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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 937 records · Page 52

Project management techniques for highly integrated programs

The management and control of a representative, highly integrated high-technology project, in the X-29A aircraft flight test project is addressed. The X-29A research aircraft required the development and integration of eight distinct technologies in one aircraft. The project management system developed for the X-29A flight test program focuses on the dynamic interactions and the the intercommunication among components of the system. The insights gained from the new conceptual framework permitted subordination of departments to more functional units of decisionmaking, information processing, and communication networks. These processes were used to develop a project management system for the X-29A around the information flows that minimized the effects inherent in sampled-data systems and exploited the closed-loop multivariable nature of highly integrated projects.

Stewart, J. F.↗

Analysis of atomic thermospheric nitrogen density

A NASA grant provided support for a research project at Augsbury College, Minneapolis, Minnesota for the analysis of atomic nitrogen density data obtained by the Neutral Atmospheric Composition Spectrometer (NACS) on board the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite. Initial funding was for an exploratory study of the feasibility of obtaining ambient densities of N from source densities of NO. Funding was continued under the Dynamics Explorer Guest Investigator Program when initial studies indicated probable success in obtaining such ambient densities. The major scientific focus of the later work was to be to characterize the behavior of N densities at high latitudes.

Engebretson, M. J.↗

Ground resonance analysis using a substructure modeling approach

A convenient and versatile procedure for modeling and analyzing ground resonance phenomena is described and illustrated. A computer program is used which dynamically couples differential equations with nonlinear and time dependent coefficients. Each set of differential equations may represent a component such as a rotor, fuselage, landing gear, or a failed damper. Arbitrary combinations of such components may be formulated into a model of a system. When the coupled equations are formed, a procedure is executed which uses a Floquet analysis to determine the stability of the system. Illustrations of the use of the procedures along with the numerical examples are presented.

Chen, S. Y.↗

Investigation to advance prediction techniques of the low-speed aerodynamics of V/STOL aircraft

A computer program, VSAERO, has been applied to a number of V/STOL configurations with a view to advancing prediction techniques for the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics. The program couples a low-order panel method with surface streamline calculation and integral boundary layer procedures. The panel method--which uses piecewise constant source and doublet panels-includes an iterative procedure for wake shape and models boundary layer displacement effect using the source transpiration technique. Certain improvements to a basic vortex tube jet model were installed in the code prior to evaluation. Very promising results were obtained for surface pressures near a jet issuing at 90 deg from a flat plate. A solid core model was used in the initial part of the jet with a simple entrainment model. Preliminary representation of the downstream separation zone significantly improve the correlation. The program accurately predicted the pressure distribution inside the inlet on the Grumman 698-411 design at a range of flight conditions. Furthermore, coupled viscous/potential flow calculations gave very close correlation with experimentally determined operational boundaries dictated by the onset of separation inside the inlet. Experimentally observed degradation of these operational boundaries between nacelle-alone tests and tests on the full configuration were also indicated by the calculation. Application of the program to the General Dynamics STOL fighter design were equally encouraging. Very close agreement was observed between experiment and calculation for the effects of power on pressure distribution, lift and lift curve slope.

Maskew, B.↗

The force on the flex: Global parallelism and portability

A parallel programming methodology, called the force, supports the construction of programs to be executed in parallel by an unspecified, but potentially large, number of processes. The methodology was originally developed on a pipelined, shared memory multiprocessor, the Denelcor HEP, and embodies the primitive operations of the force in a set of macros which expand into multiprocessor Fortran code. A small set of primitives is sufficient to write large parallel programs, and the system has been used to produce 10,000 line programs in computational fluid dynamics. The level of complexity of the force primitives is intermediate. It is high enough to mask detailed architectural differences between multiprocessors but low enough to give the user control over performance. The system is being ported to a medium scale multiprocessor, the Flex/32, which is a 20 processor system with a mixture of shared and local memory. Memory organization and the type of processor synchronization supported by the hardware on the two machines lead to some differences in efficient implementations of the force primitives, but the user interface remains the same. An initial implementation was done by retargeting the macros to Flexible Computer Corporation's ConCurrent C language. Subsequently, the macros were caused to directly produce the system calls which form the basis for ConCurrent C. The implementation of the Fortran based system is in step with Flexible Computer Corporations's implementation of a Fortran system in the parallel environment.

Jordan, H. F.↗

Ground resonance analysis using a substructure modeling approach

A convenient and versatile procedure for modeling and analyzing ground resonance phenomena is described and illustrated. A computer program is used which dynamically couples differential equations with nonlinear and time dependent coefficients. Each set of differential equations may represent a component such as a rotor, fuselage, landing gear, or a failed damper. Arbitrary combinations of such components may be formulated into a model of a system. When the coupled equations are formed, a procedure is executed which uses a Floquet analysis to determine the stability of the system. Illustrations of the use of the procedures along with the numerical examples are presented.

