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At least 127 records · Page 7

Dynamic load measurements with delta wings undergoing self-induced roll-oscillations

The aerodynamic forces acting on a delta wing, mounted on a free-to-roll sting-balance apparatus, were measured. Two wing planforms having leading edge sweeps of 76 and 80 deg were tested, but only the wing with the 80 deg sweep would undergo periodic self-induced roll oscillation. The time dependent forces and roll angles for this wing were then recorded for various test conditions. In these tests a considerable drop in the average normal force of the free-to-roll wing was measured, relative to the normal force obtained in the static tests. Also, the helium-bubble flow visualization technique was used to gain some insight into the periodic motion of the separated leading edge vortices.

Levin, D.↗

Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of uPSP Measurements in Recent NASA Ames Wind Tunnel Test

This paper discusses Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (SPOD) of the Unsteady Pressure-Sensitive Paint (uPSP) measurements in recent NASA Ames wind tunnel test. The uPSP measurements were collected using Innovative Scientific Solutions, Inc. (ISSI) porous, fast-response pressure-sensitive paint, 40 ISSI four-inch air-cooled Light-Emitting Diodes, and 8 Phantom v2512 high-speed cameras at 10,000 frames per second in the uPSP Launch Vehicle Demonstration Test (LVDT) of the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle in the 11-by 11-foot transonic test section of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center in April 2024. SPOD is derived from a space-time proper orthogonal decomposition problem for statistically stationary flows. SPOD modes are determined in the frequency domain. Each SPOD mode oscillates at a single frequency. SPOD can be viewed as an extension of the Discrete Fourier Transform composition and the Dynamic Mode Decomposition. In this paper, the outputs of SPOD of the uPSP measurements in the uPSP LVDT are presented and the effectiveness of SPOD in the identification, diagnosis and analysis of the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic phenomena is demonstrated. The unsteady and dynamic property of the pressure field on the surface of the SLS Block 1B crew vehicle is presented with the visualization of the SPOD modes of the uPSP measurements in the tests of a Mach sweep run of the uPSP LVDT. The SPOD outputs were generated with the execution in parallel of a code in Python, with the library of Message Passing Interface for parallel processing, on the NASA Pleiades supercomputer. The work described in this paper is a part of NASA’s development of a new state-of-the-art uPSP capability in production wind tunnels. Funding was provided by the NASA Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Portfolio Office.

Aeroacoustics↗

Flutter clearance of the F-14 variable-sweep transition flight experiment airplane, phase 1

An F-14 airplane was modified to become the test bed aircraft for the variable sweep transition flight experiment (VSTFE) program. The latter is a laminar flow program designed to measure the effects of wing sweep on boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The airplane was modified by adding an upper surface foam-fiberglass glove over a portion of the left wing. Ground vibration and flight flutter testing were accomplished to clear a sufficient flight envelope to conduct the laminar flow experiments. Flight test data indicated satisfactory damping levels and damping trends for the elastic structural modes of the airplane. The data presented include frequency and damping as functions of Mach number.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

Transonic aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of a variable sweep wing

The flow over the B-1 wing is studied computationally, including the aeroelastic response of the wing. Computed results are compared with results from wind tunnel and flight tests for both low-sweep and high-sweep cases, at 25.0 deg. and 67.5 deg., respectively, for selected transonic Mach numbers. The aerodynamic and aeroelastic computations are made by using the transonic unsteady code ATRAN3S. Steady aerodynamic computations compare well with wind tunnel results for the 25.0 deg. sweep case and also for small angles of attack at the 67.5 deg. sweep case. The aeroelastic response results show that the wing is stable at the low sweep angle for the calculation at the Mach number at which there is a shock wave. In the higher sweep case, for the higher angle of attack at which oscillations were observed in the flight and wind tunnel tests, the calculations do not show any shock waves. Their absence lends support to the hypothesis that the observed oscillations are due to the presence of leading edge separation vortices and are not due to shock wave motion as was previously proposed.

