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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 901 records · Page 50

Spectral methods in time for hyperbolic equations

A pseudospectral numerical scheme for solving linear, periodic, hyperbolic problems is described. It has infinite accuracy both in time and in space. The high accuracy in time is achieved without increasing the computational work and memory space which is needed for a regular, one step explicit scheme. The algorithm is shown to be optimal in the sense that among all the explicit algorithms of a certain class it requires the least amount of work to achieve a certain given resolution. The class of algorithms referred to consists of all explicit schemes which may be represented as a polynomial in the spatial operator.

Tal-Ezer, H.↗

Two dimensional sound propagation over a ridge

The sound propagation over an arbitrarily-shaped ridge situated on an infinite plane is treated using the Boundary Element Method, for which the Helmholtz integral equation in two-dimensional half space is formulated. A previously developed computational scheme for the acoustic problem at wave length shorther than the characteristic dimension of the radiator or scatterer is applied to the propagation of relatively low frequency sound over large terrain features. The numerical results using the Boundary Element Method are compared to those using algorithms for the Matched Asymptotic Expansion technique.

Eversman, W.↗

Y-MP floating point and Cholesky factorization

The floating point arithmetics implemented in the Cray 2 and Cray Y-MP computer systems are nearly identical, but large scale computations performed on the two systems have exhibited significant differences in accuracy. The difference in accuracy is analyzed for Cholesky factorization algorithm, and it is found that the source of the difference is the subtract magnitude operation of the Cray Y-MP. The results from numerical experiments for a range of problem sizes are presented, and an efficient method for improving the accuracy of the factorization obtained on the Y-MP is presented.

Carter, Russell↗

Comparison Of Two Viscous-Flow Computer Codes

Two viscous-flow computer codes compared by applying them to five test cases of steady-state transonic viscous flows about transonic airfoils. Two codes were: FLOMG, which solves Navier-Stokes differential equations of flow by implementing explicit, Runge-Kutta, finite-volume, multigrid numerical-integration algorithm; and ARC2D, which implements implicit, finite-difference, approximate-factorization, eigenvector-diagonalization numerical-integration algorithm.

Maksymiuk, C. M.↗

Frequency domain system identification methods - Matrix fraction description approach

This paper presents the use of matrix fraction descriptions for least-squares curve fitting of the frequency spectra to compute two matrix polynomials. The matrix polynomials are intermediate step to obtain a linearized representation of the experimental transfer function. Two approaches are presented: first, the matrix polynomials are identified using an estimated transfer function; second, the matrix polynomials are identified directly from the cross/auto spectra of the input and output signals. A set of Markov parameters are computed from the polynomials and subsequently realization theory is used to recover a minimum order state space model. Unevenly spaced frequency response functions may be used. Results from a simple numerical example and an experiment are discussed to highlight some of the important aspect of the algorithm.

Horta, Luca G.↗

An assessment of viscous effects in computational simulation of benign and burst vortex flows on generic fighter wind-tunnel models using TEAM code

Vortex flows on a twin-tail and a single-tail modular transonic vortex interaction (MTVI) model, representative of a generic fighter configuration, are computationally simulated in this study using the Three-dimensional Euler/Navier-Stokes Aerodynamic Method (TEAM). The primary objective is to provide an assessment of viscous effects on benign (10 deg angle of attack) and burst (35 deg angle of attack) vortex flow solutions. This study was conducted in support of a NASA project aimed at assessing the viability of using Euler technology to predict aerodynamic characteristics of aircraft configurations at moderate-to-high angles of attack in a preliminary design environment. The TEAM code solves the Euler and Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes equations on patched multiblock structured grids. Its algorithm is based on a cell-centered finite-volume formulation with multistage time-stepping scheme. Viscous effects are assessed by comparing the computed inviscid and viscous solutions with each other and experimental data. Also, results of Euler solution sensitivity to grid density and numerical dissipation are presented for the twin-tail model. The results show that proper accounting of viscous effects is necessary for detailed design and optimization but Euler solutions can provide meaningful guidelines for preliminary design of flight vehicles which exhibit vortex flows in parts of their flight envelope.

Kinard, Tim A.↗

Steady-State and Transient Boundary Element Methods for Coupled Heat Conduction

Boundary element algorithms for the solution of steady-state and transient heat conduction are presented. The algorithms are designed for efficient coupling with computational fluid dynamic discretizations and feature piecewise linear elements with offset nodal points. The steady-state algorithm employs the fundamental solution approach; the integration kernels are computed analytically based on linear shape functions, linear elements, and variably offset nodal points. The analytic expressions for both singular and nonsingular integrands are presented. The transient algorithm employs the transient fundamental solution; the temporal integration is performed analytically and the nonsingular spatial integration is performed numerically using Gaussian quadrature. A series solution to the integration is derived for the instance of a singular integrand. The boundary-only character of the algorithm is maintained by integrating the influence coefficients from initial time. Numerical results are compared to analytical solutions to verify the current boundary element algorithms. The steady-state and transient algorithms are numerically shown to be second-order accurate in space and time, respectively.

