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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

Computational issues in control-structure interaction analysis

This paper surveys computational issues for large-scale simulation of dynamics and controls of space structures, which involve structural elements that are capable of large combined rigid and flexible motions, accurate and efficient treatment of constraints, robust integration of both translational and large rotational motions in the equations of motion, modular interface with active control synthesis packages, and a capability from wave motions to slowly varying transient responses. A particular feature of the present survey is a partitioned solution (or divide-and-conquer) procedure that can handle the numerical solution of multidisciplinary simulation problems by relying on individual modular solution packages that treat each aspect of simulation requirements.

Park, K. C.↗

An investigation of a contoured wall injector for hypervelocity mixing augmentation

An experimental and computational investigation of a contoured wall fuel injector is presented. The injector was aimed at enabling shock-enhanced mixing for the supersonic combustion ramjet engines currently envisioned for applications on hypersonic vehicles. Three-dimensional flow field surveys, and temporally-resolved planar Rayleigh scattering measurements are presented for Mach 1.7 helium injection into Mach 6 air. These experimental data are compared directly with a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes simulation of the flow about the injector array. Two dominant axial vorticity sources are identified and characterized. The axial vorticity produced strong convective mixing of the injectant with the freestream. Shock-impingement was particularly effective as it assured seeding of baroclinic vorticity directly on the helium/air interface. The vorticity coalesced into a counter-rotating vortex pair of a sense which produced migration of the helium away from the wall. The influences of spatial averaging on the representation of the flow field as well as the importance of the fluctuating component of the flow in producing molecularly-mixed fluid are addressed.

Waitz, Ian A.↗

The behavior of surface tension on steady-state rotating fluids in the low gravity environments

The effect of surface tension on steady-state rotating fluids in a low gravity environment is studied. All the values of the physical parameters used in these calculations, except in the low gravity environments, are based on the measurements carried out by Leslie (1985) in the low gravity environment of a free-falling aircraft. The profile of the interface of two fluids is derived from Laplace's equation relating the pressure drop across an interface to the radii of curvature which has been applied to a low gravity rotating bubble that contacts the container boundary. The interface shape depends on the ratio of gravity to surface tension forces, the ratio of centrifugal to surface tension forces, the contact radius of the interface to the boundary, and the contact angle. The shape of the bubble is symmetric about its equator in a zero-gravity environment. This symmetry disappears and gradually shifts to parabolic profiles as the gravity environment becomes non-zero. The location of the maximum radius of the bubble moves upward from the center of the depth toward the top boundary of the cylinder as gravity increases. The contact radius of interface to the boundary r0 at the top side of cylinder increases and r0 at the bottom side of the cylinder decreases as the gravity environment increases from zero to 1 g.

Hung, R. J.↗

Robot Teleoperation and Perception Assistance with a Virtual Holographic Display

Teleoperation of robots in space from Earth has historically been dfficult. Speed of light delays make direct joystick-type control infeasible, so it is desirable to command a robot in a very high-level fashion. However, in order to provide such an interface, knowledge of what objects are in the robot's environment and how they can be interacted with is required. In addition, many tasks that would be desirable to perform are highly spatial, requiring some form of six degree of freedom input. These two issues can be combined, allowing the user to assist the robot's perception by identifying the locations of objects in the scene. The zSpace system, a virtual holographic environment, provides a virtual three-dimensional space superimposed over real space and a stylus tracking position and rotation inside of it. Using this system, a possible interface for this sort of robot control is proposed.

asteroid missions↗

Torque Transmission Device at Zero Leakage

In a few critical applications, mechanical transmission of power by rotation at low speed is required without leakage at an interface. Herein we examine a device that enables torque to be transmitted across a sealed environmental barrier. The barrier represents the restraint membrane through which the torque is transmitted. The power is transferred through elastic deformation of a circular tube into an elliptical cross-section. Rotation of the principle axis of the ellipse at one end results in a commensurate rotation of an elliptical cross section at the other end of the tube. This transfer requires no rigid body rotation of the tube allowing a membrane to seal one end from the other. Both computational and experimental models of the device are presented.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Triaxial Probe Magnetic Data Analysis

