Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Extensibility”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Mean flow and variability in the Kuroshio Extension from Geosat altimetry data

The mean flow and temporal and spatial variations of the Kuroshio Extension in the region of 140-180 deg E and 30-40 deg N are investigated using altimeter data from the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission (ERM). Mean surface height profiles are estimated along individual tracks by assuming the velocity profile of the Kuroshio Extension to be Gaussian-shaped and by successively fitting this synthetic current's height profile to the residual height data. The mean profiles from ascending and descending tracks are used to derive the mean surface height by an inverse method and to obtain the absolute surface height fields for the first 2.5 yr of the Geosat ERM. Both the mean and the instantaneous height fields thus derived compare well with the available hydrographic data and the SST patterns from the NOAA satellites. Effects of deep mean flow and baroclinic shear are found to be important in explaining the observed propagation speeds.

Qiu, BO↗

Extension and strain in Northern Tharsis

The northern areas of Tharsis, south of Alba Patera, are remarkable in that they are dominated by extensive, generally north trending graben. Some graben are small isolated features whereas others are complex overlapping features in which individual fault pairs are impossible to separate. This pattern indicates an east-west extensional stress regime, consistent with stress models for Tharsis. To estimate the regional east-west extension and strain, graben along a profile at 35 N latitude, between longitudes 135 and 93 degs were studied. This profile was chosen because the graben have a northerly trend, the structures are relatively simple, the profile is anchored to ancient Noachian age crust, and high resolution images are available. The western end of the profile begins at Acheron Fossae and ends in the east at the southwestern part of Tempe Fossae. Plains units cut by the graben include Hesperian and Amazonian age members of the Alba Patera and Ceraunius Fossae Formations.

Plescia, J. B.↗

Extensions to the Parallel Real-Time Artificial Intelligence System (PRAIS) for fault-tolerant heterogeneous cycle-stealing reasoning

Extensions to an architecture for real-time, distributed (parallel) knowledge-based systems called the Parallel Real-time Artificial Intelligence System (PRAIS) are discussed. PRAIS strives for transparently parallelizing production (rule-based) systems, even under real-time constraints. PRAIS accomplished these goals (presented at the first annual C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS) conference) by incorporating a dynamic task scheduler, operating system extensions for fact handling, and message-passing among multiple copies of CLIPS executing on a virtual blackboard. This distributed knowledge-based system tool uses the portability of CLIPS and common message-passing protocols to operate over a heterogeneous network of processors. Results using the original PRAIS architecture over a network of Sun 3's, Sun 4's and VAX's are presented. Mechanisms using the producer-consumer model to extend the architecture for fault-tolerance and distributed truth maintenance initiation are also discussed.

Goldstein, David↗

Hierarchic Extensions in the Static and Dynamic Analysis of Elastic Beams

Approximate solutions of static and dynamic beam problems by the p-version of the finite element method are investigated. Within a hierarchy of engineering beam idealizations, rigorous formulations of the strain and kinetic energies for straight and circular beam elements are presented. These formulations include rotating coordinate system effects and geometric nonlinearities to allow for the evaluation of vertical axis wind turbines, the motivating problem for this research. Hierarchic finite element spaces, based on extensions of the polynomial orders used to approximate the displacement variables, are constructed. The developed models are implemented into a general purpose computer program for evaluation. Quality control procedures are examined for a diverse set of sample problems. These procedures include estimating discretization errors in energy norm and natural frequencies, performing static and dynamic equilibrium checks, observing convergence for qualities of interest, and comparison with more exacting theories and experimental data. It is demonstrated that p-extensions produce exponential rates of convergence in the approximation of strain energy and natural frequencies for the class of problems investigated.

Watson, Robert A.↗

Low-speed Aileron Effectiveness as Determined by Force Tests and Visual-flow Observations on a 52 Degree Sweptback Wing with and Without Chord-extensions

The results of an investigation of the effects of leading-edge chord-extensions and extensible leading-edge flaps on the low-speed aileron characteristics of a 52 degrees sweptback wing with circular-arc airfoil sections are presented. A description and illustrations of the vortex flow as it passes over the wing are included. The investigation was conducted at Reynolds numbers of 5.5 times 10(exp 6) and 1.3 times 10(exp 6) and corresponding Mach numbers of 0.11 and 0.065 for an angle-of-attack range of 0 degrees through stall.

