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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.

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At least 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Computational methods to obtain time optimal jet engine control

Dynamic Programming and the Fletcher-Reeves Conjugate Gradient Method are two existing methods which can be applied to solve a general class of unconstrained fixed time, free right end optimal control problems. New techniques are developed to adapt these methods to solve a time optimal control problem with state variable and control constraints. Specifically, they are applied to compute a time optimal control for a jet engine control problem.

Basso, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Averaging analysis of adaptive control algorithms

The method of averaging is used to analyze discrete-time indirect adaptive control. The analysis focuses on various prediction-error-driven identification algorithms coupled with a general linear control law. The plant is not required to be in the model set of the identifier, which accounts for systems with unmodeled plant dynamics. Exogenous input signals including known command signals and unknown disturbances are also included. Both gradient and Newton-based algorithms are considered.

Phillips, Stephen M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Implementation of robotic force control with position accommodation

As the need for robotic manipulation in fields such as manufacturing and telerobotics increases, so does the need for effective methods of controlling the interaction forces between the manipulators and their environment. Position Accommodation (PA) is a form of robotic force control where the nominal path of the manipulator is modified in response to forces and torques sensed at the tool-tip of the manipulator. The response is tailored such that the manipulator emulates a mechanical impedance to its environment. PA falls under the category of position-based robotic force control, and may be viewed as a form of Impedance Control. The practical implementations are explored of PA into an 18 degree-of-freedom robotic testbed consisting of two PUMA 560 arms mounted on two 3 DOF positioning platforms. Single and dual-arm architectures for PA are presented along with some experimental results. Characteristics of position-based force control are discussed, along with some of the limitations of PA.

Ryan, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Coordinated Control of Natural and Sub-Synchronous Oscillations via HVDC Links in Great Britain Power System

Conventional power oscillation damping (POD) controllers have been designed to be effective in damping either inter-area low-frequency oscillations (LFO) or sub-synchronous oscillations (SSO). For those POD controls, model-based control design method has been widely implemented with wide-area feedback signals from phasor measurement units (PMU). However, the model accuracy of a large realistic power system can hardly be guaranteed, which will finally impact the POD damping performance. In this paper, a measurement-based method is proposed for POD design using High Voltage Direct Current links (HVDC) to realize the coordinated control of both LFO and SSO. For each type of oscillations, a band-pass filter is added to avoid the interactions between different modes. Case studies are carried out on the Great Britain 36-bus power system model with multiple HVDC links in DIgSILENT/PowerFactory. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed PODs are effective in damping inter-area LFO and SSO simultaneously.

Zhao, Yi↗
DOE OSTI2023

Laminar Burning Speed Measurements of Hydrogen/Natural Gas Mixtures

Abstract To address the shortage of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of exhaust emissions, research efforts in combustion seek to identify candidates for sustainable fuels. Hydrogen is an example, from which water is produced as the main combustion product. However, when used as neat hydrogen, it is very difficult to control hydrogen combustion due to its high flame speed, pre-ignition propensity, and flashback characteristics. One method to control hydrogen combustion is to blend it with a well-established fuel. Natural gas is a common fuel for use in engines or gas turbines. Natural gas is characterized by slow flame speeds and poor lean-burn ability; thus, engine power is decreased in the lean-burn region. Consequently, natural gas engines are typically operated at stoichiometric conditions to maximize output. Blending hydrogen to natural gas has several advantages: (i) Control of hydrogen’s ignition characteristics, (ii) extension of Natural gas’s lower flammability limit — making it easier to ignite, and (iii) reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the laminar burning speed (LBS) for neat natural gas and natural gas/hydrogen mixtures at 5 atm and 296 K were measured. Schlieren optical imaging was utilized to validate laminar flame conditions and further investigate the structure of natural gas/hydrogen flames. Results indicate that replacing 50% of natural gas with hydrogen increases the peak laminar burning velocity by a factor of ∼1.6 times. LBS simulations were conducted with NUI 1.1 and UCF NG/H2 mechanisms; Predictions by both mechanisms were found to be satisfactory for neat NG mixtures. However, for 50% NG/ 50% H2 mixture, the true LBS for fuel-lean conditions was under-predicted by both models, while predictions for fuel-rich conditions were satisfactory. Additionally, a literature review and similar experimental analysis will be performed for methane, ammonia, and hydrogen fuel blends to better understand the combustion phenomena of natural gas fuels.

Yovino, Louis↗
NASA NTRS1980

A method of order reduction for structural dynamics

This paper presents a new method of order reduction based on recent work of a similar nature applicable to system dynamics and control. This method provides a practical computational procedure for producing a condensed model which exactly preserves the slowest n1 modes (where n1 is the number of 'slow' eigenvalues) of the total n modes of the original model for almost any set of n1 degrees of freedom retained in the condensed model. The method can also be used to compute the eigensolutions corresponding to the n1 slowest modes of the original structural dynamics problem. The accuracy of the condensed model and the speed/accuracy performance of the eigensolver are compared with standard methods for a 90 DOF cantilevered plate.

