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At least 145 records · Page 8

Cold startup and low temperature performance of the Brayton cycle electrical subsystem

Cold performance tests and startup tests were conducted on the Brayton-cycle inverter, motor-driven pump, dc supply, speed control with parasitic load resistor and the Brayton control system. These tests were performed with the components in a vacuum and mounted on coldplates. A temperature range of ?25 to -50 C was used for the tests. No failures occurred, and component performance gave no indication that there would be any problem with the safe operation of the Brayton power generating system.

Vrancik, J. E.↗

Experimental and Theoretical Results in Output-Trajectory Redesign for Flexible Structures

In this paper we study the optimal redesign of output trajectory for linear invertible systems. This is particularly important for tracking control of flexible structures because the input-state trajectories that achieve the required output may cause excessive vibrations in the structure. A trade-off is then required between tracking and vibrations reduction. We pose and solve this problem as the minimization of a quadratic cost function. The theory is developed and applied to the output tracking of a flexible structure and experimental results are presented.

Dewey, J. S.↗

Experimental and Theoretical Results in Output Trajectory Redesign for Flexible Structures

In this paper we study the optimal redesign of output trajectories for linear invertible systems. This is particularly important for tracking control of flexible structures because the input-state trajectores, that achieve tracking of the required output may cause excessive vibrations in the structure. We pose and solve this problem, in the context of linear systems, as the minimization of a quadratic cost function. The theory is developed and applied to the output tracking of a flexible structure and experimental results are presented.

Dewey, J. S.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/16-Scale Model of the Chance Vought XF5U-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA 2349

Spin tests of a 1/16-scale model of the Chance Vought XF5U-1 airplane have been performed in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. The effect of control position and movement upon the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics ae well as the effects of propellers, of stability flaps, and of various revisions to the design configuration have been determined for the normal fighter loading. The investigation also included spin recovery parachute, tumbling, and pilot-escape tests. For the original design configuration, with or without windmilling propellers, the recovery characteristics of the model were considered unsatisfactory. Increasing the maximum upward deflection of the ailavators from 45 deg to 65 deg resulted in greatly improved recovery characteristics. Dimensional revisions to the original airplane configuration, which satisfactorily improved the general spin and recovery characteristics of the model, consisted of: (1) a supplementary vertical tail 34 inches by 59 inches (full-scale) attached to a boom 80 inches aft of the trailing edge of the airplane in the plane of symmetry, (2) a large semispan undersurface spoiler placed along the airplane quarter-chord line and opened on the outboard side in a spin, or (3) two additional vertical tails 64 inches by 52 inches (full-scale) located at the tips of the ailavators. A satisfactory parachute arrangement for emergency spin recovery from demonstration spins was found to be an arrangement consisting of a 13.3-foot parachute attached by a 30-foot towline to the arresting gear mast on the airplane and opened simultaneously with an 8-foot parachute on the outboard end of the wing attached by a 3-foot towline. Tests indicated that pilot escape from a spin would be extremely hazardous unless the pilot is mechanically ejected from the cockpit. Model tumbling tests indicated that the airplane would not tumble.

White, Richard P.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/24-Scale Model of the McDonnell XP-88 Airplane with a VEE Tail

An investigation of the spin and recovery characteristics of a 1/24-scale model of the McDonnell XP-88 airplane has been conducted in the Langley 20-ft free-spinning tunnel. Results of tests with a conventional tail have been previously reported; the results presented herein are for the model with a vee tail installed. The effects of control settings and movements on the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model. In the normal loading were determined. Tests of the model in the long-range loading also were made. The investigation included leading-edge-flap, spin-recovery-parachute, and rudder-pedal-force tests. The recovery characteristics of the model were satisfactory for the normal loading. Deflecting the leading-edge flaps improved recoveries. The results indicated that with the external wing tanks installed (long-range loading) recoveries may be poor and, therefore, if a spin is inadvertently entered in this condition the tanks should be jettisoned if recovery does not appear imminent immediately after it is attempted. A 10-foot spin-recovery tail parachute with a towline 40 feet long and a drag coefficient of 0.63 was found to be effective for spin recovery. The rudder pedal force required for spin recovery was indicated to be within the capabilities of the pilot.

