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At least 127 records · Page 7

Application of Fresnel Zone to Cross Talk

Unintentional radiation results in cross coupling to nearby cables. As frequency increases, the amount of this coupling becomes significant especially in high speed data transmission and space lab experiments. There has been a considerable amount of research to model this radiation and design the electronic equipment accordingly so that operation of space lab instruments will be immune to unwanted radiation. Here at MSFC, the Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environment Branch has the responsibility to analyze, test, and make the necessary recommendation as to the safe operation of instruments used in the space program. Rules, regulation, and limits as set by this group are published in Electromagnetic Compatibility Design and Interference Control (MEDIC) Handbook. This document contains both conducted and radiate emission rules and limits are set by NASA. However cross coupling have not been included. At the time of assigning the research task for the author, the Group decided that a more in-depth investigation of Near Field is needed before establishing a set of rules and limits for cross coupling. Thus this task was assigned to the author with hope that his work will be more beneficial to NASA's Space mission experiments. The model and the method which will be described shortly is intended to improve the present approach of this Group and suggests a method for measuring the cross field coupling capacitance.

Javan, Hank↗

A Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Solid Rocket Motor with Flexible Inhibitors

A capability to couple NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with CFDRC's structural finite element code, CoBi, has been developed. This paper summarizes the efforts in applying the installed coupling software to demonstrate/investigate fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between pressure wave and flexible inhibitor inside reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM). First a unified governing equation for both fluid and structure is presented, then an Eulerian-Lagrangian framework is described to satisfy the interfacial continuity requirements. The features of fluid solver, Loci/CHEM and structural solver, CoBi, are discussed before the coupling methodology of the solvers is described. The simulation uses production level CFD LES turbulence model with a grid resolution of 80 million cells. The flexible inhibitor is modeled with full 3D shell elements. Verifications against analytical solutions of structural model under steady uniform pressure condition and under dynamic condition of modal analysis show excellent agreements in terms of displacement distribution and eigen modal frequencies. The preliminary coupled result shows that due to acoustic coupling, the dynamics of one of the more flexible inhibitors shift from its first modal frequency to the first acoustic frequency of the solid rocket motor.

Yang, H. Q.↗

Continuous Tuning and Calibration of Vibratory Gyroscopes

A method of control and operation of an inertial reference unit (IRU) based on vibratory gyroscopes provides for continuously repeated cycles of tuning and calibration. The method is intended especially for application to an IRU containing vibratory gyroscopes that are integral parts of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and that have cloverleaf designs, as described in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The method provides for minimization of several measures of spurious gyroscope output, including zero-rate offset (ZRO), angle random walk (ARW), and rate drift. These benefits are afforded both at startup and thereafter during continuing operation, in the presence of unknown rotation rates and changes in temperature. A vibratory gyroscope contains a precision mechanically resonant structure containing two normal modes of vibration nominally degenerate in frequency and strongly coupled via a Coriolis term. In the case of the cloverleaf design MEMS gyro, these normal modes of vibration are plate rocking modes. The rocking motion of the plate is described by giving two angles, theta(sub 1) and theta(sub 2). A proof mass consisting of a post orthogonal to the plate ensures a high degree of Coriolis coupling of vibratory energy from one mode into the other under inertial rotation. The plate is driven and sensed capacitively across a few-microns-wide gap, and the normal mode frequencies can be tuned electrostatically by DC voltages applied across this gap. In order to sense rotation, the resonator plate is caused to rock in the theta(sub 1) direction, then any small motions in the theta(sub 2) direction are sensed, rebalanced, and interpreted as inertial rotation. In this scenario, the "drive" has been assigned to the theta(sub 1) direction, and the "sense" has been assigned to the theta(sub 2) direction.

