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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 19 records

Computational Optimization of a Natural Laminar Flow Experimental Wing Glove

Computational optimization of a natural laminar flow experimental wing glove that is mounted on a business jet is presented and discussed. The process of designing a laminar flow wing glove starts with creating a two-dimensional optimized airfoil and then lofting it into a three-dimensional wing glove section. The airfoil design process does not consider the three dimensional flow effects such as cross flow due wing sweep as well as engine and body interference. Therefore, once an initial glove geometry is created from the airfoil, the three dimensional wing glove has to be optimized to ensure that the desired extent of laminar flow is maintained over the entire glove. TRANAIR, a non-linear full potential solver with a coupled boundary layer code was used as the main tool in the design and optimization process of the three-dimensional glove shape. The optimization process uses the Class-Shape-Transformation method to perturb the geometry with geometric constraints that allow for a 2-in clearance from the main wing. The three-dimensional glove shape was optimized with the objective of having a spanwise uniform pressure distribution that matches the optimized two-dimensional pressure distribution as closely as possible. Results show that with the appropriate inputs, the optimizer is able to match the two dimensional pressure distributions practically across the entire span of the wing glove. This allows for the experiment to have a much higher probability of having a large extent of natural laminar flow in flight.

Hartshom, Fletcher↗

Performance of computer-optimized tapered-roller bearings to 2.4 million DN

The performance of 120.65 mm bore high speed design tapered roller bearings was investigated at shaft speeds to 20,000 rpm under combined thrust and radial load. The test bearing design was computer optimized for high speed operation. Temperature distribution and bearing heat generation were determined as a function of shaft speed, radial and thrust loads, lubricant flow rates, and lubricant inlet temperature. The roller bearing operated successfully at shaft speeds up to 20,000 rpm under heavy thrust and radial loads. Cup cooling was effective in decreasing the high cup temperatures to levels equal to the cone temperature.

Parker, R. J.↗

High-Performance Computing Optimization for Aladyn – Adaptive Neural Network Molecular Dynamics Mini-Application

This report provides a description and performance evaluation of the optimization techniques for high performance computing (HPC) implementation of the open source Computational Materials mini-application Aladyn (https://github.com/nasa/aladyn). Aladyn is a basic molecular dynamics code written in FORTRAN 2003, which is designed to demonstrate the use of adaptive neural networks (ANNs) in atomistic simulations. The role of ANNs is to efficiently reproduce the very complex energy landscape resulting from the atomic interactions in materials with the accuracy of the more expensive quantum mechanics-based calculations. The ANN is trained on a large set of atomic structures calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. While achieving orders of magnitude faster computational performance than DFT, the ANN-based approach was still very computationally demanding compared to the conventional approach of using empirically fitted energy functions. After its initial development, Aladyn was evaluated and optimized by experts at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) division to exploit modern supercomputer architectures. The code has been optimized for execution on multicore central processing units (CPUs), including Intel® Skylake microarchitecture, and on graphic accelerators, such as Nvidia® V100 graphic processing units (GPUs), using Open Multi-Processing (OpenMP) and Open Accelerators (OpenACC) programming interfaces. The optimization achieved a speedup of 4.7 times the baseline version on CPU performance and an additional 2.4 times on CPU+GPU performance. Atomistic computer simulations are a fundamental tool in materials research to model material properties form physics-based first principles. Atomic interaction, governed by Quantum Mechanics (QM) require sophisticated and highly computationally demanding mathematical models to calculate [1]. Classical methods use approximate functional forms, empirically fitted through a set of variable parameters to emulate atomic energies as direct functions of atomic coordinates [2]. While empirical potentials are computationally much simpler, allowing simulations of large-scale systems of up to a trillion (1012) atoms [3], they are substantially less accurate compared to quantum calculations and applicable only to very specific atomic configurations or predefined crystallographic phases. A recently suggested approach is to use heuristic machine learning methods [4], such as those based on Adaptive Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict atomic energies, after being trained on a sufficiently large database of QM-calculated structures [5,6]. This approach reduces significantly the computational complexity, allowing for simulations of orders of magnitude larger systems compared to QM-based methods without compromising accuracy. Still, compared to classical methods using empirical energy functions, ANN methods remain two- to three orders of magnitude more computationally demanding. Hence, the computational cost of simulations, together with the need for extensive training of ANNs, still makes the practical implementation of ANN-based methods quite challenging. The purpose of the Aladyn mini-application software [7], available as open source at https://github.com/nasa/aladyn, is to be a testbed for exploring possible optimization strategies to develop highly scalable parallel algorithms for ANN-based atomistic simulations. Aladyn is aimed at utilizing the architecture of the high-end modern highperformance computing (HPC) hardware based on multicore central processing units (CPUs) equipped with graphic processing unit (GPU) accelerators. Specifically, the goal is to optimize the performance on a single HPC compute node, before implementing scaling to multi-node parallelization using message passing interface (MPI). At the same time, the open source code of Aladyn can serve as a training model for students and professors in academia.

Yamakov, Vesselin I.↗

Hybrid computer optimization of systems with random parameters

A hybrid computer Monte Carlo technique for the simulation and optimization of systems with random parameters is presented. The method is applied to the simultaneous optimization of the means and variances of two parameters in the radar-homing missile problem treated by McGhee and Levine.

