Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Design Process”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64

Effects of relaxed static longitudinal stability on a single-stage-to-orbit vehicle design

The effects of relaxing longitudinal stability requirements on single stage to orbit space vehicles is studied. A comparison of the mass and performance characteristics of two vehicles, one designed for positive levels of longitudinal stability and the other designed with relaxed stability requirements in a computer aided design process is presented. Both vehicles, required to meet the same mission characteristics are described. Wind tunnel tests, conducted over a Mach number range from 0.3 to 4.63 to verify estimated aerodynamic characteristics, are discussed.

Freeman, D. C., Jr.↗

Maneuver analysis

The maneuver design for Viking was accomplished in two phases. First, there was the preflight design and strategy development that was dictated by mission objectives and requirements. Orbit determination and maneuver execution accuracy statistics were used, together with propellant budget considerations, to determine specific maneuver requirements and strategies. The second phase of the maneuver design occurred in flight. The maneuver analyses that were performed in flight, the software that was employed, and the actual inflight results for the entire orbital phase of the nominal Viking Mission are described with emphasis on prelanding objectives and geometry considerations. The actual adaptive design and implementation of the maneuvers as the mission progressed are considered. This design process included the minimization of both propellant usage and the effects of maneuver execution errors, while complying with several mechanization constraints.

Mitchell, R. T.↗

F100 exhaust nozzle area control

The details of the F100 nozzle mechanism design are highlighted, placing particular emphasis upon the evolution of design constraints or drivers from initial concept through current operational deployment. A kinematic description of the area control mechanism is given, and several environmental constraints which complicate the normal mechanism design process are discussed.

Kozlin, J. R.↗

A propagation effects handbook for satellite systems design. A summary of propagation impairments on 10-100 GHz satellite links, with techniques for system design

This handbook provides satellite system engineers with a concise summary of the major propagation effects experienced on Earth-space paths in the 10 to 100 GHz frequency range. The dominant effect, attenuation due to rain, is dealt with in terms of both experimental data from measurements made in the U.S. and Canada, and the mathematical and conceptual models devised to explain the data. Rain systems, rain and attenuation models, depolarization and experimental data are described. The design techniques recommended for predicting propagation effects in Earth-space communications systems are presented. The questions of where in the system design process the effects of propagation should be considered, and what precautions should be taken when applying the propagation results are addressed in order to bridge the gap between the propagation research data and the classical link budget analysis of Earth-space communications system.

Kaul, R.↗

Satellite remote sensing facility for oceanograhic applications

The project organization, design process, and construction of a Remote Sensing Facility at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at LaJolla, California are described. The facility is capable of receiving, processing, and displaying oceanographic data received from satellites. Data are primarily imaging data representing the multispectral ocean emissions and reflectances, and are accumulated during 8 to 10 minute satellite passes over the California coast. The most important feature of the facility is the reception and processing of satellite data in real time, allowing investigators to direct ships to areas of interest for on-site verifications and experiments.

Evans, R. H.↗

Design of a dynamic test platform for autonomous robot vision systems

The concept and design of a dynamic test platform for development and evluation of a robot vision system is discussed. The platform is to serve as a diagnostic and developmental tool for future work with the RPI Mars Rover's multi laser/multi detector vision system. The platform allows testing of the vision system while its attitude is varied, statically or periodically. The vision system is mounted on the test platform. It can then be subjected to a wide variety of simulated can thus be examined in a controlled, quantitative fashion. Defining and modeling Rover motions and designing the platform to emulate these motions are also discussed. Individual aspects of the design process are treated separately, as structural, driving linkages, and motors and transmissions.

Rich, G. C.↗

Design of space payloads for transient environments

Current practices used to design space payload structures for transient dynamic loads are described. Included in the discussion of the design process are the estimation of preliminary loads, development of dynamic models, calculation of transient loads, verification of analytical models, establishment of development tests, definition of the qualification tests, and acquisition of flight data. An indication of the accuracy of the analytical predictions is provided by comparing them with actual test and flight data. Many illustrations and much data obtained during the Viking Project are used to clarify the current practices.

Wada, B. K.↗

A head-up display format for transport aircraft approach and landing

An electronic flight-guidance display format was designed for use in evaluations of the collimated head-up display concept applied to transport aircraft landing. In the design process of iterative evaluation and modification, some general principles, or guidelines, applicable to electronic flight displays were suggested. The usefulness of an indication of instantaneous inertial flightpath was clearly demonstrated. Evaluator pilot acceptance of the unfamiliar display concepts was very positive when careful attention was given to indoctrination and training.

Bray, R. S.↗

Current Research in Aircraft Tire Design and Performance

A review of the tire research programs which address the various needs identified by landing gear designers and airplane users is presented. The experimental programs are designed to increase tire tread lifetimes, relate static and dynamic tire properties, establish the tire hydroplaning spin up speed, study gear response to tire failures, and define tire temperature profiles during taxi, braking, and cornering operations. The analytical programs are aimed at providing insights into the mechanisms of heat generation in rolling tires and developing the tools necessary to streamline the tire design process and to aid in the analysis of landing gear problems.