Goorjian, P. M.↗

Transonic aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of a variable sweep wing

The flow over the B-1 wing is studied computationally, including the aeroelastic response of the wing. Computed results are compared with results from wind tunnel and flight tests for both low-sweep and high-sweep cases, at 25.0 and 67.5 deg., respectively, for selected transonic Mach numbers. The aerodynamic and aeroelastic computations are made by using the transonic unsteady code ATRAN3S. Steady aerodynamic computations compare well with wind tunnel results for the 25.0 deg sweep case and also for small angles of attack at the 67.5 deg sweep case. The aeroelastic response results show that the wing is stable at the low sweep angle for the calculation at the Mach number at which there is a shock wave. In the higher sweep case, for the higher angle of attack at which oscillations were observed in the flight and wind tunnel tests, the calculations do not show any shock waves. Their absence lends support to the hypothesis that the observed oscillations are due to the presence of leading edge separation vortices and are not due to shock wave motion as was previously proposed.

Goorjian, P. M.↗

Benefits of Swept and Leaned Stators for Fan Noise Reduction

An advanced high bypass ratio fan model was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9 x 15-Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The primary focus of this test was to quantify the acoustic benefits and aerodynamic performance of sweep and lean in stator vane design. Three stator sets were used for this test series. A conventional radial stator was tested at two rotor-stator axial spacings. Additional stator sets incorporating sweep + lean, and sweep only were also tested. The hub axial location for the swept + lean, and sweep only stators corresponded to the location of the radial stator at the upstream rotor-stator spacing, while the tip axial location of these modified stators corresponded to the radial stator axial position at the downstream position. The acoustic results show significant reductions in both rotor-stator interaction noise and broadband noise beyond what could be achieved through increased axial spacing of the conventional, radial stator. Theoretical application of these results to acoustically quantify a fictitious 2-engine aircraft and flight path suggested that about 3 Effective Perceived Noise (EPN) dB could be achieved through incorporation of these modified stators. This reduction would represent a significant portion of the 6 EPNdB noise goal of the current NASA Advanced Subsonic Technology (AST) initiative relative to that of 1992 technology levels. A secondary result of this fan test was to demonstrate the ability of an acoustic barrier wall to block aft-radiated fan noise in the wind tunnel, thus revealing the acoustic structure of the residual inlet-radiated noise. This technology should prove valuable toward better understanding inlet liner design, or wherever it is desirable to eliminate aft-radiated noise from the fan acoustic signature.

Woodward, Richard P.↗

Spin Testing for Durability Began on a Self-Tuning Impact Damper for Turbomachinery Blades

NASA and Pratt & Whitney will collaborate under a Space Act Agreement to perform spin testing of the impact damper to verify damping effectiveness and durability. Pratt & Whitney will provide the turbine blade and damper hardware for the tests. NASA will provide the facility and perform the tests. Effectiveness and durability will be investigated during and after sustained sweeps of rotor speed through resonance. Tests of a platform wedge damper are also planned to compare its effectiveness with that of the impact damper. Results from baseline tests without dampers will be used to measure damping effectiveness. The self-tuning impact damper combines two damping methods-the tuned mass damper and the impact damper. It consists of a ball located within a cavity in the blade. This ball rolls back and forth on a spherical trough under centrifugal load (tuned mass damper) and can strike the walls of the cavity (impact damper). The ball s rolling natural frequency is proportional to the rotor speed and can be designed to follow an engine-order line (integer multiple of rotor speed). Aerodynamic forcing frequencies typically follow these engineorder lines, and a damper tuned to the engine order will most effectively reduce blade vibrations when the resonant frequency equals the engine-order forcing frequency. This damper has been tested in flat plates and turbine blades in the Dynamic Spin Facility. During testing, a pair of plates or blades rotates in vacuum. Excitation is provided by one of three methods--eddy-current engine-order excitation (ECE), electromechanical shakers, and magnetic bearing excitation. The eddy-current system consists of magnets located circumferentially around the rotor. As a blade passes a magnet, a force is imparted on the blade. The number of magnets used can be varied to change the desired engine order of the excitation. The magnets are remotely raised or lowered to change the magnitude of the force on the blades. The other two methods apply force to the rotating shaft itself at frequencies independent of the rotor speed. During testing, blade vibration is monitored with strain gauges and laser displacement probes.

