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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

Monotonically improving approximate answers to relational algebra queries

We present here a query processing method that produces approximate answers to queries posed in standard relational algebra. This method is monotone in the sense that the accuracy of the approximate result improves with the amount of time spent producing the result. This strategy enables us to trade the time to produce the result for the accuracy of the result. An approximate relational model that characterizes appromimate relations and a partial order for comparing them is developed. Relational operators which operate on and return approximate relations are defined.

Smith, Kenneth P.↗

HOMAR: A computer code for generating homotopic grids using algebraic relations: User's manual

A computer code for fast automatic generation of quasi-three-dimensional grid systems for aerospace configurations is described. The code employs a homotopic method to algebraically generate two-dimensional grids in cross-sectional planes, which are stacked to produce a three-dimensional grid system. Implementation of the algebraic equivalents of the homotopic relations for generating body geometries and grids are explained. Procedures for controlling grid orthogonality and distortion are described. Test cases with description and specification of inputs are presented in detail. The FORTRAN computer program and notes on implementation and use are included.

Moitra, Anutosh↗

Extended Lyapunov stability criterion using a nonlinear algebraic relation with application to adaptive control

A new nonlinear stability criterion is developed by use of a class of Lyapunov functionals for model-reference adaptive systems (MRAS). Results are compared with traditional results, and a comparative design technique is used to illustrate its function in improving the transient response of an MRAS controller. For a particular system structure and class of input signals, the new stability criterion is shown to include traditional sufficiency stability conditions as a special case. An example is cited to illustrate the use of the nonlinear criterion and its definite advantages in helping improve the adaptive error transient response of a system. Analysis of results is effected by use of a linearization technique on the resulting adaptive equations.

Colburn, B. K.↗

Analysis and synthesis of distributed-lumped-active networks by digital computer

The use of digital computational techniques in the analysis and synthesis of DLA (distributed lumped active) networks is considered. This class of networks consists of three distinct types of elements, namely, distributed elements (modeled by partial differential equations), lumped elements (modeled by algebraic relations and ordinary differential equations), and active elements (modeled by algebraic relations). Such a characterization is applicable to a broad class of circuits, especially including those usually referred to as linear integrated circuits, since the fabrication techniques for such circuits readily produce elements which may be modeled as distributed, as well as the more conventional lumped and active ones.

Source record↗

An Algorithm for Interactive Modeling of Space-Transportation Engine Simulations: A Constraint Satisfaction Approach

In this research we have developed an algorithm for the purpose of constraint processing by utilizing relational algebraic operators. Van Beek and others have investigated in the past this type of constraint processing from within a relational algebraic framework, producing some unique results. Apart from providing new theoretical angles, this approach also gives the opportunity to use the existing efficient implementations of relational database management systems as the underlying data structures for any relevant algorithm. Our algorithm here enhances that framework. The algorithm is quite general in its current form. Weak heuristics (like forward checking) developed within the Constraint-satisfaction problem (CSP) area could be also plugged easily within this algorithm for further enhancements of efficiency. The algorithm as developed here is targeted toward a component-oriented modeling problem that we are currently working on, namely, the problem of interactive modeling for batch-simulation of engineering systems (IMBSES). However, it could be adopted for many other CSP problems as well. The research addresses the algorithm and many aspects of the problem IMBSES that we are currently handling.

Mitra, Debasis↗

Component modes damping assignment methodology for articulated, multiflexible body structures

To simulate the dynamical motion of articulated, multiflexible body structures, one can use multibody simulation packages such as DISCOS. To this end, one must supply appropriate reduced-order models for all of the flexible components involved. The component modes projection and assembly model reduction (COMPARE) methodology is one way to construct these reduced-order component models, which when reassembled capture important system input-to-output mapping of the full-order model at multiple system configurations of interest. In conjunction, we must also supply component damping matrices which when reassembled generate a system damping matrix that has certain desirable properties. The problem of determining the damping factors of components' modes to achieve a given system damping matrix is addressed here. To this end, we must establish from first principles a matrix-algebraic relation between the system's modal damping matrix and the components' modal damping matrices. An unconstrained/constrained optimization problem can then be formulated to determine the component modes' damping factors that best satisfy that matrix-algebraic relation. The effectiveness of the developed methodology, called ModeDamp, has been successfully demonstrated on a high-order, finite element model of the Galileo spacecraft.