CONTROLS, FLAP-TYPE - COMPLETE WINGS↗

Investigation of the Effects of Leading-edge Chord-extensions and Fences in Combination with Leading-edge Flaps on the Aerodynamic Characteristics at Mach Numbers from 0.40 to 0.93 of a 45 Degree Sweptback Wing of Aspect Ratio 4

This investigation was made to determine the effects of 6 degree full-spoan and 3 degree partial-span leading-edge flaps in combination with chord-extensions or fences on the aerodynamic characteristics of a wing-fuselage configuration with a 45 degree sweptback wing of aspect ratio 4, taper ratio 0.3, and NACA 65A006 airfoil sections. The investigation was made in the Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot tunnel over a Mach number range of 0.40 to 0.93 and an angle-of-attack range of about -2 degrees to 24 degrees. Lift, drag, and pitching-moment data were obtained for all configurations. From overall considerations of stability and performance it appears that with the model of this investigation the 6 degree full-span leading-edge flaps in combination with the chord-extension over the outboard 35 percent of the span, with or without leading-edge camber, would be the most desirable configuration.

Spreeman, Kenneth P↗

Fault geometries and extension in the Valles Marineris, Mars

The central troughs of the Valles Marineris system on Mars are generally regarded to be of tectonic origin because they are linear and bounded by faults. Their radial orientation to the Tharsis rise suggests that at least their incipient formation was influenced by the formation of the rise, but the exact role of Tharsis is not yet well understood. Collapse and erosion may have significantly modified the original tectonic troughs. To better understand the magnitude and mechanism of crustal extension across the Valles Marineris, the attitudes of trough-wall faults that parallel the long axes of the troughs were studied. Our results will help to determine if the extension is related to the Tharsis rise, to a local arch along which the troughs lie, or to other mechanisms. Fault-plane attitudes were obtained by performing a photogrammetric study of fault traces in the walls of Candor and Melas Chasmata. If the exposed wall faults are not major trough-bounding faults, it is assumed that these major faults are buried at the base of the walls and have similar geometries to the exposed faults. Three dimensional coordinates of several points along each fault trace were obtained and three-point solutions to their geometries were constructed. As expected, the results show that the faults dip toward the interior of the troughs, suggesting that they are indeed normal faults associated with trough formation.

Chadwick, D. J.↗

An anisotropic extension of Bodner's model of viscoplasticity: Model development

An anisotropic viscoplasticity model is developed as an extension of the well known Bodner model. The extension is made by replacing the effective stress of the isotropic Bodner model by one involving invariants for transverse isotropy. The resulting model retains the simplicity of Bodner's in the ease with which the material constants are determined experimentally. It allows a representation of strong initial anisotropy yet is based on the scalar state variable under the assertion that induced anisotropy is negligible relative to the strong initial anisotropy. Temperature dependence is taken as in the original Bodner theory. Account is made of fiber volume fraction through nonlinear rules of mixture applied to the stress history and anisotropy parameters. Focus is on the theoretical development of the model, however, application to a W/Cu composite is in progress and will be reported as a sequel to this report.

Robinson, David N.↗

Kinematic modeling of a double octahedral Variable Geometry Truss (VGT) as an extensible gimbal

This paper presents the complete forward and inverse kinematics solutions for control of the three degree-of-freedom (DOF) double octahedral variable geometry truss (VGT) module as an extensible gimbal. A VGT is a truss structure partially comprised of linearly actuated members. A VGT can be used as joints in a large, lightweight, high load-bearing manipulator for earth- and space-based remote operations, plus industrial applications. The results have been used to control the NASA VGT hardware as an extensible gimbal, demonstrating the capability of this device to be a joint in a VGT-based manipulator. This work is an integral part of a VGT-based manipulator design, simulation, and control tool.

