Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Representatives”

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

On Representative Spaceflight Instrument and Associated Instrument Sensor Web Framework

Sensor Web-based adaptation and sharing of space flight mission resources, including those of the Space-Ground and Control-User communication segment, could greatly benefit from utilization of heritage Internet Protocols and devices applied for Spaceflight (SpaceIP). This had been successfully demonstrated by a few recent spaceflight experiments. However, while terrestrial applications of Internet protocols are well developed and understood (mostly due to billions of dollars in investments by the military and industry), the spaceflight application of Internet protocols is still in its infancy. Progress in the developments of SpaceIP-enabled instrument components will largely determine the SpaceIP utilization of those investments and acceptance in years to come. Likewise SpaceIP, the development of commercial real-time and instrument colocated computational resources, data compression and storage, can be enabled on-board a spacecraft and, in turn, support a powerful application to Sensor Web-based design of a spaceflight instrument. Sensor Web-enabled reconfiguration and adaptation of structures for hardware resources and information systems will commence application of Field Programmable Arrays (FPGA) and other aerospace programmable logic devices for what this technology was intended. These are a few obvious potential benefits of Sensor Web technologies for spaceflight applications. However, they are still waiting to be explored. This is because there is a need for a new approach to spaceflight instrumentation in order to make these mature sensor web technologies applicable for spaceflight. In this paper we present an approach in developing related and enabling spaceflight instrument-level technologies based on the new concept of a representative spaceflight Instrument Sensor Web (ISW).

Kizhner, Semion↗

Ballistic Impact Response of Kevlar 49 and Zylon under Conditions Representing Jet Engine Fan Containment

A ballistic impact test program was conducted to provide validation data for the development of numerical models of blade out events in fabric containment systems. The impact response of two different fiber materials - Kevlar 49 (E.I. DuPont Nemours and Company) and Zylon AS (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) was studied by firing metal projectiles into dry woven fabric specimens using a gas gun. The shape, mass, orientation and velocity of the projectile were varied and recorded. In most cases the tests were designed such that the projectile would perforate the specimen, allowing measurement of the energy absorbed by the fabric. The results for both Zylon and Kevlar presented here represent a useful set of data for the purposes of establishing and validating numerical models for predicting the response of fabrics under conditions simulating those of a jet engine blade release situation. In addition some useful empirical observations were made regarding the effects of projectile orientation and the relative performance of the different materials.

Pereira, J. Michael↗

Testing of SMA-enabled Active Chevron Prototypes under Representative Flow Conditions

Control of jet noise continues to be an important research topic. Exhaust-nozzle chevrons have been shown to reduce jet noise, but parametric effects are not well understood. Additionally, thrust loss due to chevrons at cruise suggests significant benefit from active chevrons. The focus of this study is development of an active chevron concept for the primary purpose of parametric studies for jet noise reduction in the laboratory and secondarily for technology development to leverage for full scale systems. The active chevron concept employed in this work consists of a laminated composite structure with embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, termed a SMA hybrid composite (SMAHC). SMA actuators are embedded on one side of the neutral axis of the structure such that thermal excitation, via joule heating, generates a moment and deflects the structure. The performance of two active chevron concepts is demonstrated in the presence of representative flow conditions. One of the concepts is shown to possess significant advantages for the proposed application and is selected for further development. Fabrication and design changes are described and shown to produce a chevron prototype that meets the performance objectives.

Turner, Travis L.↗

Testing the Paradigm that Ultra-Luminous X-Ray Sources as a Class Represent Accreting Intermediate

To test the idea that ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in external galaxies represent a class of accreting Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs), we have undertaken a program to identify ULXs and a lower luminosity X-ray comparison sample with the highest quality data in the Chandra archive. We establish a general property of ULXs that the most X-ray luminous objects possess the fattest X-ray spectra (in the Chandra band pass). No prior sample studies have established the general hardening of ULX spectra with luminosity. This hardening occurs at the highest luminosities (absorbed luminosity > or equals 5x10(exp 39) ergs/s) and is in line with recent models arguing that ULXs are actually stellar-mass black holes. From spectral modeling, we show that the evidence originally taken to mean that ULXs are IMBHs - i.e., the "simple IMBH model" - is nowhere near as compelling when a large sample of ULXs is looked at properly. During the last couple of years, XMM-Newton spectroscopy of ULXs has to some large extent begun to negate the simple IMBH model based on fewer objects. We confirm and expand these results, which validates the XMM-Newton work in a broader sense with independent X-ray data. We find (1) that cool disk components are present with roughly equal probability and total flux fraction for any given ULX, regardless of luminosity, and (2) that cool disk components extend below the standard ULX luminosity cutoff of 10(exp 39) ergs/s, down to our sample limit of 10(exp 38:3) ergs/s. The fact that cool disk components are not correlated with luminosity damages the argument that cool disks indicate IMBHs in ULXs, for which a strong statistical support was never made.

