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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 109 records · Page 6

Phobos and deimos: Analysis of surface features, ejecta dynamics and a volatile loss mechanism

The question of whether the crater population on Phobos represents a production population or an equilibrium population is considered. The absolute ages of cratered surfaces are interpreted and analyzed. A computer program was developed to study the dynamics of material ejected from Martian satellites and to investigate the hypothesis that at least some of the extensive set of linear features discovered on the surface of Phobos could be the result of secondary cratering from the Stickney impact. The possibility that Deimos was catastrophically disrupted by a large impact but subsequently reaccreted is considered as well as the probability the Phobos had an impact nearly large enough to disrupt it are also discussed.

Davis, D. R.↗

Computational Methods for Structural Mechanics and Dynamics, part 1

The structural analysis methods research has several goals. One goal is to develop analysis methods that are general. This goal of generality leads naturally to finite-element methods, but the research will also include other structural analysis methods. Another goal is that the methods be amenable to error analysis; that is, given a physical problem and a mathematical model of that problem, an analyst would like to know the probable error in predicting a given response quantity. The ultimate objective is to specify the error tolerances and to use automated logic to adjust the mathematical model or solution strategy to obtain that accuracy. A third goal is to develop structural analysis methods that can exploit parallel processing computers. The structural analysis methods research will focus initially on three types of problems: local/global nonlinear stress analysis, nonlinear transient dynamics, and tire modeling.

Stroud, W. Jefferson↗

Comparisons of Kinematics and Dynamics Simulation Software Tools

Kinematic and dynamic analyses for moving bodies are essential to system engineers and designers in the process of design and validations. 3D visualization and motion simulation plus finite element analysis (FEA) give engineers a better way to present ideas and results. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) system engineering researchers are currently using IGRIP from DELMIA Inc. as a kinematic simulation tool for discrete bodies motion simulations. Although IGRIP is an excellent tool for kinematic simulation with some dynamic analysis capabilities in robotic control, explorations of other alternatives with more powerful dynamic analysis and FEA capabilities are necessary. Kinematics analysis will only examine the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the mechanism without considering effects from masses of components. With dynamic analysis and FEA, effects such as the forces or torques at the joint due to mass and inertia of components can be identified. With keen market competition, ALGOR Mechanical Event Simulation (MES), MSC visualNastran 4D, Unigraphics Motion+, and Pro/MECHANICA were chosen for explorations. In this study, comparisons between software tools were presented in terms of following categories: graphical user interface (GUI), import capability, tutorial availability, ease of use, kinematic simulation capability, dynamic simulation capability, FEA capability, graphical output, technical support, and cost. Propulsion Test Article (PTA) with Fastrac engine model exported from IGRIP and an office chair mechanism were used as examples for simulations.

Yeu-Sheng Paul Shiue↗

Executive summary: Mod-1 wind turbine generator analysis and design report

Activities leading to the detail design of a wind turbine generator having a nominal rating of 1.8 megawatts are reported. Topics covered include (1) system description; (2) structural dynamics; (3) stability analysis; (4) mechanical subassemblies design; (5) power generation subsystem; and (6) control and instrumentation subsystem.

Source record↗

Vibro-Acoustic Analysis of NASA's Space Shuttle Launch Pad 39A Flame Trench Wall

A vital element to NASA's manned space flight launch operations is the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39's launch pads A and B. Originally designed and constructed In the 1960s for the Saturn V rockets used for the Apollo missions, these pads were modified above grade to support Space Shuttle missions. But below grade, each of the pad's original walls (including a 42 feet deep, 58 feet wide, and 450 feet long tunnel designed to deflect flames and exhaust gases, the flame trench) remained unchanged. On May 31, 2008 during the launch of STS-124, over 3500 of the. 22000 interlocking refractory bricks that lined east wall of the flame trench, protecting the pad structure were liberated from pad 39A. The STS-124 launch anomaly spawned an agency-wide initiative to determine the failure root cause, to assess the impact of debris on vehicle and ground support equipment safety, and to prescribe corrective action. The investigation encompassed radar imaging, infrared video review, debris transport mechanism analysis using computational fluid dynamics, destructive testing, and non-destructive evaluation, including vibroacoustic analysis, in order to validate the corrective action. The primary focus of this paper is on the analytic approach, including static, modal, and vibro-acoustic analysis, required to certify the corrective action, and ensure Integrity and operational reliability for future launches. Due to the absence of instrumentation (including pressure transducers, acoustic pressure sensors, and accelerometers) in the flame trench, defining an accurate acoustic signature of the launch environment during shuttle main engine/solid rocket booster Ignition and vehicle ascent posed a significant challenge. Details of the analysis, including the derivation of launch environments, the finite element approach taken, and analysistest/ launch data correlation are discussed. Data obtained from the recent launch of STS-126 from Pad 39A was instrumental in validating the design analysis philosophies outlined in this paper.