The Triaxial Magnetic Moment Analysis software uses measured magnetic field test data to compute dipole and quadrupole moment information from a hardware element. It is used to support JPL projects needing magnetic control and an understanding of the spacecraft-generated magnetic fields. Evaluation of the magnetic moment of an object consists of three steps: acquisition, conditioning, and analysis. This version of existing software was extensively rewritten for easier data acquisition, data analysis, and report presentation, including immediate feedback to the test operator during data acquisition. While prior JPL computer codes provided the same data content, this program has a better graphic display including original data overlaid with reconstructed results to show goodness of fit accuracy and better appearance of the report graphic page. Data are acquired using three magnetometers and two rotations of the device under test. A clean acquisition user interface presents required numeric data and graphic summaries, and the analysis module yields the best fit (least squares) for the magnetic dipole and/or quadrupole moment of a device. The acquisition module allows the user to record multiple data sets, selecting the best data to analyze, and is repeated three times for each of the z-axial and y-axial rotations. In this update, the y-axial rotation starting position has been changed to an option, allowing either the x- or z-axis to point towards the magnetometer. The code has been rewritten to use three simultaneous axes of magnetic data (three probes), now using two "rotations" of the device under test rather than the previous three rotations, thus reducing handling activities on the device under test. The present version of the software gathers data in one-degree increments, which permits much better accuracy of the fit ted data than the coarser data acquisition of the prior software. The data-conditioning module provides a clean data set for the analysis module. For multiple measurements at a given degree, the first measurement is used. For omitted measurements, the missing field is estimated by linear interpolation between the two nearest measurements. The analysis module was rewritten for the dual rotation, triaxial probe measurement process and now has better moment estimation accuracy, based on the finer one degree of data acquisition resolution. The magnetic moments thus computed are used as an input to summarize the total spacecraft field.

Shultz, Kimberly↗

3D Orbit Visualization for Earth-Observing Missions

This software visualizes orbit paths for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), but was designed to be general and applicable to any Earth-observing mission. The software uses the Google Earth user interface to provide a visual mechanism to explore spacecraft orbit paths, ground footprint locations, and local cloud cover conditions. In addition, a drill-down capability allows for users to point and click on a particular observation frame to pop up ancillary information such as data product filenames and directory paths, latitude, longitude, time stamp, column-average dry air mole fraction of carbon dioxide, and solar zenith angle. This software can be integrated with the ground data system for any Earth-observing mission to automatically generate daily orbit path data products in Google Earth KML format. These KML data products can be directly loaded into the Google Earth application for interactive 3D visualization of the orbit paths for each mission day. Each time the application runs, the daily orbit paths are encapsulated in a KML file for each mission day since the last time the application ran. Alternatively, the daily KML for a specified mission day may be generated. The application automatically extracts the spacecraft position and ground footprint geometry as a function of time from a daily Level 1B data product created and archived by the mission s ground data system software. In addition, ancillary data, such as the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of carbon dioxide and solar zenith angle, are automatically extracted from a Level 2 mission data product. Zoom, pan, and rotate capability are provided through the standard Google Earth interface. Cloud cover is indicated with an image layer from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) aboard the Aqua satellite, which is automatically retrieved from JPL s OnEarth Web service.

Jacob, Joseph C.↗

Longitudinal and transverse modes of slosh wave excitation in rotating dewar associated with gravity jitters

Characteristics of slosh waves based on the dynamical behavior of oscillations at the liquid-vapor interface have been investigated. Twelve case studies of slosh wave excitation due to various frequencies of gravity jitters under different rotating speeds of the propellant tank and different levels of background gravity environment have been simulated. The study shows that slosh waves excited inside the spacecraft propellant tank are characterized by the lowest frequency of the waves initiated, frequencies of the gravity jitters imposed on the propellant system, the levels of background gravity environment, and dewar rotating speeds. Conditions for suppression and amplification of the slosh waves are discussed.

Hung, R. J.↗

Machine learning-driven descriptions of protein dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces

This chapter has described how ML has enabled quantitative analysis of HS-AFM data to discover the physical phenomena governing protein dynamics and ordering at solid-liquid interfaces. The research detailed in this chapter modeled the rotation models of protein nanorods, the discovery of which would otherwise not be possible. By tracking the trajectories of individual protein rods from frame to frame, it was possible to model Brownian type motion and behaviors and Levy-flight dynamics that had not previously been shown. We also described the application of the Python package AtomAI, which has been developed specifically to analyze and extract physical phenomena, providing exemplar code for training an ensemble of deep neural networks to produce the semantic segmentation of AFM data and functions for encoding and decoding local environments. We last described a combinatorial approach to analyze very noisy data with a densely covered substrate where the emergence of order for the protein liquid crystals could be elucidated. By combining the methods from Case 1 and 2, it was possible to obtain the center of mass and angle for each rod in the images and track the assembly of the rods over time into a 2D liquid crystal array on the surface of mica.