Berghea, C. T.↗

Using Plates To Represent Fillets in Finite-Element Modeling

A method that involves the use of fictitious plate elements denoted b ridge plates has been developed for representing the stiffnesses of fillets in finiteelement calculations of deflections, stresses, and strains in structures. The bridge plates of the present method are re duced-order models of fillets that do not yield accurate stresses wi thin fillets but do make it possible to accurately calculate the dyna mic characteristics of the structure and to approximate the effects of fillets on stresses and strains elsewhere in a structure that con tains the fillets

Brown, Andrew↗

Suzaku Observes Weak Flares from IGRJ17391-3021 Representing a Common Low-Activity State in this SFXT

We present an analysis of a 37-ks observation of the supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT) IGRJ17391 -3021 (=XTEJ1739-302) gathered with Suzaku. The source evolved from quiescence to a low-activity level culminating in three weak flares lasting approx.3 ks each in which the peak luminosity is only a factor of 5 times that of the pre-flare luminosity. The minimum observed luminosity was 1.3 x 10(exp 33) erg/s (d/2.7 kpc)(exp 2) in the 0.5-10 keV range. The weak flares are accompanied by significant changes in the spectral parameters including a column density (N(sub H) = (4.1(+0.4/-0.5)) x 10(exp 22)/sq cm) that is approx.2-9 times the absorption measured during quiescence. Accretion of obscuring clumps of stellar wind material can explain both the small flares and the increase in NH. Placing this observation in the context of the recent Swift monitoring campaign, we find that weak-flaring episodes, or at least epochs of enhanced activity just above the quiescent level but well below the moderately bright or high-luminosity outbursts, represent more than 60+/-5% of all observations in the 0.5-10keV energy range making this the most common state in the emission behavior of IGRJ17391 -3021.

Bodaghee, A.↗

Design of a Representative Low Earth Orbit Satellite to Improve Existing Debris Models

This paper summarizes the process and methodologies used in the design of a small-satellite, DebriSat, that represents materials and construction methods used in modern day Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. This satellite will be used in a future hypervelocity impact test with the overall purpose to investigate the physical characteristics of modern LEO satellites after an on-orbit collision. The major ground-based satellite impact experiment used by DoD and NASA in their development of satellite breakup models was conducted in 1992. The target used for that experiment was a Navy Transit satellite (~40 cm, 35 kg) fabricated in the 1960 s. Modern satellites are very different in materials and construction techniques from a satellite built 40 years ago. Therefore, there is a need to conduct a similar experiment using a modern target satellite to improve the fidelity of the satellite breakup models. The design of DebriSat will focus on designing and building a next-generation satellite to more accurately portray modern satellites. The design of DebriSat included a comprehensive study of historical LEO satellite designs and missions within the past 15 years for satellites ranging from 10 kg to 5000 kg. This study identified modern trends in hardware, material, and construction practices utilized in recent LEO missions, and helped direct the design of DebriSat.

Clark, S.↗

Acoustic Characterization and Prediction of Representative, Small-Scale Rotary-Wing Unmanned Aircraft System Components

In this study, hover performance and acoustic measurements are taken on two different isolated rotors representative of small-scale rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for a range of rotation rates. Each rotor system consists of two fixed-pitch blades powered by a brushless motor. For nearly the same thrust condition, significant differences in overall sound pressure level (OASPL), up to 8 dB, and directivity were observed between the two rotor systems. Differences are shown to be in part attributed to different rotor tip speeds, along with increased broadband and motor noise levels. In addition to acoustic measurements, aeroacoustic predictions were implemented in order to better understand the noise content of the rotor systems. Numerical aerodynamic predictions were computed using the unsteady Reynoldsaveraged Navier Stokes code OVERFLOW2 on one of the isolated rotors, while analytical predictions were computed using the Propeller Analysis System of the Aircraft NOise Prediction Program (ANOPP-PAS) on the two rotor configurations. Preliminary semi-empirical frequency domain broadband noise predictions were also carried out based on airfoil self-noise theory in a rotational reference frame. The prediction techniques further supported trends identified in the experimental data analysis. The brushless motors were observed to be important noise contributors and warrant further investigation. It is believed that UAS acoustic prediction capabilities must consider both rotor and motor components as part of a combined noise-generating system.

