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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 1,477 records · Page 82

Comprehensive silicon solar cell computer modeling

The development of an efficient, comprehensive Si solar cell modeling program that has the capability of simulation accuracy of 5 percent or less is examined. A general investigation of computerized simulation is provided. Computer simulation programs are subdivided into a number of major tasks: (1) analytical method used to represent the physical system; (2) phenomena submodels that comprise the simulation of the system; (3) coding of the analysis and the phenomena submodels; (4) coding scheme that results in efficient use of the CPU so that CPU costs are low; and (5) modularized simulation program with respect to structures that may be analyzed, addition and/or modification of phenomena submodels as new experimental data become available, and the addition of other photovoltaic materials.

Lamorte, M. F.↗

The efficient solution of transonic wing flow fields

An evaluation of the transonic-wing-analysis computer code TWING is presented. TWING utilizes a fully implicit, approximate-factorization iteration scheme to solve the full-potential equation in conservative form. A numerical elliptic-solver grid-generation scheme is used to generate the required finite-difference mesh. Several wing configurations have been analyzed, and comparisons of computed results have been made with available experimental data. Results indicate that the code is robust, accurate (when significant viscous effects are not present), and efficient. TWING generally produces solutions an order of magnitude faster than other conservative, full-potential codes using successive-line overrelaxation. The present method is applicable to a wide range of isolated wing configurations, including high-aspect-ratio transport wings and low-aspect-ratio, high-sweep, fighter configurations.

Holst, T. L.↗

Postbuckling behavior of axially compressed graphite-epoxy cylindrical panels with circular holes

The results of an experimental and analytical study of the effects of circular holes on the postbuckling behavior of graphite-epoxy cylindrical panels loaded in axial compression are presented. The STAGSC-1 general shell analysis computer code is used to determine the buckling and postbuckling response of the panels. The loaded, curved ends of the specimens were clamped by fixtures and the unloaded, straight edges were simply supported by knife-edge restraints. The panels are loaded by uniform end shortening to several times the end shortening at buckling. The unstable equilibrium path of the postbuckling response is obtained analytically by using a method based on controlling an equilibrium-path-arc-length parameter instead of the traditional load parameter. The effects of hole diameter, panel radius, and panel thickness on postbuckling response are considered in the study. Experimental results are compared with the analytical results and the failure characteristics of the graphite-epoxy panels are described.

Knight, N. F., Jr.↗

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of sandwich panels

Two analytical techniques applicable to large deflection dynamic response calculations for pressure loaded composite sandwich panels are demonstrated. One technique utilizes finite element modeling with a single equivalent layer representing the face sheets and core. The other technique utilizes the modal analysis computer code DEPROP which was recently modified to include transverse shear deformation in a core layer. The example problem consists of a simply supported rectangular sandwich panel. Included are comparisons of linear and nonlinear static response calculations, in addition to dynamic response calculations.

Lush, A. M.↗

Applications of array processors in the analysis of remote sensing images

The architectures, programming characteristics, and ranges of application of past, present, and planned array processors for the digital processing of remote-sensing images are compared. Such functions as radiometric and geometric corrections, principal-components analysis, cluster coding, histogram generation, grey-level mapping, convolution, classification, and mensuration and modeling operations are considered, and both pipeline-type and single-instruction/multiple-data-stream (SIMD) arrays are evaluated. Numerical results are presented in a table, and it is found that the pipeline-type arrays normally used with minicomputers increase their speed significantly at low cost, while even further gains are provided by the more expensive SIMD arrays. Most image-processing operations become I/O-limited when SIMD arrays are used with current I/O devices.

Ramapriyan, H. K.↗

Structural Dynamics of Filament-Wound Booster Rockets

Report summarizes program of measurements and calculations of vibrations in filament-wound composite models of Space Shuttle solid-rocket boosters. Vibrational behavior predicted by finite-element computer model of structural dynamics correlates well with data from tests on full- and quarter-scale models. Computer model developed with NASTRAN general-purpose structural-analysis computer code.

Bugg, F. M.↗

Error control techniques for satellite and space communications

During the period June 1, 1986 through November 30, 1986, progress was made in the following areas: undetected error probability and throughput analysis of a concatenated coding scheme; capacity and cutoff rate analysis of concatenated codes; concatenated codes using bandwidth efficient trellis inner codes; bounds on the minimum free Euclidean distance of bandwidth efficient trellis codes; and construction of multidimensional bandwidth efficient trellis codes for use as inner codes in a concatenated coding system.

