Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “guide”

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 163 records · Page 9

A Guide to Axial-Flow Turbine Off-Design Computer Program AXOD2

A Users Guide for the axial flow turbine off-design computer program AXOD2 is composed in this paper. This Users Guide is supplementary to the original Users Manual of AXOD. Three notable contributions of AXOD2 to its predecessor AXOD, both in the context of the Guide or in the functionality of the code, are described and discussed in length. These are: 1) a rational representation of the mathematical principles applied, with concise descriptions of the formulas implemented in the actual coding. Their physical implications are addressed; 2) the creation and documentation of an Addendum Listing of input namelist-parameters unique to AXOD2, that differ from or are in addition to the original input-namelists given in the Manual of AXOD. Their usages are discussed; and 3) the institution of proper stoppages of the code execution, encoding termination messaging and error messages of the execution to AXOD2. These measures are to safe-guard the integrity of the code execution, such that a failure mode encountered during a case-study would not plunge the code execution into indefinite loop, or cause a blow-out of the program execution. Details on these are discussed and illustrated in this paper. Moreover, this computer program has since been reconstructed substantially. Standard FORTRAN Langue was instituted, and the code was formatted in Double Precision (REAL*8). As the result, the code is now suited for use in a local Desktop Computer Environment, is perfectly portable to any Operating System, and can be executed by any FORTRAN compiler equivalent to a FORTRAN 9095 compiler. AXOD2 will be available through NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) Software Repository.

Gas Turbine Engines↗

Guide to Flow Measurement for Electric Propulsion Systems

In electric propulsion (EP) systems, accurate measurement of the propellant mass flow rate of gas or liquid to the thruster and external cathode is a key input in the calculation of thruster efficiency and specific impulse. Although such measurements are often achieved with commercial mass flow controllers and meters integrated into propellant feed systems, the variability in potential propellant options and flow requirements amongst the spectrum of EP power regimes and devices complicates meter selection, integration, and operation. At the direction of the Committee on Standards for Electric Propulsion Testing, a guide was jointly developed by members of the electric propulsion community to establish a unified document that contains the working principles, methods of implementation and analysis, and calibration techniques and recommendations on the use of mass flow meters in laboratory and spacecraft electric propulsion systems. The guide is applicable to EP devices of all types and power levels ranging from microthrusters to high-power ion engines and Hall effect thrusters. The establishment of a community standard on mass flow metering will help ensure the selection of the proper meter for each application. It will also improve the quality of system performance estimates by providing comprehensive information on the physical phenomena and systematic errors that must be accounted for during the analysis of flow measurement data. This paper will outline the standard methods and recommended practices described in the guide titled "Flow Measurement for Electric Propulsion Systems."

spacecraft electric propulsion (EP) systems↗

Appendix 2. Guide for Running AgMIP Climate Scenario Generation Tools with R in Windows, Version 2.3

This Guide explains how to create climate series and climate change scenarios by using the AgMip Climate team's methodology as outlined in the AgMIP Guide for Regional Assessment: Handbook of Methods and Procedures. It details how to: install R and the required packages to run the AgMIP Climate Scenario Generation scripts, and create climate scenarios from CMIP5 GCMs using a 30-year baseline daily weather dataset. The Guide also outlines a workflow that can be modified for application to your own climate data.

