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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 829 records · Page 46

Early flight test experience with Cockpit Displayed Traffic Information (CDTI)

Coded symbology, based on the results of early human factors studies, was displayed on the electronic horizontal situation indicator and flight tested on an advanced research aircraft in order to subject the coded traffic symbology to a realistic flight environment and to assess its value by means of a direct comparison with simple, uncoded traffic symbology. The tests consisted of 28 curved, decelerating approaches, flown by research-pilot flight crews. The traffic scenarios involved both conflict-free and blunder situations. Subjective pilot commentary was obtained through the use of a questionnaire and extensive pilot debriefing sessions. The results of these debriefing sessions group conveniently under either of two categories: display factors or task performance. A major item under the display factor category was the problem of display clutter. The primary contributors to clutter were the use of large map-scale factors, the use of traffic data blocks, and the presentation of more than a few aircraft. In terms of task performance, the cockpit displayed traffic information was found to provide excellent overall situation awareness.

Abbott, T. S.↗

An analytical method for ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle

A simple analytical method has been introduced for aerohydrodynamic load analysis of an airborne configuration during water ditching. The method employs an aerodynamic panel code, based on linear potential flow theory, to simulate the flow of air and water around an aircraft configuration. The free surface separating the air and water region is represented by doublet sheet singularities. Although all the theoretical load distributions are computed for air, provisions are made to correct the pressure coefficients obtained on the configuration wetted surfaces to account for the water density. As an analytical tool, the Vortex Separation Aerodynamic (VSAERO) code is chosen to carry out the present investigation. After assessing the validity of the method, its first application is to analyze the water ditching of the Space Shuttle configuration at a 12 degree attitude.

Linear potential flow↗

Thermal-structural analyses of Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) hot section components

Three dimensional nonlinear finite element heat transfer and structural analyses were performed for the first stage high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) blade of the space shuttle main engine (SSME). Directionally solidified (DS) MAR-M 246 and single crystal (SC) PWA-1480 material properties were used for the analyses. Analytical conditions were based on a typical test stand engine cycle. Blade temperature and stress strain histories were calculated by using the MARC finite element computer code. The structural response of an SSME turbine blade was assessed and a greater understanding of blade damage mechanisms, convective cooling effects, and thermal mechanical effects was gained.

Abdul-Aziz, Ali↗

An analytical method for the ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle

A simple analytical method has been introduced for aerohydrodynamic load analysis of an airborne configuration during water ditching. The method employs an aerodynamic panel code, based on linear potential flow theory, to simulate the flow of air and water around an aircraft configuration. The free surface separating the air and water region is represented by doublet sheet singularities. Although all the theoretical load distributions are computed for air, provisions are made to correct the pressure coefficients obtained on the configuration wetted surfaces to account for the water density. As an analytical tool, the Vortex Separation Aerodynamic (VSAERO) code is chosen to carry out the present investigation. After assessing the validity of the method, its first application is to analyze the water ditching of the Space Shuttle configuration at a 12 degree attitude.

Pressure coefficient↗

Analytical method for the ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle

A simple analytical method has been introduced for aerohydrodynamic load analysis of an airborne configuration during water ditching. The method employs an aerodynamic panel code, based on linear potential flow theory, to simulate the flow of air and water around an aircraft configuration. The free surface separating the air and water region is represented by doublet" singularities. Although all the theoretical load distributions are computed for air, provisions are made to correct the pressure coefficients obtained on the configuration-wetted surfaces to account for the water density. As an analytical tool, a vortex aerodynamic code is chosen to carry out the present investigation. After assessing· the validity of the method, an application is presented for the water ditching of the Space Shuttle configuration at a 12-deg attitude.

