Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Design and modelling”

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 127 records · Page 7

Design and construction of 2 transonic airfoil models for tests in the NASA Langley C.3-M TCT

As part of a NASA/DFVLR cooperation program two transonic airfoils were tested in the NASA Langley 0.3-m TCT. Model design and construction was carried out by DFVLR. The models designed and constructed performed extremely well under cryogenic conditions. Essentially no permanent changes in surface quality and geometric dimensions occurred during the tests. The aerodynamic results from the TCT tests which demonstrate the large sensitivity of the airfoil CAST 10-Z/DOAZ to Reynolds number changes compared well with results from other facilities at ambient temperatures.

Schaechterle, G.↗

Research and development activities in unified control-structure modeling and design

Results of work to develop a unified control/structures modeling and design capability for large space structures modeling are presented. Recent analytical results are presented to demonstrate the significant interdependence between structural and control properties. A new design methodology is suggested in which the structure, material properties, dynamic model and control design are all optimized simultaneously. Parallel research done by other researchers is reviewed. The development of a methodology for global design optimization is recommended as a long-term goal. It is suggested that this methodology should be incorporated into computer aided engineering programs, which eventually will be supplemented by an expert system to aid design optimization.

Nayak, A. P.↗

Integrated modeling and design of advanced optical systems

A new modeling, analysis and design environment for precision optical spacecraft being developed at JPL is described in terms of its language, implementation and data organization. The computer program IMOS (Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems) will provide an integrated end-to-end modeling and design environment for spacecraft missions requiring multidisciplinary system performance evaluation. IMOS discipline modules will be coded in an Ada-like language to reduce model development and evaluation time, and new hierarchical data base concepts will be included to facilitate system trade studies and tracking of system requirements. The development will support a growing community of engineers involved in integrated modeling of current and future NASA missions.

Briggs, Hugh C.↗

Numerical Modeling and Design of Gaseous Propellant Acquisition System for the Triton Hopper

Triton, the largest moon around Neptune, is a captured Kuiper Belt Object with a dynamic rarified atmosphere, active geysers, and unique “cantaloupe” like terrain. Little is known about Kuiper Belt Objects in the scientific community with most of the information coming from Pluto. Currently, NASA is designing an unmanned probe to explore the atmosphere and surface of Triton. This vehicle is unique in that it repeatedly takes off and lands (hops) using nitrogen propellant collected from its surroundings on Triton. This paper presents preliminary conceptual system design and numerical modeling of the atmospheric collection process. Four concepts are presented: a cryocooler-based system, a pump-based system, a sublimation and pump-based system, and a cryocooler and sublimation system. Numerical modeling takes into account the mass and energy transfer between all the relevant nodes in the system and is able to calculate the amount of nitrogen ice collected and ice accumulation rate as a function of time for each concept. The models are ultimately used to assess the feasibility of traversing from equator to pole in under two years using a gaseous propellant acquisition system for the Hopper.

Hopper↗

Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS). Volume 1: Program user's guide

A Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) engine system design analysis tool is required to support current and future Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) propulsion and vehicle design studies. Currently available NTP engine design models are those developed during the NERVA program in the 1960's and early 1970's and are highly unique to that design or are modifications of current liquid propulsion system design models. To date, NTP engine-based liquid design models lack integrated design of key NTP engine design features in the areas of reactor, shielding, multi-propellant capability, and multi-redundant pump feed fuel systems. Additionally, since the SEI effort is in the initial development stage, a robust, verified NTP analysis design tool could be of great use to the community. This effort developed an NTP engine system design analysis program (tool), known as the Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS) program, to support ongoing and future engine system and stage design study efforts. In this effort, Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) NTP version of the Expanded Liquid Engine Simulation (ELES) program was modified extensively to include Westinghouse Electric Corporation's near-term solid-core reactor design model. The ELES program has extensive capability to conduct preliminary system design analysis of liquid rocket systems and vehicles. The program is modular in nature and is versatile in terms of modeling state-of-the-art component and system options as discussed. The Westinghouse reactor design model, which was integrated in the NESS program, is based on the near-term solid-core ENABLER NTP reactor design concept. This program is now capable of accurately modeling (characterizing) a complete near-term solid-core NTP engine system in great detail, for a number of design options, in an efficient manner. The following discussion summarizes the overall analysis methodology, key assumptions, and capabilities associated with the NESS presents an example problem, and compares the results to related NTP engine system designs. Initial installation instructions and program disks are in Volume 2 of the NESS Program User's Guide.