Margasahayam, Ravi N.↗

Acoustic emission from a growing crack

An analytical method is being developed to determine the signature of an acoustic emission waveform from a growing crack and the results of this analysis are compared to experimentally obtained values. Within the assumptions of linear elastic fracture mechanics, a two dimensional model is developed to examine a semi-infinite crack that, after propagating with a constant velocity, suddenly stops. The analytical model employs an integral equation method for the analysis of problems of dynamic fracture mechanics. The experimental procedure uses an interferometric apparatus that makes very localized absolute measurements with very high fidelity and without acoustically loading the specimen.

Jacobs, Laurence J.↗

Analysis of the dynamics and frequency spectrum synthesis of an optical-mechanical scanning device

A two-coordinate optical-mechanical scanning device (OMSD), the operating unit of which is a scanning disk, with directional and focusing optics and a board, on which the data carrier is placed, is examined. The disk and board are kinematically connected by a transmission mechanism, consisting of a worm and complex gear drive and a tightening screw-nut with correcting device, and it is run by a synchronous type motor. The dynamic errors in the system depend, first, on irregularities in rotation of the disk, fluctuations in its axis and vibrations of the table in the plane parallel to the plane of the disk. The basic sources of the fluctuations referred to above are residual disbalance of the rotor and other rotating masses, the periodic component of the driving torque of the synchronous motor, variability in the resistance, kinematic errors in the drive and other things. The fluctuations can be transmitted to the operating units through the kinematic link as a flexural-torsional system, as well as through vibrations of the housing of the device.

Andryushkevichyus, A. I.↗

Dynamic Creep Buckling: Analysis of Shell Structures Subjected to Time-dependent Mechanical and Thermal Loading

The objective of the present research is to develop a general mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing the structural response of thin, metallic shell structures under large transient, cyclic, or static thermomechanical loads. Among the system responses associated with these loads and conditions are thermal buckling, creep buckling, and ratcheting. Thus geometric and material nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in developing the mathematical model. A complete, true ab-initio rate theory of kinematics and kinetics for continuum and curved thin structures, without any restriction on the magnitude of the strains or the deformations, was formulated. The time dependence and large strain behavior are incorporated through the introduction of the time rates of metric and curvature in two coordinate systems: fixed (spatial) and convected (material). The relations between the time derivative and the covariant derivative (gradient) were developed for curved space and motion, so the velocity components supply the connection between the equations of motion and the time rates of change of the metric and curvature tensors.

Simitses, G. J.↗

Finite-element analysis and multibody dynamics issues in rotorcraft dynamic analysis

There is general agreement that the development of effective rotorcraft analysis software will require the use of modern computational mechanics methodologies, especially finite element analysis and multibody dynamics. This paper examines the analysis of rotorcraft dynamics from the perspective of these methodologies. First, a general discussion of rotorcraft analysis and modeling is presented. Then, a hierarchy of rotorcraft analyses is presented, ranging from simple to complex kinematics, where it is shown that in comprehensive rotorcraft software, finite element analysis must be augmented by multibody dynamics in order to properly analyze large motions of rotorcraft components. Finally, a review of multibody dynamics is presented to further familiarize the rotorcraft community with this technology.

Ruzicka, Gene C.↗

3d Particle Geometry Characterization of Apollo Regolith Samples Via Laser Diffraction and Dynamic Image Analysis

Establishing a fundamental understanding of regolith mechanics hinges on the characterization of the foundational physical parameters that dictate granular particle interactions both on micro- and macro-scales. Specifically, particle size distribution, particle geometry and grain density govern the geotechnical properties, including compressibility, shear strength, hydraulic conductivity (i.e., permeability), void ratio (i.e., porosity), and thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith. The absence of terrestrial geologic processes on the lunar surface, a lack of water, clay minerals, and organic material in lunar soils, and the narrow compositional range in terms of mineral diversity of the regolith produces a unique problem when attempting to project terrestrial soil mechanics concepts to the lunar surface. Additionally, the occurrence of agglutinates, exclusive to the lunar surface, further disassociates the physical behavior (e.g., particle crushability, flowability, etc.) of regolith from that observed in terrestrial soils.

