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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

Autonomous Modal Identification of the Space Shuttle Tail Rudder

Autonomous modal identification automates the calculation of natural vibration frequencies, damping, and mode shapes of a structure from experimental data. This technology complements damage detection techniques that use continuous or periodic monitoring of vibration characteristics. The approach shown in the paper incorporates the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) as a data analysis engine and an autonomous supervisor to condense multiple estimates of modal parameters using ERA's Consistent-Mode Indicator and correlation of mode shapes. The procedure was applied to free-decay responses of a Space Shuttle tail rudder and successfully identified the seven modes of the structure below 250 Hz. The final modal parameters are a condensed set of results for 87 individual ERA cases requiring approximately five minutes of CPU time on a DEC Alpha computer.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

A Lanczos algorithm for vibration, suckling and termal analysis

This paper reviews an eigensolver algorithm based on the Lanczos Method for vibration, buckling and thermal analysis. The original code was written for inclusion in the Computational Mechanics Testbed (COMET), a general purpose finite element code. A portable version of the Lanczos code that is optimized for high-performance supercomputers has been developed. Special features of the algorithm include the capability to compute rigid body modes, thermal modes and Lanczos vectors that are derived from the applied load vector. The latter is necessary when using the Lanczos vectors as reduced-basis vectors in transient structural response and transient heat conduction calculations. The modularity of the code allows the user the option of including the most up-to-date utilities, such as the equation solver best suited for the application. The algorithm is discussed in detail and results of several applications are presented. Timing results for a vibration application indicate that the Lanczos algorithm is twenty times faster than the subspace iteration method which has been extensively used in the past.

Bostic, Susan W.↗

Adaptive state estimation for control of flexible structures

This paper proposes a new approach of obtaining adaptive state estimation of a system in the presence of unknown system disturbances and measurement noise. In the beginning, a non-optimal Kalman filter with arbitrary initial guess for the process and measurement noises is implemented. At the same time, an adaptive transversal predictor (ATP) based on the recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm is used to yield optimal one- to p- step-ahead output predictions using the previous input/output data. Referring to these optimal predictions the Kalman filter gain is updated and the performance of the state estimation is thus improved. If forgetting factor is implemented in the recursive least-squares algorithm, this method is also capable of dealing with the situation when the noise statistics are slowly time-varying. This feature makes this new approach especially suitable for the control of flexible structures. A numerical example demonstrates the feasibility of this real time adaptive state estimation method.

Chen, Chung-Wen↗

Python & Qt, Powerful Tools for Technical Computing

The objective of this presentation is to give a brief overview of Python computer language and Qt for Python which provides an interface to Python for building graphical applications. The Qt language provides a method for rapid programming of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) that are highly scalable, robust and platform independent. Both Python and Qt provide a powerful set of tools for Dynamic Analysis which are based on Open-Source software. Many problems and calculations in Structural Dynamics such as Power Spectral Density, Shock Response Spectrum and Vibration Response Spectrum can be easily calculated using these tools. The advantage of using Open-Source software is the ability to create custom graphical user interfaces similar to Matlab without the expense of software licensing and the ability to customize the software to an organization's specific needs. Also, another advantage is the ability to know which algorithms are being used by the GUI, know the numerical limitations and scale to large size data sets. I will end the presentation by demonstrating a Structural Dynamics GUI I created that was designed primarily to interactively analyze Post Flight high speed data provided by the ground station telemetry networks.

Grillo, Vincent↗

Neocortical malformation as consequence of nonadaptive regulation of neuronogenetic sequence

Variations in the structure of the neocortex induced by single gene mutations may be extreme or subtle. They differ from variations in neocortical structure encountered across and within species in that these "normal" structural variations are adaptive (both structurally and behaviorally), whereas those associated with disorders of development are not. Here we propose that they also differ in principle in that they represent disruptions of molecular mechanisms that are not normally regulatory to variations in the histogenetic sequence. We propose an algorithm for the operation of the neuronogenetic sequence in relation to the overall neocortical histogenetic sequence and highlight the restriction point of the G1 phase of the cell cycle as the master regulatory control point for normal coordinate structural variation across species and importantly within species. From considerations based on the anatomic evidence from neocortical malformation in humans, we illustrate in principle how this overall sequence appears to be disrupted by molecular biological linkages operating principally outside the control mechanisms responsible for the normal structural variation of the neocortex. MRDD Research Reviews 6:22-33, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Review↗

Competitive evaluation of failure detection algorithms for strapdown redundant inertial instruments.