Pressure coefficient↗

A Mach 6 external nozzle experiment with Argon-Freon exhaust simulation

A scramjet exhaust simulation technique for hypersonic wind tunnel testing has been developed. Mixtures of Argon and Freon correctly match the inviscid simulation parameters of Mach number, static-pressure ratio, and the ratio of specific heats at the combustor exit location; this simulation is accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures and without combustion. An investigation of nozzle parametrics in a Mach 6 freestream showed that the external nozzle ramp angle, the cowl trailing-edge angle, an external nozzle flow fence and the nozzle static-pressure ratio significantly affected the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment as measured by the integration of surface-pressure data. A comparison of Argon-Freon and air exhaust simulation showed that the external nozzle thrust and pitching moment were in error by roughly a factor of 2 using air due to the incorrect match of the ratio of specific heats. An assessment of two-dimensional Euler and Navier-Stokes codes for predicting external nozzle aerodynamic characteristics was made by comparing computed and experimental results.

Pittman, James L.↗

Application of jet-shear-layer mixing and effervescent atomization to the development of a low-NO(x) combustor

An investigation was conducted to develop appropriate technologies for a low-NO(x), liquid-fueled combustor. The combustor incorporates an effervescent atomizer used to inject fuel into a premixing duct. Only a fraction of the combustion air is used in the premixing process to avoid autoignition and flashback problems. This fuel-rich mixture is introduced into the remaining combustion air by a rapid jet-shear-layer-mixing process involving radial fuel-air jets impinging on axial air jets in the primary combustion zone. Computational analysis was used to provide a better understanding of the fluid dynamics that occur in jet-shear-layer mixing and to facilitate a parametric analysis appropriate to the design of an optimum low-NO(x) combustor. A number of combustor configurations were studied to assess the key combustor technologies and to validate the modeling code. The results from the experimental testing and computational analysis indicate a low-NO(x) potential for the jet-shear-layer combustor. Key parameters found to affect NO(x) emissions are the primary combustion zone fuel-air ratio, the number of axial and radial jets, the aspect ratio and radial location of the axial air jets, and the radial jet inlet hole diameter. Each of these key parameters exhibits a low-NO(x) point from which an optimized combustor was developed. Using the parametric analysis, NO(x) emissions were reduced by a factor of 3 as compared with the emissions from conventional, liquid-fueled combustors operating at cruise conditions. Further development promises even lower NO(x) with high combustion efficiency.

Colantonio, Renato Olaf↗

Computational analysis of Variable Thrust Engine (VTE) performance

The Variable Thrust Engine (VTE) of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) uses a hypergolic propellant combination of Monomethyl Hydrazine (MMH) and Nitrogen Tetroxide (NTO) as fuel and oxidizer, respectively. The performance of the VTE depends on a number of complex interacting phenomena such as atomization, spray dynamics, vaporization, turbulent mixing, convective/radiative heat transfer, and hypergolic combustion. This study involved the development of a comprehensive numerical methodology to facilitate detailed analysis of the VTE. An existing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code was extensively modified to include the following models: a two-liquid, two-phase Eulerian-Lagrangian spray model; a chemical equilibrium model; and a discrete ordinate radiation heat transfer model. The modified code was used to conduct a series of simulations to assess the effects of various physical phenomena and boundary conditions on the VTE performance. The details of the models and the results of the simulations are presented.

Giridharan, M. G.↗

Assessment of an Euler-Interacting Boundary Layer Method Using High Reynolds Number Transonic Flight Data

Flight-measured high Reynolds number turbulent-flow pressure distributions on a transport wing in transonic flow are compared to unstructured-grid calculations to assess the predictive ability of a three-dimensional Euler code (USM3D) coupled to an interacting boundary layer module. The two experimental pressure distributions selected for comparative analysis with the calculations are complex and turbulent but typical of an advanced technology laminar flow wing. An advancing front method (VGRID) was used to generate several tetrahedral grids for each test case. Initial calculations left considerable room for improvement in accuracy. Studies were then made of experimental errors, transition location, viscous effects, nacelle flow modeling, number and placement of spanwise boundary layer stations, and grid resolution. The most significant improvements in the accuracy of the calculations were gained by improvement of the nacelle flow model and by refinement of the computational grid. Final calculations yield results in close agreement with the experiment. Indications are that further grid refinement would produce additional improvement but would require more computer memory than is available. The appendix data compare the experimental attachment line location with calculations for different grid sizes. Good agreement is obtained between the experimental and calculated attachment line locations.

