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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 145 records · Page 8

Development of four-dimensional atmospheric models and application techniques for space mission simulation.

The major objective of the four-dimensional atmospheric model program is to provide global profiles of moisture, temperature, pressure, and density from the surface to 25 km altitude. These models may then be used as input to the attenuation models for the purpose of simulating earth resource missions. Aspects of data processing are discussed together with homogeneous moisture regions, details regarding four-dimensional atmospheric models, and mission simulation procedures.-

Spiegler, D. B.↗

A statistical rain attenuation prediction model with application to the advanced communication technology satellite project. 1: Theoretical development and application to yearly predictions for selected cities in the United States

A rain attenuation prediction model is described for use in calculating satellite communication link availability for any specific location in the world that is characterized by an extended record of rainfall. Such a formalism is necessary for the accurate assessment of such availability predictions in the case of the small user-terminal concept of the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Project. The model employs the theory of extreme value statistics to generate the necessary statistical rainrate parameters from rain data in the form compiled by the National Weather Service. These location dependent rain statistics are then applied to a rain attenuation model to obtain a yearly prediction of the occurrence of attenuation on any satellite link at that location. The predictions of this model are compared to those of the Crane Two-Component Rain Model and some empirical data and found to be very good. The model is then used to calculate rain attenuation statistics at 59 locations in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) for the 20 GHz downlinks and 30 GHz uplinks of the proposed ACTS system. The flexibility of this modeling formalism is such that it allows a complete and unified treatment of the temporal aspects of rain attenuation that leads to the design of an optimum stochastic power control algorithm, the purpose of which is to efficiently counter such rain fades on a satellite link.

Manning, Robert M.↗

Model atmosphere for engineering applications.

A model has been developed which can be used to determine system responses to nominal profiles of atmospheric parameters from orbital altitudes down to 25 km altitude. At the present time perturbations can be added to the model on an individual basis. However, future plans are for the inclusion of identified perturbations on a routine basis so that system sensitivities can be identified, evaluated, and minimized by design and operational constraints.

Smith, R. E.↗

Equivalent-Continuum Modeling With Application to Carbon Nanotubes

A method has been proposed for developing structure-property relationships of nano-structured materials. This method serves as a link between computational chemistry and solid mechanics by substituting discrete molecular structures with equivalent-continuum models. It has been shown that this substitution may be accomplished by equating the vibrational potential energy of a nano-structured material with the strain energy of representative truss and continuum models. As important examples with direct application to the development and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes and the design of nanotube-based devices, the modeling technique has been applied to determine the effective-continuum geometry and bending rigidity of a graphene sheet. A representative volume element of the chemical structure of graphene has been substituted with equivalent-truss and equivalent continuum models. As a result, an effective thickness of the continuum model has been determined. This effective thickness has been shown to be significantly larger than the interatomic spacing of graphite. The effective thickness has been shown to be significantly larger than the inter-planar spacing of graphite. The effective bending rigidity of the equivalent-continuum model of a graphene sheet was determined by equating the vibrational potential energy of the molecular model of a graphene sheet subjected to cylindrical bending with the strain energy of an equivalent continuum plate subjected to cylindrical bending.

Odegard, Gregory M.↗

Human Factors Applications of Biomechanical Modeling

Biomechanical data collection and modeling has applications to the field of human factors. Specifically, motion data can be used to determine the operational volume necessary for performing a task. The operational volume assessment can be performed in order to determine how much volume is needed to perform the task or if task performance can be contained and adequately performed within an allocated volume. Motion and external force data, along with computational modeling techniques, can be used to estimate the internal loading produced during performance of a task. Internal loading estimates can be used to determine if an adequate stimulus is generated for maintenance of musculoskeletal health and also for comparison to injury thresholds to determine injury risk during task performance.

