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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 127 records · Page 7

TPSAS-NF1676L-13635-DND

Objectives of AePW: Assess state-of-the-art Computational Aeroelasticity (CAe) methods as practical tools for the prediction of static and dynamic aeroelastic phenomena and responses on relevant geometries. - Perform comparative computational studies on selected test cases - Identify errors & uncertainties in computational aeroelastic methods - Identify gaps in existing aeroelastic databases - Provide roadmap of path forward (additional existing data sets, new experimental data sets, and analytical methods developments).

Walt Silva↗

Propeller flow visualization techniques

Propeller flow visualization techniques were tested. The actual operating blade shape as it determines the actual propeller performance and noise was established. The ability to photographically determine the advanced propeller blade tip deflections, local flow field conditions, and gain insight into aeroelastic instability is demonstrated. The analytical prediction methods which are being developed can be compared with experimental data. These comparisons contribute to the verification of these improved methods and give improved capability for designing future advanced propellers with enhanced performance and noise characteristics.

Stefko, G. L.↗

High Reynolds Number Predictions for the Baseline Arrow Wing at Mach 2.48

The NASA High Speed Research (HSR) Program is intended to establish a technology base enabling industry development of an economically viable and environmentally acceptable second generation high speed civil transport (HSCT). The objective of the Configuration Aerodynamics task of the program is the development of aerodynamic drag reduction, stability and control, and propulsion airframe integration technologies required to support the HSCT development process. Aerodynamic design tools are being developed, evaluated, and validated through ground based experimental testing. In addition, methods for ground to flight scaling are being developed and refined.

Rivers, Melissa↗

High Reynolds Number Assessment of Boundary Layer Transition Trip Drag at Mach 2.48 on HSCT Configuration

The NASA High Speed Research (HSR) Program is intended to establish a technology base enabling industry development of an economically viable and environmentally acceptable second generation high speed civil transport (HSCT). The HSR program consists of work directed towards several broad technology areas, one of which is aerodynamic performance. The objective of the Configuration Aerodynamics task of the Aerodynamic Performance technology area is the development of aerodynamic drag reduction, stability and control, and propulsion airframe integration technologies required to support the HSCT development process. Towards this goal, computational and empirical based aerodynamic design tools are being developed, evaluated, and validated through ground based experimental testing. In addition, methods for ground to flight scaling are being developed and refined. Successful development of validated design and scaling methodologies will result in improved economy of operation for an HSCT and reduce uncertainty in full-scale flight predictions throughout the development process.

Wahls, Richard↗

Theoretical and experimental comparisons of the nonlinear energy method to the J-integral, R-curve and COD methods in fracture toughness testing

Because of the current high degree of interest in the development of a standard nonlinear test method, analytical and experimental comparisons have been made between the R-curve, COD, J-integral and nonlinear energy methods. A general definition of fracture toughness is proposed and the fundamental definitions of each method are compared to it. Experimental comparisons between the COD, J-integral, nonlinear energy and standard ASTM methods have been made for a series of compact tension tests on several aluminum alloys. Some of the tests were conducted according to the ASTM standard method E399-72, while the specimen thickness was reduced below the minimum requirement for plane strain fracture toughness testing for several other test series. The fracture toughness values obtained by the COD method were significantly higher than the toughness values obtained by the other three methods. All of the methods displayed a tendency to yield higher toughness values as the thickness was decreased below the ASTM plane strain requirement.

Liebowitz, H.↗

A ranking algorithm for spacelab crew and experiment scheduling

The problem of obtaining an optimal or near optimal schedule for scientific experiments to be performed on Spacelab missions is addressed. The current capabilities in this regard are examined and a method of ranking experiments in order of difficulty is developed to support the existing software. Experimental data is obtained from applying this method to the sets of experiments corresponding to Spacelab mission 1, 2, and 3. Finally, suggestions are made concerning desirable modifications and features of second generation software being developed for this problem.

Grone, R. D.↗

Computer classification of remotely sensed multispectral image data by extraction and classification of homogeneous objects

A method of classification of digitized multispectral images is developed and experimentally evaluated on actual earth resources data collected by aircraft and satellite. The method is designed to exploit the characteristic dependence between adjacent states of nature that is neglected by the more conventional simple-symmetric decision rule. Thus contextual information is incorporated into the classification scheme. The principle reason for doing this is to improve the accuracy of the classification. For general types of dependence this would generally require more computation per resolution element than the simple-symmetric classifier. But when the dependence occurs in the form of redundance, the elements can be classified collectively, in groups, therby reducing the number of classifications required.

Kettig, R. L.↗

Separation of airborne and structureborne noise radiated by plates constructed of conventional and composite materials with applications for prediction of interior noise paths in propeller driven aircraft

The anticipated application of advanced turboprop propulsion systems and use of composite materials in primary structure is expected to increase the interior noise of future aircraft to unacceptability high levels. The absence of technically and economically feasible noise source-path diagnostic tools has been a primer obstacle in the development of efficient noise control treatments for propeller driven aircraft. A new diagnostic method which permits the separation and prediction of the fully coherent airborne and structureborne components of the sound radiated by plates or thin shells has been developed. Analytical and experimental studies of the proposed method were performed on plates constructed of both conventional and composite materials. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method can be applied to a variety of aircraft materials, could be used in flight, and has fewer encumbrances than the other diagnostic tools currently available. The study has also revealed that the noise radiation of vibrating plates in the low frequency regime due to combined airborne and structureborne inputs possesses a strong synergistic nature. The large influence of the interaction between the airborne and structureborne terms has been hitherto ignored by researchers of aircraft interior noise problems.

