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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

Long-Term Stability of Planets in Binary Systems

A simple question of celestial mechanics is investigated: in what regions of phase space near a binary system can planets persist for long times? The planets are taken to be test particles moving in the field of an eccentric binary system. A range of values of the binary eccentricity and mass ratio is studied, and both the case of planets orbiting close to one of the stars, and that of planets outside the binary orbiting the systems center of mass, are examined. From the results, empirical expressions are developed for both (1) the largest orbit around each of the stars and (2) the smallest orbit around the binary system as a whole, in which test particles survive the length of the integration (10A4 binary periods). The empirical expressions developed, which are roughly linear in both the mass ratio mu and the binary eccentricity e, are determined for the range 0.0=e=0.7-0.8 and 0.1=mu=0.9 in both regions and can be used to guide searches for planets in binary systems. After considering the case of a single low-mass planet in binary systems, the stability of a mutually interacting system of planets orbiting one star of a binary system is examined, though in less detail.

Holman, Matthew J.↗

Thermal-vacuum testing and in-situ optical alignment measurements of the HALOE telescope/sun sensor assembly

Design features, test data and projected performance levels of the telescope/sun sensor assembly for the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) on board the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite are described. HALOE will gather data on stratospheric chemical species with an IR telescope pointed through the atmosphere at the sun during occultation periods. The pointing accuracy will need to be 1 arcmin elevation and 1.6 arcmin azimuthal. Adjustments of the gimbaled instrument are guided by a sun sensor and its associated electronics. The components were subjected to thermal-vacuum, optical boresight stability tests and the data generated were compared with a finite element model of the telescope and sun sensor. The tests consisted of exposure to various thermal gradients while the telescope and sun sensor alignments were tracked by optical deflectometry. The thermal behavior was compared with predictions made with a finite difference model. Alignments were within tolerable ranges and the thermal behavior model was concluded valid for predicting the thermal behavior of orbiting instruments.

Foss, R. A.↗

Guided waves and defect scattering in metal matrix composite plates

Guided Rayleigh-Lamb waves in a continuous graphite fiber reinforced magnesium plate has been studied. The interest in this material arises from its high thermal stability and because it provides high strength-to-weight ratio. Previous studies have shown that for wavelengths much larger than the fiber diameters and spacing, the material can be characterized as transversely isotropic with the symmetry axis aligned with the fiber direction. Because of the high longitudinal stiffness of the graphite fibers, the material shows strong anisotropy, with very high modulus in the fiber direction. For this reason, dispersion of guided waves is strongly influenced by the deviation of the direction of propagation from the symmetry axis. Results are given for propagation in different directions and for scattering of antiplane shear waves by surface-breaking cracks and delaminations.

Datta, Subhendu K.↗

Flight instrumentation specification for parameter identification: Program user's guide

A set of four digital computer programs is presented which can be used to investigate the effects of instrumentation errors on the accuracy of aircraft and helicopter stability-and-control derivatives identified from flight test data. The programs assume that the differential equations of motion are linear and consist of small perturbations about a quasi-steady flight condition. It is also assumed that a Newton-Raphson optimization technique is used for identifying the estimates of the parameters. Flow charts and printouts are included.

Mohr, R. L.↗

Advanced Aeroelastic Technologies for Turbomachinery Application

A summary of the work performed under the grant NCC-1068 is presented. More details can be found in the cited references. The summary is presented in two parts to represent two areas of research. In the first part, methods to analyze a high temperature ceramic guide vane subjected to cooling jets are presented, and in the second part, the effect of unsteady aerodynamic forces on aeroelastic stability as implemented into the turbo-REDUCE code are presented

DeWitt, Kenneth↗

Updates to Implicit Edge-Based Gradient Methods

In this paper, we report updates to the implicit edge-based gradient methods originally introduced in [H. Nishikawa, AIAA Paper 2020-3048, 2020]. First, we clarify the relationship between gradient accuracy and truncation error and show that the quadratic method involves a free parameter. Then, we provide a complete description and a simplified matrix form of the implicit gradient systems including a consistent boundary treatment, and derive a set of parameters for achieving fourth-order gradient accuracy on regular tetrahedral grids. A stability analysis is performed for a relaxation scheme used to solve the implicit gradient systems, and the result serves as a guide for choosing parameters. Numerical results are shown for accuracy verification and also for realistic inviscid flow problems in three dimensions, including flows with shock waves.