Lewandowski, Beth↗

Aeroservoelastic modeling and applications using minimum-state approximations of the unsteady aerodynamics

The theoretical basis of flexible-aircraft modeling techniques encompassing aerodynamic, control, and elastic-structure effects is investigated analytically, with a focus on methods which employ minimum-state approximations for the unsteady aerodynamics. Rational-function approximations to generalized aerodynamic forces are reviewed; constraints and lag-coefficient optimization are explained; the problem of physical weighting in the minimum-state equations of motion is examined; and results of typical analyses from the NASA Active Flexible Wing project (Perry et al., 1988) are presented in extensive tables and graphs and discussed in detail. The minimum-state approach is shown to produce accurate models at significantly reduced computation costs.

Tiffany, Sherwood H.↗

Application of Model Reference Adaptive Control System to Instrument Pointing System /IPS/

A Model Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC) is derived for a Shuttle payload called the Instrument Pointing System (IPS). The unique features of this MRAC design are that total state feedback is not required, that the internal structure of the model is independent of the internal structure of the IPS, and that the model input is of bounded variation and not required a priori. An application of Liapunov's stability theorems is used to synthesize a control signal which assures MRAC asymptotic stability. Exponential observers are used to obtain the necessary state information to implement the control synthesis. Results are presented which show how effectively the MRAC can maneuver the IPS.

Waites, H. B.↗

A universal model for estimating wheat yields

A universal wheat yield model applicable to both fall- and spring-planted wheat was developed to show separate and joint effects of weather and culture on yields. Data from state experiment stations in a wide range of climates in the U.S. Great Plains were used to build basic relationships among yields, weather, and culture. The application of the model on a macroclimatic scale in the U.S., the U.S.S.R., and India is discussed along with potential improvements.

Feyerherm, A. M.↗

Implementation of Model-Based Design of Experiments: Application of Computational Modeling to Support HRP Studies

This study illustrates the potential gains obtained by leveraging computational modeling to improve experimental efficiency in NASA research and counter measures studies through implementation of Model-Based Design of Experiments (MBDOE). MBDOE is a method to utilize analogous computational models to improve understanding of complex, multifactor, experimental responses and to determine experimental conditions and optimize information in the fewest number of experimental tests.

physiological response↗

Global enclosure fire modeling with applications

A brief review of LERC (Limiting Energy Release Criteria) is presented. Application of LERC to JSC/Boeing ignition source full-scale tests and to JSC/Dacfir math-model validation tests is outlined. It is concluded that: (1) a complete LERC application to the JSC/Boeing tests verifies the fuel load criterion as the limiting constraint; (2) the variability of magnitude and form of the results of repeated tests with and without small variations in parameters emphasizes the significance of the local flow, species concentration, and heat transfer distribution; and (3) weight loss measurements of recent JSC tests show consistent results with prior methods, fuel load constrained.

Stuart, J. W.↗

Interactive access and management for four-dimensional environmental data sets using McIDAS

Significant accomplishments in the following areas are presented: (1) enhancements to the visualization of 5-D data sets (VIS-5D); (2) development of the visualization of global images (VIS-GI) application; (3) design of the Visualization for Algorithm Development (VIS-AD) System; and (4) numerical modeling applications. The focus of current research and future research plans is presented and the following topics are addressed: (1) further enhancements to VIS-5D; (2) generalization and enhancement of the VIS-GI application; (3) the implementation of the VIS-AD System; and (4) plans for modeling applications.

Hibbard, William L.↗

A High-Order, Time Invariant, Linearized Model for Application to HHCIAFCS Interaction Studies

This paper describes a methodology for the extraction of a linear time invariant model from a nonlinear helicopter model, and followed by an examination of the interactions of the Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) and the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). This new method includes an embedded harmonic analyzer inside a linear time invariant model, which allows the periodicity of the helicopter response to be captured. The: coupled high-order model provides the needed level of dynamic fidelity to permit an analysis and optimization of the AFCS and HHC loops. Results of this study indicate that the closed-loop HHC system has little influence on the AFCS or on the vehicle handling qualities, which indicates that the AFCS does not need modification to work with the HHC system. The results also show that the vibration response to maneuvers must be considered during the HHC design process, which leads to much higher required HHC loop crossover frequencies. This research also demonstrates that the transient vibration response during maneuvers can be reduced by optimizing the closed-loop higher harmonic control laws using conventional control system analyses.

