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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

Pressure transfer function of a JT15D nozzle due to acoustic and convected entropy fluctuations

An acoustic transmission matrix analysis of sound propagation in a variable area duct with and without flow is extended to include convected entropy fluctuations. The boundary conditions used in the analysis are a transfer function relating entropy and pressure at the nozzle inlet and the nozzle exit impedance. The nozzle pressure transfer function calculated is compared with JT15D turbofan engine nozzle data. The one dimensional theory for sound propagation in a variable area nozzle with flow but without convected entropy is good at the low engine speeds where the nozzle exit Mach number is low (M=0.2) and the duct exit impedance model is good. The effect of convected entropy appears to be so negligible that it is obscured by the inaccuracy of the nozzle exit impedance model, the lack of information on the magnitude of the convected entropy and its phase relationship with the pressure, and the scatter in the data. An improved duct exit impedance model is required at the higher engine speeds where the nozzle exit Mach number is high (M=0.56) and at low frequencies (below 120 Hz).

Miles, J. H.↗

Random and systematic measurement errors in acoustic impedance as determined by the transmission line method

The effect of random and systematic errors associated with the measurement of normal incidence acoustic impedance in a zero-mean-flow environment was investigated by the transmission line method. The influence of random measurement errors in the reflection coefficients and pressure minima positions was investigated by computing fractional standard deviations of the normalized impedance. Both the standard techniques of random process theory and a simplified technique were used. Over a wavelength range of 68 to 10 cm random measurement errors in the reflection coefficients and pressure minima positions could be described adequately by normal probability distributions with standard deviations of 0.001 and 0.0098 cm, respectively. An error propagation technique based on the observed concentration of the probability density functions was found to give essentially the same results but with a computation time of about 1 percent of that required for the standard technique. The results suggest that careful experimental design reduces the effect of random measurement errors to insignificant levels for moderate ranges of test specimen impedance component magnitudes. Most of the observed random scatter can be attributed to lack of control by the mounting arrangement over mechanical boundary conditions of the test sample.

Parrott, T. L.↗

Input impedance of a probe-fed circular microstrip antenna with thick substrate

A method of computing the input impedance for the probe fed circular microstrip antenna with thick dielectric substrate is presented. Utilizing the framework of the cavity model, the fields under the microstrip patch are expanded in a set of modes satisfying the boundary conditions on the eccentrically located probe, as well as on the cavity magnetic wall. A mode-matching technique is used to solve for the electric field at the junction between the cavity and the coaxial feed cable. The reflection coefficient of the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode incident in the coaxial cable is determined, from which the input impedance of the antenna is computed. Measured data are presented to verify the theoretical calculations. Results of the computation of various losses for the circular printed antenna as a function of substrate thickness are also included.

Davidovitz, M.↗

Composite Piezoelectric Resonator 1D Modeling with Loss

Abstract – Maximizing the benefit of applying piezoelectric materials in composite structures, which are a mix of piezoelectric and elastic elements, requires analytical modeling. In this paper we describe two main classes of resonators and how to model using network equivalent including material losses. These include extensional devices where the layer areas are parallel to the direction of wave travel as found in a variety of thickness or length mode transducers (BC. Stress T1 = T2 at boundary) and transverse mode resonators (BC. Strain S1 = S2 at boundary) where the major layer area is perpendicular to the wave direction as is found in radial mode or length thickness mode composite resonators. In order to illustrate these models we will use Mason’s equivalent circuits with elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric loss. It is noted that in order to maintain consistency with the linear equations of piezoelectricity and the wave equation care is required when applying complex loss coefficients to the models. Although these techniques are applicable to other models we use Mason’s network equivalent circuit because it is intuitive for composite modeling due to the frequency independent turns ratio and the independence of the equations describing the elastic layers from the adjoining layer properties which aids in understanding the boundary conditions to impose on the layer boundaries. We will present network models for a variety of applications with loss and show how to calculate their impedance spectra, interface stress, strain velocity and displacement spectra.