Hayworth, Ken↗

(abstract) Role of Long Equatorial Wave Reflection in the Low-Frequency Variability Observed During the TOPEX/POSEIDON Period: Data Analysis and Coupled Model Study

The analysis of TOPEX/POSEIDON sea level and ERS-1 zonal wind stress data gives evidence that first mode meridonal long Rossby waves fully reflected into Kelvin waves at the equatorial western Pacific boundary at different periods including the January-June 1994 period. The evolution of the conditions (zonal wind stress, sea surface temperature and sea level anomalies) in the central Pacific suggests that this reflection may have played a role in the reversal of cold to warm anomalies observed in the central Pacific in June-July 1994. To investigate the actual role of reflected Kelvin waves observed by TOPEX/POSEIDON, a simple ocean-atmosphere coupled model is designed. Starting from these initial conditions, several simulations are run for testing the role western bundary reflection evidenced in TOPEX/POSEIDON data. Coupled mechanisms are suggested to explain the low-frequency variability observed during this period.

Rossby waves Kelvin waves zonal wind stress TOPEX/↗

Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Solid Rocket Motor with Flexible Inhibitors

Flexible inhibitors are generally used in solid rocket motors (SRMs) as a means to control the burning of propellant. Vortices generated by the flow of propellant around the flexible inhibitors have been identified as a driving source of instabilities that can lead to thrust oscillations in launch vehicles. Potential coupling between the SRM thrust oscillations and structural vibration modes is an important risk factor in launch vehicle design. As a means to predict and better understand these phenomena, a multidisciplinary simulation capability that couples the NASA production CFD code, Loci/CHEM, with CFDRC's structural finite element code, CoBi, has been developed. This capability is crucial to the development of NASA's new space launch system (SLS). This paper summarizes the efforts in applying the coupled software to demonstrate and investigate fluid-structure interaction (FSI) phenomena between pressure waves and flexible inhibitors inside reusable solid rocket motors (RSRMs). The features of the fluid and structural solvers are described in detail, and the coupling methodology and interfacial continuity requirements are then presented in a general Eulerian-Lagrangian framework. The simulations presented herein utilize production level CFD with hybrid RANS/LES turbulence modeling and grid resolution in excess of 80 million cells. The fluid domain in the SRM is discretized using a general mixed polyhedral unstructured mesh, while full 3D shell elements are utilized in the structural domain for the flexible inhibitors. Verifications against analytical solutions for a structural model under a steady uniform pressure condition and under dynamic modal analysis show excellent agreement in terms of displacement distribution and eigenmode frequencies. The preliminary coupled results indicate that due to acoustic coupling, the dynamics of one of the more flexible inhibitors shift from its first modal frequency to the first acoustic frequency of the solid rocket motor. This insight could have profound implications for SRM and flexible inhibitor designs for current and future launch vehicles including SLS.

Yang, H. Q.↗

A study of some features of ac and dc electric power systems for a space station

This study analyzes certain selected topics in rival dc and high frequency ac electric power systems for a Space Station. The interaction between the Space Station and the plasma environment is analyzed, leading to a limit on the voltage for the solar array and a potential problem with resonance coupling at high frequencies. Certain problems are pointed out in the concept of a rotary transformer, and further development work is indicated in connection with dc circuit switching, special design of a transmission conductor for the ac system, and electric motors. The question of electric shock hazards, particularly at high frequency, is also explored. and a problem with reduced skin resistance and therefore increased hazard with high frequency ac is pointed out. The study concludes with a comparison of the main advantages and disadvantages of the two rival systems, and it is suggested that the choice between the two should be made after further studies and development work are completed.

Hanania, J. I.↗

Fast Coupled Loads Analysis Method: Norton-Thevenin Receptance Coupling

A new method called Norton-Thevenin Receptance Coupling (NTRC) has been developed to perform coupled loads analysis (CLA). NTRC provides a tool that payload developers can use to obtain launch loads at a fraction of the cost of a CLA any time it is required in the payload design cycle. NTRC combines the frequency domain component coupling method of Receptance Coupling with the Norton and Thevenin theory used in force limiting to derive an alternate method for performing CLA.

