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At least 667 records · Page 37

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NASA NTRS1992

A free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternator controls and load interaction test facility

A test facility at LeRC was assembled for evaluating free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternator control options, and interaction with various electrical loads. This facility is based on a 'SPIKE' engine/alternator. The engine/alternator, a multi-purpose load system, a digital computer based load and facility control, and a data acquisition system with both steady-periodic and transient capability are described. Preliminary steady-periodic results are included for several operating modes of a digital AC parasitic load control. Preliminary results on the transient response to switching a resistive AC user load are discussed.

Rauch, Jeffrey S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Fracture mechanics analysis for various fiber/matrix interface loadings

Fiber/matrix (F/M) cracking was analyzed to provide better understanding and guidance in developing F/M interface fracture toughness tests. Two configurations, corresponding to F/M cracking at a broken fiber and at the free edge, were investigated. The effects of mechanical loading, thermal cooldown, and friction were investigated. Each configuration was analyzed for two loadings: longitudinal and normal to the fiber. A nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to model friction and slip at the F/M interface. A new procedure for fitting a square-root singularity to calculated stresses was developed to determine stress intensity factors (K sub I and K sub II) for a bimaterial interface crack. For the case of F/M cracking at a broken fiber with longitudinal loading, crack tip conditions were strongly influenced by interface friction. As a result, an F/M interface toughness test based on this case was not recommended because nonlinear data analysis methods would be required. For the free edge crack configuration, both mechanical and thermal loading caused crack opening, thereby avoiding frictional effects. An F/M interface toughness test based on this configuration would provide data for K(sub I)/K(sub II) ratios of about 0.7 and 1.6 for fiber and radial normal loading, respectively. However, thermal effects must be accounted for in the data analysis.

Naik, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Buckling behavior of long symmetrically laminated plates subjected to compression, shear, and inplane bending loads

A parametric study of the buckling behavior of infinitely long symmetrically laminated anisotropic plates subjected to combined loadings are presented. The loading conditions considered are pure inplane bending, transverse tension and compression, and shear. Results obtained using a special purpose analysis are presented for clamped and simply supported plates. An important finding of the study is that the effects of anisotropy are much more pronounced in shear-loaded plates than in axial compression-loaded plates and plates loaded by pure inplane bending.

Nemeth, Michael P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Analytical aeroelastic stability considerations and conversion loads for an XV-15 tilt-rotor in a wind tunnel simulation

A rotorcraft analysis is conducted to assess tilt-rotor stability and conversion loads for the XV-15 rotor with metal blades within its specified test envelope. A 38-DOF flutter analysis based on the code by Johnson (1988) is developed to simulate a wind-tunnel test in which the rotor torque is constant and thereby study stability. The same analytical model provides the simulated loads including hub loads, blade loads, and oscillatory pitch-link loads with attention given to the nonuniform inflow through the proprotor in the presence of the wing. Tilt-rotor stability during the cruise mode is found to be sensitive to coupling effects in the control system stiffness, and a stability problem is identified in the XV-15 Advanced Technology Blades. The present analysis demonstrates that the tilt-rotor is stable within the specified test envelope of the NASA 40 x 80-ft wind tunnel.

Kottapalli, Sesi↗

NASA NTRS1992

Fracture mechanics analysis for various fiber/matrix interface loadings

Fiber/matrix (F/M) cracking was analyzed to provide better understanding and guidance in developing F/M interface fracture toughness tests. Two configurations, corresponding to F/M cracking at a broken fiber and at the free edge, were investigated. The effects of mechanical loading, thermal cooldown, and friction were investigated. Each configuration was analyzed for two loadings: longitudinal and normal to the fiber. A nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to model friction and slip at the F/M interface. A new procedure for fitting a square-root singularity to calculated stresses was developed to determine stress intensity factors (K sub I and K sub II) for a bimaterial interface crack. For the case of F/M cracking at a broken fiber with longitudinal loading, crack tip conditions were strongly influenced by interface friction. As a result, an F/M interface toughness test based on this case was not recommended because nonlinear data analysis methods would be required. For the free edge crack configuration, both mechanical and thermal loading caused crack opening, theory avoiding fractional effects. A F/M interface toughness test based on this configuration would provide data for K(sub I/K(sub II) ratios of about 0.7 and 1.6 for fiber and radial normal loading, respectively. However, thermal effects must be accounted for in the data analysis.

Naik, Rajiv A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Monitoring Loads In Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials

In new method of determining load on specimen, direction of stress wave propagation measured by array of acoustic sensors attached to specimen. Responses of sensors analyzed by strain-energy-density calculations to calculate load. Change in anisotropy of elasticity caused by applied load and corresponding induced strain. Is means to monitor applied load corresponding to measurable shift in direction of propagation of stress wave. Monitoring device based on this method made integral part of airframe in which unidirectional section of structure, such as spar cap or longeron, carries primary load.