Sherrit, Stewart↗

Magnetic potential based formulation for linear and non-linear 3D RF sheath simulation

Abstract This paper reports a new numerical scheme to simulate the radio-frequency (RF) induced RF sheath, which is suitable for a large 3D simulation. In the RF sheath boundary model, the tangential component of the electric field ( E t ) is given by the gradient of a scalar electric field potential. We introduce two additional scalar potentials for the tangential components of the magnetic field, which effectively impose the normal electric displacement ( D n ) on the plasma sheath boundary condition via in-homogeneous Neumann boundary condition and constrain the tangential electric field on the surface as curl-free ( ∇ × E t = 0 ). In our approach, the non-linear sheath impedance is formulated as a natural extension of the large thickness (or asymptotic) sheath limit ( D n = 0 ), allowing for handling both asymptotic and non-linear regimes seamlessly. The new scheme is implemented using the Petra-M finite element method analysis framework and is verified with simulations in the literature. The significance of non-linearity is discussed in various plasma conditions. An application of this scheme to asymptotic RF sheath simulation on the WEST ICRF antenna side limiters is also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Analysis of the Impedance Resonance of Piezoelectric Multi-Fiber Composite Stacks

Multi-Fiber CompositesTM (MFC's) produced by Smart Materials Corp behave essentially like thin planar stacks where each piezoelectric layer is composed of a multitude of fibers. We investigate the suitability of using previously published inversion techniques for the impedance resonances of monolithic co-fired piezoelectric stacks to the MFCTM to determine the complex material constants from the impedance data. The impedance equations examined in this paper are those based on the derivation. The utility of resonance techniques to invert the impedance data to determine the small signal complex material constants are presented for a series of MFC's. The technique was applied to actuators with different geometries and the real coefficients were determined to be similar within changes of the boundary conditions due to change of geometry. The scatter in the imaginary coefficient was found to be larger. The technique was also applied to the same actuator type but manufactured in different batches with some design changes in the non active portion of the actuator and differences in the dielectric and the electromechanical coupling between the two batches were easily measureable. It is interesting to note that strain predicted by small signal impedance analysis is much lower than high field stains. Since the model is based on material properties rather than circuit constants, it could be used for the direct evaluation of specific aging or degradation mechanisms in the actuator as well as batch sorting and adjustment of manufacturing processes.

Multi-fiber composites↗

Simulation of double layers in a model auroral circuit with nonlinear impedance

A reduced circuit description of the U-shaped potential structure of a discrete auroral arc, consisting of the flank transmission line plus parallel-electric-field region, is used to provide the boundary condition for one-dimensional simulations of the double-layer evolution. The model yields asymptotic scalings of the double-layer potential, as a function of an anomalous transport coefficient alpha and of the perpendicular length scale l(a) of the arc. The arc potential phi(DL) scales approximately linearly with alpha, and for alpha fixed phi (DL) about l(a) to the z power. Using parameters appropriate to the auroral zone acceleration region, potentials of phi (DPL) 10 kV scale to projected ionospheric dimensions of about 1 km, with power flows of the order of magnitude of substorm dissipation rates.

Smith, R. A.↗

Characterizing Dynamic Test Fixtures Through the Modal Projection Error

Across many industries and engineering disciplines, physical components and systems of components are designed and deployed into their environment of intended use. It is the desire of the design agency to be able to predict whether their component or system will survive its physical environment or if it will fail due to mechanical stresses. One method to determine if the component will survive the environment is to expose the component to a simulation of the environment in a laboratory. One difficulty in doing this is that the component may not have the same boundary condition in the laboratory as is in the field configuration. This paper presents a novel method of quantifying the error in the modal domain that occurs from the impedance difference between the laboratory test fixture and the next level of assembly in the field configuration. The error is calculated from the projection from one mode shape space to the other, and the error is in terms of each mode of the field configuration. This provides insight into the effectiveness of the test fixture with respect to the ability to recreate the mode shapes of the field configuration. A case study is presented to show that the error in the modal projection between two configurations is a lower limit for the error that can be achieved by a laboratory test.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Experimental scaling study of fluid amplifier elements

Study examines scaling parameters of three fluid amplifier elements - a bistable device, a boundary layer control device, and a vortex device. Variations in performance due to size, fluid, and other conditions are studied. Even with restricted examples the large number of variables impedes the establishment of these scaling laws.

Abler, J.↗

Antennas in plasmas - The problem of boundaries

This paper discusses some of the difficulties associated with definition of appropriate boundary conditions for use in analyses of antennas and other structures immersed in plasmas. Distinctions may be made according to whether cold plasma, microscopic, or macroscopic theory is to be employed; whether the plasma is to be considered uniform or inhomogeneous, and whether or not there is a static magnetic field. The properties and limitations of these models, and the commonly-used boundary conditions of specular reflection and velocity diffusion (for opaque boundaries), and transparency (for grids or wires) are discussed. As a specific illustrative example, a series of approximations to the impedance of a magnetoplasma capacitor are reviewed.