handbooks↗

Human Systems Integration (HSI) Practitioner's Guide

The NASA/SP-2015-3709, Human Systems Integration (HSI) Practitioner's Guide, also known as the "HSIPG," provides a tool for implementing HSI activities within the NASA systems engineering framework. The HSIPG is written to aid the HSI practitioner engaged in a program or project (P/P), and serves as a knowledge base to allow the practitioner to step into an HSI lead or team member role for NASA missions. Additionally, this HSIPG is written to address the role of HSI in the P/P management and systems engineering communities and aid their understanding of the value added by incorporating good HSI practices into their programs and projects. Through helping to build a community of knowledgeable HSI practitioners, this document also hopes to build advocacy across the Agency for establishing strong, consistent HSI policies and practices. Human Systems Integration (HSI) has been successfully adopted (and adapted) by several federal agencies-most notably the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-as a methodology for reducing system life cycle costs (LCCs). These cost savings manifest themselves due to reductions in required numbers of personnel, the practice of human-centered design, decreased reliance on specialized skills for operations, shortened training time, efficient logistics and maintenance, and fewer safety-related risks and mishaps due to unintended human/system interactions. The HSI process for NASA establishes how cost savings and mission success can be realized through systems engineering. Every program or project has unique attributes. This HSIPG is not intended to provide one-size-fits-all recommendations for HSI implementation. Rather, HSI processes should be tailored to the size, scope, and goals of individual situations. The instructions and processes identified here are best used as a starting point for implementing human-centered system concepts and designs across programs and projects of varying types, including manned and unmanned, human spaceflight, aviation, robotics, and environmental science missions. The practitioner using this guide should have expertise in Systems Engineering or other disciplines involved in producing systems with anticipated human interactions. (See section 1.6 of this guide for further discussion on HSI discipline domains.) The HSIPG provides an "HSI layer" to the NASA Systems Engineering Engine (SEE), detailed in NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 7123.1B, NASA Systems Engineering Processes and Requirements, and further explained in NASA/SP-2007-6105, Systems Engineering Handbook (see HSIPG Table 2.2-1, NASA Documents with HSI Content, for specific references and document versions).

Zumbado, Jennifer Rochlis↗

Detection of CFRP Composite Manufacturing Defects Using a Guided Wave Approach

NASA Langley Research Center is investigating a guided-wave based defect detection technique for as-fabricated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. This technique will be extended to perform in-process cure monitoring, defect detection and size determination, and ultimately a closed-loop process control to maximize composite part quality and consistency. The overall objective of this work is to determine the capability and limitations of the proposed defect detection technique, as well as the number and types of sensors needed to identify the size, type, and location of the predominant types of manufacturing defects associated with laminate layup and cure. This includes, porosity, gaps, overlaps, through-the-thickness fiber waviness, and in-plane fiber waviness. The present study focuses on detection of the porosity formed from variations in the matrix curing process, and on local overlaps intentionally introduced during layup of the prepreg. By terminating the cycle prematurely, three 24-ply unidirectional composite panels were manufactured such that each subsequent panel had a higher final degree of cure, and lower level of porosity. It was demonstrated that the group velocity, normal to the fiber direction, of a guided wave mode increased by 5.52 percent from the first panel to the second panel and 1.26 percent from the second panel to the third panel. Therefore, group velocity was utilized as a metric for degree of cure and porosity measurements. A fully non-contact guided wave hybrid system composed of an air-coupled transducer and a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) was used for the detection and size determination of an overlap By transforming the plate response from the time-space domain to the frequency-wavenumber domain, the total wavefield was then separated into the incident and backscatter waves. The overlap region was accurately imaged by using a zero-lag cross-correlation (ZLCC) imaging condition, implying the incident and backscattered waves are in phase over the overlap boundaries.

Hudson, Tyler B.↗

Design and Use of a Guided Weight Impactor to Impart Barely Visible Impact Damage

Aircraft structure is required to demonstrate satisfaction of the FAR requirements for Category 1, such as barely visible impact damage (BVID). Typical aircraft structure is impacted using a dropped weight impactor, which can impart BVID to the top surface of the structure. A recent test of a multi-bay box (MBB) composite test article, that represents an 80% scale center section of a hybrid wing body aircraft, required impact to be in a direction other than vertical from above, but still in an direction that is normal to the surface. This requirement eliminated the use of the conventional dropped weight impactor. Therefore, a design study was undertaken to determine the most effective way to efficiently and reliably impact the MBB. The chosen design was a guided weight impactor that is gravity driven. This paper describes the design of the guided weight impactor, and presents the results of its use for imparting BVID to the MBB. The guided weight impactor was seen to be a very reliable method to impart BVID, while at the same time having the capability to be highly configurable for use on other aircraft structure that is impacted at a variety of impact energies and from a variety of directions.