Anderson, L. R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Controlled Dielectric Breakdown to Form Pinhole Passivating Contacts

This contribution explores an alternate route to forming pinhole-based poly-Si/dielectric/c-Si passivating contacts. The method utilizes controlled dielectric breakdown or electroforming to produce nanoscale pinholes in a thick (non-tunnelling) dielectric which, when annealed, allows dopant atoms to pass from doped poly-Si through the pinholes and into the c-Si wafer, forming conductive pathways. We show that the pinholes lose passivation after electroforming but can be repassivated with a forming gas anneal. N-type contacts show contact resistivities of ~20 mOhm-cm2, but p-type contacts are ~100 mOhm-cm2. Devices show a distinct kink in the J-V curve indicative of a barrier to transport. The method can be expanded to optimized dielectric passivation stacks (not just thin, single layers) and can be formed in parallel over the faces of the wafer in selected areas (pinholes only under the grid lines).

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SU↗
DOE OSTI2020

System and method for modeling and forecasting cyclical demand systems with dynamic controls and dynamic incentives

Systems and methods for modeling and forecasting cyclical demand systems in the presence of dynamic control or dynamic incentives. A method for modeling a cyclical demand system comprises obtaining historical data on one or more demand measurements over a plurality of demand cycles, obtaining historical data on incentive signals over the plurality of demand cycles, constructing a model using the obtained historical data on the one or more demand measurements and the incentive signals, wherein constructing the model comprises specifying a state-space model, specifying variance parameters in the model, and estimating unknown variance parameters.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Controlled Dielectric Breakdown to Form Pinhole Passivated Contacts

This contribution explores a low-temperature route to forming dielectric pinholes to form poly-Si/dielectric/c-Si passivated contacts. The method utilizes controlled dielectric breakdown to form nanoscale pinholes in a thick (non-tunnelling) dielectric which, when annealed, allows dopant atoms to pass from doped poly-Si through the dielectric and into the c-Si wafer forming conductive pathways. We show that the pinholes can be repassivated with dopants and H diffusion which results in increased PL signals after processing. The method can be expanded to optimized dielectric passivation stacks (not just a single layer) and can be formed in parallel over the faces of the wafer in selected areas (only under the grid).

controlled dielectric breakdown↗
NASA NTRS1980

Maximum likelihood method for estimating airplane stability and control parameters from flight data in frequency domain

A frequency domain maximum likelihood method is developed for the estimation of airplane stability and control parameters from measured data. The model of an airplane is represented by a discrete-type steady state Kalman filter with time variables replaced by their Fourier series expansions. The likelihood function of innovations is formulated, and by its maximization with respect to unknown parameters the estimation algorithm is obtained. This algorithm is then simplified to the output error estimation method with the data in the form of transformed time histories, frequency response curves, or spectral and cross-spectral densities. The development is followed by a discussion on the equivalence of the cost function in the time and frequency domains, and on advantages and disadvantages of the frequency domain approach. The algorithm developed is applied in four examples to the estimation of longitudinal parameters of a general aviation airplane using computer generated and measured data in turbulent and still air. The cost functions in the time and frequency domains are shown to be equivalent; therefore, both approaches are complementary and not contradictory. Despite some computational advantages of parameter estimation in the frequency domain, this approach is limited to linear equations of motion with constant coefficients.

Klein, V.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Reciprocal Control of Hierarchical DNA Origami-Nanoparticle Assemblies

DNA origami mechanisms offer promising tools for precision nanomanipulation of molecules or nanomaterials. Recent advances have extended the function of individual DNA origami devices to material scales via hierarchical assemblies. However, achieving rapid and precise control of large conformational changes in hierarchical assemblies remains a critical challenge. In this work, we demonstrate a method for controlling DNA origami-nanoparticle assemblies through a multiscale approach, in which nanoparticles impart control on the conformation of individual DNA origami mechanisms, whereas DNA origami assemblies control the conformation of nanoparticle arrays. Specifically, we show that the angular distributions of DNA origami hinge mechanisms are tunable as a function of nanoparticle size and distance from the hinge vertex. We selectively adjust the affinity of nanoparticle binding sites, resulting in hinge actuation via DNA melting without releasing the nanoparticle, thereby enabling rapid and reversible temperature-based actuation. Finally, we demonstrate this rapid actuation in DNA origami-nanoparticle arrays of length scales extending over a micron. These results provide guiding principles toward the design of dynamic, DNA-origami hierarchical materials capable of storing and releasing mechanical energy.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1966

