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At least 163 records · Page 9

Differential surface models for tactile perception of shape and on-line tracking of features

Tactile perception of shape involves an on-line controller and a shape perceptor. The purpose of the on-line controller is to maintain gliding or rolling contact with the surface, and collect information, or track specific features of the surface such as edges of a certain sharpness. The shape perceptor uses the information to perceive, estimate the parameters of, or recognize the shape. The differential surface model depends on the information collected and on the a priori information known about the robot and its physical parameters. These differential models are certain functionals that are projections of the dynamics of the robot onto the surface gradient or onto the tangent plane. A number of differential properties may be directly measured from present day tactile sensors. Others may have to be indirectly computed from measurements. Others may constitute design objectives for distributed tactile sensors of the future. A parameterization of the surface leads to linear and nonlinear sequential parameter estimation techniques for identification of the surface. Many interesting compromises between measurement and computation are possible.

Hemami, H.↗

Earth horizon modeling and application to static Earth sensors on TRMM spacecraft

Data from Earth sensor assemblies (ESA's) often are used in the attitude determination (AD) for both spinning and Earth-pointing spacecraft. The ESA's on previous such spacecraft for which the ground-based AD operation was performed by the Flight Dynamics Division (FDD) used the Earth scanning method. AD on such spacecraft requires a model of the shape of the Earth disk as seen from the spacecraft. AD accuracy requirements often are too severe to permit Earth oblateness to be ignored when modeling disk shape. Section 2 of this paper reexamines and extends the methods for Earth disk shape modeling employed in AD work at FDD for the past decade. A new formulation, based on a more convenient Earth flatness parameter, is introduced, and the geometric concepts are examined in detail. It is shown that the Earth disk can be approximated as an ellipse in AD computations. Algorithms for introducing Earth oblateness into the AD process for spacecraft carrying scanning ESA's have been developed at FDD and implemented into the support systems. The Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) will be the first spacecraft with AD operation performed at FDD that uses a different type of ESA - namely, a static one - containing four fixed detectors D(sub i) (i = 1 to 4). Section 3 of this paper considers the effect of Earth oblateness on AD accuracy for TRMM. This effect ideally will not induce AD errors on TRMM when data from all four D(sub i) are present. When data from only two or three D(sub i) are available, however, a spherical Earth approximation can introduce errors of 0.05 to 0.30 deg on TRMM. These oblateness-induced errors are eliminated by a new algorithm that uses the results of Section 2 to model the Earth disk as an ellipse.

Keat, J.↗

Analytical and Experimental Determination of the Coupled Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes of a Dynamic Model of a Single-Rotor Helicopter

A combined analytical and experimental determination is made of the coupled natural frequencies and mode shapes in the longitudinal plane of symmetry for a dynamic model of a single-rotor helicopter. The analytical phase is worked out on the basis of a seven-degree-of-freedom system combining elastic deflections of the rotor blades, rotor shaft, pylon, and fuselage. The calculated coupled frequencies are first compared with calculated uncoupled frequencies to show the general effects of coupling and then with measured coupled frequencies to determine the extent to which the coupled frequencies can be calculated. The coupled mode shapes are also calculated and were observed visually with stroboscopic lights during the tests. A comparison of the coupled and uncoupled natural frequencies shows that significant differences exist between these frequencies for some of the modes. Good agreement is obtained between the measured and calculated values for the coupled natural frequencies and mode shapes. The results show that the coupled natural frequencies and mode shapes can be determined by the analytical procedure presented herein with sufficient accuracy if the mass and stiffness distributions of the various components of the helicopter are known.

Silveira, Milton A.↗

Structure development in silicon sheet by shaped crystallization

Models are presented for the development of a parallel twinned structure of the 110 plane type and the 112 line type in silicon ribbons. The models are believed to be mutually compatible and operable. The first model relates the requirements for super-cooling during crystallization. The existence of reentrant angles associated with the twin structure is proposed to provide a rough interface to reduce super-cooling. The spacing of the twins is proposed to be limited by the geometrical relationship between the thermal gradient in the liquid and the dimensions of the twinned crystallization front. The second model relates the thermal stress configuration to detail dislocation reactions which would be expected to develop twins. While a specific dislocation mechanism cannot yet be defined, a number of alternatives are presented. All of these various dislocation mechanisms would result in the observed crystalline configuration and the choice among them is not critical.

