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At least 19 records

Virtual Shaker Testing: Simulation Technology Improves Vibration Test Performance

In the field of vibration testing, the interaction between the structure being tested and the instrumentation hardware used to perform the test is a critical issue. This is particularly true when testing massive structures (e.g. satellites), because due to physical design and manufacturing limits, the dynamics of the testing facility often couples with the test specimen one in the frequency range of interest. A further issue in this field is the standard use of a closed loop real-time vibration control scheme, which could potentially shift poles and change damping of the aforementioned coupled system. Virtual shaker testing is a novel approach to deal with these issues. It means performing a simulation which closely represents the real vibration test on the specific facility by taking into account all parameters which might impact the dynamic behavior of the specimen. In this paper, such a virtual shaker testing approach is developed. It consists of the following components: (1) Either a physical-based or an equation-based coupled electro-mechanical lumped parameter shaker model is created. The model parameters are obtained from manufacturer's specifications or by carrying out some dedicated experiments; (2) Existing real-time vibration control algorithm are ported to the virtual simulation environment; and (3) A structural model of the test object is created and after defining proper interface conditions structural modes are computed by means of the well-established Craig-Bampton CMS technique. At this stage, a virtual shaker test has been run, by coupling the three described models (shaker, control loop, structure) in a co-simulation routine. Numerical results have eventually been correlated with experimental ones in order to assess the robustness of the proposed methodology.

Ricci, Stefano↗

Shape-constrained Input Estimation for Efficient Multi-shaker Vibration Testing

Multi-shaker vibration testing is gaining interest from structural dynamics test engineers as it can provide a much more accurate match to complicated field vibration responses than traditional single-axis shaker tests. However, the force capabilities of the small modal shakers typically used in multi-shaker vibration tests has limited the achievable response levels. To date, most multi-shaker vibration tests have been performed using a variety of standard, commercially-available control systems. While these control systems are adequate for a wide range of multiple-input/multiple-output tests, their control algorithms have not been tailored for the specific problem of multi-shaker vibration tests: efficiently coordinating the various shakers to work together to achieve a desired response. Here, a new input estimation algorithm is developed and demonstrated using simulations and actual test data. This algorithm, dubbed shape-constrained input estimation, is shown to effectively coordinate multiple shakers using a set of constraint vectors based on the deflection shapes of the test structure. This is accomplished by using the singular vector shapes of the system frequency response matrix, which allows the constraint vectors to automatically change as a function of frequency. Simulation and test results indicate a significant reduction in the input forces required to achieve a desired response. Finally, the results indicate that shape-constrained input estimation is an effective method to achieve higher response levels from limited shaker forces which will enable higher level multi-shaker vibration tests to be performed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A New Approach in Force-Limited Vibration Testing of Flight Hardware

The force-limited vibration test approaches discussed in NASA-7004C were developed to reduce overtesting associated with base shake vibration tests of aerospace hardware where the interface responses are excited coherently. This handbook outlines several different methods of specifying the force limits. The rationale for force limiting is based on the disparity between the impedances of typical aerospace mounting structures and the large impedances of vibration test shakers when the interfaces in general are coherently excited. Among these approaches, the semi-empirical method is presently the most widely used method to derive the force limits. The inclusion of the incoherent excitation of the aerospace structures at mounting interfaces has not been accounted for in the past and provides the basis for more realistic force limits for qualifying the hardware using shaker testing. In this paper current methods for defining the force limiting specifications discussed in the NASA handbook are reviewed using data from a series of acoustic and vibration tests. A new approach based on considering the incoherent excitation of the structural mounting interfaces using acoustic test data is also discussed. It is believed that the new approach provides much more realistic force limits that may further remove conservatism inherent in shaker vibration testing not accounted for by methods discussed in the NASA handbook. A discussion on using FEM/BEM analysis to obtain realistic force limits for flight hardware is provided.

force limiting responses↗

25th Space Simulation Conference. Environmental Testing: The Earth-Space Connection

