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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Rotor Flapping Response to Active Control

Rotor active control using higher harmonic blade pitch has been proposed as a means to reduce both rotor radiated noise and airframe vibration and to enhance rotor performance. The higher harmonic input, however, can affect rotor thrust and cyclic flapping - the basic trim characteristics of the rotor. Some of the trim changes can negate the active control benefits. For example, wind tunnel test results of a full scale BO-105 rotor with individual-blade control indicate some rotor performance improvements, accompanied with changes in rotor trim, using two-per-rev blade pitch input. The observed performance benefits could therefore be a simple manifestation of the trim change rather than an efficient redistribution of the rotor airloads. More recently, the flight test of the BO-105 helicopter equip,ped with individual-blade-control actuators also reported trim changes whenever the two-per-rev blade pitch for noise reduction was activated. The pilot had to adjust the trim control to maintain the aircraft under a constant flight path. These two cases highlight the, importance of trim considerations in the application of active control to rotorcraft.

Nguyen, Khanh↗
DOE OSTI2022

Voltage waveform tailoring for high aspect ratio plasma etching of SiO 2 using Ar/CF 4 /O 2 mixtures: Consequences of ion and electron distributions on etch profiles

The quality of high aspect ratio (HAR) features etched into dielectrics for microelectronics fabrication using halogen containing low temperature plasmas strongly depends on the energy and angular distribution of the incident ions (IEAD) onto the wafer, as well as potentially that of the electrons (EEAD). Positive ions, accelerated to high energies by the sheath electric field, have narrow angular spreads and can penetrate deeply into HAR features. Electrons typically arrive at the wafer with nearly thermal energy and isotropic angular distributions and so do not directly penetrate deeply into features. These differences can lead to positive charging of the insides of the features that can slow etching rates and produce geometric defects such as twisting. In this work, we computationally investigated the plasma etching of HAR features into SiO 2 using tailored voltage waveforms in a geometrically asymmetric capacitively coupled plasma sustained in an Ar/CF 4 /O 2 mixture at 40 mTorr. The tailored waveform consisted of a sinusoidal wave and its higher harmonics with a fundamental frequency of 1 MHz. We found that some degree of control of the IEADs and EEADs is possible by adjusting the phase of higher harmonics φ through the resulting generation of electrical asymmetry and electric field reversal. However, the IEADs and EEADs cannot easily be separately controlled. The control of IEADs and EEADs is inherently linked. The highest quality feature was obtained with a phase angle φ = 0° as this value generated the largest (most negative) DC self-bias and largest electric field reversal for accelerating electrons into the feature. That said, the consequences of voltage waveform tailoring (VWT) on etched features are dominated by the change in the IEADs. Although VWT does produce EEADs with higher energy and narrower angular spread, the effect of these electrons on the feature compared to thermal electrons is not large. Finally, this smaller impact of VWT produced EEADs is attributed to thermal electrons being accelerated into the feature by electric fields produced by the positive in-feature charging.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS2020

A Quiet Helicopter for Air Taxi Operations

NASA is exploring rotorcraft designs for VTOL air taxi operations, also known as urban air mobility (UAM) or on-demand mobility (ODM) applications. Several concept vehicles have been developed, intended to focus and guide NASA research activities in support of aircraft development for this emerging market. This paper examines a single main-rotor helicopter designed specifically for low-noise air taxi operations. Based on demonstrated technology, the aircraft uses a turboshaft engine with a sound-absorbing installation, and the NOTAR anti-torque system to eliminate tail-rotor noise, consequently the noise and annoyance of the aircraft are dominated by the main rotor. Several design parameters are explored to reduce the noise, including rotor tip speed, blade geometry, and higher-harmonic control. Commensurate with the level of design detail, the noise is calculated for compact loading and thickness sources on the rotating blades. The metric is the reduction of the noise for the helicopter certification conditions (takeoff, flyover, and approach), relative a baseline aircraft with typical (high) tip speed, conventional blade planform, and no higher-harmonic control.

Johnson, Wayne↗
NASA NTRS1975

Analysis of helicopter rotor blade torsional oscillations due to stall

An analysis of stall-induced helicopter rotor blade torsional oscillations was carried out, the primary objectives being to predict the onset and severity of the oscillations and their relationship to aircraft and blade parameters. Blade flapping, flapwise bending, and torsional degrees of freedom were taken into account, with radial variation in aerodynamic loading determined from a previously developed dynamic stall model. Results of analyses were compared with data from flight tests of helicopters. Analyses were carried out while parametrically varying blade vibrational characteristics. It was found that the amplitudes of the higher harmonics of torsional oscillations can be significantly reduced by either reducing the torsional natural frequency or introducing viscous damping in the torsional degree of freedom. A preliminary investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility and practicality of alleviating the stall problem by means of boundary layer control. The results indicate that boundary layer control would be effective in reducing the higher harmonics of torsional oscillations due to stall and that its implementation would not require excessive power or suction rates.