Tanner, J. A.↗

The boundary layer on compressor cascade blades

The flow field about an airfoil in cascade at a Reynolds number of 5 x 10 to the 5th power is described. Hot wire and laser anemometry are combined with flow visualization techniques in order to obtain detailed flow data (e.g., boundary layer profiles, points of separation, and the transition zone) on a cascade of relatively highly loaded blades. Benchmark data is provided for the evaluation of current and future predictive models, in this way aiding in the compressor design process.

Deutsch, S.↗

Testing and evaluation of a stall-flutter-suppression system for helicopter rotors using individual-blade-control

The development and testing of a feedback system designed to alleviate the violent blade first torsion mode oscillations associated with stall flutter are described. The system, based on previously developed M.I.T. Individual-Blade-Control hardware, employs blade-mounted accelerometers to sense torsional oscillations and feeds back rate informaton to increase the damping of the first torsion mode. A linear model of the blade and control system dynamics is developed and is used to give qualitative and quantitative guidance in the design process as well as to aid in analysis of experimental results. System performance in wind tunnel tests, both in hover and forward flight, is described, and evidence is given of the system's ability to provide substantial additional damping to stall-induced blade oscillations.

Quackenbush, T. R.↗

A head-up display for low-visibility approach and landing

An electronic flight-guidance display format was designed for use in evaluations of the collimated head-up display concept in low-visibility landings of transport aircraft. In the design process of iterative evaluation and modification, some general principles, or guidelines, applicable to such flight displays were suggested. The usefulness of an indication of instantaneous inertial flightpath was clearly demonstrated, particularly in low-altitude transition to visual references. Evaluator pilot acceptance of the unfamiliar display concepts was very positive when careful attention was given to indoctrination and training.

Bray, R. S.↗

Future challenges in V/STOL flight propulsion control integration

A survey of propulsion control requirements forming part of an advanced V/STOL control requirements study has to date determined, among other findings: (1) that the dependence of V/STOL flying qualities on propulsive lift makes it necessary to identify propulsion control requirements early in a development program; (2) that V/STOL controls of the future should relieve the pilot of control functions and elevate him to the position of a flight operations manager, with substantial gains in capability and/or safety; and (3) that research is required to define the V/STOL control system reliability requirements and specific component reliability allocations. An interactive, integrated design process for the realization of these objectives is also described.

Roth, S. P.↗

Zero-length inlets for subsonic V/STOL aircraft

Zero-length inlet performance and associated fan blade stresses were determined during model tests in the NASA-LeRC 9-by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel. The inlet models, which were installed on a 20-inch diameter fan unit, had different inlet lip contraction ratios as well as unslotted, slotted, and double slotted inlet lips. The inlet angle-of-attack boundaries for onset of flow separation were identified and compared to the operating requirements of several generically different subsonic V/STOL aircraft. The zero-length inlets, especially those with slotted lips, were able to satisfy these requirements without compromising the maximum cowl forebody radius. As an aid to the inlet design process, a unique relationship was established between the maximum surface Mach number associated with the separation boundary and the maximum-to-throat surface velocity ratio.

Glasgow, E. R.↗

Management of redundancy in flight control systems using optimal decision theory

This chapter addresses the problem of using redundancy that exists between dissimilar systems in aircraft flight control. That is, using the redundancy that exists between a rate gyro and an accelerometer—devices that have dissimilar outputs which are related only through the dynamics of the aircraft motion. Management of this type of redundancy requires advanced logic so that the system can monitor failure status and can reconfigure itself in the event of one or more failures. In this chapter an optimal decision theory is tutorially developed for the management of sensor redundancy and the theory is applied to two aircraft examples. The first example is the space shuttle and the second is a highly maneuvering high performance aircraft—the F8-C. The examples illustrate the redundancy management design process and the performance of the algorithms presented in failure detection and control law reconfiguration.

Raymond C. Montgomery↗

Development of Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design (IPAD) - IPAD user requirements

Results of a requirements analysis task for Integrated Programs for Aerospace Vehicle Design (IPAD) are presented. User requirements which, in part, will shape the IPAD system design are given. Requirements considered were: generation, modification, storage, retrieval, communication, reporting, and protection of information. Data manipulation and controls on the system and the information were also considered. Specific needs relative to the product design process are also discussed.

Anderton, G. L.↗

Evolution and design characteristics of the microwave radiometer spacecraft

The evolution of the design of the microwave radiometer spacecraft from conception to preliminary design is described. Alternatives and tradeoff rationale are described, and the configuration and structural design features that were developed and refined during the design processes are presented for the three structural configurations studied (two geodesic trusses and a flexible catenary).

Wright, R. L.↗

A linear decomposition method for large optimization problems. Blueprint for development

A method is proposed for decomposing large optimization problems encountered in the design of engineering systems such as an aircraft into a number of smaller subproblems. The decomposition is achieved by organizing the problem and the subordinated subproblems in a tree hierarchy and optimizing each subsystem separately. Coupling of the subproblems is accounted for by subsequent optimization of the entire system based on sensitivities of the suboptimization problem solutions at each level of the tree to variables of the next higher level. A formalization of the procedure suitable for computer implementation is developed and the state of readiness of the implementation building blocks is reviewed showing that the ingredients for the development are on the shelf. The decomposition method is also shown to be compatible with the natural human organization of the design process of engineering systems. The method is also examined with respect to the trends in computer hardware and software progress to point out that its efficiency can be amplified by network computing using parallel processors.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, J.↗