Kontinos, Dean A.↗

Accelerated line-by-line calculation of spectral absorption coefficients with high numerical accuracy

To model radiative transfer through the atmosphere with high accuracy, one must resort to the calculation of spectral absorption coefficients on a line-by-line basis. The calculation of these coefficients is computationally expensive for three reasons: (1) thousands of spectral lines can contribute to absorption at a single frequency; (2) the tails of spectral line profiles are long (i.e., a given line can contribute to absorption over a wide range of frequencies); and (3) the sampling frequencies at which monochromatic radiances are to be calculated must be spaced sufficiently close together to resolve the thinnest lines of interest (e.g., those that arise in the stratosphere). We have developed a new algorithm to accelerate the calculation of spectral absorption coefficients while retaining high numerical accuracy.

Sparks, L.↗

Control optimization, stabilization and computer algorithms for aircraft applications

Research related to reliable aircraft design is summarized. Topics discussed include systems reliability optimization, failure detection algorithms, analysis of nonlinear filters, design of compensators incorporating time delays, digital compensator design, estimation for systems with echoes, low-order compensator design, descent-phase controller for 4-D navigation, infinite dimensional mathematical programming problems and optimal control problems with constraints, robust compensator design, numerical methods for the Lyapunov equations, and perturbation methods in linear filtering and control.

Source record↗

A comparison of transport algorithms for premixed, laminar steady state flames

The effects of different methods of approximating multispecies transport phenomena in models of premixed, laminar, steady state flames were studied. Five approximation methods that span a wide range of computational complexity were developed. Identical data for individual species properties were used for each method. Each approximation method is employed in the numerical solution of a set of five H2-02-N2 flames. For each flame the computed species and temperature profiles, as well as the computed flame speeds, are found to be very nearly independent of the approximation method used. This does not indicate that transport phenomena are unimportant, but rather that the selection of the input values for the individual species transport properties is more important than the selection of the method used to approximate the multispecies transport. Based on these results, a sixth approximation method was developed that is computationally efficient and provides results extremely close to the most sophisticated and precise method used.

Coffee, T. P.↗

Computational analysis of hypersonic flows past elliptic-cone waveriders

A comprehensive study for the inviscid numerical calculation of the hypersonic flow past a class of elliptic-cone derived waveriders is presented. The theoretical background associated with hypersonic small-disturbance theory (HSDT) is reviewed. Several approximation formulas for the waverider compression surface are established. A CFD algorithm is used to calculate flow fields for the on-design case and a variety of off-design cases. The results are compared with HSDT, experiment, and other available CFD results. For the waverider shape used in previous investigations, the bow shock for the on-design condition stands off from the leading-edge tip of the waverider. It was found that this occurs because the tip was too thick according to the approximating shape formula that was used to describe the compression surface. When this was corrected, the bow shock became closer to attached as it should be. At Mach numbers greater than the design condition, a lambda-shock configuration develops near the tip of the compression surface. At negative angles of attack, other complicated shock patterns occur near the leading-edge tip. These heretofore unknown flow patterns show the power and utility of CFD for investigating novel hypersonic configurations such as waveriders.

Yoon, Bok-Hyun↗

Active Control of Fan Noise: Feasibility Study: Numerical Computation of Acoustic Mode Reflection Coefficients for an Unflanged Cylindrical Duct - Volume 5

A computational method to predict modal reflection coefficients in cylindrical ducts has been developed based on the work of Homicz, Lordi, and Rehm, which uses the Wiener-Hopf method to account for the boundary conditions at the termination of a thin cylindrical pipe. The purpose of this study is to develop a computational routine to predict the reflection coefficients of higher order acoustic modes impinging on the unflanged termination of a cylindrical duct. This effort was conducted wider Task Order 5 of the NASA Lewis LET Program, Active Noise Control of aircraft Engines: Feasibility Study, and will be used as part of the development of an integrated source noise, acoustic propagation, ANC actuator coupling, and control system algorithm simulation. The reflection coefficient prediction will be incorporated into an existing cylindrical duct modal analysis to account for the reflection of modes from the duct termination. This will provide a more accurate, rapid computation design tool for evaluating the effect of reflected waves on active noise control systems mounted in the duct, as well as providing a tool for the design of acoustic treatment in inlet ducts. As an active noise control system design tool, the method can be used preliminary to more accurate but more numerically intensive acoustic propagation models such as finite element methods. The resulting computer program has been shown to give reasonable results, some examples of which are presented. Reliable data to use for comparison is scarce, so complete checkout is difficult, and further checkout is needed over a wider range of system parameters. In future efforts the method will be adapted as a subroutine to the GEAE segmented cylindrical duct modal analysis program.

