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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 847 records · Page 47

Sensor Fault Detection and Diagnosis Simulation of a Helicopter Engine in an Intelligent Control Framework

This paper presents an application of a fault detection and diagnosis scheme for the sensor faults of a helicopter engine. The scheme utilizes a model-based approach with real time identification and hypothesis testing which can provide early detection, isolation, and diagnosis of failures. It is an integral part of a proposed intelligent control system with health monitoring capabilities. The intelligent control system will allow for accommodation of faults, reduce maintenance cost, and increase system availability. The scheme compares the measured outputs of the engine with the expected outputs of an engine whose sensor suite is functioning normally. If the differences between the real and expected outputs exceed threshold values, a fault is detected. The isolation of sensor failures is accomplished through a fault parameter isolation technique where parameters which model the faulty process are calculated on-line with a real-time multivariable parameter estimation algorithm. The fault parameters and their patterns can then be analyzed for diagnostic and accommodation purposes. The scheme is applied to the detection and diagnosis of sensor faults of a T700 turboshaft engine. Sensor failures are induced in a T700 nonlinear performance simulation and data obtained are used with the scheme to detect, isolate, and estimate the magnitude of the faults.

Litt, Jonathan↗

Innovative Linear and Nonlinear Solvers for Simulating Multiphase Flow within Large-Scale Engineered Subsurface Systems

Numerical simulation of non-isothermal multiphase porous flow combined with reactive transport is used in a wide range of applications, which include nuclear waste repositories, enhanced recovery of petroleum reservoirs, contaminant remediation, geothermal engineering, and carbon sequestration. Understanding and predicting underground phenomena can have enormous impact on how to deal with world issues like climate change, clean water, and renewable energy. The main motivation for this proposal arises from safety assessment of future nuclear waste repositories using the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geologic Disposal Safety Assessment (GDSA) Framework, and performance assessment (PA) for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the nation's only active nuclear waste repository in Carlsbad, New Mexico. I am a technical staff member at Sandia National Laboratories involved in both projects.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

MaLTESE: Large-Scale Simulation-Driven Machine Learning for Transient Driving Cycles

Optimal engine operation during a transient driving cycle is the key to achieving greater fuel economy, engine efficiency, and reduced emissions. In order to achieve continuously optimal engine operation, engine calibration methods use a combination of static correlations obtained from dynamometer tests for steady-state operating points and road and/or track performance data. As the parameter space of control variables, design variable constraints, and objective functions increases, the cost and duration for optimal calibration become prohibitively large. In order to reduce the number of dynamometer tests required for calibrating modern engines, a large-scale simulation-driven machine learning approach is presented in this work. A parallel, fast, robust, physics-based reduced-order engine simulator is used to obtain performance and emission characteristics of engines over a wide range of control parameters under various transient driving conditions (drive cycles). We scale the simulation up to 3,906 nodes of the Theta supercomputer at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility to generate data required to train a machine learning model. The trained model is then used to predict various engine parameters of interest, and the results are compared with those predicted by the engine simulator. Our results show that a deepneural-network-based surrogate model achieves high accuracy: Pearson product-moment correlation values larger than 0.99 and mean absolute percentage error within 1.07% for various engine parameters such as exhaust temperature, exhaust pressure, nitric oxide, and engine torque. Once trained, the deep-neural-network-based surrogate model is fast for inference: it requires about 16 mu s for predicting the engine performance and emissions for a single design configuration compared with about 0.5 s per configuration with the engine simulator. Moreover, we demonstrate that transfer learning and retraining can be leveraged to incrementally retrain the surrogate model to cope with new configurations that fall outside the training data space.

deep learning↗

A simulation study of turbofan engine deterioration estimation using Kalman filtering techniques