Coupled Loads Analysis↗

An investigation of the effects of pitch-roll (de)-coupling on helicopter handling qualities

An investigation of the effects of pitch-roll coupling on helicopter handling qualities was performed by the US Army and DLR, using a NASA ground-based and a DLR inflight simulator. Over 90 different coupling configurations were evaluated using a roll-axis tracking task. The results show that although the current ADS-33C coupling criterion discriminates against those types of coupling typical of conventionally controlled helicopters, it not always suited for the prediction of handling qualities of helicopters with modern control systems. Based on the observation that high frequency inputs during tracking are used to alleviate coupling, a frequency domain pitch-roll coupling criterion that uses the average coupling ratio between the bandwidth and neutral stability frequency is formulated. This criterion provides a more comprehensive coverage with respect to the different types of coupling and shows excellent consistency.

CONTROL COUPLING↗

Natural Frequency Testing and Model Correlation of Rocket Engine Structures in Liquid Hydrogen - Phase I, Cantilever Beam

Many structures in the launch vehicle industry operate in liquid hydrogen (LH2), from the hydrogen fuel tanks through the ducts and valves and into the pump sides of the turbopumps. Calculating the structural dynamic response of these structures is critical for successful qualification of this hardware, but accurate knowledge of the natural frequencies is based entirely on numerical or analytical predictions of frequency reduction due to the added-fluid-mass effect because testing in LH2 has always been considered too difficult and dangerous. This fluid effect is predicted to be approximately 4-5% using analytical formulations for simple cantilever beams. As part of a comprehensive test/analysis program to more accurately assess pump inducers operating in LH2, a series of frequency tests in LH2 were performed at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center's unique cryogenic test facility. These frequency tests are coupled with modal tests in air and water to provide critical information not only on the mass effect of LH2, but also the cryogenic temperature effect on Young's Modulus for which the data is not extensive. The authors are unaware of any other reported natural frequency testing in this media. In addition to the inducer, a simple cantilever beam was also tested in the tank to provide a more easily modeled geometry as well as one that has an analytical solution for the mass effect. This data will prove critical for accurate structural dynamic analysis of these structures, which operate in a highly-dynamic environment.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

An investigation of the effects of pitch-roll (de)coupling on helicopter handling qualities

An extensive investigation of the effects of pitch-roll coupling on helicopter handling qualities was performed by the U.S. Army and Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), using a NASA ground-based and a DLR in-flight simulator. Over 90 different coupling configurations were evaluated using a high gain roll-axis tracking task. The results show that although the current ADS-33C coupling criterion discriminates against those types of coupling typical of conventionally controlled helicopters, it is not always suited for the prediction of handling qualities of helicopters with modern control systems. Based on the observation that high frequency inputs during tracking are used to alleviate coupling, a frequency domain pitch-roll coupling criterion that uses the average coupling ratio between the bandwidth and neutral stability frequency is formulated. This criterion provides a more comprehensive coverage with respect to the different types of coupling, shows excellent consistency, and has the additional benefit that compliance testing data are obtained from the bandwidth/phase delay tests, so that no additional flight testing is needed.

Blanken, C. L.↗

Modeling and numerical simulation of microwave pulse propagation in air breakdown environment

