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At least 163 records · Page 9

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NASA NTRS2009

Computing Bounds on Resource Levels for Flexible Plans

A new algorithm efficiently computes the tightest exact bound on the levels of resources induced by a flexible activity plan (see figure). Tightness of bounds is extremely important for computations involved in planning because tight bounds can save potentially exponential amounts of search (through early backtracking and detection of solutions), relative to looser bounds. The bound computed by the new algorithm, denoted the resource-level envelope, constitutes the measure of maximum and minimum consumption of resources at any time for all fixed-time schedules in the flexible plan. At each time, the envelope guarantees that there are two fixed-time instantiations one that produces the minimum level and one that produces the maximum level. Therefore, the resource-level envelope is the tightest possible resource-level bound for a flexible plan because any tighter bound would exclude the contribution of at least one fixed-time schedule. If the resource- level envelope can be computed efficiently, one could substitute looser bounds that are currently used in the inner cores of constraint-posting scheduling algorithms, with the potential for great improvements in performance. What is needed to reduce the cost of computation is an algorithm, the measure of complexity of which is no greater than a low-degree polynomial in N (where N is the number of activities). The new algorithm satisfies this need. In this algorithm, the computation of resource-level envelopes is based on a novel combination of (1) the theory of shortest paths in the temporal-constraint network for the flexible plan and (2) the theory of maximum flows for a flow network derived from the temporal and resource constraints. The measure of asymptotic complexity of the algorithm is O(N O(maxflow(N)), where O(x) denotes an amount of computing time or a number of arithmetic operations proportional to a number of the order of x and O(maxflow(N)) is the measure of complexity (and thus of cost) of a maximumflow algorithm applied to an auxiliary flow network of 2N nodes. The algorithm is believed to be efficient in practice; experimental analysis shows the practical cost of maxflow to be as low as O(N1.5). The algorithm could be enhanced following at least two approaches. In the first approach, incremental subalgorithms for the computation of the envelope could be developed. By use of temporal scanning of the events in the temporal network, it may be possible to significantly reduce the size of the networks on which it is necessary to run the maximum-flow subalgorithm, thereby significantly reducing the time required for envelope calculation. In the second approach, the practical effectiveness of resource envelopes in the inner loops of search algorithms could be tested for multi-capacity resource scheduling. This testing would include inner-loop backtracking and termination tests and variable and value-ordering heuristics that exploit the properties of resource envelopes more directly.

Muscvettola, Nicola↗

NASA NTRS2009

Apparatus for integrating a rigid structure into a flexible wall of an inflatable structure

For an inflatable structure having a flexible outer shell or wall structure having a flexible restraint layer comprising interwoven, load-bearing straps, apparatus for integrating one or more substantially rigid members into the flexible shell. For each rigid member, a corresponding opening is formed through the flexible shell for receiving the rigid member. A plurality of connection devices are mounted on the rigid member for receiving respective ones of the load-bearing straps. In one embodiment, the connection devices comprise inner connecting mechanisms and outer connecting mechanisms, the inner and outer connecting mechanisms being mounted on the substantially rigid structure and spaced along a peripheral edge portion of the structure in an interleafed array in which respective outer connecting mechanisms are interposed between adjacent pairs of inner connecting mechanisms, the outer connecting mechanisms projecting outwardly from the peripheral edge portion of the substantially rigid structure beyond the adjacent inner connecting mechanisms to form a staggered array of connecting mechanisms extending along the panel structure edge portion. In one embodiment, the inner and outer connecting mechanisms form part of an integrated, structure rotatably mounted on the rigid member peripheral edge portion.

Johnson, Christopher J.↗

NASA NTRS2010

Improving Separation Assurance Stability Through Trajectory Flexibility Preservation

New information and automation technologies are enabling the distribution of tasks and decisions from the service providers to the users of the air traffic system, with potential capacity and cost benefits. This distribution of tasks and decisions raises the concern that independent user actions will decrease the predictability and increase the complexity of the traffic system, hence inhibiting and possibly reversing any potential benefits. One such concern is the adverse impact of uncoordinated actions by individual aircraft on the stability of separation assurance. For example, individual aircraft performing self-separation may resolve predicted losses of separation or conflicts with some traffic, only to result in secondary conflicts with other traffic or with the same traffic later in time. In answer to this concern, this paper proposes metrics for preserving user trajectory flexibility to be used in self-separation along with other objectives. The hypothesis is that preserving trajectory flexibility will naturally reduce the creation of secondary conflicts by bringing about implicit coordination between aircraft. The impact of using these metrics on improving self-separation stability is investigated by measuring the impact on secondary conflicts. The scenarios analyzed include aircraft in en route airspace with each aircraft meeting a required time of arrival in a twenty minute time horizon while maintaining separation from the surrounding traffic and using trajectory flexibility metrics to mitigate the risk of secondary conflicts. Preliminary experiments showed promising results in that the trajectory flexibility preservation reduced the potential for secondary conflicts.

