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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Initial operating experience with an aircraft simulator having extensive lateral motion

The flight simulation facility features an extensive cockpit motion system, emphasizing lateral motion for the simulation of lateral-directional control tasks. The motion capabilities of the simulator are briefly described, and the logic with which the motion drives are controlled to provide the most effective approximations of the motions of flight is discussed. Preliminary assessments of the effectiveness of these motions, in the simulation of large transport aircraft, are discussed.

Bray, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

A Large Motion Suspension System for Simulation of Orbital Deployment

This paper describes the design and implementation of a vertical degree of freedom suspension system which provides a constant force off-load condition to counter gravity over large displacements. By accommodating motions up to one meter for structures weighing up to 100 pounds, the system is useful for experiments which simulate the on-orbit deployment of spacecraft components. A unique aspect of this system is the combination of a large stroke passive off-load device augmented by electromotive torque actuated force feedback. The active force feedback has the effect of reducing breakaway friction by an order of magnitude over the passive system alone. The paper describes the development of the suspension hardware and the feedback control algorithm. Experiments were performed to verify the suspensions system's ability to provide a gravity off-load as well as its effect on the modal characteristics of a test article.

Straube, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Aspects of efficient and reliable multibody system simulation

Multibody system equations can be generated in various forms. All of these may be interpreted as results of two basic approaches, the augmentation- and the elimination-method. The former method yields the descriptor form of the system motion, a set of differential-algebraic equations (DAE), and the latter the state space representation, a minimal set of ordinary differential equations (ODE). Both of these methods are surveyed. Particular emphasis is on the discussion of recursive computational schemes, generating the equations of motion with a number of operations, which is proportional to the number N of system bodies (O(N)-formulations). For simulation purposes one would like to create that set of system equations, which can be generated most efficiently and for which the most efficient and reliable solution techniques are available. Numerical solution techniques for ODE have been studied in great detail and they are well-developed. By contrast, DAE have not been investigated for such a long time. In view of new developments in the latter field the generation of all the equations required for an efficient and reliable solution of DAE describing multibody system motion is discussed. These methods, i.e., an O(N)-formulation and new techniques for solving DAE, are implemented in the SIMPACK code. Its capabilities are illustrated by simulation of multibody robot models.

Schwertassek, R.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Methodology for Evaluating the Fidelity of Ground-Based Flight Simulators

An analytical and experimental investigation was undertaken to model the manner in which pilots perceive and utilize visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular cues in a ground-based flight simulator. The study was part of a larger research effort which has the creation of a methodology for determining flight simulator fidelity requirements as its ultimate goal. The study utilized a closed-loop feedback structure of the pilot/simulator system which included the pilot, the cockpit inceptor, the dynamics of the simulated vehicle and the motion system. With the exception of time delays which accrued in visual scene production in the simulator, visual scene effects were not included in this study. The NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator was used in a simple, single-degree of freedom rotorcraft bob-up/down maneuver. Pilot/vehicle analysis and fuzzy-inference identification were employed to study the changes in fidelity which occurred as the characteristics of the motion system were varied over five configurations i The data from three of the five pilots that participated in the experimental study were analyzed in the fuzzy inference identification. Results indicate that both the analytical pilot/vehicle analysis and the fuzzyinference identification can be used to reflect changes in simulator fidelity for the task examined.

Zeyada, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Methodology for Evaluating the Fidelity of Ground-Based Flight Simulators

An analytical and experimental investigation was undertaken to model the manner in which pilots perceive and utilize visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular cues in a ground-based flight simulator. The study was part of a larger research effort which has the creation of a methodology for determining flight simulator fidelity requirements as its ultimate goal. The study utilized a closed-loop feedback structure of the pilot/simulator system which included the pilot, the cockpit inceptor, the dynamics of the simulated vehicle and the motion system. With the exception of time delays which accrued in visual scene production in the simulator, visual scene effects were not included in this study. The NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator was used in a simple, single-degree of freedom rotorcraft bob-up/down maneuver. Pilot/vehicle analysis and fuzzy-inference identification were employed to study the changes in fidelity which occurred as the characteristics of the motion system were varied over five configurations. The data from three of the five pilots that participated in the experimental study were analyzed in the fuzzy-inference identification. Results indicate that both the analytical pilot/vehicle analysis and the fuzzy-inference identification can be used to reflect changes in simulator fidelity for the task examined.