Weighted Least-Squares↗

Synthetic oils

Synthetic lubricants are discussed by chemical class and their general strengths and weaknesses in terms of lubrication properties are analyzed. Comparative ratings are given for 14 chemical classes and are used as a guide for lubricant selection. The effects of chemical structure on the properties of the lubricant are described with special emphasis on thermal stability. The diversity of synthetic lubricants which is provided by the wide range of properties permits many applications, some of which are reported.

Hatton, R. E.↗

Stochastic robustness synthesis for a benchmark problem

Stochastic robustness analysis guides the synthesis of robust linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) regulators for a benchmark control problem. Probabilities of exceeding allowable design limits, including stability, setting time, and control usage, are estimated by Monte Carlo evaluation. Robust, low-gain compensators that fulfill objectives are designed by numerically minimizing quadratic functions of these probabilities. The method is straightforward and makes use of uncomplicated design principles.

Stengel, Robert F.↗

Improvement of persistent magnetic field trapping in bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

For type-II superconductors, magnetic field can be trapped due to persistent internal supercurrent. Quasi-persistent magnetic fields near 2 T at 60 K (and 1.4 T at 77 K) have been measured in minimagnets made of proton-irradiated melt-textured Y-Ba-Cu-O (MT-Y123) samples. Using the trapping effect, high-field permanent magnets with dipole, quadrupole, or more complicated configurations can be made of existing MT-Y123 material, thus bypassing the need for high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. A phenomenological current model has been developed to account for the trapped field intensity and profile in HTS samples. This model is also a guide to select directions of materials development to further improve field trapping properties. General properties such as magnetic field intensities, spatial distributions, stabilities, and temperature dependence of trapped field are discussed.

Chen, In-Gann↗

Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph Observatory summary

Creating an optical space telescope observatory capable of detecting and characterizing light from extra-solar terrestrial planets poses technical challenges related to extreme wavefront stability. The Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph design team has been developing an observatory based on trade studies, modeling and analysis that has guided us towards design choices to enable this challenging mission. This paper will describe the current flight baseline design of the observatory and the trade studies that have been performed. The modeling and analysis of this design will be described including predicted performance and the tasks yet to be done.

space↗

Preliminary Analysis of Axial-Flow Compressors Having Supersonic Velocity at the Entrance of the Stator

A supersonic compressor design having supersonic velocity at the entrance of the stator is analyzed on the assumption of two-dimensional flow. The rotor and stator losses assumed in the analysis are based on the results of preliminary supersonic cascade tests. The results of the analysis show that compression ratios per stage of 6 to 10 can be obtained with adiabatic efficiency between 70 and 80 percent. Consideration is also given in the analysis to the starting, stability, and range of efficient performance of this type of compressor. The desirability of employing variable-geometry stators and adjustable inlet guide vanes is indicated. Although either supersonic or subsonic axial component of velocity at the stator entrance can be used, the cascade test results suggest that higher pressure recovery can be obtained if the axial component is supersonic.

Ferri, Antonio↗

A Parametric Study on Using Active Debris Removal for LEO Environment Remediation

Recent analyses on the instability of the orbital debris population in the low Earth orbit (LEO) region and the collision between Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251 have reignited the interest in using active debris removal (ADR) to remediate the environment. There are; however, monumental technical, resource, operational, legal, and political challenges in making economically viable ADR a reality. Before a consensus on the need for ADR can be reached, a careful analysis of its effectiveness must be conducted. The goal is to demonstrate the need and feasibility of using ADR to better preserve the future environment and to guide its implementation to maximize the benefit-to-cost ratio. This paper describes a new sensitivity study on using ADR to stabilize the future LEO debris environment. The NASA long-term orbital debris evolutionary model, LEGEND, is used to quantify the effects of several key parameters, including target selection criteria/constraints and the starting epoch of ADR implementation. Additional analyses on potential ADR targets among the currently existing satellites and the benefits of collision avoidance maneuvers are also included.

