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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 73 records · Page 4

Air Combat Simulator

By adapting COSMIC's One-on-One Adaptive Maneuvering Logic (AML) for two versus one simulation, Link Division was able to reduce software and other design/development costs. Enhancements to the AML program developed by Link for simulation of two-versus one combat, two trainees can simultaneously engage a computer driven target, thereby doubling the training utility of the simulator.

Source record↗

Development of a Prototype Automation Simulation Scenario Generator for Air Traffic Management Software Simulations

A technique for automated development of scenarios for use in the Multi-Center Traffic Management Advisor (McTMA) software simulations is described. The resulting software is designed and implemented to automate the generation of simulation scenarios with the intent of reducing the time it currently takes using an observational approach. The software program is effective in achieving this goal. The scenarios created for use in the McTMA simulations are based on data taken from data files from the McTMA system, and were manually edited before incorporation into the simulations to ensure accuracy. Despite the software s overall favorable performance, several key software issues are identified. Proposed solutions to these issues are discussed. Future enhancements to the scenario generator software may address the limitations identified in this paper.

Khambatta, Cyrus F.↗

Using an Automated Air Traffic Simulation Capability for a Parametric Study in Traffic Flow Management

Flight delays occur when demand for capacity-constrained airspace or airports exceeds predicted capacity. Demand for capacity-constrained airspace or airports can be controlled by a series of Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs), which use departure and airborne delays, as well as pre-departure and airborne reroutes, to manage access to the constrained resources. Two systems exist in current and planned future operations to address imbalances between demand and capacity. The Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP) reduces demand to constrained resources by assigning strategic departure delay and pre-departure reroutes. Reroutes are selected from Trajectory Options Sets (TOSs) submitted by airlines. As flights approach the constrained resource, the Time-Based Flow Management System (TBFM) is used to assign tactical delay to satisfy constraints. This paper describes experiments performed to study the impact of varying levels of airline participation in CTOP via submission of TOSs on ground delay and flight time, and the impact of departure uncertainty on TBFM delays. Results suggest that as CTOP participation increases, average ground delays decrease for all airlines, but to the greatest extent for airlines participating in CTOP. A threshold in CTOP participation, which varies with the constraint capacity, is identified beyond which there is relatively little further reduction in average ground delays. Similarly, given the likely level of CTOP participation, the capacity reduction for which CTOP would be an appropriate TMI is also identified. Results also suggest that high average departure errors and high variability in departure error can make the prioritization of TBFM internal departures in TBFM metering and scheduling infeasible. Departure errors at current levels are, however, acceptable.

CTOP↗

Using an Automated Air Traffic Simulation Capability for a Parametric Study in Traffic Flow Management

Flight delays occur when demand for capacity-constrained airspace or airports exceeds predicted capacity. Demand for capacity-constrained airspace or airports can be controlled by a series of Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs), which use departure and airborne delays, as well as pre-departure and airborne reroutes, to manage access to the constrained resources. Two systems exist in current and planned future operations to address imbalances between demand and capacity. The Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP) reduces demand to constrained resources by assigning strategic departure delay and pre-departure reroutes. Reroutes are selected from Trajectory Options Sets (TOSs) submitted by airlines. As flights approach the constrained resource, the Time-Based Flow Management System (TBFM) is used to assign tactical delay to satisfy constraints. This paper describes experiments performed to study the impact of varying levels of airline participation in CTOP via submission of TOSs on ground delay and flight time, and the impact of departure uncertainty on TBFM delays. Results suggest that as CTOP participation increases, average ground delays decrease for all airlines, but to the greatest extent for airlines participating in CTOP. A threshold in CTOP participation, which varies with the constraint capacity, is identified beyond which there is relatively little further reduction in average ground delays. Similarly, given the likely level of CTOP participation, the capacity reduction for which CTOP would be an appropriate TMI is also identified. Results also suggest that high average departure errors and high variability in departure error can make the prioritization of TBFM internal departures in TBFM metering and scheduling infeasible. Departure errors at current levels are, however, acceptable.

integrated demand management↗

TCAS Alerts from Simulated Urban Air Mobility Flights Along FAA Helicopter Routes in Dallas-Fort Worth

This is a presentation of the current state of a TCAS study being conducted by the ATM-X project. This study examines the rate at which an urban air mobility vehicle flying along existing helicopter routes near DFW will trigger alerts on the TCAS II systems equipped on commercial airliners flying in the D10 TRACON of DFW airspace. The presentation will cover initial results, as well as next steps on the path towards producing a full paper. These initial results show that some aircraft could fly along published helicopter routes, while obeying published restrictions, and fly into and out of DFW airport without triggering any TCAS RAs, so long as the airport is operating in South Flow and the UAM vehicles approach and depart; the airport in the same direction as commercial traffic. Attempting to take off opposite the direction of commercial traffic produces a large number of TCAS RAs. Future work will examine North Flow, check sensitivity to aircraft performance, and examine alternative routes.

helicopter routes↗

Langley Mach 4 scramjet test facility

An engine test facility was constructed at the NASA Langley Research Center in support of a supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) technology development program. Hydrogen combustion in air with oxygen replenishment provides simulated air at Mach 4 flight velocity, pressure, and true total temperature for an altitude range from 57,000 to 86,000 feet. A facility nozzle with a 13 in square exit produces a Mach 3.5 free jet flow for engine propulsion tests. The facility is described and calibration results are presented which demonstrate the suitability of the test flow for conducting scramjet engine research.