Zeyada, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Controlled motion in an elastic world. Research project: Manipulation strategies for massive space payloads

The flexibility of the drives and structures of controlled motion systems are presented as an obstacle to be overcome in the design of high performance motion systems, particularly manipulator arms. The task and the measure of performance to be applied determine the technology appropriate to overcome this obstacle. Included in the technologies proposed are control algorithms (feedback and feed forward), passive damping enhancement, operational strategies, and structural design. Modeling of the distributed, nonlinear system is difficult, and alternative approaches are discussed. The author presents personal perspectives on the history, status, and future directions in this area.

Book, Wayne J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Controlled motion in an elastic world

The flexibility of the drives and structures of controlled motion systems are presented as an obstacle to be overcome in the design of high performance motion systems, particularly manipulator arms. The task and the measure of performance to be applied determine the technology appropriate to overcome this obstacle. Included in the technologies proposed are control algorithms (feedback and feed forward), passive damping enhancement, operational strategies, and structural design. Modeling of the distributed, nonlinear system is difficult, and alternative approaches are discussed. The author presents personal perspectives on the history, status, and future directions in this area.

Book, Wayne J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Dynamic Seat in a Black Hawk Flight Simulation

Low cost alternatives have been sought to provide motion cues in ground-based flight simulators to meet mission objectives. The ability to provide high frequency vibrations makes the dynamic seat attractive to helicopter training applications. Previous studies have found that dynamic seat does enhance the realism of the cockpit and affect pilots' workload. This investigation, conducted under the auspices of the Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP), is using a three degree-of-freedom dynamic seat, i.e., heave, surge, and sway, with limited travels in a research simulator configured as a UH-60 Black Hawk at NASA Ames Research Center. The seat's effectiveness is studied using hover, landing, pirouette, bob-up/bob-down, sidestep, and acceleration/deceleration maneuvers. Seat commands consist of constant vibrations in heave and sway which provide the fundamental vibratory cues. Pilot station accelerations and collective controls provide onset and sustained commands. In addition, transient effects due to translational-lift, collective; and normal acceleration are produced by regulating the magnitude and frequency that depend on the rotor rpm. Results are compared to flight test data and two other ground-based motion systems configurations, i.e., a motion condition with very large motion travels and a motion condition that is comparable with commercial simulator travels. Both subjective and objective data will be analyzed to determine the significance of the motion cueing effect in each system for selected maneuvers.

Chung, William W. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Motion Tracking System

Integrated Sensors, Inc. (ISI), under NASA contract, developed a sensor system for controlling robot vehicles. This technology would enable a robot supply vehicle to automatically dock with Earth-orbiting satellites or the International Space Station. During the docking phase the ISI-developed sensor must sense the satellite's relative motion, then spin so the robot vehicle can adjust its motion to align with the satellite and slowly close until docking is completed. ISI used the sensing/tracking technology as the basis of its OPAD system, which simultaneously tracks an object's movement in six degrees of freedom. Applications include human limb motion analysis, assembly line position analysis and auto crash dummy motion analysis. The NASA technology is also the basis for Motion Analysis Workstation software, a package to simplify the video motion analysis process.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

Mitigating Motion Base Safety Issues: The NASA LaRC CMF Implementation

The NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), Cockpit Motion Facility (CMF) motion base design has taken advantage of inherent hydraulic characteristics to implement safety features using hardware solutions only. Motion system safety has always been a concern and its implementation is addressed differently by each organization. Some approaches rely heavily on software safety features. Software which performs safety functions is subject to more scrutiny making its approval, modification, and development time consuming and expensive. The NASA LaRC's CMF motion system is used for research and, as such, requires that the software be updated or modified frequently. The CMF's customers need the ability to update the simulation software frequently without the associated cost incurred with safety critical software. This paper describes the CMF engineering team's approach to achieving motion base safety by designing and implementing all safety features in hardware, resulting in applications software (including motion cueing and actuator dynamic control) being completely independent of the safety devices. This allows the CMF safety systems to remain intact and unaffected by frequent research system modifications.