Source record↗

Combined pressure and temperature distortion effects on internal flow of a turbofan engine

The flow characteristics obtained experimentally for the compression of a 2-spool TF30-P-3 turbofan engine operating with 180 grad combined pressure and temperature distortion in the inlet flow are presented. The analytical model (Mazzawy and Banks, 1976), 'tuned' during Lewis testing, was used for pretest predictions of the effects that these distortions would have on the engine flow characteristics and the limiting distortion values. The effect of inlet flow distortion on the performance of the engine is discussed, including: (1) the flow between a screen mounted in the inlet duct and the inlet guide vanes; (2) the flow through the compression system; and (3) the effects of the combined distortion and its orientation on the compressor stability limits. It is concluded that the model used in this program was capable of predicting the effects of total pressure, total temperature and combined total pressure-total temperature distortions in terms of flow profiles, inlet flow angles and attenuation of the distortions through the compressor system. It was also capable of predicting the trends of the limiting values experienced with various orientations of the combined distortions.

Braithwaite, W. M.↗

Satellite Instrument Calibration for Measuring Global Climate Change. Report of a Workshop at the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center, College Park, MD. , November 12-14, 2002

Measuring the small changes associated with long-term global climate change from space is a daunting task. To address these problems and recommend directions for improvements in satellite instrument calibration some 75 scientists, including researchers who develop and analyze long-term data sets from satellites, experts in the field of satellite instrument calibration, and physicists working on state of the art calibration sources and standards met November 12 - 14, 2002 and discussed the issues. The workshop defined the absolute accuracies and long-term stabilities of global climate data sets that are needed to detect expected trends, translated these data set accuracies and stabilities to required satellite instrument accuracies and stabilities, and evaluated the ability of current observing systems to meet these requirements. The workshop's recommendations include a set of basic axioms or overarching principles that must guide high quality climate observations in general, and a roadmap for improving satellite instrument characterization, calibration, inter-calibration, and associated activities to meet the challenge of measuring global climate change. It is also recommended that a follow-up workshop be conducted to discuss implementation of the roadmap developed at this workshop.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NI↗

Engine component improvement: Performance improvement, JT9D-7 3.8 AR fan

A redesigned, fuel efficient fan for the JT9D-7 engine was tested. Tests were conducted to determine the effect of the 3.8 AR fan on performance, stability, operational characteristics, and noise of the JT9D-7 engine relative to the current 4.6 AR Bill-of-Material fan. The 3.8 AR fan provides increased fan efficiency due to a more advanced blade airfoil with increased chord, eliminating one part span shroud and reducing the number of fan blades and fan exit guide vanes. Engine testing at simulated cruise conditions demonstrated the predicted 1.3 percent improvement in specific fuel consumption with the redesigned 3.8 AR fan. Flight testing and sea level stand engine testing demonstrated exhaust gas temperature margins, fan and low pressure compressor stability, operational suitability, and noise levels comparable to the Bill-of-Material fan.

Gaffin, W. O.↗

Practical Issues in Implementing Software Reliability Measurement

Many ways of estimating software systems' reliability, or reliability-related quantities, have been developed over the past several years. Of particular interest are methods that can be used to estimate a software system's fault content prior to test, or to discriminate between components that are fault-prone and those that are not. The results of these methods can be used to: 1) More accurately focus scarce fault identification resources on those portions of a software system most in need of it. 2) Estimate and forecast the risk of exposure to residual faults in a software system during operation, and develop risk and safety criteria to guide the release of a software system to fielded use. 3) Estimate the efficiency of test suites in detecting residual faults. 4) Estimate the stability of the software maintenance process.

Nikora, Allen P.↗