Duffy, Kirsten↗

Hollow Cathode Assembly Development for the HERMeS Hall Thruster

To support the operation of the HERMeS 12.5 kW Hall Thruster for NASA's Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission, hollow cathodes using emitters based on barium oxide impregnate and lanthanum hexaboride are being evaluated through wear-testing, performance characterization, plasma modeling, and review of integration requirements. This presentation will present the development approach used to assess the cathode emitter options. A 2,000-hour wear-test of development model Barium Oxide (BaO) hollow cathode is being performed as part of the development plan. Specifically this test is to identify potential impacts cathode emitter life during operation in the HERMeS thruster. The cathode was operated with a magnetic field-equipped anode that simulates the HERMeS hall thruster operating environment. Cathode discharge performance has been stable with the device accumulating 743 hours at the time of this report. Observed voltage changes are attributed to keeper surface condition changes during testing. Cathode behavior during characterization sweeps exhibited stable behavior, including cathode temperature. The details of the cathode assembly operation of the wear-test will be presented.

Propulsion Technology↗

Standard power regulator for the multi-mission modular spacecraft

The Standard Power Regulator Unit (SPRU) which forms the central building block of the Modular Power Subsystem (MPS) for the Multi-mission Modular Spacecraft (MMS) is described. A functional description of the SPRU is presented, detailing key design features, operational characteristics, and internal redundancy as well as giving block and schematic diagrams for all major subassemblies. The description of a qualification test program consisting of ten sequences ranging from a physical examination of the unit to calculating vibration and sine sweep of power on shock tests is presented. The results showed that some significant anomalies were encountered but no catastrophic failures were indicated, although several power module failures were found due to overvoltage malfunctions of the solar array stimulator.

Kichak, R. A.↗

Engineering the switching dynamics of TiO{sub x}-based RRAM with Al doping

Titanium oxide (TiO{sub x}) has attracted a lot of attention as an active material for resistive random access memory (RRAM), due to its versatility and variety of possible crystal phases. Although existing RRAM materials have demonstrated impressive characteristics, like ultra-fast switching and high cycling endurance, this technology still encounters challenges like low yields, large variability of switching characteristics, and ultimately device failure. Electroforming has been often considered responsible for introducing irreversible damage to devices, with high switching voltages contributing to device degradation. In this paper, we have employed Al doping for tuning the resistive switching characteristics of titanium oxide RRAM. The resistive switching threshold voltages of undoped and Al-doped TiO{sub x} thin films were first assessed by conductive atomic force microscopy. The thin films were then transferred in RRAM devices and tested with voltage pulse sweeping, demonstrating that the Al-doped devices could on average form at lower potentials compared to the undoped ones and could support both analog and binary switching at potentials as low as 0.9 V. This work demonstrates a potential pathway for implementing low-power RRAM systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Production of High-Purity O 2 via Membrane Contactor with Oxygen Carrier Solutions (Final Report)

Under the current research program, Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and University of South Carolina (USC) have been developing a bio-mimetic technology to produce greater than 95% purity oxygen from air via a hollow fiber membrane contactor (HFMC) with oxygen carrier solutions as the solvent. Low-cost poly (ethyleneimine)-cobalt (PEI-Co) complex solutions have been developed as the oxygen solvent. The PEI-Co complex with PEI/Co ratio of 10 was selected as the O 2 carrier solution for demonstrating O 2 separation performance in the membrane contactor due to its high O 2 capacity (1.1 L O 2 (STP)/L solution), fast uptake kinetics, and moderate viscosity (2.3 mPa∙s). In a membrane absorption test, the air was fed to the bore side of a hollow fiber membrane module whereas the PEI-Co solution was added to the shell side. A N 2 concentration as high as 99.4 vol% was observed in the outlet of the feed gas, indicating the majority of the O 2 was absorbed by the O 2 solvent. In integrated membrane absorption/desorption tests, vacuum and argon sweeps were used to achieve a high purity of oxygen. With the argon sweep approach, an O 2 concentration greater than 99.6% was observed in the desorbed gas stream on an argon-free basis. Overall, this proof-of-concept technology development has been successful as we have met all of the project milestones.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Application of a performance modeling technique to an airplane with variable sweep wings

A performance modeling concept previously applied to an F-104F G and a YF-12C airplane was applied to an F-111A airplane. This application extended the concept to an airplane with variable sweep wings. The performance model adequately matched flight test data for maneuvers flown at different wing sweep angles at maximum afterburning and intermediate power settings. For maneuvers flown at less than intermediate power, including dynamic maneuvers, the performance model was not validated because the method used to correlate model and in-flight power setting was not adequate. Individual dynamic maneuvers were matched sucessfully by using adjustments unique to each maneuver.