Pelaccio, Dennis G.↗

Engineering and fabrication cost considerations for cryogenic wind tunnel models

Design and fabrication cost drivers for cryogenic transonic wind tunnel models are defined. The major cost factors for wind tunnel models are model complexity, tolerances, surface finishes, materials, material validation, and model inspection. The cryogenic temperatures require the use of materials with relatively high fracture toughness but at the same time high strength. Some of these materials are very difficult to machine, requiring extensive machine hours which can add significantly to the manufacturing costs. Some additional engineering costs are incurred to certify the materials through mechanical tests and nondestructive evaluation techniques, which are not normally required with conventional models. When instrumentation such as accelerometers and electronically scanned pressure modules is required, temperature control of these devices needs to be incorporated into the design, which requires added effort. Additional thermal analyses and subsystem tests may be necessary, which also adds to the design costs. The largest driver to the design costs is potentially the additional static and dynamic analyses required to insure structural integrity of the model and support system.

Boykin, R. M., Jr.↗

Research and development activities in unified control-structure modeling and design

Results of work sponsored by JPL and other organizations to develop a unified control/structures modeling and design capability for large space structures is presented. Recent analytical results are presented to demonstrate the significant interdependence between structural and control properties. A new design methodology is suggested in which the structure, material properties, dynamic model and control design are all optimized simultaneously. The development of a methodology for global design optimization is recommended as a long term goal. It is suggested that this methodology should be incorporated into computer aided engineering programs, which eventually will be supplemented by an expert system to aid design optimization. Recommendations are also presented for near term research activities at JPL. The key recommendation is to continue the development of integrated dynamic modeling/control design techniques, with special attention given to the development of structural models specially tailored to support design.

Nayak, A. P.↗

Interactive geometry modeling of space station conceptual designs

With the advent of a serious interest in the design and implementaton of a low-Earth orbit, manned space station, the need has arisen to rapidly synthesize, characterize, and analyze many conceptual designs. Because the manual generation and analysis of a mathematical design model could consume many man-months, an interactive modeling and analysis capability is sought. This poster session will demonstrate the activities and current capabilities at NASA LaRC that could support the modeling analysis of space station conceptual designs.

Deryder, D. D.↗

Model Based Engineering for Software Assurance

NASA's successful development of next generation space vehicles, habitats, and robotic systems will require reliable hardware and software systems. The aim of this initiative is to develop modeling methodology and tools to support Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for software assurance and reliability analysis. This effort expands the Unified Modeling Language (UML) software design models to include fault data for the extraction of Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) for software. We explored different modeling approaches to integrate the UML software design models with the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) system models to generate an integrated model and reliability tools that take into account software and hardware interfaces.The benefits of this concept directly affect the safety community with quick turnarounds to produce software assurance and reliability analysis artifacts and the ability to visualize failure effects, both hardware and software. The result is enhanced system design integrity and early identification of system risks. This initiative will enable software assurance activities early in the system design lifecycle, facilitating the discovery of design weaknesses and enhancing the capability to produce safe, hazard-free systems

Wang, Lui↗

A simple method for designing structural models with closely spaced modes of vibration

A simple method for designing a mathematical model with closely spaced vibration modes is described. The design process begins with a reference model having specified geometry, continuous inertia and stiffness distributions, and degrees of freedom, all of which remain unchanged. Two natural frequencies of this model are then forced together by means of systematic perturbation of the model's discrete inertia and stiffness parameters. There is only one eigenvalue solution per design cycle, and the gradient vector is calculated directly from the resulting modal quantities. The minimization procedure employed is unconstrained. As applications, a cantilevered plane grid model with five degrees of freedom and a bending-torsion-oscillator with eleven degrees of freedom are treated.

Hallauer, W. L., Jr.↗

Reuse of a Formal Model for Requirements Validation

This paper reports experience from how a project engaged in the process of requirements analysis for evolutionary builds can reuse the formally specified design model produced for a similar, earlier project in the same domain. Two levels of reuse are described here. First, a formally specified generic design model was generated on one project to systematically capture the design commonality in a set of software monitors on board a spacecraft. These monitors periodically check for faults and invoke recovery software when needed. The paper summarizes the use of the design model to validate the software design of the various monitors on that first project. Secondly, the paper describes how the formal design model created for the first project was reused on a second, subsequent project. The model was reused to validate the evolutionary requirements for the second project's software monitors, which were being developed in a series of builds. Some mismatches due to the very different architectures on the two projects suggested changes to make the model more generic. In addition, several advantages to the reuse of the first project's formal model on the second project are reported.