Idris, Husni↗

NASA NTRS2005

Printed Microinductors for Flexible Substrates

A method of fabricating planar, flexible microinductors that exhibit a relatively high quality factor (Q) between 1 and 10 MHz has been devised. These inductors are targeted for use in flexible, low-profile power-converter circuits. They could also be incorporated into electronic circuits integrated into flexible structures, including flexible antenna and solar-sail structures that are deployable.

Brandon, Erik↗

NASA NTRS2011

Complexity Management Using Metrics for Trajectory Flexibility Preservation and Constraint Minimization

The growing demand for air travel is increasing the need for mitigating air traffic congestion and complexity problems, which are already at high levels. At the same time new surveillance, navigation, and communication technologies are enabling major transformations in the air traffic management system, including net-based information sharing and collaboration, performance-based access to airspace resources, and trajectory-based rather than clearance-based operations. The new system will feature different schemes for allocating tasks and responsibilities between the ground and airborne agents and between the human and automation, with potential capacity and cost benefits. Therefore, complexity management requires new metrics and methods that can support these new schemes. This paper presents metrics and methods for preserving trajectory flexibility that have been proposed to support a trajectory-based approach for complexity management by airborne or ground-based systems. It presents extensions to these metrics as well as to the initial research conducted to investigate the hypothesis that using these metrics to guide user and service provider actions will naturally mitigate traffic complexity. The analysis showed promising results in that: (1) Trajectory flexibility preservation mitigated traffic complexity as indicated by inducing self-organization in the traffic patterns and lowering traffic complexity indicators such as dynamic density and traffic entropy. (2)Trajectory flexibility preservation reduced the potential for secondary conflicts in separation assurance. (3) Trajectory flexibility metrics showed potential application to support user and service provider negotiations for minimizing the constraints imposed on trajectories without jeopardizing their objectives.

Idris, Husni↗

NASA NTRS2005

Flexible Metal-Fabric Radiators

Flexible metal-fabric radiators have been considered as alternative means of dissipating excess heat from spacecraft and space suits. The radiators also may be useful in such special terrestrial applications as rejecting heat from space-suit-like protective suits worn in hot work environments. In addition to flexibility and consequent ease of deployment and installation on objects of varying sizes and shapes, the main advantages of these radiators over conventional rigid radiators are that they weigh less and occupy less volume for a given amount of cooling capacity. A radiator of this type includes conventional stainless-steel tubes carrying a coolant fluid. The main radiating component consists of a fabric of interwoven aluminum-foil strips bonded to the tubes by use of a proprietary process. The strip/tube bonds are strong and highly thermally conductive. Coolant is fed to and from the tubes via flexible stainless-steel manifolds designed to accommodate flexing of, and minimize bending forces on, the fabric. The manifolds are sized to minimize pressure drops and distribute the flow of coolant evenly to all the tubes. The tubes and manifolds are configured in two independent flow loops for operational flexibility and protective redundancy.