Berman, Theodore↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/24-Scale Model of the McDonnell XP-88 Airplane with a Conventional Tail

An investigation of the spin and recovery characteristics of a 1/24-scale model of the McDonnell XP-88 airplane has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. The effects of control settings and movements on the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model in the normal loading were determined. Tests of the model in the long-range loading also were made. The investigation included tail-modification, spin-recovery parachute, pilot-escape, and rudder-pedal-force tests. Recoveries were generally satisfactory for spins in the normal loading provided the ailerons were not held against the spin. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained regardless of the aileron setting when the leading-edge flaps were deflected and normal recovery technique was used or when the horizontal tail was raised 70 inches, full scale. Recoveries were rapid from all inverted spins obtained. In the long-range loading with tanks on, it may be necessary to jettison the tanks in order to obtain recovery. A 12.0-foot spin-recovery parachute at the tail or a 4.0-foot parachute opened on the outer wing tip (drag coefficient of 0.66) was found to be effective for recoveries from demonstration spins. Test results showed that in an emergency the pilot should attempt to escape from the outboard side of the spinning airplane. The rudder-pedal forces in a spin were indicated to be within the capabilities of the pilot.

Berman, Theodore↗

Free-Spinning Tunnel Tests of a 1/24-Scale Model of the Grumman XTB3F-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA DE304

In accordance with a request of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, tests were performed in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel to determine the spin and recovery characteristics of a 1/24 scale model of the Grumman XTB3F-1 airplane. The airplane is a two-place, midwing torpedo bomber equipped with a tractor propeller and an auxiliary jet engine. The effect of control setting and movement on the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for the normal loading. Brief tests with mass extended slightly along the fuselage were also made, however, in order to determine the effect of such a mass variation on elevator effectiveness. Tests were performed to determine the size of emergency spin-recovery tail and wing-tip parachutes required for satisfactory recovery by parachute action alone. The investigation also included emergency pilot-escape tests and tests to determine the rudder pedal and elevator stick forces necessary to move the rudder and elevator for recovery.

Berman, Theodore↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Tests of a 1/24-Scale Model of the North American XP-86 Airplane

A spin investigation has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/24-scale model of the North American XP-86 airplane. The effects of control settings and movements upon the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for the design gross weight loading. The long-range loading was also investigated and the effects of extending slats and dive flaps were determined. In addition, the investigation included the determination of the size of spin-recovery parachute required for emergency recovery from demonstration spins, the rudder force required to move the rudder for recovery, and the best method for the pilot to escape if it should become necessary to do so during a spin. The results of the investigation indicated that the XP-86 airplane will probably recover satisfactorily from erect and inverted spins for all possible loadings. It was found that fully extending both slats would be beneficial but that extending the dive brakes would cause unsatisfactory recoveries. It was determined that a 10.0-foot-diameter tail parachute with a drag coefficient of 0.7 and with a towline 30.0 feet long attached below the jet exit or a 6.0-foot-diameter wingtip parachute opened on the outer wing tip with a towline 6.0 feet long would insure recoveries from any spins obtainable. The rudder-pedal force necessary to move the rudder for satisfactory recovery was found to be within the physical capabilities of the pilot.

Berman, Theodore↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/25-Scale Model of the McDonnell F3H-1N Airplane, TED No. NACA AD 3100

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/23-scale model of the McDonnell F3H-1N airplane. The effects of control settings and movements upon the erect and inverted spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for the clean condition. Spin-recovery parachute tests were also performed. The results indicated that erect spins obtained on the airplane for the take-off or combat loadings should be satisfactorily terminated if full rudder reversal is accompanied by moving the ailerons to full with the spin (stick full right in a right spin). The spins obtained should be oscillatory in pitch, roll, and yaw. Recoveries from inverted spins should be satisfactory by full reversal of the rudder. A 16.7-foot- diameter tail parachute with a towline length of 30 feet and a drag coefficient of 0.734 should be adequate for emergency recovery from demonstration spins.