Bonhaus, Daryl L.↗

Progress Toward Overset-Grid Moving Body Capability for USM3D Unstructured Flow Solver

A static and dynamic Chimera overset-grid capability is added to an established NASA tetrahedral unstructured parallel Navier-Stokes flow solver, USM3D. Modifications to the solver primarily consist of a few strategic calls to the Donor interpolation Receptor Transaction library (DiRTlib) to facilitate communication of solution information between various grids. The assembly of multiple overlapping grids into a single-zone composite grid is performed by the Structured, Unstructured and Generalized Grid AssembleR (SUGGAR) code. Several test cases are presented to verify the implementation, assess overset-grid solution accuracy and convergence relative to single-grid solutions, and demonstrate the prescribed relative grid motion capability.

Pandyna, Mohagna J.↗

In Search of a Time Efficient Approach to Crack and Delamination Growth Predictions in Composites

Analysis benchmarking was used to assess the accuracy and time efficiency of algorithms suitable for automated delamination growth analysis. First, the Floating Node Method (FNM) was introduced and its combination with a simple exponential growth law (Paris Law) and Virtual Crack Closure technique (VCCT) was discussed. Implementation of the method into a user element (UEL) in Abaqus/Standard(Registered TradeMark) was also presented. For the assessment of growth prediction capabilities, an existing benchmark case based on the Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimen was briefly summarized. Additionally, the development of new benchmark cases based on the Mixed-Mode Bending (MMB) specimen to assess the growth prediction capabilities under mixed-mode I/II conditions was discussed in detail. A comparison was presented, in which the benchmark cases were used to assess the existing low-cycle fatigue analysis tool in Abaqus/Standard(Registered TradeMark) in comparison to the FNM-VCCT fatigue growth analysis implementation. The low-cycle fatigue analysis tool in Abaqus/Standard(Registered TradeMark) was able to yield results that were in good agreement with the DCB benchmark example. Results for the MMB benchmark cases, however, only captured the trend correctly. The user element (FNM-VCCT) always yielded results that were in excellent agreement with all benchmark cases, at a fraction of the analysis time. The ability to assess the implementation of two methods in one finite element code illustrated the value of establishing benchmark solutions.

Krueger, Ronald↗

A Benchmark Example for Delamination Growth Predictions Based on the Single Leg Bending Specimen Under Fatigue Loading

Analysis benchmarking is used to evaluate new algorithms for automated VCCT-based delamination growth analysis. First, existing benchmark cas s based on the Single Leg Bending (SLB) specimen for crack propagation prediction under quasi-static loading are summarized. Second, the development of new SLB-based benchmark cases to assess the static and fatigue growth prediction capabilities under mixed-mode I/II conditions is discussed in detail. Additionally, a scheme is proposed to interpolate between known fatigue delamination growth rates to obtain values for mixed-mode ratios for which data has not been defined in the input. Further, a comparison is presented, in which the benchmark cases are used to assess new analysis tools in ABAQUS/Standard FD03. These recently implemented tools yield results that are in good agreement with the benchmark examples. The ability to assess the implementation of new methods in one finite element code illustrates the value of establishing benchmark solutions.

