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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 91 records · Page 5

Flight Test Analysis of the Forces and Moments Imparted on a B737-100 Aircraft During Wake Vortex Encounters

Several of our major airports are operating at or near their capacity limit, increasing congestion and delays for travelers. As a result, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline operators, and the airline industry to increase airport capacity and safety. As more and more airplanes are placed into the terminal area the probability of encountering wake turbulence is increased. The NASA Langley Research Center conducted a series of flight tests from 1995 through 1997 to develop a wake encounter and wake-measurement data set with the accompanying atmospheric state information. The purpose of this research is to use the data from those flights to compute the wake-induced forced and moments exerted on the aircraft The calculated forces and moments will then be compiled into a database that can be used by wake vortex researchers to compare with experimental and computational results.

Roberts, Christopher L.↗

Validation of Proposed Metrics for Two-Body Abrasion Scratch Test Analysis Standards

Abrasion of mechanical components and fabrics by soil on Earth is typically minimized by the effects of atmosphere and water. Potentially abrasive particles lose sharp and pointed geometrical features through erosion. In environments where such erosion does not exist, such as the vacuum of the Moon, particles retain sharp geometries associated with fracturing of their parent particles by micrometeorite impacts. The relationship between hardness of the abrasive and that of the material being abraded is well understood, such that the abrasive ability of a material can be estimated as a function of the ratio of the hardness of the two interacting materials. Knowing the abrasive nature of an environment (abrasive)/construction material is crucial to designing durable equipment for use in such surroundings. The objective of this work was to evaluate a set of standardized metrics proposed for characterizing a surface that has been scratched from a two-body abrasion test. This is achieved by defining a new abrasion region termed Zone of Interaction (ZOI). The ZOI describes the full surface profile of all peaks and valleys, rather than just measuring a scratch width. The ZOI has been found to be at least twice the size of a standard width measurement; in some cases, considerably greater, indicating that at least half of the disturbed surface area would be neglected without this insight. The ZOI is used to calculate a more robust data set of volume measurements that can be used to computationally reconstruct a resultant profile for de tailed analysis. Documenting additional changes to various surface roughness par ameters also allows key material attributes of importance to ultimate design applications to be quantified, such as depth of penetration and final abraded surface roughness. Further - more, by investigating the use of custom scratch tips for specific needs, the usefulness of having an abrasion metric that can measure the displaced volume in this standardized manner, and not just by scratch width alone, is reinforced. This benefit is made apparent when a tip creates an intricate contour having multiple peaks and valleys within a single scratch. The current innovation consists of a software- driven method of quantitatively evaluating a scratch profile. The profile consists of measuring the topographical features of a scratch along the length of the scratch instead of the width at one location. The digitized profile data is then fed into software code, which evaluates enough metrics of the scratch to reproduce the scratch from the evaluated metrics. There are three key differences between the current art and this innovation. First, scratch width does not quantify how far from the center of the scratch damage occurs (ZOI). Second, scratch width does not discern between material displacement and material removal from the scratch. Finally, several scratches may have the same width but different zones of interactions, different displacements, and different material removals. The current innovation allows quantitative assessment of all three.

Street, Kenneth W., Jr.↗

Flight Test Analysis of the Forces and Moments Imparted on a B737-100 Airplane During Wake Vortex Encounters