Earl H Andrews Jr.↗

A Data Analysis and Simulation Study of Urban Air Mobility

For the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry, NASA has defined a series of UAM Maturity Levels (UML) corresponding to increasingly more complex and operationally dense UAM operations. In support of the gradual progression towards higher UML levels, NASA is currently conducting a set of UAM air traffic simulations—collectively referred to as X4. This paper describes a set of system effectiveness measures, and their associated metrics, for data analysis of X4 simulations. The descriptions, rationales, and calculation procedures for two metrics to be used in data analysis of simulation results, the number of predicted demand-capacity imbalances and the pre-departure delays, are described. Results from data analysis of one set of simulation runs are presented to demonstrate how these metrics support the assessment of performance of the system architecture for X4 simulations and the verification of experiment requirements.

Urban Air Mobility↗

Computationally Lightweight Air-Traffic-Control Simulation

An algorithm for computationally lightweight simulation of automated air traffic control (ATC) at a busy airport has been derived. The algorithm is expected to serve as the basis for development of software that would be incorporated into flight-simulator software, the ATC component of which is not yet capable of handling realistic airport loads. Software based on this algorithm could also be incorporated into other computer programs that simulate a variety of scenarios for purposes of training or amusement.

Knight, Russell↗

Thermal Management Techniques for Oil-Free Turbomachinery Systems

Tests were performed to evaluate three different methods of utilizing air to provide thermal management control for compliant journal foil air bearings. The effectiveness of the methods was based on bearing bulk temperature and axial thermal gradient reductions during air delivery. The first method utilized direct impingement of air on the inner surface of a hollow test journal during operation. The second, less indirect method achieved heat removal by blowing air inside the test journal to simulate air flowing axially through a hollow, rotating shaft. The third method emulated the most common approach to removing heat by forcing air axially through the bearing s support structure. Internal bearing temperatures were measured with three, type K thermocouples embedded in the bearing that measured general internal temperatures and axial thermal gradients. Testing was performed in a 1 atm, 260 C ambient environment with the bearing operating at 60 krpm and supporting a load of 222 N. Air volumetric flows of 0.06, 0.11, and 0.17 cubic meters per minute at approximately 150 to 200 C were used. The tests indicate that all three methods provide thermal management but at different levels of effectiveness. Axial cooling of the bearing support structure had a greater effect on bulk temperature for each air flow and demonstrated that the thermal gradients could be influenced by the directionality of the air flow. Direct air impingement on the journal's inside surface provided uniform reductions in both bulk temperature and thermal gradients. Similar to the direct method, indirect journal cooling had a uniform cooling effect on both bulk temperatures and thermal gradients but was the least effective of the three methods.

Radil, Kevin↗

Modification of NASA Langley 8 foot high temperature tunnel to provide a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems

A planned modification of the NASA Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel to make it a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems is described, and some of the ongoing supporting research for that modification is discussed. The modification involves: (1) the addition of an oxygen-enrichment system which will allow the methane-air combustion-heated test stream to simulate air for propulsion testing; and (2) supplemental nozzles to expand the test simulation capability from the current nominal Mach number to 7.0 include Mach numbers 3.0, 4.5, and 5.0. Detailed design of the modifications is currently underway and the modified facility is scheduled to be available for tests of large scale propulsion systems by mid 1988.

Kelly, H. N.↗

Modification of NASA Langley 8 Foot High Temperature Tunnel to provide a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems

A planned modification of the NASA Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel to make it a unique national research facility for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems is described, and some of the ongoing supporting research for that modification is discussed. The modification involves: (1) the addition of an oxygen-enrichment system which will allow the methane-air combustion-heated test stream to simulate air for propulsion testing; and (2) supplemental nozzles to expand the test simulation capability from the current nominal Mach number to 7.0 include Mach numbers 3.0, 4.5, and 5.0. Detailed design of the modifications is currently underway and the modified facility is scheduled to be available for tests of large scale propulsion systems by mid 1988.