Mcgary, M. C.↗

A new diagnostic method for separating airborne and structureborne noise radiated by plates with applications for propeller driven aircraft

The anticipated application of advanced turboprop propulsion systems is expected to increase the interior noise of future aircraft to unacceptably high levels. The absence of technically and economically feasible noise source-path diagnostic tools has been a prime obstacle in the development of efficient noise control treatments for propeller-driven aircraft. A new diagnostic method that permits the separation and prediction of the fully coherent airborne and structureborne components of the sound radiated by plates or thin shells has been developed. Analytical and experimental studies of the proposed method were performed on an aluminum plate. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method could be used in flight, and has fewer encumbrances than the other diagnostic tools currently available.

Mcgary, Michael C.↗

Supersonic flow development in slotted wind tunnels

The development of test section slot shapes for achieving smooth supersonic Mach number distribution without overexpansion or waviness has, in the past, been largely an experimentally iterative or 'cutand try' procedure for each wind tunnel. To overcome the obvious disadvantages of time and expense involved in such an experimental approach, a simple analytical method has been developed to predict the supersonic flow development in a two-dimensional slotted tunnel given only the variation of open area ratio with downstream distance and the Mach number corresponding to the plenum static pressure. The well known method of characteristics is used with the constraint that it be compatible with the quadratic cross-flow pressure drop boundary condition at the slotted wall. The predicted results from this method agree remarkably well with the experimental calibration data available for some of the existing facilities. The flow mechanism responsible for causing overexpansion in the centerline Mach number distribution with some slot shapes has been brought to light.

Ramaswamy, M. A.↗

Impact Ice Adhesion at NASA Glenn: Current Experimental Methods and Supporting Measurements

When examining the literature on the adhesion strength of impact ice, there have been a wide range of methodologies tried to measure the required stresses to induce interfacial delamination. Utilizing the Icing Research Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center to generate the impact ice required for this work, several different mechanical tests have been and are being developed to determine the stresses along the interface between ice and coupon. This set of tests includes the technical mature modified lap joint test which has been used to conduct ice adhesion studies through a wide sweep of icing conditions. To conduct in situ ice adhesion measurements inside of the Icing Research Tunnel, several new experiments are currently being developed to make ice adhesion measurements during and immediately after ice accretion. In addition to these experimental methods, several supporting measurement techniques have been developed to allow for a better understanding on the influence of icing cloud conditions on the mechanical behavior of impact ice. Digital image correlation has been successfully implemented to augment the data generated by the modified lap joint test with full field surface displacement and strain measurements which allow for insight into the deformation processes present during a test. Both optical microscopy of impact ice samples along with ice replication techniques have been used to study the grain structure of the impact ice. This has led to a deeper understanding of the results from the modified lap joint method and how the structure of impact ice changes as it is accreted during an icing spray. The freezing process of impact ice generated by supercooled liquid water is not a volume conserving process, which leads to the presence of residual strains along the interface between ice and substrate. These strains have been observed using both a simplified flat geometry and a representative airfoil. The data gathered by these experimental adhesion methods and supporting measurements allows for a comprehensive understanding on the behavior of impact ice which will be critical to the development of future ice shedding models.

Ice Adhesion↗

Impact Ice Adhesion at NASA Glenn: Current Experimental Methods and Supporting Measurements

When examining the literature on the adhesion strength of impact ice, there have been a wide range of methodologies tried to measure the required stresses to induce interfacial delamination. Utilizing the Icing Research Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center to generate the impact ice required for this work, several different mechanical tests have been and are being developed to determine the stresses along the interface between ice and coupon. This set of tests includes the technical mature modified lap joint test which has been used to conduct ice adhesion studies through a wide sweep of icing conditions. To conduct in situ ice adhesion measurements inside of the Icing Research Tunnel, several new experiments are currently being developed to make ice adhesion measurements during and immediately after ice accretion. In addition to these experimental methods, several supporting measurement techniques have been developed to allow for a better understanding on the influence of icing cloud conditions on the mechanical behavior of impact ice. Digital image correlation has been successfully implemented to augment the data generated by the modified lap joint test with full field surface displacement and strain measurements which allow for insight into the deformation processes present during a test. Both optical microscopy of impact ice samples along with ice replication techniques have been used to study the grain structure of the impact ice. This has led to a deeper understanding of the results from the modified lap join method and how the structure of impact ice changes as it is accreted during an icing spray. The freezing process of impact ice generated by supercooled liquid water is not a volume conserving process, which leads to the presence of residual strains along the interface between ice and substrate. These strains have been observed using both a simplified flat geometry and a representative airfoil. The data gathered by these experimental adhesion methods and supporting measurements allows for a compressive understanding on the behavior of impact ice which will be critical to the development of future ice shedding models.