Krueger, Ronald↗

NASA'S Use of Ground-Based Multi-Layered Pressure Vessels (MLPV)

NASA has taken the US technical lead in assessing and reducing risks associated with operations of non-code MLPVs, with the goal of developing technical standards and processes for continued use, maintenance, inspection, and repair of MLPVs

Clifton T Arnold, Jr.↗

Interactive Rotated Object Detection for Novel Class Detection in Remotely Sensed Imagery

In this paper we propose IRTR-DETR an Interactive and Real-Time Rotated DEtection TRansformer that extends IRTDETR to predict rotated bounding boxes. IRTR-DETR maintains the Human-In-The-Loop (HIL) workflow of IRTDETR but introduces rotation-aware heads for improved detection of objects with arbitrary orientations. Similarly to IRTDETR IRTR-DETR can be trained with a small labeled sample set in an interactive setting but we show that it can also be pretrained on related but not identical data--such as a building damage dataset--before being applied to tasks like identifying buildings under construction. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach on the publicly available Tiny-DOTA and xBD dataset as well as two study-cases on proprietary datasets of greenhouses and houses under construction ("waffle homes"). Detecting greenhouses is highly relevant in the context of damage assessment while "waffle homes" aid understanding typical floorplans and building codes in different areas both thereby supporting population modeling emergency response and policy planning. Our method outperforms the state of the art in interactive rotated object detection on the Tiny-DOTA dataset by 5.7 percent and improves upon the non interactive RTDETR by 7.85 to 19.39 percent (depending on the number of provided samples) while maintaining its real-time efficiency.

Burges, Marvin [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000312690769)↗

Evaluation of AGR-3/4 In-pile Silver Release Predictions Against Post-Irradiation Examination Measurements

Fuel performance modeling codes that accurately predict the transport of radionuclides in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors that utilize tristructural isotopic (TRISO) fuel particles are an important aspect of reactor safety analyses. One objective of the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR)-3/4 experiment was to assess the transport of fission products through fuel particles and their subsequent release into the compact matrix and structural graphite materials. This was accomplished by irradiating uranium oxycarbide (UCO) driver fuel particles and designed-to-fail (DTF) particles to serve as known sources of fission products. The fission product of particular interest when it comes to such transport is silver (Ag-110 m), as it has a 250-day half-life and has relatively high mobility in the TRISO coating layers. Furthermore, to assess the current modeling capabilities and diffusion parameters employed in the fuel performance codes PARFUME and BISON, the fractional release of silver release predicted by the two codes were compared against post-irradiation examination measurements from the AGR-3/4 experiment.

AGR-3/4 Experiment↗

Summary of the First AIAA CFD High Lift Prediction Workshop (invited)

The 1st AIAA CFD High Lift Prediction Workshop was held in Chicago in June 2010. The goals of the workshop included an assessment of the numerical prediction capability of current-generation CFD technology/ codes for swept, medium/high-aspect ratio wings in landing/take-off (high lift) configurations. 21 participants from 8 countries and 18 organizations, submitted a total of 39 datasets of CFD results. A variety of grid systems (both structured and unstructured) were used. Trends due to flap angle were analyzed, and effects of grid family, grid density, solver, and turbulence model were addressed. Some participants also assessed the effects of support brackets used to attach the flap and slat to the main wing. This invited paper describes the combined results from all workshop participants. Comparisons with experimental data are made. A statistical summary of the CFD results is also included.

Rumsey, C. L.↗

Code-verification techniques for the method-of-moments implementation of the combined-field integral equation

Code verification plays an important role in establishing the credibility of computational simulations by assessing the correctness of the implementation of the underlying numerical methods. In computational electromagnetics, the numerical solution to integral equations incurs multiple interacting sources of numerical error, as well as other challenges, which render traditional code-verification approaches ineffective. In this paper, we provide approaches to separately measure the numerical errors arising from these different error sources for the method-of-moments implementation of the combined-field integral equation. Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches for cases with and without coding errors.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Validation Gap Assessment of a TN B1 Package Containing Fresh, Metallic Sodium-Cooled Fuel

This report describes an assessment of sodium fast reactor assemblies loaded inside a Transnuclear B1 package. The assessment was performed to determine the state of the validation basis for sodium fast reactor fuel within a transportation package originally intended for fresh, light-water reactor fuel assemblies. The study employed the TSUNAMI-3D and TSUNAMI-IP sequences from the SCALE code system to determine correlation coefficients between various configurations and databases of validation assessments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