Deterioration of engine components may cause off-normal engine operation. The result is an unecessary loss of performance, because the fixed schedules are designed to accommodate a wide range of engine health. These fixed control schedules may not be optimal for a deteriorated engine. This problem may be solved by including a measure of deterioration in determining the control variables. These engine deterioration parameters usually cannot be measured directly but can be estimated. A Kalman filter design is presented for estimating two performance parameters that account for engine deterioration: high and low pressure turbine delta efficiencies. The delta efficiency parameters model variations of the high and low pressure turbine efficiencies from nominal values. The filter has a design condition of Mach 0.90, 30,000 ft altitude, and 47 deg power level angle (PLA). It was evaluated using a nonlinear simulation of the F100 engine model derivative (EMD) engine, at the design Mach number and altitude over a PLA range of 43 to 55 deg. It was found that known high pressure turbine delta efficiencies of -2.5 percent and low pressure turbine delta efficiencies of -1.0 percent can be estimated with an accuracy of + or - 0.25 percent efficiency with a Kalman filter. If both the high and low pressure turbine are deteriorated, the delta efficiencies of -2.5 percent to both turbines can be estimated with the same accuracy.

Lambert, Heather H.↗

Examining the role of flame topologies and in-cylinder flow fields on cyclic variability in spark-ignited engines using large-eddy simulation

In this work we have studied cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) in a spark-ignited (SI) engine using large-eddy simulation (LES) in conjunction with the G-equation combustion model. A single cylinder of a four-cylinder port-fueled SI engine was simulated. 49 consecutive full cycles were computed. The operating condition studied in this work is stoichiometric and stable, and represents a load of 16 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), and an engine speed of 2500 revolutions per minute (r/min). The CFD simulation shows good agreement in terms of in-cylinder pressure prediction with respect to the experiments, and is also able to capture the range of CCV observed in experiments. Further, neither the simulation, nor the experiments show any distinguishable pattern in the sequence of high and low cycles. We numerically decoupled the effects of variations in equivalence ratio fields and velocity fields to isolate the effects of differences in the velocity field and differences in the equivalence ratio field on flame development and propagation. Based on this study we inferred that for this engine, under the operating conditions studied, the differences in burn rates can be attributed to the differences in the velocity flow-field in the region around the spark gap during ignition. We then performed an analysis to identify the correlation between peak cylinder pressure (PCP) and flame topologies over all the simulated cycles. We found that high cycles (higher PCP values) are strongly correlated to flatter flame volume shapes (flattened in the piston-to-head direction), and volumes that are more symmetric about the ignition axis. In addition, these kinds of flame volumes were found to correlate well with lower values of prior-to-ignition velocity going from the intake to the exhaust side (mean flow caused by tumble) at the spark, and also higher values of prior-to-ignition velocity in the piston-to-head direction.

CCV↗

WATTS: Workflow and template toolkit for simulation

Modeling and simulation in many science and engineering domains often involves the execution and/or iteration of a sequence of applications, with data transfer between applications typically required. These applications often do not have a formal application programming interface (API). Instead, executing an application requires first writing a text-based input file, the format of which is typically defined in a user’s manual. While text-based input files are suitable for simple one-off calculations, they can become cumbersome if a user wants to execute the applications multiple times and systematically vary input parameters, especially when a complex workflow is involved. In this case, they must resort to either manually making changes in the input file or developing their own script that modifies the input file and executes the application. Depending on the format of the input file, writing such a script can be a non-trivial and error-prone task.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Comparison of Results Obtained from Flight Tests and Simulated Tests of a Digital Electronic Engine Control System in an F-15 Airplane

Substantial benefits of a full authority digital electronic engine control on an air breathing engine were demonstrated repeatedly in simulation studies, ground engine tests, and engine altitude test facilities. A digital engine electronic control system showed improvements in efficiency, performance, and operation. An additional benefit of full authority digital controls is the capability of detecting and correcting failures and providing engine health diagnostics.