It is shown that ionization occurs wherever the field intensity of the pulse exceeds the local breakdown threshold field of the background air. The produced plasma then attenuates the pulse and gives rise to a tail erosion phenomenon that plays the primary role in limiting the energy transfer of the pulse from source to destination. A theoretical model describing the propagation of an intense microwave pulse in an air breakdown environment is developed that includes the possible focusing effect introduced by either using phase array antennas or the other arrangements. The self-consistent description of the propagation process is provided by a set of two modal equations. These include a continuity equation (Poynting's equation) for the energy density of the pulse and a rate equation of the electron density. A forward wave approximation is used to simplify Poynting's equation, and a semiempirical formula is used for the ionization frequency, nu(sub i). This frequency provides the coupling between the two modal equations, and is used to express the electron rate equation explicitly. In terms of the relevant parameters of the atmosphere, these two equations are normalized for numerical analysis of pulse propagation in the atmosphere. The dependencies of the propagation characteristics of the pulse on intensity, frequency, width, and shape of the pulse are determined. The numerical simulations lead to a useful empirical relation p(exp 3)w = alpha = constant, where p and w are the incident power and width of the pulse and alpha depends on the percentage of pulse energy transferred from the source point to a destined position. The density distribution of the pulse's self-generated plasma is also evaluated. The results also show that for ionization caused by a single unfocused microwave pulse transmitted upwards from the ground, the maximum electron density produced at, for example, 50 km altitude is limited by the tail erosion effect to below 10(exp 6) cm(exp -3). Repetitive pulse and focused beam approaches are also examined. Both approaches can increase the maximum electron density by no more than an order of magnitude. A scheme using two obliquely propagating pulses intersecting at the destined height, e.g. 50 km, is considered. It is shown that the electron density generated at the lowest intersecting position can easily reach a value of 6.6 x 10(exp 8) cm(exp -3), which is considered to be high enough for artificial ionospheric mirror (AIM) application.

Kim, J.↗

Dynamic analysis of pretwisted elastically-coupled rotor blades

The accuracy of using a one-dimensional analysis to predict frequencies of elastically-coupled highly-twisted rotor blades is addressed. Degrees of freedom associated with shear deformation are statically condensed from the formulation, so the analysis uses only those degrees of freedom associated with classical beam theory. The effects of cross section deformation (warping) are considered, and are shown to become significant for some types of elastic coupling. Improved results are demonstrated for highly-coupled blade structures through account of warping in a local cross section analysis, without explicit inclusion of these effects in the beam analysis. A convergence study is also provided which investigates the potential for improving efficiency of elastically-coupled beam analysis through implementation of a p-version beam finite element.

Nixon, Mark W.↗

Evidence for Intersections of Coupled g-Mode Sets as a Source of High Frequency Oscillations in Sunspot Occurrence

We show that sunspots tend to appear at longitudes where coupled sets of g-mode oscillations are depositing the most energy. Since the g-mode sets rotate at predictable rates slower than the Sun, the same predictability should eventually apply to the location and strength of sunspots and other solar activity. When fully developed, this model would provide long term safety warnings for astronauts. In this paper, the rotation rates and initial longitudes of eleven g-mode sets are tested against observations. The paper concludes that the time series of sunspot numbers for the last century has oscillatory components with the same frequencies and temporal phases as the eleven g-mode sets.

Juckett, David A.↗

Structural dynamics studies of rotating bladed-disk assemblies coupled with flexible shaft motions

In order to analyze the dynamic behavior of the first stage compressor/fan of the 'E3' turbofan engine, a classical structural dynamics approach is employed to couple the motions of a flexible bladed disk to a rotating flexible shaft. The analysis accounts for flexible disk displacements which are transverse to the plane of rotation, and radial as well as tangential, and also accounts for rigid disk translations along, and rotations about, axes normal to the undeformed shaft axes. In the case of a wide range of E3 engine shaft flexibilities and speeds, some of the one-diametral node frequencies are shown to be affected by shaft degrees of freedom whose stiffness values are in general range of design practice. Coriolis forces are also found to significantly affect natural frequencies where strong coupling between certain modes is present.

Loewy, R. G.↗

Light scattering by nonspherical particles - A refinement to the coupled-dipole method

In the coupled-dipole method, an arbitrary particle is modeled as an array of N polarizable subunits, each of which gives rise to only electric dipole radiation. The Clausius-Mosotti relation is widely used to calculate the polarizability of the subunits that correspond to the dielectric function of the particle that the array represents. The Clausius-Mosotti relation is replaced here with an exact expression for the electric dipole polarizability, and improvement is found in extinction calculations for spheres as compared with Mie theory. Near a Froehlich frequency the coupled-dipole method yields extinction cross sections for spheres and spheroids that compare favorably with the continuous distribution of ellipsoids method and measured values.