Prosser, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The mechanism of bolt loading

It is shown that the mechanism of bolt loading for preloaded fasteners can be effectively portrayed through simple spring models and some algebraic manipulations. Understanding schematically what is involved in such joints provides insight into the distribution of loads. The developed equations confirm that for both symmetric and nonsymmetric joints the loading plane factor and the stiffness factor directly affect the load seen in preloaded fasteners. The manner in which an external loading is transferred through the joint can be explained as energy dissipated in the various springs of both the abutment and the bolt itself.

Lee, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Methods of determining loads and fiber orientations in anisotropic non-crystalline materials using energy flux deviation

An ultrasonic wave is applied to an anisotropic sample material in an initial direction and an angle of flux deviation of the ultrasonic wave front is measured from this initial direction. This flux deviation angle is induced by the unknown applied load. The flux shift is determined between this flux deviation angle and a previously determined angle of flux deviation of an ultrasonic wave applied to a similar anisotropic reference material under an initial known load condition. This determined flux shift is then compared to a plurality of flux shifts of a similarly tested, similar anisotropic reference material under a plurality of respective, known load conditions, whereby the load applied to the particular anisotropic sample material is determined. A related method is disclosed for determining the fiber orientation from known loads and a determined flux shift.

Prosser, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The prediction of nonlinear dynamic loads on helicopters from flight variables using artificial neural networks

A method of indirectly monitoring component loads through common flight variables is proposed which requires an accurate model of the underlying nonlinear relationships. An artificial neural network (ANN) model learns relationships through exposure to a database of flight variable records and corresponding load histories from an instrumented military helicopter undergoing standard maneuvers. The ANN model, utilizing eight standard flight variables as inputs, is trained to predict normalized time-varying mean and oscillatory loads on two critical components over a range of seven maneuvers. Both interpolative and extrapolative capabilities are demonstrated with agreement between predicted and measured loads on the order of 90 percent to 95 percent. This work justifies pursuing the ANN method of predicting loads from flight variables.

Cook, A. B.↗

NASA NTRS1993

TranAir applications to predicting transonic aircraft/store loads

During a recent AIWS wind tunnel test for the F-18, the AIWS grid loads were in substantial disagreement with carriage loads measured on the opposite pylon at M = 0.95. Carriage loads indicated that the AIWS configuration might impact the fuel tank mounted on the inboard pylon during jettison at M = 0.95, while CTS data indicated this to be a safe jettison condition. An attempt was made to determine the correct loads for this condition. On the basis of PAN AIR and TranAir calculations, it appears that the carriage loads are correct, while the CTS measured grid data may be subject to sting-fuel tank interference effects at transonic speeds.

Cenko, A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A free-piston Stirling engine/linear alternator controls and load interaction test facility

Rauch, Jeffrey S.↗

NASA NTRS1927

A load factor formula

The ultimate test of a load factor formula is experience. The chief advantages of a semi rational formula over arbitrary factors are that it fairs in between points of experience and it differentiates according to variables within a type. Structural failure of an airplane apparently safe according to the formula would call for a specific change in the formula. The best class of airplanes with which to check a load factor formula seems to be those which have experienced structural failure. Table I comprises a list of the airplanes which have experienced failure in flight traceable to the wing structure. The load factor by formula is observed to be greater than the designed strength in each case, without a single exception. Table II comprises the load factor by formula with the designed strength of a number of well-known service types. The formula indicates that by far the majority of these have ample structural strength. One case considered here in deriving a suitable formula is that of a heavy load carrier of large size and practically no reserve power.

Miller, Roy G↗

NASA NTRS1939

A method of estimating the critical buckling load for structural members

The relations between load on the structure and rotation of a joint can be used to estimate the lowest critical load after the equation for neutral stability has been tested for three assumed critical loads, each of which is less than the lowest critical load. The solutions of six simple problems are included to illustrate the application of the method of estimating critical loads and to reveal certain characteristics of the method that should be known by the practical engineer using it. Four of these problems are concerned with members that lie in the elastic, or long-column, range. The other two problems are concerned with members that lie in the short-column range.

Lundquist, Eugene E↗

NASA NTRS1947

Theoretical Additional Span Loading Characteristics of Wings with Arbitrary Sweep, Aspect Ratio, and Taper Ratio

The Weissinger method for determining additional span loading has been used to find the lift-curve slope, spanwise center of pressure, aerodynamic center location, and span loading coefficients of untwisted and uncambered wings having a wide range of plan forms characterized by various combinations of sweep, aspect ratio, and taper ratio. The results are presented as variations of the aerodynamic characteristics with sweep angle for various values of aspect ratio and taper ratio. Methods are also included for determining induced drag and the approximate effects of compressibility. Despite the limitations of a lifting line method such as Weissinger's, the good agreement found between experimentally and theoretically determined characteristics warrants confidence in the method. In particular, it is believed that trends observed in results of the Weissinger method should be reliable. One of the most significant results showed that for each angle of sweep there is a taper ratio for which aspect ratio has little effect on the span loading and for which the loading is practically elliptical. This elliptic loading is approached at a taper ratio of 1.39 for 30 degree of sweepforward, 0.45 for zero degree of sweepback. (author)