Bryant, Richard B., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Rotorcraft Research at the NASA Vertical Motion Simulator

In the 1970 s the role of the military helicopter evolved to encompass more demanding missions including low-level nap-of-the-earth flight and operation in severely degraded visual environments. The Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) at the NASA Ames Research Center was built to provide a high-fidelity simulation capability to research new rotorcraft concepts and technologies that could satisfy these mission requirements. The VMS combines a high-fidelity large amplitude motion system with an adaptable simulation environment including interchangeable and configurable cockpits. In almost 30 years of operation, rotorcraft research on the VMS has contributed significantly to the knowledge-base on rotorcraft performance, handling qualities, flight control, and guidance and displays. These contributions have directly benefited current rotorcraft programs and flight safety. The high fidelity motion system in the VMS was also used to research simulation fidelity. This research provided a fundamental understanding of pilot cueing modalities and their effect on simulation fidelity.

Aponso, Bimal Lalith↗
NASA NTRS1991

The MSFC space station/space operations mechanism test bed

The Space Station/Space Operations Mechanism Test Bed consists of the following: a hydraulically driven, computer controlled Six Degree-of-Freedom Motion System (6DOF); a six degree-of-freedom force and moment sensor; remote driving stations with computer generated or live TV graphics; and a parallel digital processor that performs calculations to support the real time simulation. The function of the Mechanism Test Bed is to test docking and berthing mechanisms for Space Station Freedom and other orbiting space vehicles in a real time, hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment. Typically, the docking and berthing mechanisms are composed of two mating components, one for each vehicle. In the facility, one component is attached to the motion system, while the other component is mounted to the force/moment sensor fixed in the support structure above the 6DOF. The six components of the contact forces/moments acting on the test article and its mating component are measured by the force/moment sensor.

Sutton, William G.↗
NASA NTRS1971

An inventory of aeronautical ground research facilities. Volume 4: Engineering flight simulation facilities

The general purpose capabilities of government and industry in the area of real time engineering flight simulation are discussed. The information covers computer equipment, visual systems, crew stations, and motion systems, along with brief statements of facility capabilities. Facility construction and typical operational costs are included where available. The facilities provide for economical and safe solutions to vehicle design, performance, control, and flying qualities problems of manned and unmanned flight systems.

Pirrello, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The Circumstellar Imaging Telescope image motion compensation system - Ultra-precise control on the Space Station platform

The Circumstellar Imaging Telescope (CIT) is a 1.9 m visible wavelength Cassegrain instrument whose primary mission is to locate extra-solar planets by direct imaging. The current reference concept calls for it to be deployed as a Space Station attached payload some time in the late 1990s. Mission and signal processing demands impose the following attitude control requirements: pointing accuracy - 250 nrad RMS, pointing stability - 50 nrad RMS over 30 minutes, roll accuracy - 1 mrad RMS, roll stability 1 mrad RMS over 30 minutes. This paper reports on the results of a recent design study in which it was determined that these requirements can be met on the Space Station by a three tiered control system consisting of a two degree of freedom mechanical gimbal for course pointing, a magnetically suspended roll bearing for roll accommodation, translational isolation and intermediate pointing control, and articulation of the secondary mirror for fine pointing.

Sevaston, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Motion Cueing Algorithm Development: New Motion Cueing Program Implementation and Tuning

A computer program has been developed for the purpose of driving the NASA Langley Research Center Visual Motion Simulator (VMS). This program includes two new motion cueing algorithms, the optimal algorithm and the nonlinear algorithm. A general description of the program is given along with a description and flowcharts for each cueing algorithm, and also descriptions and flowcharts for subroutines used with the algorithms. Common block variable listings and a program listing are also provided. The new cueing algorithms have a nonlinear gain algorithm implemented that scales each aircraft degree-of-freedom input with a third-order polynomial. A description of the nonlinear gain algorithm is given along with past tuning experience and procedures for tuning the gain coefficient sets for each degree-of-freedom to produce the desired piloted performance. This algorithm tuning will be needed when the nonlinear motion cueing algorithm is implemented on a new motion system in the Cockpit Motion Facility (CMF) at the NASA Langley Research Center.

Houck, Jacob A.↗