Cross, Cynthia↗

NASA NTRS2013

An Efficient, Highly Flexible Multi-Channel Digital Downconverter Architecture

In this innovation, a digital downconverter has been created that produces a large (16 or greater) number of output channels of smaller bandwidths. Additionally, this design has the flexibility to tune each channel independently to anywhere in the input bandwidth to cover a wide range of output bandwidths (from 32 MHz down to 1 kHz). Both the flexibility in channel frequency selection and the more than four orders of magnitude range in output bandwidths (decimation rates from 32 to 640,000) presented significant challenges to be solved. The solution involved breaking the digital downconversion process into a two-stage process. The first stage is a 2 oversampled filter bank that divides the whole input bandwidth as a real input signal into seven overlapping, contiguous channels represented with complex samples. Using the symmetry of the sine and cosine functions in a similar way to that of an FFT (fast Fourier transform), this downconversion is very efficient and gives seven channels fixed in frequency. An arbitrary number of smaller bandwidth channels can be formed from second-stage downconverters placed after the first stage of downconversion. Because of the overlapping of the first stage, there is no gap in coverage of the entire input bandwidth. The input to any of the second-stage downconverting channels has a multiplexer that chooses one of the seven wideband channels from the first stage. These second-stage downconverters take up fewer resources because they operate at lower bandwidths than doing the entire downconversion process from the input bandwidth for each independent channel. These second-stage downconverters are each independent with fine frequency control tuning, providing extreme flexibility in positioning the center frequency of a downconverted channel. Finally, these second-stage downconverters have flexible decimation factors over four orders of magnitude The algorithm was developed to run in an FPGA (field programmable gate array) at input data sampling rates of up to 1,280 MHz. The current implementation takes a 1,280-MHz real input, and first breaks it up into seven 160-MHz complex channels, each spaced 80 MHz apart. The eighth channel at baseband was not required for this implementation, and led to more optimization. Afterwards, 16 second stage narrow band channels with independently tunable center frequencies and bandwidth settings are implemented A future implementation in a larger Xilinx FPGA will hold up to 32 independent second-stage channels.

Goodhart, Charles E.↗

NASA NTRS2013

Flexible Mechanical Conveyors for Regolith Extraction and Transport

A report describes flexible mechanical conveying systems for transporting fine cohesive regolith under microgravity and vacuum conditions. They are totally enclosed, virtually dust-free, and can include enough flexibility in the conveying path to enable an expanded range of extraction and transport scenarios, including nonlinear drill-holes and excavation of enlarged subsurface openings without large entry holes. The design of the conveyors is a modification of conventional screw conveyors such that the central screw-shaft and the outer housing or conveyingtube have a degree of bending flexibility, allowing the conveyors to become nonlinear conveying systems that can convey around gentle bends. The central flexible shaft is similar to those used in common tools like a weed whacker, consisting of multiple layers of tightly wound wires around a central wire core. Utilization of compliant components (screw blade or outer wall) increases the robustness of the conveying, allowing an occasional oversized particle to pass hough the conveyor without causing a jam or stoppage

Walton, Otis R.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Static Aeroelastic and Longitudinal Trim Model of Flexible Wing Aircraft Using Finite-Element Vortex-Lattice Coupled Solution

This paper presents a static aeroelastic model and longitudinal trim model for the analysis of a flexible wing transport aircraft. The static aeroelastic model is built using a structural model based on finite-element modeling and coupled to an aerodynamic model that uses vortex-lattice solution. An automatic geometry generation tool is used to close the loop between the structural and aerodynamic models. The aeroelastic model is extended for the development of a three degree-of-freedom longitudinal trim model for an aircraft with flexible wings. The resulting flexible aircraft longitudinal trim model is used to simultaneously compute the static aeroelastic shape for the aircraft model and the longitudinal state inputs to maintain an aircraft trim state. The framework is applied to an aircraft model based on the NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM) with wing structures allowed to flexibly deformed referred to as the Elastically Shaped Aircraft Concept (ESAC). The ESAC wing mass and stiffness properties are based on a baseline "stiff" values representative of current generation transport aircraft.

Aeroelasticity↗

NASA NTRS2019

Increased Flexibility in Polyimide Aerogel Substrates for Conformal, Lightweight Antennas

Polyimide aerogels are desirable for many aerospace applications due to their high porosity, low density, low thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties. They have also been demonstrated as lightweight substrates for antennas since they possess very low dielectric constants, approaching one as density decreases. Increasing the flexibility of the aerogel would allow them to be used as conformal antennas for use on aerospace vehicles, leading to significant space and weight savings. In this research, we demonstrate that the flexibility can be increased depending on the polyimide oligomer backbone structures. We have substituted up to 75 mol % of the aromatic diamines typically used in polyimide aerogels with 1, 3-bis (4-aminophenoxy)-2, 2-dimethylpropane (BAPN). Twenty different formulations of polyimide aerogels were synthesized from 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and a combination of BAPN and 2,2'-dimethylbenxidine (DMBZ) and cross-linked with 1, 3, 5 triaminophenoxybenzene (TAB). The polymer concentration, n-value, and molar concentration of BAPN and DMBZ were varied to determine an ideal formulation that has both a high bend radius and low dielectric constant. With only aromatic diamines in the backbone, the aerogels are flexible only as very thin films, nominally 0.5 mm thick. Samples containing at least 25 mol % BAPN have higher flexibility in substrates as thick as 2-3 mm and dielectric constants ranging from 1.11-1.26.