Aircraft travel has become a major form of transportation. Several of our major airports are operating near their capacity limit, increasing congestion and delays for travelers. As a result, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline operators, and the airline industry to increase airport capacity without sacrificing public safety. One solution to the problem is to increase the number of airports and build new. runways; yet, this solution is becoming increasingly difficult due to limited space. A better solution is to increase the production per runway. This solution increases the possibility that one aircraft will encounter the trailing wake of another aircraft. Hazardous wake vortex encounters occur when an aircraft encounters the wake produced by a heavier aircraft. This heavy-load aircraft produces high-intensity wake turbulence that redistributes the aerodynamic loads of trailing smaller aircraft. This situation is particularly hazardous for smaller aircraft during takeoffs and landings. In order to gain a better understanding of the wake-vortex/aircraft encounter phenomena, NASA Langley Research Center conducted a series of flight tests from 1995 through 1997. These tests were designed to gather data for the development a wake encounter and wake-measurement data set with the accompanying atmospheric state information. This data set is being compiled into a database that can be used by wake vortex researchers to compare with experimental and computational results. The purpose of this research is to derive and implement a procedure for calculating the wake-vortex/aircraft interaction portion of that database by using the data recorded during those flight tests. There were three objectives to this research. Initially, the wake-induced forces and moments from each flight were analyzed based on varying flap deflection angles. The flap setting alternated between 15 and 30 degrees while the separation distance remained constant. This examination was performed to determine if increases in flap deflection would increase or decrease the effects of the wake-induced forces and moments. Next, the wake-induced forces and moments from each flight were analyzed based on separation distances of 1-3 nautical miles. In this comparison, flap deflection was held constant at 30 degrees. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased separation distances reduced the effects of the wake vortex on the aircraft. The last objective compared the wake-induced forces and moments of each flight as it executed a series of maneuvers through the wake-vortex. This analysis was conducted to examine the impact of the wake on the B737 as it traversed the wake horizontally and vertically. Results from the first analysis indicated that there was no difference in wake effect at flap deflections of 15 and 30 degrees. This conclusion is evidenced in the cases of the wake-induced sideforce, rolling moment, and yawing moment. The wake-induced lift, drag, and pitching moment cases yielded less conclusive results. The second analysis compared the wake-induced forces and moments at separation distances of 1-3 nautical miles. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in the wake-induced lift, drag, sideforce, or yawing moment coefficients. The analysis compared the wake-induced forces and moments based on different flight maneuvers. It was found that the wake-induced forces and moments had the greatest impact on out-to-in and in-to-out maneuvers.

Roberts, Chistopher L.↗

Analysis, testing, and evaluation of faulted and unfaulted Wye, Delta, and open Delta connected electromechanical actuators

Mathematical models capable of simulating the transient, steady state, and faulted performance characteristics of various brushless dc machine-PSA (power switching assembly) configurations were developed. These systems are intended for possible future use as primemovers in EMAs (electromechanical actuators) for flight control applications. These machine-PSA configurations include wye, delta, and open-delta connected systems. The research performed under this contract was initially broken down into the following six tasks: development of mathematical models for various machine-PSA configurations; experimental validation of the model for failure modes; experimental validation of the mathematical model for shorted turn-failure modes; tradeoff study; and documentation of results and methodology.

Nehl, T. W.↗

Scramjet analysis, testing

A survey of supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine development in the US covers development of this unique engine cycle from its inception in the early 1960's through the various programs currently being pursued and, in some instances, describing the future direction of the programs. These include developmental efforts supported by the US Navy, NASA, and US Air Force. Results of inlet, combustor, and nozzle component tests, free-jet engine tests, analytical techniques developed to analyze and predict component and engine performance, and flight-weight hardware development are presented. These results show that efficient scramjet propulsion is attainable in a variety of flight configurations with a variety of fuels. Since the scramjet is the most efficient engine cycle for hypersonic flight within the atmosphere, it should be given serious consideration in future propulsion schemes.

Leingang, J. L.↗

FIFE data analysis: Testing BIOME-BGC predictions for grasslands

The First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE) was conducted in a 15 km by 15 km research area located 8 km south of Manhattan, Kansas. The site consists primarily of native tallgrass prairie mixed with gallery oak forests and croplands. The objectives of FIFE are to better understand the role of biology in controlling the interactions between the land and the atmosphere, and to determine the value of remotely sensed data for estimating climatological parameters. The goals of FIFE are twofold: the upscale integration of models, and algorithm development for satellite remote sensing. The specific objectives of the field campaigns carried out in 1987 and 1989 were the simultaneous acquisition of satellite, atmospheric, and surface data; and the understanding of the processes controlling surface energy and mass exchange. Collected data were used to study the dynamics of various ecosystem processes (photosynthesis, evaporation and transpiration, autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration, etc.). Modelling terrestrial ecosystems at scales larger than that of a homogeneous plot led to the development of simple, generalized models of biogeochemical cycles that can be accurately applied to different biomes through the use of remotely sensed data. A model was developed called BIOME-BGC (for BioGeochemical Cycles) from a coniferous forest ecosystem model, FOREST-BGC, where a biome is considered a combination of a life forms in a specified climate. A predominately C4-photosynthetic grassland is probably the most different from a coniferous forest possible, hence the FIFE site was an excellent study area for testing BIOME-BGC. The transition from an essentially one-dimensional calculation to three-dimensional, landscape scale simulations requires the introduction of such factors as meteorology, climatology, and geomorphology. By using remotely sensed geographic information data for important model inputs, process-based ecosystem simulations at a variety of scales are possible. The second objective of this study is concerned with determining the accuracy of the estimated fluxes from BIOME-BGC, when extrapolated spatially over the entire 15-km by 15-km FIFE site. To accomplish this objective, a topographically distributed map of soil depth at the FIFE site was developed. These spatially-distributed fluxes were then tested with data from aircraft by eddy-flux correlation obtained during the FIFE experiment.

