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At least 163 records · Page 9

Multi-axis transient vibration testing of space objects: Test philosophy, test facility, and control strategy

IABG has been using various servohydraulic test facilities for many years for the reproduction of service loads and environmental loads on all kinds of test objects. For more than 15 years, a multi-axis vibration test facility has been under service, originally designed for earthquake simulation but being upgraded to the demands of space testing. First tests with the DFS/STM showed good reproduction accuracy and demonstrated the feasibility of transient vibration testing of space objects on a multi-axis hydraulic shaker. An approach to structural qualification is possible by using this test philosophy. It will be outlined and its obvious advantages over the state-of-the-art single-axis test will be demonstrated by example results. The new test technique has some special requirements to the test facility exceeding those of earthquake testing. Most important is the high reproduction accuracy demanded for a sophisticated control system. The state-of-the-art approach of analog closed-loop control circuits for each actuator combined with a static decoupling network and an off-line iterative waveform control is not able to meet all the demands. Therefore, the future over-all control system is implemented as hierarchical full digital closed-loop system on a highly parallel transputer network. The innermost layer is the digital actuator controller, the second one is the MDOF-control of the table movement. The outermost layer would be the off-line iterative waveform control, which is dedicated only to deal with the interaction of test table and test object or non-linear effects. The outline of the system will be presented.

Lachenmayr, Georg↗

Vibration and acoustic testing of TOPEX/Poseidon satellite

The satellite was subjected to a 1.5G swept sine vibration test and a 146 dB overall level acoustic test, in accordance with Ariane launch vehicle requirements, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Extensive pretest analysis of the sine test was conducted to plan the input notching and to justify vibration testing the satellite only in the longitudinal axis. A unique measurement system was utilized to determine the six components of interface force between the shaker and the satellite in the sine vibration test. The satellite was heavily instrumented in both the sine vibration and acoustic test in order to insure that the launch loads were enveloped with appropriate margin and that satellite responses did not exceed the compatibilities of the structure and equipment. The test specification, objectives, instrumentation, and test results are described herein.

Boatman, Dave↗

Piezoelectric devices for vibration suppression: Modeling and application to a truss structure

For a space structure assembled from truss members, an effective way to control the structure may be to replace the regular truss elements by active members. The active members play the role of load carrying elements as well as actuators. A piezo strut, made of a stack of piezoceramics, may be an ideal active member to be integrated into a truss space structure. An electrically driven piezo strut generates a pair of forces, and is considered as a two-point actuator in contrast to a one-point actuator such as a thruster or a shaker. To achieve good structural vibration control, sensing signals compatible to the control actuators are desirable. A strain gage or a piezo film with proper signal conditioning to measure member strain or strain rate, respectively, are ideal control sensors for use with a piezo actuator. The Phase 0 CSI Evolutionary Model (CEM) at NASA Langley Research Center used cold air thrusters as actuators to control both rigid body motions and flexible body vibrations. For the Phase 1 and 2 CEM, it is proposed to use piezo struts to control the flexible modes and thrusters to control the rigid body modes. A tenbay truss structure with active piezo struts is built to study the modeling, controller designs, and experimental issues. In this paper, the tenbay structure with piezo active members is modelled using an energy method approach. Decentralized and centralized control schemes are designed and implemented, and preliminary analytical and experimental results are presented.

Won, Chin C.↗

Finite element model and identification procedure

Viewgraphs on finite element model and identification procedure are presented. Topics covered include: interferometer finite element model; testbed mode shapes; finite element model update; identification procedure; shaker locations; data analysis; modal frequency and damping comparison; computational procedure; fit comparison; residue analysis; typical residues; identification/FEM residual comparison; and pathlength control using isolation mounts.