Topics covered include: Methods of Helium Injection and Removal for Heat Transfer Augmentation; The ESA Large Space Simulator Mechanical Ground Support Equipment for Spacecraft Testing; Temperature Stability and Control Requirements for Thermal Vacuum/Thermal Balance Testing of the Aquarius Radiometer; The Liquid Nitrogen System for Chamber A: A Change from Original Forced Flow Design to a Natural Flow (Thermo Siphon) System; Return to Mercury: A Comparison of Solar Simulation and Flight Data for the MESSENGER Spacecraft; Floating Pressure Conversion and Equipment Upgrades of Two 3.5kw, 20k, Helium Refrigerators; Affect of Air Leakage into a Thermal-Vacuum Chamber on Helium Refrigeration Heat Load; Special ISO Class 6 Cleanroom for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Project; A State-of-the-Art Contamination Effects Research and Test Facility Martian Dust Simulator; Cleanroom Design Practices and Their Influence on Particle Counts; Extra Terrestrial Environmental Chamber Design; Contamination Sources Effects Analysis (CSEA) - A Tool to Balance Cost/Schedule While Managing Facility Availability; SES and Acoustics at GSFC; HST Super Lightweight Interchangeable Carrier (SLIC) Static Test; Virtual Shaker Testing: Simulation Technology Improves Vibration Test Performance; Estimating Shock Spectra: Extensions beyond GEVS; Structural Dynamic Analysis of a Spacecraft Multi-DOF Shaker Table; Direct Field Acoustic Testing; Manufacture of Cryoshroud Surfaces for Space Simulation Chambers; The New LOTIS Test Facility; Thermal Vacuum Control Systems Options for Test Facilities; Extremely High Vacuum Chamber for Low Outgassing Processing at NASA Goddard; Precision Cleaning - Path to Premier; The New Anechoic Shielded Chambers Designed for Space and Commercial Applications at LIT; Extraction of Thermal Performance Values from Samples in the Lunar Dust Adhesion Bell Jar; Thermal (Silicon Diode) Data Acquisition System; Aquarius's Instrument Science Data System (ISDS) Automated to Acquire, Process, Trend Data and Produce Radiometric System Assessment Reports; Exhaustive Thresholds and Resistance Checkpoints; Reconfigurable HIL Testing of Earth Satellites; FPGA Control System for the Automated Test of MicroShutters; Ongoing Capabilities and Developments of Re-Entry Plasma Ground Tests at EADS-ASTRIUM; Operationally Responsive Space Standard Bus Battery Thermal Balance Testing and Heat Dissipation Analysis; Galileo - The Serial-Production AIT Challenge; The Space Systems Environmental Test Facility Database (SSETFD), Website Development Status; Simulated Reentry Heating by Torching; Micro-Vibration Measurements on Thermally Loaded Multi-Layer Insulation Samples in Vacuum; High Temperature Life Testing of 80Ni-20Cr Wire in a Simulated Mars Atmosphere for the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument Suit Gas Processing System (GPS) Carbon Dioxide Scrubber; The Planning and Implementation of Test Facility Improvements; and Development of a Silicon Carbide Molecular Beam Nozzle for Simulation Planetary Flybys and Low-Earth Orbit.

Packard, Edward↗

Spacecraft Vibration Testing: Benefits and Potential Issues

JPL has traditionally performed system level vibration testing of flight spacecraft. The benefits and potential issues of fully assembled flight spacecraft vibration testing are discussed herein. The following specific topics, which may be complementary to the special session on “Virtual Vibration Testing,” are discussed: spacecraft workmanship, functional and structural integrity testing to uncover workmanship problems, force- and moment-limited vibration testing, potential issues with structural frequency identification using base shake test data, and several failures related to vibration shaker testing. The information provided in this paper is complementary to the special session on “Virtual Shaker Testing,’ and attention is given to issues that virtual shaker testing may face.

Kolaini, Ali R.↗

Risk Reduction Project in Pad Abort-1 Launch Vehicle Loads & Dynamics

The Pad Abort (PA-1) system includes the Launch Abort System (LAS) and the Command Module (CM). The PA-1 abort flight test will launch from the White Sands Missile Range. Prior to the ignition, the vehicle will be resting, without restraints, on a short support structure. The Launch Abort Motor will ignite and burn for less than 5 seconds before a 20 second coast. Then the LAS will separate from the CM and the CM will descend via parachute to a soil landing. The static firing of the Abort Motor (ST-1) for PA-1 Launch Vehicle resulted in unexpected higher levels that superseded the environment predictions and all the design and test loads of all subassemblies and components. A rapid project was put in place to develop the flight environments, loads and associated uncertainties for the Verification Load Cycle (VLC) of PA-1. An acoustic test and shaker test of the CM were planned and executed in support of the developments of damping and transfer functions. Instead of using the traditional structure-borne envelops, the actual ST-1 pressures and forces were used to develop the internal accelerations. The PA-1 motor was cooled to 60 Deg F using thermal conditioning to reduce the thrust profile. The plumes of the abort motor were studied to determine if the airborne environments would be reduced. The combination of all items, noted above, allowed a reduction in loads for VLC.

