Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Computer applications”

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 1,495 records · Page 83

A Fourier transform with speed improvements for microprocessor applications

A fast Fourier transform algorithm for the RCA 1802microprocessor was developed for spacecraft instrument applications. The computations were tailored for the restrictions an eight bit machine imposes. The algorithm incorporates some aspects of Walsh function sequency to improve operational speed. This method uses a register to add a value proportional to the period of the band being processed before each computation is to be considered. If the result overflows into the DF register, the data sample is used in computation; otherwise computation is skipped. This operation is repeated for each of the 64 data samples. This technique is used for both sine and cosine portions of the computation. The processing uses eight bit data, but because of the many computations that can increase the size of the coefficient, floating point form is used. A method to reduce the alias problem in the lower bands is also described.

Lokerson, D. C.↗

Fast Generation of body conforming grids for 3-D

A fast algorithm was developed for accurately generating boundary conforming, three dimensional, consecutively refined, computational grids applicable to arbitrary axial turbomachinery geometry. The method is based on using a single analytic function to generate two dimensional grids on a number of coaxial axisymmetric surfaces positioned between the hub and the shroud. These grids are of the "O" type and are characterized by quasi-orthogonality, geometric periodicity, and an adequate resolution throughout the flowfield. Due to the built in additional nonorthogonal coordinate stretching and shearing, the grid lines leaving the trailing of the blade end at downstream infinity, thus simplifying the numerical treatment of the three dimensional trailing vortex sheet.

Dulikravich, O.↗

Coal conversion systems design and process modeling. Volume 1: Application of MPPR and Aspen computer models

The development of a coal gasification system design and mass and energy balance simulation program for the TVA and other similar facilities is described. The materials-process-product model (MPPM) and the advanced system for process engineering (ASPEN) computer program were selected from available steady state and dynamic models. The MPPM was selected to serve as the basis for development of system level design model structure because it provided the capability for process block material and energy balance and high-level systems sizing and costing. The ASPEN simulation serves as the basis for assessing detailed component models for the system design modeling program. The ASPEN components were analyzed to identify particular process blocks and data packages (physical properties) which could be extracted and used in the system design modeling program. While ASPEN physical properties calculation routines are capable of generating physical properties required for process simulation, not all required physical property data are available, and must be user-entered.

Source record↗

GRID3O: Computer program for fast generation of multilevel, three-dimensional boundary-conforming O-type computational grids

A fast algorithm was developed for accurately generating boundary-conforming, three-dimensional, consecutively refined computational grids applicable to arbitrary wing-body and axial turbomachinery geometries. The method is based on using an analytic function to generate two-dimensional grids on a number of coaxial axisymmetric surfaces positioned between the centerbody and the outer radial boundary. These grids are of the O-type and are characterized by quasi-orthogonality, geometric periodicity, and an adequate resolution throughout the flow field. Because the built-in nonorthogonal coordinate stretching and shearing cause the grid lines leaving the blade or wing trailing edge to end at downstream infinity, the numerical treatment of the three-dimensional trailing vortex sheets is simplified.

Dulikravich, D. S.↗

A model for the analysis of premixing-prevaporizing fuel-air mixing passages

A model for predicting the distribution of liquid fuel droplets and fuel vapor in premixing-prevaporizing fuel-air mixing passages has been developed. The analysis involves successive application of computer codes which calculate the two dimensional or axisymmetric air flow field; calculate the three dimensional fuel droplet trajectories and evaporation rates; and calculate the fuel vapor diffusing through a moving air stream. A description of the more important features of the model and the results of a design study on two premixing fuel-air passages are presented.

Anderson, O. L.↗

Integrated command, control, communications and computation system functional architecture

The functional architecture for an integrated command, control, communications, and computation system applicable to the command and control portion of the NASA End-to-End Data. System is described including the downlink data processing and analysis functions required to support the uplink processes. The functional architecture is composed of four elements: (1) the functional hierarchy which provides the decomposition and allocation of the command and control functions to the system elements; (2) the key system features which summarize the major system capabilities; (3) the operational activity threads which illustrate the interrelationahip between the system elements; and (4) the interfaces which illustrate those elements that originate or generate data and those elements that use the data. The interfaces also provide a description of the data and the data utilization and access techniques.

Cooley, C. G.↗

GRID3C: Computer program for generation of C type multilevel, three dimensional and boundary conforming periodic grids

A fast computer program, GRID3C, was developed for accurately generating periodic, boundary conforming, three dimensional, consecutively refined computational grids applicable to realistic axial turbomachinery geometries. The method is based on using two functions to generate two dimensional grids on a number of coaxial axisymmetric surfaces positioned between the centerbody and the outer radial boundary. These boundary fitted grids are of the C type and are characterized by quasi-orthogonality and geometric periodicity. The built in nonorthogonal coordinate stretchings and shearings cause the grid clustering in the regions of interest. The stretching parameters are part of the input to GRID3C. In its present version GRID3C can generate and store a maximum of four consecutively refined three dimensional grids. The output grid coordinates can be calculated either in the Cartesian or in the cylindrical coordinate system.

Dulikravich, D. S.↗

A numerical solution of the supersonic flow over a rearward facing step with transverse non-reacting hydrogen injection

The present investigation represents an application of computational fluid dynamics to a problem associated with the flow in the combustor region of a supersonic combustion ramjet engine (scramjet). The governing equations are considered, taking into account the Navier-Stokes equations, a molecular viscosity calculation, the molecular thermal conductivity, molecular diffusion, and a turbulence model. The employed numerical solution is patterned after the explicit, time-dependent, unsplit, predictor-corrector, finite-difference method given by MacCormack (1969). The calculation is concerned with the supersonic flow over a rearward-facing step with transverse H2 injection at conditions germane to the combustor region of a scramjet engine. The H2 jet acts as an effective body which essentially shields the primary flow from the rearward-facing step, thus substantially changing the wave pattern in the primary flow.