Lee, Allan Y.↗

Producing approximate answers to database queries

We have designed and implemented a query processor, called APPROXIMATE, that makes approximate answers available if part of the database is unavailable or if there is not enough time to produce an exact answer. The accuracy of the approximate answers produced improves monotonically with the amount of data retrieved to produce the result. The exact answer is produced if all of the needed data are available and query processing is allowed to continue until completion. The monotone query processing algorithm of APPROXIMATE works within the standard relational algebra framework and can be implemented on a relational database system with little change to the relational architecture. We describe here the approximation semantics of APPROXIMATE that serves as the basis for meaningful approximations of both set-valued and single-valued queries. We show how APPROXIMATE is implemented to make effective use of semantic information, provided by an object-oriented view of the database, and describe the additional overhead required by APPROXIMATE.

Vrbsky, Susan V.↗

An Object-oriented Query Processor that Produces Monotonically Improving Approximate Answers

The paper describes an object-oriented query processor that makes approximate answers available if there is not enough time to produce an exact answer or if part of the database is unavailable. The accuracy of the approximate result produces improves monotonically with the amount of data retrieved to produce the result. The query processing algorithm is based on an approximate relational data model and works within a standard relational algebra framework. The query processor maintains an object-oriented view on an underlying level and can be implemented on a relational database system with little change to the relational architecture. We show how a monotone query processing strategy can be implemented, making effective use of semantic information presented by the object-oriented view.

Vrbsky, S. V.↗

Improve Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery Through the Use of MatLab

Data mining is widely used to mine business, engineering, and scientific data. Data mining uses pattern based queries, searches, or other analyses of one or more electronic databases/datasets in order to discover or locate a predictive pattern or anomaly indicative of system failure, criminal or terrorist activity, etc. There are various algorithms, techniques and methods used to mine data; including neural networks, genetic algorithms, decision trees, nearest neighbor method, rule induction association analysis, slice and dice, segmentation, and clustering. These algorithms, techniques and methods used to detect patterns in a dataset, have been used in the development of numerous open source and commercially available products and technology for data mining. Data mining is best realized when latent information in a large quantity of data stored is discovered. No one technique solves all data mining problems; challenges are to select algorithms or methods appropriate to strengthen data/text mining and trending within given datasets. In recent years, throughout industry, academia and government agencies, thousands of data systems have been designed and tailored to serve specific engineering and business needs. Many of these systems use databases with relational algebra and structured query language to categorize and retrieve data. In these systems, data analyses are limited and require prior explicit knowledge of metadata and database relations; lacking exploratory data mining and discoveries of latent information. This presentation introduces MatLab(R) (MATrix LABoratory), an engineering and scientific data analyses tool to perform data mining. MatLab was originally intended to perform purely numerical calculations (a glorified calculator). Now, in addition to having hundreds of mathematical functions, it is a programming language with hundreds built in standard functions and numerous available toolboxes. MatLab's ease of data processing, visualization and its enormous availability of built in functionalities and toolboxes make it suitable to perform numerical computations and simulations as well as a data mining tool. Engineers and scientists can take advantage of the readily available functions/toolboxes to gain wider insight in their perspective data mining experiments.

Shaykhian, Gholam Ali↗

Improve Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery through the use of MatLab

Data mining is widely used to mine business, engineering, and scientific data. Data mining uses pattern based queries, searches, or other analyses of one or more electronic databases/datasets in order to discover or locate a predictive pattern or anomaly indicative of system failure, criminal or terrorist activity, etc. There are various algorithms, techniques and methods used to mine data; including neural networks, genetic algorithms, decision trees, nearest neighbor method, rule induction association analysis, slice and dice, segmentation, and clustering. These algorithms, techniques and methods used to detect patterns in a dataset, have been used in the development of numerous open source and commercially available products and technology for data mining. Data mining is best realized when latent information in a large quantity of data stored is discovered. No one technique solves all data mining problems; challenges are to select algorithms or methods appropriate to strengthen data/text mining and trending within given datasets. In recent years, throughout industry, academia and government agencies, thousands of data systems have been designed and tailored to serve specific engineering and business needs. Many of these systems use databases with relational algebra and structured query language to categorize and retrieve data. In these systems, data analyses are limited and require prior explicit knowledge of metadata and database relations; lacking exploratory data mining and discoveries of latent information. This presentation introduces MatLab(TradeMark)(MATrix LABoratory), an engineering and scientific data analyses tool to perform data mining. MatLab was originally intended to perform purely numerical calculations (a glorified calculator). Now, in addition to having hundreds of mathematical functions, it is a programming language with hundreds built in standard functions and numerous available toolboxes. MatLab's ease of data processing, visualization and its enormous availability of built in functionalities and toolboxes make it suitable to perform numerical computations and simulations as well as a data mining tool. Engineers and scientists can take advantage of the readily available functions/toolboxes to gain wider insight in their perspective data mining experiments.