Sasan C Armand↗

Shaker Table Test Plan

Currently, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is stored in onsite independent spent fuel storage facilities (ISFSIs), which is a dry storage facility, at 55 nuclear power plant sites. The majority of SNF in dry storage is in welded metal canisters (2,917 canisters at the end of 2019). The canisters are loaded for storage in storage overpacks (vertical casks or horizontal storage modules) and placed on outdoor concrete pads. Because the SNF will be stored at ISFSIs for an extended period of time, there is growing concern with regards to the behavior of the SNF within these dry storage systems during earthquakes. To address these concerns, the SFWST program is considering conducting an earthquake shaker table test. The goal of this test is to determine the strains and accelerations on fuel assembly hardware and cladding during earthquakes of different magnitudes to better quantify the potential damage an earthquake could inflict on spent nuclear fuel rods. The seismic integrity of the storage system has been addressed in the past by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is not the focus of this potential test. Instead the DOE would benefit from knowing the condition of the fuel cladding from storage, transportation, to disposal so that it can ascertain repository performance for the fuel and packaging in its final state. A seismic event is part of the possible loading events that the fuel could experience in its lifetime. This report proposes several earthquake shaker table tests with different degrees of complexity. Alternative 1 was defined in the FY20 work scope. Alternatives 2 and 3 were recently developed to take advantage of the NUHOMS 32PTH dry storage canister that may be available in FY21 for this test at a minimum cost to the project. The selection of the alternative(s) will depend on the available budget and the SFWST program priorities for the near future.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Space Launch System Vibration Analysis Support

The ultimate goal for my efforts during this internship was to help prepare for the Space Launch System (SLS) integrated modal test (IMT) with Rodney Rocha. In 2018, the Structural Engineering Loads and Dynamics Team will have 10 days to perform the IMT on the SLS Integrated Launch Vehicle. After that 10 day period, we will have about two months to analyze the test data and determine whether the integrated vehicle modes/frequencies are adequate for launching the vehicle. Because of the time constraints, NASA must have newly developed post-test analysis methods proven well and with technical confidence before testing. NASA civil servants along with help from rotational interns are working with novel techniques developed and applied external to Johnson Space Center (JSC) to uncover issues in applying this technique to much larger scales than ever before. We intend to use modal decoupling methods to separate the entangled vibrations coming from the SLS and its support structure during the IMT. This new approach is still under development. The primary goal of my internship was to learn the basics of structural dynamics and physical vibrations. I was able to accomplish this by working on two experimental test set ups, the Simple Beam and TAURUS-T, and by doing some light analytical and post-processing work. Within the Simple Beam project, my role involves changing the data acquisition system, reconfiguration of the test set up, transducer calibration, data collection, data file recovery, and post-processing analysis. Within the TAURUS-T project, my duties included cataloging and removing the 30+ triaxial accelerometers, coordinating the removal of the structure from the current rolling cart to a sturdy billet for further testing, preparing the accelerometers for remounting, accurately calibrating, mounting, and mapping of all accelerometer channels, and some testing. Hammer and shaker tests will be performed to easily visualize mode shapes at low frequencies. Short analytical projects using MATLAB were also assigned to aid in research efforts. These included integration of acceleration data for comparison to measured displacement data. Laplace and Fourier transforms were also investigated to determine viability as a method of modal decoupling. In addition to these projects, I was also able contribute work that would benefit future interns and the division as a whole. I gave a short presentation and answered questions to aid in the recruitment of subsequent interns and co-ops for the division. I also assisted in revisions and additions to Intern/Co-Op Handbook to provide incoming employees with background information on the organization they are about to work for. I further developed tutorial on Pulse software, which was used for data acquisition for both experiments and will be helpful to interns and engineers that may be unfamiliar to the software. I gained a diverse range of experience throughout my internship. I was introduced to advanced dynamics and analytical techniques. This was through new experience with both hands on experimentation and analytical post processing methods. I was exposed to the benefits of interdepartmental collaboration and developed stronger skills in time management by coordinating two different tests at once. This internship provided an excellent opportunity to see how engineering theories applied to real life scenarios, and an introduction to how NASA/JSC solves technical problems.

Johnson, Katie↗

Validation of an Active Gear, Flexible Aircraft Take-off and Landing analysis (AGFATL)

The results of an analytical investigation using a computer program for active gear, flexible aircraft take off and landing analysis (AGFATL) are compared with experimental data from shaker tests, drop tests, and simulated landing tests to validate the AGFATL computer program. Comparison of experimental and analytical responses for both passive and active gears indicates good agreement for shaker tests and drop tests. For the simulated landing tests, the passive and active gears were influenced by large strut binding friction forces. The inclusion of these undefined forces in the analytical simulations was difficult, and consequently only fair to good agreement was obtained. An assessment of the results from the investigation indicates that the AGFATL computer program is a valid tool for the study and initial design of series hydraulic active control landing gear systems.