R. Kovtun↗

Improved Understanding of the Modeled QBO Using MLS Observations and MERRA Reanalysis

The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) dominates the variability of the tropical stratosphere on interannual time scales. The QBO has been shown to extend its influence into the chemical composition of this region through dynamical mechanisms. We have started our analysis using the realistic QBO internally generated by the Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 (GEOS-5) general circulation model coupled to a comprehensive stratospheric and tropospheric chemical mechanism forced with observed sea surface temperatures over the past 33 years. We will show targeted comparisons with observations from NASAs Aura satellite Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis to provide insight into the simulation of the primary and secondary circulations associated with the QBO. Using frequency spectrum analysis and multiple linear regression we can illuminate the resulting circulations and deduce the strengths and weaknesses in their modeled representation. Inclusion of the QBO in our simulation improves the representation of the subtropical barriers and overall tropical variability. The QBO impact on tropical upwelling is important to quantify when calculating trends in sub-decadal scale datasets.

MERRA↗

Tradeoffs in manipulator structure and control. Part 4: Flexible manipulator analysis program

The Flexible Manipulator Analysis Program (FMAP) is a collection of FORTRAN coding to allow easy analysis of the flexible dynamics of mechanical arms. The user specifies the arm configuration and parameters and any or all of several frequency domain analyses to be performed, while the time domain impulse response is obtained by inverse Fourier transformation of the frequency response. A detailed explanation of how to use FMAP is provided.

Book, W. J.↗

Application of Ritz vectors for dynamic analysis of large structures

The use of an orthogonal set of specially selected Ritz vectors is shown to be very effective in reducing the cost of dynamic analysis by modal superposition. Several mechanical structures are examined, and the Ritz vector approach is compared to the classical eigenvector approach on the basis of cost, accuracy and elapsed analysis (throughput) time. Mathematical proof of the completeness of orthogonal Ritz vectors is provided for the case of a positive definite mass matrix and a symmetric stiffness matrix.

Arnold, R. R.↗

Uncertainty Modeling for Mars Ascent Vehicle’s Aerodatabase Development

The design of the Mars Ascent Vehicle - Mars Sample Return (MAV-MSR) trajectories requires an accurate assessment of flight performance. Typically, these trajectories are developed by flight mechanics analysis to meet complex mission requirements and then flight performance assessed through Monte Carlo simulations. Consequently, it is crucial to develop an aerodynamic aerodatabase as an input model for flight mechanics analysis to provide static and dynamic force and moment coefficients under specific flight conditions. The force and moment coefficients in the MAV aerodatabase are determined using the FUN3D computational fluid dynamics solver. Firstly, an overview of the aerodatabase is presented to demonstrate its applicability to trajectory-defined simulations. This effort is followed by an initial attempt to quantify uncertainties in the force and moment coefficients necessary for updating the current aerodatabase. The uncertainty model identifies uncertainty adders and multipliers for coefficient-based forces and moments through a direct comparison between FUN3D and wind tunnel test data from NASA Marshall Space Center's 14x14 inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel. These uncertainties aim to encompass various changes in Mach number, angle of attack, and aerodynamic roll angle.

Uncertainty analysis↗

Uncertainty Modeling for Mars Ascent Vehicle’s Aerodynamic Database Development

The design of the Mars Ascent Vehicle - Mars Sample Return (MAV-MSR) trajectories requires an accurate assessment of flight performance. Typically, these trajectories are developed by flight mechanics analysis to meet complex mission requirements and then flight performance assessed through Monte Carlo simulations. Consequently, it is crucial to develop an aerodynamic aerodatabase as an input model for flight mechanics analysis to provide static and dynamic force and moment coefficients under specific flight conditions. The force and moment coefficients in the MAV aerodatabase are determined using the FUN3D computational fluid dynamics solver. Firstly, an overview of the aerodatabase is presented to demonstrate its applicability to trajectory-defined simulations. This effort is followed by an initial attempt to quantify uncertainties in the force and moment coefficients necessary for updating the current aerodatabase. The uncertainty model identifies uncertainty adders and multipliers for coefficient-based forces and moments through a direct comparison between FUN3D and wind tunnel test data from NASA Marshall Space Center's 14x14 inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel. These uncertainties aim to encompass various changes in Mach number, angle of attack, and aerodynamic roll angle.

Uncertainty analysis↗