Nonlinear studies, optimal control

Attitude control for earth satellite in elliptic orbit, linearization in attitude control, and computation of optimal controls by method based on second variations

LINEARIZATION↗
NASA NTRS1992

Floating zone melting of cadmium telluride

To produce superior crystals of cadmium telluride, floating zone melting in space has been proposed. Techniques required for floating zone melting of cadmium telluride are being developed. We have successfully float-zoned cadmium telluride on earth using square rods. A resistance heater was constructed for forming the molten zone. Evaporation of the molten zone was controlled by adding excess cadmium to the growth ampoule combined with heating of the entire ampoule. An effective method to hold the feed rod was developed. Slow rotation of the growth ampoule was proven experimentally to be necessary to achieve a complete symmetric molten zone. Most of the resultant cylindrical rods were single crystals with twins. Still needed is a suitable automatic method to control the zone length. We tried a fiber optical technique to control the zone length, but experiments showed that application of this technique to automate zone length control is unlikely to be successful.

Chang, Wen-Ming↗
NASA NTRS1994

Design of high pressure waterjet nozzles

The Hydroblast Research Cell at Marshall Space Flight Center is used to investigate the use of high pressure waterjets to strip paint, grease, adhesive and thermal spray coatings from various substrates. Current methods of cleaning often use ozone depleting chemicals (ODC) such as chlorinated solvents. High pressure waterjet cleaning has proven to be a viable alternative to the use of solvents. A popular method of waterjet cleaning involves the use of a rotating, multijet, high pressure water nozzle which is robotically controlled. This method enables rapid cleaning of a large area, but problems such as incomplete coverage and damage to the substrate from the waterjet have been observed. This report summarizes research consisting of identifying and investigating the basic properties of rotating, multijet, high pressure water nozzles, and how particular designs and modes of operation affect such things as stripping rate, standoff distance and completeness of coverage. The study involved computer simulations, an extensive literature review, and experimental studies of different nozzle designs.

Mazzoleni, Andre P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Maximum likelihood identification and optimal input design for identifying aircraft stability and control derivatives

A new method of extracting aircraft stability and control derivatives from flight test data is developed based on the maximum likelihood cirterion. It is shown that this new method is capable of processing data from both linear and nonlinear models, both with and without process noise and includes output error and equation error methods as special cases. The first application of this method to flight test data is reported for lateral maneuvers of the HL-10 and M2/F3 lifting bodies, including the extraction of stability and control derivatives in the presence of wind gusts. All the problems encountered in this identification study are discussed. Several different methods (including a priori weighting, parameter fixing and constrained parameter values) for dealing with identifiability and uniqueness problems are introduced and the results given. The method for the design of optimal inputs for identifying the parameters of linear dynamic systems is also given. The criterion used for the optimization is the sensitivity of the system output to the unknown parameters. Several simple examples are first given and then the results of an extensive stability and control dervative identification simulation for a C-8 aircraft are detailed.

Stepner, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Real-time optimal guidance for orbital maneuvering.

A new formulation for soft-constraint trajectory optimization is presented as a real-time optimal feedback guidance method for multiburn orbital maneuvers. Control is always chosen to minimize burn time plus a quadratic penalty for end condition errors, weighted so that early in the mission (when controllability is greatest) terminal errors are held negligible. Eventually, as controllability diminishes, the method partially relaxes but effectively still compensates perturbations in whatever subspace remains controllable. Although the soft-constraint concept is well-known in optimal control, the present formulation is novel in addressing the loss of controllability inherent in multiple burn orbital maneuvers. Moreover the necessary conditions usually obtained from a Bolza formulation are modified in this case so that the fully hard constraint formulation is a numerically well behaved subcase. As a result convergence properties have been greatly improved.

Cohen, A. O.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Operating a commercial building HVAC load as a virtual battery through airflow control

Virtual battery (VB) is an innovative method to model flexibility of building loads and effectively coordinate them with other resources at a system level. Unlike a real battery with a dedicated power conversion system for charging control, methods are required for operating building loads to deviate from the baseline to respond to grid signals. This paper presents a VB control for a commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to follow the desired power consumption in real-time by adjusting zonal airflow rates. The proposed method consists of two parts. At the system level, a mixed feedforward and feedback control is used to estimate the desired total airflow rate. At the zone level, two priority-based algorithms are then proposed to distribute the total airflow rate to individual zones. In particular, a zonal airflow limit estimation method is proposed using machine-learning techniques, in contrast to physics-based thermal models in existing studies, to more accurately capture zonal thermal dynamics and improve temperature control performance. An office building on the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory campus is implemented in EnergyPlus, and used to illustrate and validate the proposed control.

Wang, Jiyu↗