Kelly, H. N.↗

A Simulation Architecture for Air Traffic Over Urban Environments Supporting Autonomy Research in Advanced Air Mobility

As part of its research, NASA investigates concepts, aircraft, and operations related to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). One of the most challenging scenarios for AAM will be enabling safe routine access near densely populated urban centers. AAM flight operations over a regional area require a moderately high-fidelity simulation capability to develop and evaluate autonomy technologies in the urban environment. This paper aims to describe a system to simulate flight operations around regions such as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay area at a moderately-high scale (tens to hundreds of flights) that incorporates detailed vehicle models and control necessary to support research in airborne autonomy. The flight vehicle utilizes NASA AAM concept vehicle dynamics integrated with a custom flight management system and flight control system to simulate all flight phases accurately. The simulation incorporates a detailed simulated urban environment and includes glass cockpit displays to monitor aircraft operations. Simulation models integrate to simulate air and ground-based sensors, such as Radar and LiDAR. As a commercially available rendering engine, X-Plane 11 is used as the renderer to simulate vision-based sensors (such as onboard and ground-based cameras) with a detailed graphical model of a city at different times of the day and weather conditions. This paper presents the simulation and software architecture used for simulating AAM traffic over this urban region. This system enables the evaluation of NASA research concepts in autonomy for urban AAM operations on the path toward flight test evaluation.

distributed sensing↗

A Simulation Architecture for Air Traffic Over Urban Environments Supporting Autonomy Research in Advanced Air Mobility

As part of its research, NASA investigates concepts, aircraft, and operations related to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). One of the most challenging scenarios for AAM will be enabling safe routine access near densely populated urban centers. AAM flight operations over a regional area require a moderately high-fidelity simulation capability to develop and evaluate autonomy technologies in the urban environment. This paper aims to describe a system to simulate flight operations around regions such as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay area at a moderately-high scale (tens to hundreds of flights) that incorporates detailed vehicle models and control necessary to support research in airborne autonomy. The flight vehicle utilizes NASA AAM concept vehicle dynamics integrated with a custom flight management system and flight control system to simulate all flight phases accurately. The simulation incorporates a detailed simulated urban environment and includes glass cockpit displays to monitor aircraft operations. Simulation models integrate to simulate air and ground-based sensors, such as Radar and LiDAR. As a commercially available rendering engine, X-Plane 11 is used as the renderer to simulate vision-based sensors (such as onboard and ground-based cameras) with a detailed graphical model of a city at different times of the day and weather conditions. This paper presents the simulation and software architecture used for simulating AAM traffic over this urban region. This system enables the evaluation of NASA research concepts in autonomy for urban AAM operations on the path toward flight test evaluation.

Distributed sensing↗

Dual-Pump CARS Temperature and Species Concentration Measurements in a Supersonic Combustor

The dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) method was used to measure temperature and the mole fractions of N2 and O2 in a supersonic combustor. Experiments were conducted in NASA Langley Research Center s Direct Connect Supersonic Combustion Test Facility. In this facility, H2 and oxygen-enriched air burn to increase the enthalpy of the simulated air test gas. This gas is expanded through a Mach 2 nozzle and into a combustor model consisting of a short constant-area section followed by a small rearward-facing step and another constant-area section. At the end of this straight section, H2 fuel is injected at Mach 2 and at a 30 angle with respect to the freestream. One wall of the duct then expands at a 3 angle for over 1 meter. The ensuing combustion is probed optically through ports in the side of the combustor. Dual-pump CARS measurements were performed at the facility nozzle exit and at four planes downstream of fuel injection. Maps are presented of the mean temperature, as well as N2 and O2 mean mole fraction fields. Correlations between fluctuations of the different measured parameters are also presented.

O'Byrne, S.↗

A Simulation Architecture for Air Traffic Over Urban Environments Supporting Autonomy Research in Advanced Air Mobility

NASA is conducting investigations into Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) concepts, aircraft, and operations. One of the most challenging scenarios for AAM will be enabling safe routine access into densely populated urban centers. To address challenges in the urban environment, a moderately high-fidelity simulation capability is needed to investigate AAM flight operations over a regional area for the development and evaluation of autonomy technologies. This paper describes a system to simulate flight operations around regions such as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay area at a moderately-high scale (10's-100's of flights) that incorporates detailed vehicle models and control necessary to support research in airborne autonomy. The flight vehicle utilizes NASA AAM concept vehicle dynamics integrated with a custom flight management system and flight control system to accurately simulate all phases of flight. Glass cockpit displays have been developed for monitoring aircraft operation over a detailed simulated urban environment. Simulation models have been integrated to simulate air and ground-based sensors, such as radar and LIDAR. The commercial X-Plane software package is used as a rendering engine to mimic vision-based sensors (such as onboard and ground-based cameras) at various times of day and in various weather conditions over a relatively detailed graphical model of the city. The paper presents a detailed illustration of the simulation and software architecture used for traffic over this urban region. This system is enabling the evaluation of NASA research concepts in autonomy for urban AAM operations on the path toward aircraft flight test evaluation.

Keerthana Kannan↗