Kraft, R. E.↗

A geometrical interpretation of the 2n-th central difference

Many algorithms used for data smoothing, data classification and error detection require the calculation of the distance from a point to the polynomial interpolating its 2n neighbors (n on each side). This computation, if performed naively, would require the solution of a system of equations and could create numerical problems. This note shows that if the data is equally spaced, then this calculation can be performed using a simple recursion formula.

Tapia, R. A.↗

Technique for atmospheric rate chemistry calculations

The possibility that predictions of atmospheric photochemistry/transport models are sensitive to uncertainties in reaction rates and other inputs stresses the need for rapid numerical integration schemes in rate photochemistry problems. Reducing the computational burden has a major merit in facilitating sensitivity studies to assess the effect of uncertainties on predicted ozone diminutions from NOx (NO + NO2) in the exhaust plume of SST engines. The paper discusses the validity of an algorithmic approach to integration of rate chemistry problems in combustion, developed by Rubel and Baronti for an approximate calculation of the production rate of the i-th chemical species involved. An analysis of two projected SST engines confirms the validity of the proposed algorithm. Because of the relative arithmetical simplicity, it may be easier to treat diffusion rate chemistry calculations using the Rubel and Baronti approximation than would be possible by other approaches.

Matloff, G. L.↗

A statistical correlation method for the retrieval of atmospheric moisture profiles by microwave radiometry

A statistical correlation technique is applied to the retrieval of vertical moisture profiles under clear-sky conditions from down-looking radiometric measurements of atmospheric radiation at microwave wavelengths. For a given set of channels, the method selects the optimum radiometric channels for estimating water vapor at specific pressure levels between the surface and 300 mb. The water vapor mixing ratio at these pressure levels is then calculated from a linear combination of the selected channel brightness temperatures. To test its validity the algorithm was applied, in a numerical experiment, to fifty independent tropical radiosondes. The rms absolute deviation of the estimated moisture profiles from the actual profiles was comparable to that obtained using an iterative retrieval method reported earlier. The statistical method, however, requires several orders of magnitude less computer time than the iterative method; it is suitable for high speed processing of large amounts of data.

Kakar, R. K.↗

Status and prospects of computational fluid dynamics for unsteady transonic viscous flows

Applications of computational aerodynamics to aeronautical research, design, and analysis have increased rapidly over the past decade, and these applications offer significant benefits to aeroelasticians. The past developments are traced by means of a number of specific examples, and the trends are projected over the next several years. The crucial factors that limit the present capabilities for unsteady analyses are identified; they include computer speed and memory, algorithm and solution methods, grid generation, turbulence modeling, vortex modeling, data processing, and coupling of the aerodynamic and structural dynamic analyses. The prospects for overcoming these limitations are presented, and many improvements appear to be readily attainable. If so, a complete and reliable numerical simulation of the unsteady, transonic viscous flow around a realistic fighter aircraft configuration could become possible within the next decade. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence concepts to hasten the achievement of this goal are also discussed.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Status and prospects of computational fluid dynamics for unsteady transonic flow

Applications of computational aerodynamics to aeronautical research, design, and analysis have increased rapidly over the past decade, and these applications offer significant benefits to aeroelasticians. The past developments are traced by means of a number of specific examples, and the trends are projected over the next several years. The crucial factors that limit the present capabilities for unsteady analyses are identified; they include computer speed and memory, algorithm and solution methods, grid generation, turbulence modeling, vortex modeling, data processing, and coupling of the aerodynamic and structural dynamic analyses. The prospects for overcoming these limitations are presented, and many improvements appear to be readily attainable. If so, a complete and reliable numerical simulation of the unsteady, transonic viscous flow around a realistic fighter aircraft configuration could become possible within the next decade. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence concepts to hasten the achievement of this goal are also discussed.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Photonic processing at NASA Ames Research Center

The Photonic Processing group is engaged in applied research on optical processors in support of the Ames vision to lead the development of autonomous intelligent systems. Optical processors, in conjunction with numeric and symbolic processors, are needed to provide the powerful processing capability that is required for many future agency missions. The research program emphasizes application of analog optical processing, where free-space propagation between components allows natural implementations of algorithms requiring a large degree of parallel computation. Special consideration is given in the Ames program to the integration of optical processors into larger, heterogeneous computational systems. Demonstration of the effective integration of optical processors within a broader knowledge-based system is essential to evaluate their potential for dependable operation in an autonomous environment such as space. The Ames Photonics program is currently addressing several areas of interest. One of the efforts is to develop an optical correlator system with two programmable spatial light modulators (SLMs) to perform distortion invariant pattern recognition. Another area of research is optical neural networks, also for use in distortion-invariant pattern recognition.

Ochoa, Ellen↗