Chen, S.-Y.↗

Mg II emission from shock waves in Mira variables

In order to investigate the atmospheric shock dynamics of Miras, a program to monitor the ultraviolet Mg II flux, the visual magnitude (using the IUE FES-magnitude) and whenever possible the hydrogen Balmer emission for several Miras was initiated. Results suggest that it should be possible to derive the density structure of the atmosphere and hence estimate quite accurately the kinetic energy input into the stellar atmosphere. The atmospheric shock models suggest that at phase equal 1.0 most of the energy which enters the region where the shock is located ends up in the wind. This is after the strongest Mg II emission is seen. From an observed velocity at infinity and an estimate of the energy input derived from the Mg II flux, it will be possible to determine the mass loss rate for these objects.

Brugel, Edward W.↗

Pinhole occulter experiment

Viewgraphs and charts from a briefing summarize the accomplishments, results, conclusions, and recommendations of a feasibility study using the Pinhole Occulter Facility (POF). Accomplishments for 1986 include: (1) improved IPS Gimbal Model; (2) improved Crew Motion Disturbance Model; (3) use of existing shuttle on-orbit simulation to study the effects of orbiter attitude deadband size on POF performance; (4) increased understanding of maximum performance expected from current actuator/sensor set; (5) use of TREETOPS nonlinear time domain program to obtain system dynamics describing the complex multibody flexible structures; (6) use of HONEY-X design tool to design and evaluate multivariable compensator for stability, robustness, and performance; (7) application of state-of-the-art compensator design methodology Linear Quadratic Gaussian/Loop Transfer Recovery (LQG/LTR); and (8) examination of tolerance required on knowledge of the POF boom flexible mode frequencies to insure stability, using structure uncertainty analysis.

Ring, Jeff↗

Simulating The Gamma-Ray Observatory Spacecraft

Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO) spacecraft constitutes major advance in gamma-ray astronomy by offering first opportunity for comprehensive observations in range of 0.1 to 30,000 MeV. GRO Attitude Dynamics Simulator (GROSS) computer program designed to simulate mission. Consists of three separate programs: stand-alone profile program; simulator program, containing simulation control input/output (SCIO) subsystem, truth model (TM) subsystem, and on-board computer (OBC) subsystem; and postprocessor program. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Garrick, J.↗

Numerical Analysis Of Flows With FIDAP

Report presents an evaluation of accuracy of Fluid Dynamics Package (FIDAP) computer program. Finite-element code for analysis of flows of incompressible fluids and transfers of heat in multidimensional domains. Includes both available methods for treatment of spurious numerical coupling between simulated velocity and simulated pressure; namely, penalty method and mixed-interpolation method with variable choices of interpolation polynomials for velocity and pressure. Streamwise upwind (STU) method included as option for flows dominated by convection.

Sohn, Jeong L.↗

Space station dynamics, attitude control and momentum management

The Space Station Attitude Control System software test-bed provides a rigorous environment for the design, development and functional verification of GN and C algorithms and software. The approach taken for the simulation of the vehicle dynamics and environmental models using a computationally efficient algorithm is discussed. The simulation includes capabilities for docking/berthing dynamics, prescribed motion dynamics associated with the Mobile Remote Manipulator System (MRMS) and microgravity disturbances. The vehicle dynamics module interfaces with the test-bed through the central Communicator facility which is in turn driven by the Station Control Simulator (SCS) Executive. The Communicator addresses issues such as the interface between the discrete flight software and the continuous vehicle dynamics, and multi-programming aspects such as the complex flow of control in real-time programs. Combined with the flight software and redundancy management modules, the facility provides a flexible, user-oriented simulation platform.

Sunkel, John W.↗

A single-assignment language in a distributed memory multiprocessor

The implementation of the single-assignment programming language SISAL (McGraw et al., 1985) on a Symult 2010 parallel computer is described. The advantages of single-assignment languages over imperative languages in a multiprocessor environment are reviewed; the characteristics of SISAL are summarized; the program-graph generation and dynamic data partitioning procedures are explained; and the application of SISAL in constructing a concurrent iterative multigrid algorithm is discussed in detail and illustrated with diagrams.

Evripidou, P.↗

Estimating Rain Attenuation In Satellite Communication Links

Attenuation computed with help of statistical model and meteorological data. NASA Lewis Research Center Satellite Link Attenuation Model (SLAM) program QuickBASIC computer program evaluating static and dynamic statistical assessment of impact of rain attenuation on communication link established between Earth terminal and geosynchronous satellite. Application in specification, design, and assessment of satellite communication links for any terminal location in continental United States. Written in Microsoft QuickBASIC.

Manning, R. M.↗

Research sensors

The LeRC program in research sensors is directed at development of sensors and sensing techniques for research applications on turbine engines and propulsion systems. In general, the sensors are used either to measure to response of an engine component to the imposed environment. Locations of concern are generally within the gas path and, for the most part, are within the hot section of the engine. Since these sensors are used for research testing as opposed to operational use, a sensor lifetime of the order of 50 hr is considered sufficient. The following discussion presents a sample of this work, describing programs to develop a dynamic gas temperature measuring system, total heat flux sensors, a variety of thin-film sensors, and high-temperature strain measuring systems.

Englund, David R.↗