Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “spin dynamics”

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

The dynamics of particle disks. II - Effects of spin degrees of freedom

The present treatment of the thermal equilibria of differentially-rotating, axisymmetric disks consisting of identical, spin-possessing as well as translational DOF-possessing hard sphere particles characterizes these disks' dynamics by means of two novel parameters: (1) the tangential restitution coefficient, and (2) the dimensionless moment of inertia. It is established that rings composed of spinning particles can generally be thermally balanced within more restricted ranges of the optical depth, as well as at higher values of the normal restitution coefficient, than spinless rings. Mean spin is indefinite in the present framework of neglected finite particle-size effects.

Araki, Suguru↗

Application of the equilibrium spin technique to a typical low-wing general aviation design

A graphical implementation of the equilibrium technique for obtaining spin modes from rotary balance data is presented. Using this technique, spin modes were computed for the NASA Low-Wing General Aviation Aircraft. The computed angles of attack are within 10 degrees of the NASA spin tunnel results. The method also provides information on the dynamic nature of spin modes. This technique offers the capability of providing a great deal of information on spin modes and recovery, using data from a single experimental installation. Such a technique could be utilized in the preliminary design phase in order to provide basic information on aircraft spin and recovery characteristics. Results, advantages and limitations of the application of this technique are discussed.

Tischler, M. B.↗

Low Speed Dynamic Model Investigation of Apollo Command Module Configuration in the Langley Spin Tunnel

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley spin tunnel to determine the dynamic stability of the Apollo command module at low subsonic speeds, both with and without drogue parachutes. The investigation consisted of tests to determine (1) the dynamic stability of the command module alone, (2) the motion of the command module during the deployment of a drogue parachute, (3) the effect of various drogue-parachute configurations on the stability of the command module, and (4) the effect of modifications to the command module to prevent an apex-forward trim condition.

TESTS↗

Newton-Euler Dynamic Equations of Motion for a Multi-body Spacecraft

The Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission employs a formation of spinning spacecraft with several flexible appendages and thruster-based control. To understand the complex dynamic interaction of thruster actuation, appendage motion, and spin dynamics, each spacecraft is modeled as a tree of rigid bodies connected by spherical or gimballed joints. The method presented facilitates assembling by inspection the exact, nonlinear dynamic equations of motion for a multibody spacecraft suitable for solution by numerical integration. The building block equations are derived by applying Newton's and Euler's equations of motion to an "element" consisting of two bodies and one joint (spherical and gimballed joints are considered separately). Patterns in the "mass" and L'force" matrices guide assembly by inspection of a general N-body tree-topology system. Straightforward linear algebra operations are employed to eliminate extraneous constraint equations, resulting in a minimum-dimension system of equations to solve. This method thus combines a straightforward, easily-extendable, easily-mechanized formulation with an efficient computer implementation.

Stoneking, Eric↗

Spin-Entry Characteristics of a Large Supersonic Bomber as Determined by Dynamic Model Tests

An investigation has been conducted in the Langley spin tunnel and at a catapult launch facility of a 1/60-scale dynamic model to determine the spin-entry characteristics of a large supersonic bomber. Catapult tests indicated that spin-entry motions were obtainable for a center-of-gravity location of 0.21 mean aerodynamic chord but were not obtainable at a center-of-gravity location of 0.25 mean aerodynamic chord. Deflected ailerons were effective in promoting or preventing the spin- entry motion and this effect was qualitatively the same as it was for the fully developed spin. Varying the configuration had little significant effect on the spin-entry characteristics. Brief tests conducted with the model in the Langley spin tunnel indicated that fully developed spins were obtainable at the forward center-of-gravity location and that spins were highly unlikely at the rearward center-of-location.

Bowman, James S.↗

The motion and stability of spin stabilized spacecraft with hinged appendages

The dynamics and stability of a spin stabilized spacecraft with a hinged appendage system are treated analytically and numerically. The hinged system consists of a central hub with masses attached to massless booms of fixed length whose orientation relative to the main part can change. The equations of motion for the hinged system, with viscous damping at both hinge points, are linearized about the nominal equilibrium position where the booms are orthogonal to the nominal spin axis. Analytic stability criteria indicate that hinge damping must be present and that for limiting cases, where the spin axis is an axis of symmetry, certain conditions relating the hinge point offset coordinates to the moment of inertia ratio and end masses must be satisfied. The hinge damping is always required for the nominal deployment of hinge members.