White, R. C., Jr.↗

Computing Optimal Multiarc Trajectories

Optimal Multi-Arc Trajectories (OMAT) computer program designed to calculate solution to optimal-trajectory problem in cases of low thrust-to-weight ratios. Developed for two-body exoatmospheric problem with three degrees of freedom in inverse-square force field. Offers two different options: impulsive changes in velocity and finite burns with low thrust-to-weight ratios. Two distinct solutions available from program: optimal multi-impulse (OMI) solution and optimal multiburn (OMB) solution. Two solutions obtained separately, or results of OMI solution used to guess unknown parameters of OMB solution. Written for DEC VAX-series computer. Written completely in FORTRAN 77.

Jezewski, Donald J.↗

NBODY - a multipurpose trajectory optimization computer program

Documentation of the NBODY trajectory optimization program is presented in the form of a mathematical development plus a user's manual. Optimal multistage-launch ascent trajectories may be determined by variational thrust steering during the upper phase. Optimal low-thrust interplanetary spacecraft trajectories may also be calculated with solar power or constant power, all-propulsion or embedded coast arcs, fixed or optimal thrust angles, and a variety of terminal end conditions. A hybrid iteration scheme solves the boundary-value problem, while either transversality conditions or a univariate search scheme optimize vehicle or trajectory parameters.

Strack, W. C.↗

Perform - A performance optimizing computer program for dynamic systems subject to transient loadings

A description and applications of a computer capability for determining the ultimate optimal behavior of a dynamically loaded structural-mechanical system are presented. This capability provides characteristics of the theoretically best, or limiting, design concept according to response criteria dictated by design requirements. Equations of motion of the system in first or second order form include incompletely specified elements whose characteristics are determined in the optimization of one or more performance indices subject to the response criteria in the form of constraints. The system is subject to deterministic transient inputs, and the computer capability is designed to operate with a large linear programming on-the-shelf software package which performs the desired optimization. The report contains user-oriented program documentation in engineering, problem-oriented form. Applications cover a wide variety of dynamics problems including those associated with such diverse configurations as a missile-silo system, impacting freight cars, and an aircraft ride control system.

Pilkey, W. D.↗

Multidisciplinary Aerospace Systems Optimization: Computational AeroSciences (CAS) Project

The report describes a method for performing optimization of a system whose analysis is so expensive that it is impractical to let the optimization code invoke it directly because excessive computational cost and elapsed time might result. In such situation it is imperative to have user control the number of times the analysis is invoked. The reported method achieves that by two techniques in the Design of Experiment category: a uniform dispersal of the trial design points over a n-dimensional hypersphere and a response surface fitting, and the technique of krigging. Analyses of all the trial designs whose number may be set by the user are performed before activation of the optimization code and the results are stored as a data base. That code is then executed and referred to the above data base. Two applications, one of the airborne laser system, and one of an aircraft optimization illustrate the method application.

Kodiyalam, S.↗

The Energy Systems Optimization Computer Program /ESOP/ developed for Modular Integrated Utility Systems /MIUS/ analysis

A significant energy and cost savings can be obtained by integrating various utility services (space heating and cooling, electrical power generation, solid waste disposal, potable water, and waste water treatment) into a single unit which provides buildings or groups of buildings with these services. This paper presents a description of a computer program, called the Energy Systems Optimization Program (ESOP). This program predicts the loads, energy requirements, equipment sizes, and life-cycle costs of alternative methods of meeting these utility requirements. The program has been used extensively for performing energy analyses of Modular Integrated Utility Systems (MIUS).

Ferden, S. L.↗

Computational Optimization of a Rotary Valved Pulse Combustor Concept

A resonant pulse combustor valve concept is introduced that utilizes two slotted, coaxial counterrotating discs for mechanical actuation at the combustor inlet. The intended test article for prototype demonstration is a small, 22 in. long, propane fueled laboratory combustor, flowing approximately 0.006 lbm/s of air. The objective is to develop an externally actuated (i.e., active) valve that yields better performance and longer life than the traditional internally actuated (i.e., passive), reed-type valve found on most pulse combustors. The rotary valve motion is optimized using an axisymmetric, two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation with a domain that includes the valve as a moveable interior wall. Parameters such as slew rate, dwell period in the open position, and total closed period are varied using fuel specific impulse as the figure of merit. Variations in fuel injector location and air fuel ratio are also examined. Additionally, the performance impact of leakage from the rotary valve is quantified since leakage is endemic to the design. The optimized simulation results indicate that the rotary valve concept can deliver the desired performance attributes using disc rotational speeds and stresses that are well within the realm of modern materials. A preliminary mechanical valve design is included in the report.

pressure gain combustion↗

Computational Optimization of a Rotary Valved Pulse Combustor Concept

A resonant pulse combustor valve concept is introduced that utilizes two slotted, coaxial counterrotating discs for mechanical actuation at the combustor inlet. The intended test article for prototype demonstration is a small, 22 in. long, propane fueled laboratory combustor, flowing approximately 0.006 lbm/s of air. The objective is to develop an externally actuated (i.e., active) valve that yields better performance and longer life than the traditional internally actuated (i.e., passive), reed-type valve found on most pulse combustors. The rotary valve motion is optimized using an axisymmetric, two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation with a domain that includes the valve as a moveable interior wall. Parameters such as slew rate, dwell period in the open position, and total closed period are varied using fuel specific impulse as the figure of merit. Variations in fuel injector location and air fuel ratio are also examined. Additionally, the performance impact of leakage from the rotary valve is quantified since leakage is endemic to the design. The optimized simulation results indicate that the rotary valve concept can deliver the desired performance attributes using disc rotational speeds and stresses that are well within the realm of modern materials. A preliminary mechanical valve design is included in the report.

pressure gain combustion↗