Shaykahian, Gholan Ali↗

Comparison of Turbulent Thermal Diffusivity and Scalar Variance Models

In this study, several variable turbulent Prandtl number formulations are examined for boundary layers, pipe flow, and axisymmetric jets. The model formulations include simple algebraic relations between the thermal diffusivity and turbulent viscosity as well as more complex models that solve transport equations for the thermal variance and its dissipation rate. Results are compared with available data for wall heat transfer and profile measurements of mean temperature, the root-mean-square (RMS) fluctuating temperature, turbulent heat flux and turbulent Prandtl number. For wall-bounded problems, the algebraic models are found to best predict the rise in turbulent Prandtl number near the wall as well as the log-layer temperature profile, while the thermal variance models provide a good representation of the RMS temperature fluctuations. In jet flows, the algebraic models provide no benefit over a constant turbulent Prandtl number approach. Application of the thermal variance models finds that some significantly overpredict the temperature variance in the plume and most underpredict the thermal growth rate of the jet. The models yield very similar fluctuating temperature intensities in jets from straight pipes and smooth contraction nozzles, in contrast to data that indicate the latter should have noticeably higher values. For the particular low subsonic heated jet cases examined, changes in the turbulent Prandtl number had no effect on the centerline velocity decay.

computational fluid dynamics↗

Absorption and Emission Characteristics of Diffuse Spherical Enclosures

An analysis was made to determine the energy absorbed when radiation from an external source enters a spherical cavity with diffusely reflecting walls. It was found that both the overall energy absorbed in the cavity and the local distribution of absorbed energy could be expressed in terms of simple algebraic equations that are valid for any arbitrary spatial and directional distribution of the incoming radiation. In addition, the characteristics of an isothermal spherical cavity as a possible source of near black-body radiation were investigated. This information was also expressed by simple algebraic relations.

ABSORPTION↗

Optimal control of first order distributed systems

The problem of characterizing optimal controls for a class of distributed-parameter systems is considered. The system dynamics are characterized mathematically by a finite number of coupled partial differential equations involving first-order time and space derivatives of the state variables, which are constrained at the boundary by a finite number of algebraic relations. Multiple control inputs, extending over the entire spatial region occupied by the system ("distributed controls') are to be designed so that the response of the system is optimal. A major example involving boundary control of an unstable low-density plasma is developed from physical laws.

Johnson, T. L.↗

Two bonded half planes with a crack going through the interface

The plane problem of two bonded elastic half planes containing a finite crack perpendicular to and going through the interface is considered. The problem is formulated as a system of singular integral equations with generalized Cauchy kernels. Even though the system has three irregular points, it is shown that the unknown functions are algebraically related at the irregular point on the interface and the integral equations can be solved by a method developed previously. The system of integral equations is shown to yield the same characteristic equation as that for two bonded quarter planes in the general case of the through crack, and the characteristic equation for a crack tip terminating at the interface in the special case. The numerical results given in the paper include the stress intensity factors at the crack tips, the normal and shear components of the stress intensity factors at the singular point on the interface, and the crack surface displacements.

Erdogan, F.↗

A minimum principle for smooth first-order distributed systems

Consideration of the problem of characterizing optimal controls for a class of distributed parameter systems. The system dynamics are characterized mathematically by a finite number of coupled partial differential equations involving first-order time and space derivatives of the state variables. Boundary conditions on the state are in the form of a finite number of algebraic relations between the state and boundary control variables. A few directions are outlined in which the results obtained may be extended further.

Johnson, T. L.↗

On the Navier-Stokes equations with constant total temperature

For various applications in fluid dynamics, it is assumed that the total temperature is constant. Therefore, the energy equation can be replaced by an algebraic relation. The resulting set of equations in the inviscid case is analyzed. It is shown that the system is strictly hyperbolic and well posed for the initial value problems. Boundary conditions are described such that the linearized system is well posed. The Hopscotch method is investigated and numerical results are presented.

Gottlieb, D.↗

On the Navier-Stokes equations with constant total temperature

For various applications in fluid dynamics, one can assume that the total temperature is constant. Therefore, the energy equations can be replaced by an algebraic relation. The resulting set of equations in the inviscid case is analyzed in this paper. It is shown that the system is strictly hyperbolic and well posed for the initial-value problem. Boundary conditions are described such that the linearized system is well posed. The hopscotch method is investigated and numerical results are presented.

Gottlieb, D.↗