Dungey, Clifton E.↗

Vibration transmission through periodic structures using a mobility power flow approach

The transmission of vibrational power (time averaged) through multiple coupled (periodic) structures is examined. The analysis is performed in the frequency domain and the coupling between the sub-elements of the periodic structure is expressed in terms of structural mobility functions for the junction points and between the junction points of the sub-elements. Equal length spans between stiffeners or supports of the periodic structure are considered. Through the use of the mobility power flow approach, the influence of sub-element and junction parameters, including damping at the joints, can be investigated. The results from the analysis can be in the form of either structural intensity or alternatively structural power content for each of the sub-elements. The examples discussed are for a thin, perfectly periodic beam with a finite number of spans with different types of stiffeners and/or supports between the spans. The excitation of the structure is by a point load located midway along the first span.

Cuschieri, J. M.↗

Transient Simulation of Pressure Oscillations in the Fuel Feedline of the Fastrac Engine Thrust Chamber

During mainstage testing of the 60,000 lbf thrust Fastrac thrust chamber at MSFC's Test Stand 116 (TS 116), sustained, large amplitude oscillations near 530 Hz were observed in the pressure data. These oscillations were detected both in the RP-1 feedline, downstream of the cavitating venturi, and in the combustion chamber. The driver of the instability is believed to be feedline excitation driven by either periodic cavity collapse at the exit of the cavitating venturi or combustion instability. In covitating venturi, static pressure drops as the flow passes through a constriction resembling a converging-diverging nozzle until the vapor pressure is reached. At the venturi throat, the flow is essentially choked, which is why these devices are typically used for mass flow rate control and disturbance isolation. Typically, a total pressure drop of 15% or more across the venturi is required for cavitation. For much larger pressure differentials, unstable cavities can form and subsequently collapse downstream of the throat. Although the disturbances generated by cavitating venturis is generally considered to be broad-band, this type of phenomena could generate periodic behavior capable of exciting the feedline. An excitation brought about by combustion instability would result from the coupling of a combustion chamber acoustic mode and a feedline resonance frequency. This type of coupling is referred to as "buzz" and is not uncommon for engines in this thrust range.

Bullard, Brad↗

Nonlinear Insolation Forcing: A Physical Mechanism for Climate Change

This paper focuses on recent advances in the understanding of nonlinear insolation forcing for climate change. The amplitude-frequency resonances in the insolation variations induced by the Earth's changing obliquity are emergent and may provide a physical mechanism to drive the glaciation cycles. To establish the criterion that nonlinear insolation forcing is responsible for major climate changes, the cooperative phenomena between the frequency and amplitude of the insolation are defined as insolation pulsation. Coupling of the insolation frequency and amplitude variations has established an especially new and interesting series of insolation pulses. These pulses would modulate the insolation in such a way that the mode of insolation variations could be locked to generate the 100-kyr ice age cycle which is a long-time geophysical puzzle. The nonlinear behavior of insolation forcing is tested by energy balance and ice sheet climate models and the physical mechanism behind this forcing is explained in terms of pulse duration in the incoming solar radiation. Calculations of the solar energy flux at the top of the atmosphere show that the duration of the negative and positive insolation pulses is about 2 thousand years which is long enough to prolong glaciation into deep ice ages and cause rapid melting of large ice sheets in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. We have performed numerical simulations of climate response to nonlinear insolation forcing for the past 2 million years. Our calculated results of temperature fluctuations are in good agreement with the climate cycles as seen in the terrestrial biogenic silica (BDP-96-2) data as well as in the marine oxygen isotope (delta(sup 18)O) records.

Liu, H. S.↗