Lee, Henry A.↗

Capacitive Trans-Impedance Amplifier Circuit with Charge Injection Compensation

A capacitive trans-impedance amplifier circuit with charge injection compensation is provided. A feedback capacitor is connected between an inverting input port and an output port of an amplifier. A MOS reset switch has source and drain terminals connected between the inverting input and output ports of the amplifier, and a gate terminal controlled by a reset signal. The reset switch is open or inactive during an integration phase, and closed or active to electrically connect the inverting input port and output port of the amplifier during a reset phase. One or more compensation capacitors are provided that are not implemented as gate oxide or MOS capacitors. Each compensation capacitor has a first port connected to a compensation signal that is a static signal or a toggling compensation signal that toggles between two compensation voltage values, and a second port connected to the inverting input port of the amplifier.

Milkov, Mihail M.↗

Postural control model interpretation of stabilogram diffusion analysis

Collins and De Luca [Collins JJ. De Luca CJ (1993) Exp Brain Res 95: 308-318] introduced a new method known as stabilogram diffusion analysis that provides a quantitative statistical measure of the apparently random variations of center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories recorded during quiet upright stance in humans. This analysis generates a stabilogram diffusion function (SDF) that summarizes the mean square COP displacement as a function of the time interval between COP comparisons. SDFs have a characteristic two-part form that suggests the presence of two different control regimes: a short-term open-loop control behavior and a longer-term closed-loop behavior. This paper demonstrates that a very simple closed-loop control model of upright stance can generate realistic SDFs. The model consists of an inverted pendulum body with torque applied at the ankle joint. This torque includes a random disturbance torque and a control torque. The control torque is a function of the deviation (error signal) between the desired upright body position and the actual body position, and is generated in proportion to the error signal, the derivative of the error signal, and the integral of the error signal [i.e. a proportional, integral and derivative (PID) neural controller]. The control torque is applied with a time delay representing conduction, processing, and muscle activation delays. Variations in the PID parameters and the time delay generate variations in SDFs that mimic real experimental SDFs. This model analysis allows one to interpret experimentally observed changes in SDFs in terms of variations in neural controller and time delay parameters rather than in terms of open-loop versus closed-loop behavior.

NASA Program Biomedical Research and Countermeasur↗

Energy-Saving Inverter

Commutation by field-effect transistor allows more efficient operation. High voltage field-effect transistor (FET) controls silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's). Circuit requires only one capacitor and one inductor in commutation circuit: simpler, more efficient, and more economical than conventional inverters. Adaptable to dc-to-dc converters.

Rippel, W. E.↗

Free-Spinning Characteristics of a 1/24-Scale Model of the Grumman F11F-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA AD 395

An investigation is being conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/24-scale model of the Grumman F11F-1 airplane to determine spin and recovery characteristics and the minimum-size parachute required to satisfactorily terminate the spin in an emergency. Results obtained to date are presented herein. Test results indicate that it may be difficult to obtain an erect or inverted spin on the airplane, but, if a spin is obtained, the spin will be very oscillatory and recovery from the developed erect spin by rudder reversal may not be possible. The lateral controls will have no appreciable effect on recoveries from erect.spins. Recovery from the inverted spin by merely neutralizing the rudder will be satisfactory. After recoveries by rudder reversal and after recoveries from spins without control movement (no spins), the model oftentimes rolled very rapidly about the X-axis. Based on limited preliminary tests made in this investigation to make the model recover satisfactorily, it appears that canards near the nose of the airplane or differentially operated horizontal tails may be utilized to provide rapid recoveries. The parachute test results indicate that an 11-foot-diameter (laid-out-flat) parachute with a drag coefficient of 0.650 (based on the laid- out-flat diameter) and with a towline length equal to the wing span is the minimum-size parachute required to satisfactorily terminate an erect or inverted spin in an emergency.