Crimi, P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Design study of a feedback control system for the Multicyclic Flap System rotor (MFS)

The feasibility of automatically providing higher harmonic control to a deflectable control flap at the tip of a helicopter rotor blade through feedback of selected independent parameter was investigated. Control parameters were selected for input to the feedback system. A preliminary circuit was designed to condition the selected parameters, weigh limiting factors, and provide a proper output signal to the multi-cyclic control actuators. Results indicate that feedback control for the higher harmonic is feasible; however, design for a flight system requires an extension of the present analysis which was done for one flight condition - 120 kts, 11,500 lbs gross weight and level flight.

Weisbrich, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Refinement and evaluation of helicopter real-time self-adaptive active vibration controller algorithms

A Real-Time Self-Adaptive (RTSA) active vibration controller was used as the framework in developing a computer program for a generic controller that can be used to alleviate helicopter vibration. Based upon on-line identification of system parameters, the generic controller minimizes vibration in the fuselage by closed-loop implementation of higher harmonic control in the main rotor system. The new generic controller incorporates a set of improved algorithms that gives the capability to readily define many different configurations by selecting one of three different controller types (deterministic, cautious, and dual), one of two linear system models (local and global), and one or more of several methods of applying limits on control inputs (external and/or internal limits on higher harmonic pitch amplitude and rate). A helicopter rotor simulation analysis was used to evaluate the algorithms associated with the alternative controller types as applied to the four-bladed H-34 rotor mounted on the NASA Ames Rotor Test Apparatus (RTA) which represents the fuselage. After proper tuning all three controllers provide more effective vibration reduction and converge more quickly and smoothly with smaller control inputs than the initial RTSA controller (deterministic with external pitch-rate limiting). It is demonstrated that internal limiting of the control inputs a significantly improves the overall performance of the deterministic controller.

Davis, M. W.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Current measurements in the intermittent-contact mode of atomic force microscopy using the Fourier method: a feasibility analysis

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an important tool for measuring a variety of nanoscale surface properties, such as topography, viscoelasticity, electrical potential and conductivity. Some of these properties are measured using contact methods (static contact or intermittent contact), while others are measured using noncontact methods. Some properties can be measured using different approaches. Conductivity, in particular, is mapped using the contact-mode method. However, this modality can be destructive to delicate samples, since it involves continuously dragging the cantilever tip on the surface during the raster scan, while a constant tip–sample force is applied. In this paper we discuss a possible approach to develop an intermittent-contact conductive AFM mode based on Fourier analysis, whereby the measured current response consists of higher harmonics of the cantilever oscillation frequency. Such an approach may enable the characterization of soft samples with less damage than contact-mode imaging. To explore its feasibility, we derive the analytical form of the tip–sample current that would be obtained for attractive (noncontact) and repulsive (intermittent-contact) dynamic AFM characterization, and compare it with results obtained from numerical simulations. Although significant instrumentation challenges are anticipated, the modelling results are promising and suggest that Fourier-based higher-harmonics current measurement may enable the development of a reliable intermittent-contact conductive AFM method.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2012

Evaluation of Rotor Structural and Aerodynamic Loads using Measured Blade Properties

The structural properties of Higher harmonic Aeroacoustic Rotor Test (HART I) blades have been measured using the original set of blades tested in the wind tunnel in 1994. A comprehensive rotor dynamics analysis is performed to address the effect of the measured blade properties on airloads, blade motions, and structural loads of the rotor. The measurements include bending and torsion stiffness, geometric offsets, and mass and inertia properties of the blade. The measured properties are correlated against the estimated values obtained initially by the manufacturer of the blades. The previously estimated blade properties showed consistently higher stiffnesses, up to 30% for the flap bending in the blade inboard root section. The measured offset between the center of gravity and the elastic axis is larger by about 5% chord length, as compared with the estimated value. The comprehensive rotor dynamics analysis was carried out using the measured blade property set for HART I rotor with and without HHC (Higher Harmonic Control) pitch inputs. A significant improvement on blade motions and structural loads is obtained with the measured blade properties.

Jung, Sung N.↗
NASA NTRS2003

A High-Order, Time Invariant, Linearized Model for Application to HHCIAFCS Interaction Studies

This paper describes a methodology for the extraction of a linear time invariant model from a nonlinear helicopter model, and followed by an examination of the interactions of the Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) and the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). This new method includes an embedded harmonic analyzer inside a linear time invariant model, which allows the periodicity of the helicopter response to be captured. The: coupled high-order model provides the needed level of dynamic fidelity to permit an analysis and optimization of the AFCS and HHC loops. Results of this study indicate that the closed-loop HHC system has little influence on the AFCS or on the vehicle handling qualities, which indicates that the AFCS does not need modification to work with the HHC system. The results also show that the vibration response to maneuvers must be considered during the HHC design process, which leads to much higher required HHC loop crossover frequencies. This research also demonstrates that the transient vibration response during maneuvers can be reduced by optimizing the closed-loop higher harmonic control laws using conventional control system analyses.