Ice Adhesion↗

Confined-Pyrolysis as an Experimental Method for Hydrothermal Organic Synthesis

A closed pyrolysis system has been developed as a tool for studying the reactions of organic compounds under extreme hydrothermal conditions. Small high pressure stainless steel vessels in which the ratio of sediment or sample to water has been adjusted to eliminate the headspace at peak experimental conditions confines the organic components to the bulk solid matrix and eliminates the partitioning of the organic compounds away from the inorganic components during the experiment. Confined pyrolysis experiments were performed to simulate thermally driven catagenetic changes in sedimentary organic matter using a solids to water ratio of 3.4 to 1. The extent of alteration was measured by monitoring the steroid and triterpenoid biomarkers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon distributions. These pyrolysis experiments duplicated the hydrothermal transformations observed in nature. Molecular probe experiments using alkadienes, alkenes and alkanes in H2O and D2O elucidated the isomerization and hydrogenation reactions of aliphatic and the competing oxidative reactions occurring under hydrothermal conditions. This confined pyrolysis technique is being applied to test experiments on organic synthesis of relevance to chemical evolution for the origin of life.

Leif, Roald N.↗

Uncertainty Modeling for Structural Control Analysis and Synthesis

The development of an accurate model of uncertainties for the control of structures that undergo a change in operational environment, based solely on modeling and experimentation in the original environment is studied. The application used throughout this work is the development of an on-orbit uncertainty model based on ground modeling and experimentation. A ground based uncertainty model consisting of mean errors and bounds on critical structural parameters is developed. The uncertainty model is created using multiple data sets to observe all relevant uncertainties in the system. The Discrete Extended Kalman Filter is used as an identification/parameter estimation method for each data set, in addition to providing a covariance matrix which aids in the development of the uncertainty model. Once ground based modal uncertainties have been developed, they are localized to specific degrees of freedom in the form of mass and stiffness uncertainties. Two techniques are presented: a matrix method which develops the mass and stiffness uncertainties in a mathematical manner; and a sensitivity method which assumes a form for the mass and stiffness uncertainties in macroelements and scaling factors. This form allows the derivation of mass and stiffness uncertainties in a more physical manner. The mass and stiffness uncertainties of the ground based system are then mapped onto the on-orbit system, and projected to create an analogous on-orbit uncertainty model in the form of mean errors and bounds on critical parameters. The Middeck Active Control Experiment is introduced as experimental verification for the localization and projection methods developed. In addition, closed loop results from on-orbit operations of the experiment verify the use of the uncertainty model for control analysis and synthesis in space.

Campbell, Mark E.↗

Loads Due to Controls at Transonic and Low Supersonic Speeds

Some results of recent experimental investigations at supersonic and transonic speeds are presented to show the present status in the estimation of load distributions on controls and adjacent wing surfaces resulting from the deflection of flap controls and spoiler controls. The results indicate that the development of methods for predicting loads associated with controls has not kept pace with the acquisition of experimental data. At low supersonic speeds sweeping the hinge line induces strong three-dimensional-flow characteristics which cannot be treated by the simplified methods previously developed for controls without sweep. At transonic speeds the estimation of loads associated with controls must usually be dependent upon experimental information inasmuch as the latest attempts to predict chordwise and spanwise loadings have met with only limited success.

West, F. E, Jr↗

Radio frequency verification tasks related to a multiple aperture reflector system

The establishment of analytical methods for predicting the electromagnetic performance of multiple offset fed apertures for multiple beam large space antenna systems is highlighted. The development of experimental modeling techniques for verifying the analytical methods used in predicting the effects of surface roughness (pillows), scattering, and aperture coupling on RF performance is discussed.

Campbell, T. G.↗

Robust and real-time rotor control with magnetic bearings

This paper deals with the sliding mode control of a rigid rotor via radial magnetic bearings. The digital control algorithm and the results from numerical simulations are presented for an experimental rig. The experimental system which has been set up to digitally implement and validate the sliding mode control algorithm is described. Two methods for the development of control softwares are presented. Experimental results for individual rotor axis are discussed.

Sinha, A.↗

Development of theoretical models of integrated millimeter wave antennas

Extensive radiation patterns for Linear Tapered Slot Antenna (LTSA) Single Elements are presented. The directivity of LTSA elements is predicted correctly by taking the cross polarized pattern into account. A moment method program predicts radiation patterns for air LTSAs with excellent agreement with experimental data. A moment method program was also developed for the task LTSA Array Modeling. Computations performed with this program are in excellent agreement with published results for dipole and monopole arrays, and with waveguide simulator experiments, for more complicated structures. Empirical modeling of LTSA arrays demonstrated that the maximum theoretical element gain can be obtained. Formulations were also developed for calculating the aperture efficiency of LTSA arrays used in reflector systems. It was shown that LTSA arrays used in multibeam systems have a considerable advantage in terms of higher packing density, compared with waveguide feeds. Conversion loss of 10 dB was demonstrated at 35 GHz.

Yngvesson, K. Sigfrid↗