Leipold, M. H.↗

Engine/airframe integration for waverider cruise vehicles

Engine-airframe integrated hypersonic waveriders have been optimized previously for both cruising flight and accelerators using inverse design flowfields to provide desirable aerodynamic performance and inlet properties. With engine installation, cruisers retain the high L/D advantages of the basic waverider form. To provide an understanding of waverider optimizer trends, an analytical development is presented which includes the presentation of a simplified model of a generic waverider shape. The model is shown to have good agreement with computational results, and it is used to demonstrate engineering tradeoffs in L/D, volume, and volume efficiency. Based on the demonstrated performance trends, and considering the desirability of uniform inlet flow, an improved waverider shape for engine-airframe integration is proposed using a hybrid cone-wedge generating flowfield.

Lewis, Mark J.↗

Mapping of the solar wind electric field on the earth's polar caps

A quantitative model of a magnetically interconnected (open) magnetosphere is developed as a perturbation of Voight's closed magnetosphere model with a given magnetopause shape. The model is shown to give a reasonable representation of the open magnetosphere configuration and is especially useful in testing the magnetospheric consequences of various merging theories. The convection pattern obtained for southward IMF is in reasonable agreement with observations, especially in the manifestation of a convection 'throat' near noon. For northward IMF, this region of constricted flow is rotated in local time in the direction of the IMF, also in accordance with observations.

Toffoletto, F. R.↗

Accurate calculation of control-augmented structural eigenvalue sensitivities using reduced-order models

A method is presented for generating mode shapes for model order reduction in a way that leads to accurate calculation of eigenvalue derivatives and eigenvalues for a class of control augmented structures. The method is based on treating degrees of freedom where control forces act or masses are changed in a manner analogous to that used for boundary degrees of freedom in component mode synthesis. It is especially suited for structures controlled by a small number of actuators and/or tuned by a small number of concentrated masses whose positions are predetermined. A control augmented multispan beam with closely spaced natural frequencies is used for numerical experimentation. A comparison with reduced-order eigenvalue sensitivity calculations based on the normal modes of the structure shows that the method presented produces significant improvements in accuracy.

Livne, Eli↗

Loop Shaping Control Design for a Supersonic Propulsion System Model Using Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) Specifications and Bounds

This paper covers the propulsion system component modeling and controls development of an integrated mixed compression inlet and turbojet engine that will be used for an overall vehicle Aero-Propulso-Servo-Elastic (APSE) model. Using previously created nonlinear component-level propulsion system models, a linear integrated propulsion system model and loop shaping control design have been developed. The design includes both inlet normal shock position control and jet engine rotor speed control for a potential supersonic commercial transport. A preliminary investigation of the impacts of the aero-elastic effects on the incoming flow field to the propulsion system are discussed, however, the focus here is on developing a methodology for the propulsion controls design that prevents unstart in the inlet and minimizes the thrust oscillation experienced by the vehicle. Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) specifications and bounds, and aspects of classical loop shaping are used in the control design process. Model uncertainty is incorporated in the design to address possible error in the system identification mapping of the nonlinear component models into the integrated linear model.

Connolly, Joseph W.↗

Void probability as a function of the void's shape and scale-invariant models

The dependence of counts in cells on the shape of the cell for the large scale galaxy distribution is studied. A very concrete prediction can be done concerning the void distribution for scale invariant models. The prediction is tested on a sample of the CfA catalog, and good agreement is found. It is observed that the probability of a cell to be occupied is bigger for some elongated cells. A phenomenological scale invariant model for the observed distribution of the counts in cells, an extension of the negative binomial distribution, is presented in order to illustrate how this dependence can be quantitatively determined. An original, intuitive derivation of this model is presented.

Elizalde, E.↗

Void probability as a function of the void's shape and scale-invariant models

The dependence of counts in cells on the shape of the cell for the large scale galaxy distribution is studied. A very concrete prediction can be done concerning the void distribution for scale invariant models. The prediction is tested on a sample of the CfA catalog, and good agreement is found. It is observed that the probability of a cell to be occupied is bigger for some elongated cells. A phenomenological scale invariant model for the observed distribution of the counts in cells, an extension of the negative binomial distribution, is presented in order to illustrate how this dependence can be quantitatively determined. An original, intuitive derivation of this model is presented.