Zawodny, Nikolas S.↗

Tool for Generation of MAC/GMC Representative Unit Cell for CMC/PMC Analysis

This document describes a recently developed analysis tool that enhances the resident capabilities of the Micromechanics Analysis Code with the Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC) 4.0. This tool is especially useful in analyzing ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), where higher fidelity with improved accuracy of local response is needed. The tool, however, can be used for analyzing polymer matrix composites (PMCs) as well. MAC/GMC 4.0 is a composite material and laminate analysis software developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. The software package has been built around the concept of the generalized method of cells (GMC). The computer code is developed with a user friendly framework, along with a library of local inelastic, damage, and failure models. Further, application of simulated thermomechanical loading, generation of output results, and selection of architectures to represent the composite material have been automated to increase the user friendliness, as well as to make it more robust in terms of input preparation and code execution. Finally, classical lamination theory has been implemented within the software, wherein GMC is used to model the composite material response of each ply. Thus, the full range of GMC composite material capabilities is available for analysis of arbitrary laminate configurations as well. The primary focus of the current effort is to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) capability that generates a number of different user-defined repeating unit cells (RUCs). In addition, the code has provisions for generation of a MAC/GMC-compatible input text file that can be merged with any MAC/GMC input file tailored to analyze composite materials. Although the primary intention was to address the three different constituents and phases that are usually present in CMCs-namely, fibers, matrix, and interphase-it can be easily modified to address two-phase polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials where an interphase is absent. Currently, the tool capability includes generation of RUCs for square packing, hexagonal packing, and random fiber packing as well as RUCs based on actual composite micrographs. All these options have the fibers modeled as having a circular cross-sectional area. In addition, a simplified version of RUC is provided where the fibers are treated as having a square cross section and are distributed randomly. This RUC facilitates a speedy analysis using the higher fidelity version of GMC known as HFGMC. The first four mentioned options above support uniform subcell discretization. The last one has variable subcell sizes due to the primary intention of keeping the RUC size to a minimum to gain the speed ups using the higher fidelity version of MAC. The code is implemented within the MATLAB (The Mathworks, Inc., Natick, MA) developmental framework; however, a standalone application that does not need a priori MATLAB installation is also created with the aid of the MATLAB compiler.

Materials Engineering↗

Probabilistic Sensitivity Analyses Incorporating Surrogate Models for the Structural Response of a Representative Inflatable Space Structure

This study concentrates on results from probabilistic analysis and numerical simulation tools to identify parameter sensitivities and assess surrogate model suitability for a novel inflatable airlock concept, specifically the Non-Axisymmetric Inflatable Pressure Structure (NAIPS) under NASA's Minimalistic Advanced Softgoods Hatch (MASH) Program. The current studies extended the demonstration of probabilistic analysis tools to identify parameter sensitivities by: incorporating nonlinear material load-strain property curves and orthotropic representation of the fabric; and exploring the use of surrogate models to facilitate rapid evaluations as new information becomes available, as well as enable optimizations. The airlock model has been simplified to focus on the end dome section. Brief overviews of the finite element model and associated surrogate models are provided along with the probabilistic sensitivity analysis approaches. Responses of interest include the sensitivities of various loads in the structural elements of the NAIPS to material properties, cord lengths, inflation pressure and friction between softgoods components. The use of surrogate models was explored to facilitate rapid sensitivity evaluations as parameter ranges change. The completion of the sensitivity studies improved understanding of the dependence of load responses to several uncertain parameters and confidence in the ability to use surrogate models to represent the finite element simulations.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

A Representative Application of a Layered Interface Modeling Pattern

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is intended to improve how systems engineering is performed compared with a more traditional document-based approach by effectively using models to analyze, specify, design, and verify systems. The OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML™) enables the practice of MBSE by providing a robust and expressive language for representing systems.