Lovejoy, Andrew E.↗

Development of a Fully Automated Guided Wave System for In-Process Cure Monitoring of CFRP Composite Laminates

A guided wave-based in-process cure monitoring technique for carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites was investigated at NASA Langley Research Center. A key cure transition point (vitrification) was identified and the degree of cure was monitored using metrics such as amplitude and time of arrival (TOA) of guided waves. Using an automated system preliminarily developed in this work, high-temperature piezoelectric transducers were utilized to interrogate a twenty-four ply unidirectional composite panel fabricated from Hexcel (Registered Trademark) IM7/8552 prepreg during cure. It was shown that the amplitude of the guided wave increased sharply around vitrification and the TOA curve possessed an inverse relationship with degree of cure. The work is a first step in demonstrating the feasibility of transitioning the technique to perform in-process cure monitoring in an autoclave, defect detection during cure, and ultimately a closed-loop process control to maximize composite part quality and consistency.

Hudson, Tyler B.↗

Simulation of Guided Wave Interaction with In-Plane Fiber Waviness

Reducing the timeline for certification of composite materials and enabling the expanded use of advanced composite materials for aerospace applications are two primary goals of NASA's Advanced Composites Project (ACP). A key a technical challenge area for accomplishing these goals is the development of rapid composite inspection methods with improved defect characterization capabilities. Ongoing work at NASA Langley is focused on expanding ultrasonic simulation capabilities for composite materials. Simulation tools can be used to guide the development of optimal inspection methods. Custom code based on elastodynamic finite integration technique is currently being developed and implemented to study ultrasonic wave interaction with manufacturing defects, such as in-plane fiber waviness (marcelling). This paper describes details of validation comparisons performed to enable simulation of guided wave propagation in composites containing fiber waviness. Simulation results for guided wave interaction with in-plane fiber waviness are also discussed. The results show that the wavefield is affected by the presence of waviness on both the surface containing fiber waviness, as well as the opposite surface to the location of waviness.

Leckey, Cara A. C.↗

Isolators Including Main Spring Linear Guide Systems

Embodiments of isolators, such as three parameter isolators, including a main spring linear guide system are provided. In one embodiment, the isolator includes first and second opposing end portions, a main spring mechanically coupled between the first and second end portions, and a linear guide system extending from the first end portion, across the main spring, and toward the second end portion. The linear guide system expands and contracts in conjunction with deflection of the main spring along the working axis, while restricting displacement and rotation of the main spring along first and second axes orthogonal to the working axis.

Goold, Ryan↗

AF-Shell 1.0 User Guide

This document serves as a user guide for the AF-Shell 1.0 software, an efficient tool for progressive damage simulation in composite laminates. This guide contains minimal technical material and is meant solely as a guide for a new user to apply AF-Shell 1.0 to laminate damage simulation problems.

McElroy, Mark W.↗

Material Property Estimation in Thin Battery Components Using Guided Wave Measurement, Experimental Dispersion Curve Extraction and Finite Element Modeling

At NASA, we are investigating nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques to detect precursors of thermal runaway failure in lithium metal based lithium ion batteries (LIB). The approach is centered on computational simulation models to guide inspection and aid in interpretation of results. Since lithium metal LIBs have combinations of solid and fluid-filled porous materials, obtaining accurate material properties is both challenging and critical for successful simulation of battery inspection. To this end, we investigated a multi-verification approach for material characterization of thin battery components. First, a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) was used to measure guided wave fields in thin (microns-thick) battery components subject to broadband excitation. The time-space wavefield data was converted to frequency-wave number data to extract guided wave dispersion curves. A data visualization and post processing graphics user interface (GUI) was developed at NASA to aid the data exploration and analysis. Due to the thinness of the samples, low frequency-thickness-product plate wave approximations allowed for the calculation of closed-form solutions for material elastic property estimation. These approximations were then verified by calculating the Lamb wave solutions using the previously obtained material properties. Finally, the estimated elastic material properties were implemented in a COMSOL simulation model, and dispersion curves were extracted from simulation results. The dispersion curves and derived material properties were then compared to the analysis results from the experimental data. These comparisons informed on the accuracy of the measured material properties and helped demonstrate the accuracy of the finite element analysis (FEA) computational models. This assessment will prove vital when we start simulating more complex multi-layer components and poroelastic media. This paper gives a brief background of the problem space, outlines the workflow for data analysis and verification, shows results from the workflow, and gives an overview of future plans for simulation of lithium metal LIB inspection.