Redin, P. C.↗

Experimental transonic flutter characteristics of supersonic cruise configurations

The flutter characteristics of a generic arrow-wing supersonic transport configuration are studied. The wing configuration has a 3 percent biconvex airfoil and a leading-edge sweep of 73 deg out to a cranked tip with a 60 deg leading-edge sweep. The ground vibration tests and flutter test procedure are described. The effects of flutter on engine nacelles, fuel loading, wing-mounted vertical fin, wing angle-of-attack, and wing tip mass and stiffness distributions are analyzed. The data reveal that engine nacelles reduce the transonic flutter dynamic pressure by 25-30 percent; fuel loadings decrease dynamic pressures by 25 percent; 4-6 deg wing angles-of-attack cause steep transonic boundaries; and 5-10 percent changes in flutter dynamic pressures are the result of the wing-mounted vertical fin and wing-tip mass and stiffness distributions.

Durham, Michael H.↗

Investigation at Mach Numbers of 0.20 to 3.50 of a Blended Diamond Wing and Body Combination of Sonic Design but with Low Wave-Drag Increase with Increasing Mach Number

A diamond wing and body combination was designed to have an area distribution which would result in near optimum zero-lift wave-drag coefficients at a Mach number of 1.00, and decreasing wave-drag coefficient with increasing Mach number up to near sonic leading-edge conditions for the wing. The airfoil section were computed by varying their shape along with the body radii (blending process) to match the selected area distribution and the given plan form. The exposed wing section had an average maximum thickness of about 3 percent of the local chords, and the maximum thickness of the center-line chord was 5.49 percent. The wing had an aspect ratio of 2 and a leading-edge sweep of 45 deg. Test data were obtained throughout the Mach number range from 0.20 to 3.50 at Reynolds numbers based on the mean aerodynamic chord of roughly 6,000,000 to 9,000,000. The zero-lift wave-drag coefficients of the diamond model satisfied the design objectives and were equal to the low values for the Mach number 1.00 equivalent body up to the limit of the transonic tests. From the peak drag coefficient near M = 1.00 there was a gradual decrease in wave-drag coefficient up to M = 1.20. Above sonic leading-edge conditions of the wing there was a rise in the wave-drag coefficient which was attributed in part to the body contouring as well as to the wing geometry. The diamond model had good lift characteristics, in spite of the prediction from low-aspect-ratio theory that the rear half of the diamond wing would carry little lift. The experimental lift-curve slope obtained at supersonic speeds were equal to or greater than the values predicted by linear theory. Similarly the other basic aerodynamic parameters, aerodynamic center position, and maximum lift-drag ratios were satisfactorily predicted at supersonic speeds.

Holdaway, George H.↗

Estimation of Aircraft Unsteady Aerodynamic Parameters from Dynamic Wind Tunnel Testing

Improved aerodynamic mathematical models, for use in aircraft simulation or flight control design, are required when representing nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics. A key limitation of conventional aerodynamic models is the inability to map frequency and amplitude dependent data into the equations of motion directly. In an effort to obtain a more general formulation of the aerodynamic model, researchers have been led to a parallel requirement for more general testing methods. Testing for a more comprehensive model can lead to a very time consuming number of tests especially if traditional single frequency harmonic testing is attempted. This paper presents an alternative to traditional single frequency forced-oscillation testing by utilizing Schroeder sweeps to efficiently obtain the frequency response of the unsteady aerodynamic model. Schroeder inputs provide signals with a flat power spectrum over a specified frequency band. For comparison, experimental results using the traditional single-frequency inputs are also considered. A method for data analysis to determine an adequate unsteady aerodynamic model is presented. Discussion of associated issues that arise during this type of analysis and comparison of results using traditional single frequency analysis are provided.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗

Analysis of Piezoelectric Structural Sensors with Emergent Computing Techniques

The purpose of this project was to try to interpret the results of some tests that were performed earlier this year and to demonstrate a possible use of emergence in computing to solve IVHM problems. The test data used was collected with piezoelectric sensors to detect mechanical changes in structures. This project team was included of Dr. Doug Ramers and Dr. Abdul Jallob of the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, Arnaldo Colon-Lopez - a student intern from the University of Puerto Rico of Turabo, and John Lassister and Bob Engberg of the Structural and Dynamics Test Group. The tests were performed by Bob Engberg to compare the performance two types of piezoelectric (piezo) sensors, Pb(Zr(sub 1-1)Ti(sub x))O3, which we will label PZT, and Pb(Zn(sub 1/3)Nb(sub 2/3))O3-PbTiO, which we will label SCP. The tests were conducted under varying temperature and pressure conditions. One set of tests was done by varying water pressure inside an aluminum liner covered with carbon-fiber composite layers (a cylindrical "bottle" with domed ends) and the other by varying temperatures down to cryogenic levels on some specially prepared composite panels. This report discusses the data from the pressure study. The study of the temperature results was not completed in time for this report. The particular sensing done with these piezo sensors is accomplished by the sensor generating an controlled vibration that is transmitted into the structure to which the sensor is attached, and the same sensor then responding to the induced vibration of the structure. There is a relationship between the mechanical impedance of the structure and the resulting electrical impedance produced in the in the piezo sensor. The impedance is also a function of the excitation frequency. Changes in the real part of impendance signature relative to an original reference signature indicate a change in the coupled structure that could be the results of damage or strain. The water pressure tests were conducted by pressurizing the bottle on a test stand, and running sweeps of excitations frequencies for each of the piezo sensors and recording the resulting impedance. The sweeps were limited to 401 points by the available analyzer, and it was decided to perform individual sweeps at five different excitation frequency ranges. The frequency ranges used for the PZTs were different in two of the five ranges from the ranges used for the SCP. The bottles were pressurized to empty (no water), 0psig, 77 psig, 155 psig, 227 psig in nearly uniform increments of about 77psi. One of each of the two types of piezo sensors was fastened on to the bottle surface at two locations: about midway between the ends on cylindrical portion of the bottle and at the very edge of one of the end domes. The data was collected in files by sensor type (2 cases), by location (2 cases), by frequency range (5 cases), and pressure (5cases) to produce 100 data sets of 401 impedances. After familiarization with the piezo sensing technology and obtaining the data, the team developed a set of questions to try to answer regarding the data and made assignments of responsibilities. The next section lists the questions, and the remainder of the report describes the data analysis work performed by Dr. Ramers. This includes a discussion of the data, the approach to answering the question using statistical techniques, the use of an emergent system to investigate the data where statistical techniques were not usable, conclusions regarding the data, and recommendations.

Ramers, Douglas L.↗

NASA GSFC Report on CCSDS Recommendations 2.1.8A B Minimum Earth Station Transmitter Frequency Resolution for Spacecraft Receiver Acquisition

In Fall 2016, ESA presented paper SLS-RFM 16-10 documenting a possible issue with the frequency lock-in range specification in Recommendation 2.1.8A of typically 267 to 1067 Hz in considerings (b) from considerings (a) for loop bandwidths [2B(sub LO)] in the range of 200 to 800 Hz with a recommendation of 100 Hz step size for frequency sweeping. The paper calculated the lock-in range to be (+/-)266 to (+/-)1064 rad/s or (+/-)42 to (+/-)168 Hz. Also, Recommendation 2.1.8B has the same issue for considering (a) and (b), i.e. for 2B(sub LO) =10 Hz, a lock-in range of 13 Hz was specified and a recommendation of 5 Hz step size for frequency sweeping. ESA also provided test results from the Rosetta and Exomars transponders. The results were somewhat inconsistent since the tests to verify lock-in and pull-in range did not include acquisition time, which is vital to the definition of these performance measures. This paper will address these test results below. However, we first examine the rationale for Recommendation 2.1.8A/B and its consistency with the theory of 2nd order phase lock loop operations. Our approach is to design a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) from phase locked loop (PLL) requirements. All analysis will be performed with a DPLL.

digital phase locked loop↗