Costello, Daniel J., Jr.↗

Linear stability analysis of three-dimensional compressible boundary layers

A compressible stability analysis computer code is developed. The code uses a matrix finite-difference method for local eigenvale solution when a good guess for the eigenvalue is available and is significantly more computationally efficient than the commonly used inital-value approach. The local eigenvalue search procedure also results in eigenfunctions and, at little extra work, group velocities. A globally convergent eigenvalue procedure is also developed that may be used when no guess for the eigenvalue is available. The global problem is formulated in such a way that no unstable spurious modes appear so that the method is suitable for use in a black-box stability code. Sample stability calculations are presented for the boundary layer profiles of an LFC swept wing.

Malik, Mujeeb R.↗

Error control techniques for satellite and space communications

During the period December 1, 1987 through May 31, 1988, progress was made in the following areas: construction of Multi-Dimensional Bandwidth Efficient Trellis Codes with MPSK modulation; performance analysis of Bandwidth Efficient Trellis Coded Modulation schemes; and performance analysis of Bandwidth Efficient Trellis Codes on Fading Channels.

Costello, Daniel J., Jr.↗

Integrated control and health management. Orbit transfer rocket engine technology program

To insure controllability of the baseline design for a 7500 pound thrust, 10:1 throttleable, dual expanded cycle, Hydrogen-Oxygen, orbit transfer rocket engine, an Integrated Controls and Health Monitoring concept was developed. This included: (1) Dynamic engine simulations using a TUTSIM derived computer code; (2) analysis of various control methods; (3) Failure Modes Analysis to identify critical sensors; (4) Survey of applicable sensors technology; and, (5) Study of Health Monitoring philosophies. The engine design was found to be controllable over the full throttling range by using 13 valves, including an oxygen turbine bypass valve to control mixture ratio, and a hydrogen turbine bypass valve, used in conjunction with the oxygen bypass to control thrust. Classic feedback control methods are proposed along with specific requirements for valves, sensors, and the controller. Expanding on the control system, a Health Monitoring system is proposed including suggested computing methods and the following recommended sensors: (1) Fiber optic and silicon bearing deflectometers; (2) Capacitive shaft displacement sensors; and (3) Hot spot thermocouple arrays. Further work is needed to refine and verify the dynamic simulations and control algorithms, to advance sensor capabilities, and to develop the Health Monitoring computational methods.

Holzmann, Wilfried A.↗

Three-dimensional inelastic analysis for hot section components, BEST 3D code

The goal is the development of an alternative stress analysis tool, distinct from the finite element method, applicable to the engineering analysis of gas turbine engine structures. The boundary element method was selected for this development effort on the basis of its already demonstrated applicability to a variety of geometries and problem types characteristic of gas turbine engine components. Major features of the BEST3D computer program are described, and some of the significant developments carried out as part of the Inelastic Methods Contract are outlined.

Wilson, Raymond B.↗

Contamination Analysis Program

Contamination Analysis Program (CAP) generalized transient-executive-analysis computer code solving realistic mass-transport problems in free-molecular-flow environment. Involves mass fluxes from emission and reemission by sources on surfaces, venting, and emission by engines. Also solves problems including one-bounce mass reflections. Written in FORTRAN.

Millard, Jerry M.↗

Probability of failure and risk assessment of propulsion structural components

The probabilistic structural analysis method (PSAM) was developed to analyze the effects of fluctuating loads, variable material properties, and uncertain analytical models especially for high performance structures such as the Space Shuttle Main Engine turbopump blades. Risk is calculated after expensive service experience. However, probabilistic structural analysis provides a rational alternative method to quantify uncertainties in the structural performance and durability. NESSUS (Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structures Under Stress) was developed as a probabilistic structural analysis computer code which integrates finite element methods and reliability algorithms, capable to predicting the probability distributions of structural response variables such as stress, displacement, natural frequencies, and buckling loads. This computer code is detailed.

Shiao, Michael C.↗

Scramjet combustor analysis with the SHIP3D PNS code

The SHIP3D PNS code has the capability to perform 3D computations of scramjet combustors efficiently at flight Mach numbers of 10 and above, where the combustor flow is mostly supersonic. The fast solution times make skin friction and heat transfer calculations feasible and permit the utilization of multiequation turbulence models. Application of this relatively uncomplicated methodology to compute scramjet combustor flow fields and heat transfer is presented with particular emphasis on the treatment of ramp fuel injectors.