Sellappan, R.↗

Free-Spinning-Tunnel Investigation of a 1/25-Scale Model of the Chance Vought F8U-1P Airplane

An investigation has been made in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a 1/25-scale dynamic model to determine the spin and recovery characteristics of the Chance Vought F8U-1P airplane. Results indicated that the F8U-IP airplane would have spin-recovery characteristics similar to the XF8U-1 design, a model of which was tested and the results of the tests reported in NACA Research Memorandum SL56L31b. The results indicate that some modification in the design, or some special technique for recovery, is required in order to insure satisfactory recovery from fully developed erect spins. The recommended recovery technique for the F8U-lP will be full rudder reversal and movement of ailerons full with the spin (stick right in a right spin) with full deflection of the wing leading- edge flap. Inverted spins will be difficult to obtain and any inverted spin obtained should be readily terminated by full rudder reversal to oppose the yawing rotation and neutralization of the longitudinal and lateral controls. In an emergency, the same size parachute recommended for the XFBU-1 airplane will be adequate for termination of the spin: a stable parachute 17.7 feet in diameter (projected) with a drag coefficient of 1.14 (based on projected diameter) and a towline length of 36.5 feet.

Browman, James S., Jr.↗

Unusual Contact-Line Dynamics of Thick Films and Drops

We report several novel phenomena In contact-line and fingering dynamics of macroscopic spinning drops and gravity-driven films with dimensions larger than the capillary length. It is shown through experimental and theoretical analysis that such macroscopic films can exhibit various interfacial shapes, including multi valued ones, near the contact line due to a balance between the external body forces with capillarity. This rich variety of front shapes couples with the usual capillary, viscous, and intermolecular forces at the contact line to produce a rich and unexpected spectrum of contact-line dynamics. A single finger develops when part of the front becomes multivalued on a partially wetting macroscopic spinning drop in contrast to a different mechanism for microscopic drops of completely wetting fluids. Contrary to general expectation, we observe that, at high viscosity and low frequencies of rotation, the speed of a glycerine finger increases with increasing viscosity. Completely wetting Dow Corning 200 Fluid spreads faster over a dry inclined plane than a prewetted one. The presence of a thin prewetted film suppresses fingering both for gravity-driven flow and for spin coating. We analyze some of these unique phenomena in detail and offer qualitative physical explanations for the others.

Veretennikov, Igor↗

The dynamics of particle disks. III - Dense and spinning particle disks

The kinetic theory of planetary rings developed by Araki and Tremaine (1986) and Araki (1988) is extended and refined, with a focus on the implications of finite particle size: (1) nonlocal collisions and (2) finite filling factors. Consideration is given to the derivation of the equations for the local steady state, the low-optical-depth limit, and the steady state at finite filling factors (including the effects of collision inelasticity, spin degrees of freedom, and self-gravity). Numerical results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. The importance of distinguishing effects (1) and (2) at low optical depths is stressed, and the existence of vertical density profiles with layered structures at high filling factors is demonstrated.

Araki, Suguru↗

Incipient- and Developed-Spin and Recovery Characteristics of a Modern High-Speed Fighter Design with Low Aspect Ratio as Determined from Dynamic-Model Tests

Incipient- and developed-spin and recovery characteristics of a modern high-speed fighter design with low aspect ratio have been investigated by means of dynamic model tests. A 1/7-scale radio-controlled model was tested by means of drop tests from a helicopter. Several 1/25-scale models with various configuration changes were tested in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel. Model results indicated that generally it would be difficult to obtain a developed spin with a corresponding airplane and that either the airplane would recover of its own accord from any poststall motion or the poststall motion could be readily terminated by proper control technique. On occasion, however, the results indicated that if a post-stall motion were allowed to continue, a fully developed spin might be obtainable from which recovery could range from rapid to no recovery at all, even when optimum control technique was used. Satisfactory recoveries could be obtained with a proper-size tail parachute or strake, application of pitching-, rolling-, or yawing-moment rockets, or sufficient differential deflection of the horizontal tail.