How, Jonathan P.↗

Noise transmission properties and control strategies for composite structures

A study of several component technologies required to apply active control techniques to reduce interior noise in composite aircraft structures is described. The mechanisms of noise transmission in an all composite, large-scale, fuselage model are studied in an experimental program and found similar to mechanisms found in conventional aircraft construction. Two primary conditions of structural acoustic response are found to account for the dominant interior acoustic response. A preliminary study of active noise control in cylinders used piezoceramic actuators as force inputs for a simple aluminum fuselage model. These actuators provided effective control for the same two conditions of noise transmission found in the composite fuselage structure. The use of piezoceramic actuators to apply force inputs overcomes the weight and structural requirements of conventional shaker actuators. Finally, in order to accurately simulate these types of actuators in a cylindrical shell, two analytical models are investigated that apply either in-plane forces or bending moments along the boundaries of a finite patch. It is shown that the bending model may not be as effective as the force model for exciting the low order azimuthal modes that typically dominate the structural acoustic response in these systems. This result will affect the arrangement and distribution of actuators required for effective active control systems.

Silcox, Richard J.↗

Structural-acoustic coupling in aircraft fuselage structures

Results of analytical and experimental investigations of structural-acoustic coupling phenomenon in an aircraft fuselage are described. The structural and acoustic cavity modes of DC-9 fuselage were determined using a finite element approach to vibration analysis. Predicted structural and acoustic dispersion curves were used to determine possible occurrences of structural-acoustic coupling for the fuselage. An aft section of DC-9 aircraft fuselage, housed in an anechoic chamber, was used for experimental investigations. The test fuselage was excited by a shaker and vibration response and interior sound field were measured using accelerometer and microphone arrays. The wavenumber-frequency structural and cavity response maps were generated from the measured data. Analysis and interpretation of the spatial plots and wavenumber maps provided the required information on modal characteristics, fuselage response and structural-acoustic coupling.

Mathur, Gopal P.↗

Flight and Analytical Methods for Determining the Coupled Vibration Response of Tandem Helicopters

Chapter one presents a discussion of flight-test and analysis methods for some selected helicopter vibration studies. The use of a mechanical shaker in flight to determine the structural response is reported. A method for the analytical determination of the natural coupled frequencies and mode shapes of vibrations in the vertical plane of tandem helicopters is presented in Chapter two. The coupled mode shapes and frequencies are then used to calculate the response of the helicopter to applied oscillating forces.

Yeates, John E , Jr↗

Shake test results of the MDHC test stand in the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel

A shake test was conducted to determine the modal properties of the MDHC (McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company) test stand installed in the 40- by 80- Foot Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center. The shake test was conducted for three wind-tunnel balance configurations with and without balance dampers, and with the snubber engagement to lock the balance frame. A hydraulic shaker was used to apply random excitation at the rotor hub in the longitudinal and lateral directions. A GenRad 2515 computer-aided test system computed the frequency response functions at the rotor hub and support struts. From these response functions, the modal properties, including the natural frequency, damping ratio, and mode shape were calculated. The critical modes with low damping ratios are identified as the test-stand second longitudinal mode for the dampers-off configuration, the test-stand yaw mode for the dampers-on configuration, and the test stand first longitudinal mode for the balance-frame locked configuration.

Lau, Benton H.↗

Experimental validation of finite element and boundary element methods for predicting structural vibration and radiated noise

This research report is presented in three parts. In the first part, acoustical analyses were performed on modes of vibration of the housing of a transmission of a gear test rig developed by NASA. The modes of vibration of the transmission housing were measured using experimental modal analysis. The boundary element method (BEM) was used to calculate the sound pressure and sound intensity on the surface of the housing and the radiation efficiency of each mode. The radiation efficiency of each of the transmission housing modes was then compared to theoretical results for a finite baffled plate. In the second part, analytical and experimental validation of methods to predict structural vibration and radiated noise are presented. A rectangular box excited by a mechanical shaker was used as a vibrating structure. Combined finite element method (FEM) and boundary element method (BEM) models of the apparatus were used to predict the noise level radiated from the box. The FEM was used to predict the vibration, while the BEM was used to predict the sound intensity and total radiated sound power using surface vibration as the input data. Vibration predicted by the FEM model was validated by experimental modal analysis; noise predicted by the BEM was validated by measurements of sound intensity. Three types of results are presented for the total radiated sound power: sound power predicted by the BEM model using vibration data measured on the surface of the box; sound power predicted by the FEM/BEM model; and sound power measured by an acoustic intensity scan. In the third part, the structure used in part two was modified. A rib was attached to the top plate of the structure. The FEM and BEM were then used to predict structural vibration and radiated noise respectively. The predicted vibration and radiated noise were then validated through experimentation.