Seven algorithms for failure detection, isolation, and correction of strapdown inertial instruments in the dodecahedron configuration are competitively evaluated by means of a digital computer simulation that provides them with identical inputs. Their performance is compared in terms of orientation errors and computer burden. The analytical foundations of the algorithms are presented. The features that are found to contribute to superior performance are use of a definite logical structure, elimination of interaction between failures, different thresholds for first and second failures, use of the 'parity' test signals, and avoidance of iteration loops.

Wilcox, J. C.↗

Grid generation for general three-dimensional configurations

A suitable grid system for complex three dimensional configurations such as wing/body/nacelle shape for the solution of nonlinear transonic flow problems was constructed. Two approaches were explored based on Thompson's body fitted coordinate concept. The most general approach was to divide the computational domain into multiple rectangular blocks where the configuration itself was also represented by a set of blocks whose structure follows the natural lines of the configuration. The block structured grid system was adaptable to complex configurations and gives good grid quality near physical corners. However, it introduced algorithm issues for the flow solution concerning the treatment of nonanalytic grid block boundaries and nonstandard grid cells. These issues were explored in relation to the grid generation. A more limited approach treats a wing/body configuration with only a single rectangular block in computational space. The issues involving nonstandard cells were avoided, but other limitations on grid resolution appear. Both a linear and a nonlinear system of grid generation equations were developed including methods of grid control.

Lee, K. D.↗

Identification of multivariable high performance turbofan engine dynamics from closed loop data

The multivariable instrumental variable/approximate maximum likelihood (IV/AML) method or recursive time-series analysis is used to identify the multivariable (four inputs-three outputs) dynamics of the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine. A detailed nonlinear engine simulation is used to determine linear engine model structures and parameters at an operating point using open loop data. Also, the IV/AML method is used in a direct identification mode to identify models from actual closed loop engine test data. Models identified from simulated and test data are compared to determine a final model structure and parameterization that can predict engine response for a wide class of inputs. The ability of the IV/AML algorithm to identify useful dynamic models from engine test data is assessed.

Merrill, W.↗

Identification of multivariable high performance turbofan engine dynamics from closed loop data

The multivariable instrumental variable/approximate maximum likelihood (IV/AML) method of recursive time-series analysis is used to identify the multivariable (four inputs-three outputs) dynamics of the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine. A detailed nonlinear engine simulation is used to determine linear engine model structures and parameters at an operating point using open loop data. Also, the IV/AML method is used in a direct identification made to identify models from actual closed loop engine test data. Models identified from simulated and test data are compared to determine a final model structure and parameterization that can predict engine response for a wide class of inputs. The ability of the IV/AML algorithm to identify useful dynamic models from engine test data is assessed. Previously announced in STAR as N82-20339

Merrill, W.↗

An Eigensystem Realization Algorithm for Application to Modal Testing

Important features of the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) are summarized as follows: (1) from the computational standpoint, the algorithm is attractive, since only simple numerical operations are needed; (2) the computational procedure is numerically stable; (3) the structural dynamics requirements for modal parameter identification and the control design requirements for a reduced-state space model are satisfied; (4) data from more than one test can be used simultaneously to efficiently identify the closely spaced eigenvalues; and (5) no restrictions on number of measurements are imposed.

Juang, J. N.↗

Partitioning problems in parallel, pipelined and distributed computing

The problem of optimally assigning the modules of a parallel program over the processors of a multiple computer system is addressed. A Sum-Bottleneck path algorithm is developed that permits the efficient solution of many variants of this problem under some constraints on the structure of the partitions. In particular, the following problems are solved optimally for a single-host, multiple satellite system: partitioning multiple chain structured parallel programs, multiple arbitrarily structured serial programs and single tree structured parallel programs. In addition, the problems of partitioning chain structured parallel programs across chain connected systems and across shared memory (or shared bus) systems are also solved under certain constraints. All solutions for parallel programs are equally applicable to pipelined programs. These results extend prior research in this area by explicitly taking concurrency into account and permit the efficient utilization of multiple computer architectures for a wide range of problems of practical interest.