protein dynamics, solid-liquid interfaces, atomic ↗

Effect of Baffle on Gravity-Gradient-Excited Slosh Waves and Spacecraft Moment and Angular-Momentum Fluctuations in Microgravity

The dynamical behavior of fluids affected by the asymmetric gravity gradient acceleration has been investigated. In particular, the effects of surface tension on partially filled rotating fluids applicable to a full-scale Gravity Probe-B Spacecraft dewar tank with and without baffles are studied. Results of slosh wave excitation along the liquid-vapor interface induced by gravity gradient acceleration indicate that the gravity gradient acceleration is equivalent to the combined effect of a twisting force and a torsional moment acting on the spacecraft. The results are clearly seen from one-up one-down and one-down one-up oscillations in the cross-section profiles of two bubbles in the vertical (r, z)-plane of the rotating dewar, and from the eccentric contour of the bubble rotating around the axis of the dewar in a horizontal (r, theta)-plane. As the viscous force, between liquid and solid interface, greatly contributes to the damping of slosh wave excitation, a rotating dewar with baffles provides more areas of liquid-solid interface than that of a rotating dewar without baffles. Results show that the damping effect provided by the baffles reduces the amplitude of slosh wave excitation and lowers the degree of asymmetry in liquid-vapor distribution. Fluctuations of angular momentum and fluid moment caused by the slosh wave excited by gravity gradient acceleration with and without baffle boards are also investigated. It is also shown that the damping effect provided by the baffles greatly reduces the amplitudes of angular momentum and fluid moment fluctuations.

Hung, R. J.↗

Activity-induced migration of viscous droplets on a solid substrate

Active matter exploits motion to induce changes in shape and conformation via external input. Here, in this paper, we establish theoretically that viscous liquid droplets containing magnetic nanoparticles with frozen-in magnetic moments, sitting on a solid substrate and surrounded by an ambient gas phase, can deform and migrate under the influence of a magnetic torque. The effect arises because the collective rotation of the magnetic nanoparticles at the liquid–gas interface tilts the droplet away from a symmetric configuration, breaks the reflection symmetry with respect to the centre axis, and leads to a left–right asymmetry of the contact angles. A sufficiently strong magnetic torque leads the contact angles to overcome hysteresis effects leading the droplet to migrate. We develop a general framework to explain how symmetry-breaking affects droplet migration. Thus previous results of droplet spreading and migration can be recovered as special cases. Such droplets can be employed as agents in active surfaces and can move against gravity, chemical and thermal gradients, providing a mechanism that could be utilized by both industry and medicine.

Aggarwal, A. [Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (Un↗

System design of the Pioneer Venus spacecraft. Volume 10: Propulsion/orbit insertion subsystem studies

The Pioneer Venus orbiter and multiprobe missions require spacecraft maneuvers for successful accomplishment. This report presents the results of studies performed to define the propulsion subsystems required to perform those maneuvers. Primary goals were to define low mass subsystems capable of performing the required missions with a high degree of reliability for low cost. A review was performed of all applicable propellants and thruster types, as well as propellant management techniques. Based on this review, a liquid monopropellant hydrazine propulsion subsystem was selected for all multiprobe mission maneuvers, and for all orbiter mission maneuvers except orbit insertion. A pressure blowdown operating mode was selected using helium as the pressurizing gas. The forces associated with spacecraft rotations were used to control the liquid-gas interface and resulting propellant orientation within the tank.

Rosenstein, B. J.↗

Stiffener attachment concepts for graphite-epoxy panels designed for postbuckling strength

Stiffener attachment concepts for suppressing or delaying the onset of the skin-stiffener separation failure mode in graphite-epoxy compression panels designed for postbuckling strength were experimentally studied. The effectiveness of these concepts was evaluated using panels with 16-ply skins and a single centrally-located I-shaped stiffener with both static and cyclic compressive loadings. Analytical results suggest that tailoring the relative thicknesses of the panel skin, stiffener attachment flange, and the stiffener web rotational stiffness can minimize the adverse effects of high interface shear and normal stresses. Interface stress levels may be reduced by tapering the thickness of the stiffener attachment flange and properly selecting the stacking sequences of the skin and stiffener attachment flange laminates.