Kamath, Pradep S.↗

Acoustic fill factors for a 120 inch diameter fairing

Data from the acoustic test of a 120-inch diameter payload fairing were collected and an analysis of acoustic fill factors were performed. Correction factors for obtaining a weighted spatial average of the interior sound pressure level (SPL) were derived based on this database and a normalized 200-inch diameter fairing database. The weighted fill factors were determined and compared with statistical energy analysis (VAPEPS code) derived fill factors. The comparison is found to be reasonable.

Lee, Y. Albert↗

Micromechanical combined stress analysis: MICSTRAN, a user manual

Composite materials are currently being used in aerospace and other applications. The ability to tailor the composite properties by the appropriate selection of its constituents, the fiber and matrix, is a major advantage of composite materials. The Micromechanical Combined Stress Analysis (MICSTRAN) code provides the materials engineer with a user-friendly personal computer (PC) based tool to calculate overall composite properties given the constituent fiber and matrix properties. To assess the ability of the composite to carry structural loads, the materials engineer also needs to calculate the internal stresses in the composite material. MICSTRAN is a simple tool to calculate such internal stresses with a composite ply under combined thermomechanical loading. It assumes that the fibers have a circular cross-section and are arranged either in a repeating square or diamond array pattern within a ply. It uses a classical elasticity solution technique that has been demonstrated to calculate accurate stress results. Input to the program consists of transversely isotropic fiber properties and isotropic matrix properties such as moduli, Poisson's ratios, coefficients of thermal expansion, and volume fraction. Output consists of overall thermoelastic constants and stresses. Stresses can be computed under the combined action of thermal, transverse, longitudinal, transverse shear, and longitudinal shear loadings. Stress output can be requested along the fiber-matrix interface, the model boundaries, circular arcs, or at user-specified points located anywhere in the model. The MICSTRAN program is Windows compatible and takes advantage of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface which facilitates multitasking and extends memory access far beyond the limits imposed by the DOS operating system.

Naik, R. A.↗

Explosive component acceptance tester using laser interferometer technology

Acceptance testing of explosive components requires a reliable and simple to use testing method that can discern less than optimal performance. For hot-wire detonators, traditional techniques use dent blocks or photographic diagnostic methods. More complicated approaches are avoided because of their inherent problems with setup and maintenance. A recently developed tester is based on using a laser interferometer to measure the velocity of flying plates accelerated by explosively actuated detonators. Unlike ordinary interferometers that monitor displacement of the test article, this device measures velocity directly and is commonly used with non-spectral surfaces. Most often referred to as the VISAR technique (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflecting Surface), it has become the most widely-accepted choice for accurate measurement of velocity in the range greater than 1 mm/micro-s. Traditional VISAR devices require extensive setup and adjustment and therefore are unacceptable in a production-testing environment. This paper describes a new VISAR approach which requires virtually no adjustments, yet provides data with accuracy comparable to the more complicated systems. The device, termed the Fixed-Cavity VISAR, is currently being developed to serve as a product verification tool for hot-wire detonators and slappers. An extensive data acquisition and analysis computer code was also created to automate the manipulation of raw data into final results.

Wickstrom, Richard D.↗

Analytical and experimental studies of a short compact subsonic diffuser for a two-dimensional supersonic inlet

An experimental study of a two-dimensional supersonic inlet with a short compact subsonic diffuser, length to exit diameter (dl/d) ratio of 1.25, was conducted to investigate the impact of the short diffuser on inlet performance at low speeds and to assess the diffuser subsonic performance for a simulated diffuser flow corresponding to high-speed inlet conditions near the design flight Mach number of 2.2. For the low-speed testing, a drooped lip was employed to improve the inlet performance at a high angle of attack. For the simulated high-speed testing, air was blown through slots or discrete nozzles as an active boundary-layer control. The results from the low-speed performance test were compared with the results from a previous test program on the same inlet with a long subsonic diffuser (dl/d = 4.5). The comparison indicates that inlet recovery was not affected by the use of the short diffuser for either the baseline (no droop) or the drooped cowl lip configuration. However, the inlet baseline distortion for the short diffuser configuration was substantially higher than for the long diffuser. A comparison of the two configurations with a 70 deg drooped lip showed no significant difference in distortion. For the portion of the experimental program in which diffuser conditions for high-speed flight were simulated, diffuser-induced flow separation occurred. This separation was predicted from an analytical study that used the Hess potential flow panel method and the Herring two-dimensional boundary-layer analysis computer codes. The flow separated mainly on the diffuser ramp. Subsequent tests in which boundary-control systems were utilized showed that blowing with either slots or discrete nozzles could suppress the flow separation in the short subsonic diffuser, thereby substantially improving the diffuser performance.

Iek, Chanthy↗