Mcgehee, J. R.↗

Unsteady environments and responses of the shuttle combined loads orbiter test

Both separate and combined wind tunnel and vibration shaker tests were conducted on two structural panels representative of the Shuttle orbiter in the NASA LaRC 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel (TPT) to determine the effects of combined loads on the thermal protection system (TPS). The primary objective of this test was to provide a combined full-scale load environment and realistic time history of the dynamic pressures, Mach numbers (through transonic), and dynamic structural responses of these panels. The panels were selected from orbiter locations where interactive load sources such as aerodynamic shock waves, turbulent boundary layers, strut-induced vorticity, and substrate deformation combined to provide high bonding loads between the TPS and the orbiter structure. The test panels for this program were highly instrumented with static and dynamic pressure gages, accelerometers, deflectometers, strain gages, Schileren and high-speed photography, and special instrumentation necessary to determine TPS/structure interface loads and tile motions. Two test specimens of each orbiter panel were utilized. Both were high-fidelity representations of the selected orbiter location. The first panel (calibration panel) for each test was utilized to calibrate the tunnel and shaker system as well as provide a data-gathering source for applied static and dynamic loads. The second panel (test panel) for each test was subjected to flight time exposures only so that TPS characteristics as a function of flight mission exposure could be determined. These tests were the last in a series that was suce6ssfully completed and necessary to certify the TPS prior to the first launching of the Shuttle.

P. H. Schuetz↗

Viking Mars lander 1975 dynamic test model/orbiter developmental test model forced vibration test

The Viking Mars Lander 1975 dynamic test model and orbiter developmental test model were subjected to forced vibration sine tests. Flight acceptance (FA) and type approval (TA) test levels were applied to the spacecraft structure in a longitudinal test configuration using a 133,440-N (30,000-lb) force shaker. Testing in the two lateral axes (X, Y) was performed at lower levels using four 667-N (150-lb) force shakers. Forced vibration qualification (TA) test levels were successfully imposed on the spacecraft at frequencies down to 10 Hz. Measured responses showed the same character as analytical predictions, and correlation was reasonably good. Because of control system test tolerances, orbiter primary structure generally did not reach the design load limits attained in earlier static testing. A post-test examination of critical orbiter structure disclosed no apparent damage to the structure as a result of the test environment.

Fortenberry, J.↗

Nineteenth Space Simulation Conference Cost Effective Testing for the 21st Century

The Nineteenth Space Simulation Conference was hosted by the Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES) and was supported by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). These proceedings attest to the scope of the conference; papers were presented on topics as diverse as shuttle payload contamination effects, simulating Martian environment for testing, to state-of-the-art 6-axis hydraulic shaker testing system. A good cross section of the international aerospace community took advantage of the opportunity to get together, to share their experiences, and to participate in the technical sessions. The two invited keynote speakers were Lieutenant General Malcolm O'Neill (USA, Ret.), past Director of BMDO, and Mr. Thomas Coughlin, Space Programs Manager at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Their most informative and thought provoking talks were on cost effective testing approaches in Defense Department programs for the 21st Century and what part testing plays in the faster, better, cheaper approach for the NEAR and APL programs, respectively. The preceding tutorial and the tour of the Garber Facility of the Air and Space Museum rounded out a comprehensive conference contributing to the knowledge base vital to cost effective testing for successful missions into the 21st Century.

Stecher, Joseph L., III↗

Squeeze Film Damper Experimental and Numerical Correlation: Test Setup Description and Parameter Identification of Dry System

The process of characterizing a damper involves both experimental techniques and model simulation. Experiments characterize dynamic behavior of a system through empirical modal analysis using impact and shaker testing. The layout of the test setup is crucial for a low-mass, nonlinear system. Physical arrangement, orientation of the system, and instrumentation affect the results that are discussed in this paper. These results can be used to validate a numerical simulation of the same system. With a validated model, important physical input parameters and modeling techniques can be determined and implemented in future designs. In other words, this modeling can be used with confidence to design alternative dampers that may be difficult, costly, and time-consuming to characterize experimentally.

Cook, Jason↗

Design of a piezoelectric shaker for centrifuge testing

The design of a prototype piezoelectric shaker and its development to date is described. Although certain design problems remain to be solved, the piezoelectric system shows promise for adaptation to a larger payload system, such as the proposed geotechnical centrifuge at the Ames Research Center.

Canclini, J. G.↗