Lee, Henry A.↗

A feasibility study of developing toroidal tanks for a spinning spacecraft

A study was made to determine the feasibility of developing toroidal propellant tanks for a bipropellant (N204/MMH) propulsion system to be used in a proposed advanced Pioneer spin-stabilized vehicle intended for a Jupiter-orbiter and possibly a Saturn-orbiter mission. The rationale for considering the use of two toroidal tanks rather than the proposed use of four spherical tanks includes the belief that a more symmetrical distribution of propellant mass and a smaller variation in the position of the vehicle center-of-mass during propellant consumption would result, reducing requirements for attitude-control propellants, for balance weight, and for other weights associated with the dynamics of the spinning spacecraft. Results lead to the conclusion that a toroidal tank containing an effective, passive surface tension propellant acquisition device could be fabricated with available manufacturing methods and could be used interchangeably for either fuel or oxidizer.

Anderson, J. E.↗

MXER Simulation Study (Appendix A)

In this study, we consider the dynamics of a spinning tether system in an elliptical orbit in application to the Momentum Exchange Electrodynamic Reboost system. Momentum exchange tether systems have been studied in a variety of applications since Hans Moravec's early publication. It has recently been suggested that momentum exchange systems can be enhanced with electrodynamic reboost between payload transfers. The Momentum Exchange Electrodynamic Reboost system (MXER) has a projected tether span of up to 100 km, and spins rapidly with a period of 6-7 min. It is placed in an orbit with a low perigee of about 400 km and a high apogee of about 8000 km. To capture a payload at a perigee rendezvous, within a window of a few seconds, the motion of the system has to be predicted with very high precision, having acceptable position errors on the order of 1 m. While this level of precision is routinely achieved today for conventional (non-tethered) satellites, it is much more difficult to achieve for a 100 km long flexible tether system. It is the goal of this study to investigate theoretical aspects of the dynamics and offer a practical approach to high precision dynamic modeling of a typical momentum exchange tether system.

Levin, E. M.↗

Attitude and articulation control concepts for the Earth Observing System

A study of pointing requirements and control approaches for the Earth Observing System, EOS, is presented. The proposed instrument set includes several massive instruments with varied articulation requirements, and pointing control requirements in several cases tighter than 0.01 degrees. Approaches to multipayload control and stability are explored, including: (a) the use of interconnected but dynamically isolated payload modules on a large platform, each with independent inertial control, and (b) precision basebody control of smaller platforms, with momentum compensated articulation and on-orbit dynamic balancing of spin-scan instruments. Results from multibody spacecraft models highlight potential payload dynamic interaction problems and suggest the need for dynamic isolation and disturbance rejection control techniques.

Bell, C. E.↗

On quasar evolution.

We examine the consequences for quasar statistics of a class of models describing the evolution of individual strong sources. The continuity equation for the change of density and luminosity with cosmological epoch determines the population, once a model for the evolution of an individual object is chosen. A dynamical model of spinning objects seems to agree satisfactorily with the present observational sample, both in density and in luminosity function; such a model requires that an individual object strongly brightens as time goes on. A genetic relationship between quasars and radio galaxies which qualitatively fits the observations is suggested by the model.

Cavaliere, A.↗

Modeling and Development of a Magnetic Bearing Controller for a High Speed Flywheel System

This paper describes a modeling effort used to develop an improved type of magnetic bearing controller, called a modal controller, for use on high speed flywheel systems. The controller design is based on models of the flywheel system, is designed to directly control the natural dynamics of the spinning rotor, and is generic enough to be readily adapted to future flywheel systems. Modeling and development are described for two key controller subsystems: the modal controller subsystem, which allows direct control over the rotor rigid body modes, and the bending mode compensation subsystem, which tracks, and prevents interference from, the rotor bending modes during flywheel operation. Integration of modeling results into the final controller is described and data taken on the NASA Glenn D1 flywheel module during high speed operation are presented and discussed. The improved modal controller described in this paper has been successfully developed and implemented and has been used for regular hands-free operation of the D1 flywheel module up to its maximum operating speed of 60,000 RPM.

Dever, Timothy P.↗