Crawford, F. W.↗

Evaluation of Spanwise Variable Impedance Liners with Three-Dimensional Aeroacoustics Propagation Codes

Three perforate-over-honeycomb liner configurations, one uniform and two with spanwise variable impedance, are evaluated based on tests conducted in the NASA Grazing Flow Impedance Tube (GFIT) with a plane-wave source. Although the GFIT is only 2" wide, spanwise impedance variability clearly affects the measured acoustic pressure field, such that three-dimensional (3D) propagation codes are required to properly predict this acoustic pressure field. Three 3D propagation codes (CHE3D, COMSOL, and CDL) are used to predict the sound pressure level and phase at eighty-seven microphones flush-mounted in the GFIT (distributed along all four walls). The CHE3D and COMSOL codes compare favorably with the measured data, regardless of whether an exit acoustic pressure or anechoic boundary condition is employed. Except for those frequencies where the attenuation is large, the CDL code also provides acceptable estimates of the measured acoustic pressure profile. The CHE3D and COMSOL predictions diverge slightly from the measured data for frequencies away from resonance, where the attenuation is noticeably reduced, particularly when an exit acoustic pressure boundary condition is used. For these conditions, the CDL code actually provides slightly more favorable comparison with the measured data. Overall, the comparisons of predicted and measured data suggest that any of these codes can be used to understand data trends associated with spanwise variable-impedance liners.

Jones, M. G.↗

Influence of Microstructural Features on Austenite-Martensite Interfaces in NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit several unique thermomechanical properties due to a reversible martensitic phase transformation. A key aspect of this transformation is the austenite-martensite interface. Here we present a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methodology to study the atomic-scale features of austenite-martensite interface migration under near-equilibrium conditions. In single crystals, the interfaces migrate rapidly with only a small thermodynamic driving force. In polycrystals, however, interface migration is significantly impeded due to the change in orientation relationship at grain boundaries and the stored elastic energy resulting from microstructural constraints. This behavior can be linked to several mechanisms associated with transformation width and hysteresis in SMAs, properties of great importance for applications involving actuation. Additionally, we will present preliminary MD simulation results on the influence of precipitates on the formation and migration of austenite-martensite interfaces.

Gabriel Plummer↗

Influence of Microstructural Features on Austenite-Martensite Interfaces in NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit several unique thermomechanical properties due to a reversible martensitic phase transformation. A key aspect of this transformation is the austenite-martensite interface. Here we present a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methodology to study the atomic-scale features of austenite-martensite interface migration under near-equilibrium conditions. In single crystals, the interfaces migrate rapidly with only a small thermodynamic driving force. In polycrystals, however, interface migration is significantly impeded due to the change in orientation relationship at grain boundaries and the stored elastic energy resulting from microstructural constraints. This behavior can be linked to several mechanisms associated with transformation width and hysteresis in SMAs, properties of great importance for applications involving actuation. Additionally, we will present preliminary MD simulation results on the influence of precipitates on the formation and migration of austenite-martensite interfaces.

Gabriel Plummer↗

A Simplified Method for Predicting Shaker Voltage in IMMATs

Impedance Matched Multi-Axis Tests (IMMATs) can replicate in-service vibration induced stress more accurately than single axis shaker table tests as they can better match a part’s operational boundary conditions and excite it in multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously. Here, the shakers used in IMMATs are less powerful than shaker tables, so shaker force limits can be exceeded during tests if they are not placed adequately for the desired environment. The ability to predict shaker voltage and force before performing a test is, therefore, helpful in selecting shaker locations so that their limits are not exceeded. In this study, electrodynamic shakers were modeled as discrete electromechanical systems, and the shaker parameters were chosen to match experimentally obtained acceleration/voltage frequency response functions (FRFs). These models were coupled to a finite element model of the device under test (DUT) via dynamic substructuring, and the substructured model was demonstrated to accurately predict shaker voltage as well as the error in reproducing the environment at multiple accelerometer locations. A simple method called the FRF Multiplication method, in which the FRF of the substructured system is approximated as the product of two separate FRFs of the shaker and DUT respectively, was proposed and applied to the same system, yielding similar voltage and error predictions to those obtained using substructuring. Simple case studies were presented to explore the applicability of the proposed method, and it was demonstrated to have similar accuracy to the substructuring method in a range of cases. Additionally, we showed that while it was not possible to derive a unique model of the shakers from acceleration/voltage FRFs alone, the models that could be obtained were sufficient to predict test error almost perfectly and shaker voltage with less than 40 percent error.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Development of 3D electromagnetic modeling tools for airborne vehicles