Williams, Robert L., II↗

Dynamic testing and analysis of extension-twist-coupled composite tubular spars

The results from a study aimed at improving the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of composite rotor blades through the use of extension-twist elastic coupling are presented. A set of extension-twist-coupled composite tubular spars, representative of the primary load carrying structure within a helicopter rotor blade, was manufactured using four plies of woven graphite/epoxy cloth 'prepreg.' These spars were non-circular in cross section design and were therefore subject to warping deformations. Three cross-sectional geometries were developed: square, D-shape, and flattened ellipse. Results from free-free vibration tests of the spars were compared with results from normal modes and frequency analyses of companion shell-finite-element models developed in MSC/NASTRAN. Five global or 'non-shell' modes were identified within the 0-2000 Hz range for each spar. The frequencies and associated mode shapes for the D-shape spar were correlated with analytical results, showing agreement within 13.8 percent. Frequencies corresponding to the five global mode shapes for the square spar agreed within 9.5 percent of the analytical results. Five global modes were similarly identified for the elliptical spar and agreed within 4.9 percent of the respective analytical results.

Lake, Renee C.↗

An extension of the Lighthill theory of jet noise to encompass refraction and shielding

A formalism for jet noise prediction is derived that includes the refractive 'cone of silence' and other effects; outside the cone it approximates the simple Lighthill format. A key step is deferral of the simplifying assumption of uniform density in the dominant 'source' term. The result is conversion to a convected wave equation retaining the basic Lighthill source term. The main effect is to amend the Lighthill solution to allow for refraction by mean flow gradients, achieved via a frequency-dependent directional factor. A general formula for power spectral density emitted from unit volume is developed as the Lighthill-based value multiplied by a squared 'normalized' Green's function (the directional factor), referred to a stationary point source. The convective motion of the sources, with its powerful amplifying effect, also directional, is already accounted for in the Lighthill format: wave convection and source convection are decoupled. The normalized Green's function appears to be near unity outside the refraction dominated 'cone of silence', this validates our long term practice of using Lighthill-based approaches outside the cone, with extension inside via the Green's function. The function is obtained either experimentally (injected 'point' source) or numerically (computational aeroacoustics). Approximation by unity seems adequate except near the cone and except when there are shrouding jets: in that case the difference from unity quantifies the shielding effect. Further extension yields dipole and monopole source terms (cf. Morfey, Mani, and others) when the mean flow possesses density gradients (e.g., hot jets).

Ribner, Herbert S.↗

A Simple Stratosphere-Mesosphere Extension of the Held-Suarez Forcing for Dynamical Cores

A simple extension of the Held-Suarez (H-S) forcing that is capable of producing a realistic general circulation not only in the troposphere but also the stratosphere and the mesosphere will be presented. Similar to the original H-S forcing, an annual-mean like radiative equilibrium temperature is used. This extension is an ideal test bed for gravity wave drag parameterizations. It is also an inexpensive test bed for studying the mechanism of the Quasi-Biannual oscillations (QBO) and the "age spectrum" of the dynamical core formulation. The "mean climate" as well as the natural variability of the middle atmosphere as simulated by the NASA Data Assimilation Office finite-volume dynamical core under this forcing will be shown.

Lin, S.-J.↗

Extension Across Tempe Terra, Mars from MOLA Topographic Measurements

Previously, methods of estimating the extension across grabens and rifts on Mars by necessity relied on photogeologic methods such as shadow measurement, crater ellipticity, or photoclinometry. With the new data being returned by the Mars Global Surveyor, specifically from the Mars Orbital Laser Altimeter (MOLA), it is now possible to directly measure the depths of these structures and therefore to estimate more accurately the amount of extension. Here we provide an example of this new approach in the Tempe Terra region. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Harrington, B. W.↗

An Extensible Information Grid for Risk Management

This paper describes recent work on developing an extensible information grid for risk management at NASA - a RISK INFORMATION GRID. This grid is being developed by integrating information grid technology with risk management processes for a variety of risk related applications. To date, RISK GRID applications are being developed for three main NASA processes: risk management - a closed-loop iterative process for explicit risk management, program/project management - a proactive process that includes risk management, and mishap management - a feedback loop for learning from historical risks that escaped other processes. This is enabled through an architecture involving an extensible database, structuring information with XML, schemaless mapping of XML, and secure server-mediated communication using standard protocols.