Hunt, E. Raymond, Jr.↗

Correlating Flammability of Materials with FTIR Analysis Test Results

The purpose of this experiment was to correlate flammability data with FTIR test results. Kydex 100 is a blend of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride and polymethylmethacrylate, with some filler materials. Samples supplied were 0.125 in. thick. 10 samples were taken from a sheet of Kydex and analyzed for flammability and by FTIR spectroscopy. This material was utilized as a round robin sample for flammability testing. The flammability test results were found to vary across the same sheet.

Moore, Robin↗

Aerocapture, Entry, Descent and Landing (AEDL) Human Planetary Landing Systems. Section 10: AEDL Analysis, Test and Validation Infrastructure

Contents include the following: 3 Listing of critical capabilities (knowledge, procedures, training, facilities) and metrics for validating that they are mission ready. Examples of critical capabilities and validation metrics: ground test and simulations. Flight testing to prove capabilities are mission ready. Issues and recommendations.

Arnold, J.↗

Design, Analysis, Testing, and Flight Activities for A Green Propulsion Dual Mode (Gpdm) Technology Demonstration Mission

NASA’s Strategic Plan (2022) outlines specific technology development objectives which direct the Agency to “innovate and advance transformational space technologies.” An example of these potentially high-impact space technologies is the low-toxicity or “green” rocket propellant known as ASCENT (or Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic Propellant). Developed in the 2010’s by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), ASCENT (formerly AF-315E) has shown improved specific impulse density (50% higher) vs. hydrazine in addition to its favorable in-space storability and ease of handling capability. The chemical propulsion capability of ASCENT has been demonstrated on several missions including the Green Propulsion Infusion Mission (GPIM) in 2019 and most recently, the Lunar Flashlight mission. ASCENT is an ionic liquid, which lends itself as both a chemical and an electrospray propellant. The capability to use the same propellants in multiple modes using the same propellant tank and feed system has yet to be demonstrated in orbit. This capability, if proven successful has the potential to reduce system weight and complexity, while taking advantage of both high thrust and high propellant efficiency in electrospray mode. The GPDM Project, managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center is seeking to develop a dual-mode propulsion system as the payload on a small spacecraft (6U CubeSat) and subsequent in-space demonstration. This paper will summarize the concept, ground testing as well as mission operations plan for demonstrating green “dual-mode” propulsion.

Nehemiah J. Williams↗

Spacecraft Priming Analysis and Research Test Apparatus: Number 1 (SPARTAN 1), Test and Analysis Results

Spacecraft with Earth-storable propellants are required by range safety to launch with propellant isolated from the thrusters for ground operations, which is often accomplished by placing a pyrotechnic, or a latching isolation valve between the tank and the thrusters. Once on-orbit, downstream lines are vented out to space through the thrusters and are left evacuated and at vacuum pressure. Propellant isolation valve then opens and floods the lines with high velocity propellant which can lead to a significant pressure surge upon filling. Replicating this event during ground testing using water as a propellant simulant has always been difficult and costly to accurately perform due to the low vacuum pressure targeted on the downstream side of the system. This report describes the Spacecraft Priming Analysis and Research Test Apparatus (SPARTA) at Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) Component Development Area (CDA) and the initial test series meant to be a pathfinder for construction methods and test procedures to reduce the cost of future testing. The test data collected are critical to analytical models as the details to replicate prior ground tests are often lacking in enough detail to adequately model the test that was conducted. This report also describes the Thermal Desktop/FloCAD analysis that was performed alongside the test series. The test methods defined for this campaign showed a dramatic improvement on heritage test procedures. Test pace increased due to faster drying and pulling vacuum more effectively. Results generated in this test matched analytical predictions very well and provide a releasable set of test data to be leveraged on future NASA and commercial partner spacecraft development programs.

spacecraft↗