Elizalde, E.↗

Modeling of pressure-induced far-infrared absorption spectra Molecular hydrogen pairs

Meyer et al. (1985) have calculated the accurate induced dipole moment function of H2-H2 from first principles, using highly correlated wave functions for the first time in such work. The present paper is concerned with the collision-induced translational-rotational absorption coefficient for molecular hydrogen pairs, taking into account computations on the basis of the fundamental theory considered by Meyer et al. Data have been obtained for temperatures in the range from 40 to 300 K. Criteria are developed for choosing among various model line shapes. It is found that certain models are capable of approximating the quantum profiles closely, with rms errors of only a few percent.

Borysow, J.↗

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.↗

Robust Control Methodology Via Loop Shaping, Root Locus, and Model Reference Control

The paper describes the development of a robust control methodology that can tolerate large uncertainties in plant dynamics in terms of proportional gain variations as well as frequencies and damping. For this to be accomplished, the methodology starts by designing a feedback controller based on a loop shaping technique. The design is then improved by employing a root locus control design approach. Finally, the response of the feedback system is further improved by augmenting the control design using model reference control. The design approach also takes into consideration the speed of the process actuator for a fast response and for high disturbance rejection. Results from two control design examples covered in the paper show that this control approach can tolerate plant proportional gain uncertainty of approximately ± two orders of magnitude with relatively large variations in plant frequencies and damping.

Control Systems↗

Computer-aided roll pass design in rolling of airfoil shapes

This paper describes two computer-aided design (CAD) programs developed for modeling the shape rolling process for airfoil sections. The first program, SHPROL, uses a modular upper-bound method of analysis and predicts the lateral spread, elongation, and roll torque. The second program, ROLPAS, predicts the stresses, roll separating force, the roll torque and the details of metal flow by simulating the rolling process, using the slab method of analysis. ROLPAS is an interactive program; it offers graphic display capabilities and allows the user to interact with the computer via a keyboard, CRT, and a light pen. The accuracy of the computerized models was evaluated by (a) rolling a selected airfoil shape at room temperature from 1018 steel and isothermally at high temperature from Ti-6Al-4V, and (b) comparing the experimental results with computer predictions. The comparisons indicated that the CAD systems, described here, are useful for practical engineering purposes and can be utilized in roll pass design and analysis for airfoil and similar shapes.

Akgerman, N.↗

Shapes and stability of algebraic nuclear models

A generalization of the procedure to study shapes and stability of algebraic nuclear models introduced by Gilmore is presented. One calculates the expectation value of the Hamiltonian with respect to the coherent states of the algebraic structure of the system. Then equilibrium configurations of the resulting energy surface, which depends in general on state variables and a set of parameters, are classified through the Catastrophe theory. For one- and two-body interactions in the Hamiltonian of the interacting Boson model-1, the critical points are organized through the Cusp catastrophe. As an example, we apply this Separatrix to describe the energy surfaces associated to the Rutenium and Samarium isotopes.

Lopez-Moreno, Enrique↗

Solar granulation and statistical crystallography: A modeling approach using size-shape relations

The irregular polygonal pattern of solar granulation is analyzed for size-shape relations using statistical crystallography. In contrast to previous work which has assumed perfectly hexagonal patterns for granulation, more realistic accounting of cell (granule) shapes reveals a broader basis for quantitative analysis. Several features emerge as noteworthy: (1) a linear correlation between number of cell-sides and neighboring shapes (called Aboav-Weaire's law); (2) a linear correlation between both average cell area and perimeter and the number of cell-sides (called Lewis's law and a perimeter law, respectively) and (3) a linear correlation between cell area and squared perimeter (called convolution index). This statistical picture of granulation is consistent with a finding of no correlation in cell shapes beyond nearest neighbors. A comparative calculation between existing model predictions taken from luminosity data and the present analysis shows substantial agreements for cell-size distributions. A model for understanding grain lifetimes is proposed which links convective times to cell shape using crystallographic results.

Noever, D. A.↗

Wind-tunnel test of an articulated helicopter rotor model with several tip shapes

Six interchangeable tip shapes were tested: a square (baseline) tip, an ogee tip, a subwing tip, a swept tip, a winglet tip, and a short ogee tip. In hover at the lower rotational speeds the swept, ogee, and short ogee tips had about the same torque coefficient, and the subwing and winglet tips had a larger torque coefficient than the baseline square tip blades. The ogee and swept tip blades required less torque coefficient at lower rotational speeds and roughly equivalent torque coefficient at higher rotational speeds compared with the baseline square tip blades in forward flight. The short ogee tip required higher torque coefficient at higher lift coefficients than the baseline square tip blade in the forward flight test condition.

Berry, J. D.↗