The main goal of this project is to develop methodologies for scattering by airborne composite vehicles. Although our primary focus continues to be the development of a general purpose code for analyzing the entire structure as a single unit, a number of other tasks are also pursued in parallel with this effort. These tasks are important in testing the overall approach and in developing suitable models for materials coatings, junctions and, more generally, in assessing the effectiveness of the various parts comprising the final code. Here, we briefly discuss our progress on the five different tasks which were pursued during this period. Our progress on each of these tasks is described in the detailed reports (listed at the end of this report) and the memoranda included. The first task described below is, of course, the core of this project and deals with the development of the overall code. Undoubtedly, it is the outcome of the research which was funded by NASA-Ames and the Navy over the past three years. During this year we developed the first finite element code for scattering by structures of arbitrary shape and composition. The code employs a new absorbing boundary condition which allows termination of the finite element mesh only 0.3 lambda from the outer surface of the target. This leads to a remarkable reduction of the mesh size and is a unique feature of the code. Other unique features of this code include capabilities to model resistive sheets, impedance sheets and anisotropic materials. This last capability is the latest feature of the code and is still under development. The code has been extensively validated for a number of composite geometries and some examples are given. The validation of the code is still in progress for anisotropic and larger non-metallic geometries and cavities. The developed finite element code is based on a Galerkin's formulation and employs edge-based tetrahedral elements for discretizing the dielectric sections and the region between the target and the outer mesh termination boundary (ATB). This boundary is placed in conformity with the target's outer surface, thus resulting in additional reduction of the unknown count.

Volakis, John L.↗

A new method for solving problems of sound radiation from a duct for the case of low Mach number

A method for rapidly solving duct end-plane impedance problems is presented which is based on deriving a form of the Helmholtz integral formula expressing the normal derivative of the acoustic pressure at a boundary point. A set of integral expressions is obtained by satisfying the existing boundary conditions and then solved using a general collocation method. The results obtained for the Levine-Schwinger (1948) problem agree well with the exact values. In the case of a duct flow having a temperature mismatch with the surroundings, the results show an increase in the magnitude of the reflection coefficient for the case of a cold core, and a decrease in its value for the case of a hot core, as compared with the case of exhaust into a uniform medium. A phase change of between pi/2 and pi is nearly always achieved, which indicates the tendency towards maintaining a constant pressure at the exit plane. The method can easily be extended to arbitrary duct shapes as long as they are axisymmetric.

Wahbah, M. M.↗

Curved Duct Noise Prediction Using the Fast Scattering Code

Results of a study to validate the Fast Scattering Code (FSC) as a duct noise predictor, including the effects of curvature, finite impedance on the walls, and uniform background flow, are presented in this paper. Infinite duct theory was used to generate the modal content of the sound propagating within the duct. Liner effects were incorporated via a sound absorbing boundary condition on the scattering surfaces. Simulations for a rectangular duct of constant cross-sectional area have been compared to analytical solutions and experimental data. Comparisons with analytical results indicate that the code can properly calculate a given dominant mode for hardwall surfaces. Simulated acoustic behavior in the presence of lined walls (using hardwall duct modes as incident sound) is consistent with expected trends. Duct curvature was found to enhance weaker modes and reduce pressure amplitude. Agreement between simulated and experimental results for a straight duct with hard walls (no flow) was excellent.

Dunn, M. H.↗

Analysis of microstrip patch antennas with nonzero surface resistance

The scattering properties of a microstrip patch antenna with nonzero surface impedance are examined. The electric field integral equation for a current element on a grounded dielectric slab is developed for a rectangular geometry by using Galerkin's technique with subdomain piecewise linear basis functions. The integral equation includes a resistive boundary condition on the surface of the patch. The incident field on the patch is expressed as a function of incidence angle. The resulting system of equations is then solved for the unknown current modes on the patch, and the radar cross section is calculated for a given scattering angle. Theoretical results in the form of radar cross section as a function of frequency are compared with results measured at the NASA Langley Research Center.

Shively, David G.↗