Lutz, Robyn R.↗

LSST (Hoop/Column) Maypole Antenna Development Program, phase 1, part 1

The first of a two-phase program was performed to develop the technology necessary to evaluate, design, manufacture, package, transport and deploy the hoop/column deployable antenna reflector by means of a ground based program. The hoop/column concept consists of a cable stiffened large diameter hoop and central column structure that supports and contours a radio frequency reflective mesh surface. Mission scenarios for communications, radiometer and radio astronomy, were studied. The data to establish technology drivers that resulted in a specification of a point design was provided. The point design is a multiple beam quadaperture offset antenna system wich provides four separate offset areas of illumination on a 100 meter diameter symmetrical parent reflector. The periphery of the reflector is a hoop having 48 segments that articulate into a small stowed volume around a center extendable column. The hoop and column are structurally connected by graphite and quartz cables. The prominence of cables in the design resulted in the development of advanced cable technology. Design verification models were built of the hoop, column, and surface stowage subassemblies. Model designs were generated for a half scale sector of the surface and a 1/6 scale of the complete deployable reflector.

Sullivan, M. R.↗

High Speed Research (HSR) Multi-Year Summary Report for Calendar Years 1995-1999

The Aeroelasticity Task is intended to provide demonstrated technology readiness to predict and improve flutter characteristics of an HSCT configuration. This requires aerodynamic codes that are applicable to the wide range of flight regimes in which the HSCT will operate, and are suitable to provide the higher fidelity required for evaluation of aeroservoelastic coupling effects. Prediction of these characteristics will result in reduced airplane weight and risk associated with a highly flexible, low-aspect ratio supersonic airplane with narrow fuselage, relatively thin wings, and heavy engines. This Task is subdivided into three subtasks. The first subtask includes the design, fabrication, and testing of wind-tunnel models suitable to provide an experimental database relevant to HSCT configurations. The second subtask includes validation of candidate unsteady aerodynamic codes, applicable in the Mach and frequency ranges of interest for the HSCT, through analysis test correlation with the test data. The third subtask includes efforts to develop and enhance these codes for application to HSCT configurations. The wind tunnel models designed and constructed during this program furnished data which were useful for the analysis test correlation work but there were shortcomings. There was initial uncertainty in the proper tunnel configuration for testing, there was a need for higher quality measured model geometry, and there was a need for better measured model displacements in the test data. One of the models exhibited changes in its dynamic characteristics during testing. Model design efforts were hampered by a need for more and earlier analysis support and better knowledge of material properties. Success of the analysis test correlation work was somewhat muted by the uncertainties in the wind tunnel model data. The planned extent of the test data was not achieved, partly due to the delays in the model design and fabrication which could not be extended due to termination of the HSR program.

Baker, Myles↗

A variable-gain output feedback control design approach

A multi-model design technique to find a variable-gain control law defined over the whole operating range is proposed. The design is formulated as an optimal control problem which minimizes a cost function weighing the performance at many operating points. The solution is obtained by embedding into the Multi-Configuration Control (MCC) problem, a multi-model robust control design technique. In contrast to conventional gain scheduling which uses a curve fit of single model designs, the optimal variable-gain control law stabilizes the plant at every operating point included in the design. An iterative algorithm to compute the optimal control gains is presented. The methodology has been successfully applied to reconfigurable aircraft flight control and to nonlinear flight control systems.

Haylo, Nesim↗

Design Oriented Structural Modeling for Airplane Conceptual Design Optimization

The main goal for research conducted with the support of this grant was to develop design oriented structural optimization methods for the conceptual design of airplanes. Traditionally in conceptual design airframe weight is estimated based on statistical equations developed over years of fitting airplane weight data in data bases of similar existing air- planes. Utilization of such regression equations for the design of new airplanes can be justified only if the new air-planes use structural technology similar to the technology on the airplanes in those weight data bases. If any new structural technology is to be pursued or any new unconventional configurations designed the statistical weight equations cannot be used. In such cases any structural weight estimation must be based on rigorous "physics based" structural analysis and optimization of the airframes under consideration. Work under this grant progressed to explore airframe design-oriented structural optimization techniques along two lines of research: methods based on "fast" design oriented finite element technology and methods based on equivalent plate / equivalent shell models of airframes, in which the vehicle is modelled as an assembly of plate and shell components, each simulating a lifting surface or nacelle / fuselage pieces. Since response to changes in geometry are essential in conceptual design of airplanes, as well as the capability to optimize the shape itself, research supported by this grant sought to develop efficient techniques for parametrization of airplane shape and sensitivity analysis with respect to shape design variables. Towards the end of the grant period a prototype automated structural analysis code designed to work with the NASA Aircraft Synthesis conceptual design code ACS= was delivered to NASA Ames.

Livne, Eli↗