Deyoung, John↗

NASA NTRS1958

Measurements of the Buffeting Loads on the Wing and Horizontal Tail of a 1/4-scale Model of the X-1E Airplane

The buffeting loads acting on the wing and horizontal tail of a 1/4-scale model of the X-1E airplane have been measured in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel in the Mach number range from 0.40 to 0.90. When the buffeting loads were reduced to a nondimensional aerodynamic coefficient of buffeting intensity, it was found that the maximum buffeting intensity of the horizontal tail was about twice as large as that of the wing. Comparison of power spectra of buffeting loads acting on the horizontal tail of the airplaneand of the model indicated that the model horizontal tail, which was of conventional force-test-model design, responded in an entirely different mode than did the airplane.This result implied that if quantitative extrapolation of model data to flight conditions were desired a dynamically scaled model of the rearward portion of the fuselage and empennage would be required. A study of the sources of horizontal-tail buffeting of the model indicated that the wing wake contributed a large part of the total buffeting load. At one condition it was found that removal of the wing wake would reduce the buffeting loads on the horizontal tail to about one-third of the original value.

Rainey, A Gerald↗

NASA NTRS1990

On a concurrent element-by-element preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm for multiple load cases

Element-by-element preconditioned conjugate gradient (EBE-PCG) algorithms have been advocated for use in parallel/vector processing environments as being superior to the conventional LDL(exp T) decomposition algorithm for single load cases. Although there may be some advantages in using such algorithms for a single load case, when it comes to situations involving multiple load cases, the LDL(exp T) decomposition algorithm would appear to be decidedly more cost-effective. The authors have outlined an EBE-PCG algorithm suitable for multiple load cases and compared its effectiveness to the highly efficient LDL(exp T) decomposition scheme. The proposed algorithm offers almost no advantages over the LDL(exp T) algorithm for the linear problems investigated on the Alliant FX/8. However, there may be some merit in the algorithm in solving nonlinear problems with load incrementation, but that remains to be investigated.

Watson, Brian↗

NASA NTRS1993

Loading, electromyograph, and motion during exercise

A system is being developed to gather kineto-dynamic data for a study to determine the load vectors applied to bone during exercise on equipment similar to that used in space. This information will quantify bone loading for exercise countermeasures development. Decreased muscle loading and external loading of bone during weightlessness results in cancellous bone loss of 1 percent per month in the lower extremities and 2 percent per month in the calcaneous. It is hypothesized that loading bone appropriately during exercise may prevent the bone loss. The system consists of an ergometer instrumented to provide position of the pedal (foot), pedaling forces on the foot (on the sagittal plane), and force on the seat. Accelerometers attached to the limbs will provide acceleration. These data will be used as input to an analytical model of the limb to determine forces on the bones and on groups of muscles. EMG signals from activity in the muscles will also be used in conjunction with the equations of mechanics of motion to be able to discern forces exerted by specific muscles. The tasks to be carried out include: design of various mechanical components to mount transducers, specification of mechanical components, specification of position transducers, development of a scheme to control the data acquisition instruments (TEAC recorder and optical encoder board), development of a dynamic model of the limbs in motion, and development of an overall scheme for data collection analysis and presentation. At the present time, all the hardware components of the system are operational, except for a computer board to gather position data from the pedals and crank. This board, however, may be put to use by anyone with background in computer based instrumentation. The software components are not all done. Software to transfer data recorded from the EMG measurements is operational, software to drive the optical encoder card is mostly done. The equations to model the kinematics and dynamics of motion of the limbs have been developed, but they have not yet been implemented in software. Aside from the development of the hardware and software components of the system, the methodology to use accelerometers and encoders and the formulation of the appropriate equations are an important contribution to the area of biomechanics, particularly in space applications.

Figueroa, Fernando↗

NASA NTRS1994

Composite Load Spectra for Select Space Propulsion Structural Components

Generic load models are described with multiple levels of progressive sophistication to simulate the composite (combined) load spectra (CLS) that are induced in space propulsion system components, representative of Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), such as transfer ducts, turbine blades and liquid oxygen (LOX) posts. These generic (coupled) models combine the deterministic models for composite load dynamic, acoustic, high-pressure and high rotational speed, etc., load simulation using statistically varying coefficients. These coefficients are then determined using advanced probabilistic simulation methods with and without strategically selected experimental data. The entire simulation process is included in a CLS computer code. Applications of the computer code to various components in conjunction with the PSAM (Probabilistic Structural Analysis Method) to perform probabilistic load evaluation and life prediction evaluations are also described to illustrate the effectiveness of the coupled model approach.

Ho, Hing W.↗