be related to the proximity of the Arabia region, which is mainly to the south and east of Curie. Curie is in a region where the overall thermal inertias change over relatively short distances radial to Arabia. Therefore, the observed general decrease in thermal inertia may represent increasing regional dust accumulation in the direction of Arabia.

Horner, V. M.↗

Temperature distribution in the crust and mantle

In an attempt to understand the temperature distribution in the earth, experimental constraints on the geotherm in the crust and mantle are considered. The basic form of the geotherm is interpreted on the basis of two dominant mechanisms by which heat is transported in the earth: (1) conduction through the rock, and (2) advection by thermal flow. Data reveal that: (1) the temperature distributions through continental lithosphere and through oceanic lithosphere more than 60 million years old are practically indistinguishable, (2) crustal uplift is instrumental in modifying continental geotherms, and (3) the average temperature through the Archean crust and mantle was similar to that at present. It is noted that current limitations in understanding the constitution of the lower mantle can lead to significant uncertainties in the thermal response time of the planetary interior.

Jeanloz, R.↗

Application of expert systems in the Common Module electrical power system

Each Common Module (CM) of the Space Station must be capable of handling a 50 kW electricity supply, 25 kW for transmission and 25 kW for consumption. The power must be handled and managed by on-board systems, a necessity that dovetails with the objectives of Public Law 98-371, which mandates that the Space Station push the state of the art of automation and AI. Expert systems will be needed to handle the large data flow for the power system and to ensure that the system degrades gracefully. Features of the first expert systems expected for the power system, i.e., a dynamic load planner/scheduler and energy storage subsystem management, fault diagnosis/analysis, health status/trend analysis, and orbital replacement advisor expert systems, are described. Finally, growth Space Station expert systems applications are discussed.

Weeks, D. J.↗

Global system data bus using the Digital Autonomous Terminal Access Communication protocol

Modern digital avionic systems with distributed processing require networking to connect the many elements. Digital Autonomous Terminal Access Communication (DATAC) is one of many such networks. DATAC has been implemented on the Transport Systems Research Vehicle (TSRV), a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Advanced Transport Operating Systems Program Office (ATOPS). This paper presents the TSRV implementation of the DATAC bus, a description of the DATAC system, a synchronization mechanism, details of data flow throughout the system, and a discussion of the modes available with DATAC. Numerous flight tests have been conducted using DATAC as the only means of communication between systems with outstanding results. DATAC is now an integral part of the TSRV and is expected to satisfy near term as well as future requirements for growth and flexibility.

Holmes, David C. E.↗

Space station integrated wall design and penetration damage control

The analysis code BUMPER executes a numerical solution to the problem of calculating the probability of no penetration (PNP) of a spacecraft subject to man-made orbital debris or meteoroid impact. The codes were developed on a DEC VAX 11/780 computer that uses the Virtual Memory System (VMS) operating system, which is written in FORTRAN 77 with no VAX extensions. To help illustrate the steps involved, a single sample analysis is performed. The example used is the space station reference configuration. The finite element model (FEM) of this configuration is relatively complex but demonstrates many BUMPER features. The computer tools and guidelines are described for constructing a FEM for the space station under consideration. The methods used to analyze the sensitivity of PNP to variations in design, are described. Ways are suggested for developing contour plots of the sensitivity study data. Additional BUMPER analysis examples are provided, including FEMs, command inputs, and data outputs. The mathematical theory used as the basis for the code is described, and illustrates the data flow within the analysis.

Coronado, A. R.↗

An evaluation plan of bus architectures and protocols using the NASA Ames intelligent redundant actuation system

Means for evaluating data bus architectures and protocols for highly integrated flight control system applications are needed. Described are the criteria and plans to do this by using the NASA/Ames Intelligent Redundant Actuation System (IRAS) experimental set-up. Candidate bus architectures differ from one another in terms of: topology, access control, message transfer schemes, message characteristics, initialization. data flow control, transmission rates, fault tolerance, and time synchronization. The evaluation criteria are developed relative to these features. A preliminary, analytical evaluation of four candidate busses (MIL-STD-1553B, DATAC, Ethernet, and HSIS) is described. A bus must be exercised in a real-time environment to evaluate its dynamic characteristics. A plan for real-time evaluation of these four busses using a combination of hardware and simulation techniques is presented.

Defeo, P.↗