Bowman, James S., Jr.↗

Simplified High-Power Inverter

Solid-state inverter simplified by use of single gate-turnoff device (GTO) to commutate multiple silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's). By eliminating conventional commutation circuitry, GTO reduces cost, size and weight. GTO commutation applicable to inverters of greater than 1-kilowatt capacity. Applications include emergency power, load leveling, drives for traction and stationary polyphase motors, and photovoltaic-power conditioning.

Edwards, D. B.↗

Application of a sensitivity analysis technique to high-order digital flight control systems

A sensitivity analysis technique for multiloop flight control systems is studied. This technique uses the scaled singular values of the return difference matrix as a measure of the relative stability of a control system. It then uses the gradients of these singular values with respect to system and controller parameters to judge sensitivity. The sensitivity analysis technique is first reviewed; then it is extended to include digital systems, through the derivation of singular-value gradient equations. Gradients with respect to parameters which do not appear explicitly as control-system matrix elements are also derived, so that high-order systems can be studied. A complete review of the integrated technique is given by way of a simple example: the inverted pendulum problem. The technique is then demonstrated on the X-29 control laws. Results show linear models of real systems can be analyzed by this sensitivity technique, if it is applied with care. A computer program called SVA was written to accomplish the singular-value sensitivity analysis techniques. Thus computational methods and considerations form an integral part of many of the discussions. A user's guide to the program is included. The SVA is a fully public domain program, running on the NASA/Dryden Elxsi computer.

Paduano, James D.↗

Molecular solid-state inverter-converter system

A modular approach for aerospace electrical systems has been developed, using lightweight high efficiency pulse width modulation techniques. With the modular approach, a required system is obtained by paralleling modules. The modular system includes the inverters and converters, a paralleling system, and an automatic control and fault-sensing protection system with a visual annunciator. The output is 150 V dc, or a low distortion three phase sine wave at 120 V, 400 Hz. Input power is unregulated 56 V dc. Each module is rated 2.5 kW or 3.6 kVA at 0.7 power factor.

Birchenough, A. G.↗

Lunar PMAD technology assessment

This report documents an initial set of power conditioning models created to generate 'ballpark' power management and distribution (PMAD) component mass and size estimates. It contains converter, rectifier, inverter, transformer, remote bus isolator (RBI), and remote power controller (RPC) models. These models allow certain studies to be performed; however, additional models are required to assess a full range of PMAD alternatives. The intent is to eventually form a library of PMAD models that will allow system designers to evaluate various power system architectures and distribution techniques quickly and consistently. The models in this report are designed primarily for space exploration initiative (SEI) missions requiring continuous power and supporting manned operations. The mass estimates were developed by identifying the stages in a component and obtaining mass breakdowns for these stages from near term electronic hardware elements. Technology advances were then incorporated to generate hardware masses consistent with the 2000 to 2010 time period. The mass of a complete component is computed by algorithms that calculate the masses of the component stages, control and monitoring, enclosure, and thermal management subsystem.

Metcalf, Kenneth J.↗

Free-spinning-tunnel Tests of a 1/26th Scale Model of the Douglas XTB2D-1 Airplane

A spin-tunnel investigation of a 1/26 scale model of the Douglas XTB2D-1 airplane has been conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. The effects of control settings and movements upon the erect- and inverted-spin and recovery characteristics of the model were determined for various loading conditions. Tests were also performed to determine the effects of various tail modifications. The investigation included emergency spin-recovery parachute tests as well as crew-escape and rudder- and elevator-force tests. All tests were performed at an equivalent spin altitute of 20,000 feet. The recovery characteristics of the model in the original design were found to be unsatisfactory. Installation of a large ventral fin, installation of tip fins on the horizontal tail, or installation of a small ventral fin in combination with antispan fillets and a spanwise extension of the horizontal-tail surfaces satisfactorily improved the recovery characteristics of the model.

Stone, Ralph W↗