Myers, Lawrence P.↗

Analysis of combustion acoustic phenomena in compression–ignition engines using large eddy simulation

As computational capabilities continue to grow, exploring the limits of computational fluid dynamics to capture complex and elusive phenomena, which are otherwise difficult to study by experimental techniques, is one of the main targets for the research community. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the physical processes that lead to combustion noise emissions in internal combustion engines. In particular, diesel combustion in a compression-ignition (CI) engine is studied in order to understand the singular behavior of the in-cylinder flow field responsible for the acoustic emissions. The main objective is, therefore, to improve the understanding of the phenomena involved in CI engine noise using large eddy simulations. Several visualization methods are employed to investigate the connection between combustion behavior and its effects on the pressure field. In addition, proper orthogonal decomposition is used to analyze the modal energy distribution among all the acoustic modes. The results show that the acoustic signature is fundamentally conditioned by the intensity of the premixed combustion rather than by the pressure oscillations generated by turbulent fluctuations in the flame surface established during the diffusion stage.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Geometry and Simulation Results for a Gas Turbine Representative of the Energy Efficient Engine (EEE)

This paper describes the geometry and simulation results of a gas-turbine engine based on the original EEE engine developed in the 1980s. While the EEE engine was never in production, the technology developed during the program underpins many of the current generation of gas turbine engines. This geometry is being explored as a potential multi-stage turbomachinery test case that may be used to develop technology for virtual full-engine simulation. Simulation results were used to test the validity of each component geometry representation. Results are compared to a zero-dimensional engine model developed from experimental data. The geometry is captured in a series of Initial Graphical Exchange Specification (IGES) files and is available in a supplement to this report.

Gas turbine engines↗

Geometry and Simulation Results for a Gas Turbine Representative of the Energy Efficient Engine (EEE)

This paper describes the geometry and simulation results of a gas-turbine engine based on the original EEE engine developed in the 1980s. While the EEE engine was never in production, the technology developed during the program underpins many of the current generation of gas turbine engines. This geometry is being explored as a potential multi-stage turbomachinery test case that may be used to develop technology for virtual full-engine simulation. Simulation results were used to test the validity of each component geometry representation. Results are compared to a zero-dimensional engine model developed from experimental data. The geometry is captured in a series of Initial Graphical Exchange Specification (IGES) files and is available in a supplement to this report.

Gas turbine engines↗

Engine System Model Development for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

In order to design, analyze, and evaluate conceptual Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) engine systems, an improved NTP design and analysis tool has been developed. The NTP tool utilizes the Rocket Engine Transient Simulation (ROCETS) system tool and many of the routines from the Enabler reactor model found in Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS). Improved non-nuclear component models and an external shield model were added to the tool. With the addition of a nearly complete system reliability model, the tool will provide performance, sizing, and reliability data for NERVA-Derived NTP engine systems. A new detailed reactor model is also being developed and will replace Enabler. The new model will allow more flexibility in reactor geometry and include detailed thermal hydraulics and neutronics models. A description of the reactor, component, and reliability models is provided. Another key feature of the modeling process is the use of comprehensive spreadsheets for each engine case. The spreadsheets include individual worksheets for each subsystem with data, plots, and scaled figures, making the output very useful to each engineering discipline. Sample performance and sizing results with the Enabler reactor model are provided including sensitivities. Before selecting an engine design, all figures of merit must be considered including the overall impacts on the vehicle and mission. Evaluations based on key figures of merit of these results and results with the new reactor model will be performed. The impacts of clustering and external shielding will also be addressed. Over time, the reactor model will be upgraded to design and analyze other NTP concepts with CERMET and carbide fuel cores.

Nelson, Karl W.↗

Simulation of flight-type engine fan noise in the NASA-Lewis 9 x 15 anechoic wind tunnel

A major problem in the measurement of aircraft engine fan noise is the difficulty of simulating, in a ground-based facility, the noise that occurs during flight. Flight-type noise as contrasted to the usual ground-static test noise exhibits substantial reductions in both (1) the time unsteadiness of tone noise and (2) the mean level of tones calculated to be nonpropagating or cut-off. A model fan designed with cut-off of the fundamental tone was acoustically tested in the anechoic wind tunnel under both static and tunnel flow conditions. The properties that characterize flight-type noise were progressively simulated with increasing tunnel flow. The distinctly lobed directivity pattern of propagating rotor/stator interaction modes was also observed. The results imply that the excess noise attributed to the ingestion of the flow disturbances that prevail near most static test facilities was substantially reduced with tunnel flow. The anechoic wind tunnel appears to be a useful facility for applied research on aircraft engine fan noise under conditions of simulated flight.