Cashman, Jessica↗

NASA NTRS2019

Aeroelastic Indicial Response Reduced-Order Modeling for Flexible Flight Vehicles

A reduced-order modeling method capable of providing computationally efficient predictions of the nonlinear, unsteady aerodynamics encountered by flexible flight vehicles under- going forced oscillations is presented. Models are developed using indicial response theory, which characterizes a vehicle’s dynamics through identification of time-accurate aerodynamic responses due to step changes in the vehicle-state parameters, e.g., angle-of-attack, pitch rate. A coupled computational fluid dynamics aeroelastic analysis is proposed for identifying step (indicial) responses of flexible vehicles. In this approach, aeroelastic indicial responses are simulated via prescribed rigid body motions, while fluid-structure interactions are captured at the subiterative level through coupling to a linear modal structural solver. A nonlinear extension of indicial response theory is applied through time-dependent linear interpolation of a database of locally linear aeroelastic step responses. Reduced-order models are then created using the mathematical principle of convolution applied to the interpolated aeroelastic indicial responses to predict the time-dependent aerodynamic response of a flexible vehicle to any arbitrary prescribed flight maneuver. The NASA FUN3D computational fluid dynamics solver is utilized for simulating full-order trajectories and indicial response functions. Aerodynamic predictions were generated for the X-56A aircraft undergoing a series of harmonic forced oscillations. The s are shown to provide a practical option for evaluating the unsteady aerodynamics of flexible vehicles using high-fidelity simulations.

Hiller, Brett↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Increasing Flexibility of Polymers in the Application of Complex Space Craft Heat Shield Geometries

Highly crosslinked polymers, commonly utilized in spacecraft component fabrication, especially for heatshields, have historically encountered challenges due to their inherent brittleness. To overcome this issue, researchers have explored the incorporation of additives into the polymer backbone to enhance flexibility and durability. This study aims to improve the flexibility and durability of highly crosslinked polymers by introducing long-chain aliphatic silicon-based additives with varying molecular weights into the polymer backbone. By increasing the flexibility of these brittle polymers, they can be effectively employed in constructing intricate curvatures for heatshields, eliminating the need for gap fillers. In this study, we investigated six different additives, comparing them to a highly crosslinked high-temperature polymer used as a baseline. Various characterization techniques, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometry, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were employed to assess the properties of the materials. The FTIR and NMR results indicated the successful incorporation of the silicon-based additives into the polymer backbone. Furthermore, thermal characterization results demonstrated that certain additives exhibited superior flexibility and lower densities compared to the baseline polymer.

Tane Boghozian↗

NASA NTRS2014

Flexible Electronics Development Supported by NASA

The commercial electronics industry is leading development in most areas of electronics for NASA applications; however, working in partnership with industry and the academic community, results from NASA research could lead to better understanding and utilization of electronic materials by the flexible electronics industry. Innovative ideas explored by our partners in industry and the broader U.S. research community help NASA execute our missions and bring new American products and services to the global technology marketplace. [Mike Gazarik, associate administrator for Space Technology, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC] This presentation provides information on NASA needs in electronics looking towards the future, some of the work being supported by NASA in flexible electronics, and the capabilities of the Glenn Research Center supporting the development of flexible electronics.

antenna↗

NASA NTRS2016

Dynamic Beam Solutions for Real-Time Simulation and Control Development of Flexible Rockets

In this study, flexible rockets are structurally represented by linear beams. Both direct and indirect solutions of beam dynamic equations are sought to facilitate real-time simulation and control development for flexible rockets. The direct solution is completed by numerically integrate the beam structural dynamic equation using an explicit Newmark-based scheme, which allows for stable and fast transient solutions to the dynamics of flexile rockets. Furthermore, in the real-time operation, the bending strain of the beam is measured by fiber optical sensors (FOS) at intermittent locations along the span, while both angular velocity and translational acceleration are measured at a single point by the inertial measurement unit (IMU). Another study in this paper is to find the analytical and numerical solutions of the beam dynamics based on the limited measurement data to facilitate the real-time control development. Numerical studies demonstrate the accuracy of these real-time solutions to the beam dynamics. Such analytical and numerical solutions, when integrated with data processing and control algorithms and mechanisms, have the potential to increase launch availability by processing flight data into the flexible launch vehicle's control system.