Peter Juarez↗

Laser-Guided Space Interferometer

The mirrors of astronomical interferometers need to be aligned within a fraction of a wavelength relative to one another. This would be especially challenging for optical instruments with mirrors separated by hundreds of meters flying in Earth’s orbit. However, in this work, we show that this alignment can be achieved by means of: (i) flying the mirror cluster in a particular orbital configuration; (ii) closing a coarse positioning loop using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System); and (iii) closing a fine wavefront-control loop using light from a laser guide star. The orbital configuration is designed to keep the mirrors passively pointing at the target star (up to a small orbital perturbation) while the interferometer cluster is orbiting and changing its baseline. The laser guide star would be flying in the same orbit but in the opposite direction. In medium- or high-Earth orbit, the interferometer would be able to observe a star for several hours per orbit. In this work, we analyzed the performance of an optical space interferometer consisting of nine 20 cm mirrors mounted on CubeSats and flying 3 km apart (together with a combiner and a laser guide star small satellite). This configuration supports a resolution of 0.04 milliarcseconds - an order of magnitude better than current ground-based interferometers. We estimate the performance of this system imaging stellar surfaces assuming perfect wavefront estimation and control.

Leonid Pogorelyuk↗

Cyber Informed Engineering (CIE) Curriculum Guide

The Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Curriculum Guide provides a framework, guidance, and resources for incorporating CIE into university-level engineering programs and related educational activities. A key goal of this guide is to help institutions deliver CIE focused education to produce future engineers and technicians who meet the nation’s infrastructure needs. To accommodate a broad range of educational goals and approaches, this guide outlines several practical integration strategies, links to resources that can accelerate CIE adoption, and offers perspectives from partner academic institutions on the various implementation strategies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Verification of nonperturbative guiding center theory in symmetric fields

We verify a recently-developed nonperturbative guiding center formalism to charged particle dynamics in fields with two-parameter continuous symmetry groups. This entails finding exact constants of motion, valid in the nonperturbative regime, that agree with Kruskal’s adiabatic invariant series to all orders in the perturbative regime, when the field scale length is large compared with a typical gyroradius. We demonstrate that the nonperturbative guiding center model makes exact predictions in these cases, even though it eliminates the cyclotron timescale, thereby establishing a theoretical baseline for performance of the nonperturbative formalism.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Low Frequency Guided Plate Waves Propagation in Fiber Reinforced Composites

Conventional destructive techniques for the determination of the elastic stiffness constants of composite materials can be costly and often inaccurate. Reliable nondestructive evaluation methods for monitoring the integrity of composite materials and structures are needed. Guided wave propagation in isotropic plate have been studied. Studies on the low frequency symmetric guide waves are presented.

applied mechanics and materials plate wave propaga↗

Modeling of Guided Waves for Aerospace Applications

Advancements in computer hardware has led to new possibilities for rapid modeling and simulation capabilities across many scientific fields. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) can benefit from increased use of simulation tools to guide optimization of inspection and health monitoring methods, enhance understanding of data, aid in development of defect characterization methods, and generate data sets for use with machine learning and model-assisted probability of detection. Recent work at NASA has entailed development and benchmarking of both custom simulation codes and commercial simulation tools for ultrasonic wave propagation. This paper describes recent work at NASA in modeling of guided waves in composites and other aerospace materials. Results and computational speeds for a composite benchmark case are reported for a custom finite difference Rotated Staggered Grid code and for the commercial finite element software package, Pogo. Recent progress in linking NDE models to parametric analysis tools is also discussed.

Nondestructive evaluation↗

Gateway Payload Users Guide

This Gateway Payload Users Guide is provided as an introduction to science operations on the Gateway for potential Payload Developer (PD) teams. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide that answers detailed questions that may arise. More detailed information and resources will be provided as PD teams work toward launch and flight operations. This document does not contain payload or system requirements. Payload requirements are contained in GP-10037: Gateway Payload Interface Definition Document. Applicable requirements from GP-10037 will be derived into payload-specific requirements documents.

utilization↗