Bokhari, S.↗

Automating the parallel processing of fluid and structural dynamics calculations

The NASA Lewis Research Center is actively involved in the development of expert system technology to assist users in applying parallel processing to computational fluid and structural dynamic analysis. The goal of this effort is to eliminate the necessity for the physical scientist to become a computer scientist in order to effectively use the computer as a research tool. Programming and operating software utilities have previously been developed to solve systems of ordinary nonlinear differential equations on parallel scalar processors. Current efforts are aimed at extending these capabilities to systems of partial differential equations, that describe the complex behavior of fluids and structures within aerospace propulsion systems. This paper presents some important considerations in the redesign, in particular, the need for algorithms and software utilities that can automatically identify data flow patterns in the application program and partition and allocate calculations to the parallel processors. A library-oriented multiprocessing concept for integrating the hardware and software functions is described.

Arpasi, Dale J.↗

Partitioning problems in parallel, pipelined, and distributed computing

The problem of optimally assigning the modules of a parallel program over the processors of a multiple-computer system is addressed. A sum-bottleneck path algorithm is developed that permits the efficient solution of many variants of this problem under some constraints on the structure of the partitions. In particular, the following problems are solved optimally for a single-host, multiple-satellite system: partitioning multiple chain-structured parallel programs, multiple arbitrarily structured serial programs, and single-tree structured parallel programs. In addition, the problem of partitioning chain-structured parallel programs across chain-connected systems is solved under certain constraints. All solutions for parallel programs are equally applicable to pipelined programs. These results extend prior research in this area by explicitly taking concurrency into account and permit the efficient utilization of multiple-computer architectures for a wide range of problems of practical interest.

Bokhari, Shahid H.↗

Automating the parallel processing of fluid and structural dynamics calculations

The NASA Lewis Research Center is actively involved in the development of expert system technology to assist users in applying parallel processing to computational fluid and structural dynamic analysis. The goal of this effort is to eliminate the necessity for the physical scientist to become a computer scientist in order to effectively use the computer as a research tool. Programming and operating software utilities have previously been developed to solve systems of ordinary nonlinear differential equations on parallel scalar processors. Current efforts are aimed at extending these capabilties to systems of partial differential equations, that describe the complex behavior of fluids and structures within aerospace propulsion systems. This paper presents some important considerations in the redesign, in particular, the need for algorithms and software utilities that can automatically identify data flow patterns in the application program and partition and allocate calculations to the parallel processors. A library-oriented multiprocessing concept for integrating the hardware and software functions is described.

Arpasi, Dale J.↗

Visual perception and grasping for the extravehicular activity robot

The development of an approach to the visual perception of object surface information using laser range data in support of robotic grasping is discussed. This is a very important problem area in that a robot such as the EVAR must be able to formulate a grasping strategy on the basis of its knowledge of the surface structure of the object. A description of the problem domain is given as well as a formulation of an algorithm which derives an object surface description adequate to support robotic grasping. The algorithm is based upon concepts of differential geometry namely, Gaussian and mean curvature.

Starks, Scott A.↗

Genetic algorithms applied to the scheduling of the Hubble Space Telescope

A prototype system employing a genetic algorithm (GA) has been developed to support the scheduling of the Hubble Space Telescope. A non-standard knowledge structure is used and appropriate genetic operators have been created. Several different crossover styles (random point selection, evolving points, and smart point selection) are tested and the best GA is compared with a neural network (NN) based optimizer. The smart crossover operator produces the best results and the GA system is able to evolve complete schedules using it. The GA is not as time-efficient as the NN system and the NN solutions tend to be better.

Sponsler, Jeffrey L.↗

An expert system to perform on-line controller restructuring for abrupt model changes

Work in progress on an expert system used to reconfigure and tune airframe/engine control systems on-line in real time in response to battle damage or structural failures is presented. The closed loop system is monitored constantly for changes in structure and performance, the detection of which prompts the expert system to choose and apply a particular control restructuring algorithm based on the type and severity of the damage. Each algorithm is designed to handle specific types of failures and each is applicable only in certain situations. The expert system uses information about the system model to identify the failure and to select the technique best suited to compensate for it. A depth-first search is used to find a solution. Once a new controller is designed and implemented it must be tuned to recover the original closed-loop handling qualities and responsiveness from the degraded system. Ideally, the pilot should not be able to tell the difference between the original and redesigned systems. The key is that the system must have inherent redundancy so that degraded or missing capabilities can be restored by creative use of alternate functionalities. With enough redundancy in the control system, minor battle damage affecting individual control surfaces or actuators, compressor efficiency, etc., can be compensated for such that the closed-loop performance in not noticeably altered. The work is applied to a Black Hawk/T700 system.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