Dickson, John N.↗

MASCOT - MATLAB Stability and Control Toolbox

MASCOT software was created to provide the conceptual aircraft designer accurate predictions of air vehicle stability and control characteristics. The code takes as input mass property data in the form of an inertia tensor, aerodynamic loading data, and propulsion (i.e. thrust) loading data. Using fundamental non-linear equations of motion, MASCOT then calculates vehicle trim and static stability data for any desired flight condition. Common predefined flight conditions are included. The predefined flight conditions include six horizontal and six landing rotation conditions with varying options for engine out, crosswind and sideslip, plus three takeoff rotation conditions. Results are displayed through a unique graphical interface developed to provide stability and control information to the conceptual design engineers using a qualitative scale indicating whether the vehicle has acceptable, marginal, or unacceptable static stability characteristics. This software allows the user to prescribe the vehicle s CG location, mass, and inertia tensor so that any loading configuration between empty weight and maximum take-off weight can be analyzed. The required geometric and aerodynamic data as well as mass and inertia properties may be entered directly, passed through data files, or come from external programs such as Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP). The current version of MASCOT has been tested with VSP used to compute the required data, which is then passed directly into the program. In VSP, the vehicle geometry is created and manipulated. The aerodynamic coefficients, stability and control derivatives, are calculated using VorLax, which is now available directly within VSP. MASCOT has been written exclusively using the technical computing language MATLAB . This innovation is able to bridge the gap between low-fidelity conceptual design and higher-fidelity stability and control analysis. This new tool enables the conceptual design engineer to include detailed static stability and trim constraints in the conceptual design loop. The unique graphical interface developed for this tool presents the stability data in a format that is understandable by the conceptual designer, yet also provides the detailed quantitative results if desired.

Kenny, Sean↗

MATLAB Stability and Control Toolbox Trim and Static Stability Module

MATLAB Stability and Control Toolbox (MASCOT) utilizes geometric, aerodynamic, and inertial inputs to calculate air vehicle stability in a variety of critical flight conditions. The code is based on fundamental, non-linear equations of motion and is able to translate results into a qualitative, graphical scale useful to the non-expert. MASCOT was created to provide the conceptual aircraft designer accurate predictions of air vehicle stability and control characteristics. The code takes as input mass property data in the form of an inertia tensor, aerodynamic loading data, and propulsion (i.e. thrust) loading data. Using fundamental nonlinear equations of motion, MASCOT then calculates vehicle trim and static stability data for the desired flight condition(s). Available flight conditions include six horizontal and six landing rotation conditions with varying options for engine out, crosswind, and sideslip, plus three take-off rotation conditions. Results are displayed through a unique graphical interface developed to provide the non-stability and control expert conceptual design engineer a qualitative scale indicating whether the vehicle has acceptable, marginal, or unacceptable static stability characteristics. If desired, the user can also examine the detailed, quantitative results.

Kenny, Sean P.↗

Oscillations of a rotating liquid drop

The effect of rotation on the oscillation frequencies of a liquid drop is investigated under the assumptions that the drop is imbedded in a fluid of the same or different density and that the interface between drop and fluid is acted on by constant surface tension. While rotation influences the oscillations through both Coriolis force and the centrifugal distortion of the drop, only the former is important for nonaxisymmetric oscillations in first approximation, causing the predicted splitting of the frequency for the two modes that differ in circular polarization sign with respect to the axis of rotation. In axisymmetric oscillations, the centrifugal distortion and the Coriolis force combine to increase frequency in the cases where drop density exceeds that of the fluid.

Busse, F. H.↗

Magnetic attachment mechanism

A magnetic attachment mechanism adapted for interfacing with the manipulator arm of a remote manipulator system and comprising a pair of permanent magnets of rare earth material are arranged in a stator-rotor relationship. The rotor magnet is journalled for rotation about its longitudinal axis between pole plates of the stator magnet, each of which includes an adhering surface. In a first rotary position corresponding to the ON condition, each of the poles of the rotor magnet is closely adjacent to a stator magnet pole plate of like polarity whereby the respective magnet fields are additive for producing a strong magnetic field emanating from the adhering surfaces for attracting a ferrous magnetic plate, or the like, affixed to the payload. When the rotor magnet is rotated to a second position corresponding to the OFF condition, each of the poles of the rotor magnet is disposed closely adjacent to a pole plate of unlike polarity whereby the magnetic fields of the magnets are in cancelling relationship at the adhering surfaces, which permits the release of a payload. An actuator for selectively rotating the rotor magnet between the ON and OFF positions is provided for interfacing and connecting the magnetic attachment mechanism with a manipulator arm. For affecting an optimal rigidized attachment the payload is provided with guide means cooperable with guide means on the housing of the mechanism for directing adhering surfaces of the polar plates to the ferrous plate.

Wu, Mitchell B.↗