Maluf, David A.↗

Response of Damaged and Undamaged Tailored Extension-Shear-Coupled Composite Panels

The results of an analytical and experimental investigation of the response of composite I-stiffener panels with extension-shear coupling are presented. This tailored concept, when used in the panel cover skins of a tiltrotor aircraft wing has the potential for increasing the aeroelastic stability margins and improving the aircraft productivity. The extension-shear coupling is achieved by using unbalanced +/- 45 deg. plies in the skin. Experimental and STAGS analysis results are compared for eight I-stiffener panel specimens. The results indicate that the tailored concept would be feasible to use in the wing skin of a tiltrotor aircraft. Evaluation of specimens impacted at energy level of 500 in.-lbs indicate a minimal loss in stiffness and less than 30 percent loss in strength. Evaluation of specimens with severed center stiffener and adjacent skin indicated a strength loss in excess of percent.

Baker, Donald J.↗

Flight Tests of a Curtiss No. 838-1C2-18 Three-Blade Propeller Having Trailing-Edge Extensions

Flight tests to determine propeller performance have been made of a Curtiss No. 838-102-18 three-blade propeller having trailing-edge extensions on a Republic P-47D-28 airplane in climb and high speed. These tests are a part of a general propeller flight-test program at the Langley Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Results of climb tests indicate that when power is changed from approximately 1475 horsepower at 2550 rpm (roughly normal power) to 2400 horsepower at 2700 rpm (approximately military power) there is a loss in propeller efficiency of 3 percent at an altitude of 7000 feet, and 4 percent at 21,000 feet. At an airplane Mach number of 0.7 there is a gain of 9 percent in propeller efficiency when the power coefficient per blade is increased from 0.06 to 0.09. Optimum power coefficient per blade at this Mach number is estimated to be approximately 0.12. An analysis to determine the effect of the addition of extensions on the performance of the basic propeller blades indicates that climb performance was increased but high-speed performance was reduced. Both effects, however, were small.

Gardner, John J.↗

Nebraska NativeGEM (Geospatial Extension Model)

This proposal, Nebraska NativeGEM (Geospatial Extension Model) features a unique diversity component stemming from the exceptional reputation NNSGC has built by delivering geospatial science experiences to Nebraska s Native Americans. For 7 years, NNSGC has partner4 with the 2 tribal colleges and 4 reservation school districts in Nebraska to form the Nebraska Native American Outreach Program (NNAOP), a partnership among tribal community leaders, academia, tribal schools, and industry reaching close to 1,OOO Native American youth, over 1,200 community members (Lehrer & Zendajas, 2001).NativeGEM addresses all three key components of Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) goals for advancing decision support, education, and workforce development through the GES. The existing long term commitments that the NNSGC and the GES have in these areas allow for the pursuit of a broad range of activities. NativeGEM builds upon these existing successful programs and collaborations. Outcomes and metrics for each proposed project are detailed in the Approach section of this document.

Bowen, Brent↗

Failure Analysis of Discrete Damaged Tailored Extension-Shear-Coupled Stiffened Composite Panels

The results of an analytical and experimental investigation of the failure of composite is tiffener panels with extension-shear coupling are presented. This tailored concept, when used in the cover skins of a tiltrotor aircraft wing has the potential for increasing the aeroelastic stability margins and improving the aircraft productivity. The extension-shear coupling is achieved by using unbalanced 45 plies in the skin. The failure analysis of two tailored panel configurations that have the center stringer and adjacent skin severed is presented. Finite element analysis of the damaged panels was conducted using STAGS (STructural Analysis of General Shells) general purpose finite element program that includes a progressive failure capability for laminated composite structures that is based on point-stress analysis, traditional failure criteria, and ply discounting for material degradation. The progressive failure predicted the path of the failure and maximum load capability. There is less than 12 percent difference between the predicted failure load and experimental failure load. There is a good match of the panel stiffness and strength between the progressive failure analysis and the experimental results. The results indicate that the tailored concept would be feasible to use in the wing skin of a tiltrotor aircraft.

Baker, Donald J.↗