Seybert, A. F.↗

Root-sum-square structural strength verification approach

Utilizing a proposed fixture design or some variation thereof, this report presents a verification approach to strength test space flight payload components, electronics boxes, mechanisms, lines, fittings, etc., which traditionally do not lend themselves to classical static loading. The fixture, through use of ordered Euler rotation angles derived herein, can be mounted on existing vibration shakers and can provide an innovative method of applying single axis flight load vectors. The versatile fixture effectively loads protoflight or prototype components in all three axes simultaneously by use of a sinusoidal burst of desired magnitude at less than one-third the first resonant frequency. Cost savings along with improved hardware confidence are shown. The end product is an efficient way to verify experiment hardware for both random vibration and strength.

Lee, Henry M.↗

The effect of inlet swirl on the dynamics of long annular seals in centrifugal pumps

This paper describes additional results from a continuing research program which aims to identify the dynamics of long annular seals in centrifugal pumps. A seal test rig designed at Heriot-Watt University and commissioned at Weir Pumps Research Laboratory in Alloa permits the identification of mass, stiffness, and damping coefficients using a least-squares technique based on the singular value decomposition method. The analysis is carried out in the time domain using a multi-fiequency forcing function. The experimental method relies on the forced excitation of a flexibly supported stator by two hydraulic shakers. Running through the stator embodying two symmetrical balance drum seals is a rigid rotor supported in rolling element bearings. The only physical connection between shaft and stator is the pair of annular gaps filled with pressurized water discharged axially. The experimental coefficients obtained from the tests are compared with theoretical values.

Ismail, M.↗

An investigation of angular stiffness and damping coefficients of an axial spline coupling in high-speed rotating machinery

This paper provided an opportunity to quantify the angular stiffness and equivalent viscous damping coefficients of an axial spline coupling used in high-speed turbomachinery. A unique test methodology and data reduction procedures were developed. The bending moments and angular deflections transmitted across an axial spline coupling were measured while a nonrotating shaft was excited by an external shaker. A rotor dynamics computer program was used to simulate the test conditions and to correlate the angular stiffness and damping coefficients. In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed to show that the accuracy of the dynamic coefficients do not rely on the accuracy of the data reduction procedures.

Ku, C.-P. Roger↗

A test apparatus and facility to identify the rotordynamic coefficients of high-speed hydrostatic bearings

A facility and apparatus are described which determine stiffness, damping, and added-mass rotordynamic coefficients plus steady-state operating characteristics of high speed hydrostatic journal bearings. The apparatus has a current top speed of 29,800 rpm with a bearing diameter of 7.62 cm (3 in.). Purified warm water, 55 C (130 F), is used as a test fluid to achieve elevated Reynolds numbers during operation. The test-fluid pump yields a bearing maximum inlet pressure of 6.9 Mpa (1000 psi). Static load on the bearing is independently controlled and measured. Orthogonally mounted external shakers are used to excite the test stator in the direction of, and perpendicular to, the static load. The apparatus can independently calculate all rotordynamic coefficients at a given operating condition.

Childs, Dara↗

SCISEAL: A CFD code for analysis of fluid dynamic forces in seals

A viewgraph presentation is made of the objectives, capabilities, and test results of the computer code SCISEAL. Currently, the seal code has: a finite volume, pressure-based integration scheme; colocated variables with strong conservation approach; high-order spatial differencing, up to third-order; up to second-order temporal differencing; a comprehensive set of boundary conditions; a variety of turbulence models and surface roughness treatment; moving grid formulation for arbitrary rotor whirl; rotor dynamic coefficients calculated by the circular whirl and numerical shaker methods; and small perturbation capabilities to handle centered and eccentric seals.