Cheng, Rendy P.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Application of Out-of-Plane Warping to Control Rotor Blade Twist

The goal of this ongoing study is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a blade actuation system to dynamically change the twist, and/or the camber, of an airfoil section and, consequently, alter the in-flight aerodynamic loading on the blade for efficient flight control. The required analytical and finite element tools are under development to enable an accurate and comprehensive aeroelastic assessment of the current Full-Blade Warping and 3D Warping Actuated Trailing Edge Flap concepts. The feasibility of the current concepts for swashplateless rotors and higher harmonic blade control is also being investigated. In particular, the aim is to complete the following objectives, some of which have been completed (as noted below) and others that are currently ongoing: i) Develop a Vlasov finite element model and validate against the ABAQUS shell models (completed). ii) Implement the 3D warping actuation concept within the comprehensive analysis code DYMORE. iii) Perform preliminary aeroelastic simulations of blades using DYMORE with 3D warping actuation: a) Investigate the blade behavior under 1 per/rev actuation. Determine whether sufficient twist can be generated and sustained to achieve primary blade control. b) Investigate the behavior of a trailing edge flap configuration under higher harmonic excitations. Determine how much twist can be obtained at the harmonics 2-5 per/rev. iv) Determine actuator specifications such as the power required, load and displacements, and identify the stress and strain distributions in the actuated blades. In general, the completion of Item ii) above will give an additional research capability in rotorcraft dynamics analyses, i.e., the capability to calculate the rotor blade twist due to warping, something that is not currently available in any of the existing comprehensive rotorcraft analyses.

VanWeddingen, Yannick↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ion cyclotron bands in VLF saucers

In the wideband VLF data obtained by the polar orbiting DE-1 satellite over the polar night ion trough region of the upper ionosphere, conspicuous frequency-band structures are found to occur both in absorption and emission, particularly associating with VLF saucers. The attenuation bands indicate that the ions of atomic hydrogen from the polar ionosphere are accelerated by the ac electric fields of VLF waves oscillating normal to the static magnetic field, analogous to a cyclotron accelerator. The observed frequencies of the cyclotron harmonics suggest that the acceleration is taking place in the layer below the satellite at a geocentric distance of less than about 1.5 earth radii. This example indicates the existence of upward propagating hiss at those altitudes inside the auroral zone. On the other hand, the frequency shifts of the emission bands are attributed to a combination of two different types of Doppler shift, one due to the orbital motion of the satellite and the other due to the upward motion of the medium at the emission source. This indicates the existence of an upward plasma flow at the source, with a velocity of the order of 20 km/s inside the saucer. The amount of this frequency shift decreases with increasing harmonic order, indicating a higher phase velocity for the electrostatic waves of higher harmonic order.

Maeda, Kaichi↗
NASA NTRS1991

Magnetic two-photon scattering and two-photon emission - Cross sections and redistribution functions

The magnetic two-photon scattering cross section is discussed within the framework of QED, and the corresponding scattering redistribution function for this process and its inverse, as well as the scattering source function are calculated explicitly. In a similar way, the magnetic two-photon emission process which follows the radiative excitation of Landau levels above ground is calculated. The two-photon scattering and two-photon emission are of the same order as the single-photon magnetic scattering. All three of these processes, and in optically thick cases also their inverses, are included in radiative transport calculations modeling accreting pulsars and gamma-ray bursters. These processes play a prominent role in determining the relative strength of the first two cyclotron harmonics, and their effects extend also to the higher harmonics.

Alexander, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A spectral approach to the unification of satellite and conventional temperature data

A method for combining temperature soundings derived from VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) radiance observations with conventional data is presented. Using data from the Atmospheric Variability Experiment/VAS Ground Truth Field Experiment, temperature profiles from rawinsonde and VAS observations were represented by Fourier cosine series, with harmonic-by-harmonic comparisons performed for collocated pairs as well as the spatial variations of harmonic coefficients. The zeroth and first harmonics in the VAS temperature soundings were combined with higher harmonics determined from conventional data to form a unified dataset. The quality of the unified data was examined by comparing the vertical motion fields derived from a linear balance model with satellite observations of cloud systems. Case studies at 1200 UTC on August 22, 23, and 24, 1983 over the western Atlantic gave good results.