Shames, Peter M.↗

Computational Prediction of Broadband Noise from a Representative Unmanned Aerial System Rotor

This work details the application of a lattice-Boltzmann method–very-large-eddy simulation (LBM-VLES) employed by the software suite, PowerFLOW. This LBM-VLES simulation predicted the aeroacoustic noise emanating from a representative, small unmanned aircraft system rotor, namely, the DJI-9450 in a hover condition. Predicted total aerodynamic loading as well as 2D aerodynamic loading along discrete spanwise sections of a rotor blade were compared to lower fidelity predictions and experimental results acquired in the Structural Acoustic Loads and Transmission anechoic chamber facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. The total acoustic spectra were decomposed into tonal and broadband components, which showed that broadband noise was a dominant contributor above 1 kHz for this rotor. These data were then compared to experimentally acquired data, showing good agreement up to approximately 11 kHz. Above 11 kHz, however, a grid sensitivity study showed dependency of the highest resolvable frequency on the spatial resolution of the computational domain, explaining the roll off in predicted data. Individual broadband noise sources were further investigated by calculating one-third octave sound pressure levels of the unsteady pressure fluctuations acting on the rotor, providing evidence that blade self-noise was the prominent noise source. Using these results, blade wake interaction noise was seen to be negligible for this particular rotor, which was further validated by calculating blade vortex miss distances and comparing to theory.

Christopher S. Thurman↗

AgMIP Regional Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems in Nioro, Senegal: Representative Agricultural Pathways, Climate, Crop and Economic Datasets

This paper describes the datasets that were used to implement an AgMIP Regional Integrated Assessment for the Nioro region of Senegal to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the principal agricultural system in the Senegal peanut basin and to assess adaptations of that system to climate change under current as well as future climate and socio-economic conditions. This dataset includes the Representative Agricultural Pathways developed for Nioro from 2000-2050; the climate data that were used to implement crop yield simulations; the data that were used to parameterize the DSSAT and APSIM crop models, including historical climate data and future climate scenarios; and the data that were used to parameterize the Tradeoff Analysis Model for Multi-dimensional Impact Assessment (TOAMD) economic simulation model, as well as simulated model outputs.

AgMIP↗

BDDs for Representing Data in Runtime Verification

A BDD (Boolean Decision Diagram) is a data structure for the compact representation of a Boolean function. It is equipped with efficient algorithms for minimization and for applying Boolean operators. The use of BDDs for representing Boolean functions, combined with symbolic algorithms, facilitated a leap in the capability of model checking for the verification of systems with a huge number of states. Recently BDDs were considered as an efficient representation of data for Runtime Verification (RV). We review here the basic theory of BDDs and summarize their use in model checking and specifically in runtime verification.

Peled, Doron↗

Lunar Dust Tolerance Testing of Representative Seals for Lunar Surface Hatch Seals

The Moon’s surface creates a uniquely challenging environment for mechanisms and materials. Electrostatic adhesion combined with a jagged particulate morphology makes lunar dust particularly destructive to the components and sub-systems of lunar surface assets. One component that will be acutely impacted by lunar dust is seals, particularly those on the hatches which will be opened and closed to allow extravehicular activities (EVA) and on docking systems that will connect surface assets and spacecraft together. Lunar dust on these seals can create leak paths for the pressurized atmosphere of a surface asset to escape. Quantifying the level of lunar dust contamination that is allowable for seals is of paramount importance for mission planners and asset designers. This paper covers dust tolerance testing that was conducted on representative hatch seals with the Uniform Dust Deposition System (UDDS) at NASA Glenn Research Center [1]. Sub scale (≈30 cm diameter) versions of seals for the Orion docking hatch and NASA Docking System (NDS were coated evenly with varying amounts of lunar dust simulant to evaluate its effect on seals leak rates. The resulting leak rate results from these flight-proven seal design can help planners and designers construct robust missions and products

N. Jimenez↗

Deriving representative size distributions from UW OPC data for SAGE II extinction measurements

For the purposes of studying the impacts of aerosols on the chemistry and climate of the atmosphere, size distribution information has been inferred from extinction measurements for decades. Using the measurements from the University of Wyoming balloon-borne optical particle counter experiment we have derived representative size distributions at SAGE II channel wavelengths. These are bimodal lognormal size distributions grouped into bins of 525 to 1020 nm extinction ratio. Future work will include expanding this analysis to SAGE III’s channels and considering the effect of a absorbing channel in the IR would have.

Aerosol↗

Low-Cost Testing in Representative Lunar Regolith Environment

Rapid prototyping and testing are key enablers of iterative designs common in early technology research and development. Testing in a dusty environment is critical to prepare the Cryogenic Magnetic Coupler for lunar operations. To enable early and iterative testing of dust mitigation concepts, a low-cost, low-fidelity representative lunar regolith environment was developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center (Edwards, California). Based on preliminary testing with this test setup, a similar setup may be of interest to universities and other entities looking to develop the capability to safely test relatively small-scale components with lunar regolith simulant. The development of this lunar regolith test chamber and results from preliminary testing are presented in this paper. Also discussed are further development strategies for the potential improvement of this setup.

Scott Stebbins↗