Athavale, Mahesh↗

HYDRA, a new tool for mechanical testing

The introduction outlines the verification concept for programs of the European Space Agency (ESA). The role of the Agency in coordinating the activities of major European space test centers is summarized. Major test facilities of the environmental test center at ESTEC, the Space Research and Technology Center of ESA, are shown and their specific characteristics are highlighted with special emphasis on the 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) hydraulic shaker. The specified performance characteristics for sine and transient tests are presented. Results of single-axis hardware tests and 6-DOF computer simulations are included. Efforts employed to protect payloads against accidental damage in case of malfunctions of the facility are listed. Finally the operational advantages of the facility, as well as the possible use of the HYDRA control system design for future applications are indicated.

Brinkmann, P. W.↗

A method for landing gear modeling and simulation with experimental validation

This document presents an approach for modeling and simulating landing gear systems. Specifically, a nonlinear model of an A-6 Intruder Main Gear is developed, simulated, and validated against static and dynamic test data. This model includes nonlinear effects such as a polytropic gas model, velocity squared damping, a geometry governed model for the discharge coefficients, stick-slip friction effects and a nonlinear tire spring and damping model. An Adams-Moulton predictor corrector was used to integrate the equations of motion until a discontinuity caused by a stick-slip friction model was reached, at which point, a Runga-Kutta routine integrated past the discontinuity and returned the problem solution back to the predictor corrector. Run times of this software are around 2 mins. per 1 sec. of simulation under dynamic circumstances. To validate the model, engineers at the Aircraft Landing Dynamics facilities at NASA Langley Research Center installed one A-6 main gear on a drop carriage and used a hydraulic shaker table to provide simulated runway inputs to the gear. Model parameters were tuned to produce excellent agreement for many cases.

Daniels, James N.↗

Active Vibration Isolation of Microgravity Experiments with Spring Umbilicals Using an Electrodynamic Actuator

Microgravity experiments will require active vibration isolation in the low to mid frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. Approximately two orders of acceleration reduction (40 dB) will be required. Previous works have reported results for accelerations transmitted through the umbilical. This paper describes experimental and theoretical results for vibration isolation in one dimension (horizontal) where the simulated experiment is connected to the spacecraft by a spring umbilical. The experiment consisted of a spacecraft (shaker), experiment (mass), umbilical, accelerometer, control electronics, and Lorentz actuator. The experiment mass was supported in magnetic bearings to avoid any stiction problems. Acceleration feedback control was employed to obtain the vibration isolation. Three different spring umbilicals were employed. Acceleration reductions on the order of 40 dB were obtained over the frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz. Good agreement was obtained between theory and experiment.

Banerjee, B. B.↗

Nineteenth Space Simulation Conference Cost Effective Testing for the 21st Century

The Nineteenth Space Simulation Conference was hosted by the Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES) and was supported by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). These proceedings attest to the scope of the conference; papers were presented on topics as diverse as shuttle payload contamination effects, simulating Martian environment for testing, to state-of-the-art 6-axis hydraulic shaker testing system. A good cross section of the international aerospace community took advantage of the opportunity to get together, to share their experiences, and to participate in the technical sessions. The two invited keynote speakers were Lieutenant General Malcolm O'Neill (USA, Ret.), past Director of BMDO, and Mr. Thomas Coughlin, Space Programs Manager at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Their most informative and thought provoking talks were on cost effective testing approaches in Defense Department programs for the 21st Century and what part testing plays in the faster, better, cheaper approach for the NEAR and APL programs, respectively. The preceding tutorial and the tour of the Garber Facility of the Air and Space Museum rounded out a comprehensive conference contributing to the knowledge base vital to cost effective testing for successful missions into the 21st Century.

Stecher, Joseph L., III↗