Cheng, Rendy P.↗

Development of simplified ecosystem models for applications in Earth system studies: The Century experience

During the past decade, a growing need to conduct regional assessments of long-term trends of ecosystem behavior and the technology to meet this need have converged. The Century model is the product of research efforts initially intended to develop a general model of plant-soil ecosystem dynamics for the North American central grasslands. This model is now being used to simulate plant production, nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter dynamics for grassland, crop, forest, and shrub ecosystems in various regions of the world, including temperate and tropical ecosystems. This paper will focus on the philosophical approach used to develop the structure of Century. The steps included were model simplification, parameterization, and testing. In addition, the importance of acquiring regional data bases for model testing and the present regional application of Century in the Great Plains, which focus on regional ecosystem dynamics and the effect of altering environmental conditions, are discussed.

Parton, William J.↗

Co-registration of Laser Altimeter Tracks with Digital Terrain Models and Applications in Planetary Science

We have derived algorithms and techniques to precisely co-register laser altimeter profiles with gridded Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), typically derived from stereo images. The algorithm consists of an initial grid search followed by a least-squares matching and yields the translation parameters at sub-pixel level needed to align the DTM and the laser profiles in 3D space. This software tool was primarily developed and tested for co-registration of laser profiles from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) with DTMs derived from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) stereo images. Data sets can be co-registered with positional accuracy between 0.13 m and several meters depending on the pixel resolution and amount of laser shots, where rough surfaces typically result in more accurate co-registrations. Residual heights of the data sets are as small as 0.18 m. The software can be used to identify instrument misalignment, orbit errors, pointing jitter, or problems associated with reference frames being used. Also, assessments of DTM effective resolutions can be obtained. From the correct position between the two data sets, comparisons of surface morphology and roughness can be made at laser footprint- or DTM pixel-level. The precise co-registration allows us to carry out joint analysis of the data sets and ultimately to derive merged high-quality data products. Examples of matching other planetary data sets, like LOLA with LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) DTMs or Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) with stereo models from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) as well as Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) with Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) are shown to demonstrate the broad science applications of the software tool.

Laser↗

Toward a New Generation of Agricultural System Data, Models, and Knowledge Products: State of Agricultural Systems Science

We review the current state of agricultural systems science, focusing in particular on the capabilities and limitations of agricultural systems models. We discuss the state of models relative to five different Use Cases spanning field, farm, landscape, regional, and global spatial scales and engaging questions in past, current, and future time periods. Contributions from multiple disciplines have made major advances relevant to a wide range of agricultural system model applications at various spatial and temporal scales. Although current agricultural systems models have features that are needed for the Use Cases, we found that all of them have limitations and need to be improved. We identified common limitations across all Use Cases, namely 1) a scarcity of data for developing, evaluating, and applying agricultural system models and 2) inadequate knowledge systems that effectively communicate model results to society. We argue that these limitations are greater obstacles to progress than gaps in conceptual theory or available methods for using system models. New initiatives on open data show promise for addressing the data problem, but there also needs to be a cultural change among agricultural researchers to ensure that data for addressing the range of Use Cases are available for future model improvements and applications. We conclude that multiple platforms and multiple models are needed for model applications for different purposes. The Use Cases provide a useful framework for considering capabilities and limitations of existing models and data.

Livestock models↗

Vapor-liquid equilibrium thermodynamics of N2 + CH4 - Model and Titan applications

A thermodynamic model is presented for vapor-liquid equilibrium in the N2 + CH4 system, which is implicated in calculations of the Titan tropospheric clouds' vapor-liquid equilibrium thermodynamics. This model imposes constraints on the consistency of experimental equilibrium data, and embodies temperature effects by encompassing enthalpy data; it readily calculates the saturation criteria, condensate composition, and latent heat for a given pressure-temperature profile of the Titan atmosphere. The N2 content of condensate is about half of that computed from Raoult's law, and about 30 percent greater than that computed from Henry's law.

Thompson, W. R.↗