flexible body dyanmics fiber optic strain sensor p↗

NASA NTRS2017

Advantage of Animal Models with Metabolic Flexibility for Space Research Beyond Low Earth Orbit

As the world's space agencies and commercial entities continue to expand beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), novel approaches to carry out biomedical experiments with animals are required to address the challenge of adaptation to space flight and new planetary environments. The extended time and distance of space travel along with reduced involvement of Earth-based mission support increases the cumulative impact of the risks encountered in space. To respond to these challenges, it becomes increasingly important to develop the capability to manage an organism's self-regulatory control system, which would enable survival in extraterrestrial environments. To significantly reduce the risk to animals on future long duration space missions, we propose the use of metabolically flexible animal models as "pathfinders," which are capable of tolerating the environmental extremes exhibited in spaceflight, including altered gravity, exposure to space radiation, chemically reactive planetary environments and temperature extremes. In this report we survey several of the pivotal metabolic flexibility studies and discuss the importance of utilizing animal models with metabolic flexibility with particular attention given to the ability to suppress the organism's metabolism in spaceflight experiments beyond LEO. The presented analysis demonstrates the adjuvant benefits of these factors to minimize damage caused by exposure to spaceflight and extreme planetary environments. Examples of microorganisms and animal models with dormancy capabilities suitable for space research are considered in the context of their survivability under hostile or deadly environments outside of Earth. Potential steps toward implementation of metabolic control technology in spaceflight architecture and its benefits for animal experiments and manned space exploration missions are discussed.

metabilic flexibility↗

NASA NTRS2017

Advantage of Animal Models with Metabolic Flexibility for Space Research Beyond Low Earth Orbit

As the worlds space agencies and commercial entities continue to expand beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), novel approaches to carry out biomedical experiments with animals are required to address the challenge of adaptation to space flight and new planetary environments. The extended time and distance of space travel along with reduced involvement of Earth-based mission support increases the cumulative impact of the risks encountered in space. To respond to these challenges, it becomes increasingly important to develop the capability to manage an organisms self-regulatory control system, which would enable survival in extraterrestrial environments. To significantly reduce the risk to animals on future long duration space missions, we propose the use of metabolically flexible animal models as pathfinders, which are capable of tolerating the environmental extremes exhibited in spaceflight, including altered gravity, exposure to space radiation, chemically reactive planetary environments and temperature extremes.In this report we survey several of the pivotal metabolic flexibility studies and discuss the importance of utilizing animal models with metabolic flexibility with particular attention given to the ability to suppress the organism's metabolism in spaceflight experiments beyond LEO. The presented analysis demonstrates the adjuvant benefits of these factors to minimize damage caused by exposure to spaceflight and extreme planetary environments. Examples of microorganisms and animal models with dormancy capabilities suitable for space research are considered in the context of their survivability under hostile or deadly environments outside of Earth. Potential steps toward implementation of metabolic control technology in spaceflight architecture and its benefits for animal experiments and manned space exploration missions are discussed.

metabolic flexibility↗

NASA NTRS1971

Predicting vibrational failure of flexible ducting

Technique applies to liquid or gas transfer through flexible ducting and proves valuable in high velocity fluid flow cases. Fluid mechanism responsible for free bellows vibrational excitation also causes flexible hose oscillation. Static pressure stress influences flexible ducting fatigue life and is considered separately.

Henry, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Attitude stability of spinning flexible spacecraft

The stability of spinning flexible satellites in a force-free environment was analyzed. The satellite was modeled as a rigid core having attached to it a flexible appendage idealized as a collection of particles (point masses) interconnected by springs. Both Liapunov and Routh-Hurwitz stability procedures are used. In the former, the Hamiltonian of the system, constrained through the angular momentum integral so as to admit complete damping, is used as a testing function. Equations of motion are written using the hybrid coordinate formulation, which readily accepts a modal coordinate transformation ultimately allowing truncation to a level amenable to literal stability analysis. Closed form stability criteria are generated for the first mode of a restricted appendage model lying in a plane containing the system center of mass and orthogonal to the spin axis. The effects of spin on flexible bodies are discussed by considering a very elementary particle model. Control of passively unstable spacecraft is briefly considered.

Likins, P. W.↗