Berman, H. A.↗

Instrumentation applications to Space Shuttle models and thermal protection system tiles tested in NASA-AMES wind tunnels

The highlights of the many wind-tunnel tests conducted in the course of the Space Shuttle development program are presented with emphasis on instrumentation applications. The examples of tests discussed include airframe aerodynamics, aerodynamic heating, aerodynamic noise, tile dynamic response, and tile loads. Many of the tests were conducted with standard wind-tunnel instrumentation. Most of the more unusual instrumentation requirements were related to the thermal protection system, where some pressure-sensor concepts were adapted to measure airloads on tiles. These measurements provided the only quantitative data that could be used to confirm the airload analysis procedure. Limited applications of computers to experimental control, in conjunction with data taken during Shuttle tests, have resulted in substantial benefits in overall test efficiency.

Coe, C. F.↗

Estimating Health Services Requirements

In computer program NOROCA populations statistics from National Center for Health Statistics used with computational procedure to estimate health service utilization rates, physician demands (by specialty) and hospital bed demands (by type of service). Computational procedure applicable to health service area of any size and even used to estimate statewide demands for health services.

Alexander, H. M.↗

A Natural Bias Approach to Cardinal Spline Curves

The cardinal spline approach to defining interpolatory curves is of interest in the application of computer graphics to modelling and animation problems. The formulation of this interpolation problem (C) a vector valued function V is obtained which forms a C1 map from 0,n into the plane in such a way that V(i) and V prime (i) attain prespecified (vector) values P sub i and T sub i for the integers i=0, 1,...n. The intent is that the planar curves V(s) pass through each point P sub i in the direction corresponding to T sub i. In actual practice it is common for only the interpolation points P sub i to be user specified. Suitable tangents T sub i are then provided by some heuristic to complete the specification of (C). A convex control polygon yields a convex interpolant. Examples exist where the interpolant fails to be convex if the tangents are left unbiased.

Fletcher, G. Y.↗

Application of viscous and inviscid computation methods for rocket turbopump systems

This paper examines current research efforts underway at Lewis Research Center which have focused on improving the structural durability of the SSME turbodrive system through more fully examining the aerothermodynamics of the flow system. This objective was achieved by developing three-dimensional viscous and inviscid computer codes to predict the pressure and temperature distributions in the engine flow passages, particularly within the SSME turbines and turnaround ducts.

Povinelli, L. A.↗

Theoretical models of single-element LTSA antenna elements

The spectral domain computations for slotline guide wavelength and characteristic impedance provide the basic parameters that are need to calculate the radiation pattern of an Linearly Tapered Slot Antenna (LTSA) by using the half-plane Green's function and a stepped approximation to the LTSA structure. However, the spectral domain computations are somewhat time consuming and not suitable for computer aided design application. Therefore, the results of several computation were fitted by formulas that are readily evaluated on a calculator or computer. Antenna measurements were continued, and an attempt was made to predict the truncation effect by three different methods.

Source record↗

Applications of variational principles in computing rotational flows

Ecer and Akay (1983) have developed a variational formulation of rotational flow for Euler equations. The present paper provides a summary of these developments. The considered variational formulation provides a transformation of a type considered by Clebsch (1859). In this transformation, a new set of variables replaces the more commonly used primitive variables u(i), rho and p. Here, u(i) denotes the velocity components, while rho is the density, and p the pressure. The employed transformation produces a natural uncoupling of the equations when written in a quasi-linear form. After obtaining the governing equations in terms of the 'Clebsch variables', a solution scheme developed for calculating steady flows is discussed. Attention is given to numerical solutions of Euler equations based on the derived variational principles, and a study of inviscid, separated flows is conducted.

Ecer, A.↗

Approximate-factorization algorithms - Theory and applications in viscous-flow computations

A systematic development of implicit approximate-factorization algorithms in delta form for both unsteady and steady viscous flow is presented. The algorithms are cast in conservation-law form and simplified by using a thin-layer approximation to the governing equations. The implementation of implicit surface viscous boundary conditions is discussed in detail, and an example is presented illustrating the advantage of using the implicit boundary conditions. Three-dimensional results from the steady form of the algorithm are presented and compared with experimental data.

Chaussee, D. S.↗

Impact ionization across the conduction-band-edge discontinuity of quantum-well heterostructures

Impact ionization across the band-edge discontinuity of quantum-well heterostructures is studied theoretically. A heterolayer structure of alternating Al(x)Ga(1-x)As and GaAs layers is considered where the GaAs layers are heavily doped with donors. Thus a large number of electrons is confined to the quantum-well region. Incident electrons are heated up by applied electric fields and collide with the electrons confined in the well regions. Both the ionization rate as a function of the incident energy, and average ionization rates are computed. Device applications of such multiple quantum-well structures and the possibility of a complete analog to the conventional photomultiplier are discussed.

Chuang, S. L.↗

Application of the Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) to aerospace meteorology

The Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) considered in this paper has been in use at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) since 1981. The MSFC McIDAS system is primarily employed as a research tool, taking into account rainfall estimates as deduced from Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data, remote sensing sensor development (MAMS), Doppler-lidar derived winds, cloud tracked winds, and analysis of lightning ground strike data. With respect to the SMMR data analysis, passive microwave satellite data are displayed on McIDAS as images. Two major research efforts are concerned with the determination of mesoscale winds. These efforts are based on a utilization of a Doppler-lidar system, and GOES multispectral imagery. It is pointed out that future plans include increased usage of the McIDAS system.

Meyer, P. J.↗