Shin, Kyung-Sup↗
NASA NTRS1983

The rotational spectrum of g-modes in the sun

Observations and calculations are presented which strongly suggest that the unique sequence of rotation rates due to g-modes is active in the sun. It is found that all angular harmonics from 1 = 2-11 appear to be resolved, while higher harmonics up to at least 1 = 20 also seem to be active. The extreme narrowness of many of the spectral lines indicates that the g-modes are locked in sets of constant 1 by a local mechanism which excites the modes and possibly regulates the long-term precision of their rotation. These sets act as a system of resonant, or nearly resonant, clocks which impose a degree of periodicity upon solar activity and measure the mean solar interior rotation

Wolff, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

STEREO and Wind Observations of Intense Cyclotron Harmonic Waves at the Earth's Bow Shock and Inside the Magnetosheath

We present the first observations of electron cyclotron harmonic waves at the Earth's bow shock from STEREO and Wind burst waveform captures. These waves are observed at magnetic field gradients at a variety of shock geometries ranging from quasi-parallel to nearly perpendicular along with whistler mode waves, ion acoustic waves, and electrostatic solitary waves. Large amplitude cyclotron harmonic waveforms are also observed in the magnetosheath in association with magnetic field gradients convected past the bow shock. Amplitudes of the cyclotron harmonic waves range from a few tens to more than 500 millivolts/meter peak-peak. A comparison between the short (15 meters) and long (100 meters) Wind spin plane antennas shows a similar response at low harmonics and a stronger response on the short antenna at higher harmonics. This indicates that wavelengths are not significantly larger than 100 meters, consistent with the electron cyclotron radius. Waveforms are broadband and polarizations are distinctively comma-shaped with significant power both perpendicular and parallel to the magnetic field. Harmonics tend to be more prominent in the perpendicular directions. These observations indicate that the waves consist of a combination of perpendicular Bernstein waves and field-aligned waves without harmonics. A likely source is the electron cyclotron drift instability which is a coupling between Bernstein and ion acoustic waves. These waves are the most common type of high-frequency wave seen by STEREO during bow shock crossings and magnetosheath traversals and our observations suggest that they are an important component of the high-frequency turbulent spectrum in these regions.

bow shock↗
NASA NTRS2000

Nondestructive Determination of Bond Strength

Although many nondestructive techniques have been applied to detect disbonds in adhesive joints, no absolutely reliable nondestructive method has been developed to detect poor adhesion and evaluate the strength of bonded joints prior to the present work which used nonlinear ultrasonic methods to investigate adhesive bond cure conditions. Previously, a variety of linear and nonlinear ultrasonic methods with water coupling had been used to study aluminum-adhesive-aluminum laminates, prepared under different adhesive curing conditions, for possible bond strength determination. Therefore, in the course of this research effort, a variety of finite-amplitude experimental methods which could possibly differentiate various cure conditions were investigated, including normal and oblique incidence approaches based on nonlinear harmonic generation as well as several non-collinear two-wave interaction approaches. Test samples were mechanically scanned in various ways with respect to the focus of a transmitting transducer operated at several variable excitation frequencies and excitation levels. Even when powerful sample-related resonances were exploited by means of a frequency scanning approach, it was very difficult to isolate the nonlinear characteristics of adhesive bonds. However, a multi-frequency multi-power approach was quite successful and reliable. Ultrasonic tone burst signals at increasing power levels, over a wide frequency range, were transmitted through each bond specimen to determine its excitation dependent nonlinear harmonic resonance behavior. Relative amplitude changes were observed particularly in the higher harmonic spectral data and analyzed using a local displacement and strain analysis in the linear approximation. Two analysis approaches of the excitation-dependent data at specific resonances were found to be quite promising. One of these approaches may represent a very robust algorithm for classifying an adhesive bond as being properly cured or not. Another approach, in addition to differentiation between various cure conditions, may even provide information with respect to the bond strength. Several technical papers were published during the course of this research and a summary is presented in the Ph.D. dissertation of Tobias P. Berndt, a graduate student financially supported by this NASA Grant.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1986

Electron-cyclotron maser emission from the sun and stars Variations with plasma temperature and density

Very bright and highly circularly polarized radio bursts from the sun, the planets, flare stars, and close binary stars are attributed to the electron-cyclotron maser instability. The mode and frequency of the dominant radiation from the maser instability is shown to be dependent on the plasma temperature and the ratio omega(p)/Omega(e) of the plasma frequency to the electron-frequency. For the emission from the sun omega(p)/Omega(e) is probably greater than 0.3 and for omega(p)/Omega(e) greater than 0.3 and less than the square root of 2, the emission can be either in the x-mode at the second harmonic or in the 0- and/or z-modes at the fundamental. For higher omega(p)/Omega(e), the emission moves to higher harmonics of Omega(e) with the emission being predominately in the z-mode when omega(p)/Omega(e) is greater than about the square root of 3.

Winglee, R. M.↗