Heidmann, M. F.↗

Numerical Analysis of Combustion Dynamics in a Full-Scale Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine using Large Eddy Simulations

Large eddy simulations (LES) using detailed chemistry and leveraging adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) are performed to gain insights into the combustion dynamics within a full-scale methane-oxygen non-premixed rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) employing impinging discrete injection schemes. In particular, a comparative analysis of two operating conditions corresponding to the same global equivalence ratio but different mass flow rates is carried out to investigate the resultant impact on detonation wave characteristics and RDRE global performance. Multiple co-rotating detonation waves with spatially-distributed wave structure and preferential alignment with the inner wall of the annulus (due to asymmetry in fuel distribution) are encountered under both conditions. Both cases exhibit pre-detonation deflagrative burning in the fill region, while one of the cases shows higher susceptibility to backflow into the feed plenums due to lower plenum pressures. Furthermore, heat release analysis shows that the thrust obtained from the RDRE is closely linked to the distribution of total heat release between detonative and deflagrative combustion. On the other hand, combustion efficiency is associated with the fraction of heat release occurring in fuel-rich versus fuel-lean regions within the RDRE.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Simulating Operation of a Large Turbofan Engine

The Commercial Modular Aero- Propulsion System Simulation (C-MAPSS) is a computer program for simulating transient operation of a commercial turbofan engine that can generate as much as 90,000 lb (.0.4 MN) of thrust. It includes a power-management system that enables simulation of open- or closed-loop engine operation over a wide range of thrust levels throughout the full range of flight conditions. C-MAPSS provides the user with a set of tools for performing open- and closed-loop transient simulations and comparison of linear and non-linear models throughout its operating envelope, in an easy-to-use graphical environment.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗

A high fidelity real-time simulation of a small turboshaft engine

A high-fidelity component-type model and real-time digital simulation of the General Electric T700-GE-700 turboshaft engine were developed for use with current generation real-time blade-element rotor helicopter simulations. A control system model based on the specification fuel control system used in the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter is also presented. The modeling assumptions and real-time digital implementation methods particular to the simulation of small turboshaft engines are described. The validity of the simulation is demonstrated by comparison with analysis-oriented simulations developed by the manufacturer, available test data, and flight-test time histories.

Ballin, Mark G.↗

Effects of Boattail Area Contouring and Simulated Turbojet Exhaust on the Loading and Fuselage-tail Component Drag of a Twin-engine Fighter-type Airplane Model

An investigation of a twin-engine fighter-type airplane model has been conducted in the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel to determine the effect on drag of a fuselage volume addition incorporating streamline contouring and more extensive boattailing of the engine shrouds. The effect of hot exhausts from the turbojet engines was simulated with hydrogen peroxide gas generators using scaled nonafterburning engine nozzles. Afterbody pressure distributions, base drag coefficients, and forces on the fuselage-tail configurations are presented at Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.05 angles of attack of 0 degree and 4 degrees for jet pressure ratios from 1 to 7. The effect of jet operation on both the basic and modified models was generally to decrease base pressures but to increase most other afterbody pressures and, therefore, to result in an overall decrease in fuselage-tail component drag. The addition of volume to the basic model reduced the base drag coefficient by 0.0010 with the jets off and 0.0018 at a typical cruise operating condition of a jet pressure ratio of 3, a Mach number of 0.85, and an angle of attack of 4 degrees. The overall jet-off reduction in fuselage-tail component drag due to the volume addition was a maximum of 0.0040 at a Mach number of 0.90 for an angle of attack of 4 degrees.

Foss, Willard E , Jr↗